Ramblin’ Rhyno Reflections: From the Ditch to the Boardroom with Julian Scadden

Episode 179 – HVAC R&D Podcast
Guest: Julian Scadden, CEO of Nexstar Network
Location: HVAC R&D Studio
Watch the Full Episode: YouTube Link

I was driving between customer meetings the other day, listening back to my conversation with Julian Scadden to make sure I hadn’t missed any key points or details during the editing process. You know how that goes. Sometimes when you’re replaying an episode on the road, something pops out at you the second time around. And with Julian’s story, that’s exactly what happened.

We’ve all had those days where the mud is deeper than your boots and the “glamour” of the trades feels about as real as a three-dollar bill. But that’s where the grit is born. That’s where the foundation is poured.

I recently sat down with Julian Scadden, the CEO of Nexstar Network, for Episode 179. If you don’t know Julian’s story, you need to. This isn’t a guy who walked out of an Ivy League school with a silver spoon and a suit. Julian started exactly where that crew was: at the bottom of a ditch, shovel in hand.

Now, he’s leading one of the most influential organizations in our industry. We spent over an hour digging into what it actually takes to move from the ditch to the boardroom, and let me tell you, it isn’t about luck. It’s about a fundamental shift in how you see yourself, your business, and the people around you.

From the Ditch to the Driver’s Seat

Julian’s journey is the ultimate “TradeCrew” story. He’s lived the evolution. He didn’t just wake up one day and decide to be a corporate leader. He ground it out in the field, learned the technical side, and then faced the hardest transition any of us ever make: moving from being the best technician in the company to being the leader the company actually needs.

One of the things Julian and I talked about is the “technician’s trap.” You know the one. You’re great with your hands, customers love you, and you think, “I can do this better than my boss.” So you hang out your shingle.

But suddenly, the wrench isn’t the only tool you need. You need a P&L statement. You need a marketing plan. You need to know how to handle a disgruntled homeowner and a supplier who’s shorted your order. Julian’s path from that trench to the CEO’s office at Nexstar was paved with the realization that the “work” of the business is entirely different from the “work” of the trade.

Is Your Business an Asset or Just a Job?

This one resonated heavily with me because of my roots in my father’s business. Julian dropped a truth bomb that I think a lot of guys need to hear: Is your business an asset, or do you just own your job?

If you can’t take a week off to go fishing or take the family to the beach without the whole operation catching fire, you don’t own a business. You own a high-stress, 80-hour-a-week job that you can’t quit.

Building an asset means building systems. It means trusting people. It means creating something that has value even when you aren’t the one turning the screwdriver. Julian’s focus at Nexstar is helping contractors realize that the ultimate goal isn’t just to be “busy”: it’s to be profitable and sustainable.

That shift in mindset is the difference between a guy who burns out at 45 and a guy who builds a legacy.

Juggling Rubber vs. Glass

We got deep into the personal side of things, too. In this industry, we wear the “grind” like a badge of honor. We brag about the 14-hour days and the missed dinners. But Julian shared a perspective on balance that stayed with me long after we stopped recording.

Think of your life like you’re juggling five balls: work, family, health, friends, and spirit.

Work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it’s going to bounce. You might lose a contract, you might have a bad quarter, but you can pick it up and keep going.

But family? Health? Those are glass balls. If you drop those, they don’t bounce. They crack. Sometimes, they shatter completely.

I’ve seen too many good men in this trade sacrifice the glass balls to keep the rubber one in the air. Julian’s message was clear: you have to know which ones you can afford to let hit the floor for a second. If you’re building a business that destroys your health or your home life, you aren’t winning. You’re losing the long game.

The Power of the Front Office

One thing Julian is incredibly passionate about: and something we don’t talk about enough: is the “soft skills” side of the house. We spend thousands of dollars training techs on the latest heat pumps or inverter tech, but what about the person answering the phone?

The dispatchers, the call center reps, the CSRs: they are the face of your brand. They are the first point of contact for a customer who is likely having a bad day because their AC is out or their basement is flooding.

Julian pointed out that if your office staff doesn’t have the empathy, the training, and the “soft skills” to handle those calls, your technical brilliance doesn’t matter. They won’t get you in the door.

We need to start treating our office staff like the professionals they are. They aren’t “just” answering phones. They are the gatekeepers of your revenue.

Collaboration Over Competition

If there’s one thing that defines the HVAC R&D vibe, it’s Collaboration Over Competition.

Nexstar is built on this exact foundation. It’s about a group of independent contractors coming together to share what works, what doesn’t, and how to raise the tide for everyone.

In the old days, everyone kept their “secrets” close to the vest. You didn’t want the guy down the street knowing your pricing or your sales process. But that’s small-time thinking.

The reality is that there is enough work for everyone who does it right. When we collaborate: when we share resources, ideas, and even our failures: we all get better. The industry gets more professional. The customers get better service. And we all win.

Julian is a living testament to what happens when you stop looking at the guy next to you as an enemy and start looking at him as a peer.

Final Thoughts from the Cab

Looking back at that crew in the ditch, I realized that the shovel is just the beginning. Whether you’re a tech today, a service manager tomorrow, or a CEO in ten years, the principles stay the same.

Character matters. Systems matter. But, People…People matter the most.

Julian Scadden is a guy who hasn’t forgotten where he came from, but he’s never stopped looking at where he’s going. If you’re feeling stuck in the “grind,” I highly recommend giving Episode 179 a listen. It’s not just business advice; it’s a roadmap for a better life in the trades.

Before you head back to the job site, make sure you check out the HVAC R&D Resource Hub. We’ve put together the tools and the network you need to stop just owning a job and start building an asset. And if you’re looking for the right partners to help you grow, our Vendor Hub is where the real pros hang out.

Keep grinding, but remember to keep your eye on those glass balls.

Stay gritty. Stay authentic.

Stay grounded,

Ramblin’ Rhyno, out. Peace y’all.

Want to hear more? Check out our latest episodes or find out where to listen to the full conversation with Cory Byron.