The Catalyst for the Trades
Are you driven to achieve more, push boundaries, and see real results in everything you do? The Catalyst is the podcast for the relentless go-getters, innovators, and leaders who are obsessed with turning vision into action. Join us as we dive deep into success stories, strategies, and insights from industry experts who have cracked the code on what it takes to ignite change and get results. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a business leader, or someone determined to excel, this podcast will fuel your obsession with success. Listen in and become the catalyst for your own results.
The Catalyst for the Trades
From Gym Floors to HVAC Superstar: Tyler Dixon’s Leap Into Trades Sales
Ready for a real-world success story that proves the trades are wide open for ambitious go-getters? On this episode of Catalyst, hosts Jennifer Bagley and Chuck Staszkiewicz welcome Darren Dixon, an HVAC industry legend, and his son, Tyler Dixon, who swapped college plans for a fast-track sales career in home services. Tyler shares his path from general manager of a fitness club to high-performing comfort advisor at DND Air, breaking six-figure income before age 22—all thanks to tech-forward processes, strong mentorship, and a relentless drive to connect with customers.
Discover practical hiring, onboarding, and training insights, hear how new technology like “Perfect Match” empowers younger sales stars, and get actionable advice for owners and aspiring salespeople who want to level up. Perfect for business owners, comfort advisors, tech-savvy recruits, or anyone wondering if the trades are the new American Dream.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Meet the Hosts & Guests
01:30 – Tyler’s Journey: From Fitness GM to Trades Newbie
06:03 – Facing Fears and Making the Leap
12:24 – Why HVAC Sales Is a Winning Career
16:05 – Onboarding: Tyler’s Three-Week Sales Training Breakdown
17:56 – Leveraging Technology: Perfect Match and Customer Experience
22:47 – Building Value, Trust, and Higher Ticket Sales
25:10 – The Power of Communication Over Technical Jargon
27:21 – The Critical Installer-Sales Relationship
29:18 – Marketing with Integrity: Transparent Sales vs. Tune-Up Flips
31:07 – Generational Opportunity: The Future of Trades Careers
34:11 – Tyler’s Pre-Call Prep & Building Relationships
36:44 – Learning and Self-Development on the Road
43:22 – The Power of Process: Metrics, Mindset, and Detaching from Outcomes
49:10 – Debriefing Calls: Learning from Every Experience
51:12 – Final Thoughts & The Importance of Community
Guest Details:
Darren Dixon
Title: Founder & CEO, fyxify
Background: With 30 years in the trades, Darren's career spans from a comfort advisor to franchise development in one-hour heating and air conditioning. Now at fyxify, he focuses on merging technology with consumer-centric services.
Tyler Dixon
Title: Home Comfort Specialist at D&D Air Conditioning
Background: Former top-performing fitness general manager. In his first year in HVAC, Tyler’s on track for $3 million in sales using cutting-edge tools and process-driven training.
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