Episode Overview
Teamwork at the top is the overarching reason for success at Koala Cooling in Round Rock, Texas.
Paul Olsen is the CEO, who takes the lead on things like overhauling operational efficiencies. Kyle Sattler is the COO, with a focus on strategic marketing.
Since the duo took over in 2018, they’ve propelled Koala to exceed $3.3 million in annual revenue. That includes a 10X expansion in just over three years.
Olsen says it takes a certain amount of trust and humility to treat a partner 100% equally.
“I don’t want to sound cheesy, but it’s kind of like a marriage,” he says. “When you don’t like what the other person is saying, when you think they’re completely wrong, you just have to listen to it.”
Sattler says decision making is easier now with a management team of four.
“We have other voices now that help weigh in,” he says.”
Ultimately, the fact that Olsen and Sattler have backgrounds in different specialties has proved to be a positive for the company.
Olsen has instituted a seven-point plan for technicians.
“They’re called ‘never-misses,’” he says. “It’s seven key points technicians have to look at in every home. In the contracting world, those never-misses equal easy wins.”
On the marketing side, Sattler’s annual marketing spend is based on 3% of annual revenue.
Ultimately, we spend on a few things and all of them are brand building,” he says. “They’re not ROI-driven elements. We’re trying to build for what we land in the future.”
Olsen and Sattler will continue to respect each others’ strengths.
“We don't sing ‘Kumbaya’ all that much,” Sattler says. “We also don't yell at each other that much. We're somewhere in the middle, but ultimately we just try to be self-aware.”
Kyle Sattler and Paul Olsen recently joined ServiceTitan’s Jackie Aubel on the “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast, which included their thoughts on:
[9:13] Planting the seeds for a dynamic business partnership
[14:59] “Never misses” and driving business efficiencies
[21:45] A marketing focus on brand-building and SEO map packs
[34:27] Resolving disagreements and the private equity question
To hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to “Toolbox for the Trades” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, or anywhere you get podcasts.
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