How a $50 Loan and a Vision Sparked a $100 Million Service Empire – With Aaron Gainer of Eco Plumbers
How a $50 Loan and a Vision Sparked a $100 Million Service Empire
By Joe Crisara, America’s Service Sales Coach
In my years of coaching thousands of service professionals across the country, I’ve seen countless entrepreneurs face burnout, breakdown, and breakthroughs. But few stories hit as hard or inspire as much as Aaron Gainer’s.
Aaron is the founder and CEO of Eco Plumbers, Electricians & HVAC Technicians, one of the fastest-growing home service businesses in the U.S. What makes his journey different isn’t just the end result (a $100 million+ operation projected for 2025). It’s how he got there starting with a $50 loan, a used truck, and a promise to his son that this won’t be your life.
But this isn’t just a rags-to-riches story. It’s a blueprint. If you want to build a legacy, grow your team, and scale your service business the right way, there are proven principles here for you to apply.
Watch the full podcast episode here: How a $50 Loan and a Vision Sparked a $100 Million Service Empire – With Aaron Gainer of Eco Plumbers
or
Listen to the full podcast episode here: How a $50 Loan and a Vision Sparked a $100 Million Service Empire – With Aaron Gainer of Eco Plumbers
Lesson 1: Start With a Vision Big Enough to Scare You
One of the first things I teach in my Total Immersion sales training is that your vision must lead your execution. When Aaron started over after losing everything in the 2006–2007 housing crash, he didn’t just get back to work—he got clear on his vision:
“We’re going to be a $100 million business.”
Sound crazy at the time? Maybe. But that bold, audacious target gave Aaron and his team the clarity and focus they needed to align every decision with that goal.
Action Step:
Write down your 10-year revenue goal. Then reverse-engineer it into annual, quarterly, and monthly targets. Use this as your compass when hiring, marketing, and training.
Lesson 2: Brand Your People—Not Just Your Trades
Most companies build their brand around the services they offer. Not Aaron. He realized early on that customers don’t say, “I need plumbing.” They say, “I need a plumber.” That human-first mindset shaped everything.
That’s why his company is Eco Plumbers, Eco Electricians, and Eco HVAC Technicians. He’s not just branding a business he’s elevating the people who power it.
This thinking led to the creation of Eco University, an in-house training platform that has helped 140+ techs launch careers in the trades, many with zero experience before joining.
Action Step:
Reevaluate how your brand speaks to your customers and your team. Are you emphasizing your people or your process? Start building a brand that honors your technicians and CSRs.
Lesson 3: Educate Relentlessly—Then Execute Quickly
I’ve always said, “Don’t wait to be perfect. Start now and adjust as you go.” Aaron lives this philosophy. He didn’t let the fear of imperfection paralyze him. He just moved.
He studied. He attended sales training. He joined leadership seminars. He enrolled in Total Immersion over 12 years ago and later built his own learning systems internally. But through it all, he kept executing.
Action Step:
Pick one new strategy this week whether it’s role-playing customer objections or revamping your pricing presentation and put it into action before the week is over.
Lesson 4: Build Weekly Accountability Into Your Culture
One of the most powerful habits I see in elite service companies is structured accountability and Aaron’s team has it down.
Every Monday at 9:15 AM, their entire leadership team meets to review goals, KPIs, and cross-department strategies. These meetings aren’t just reports they’re collaborative game plans built by the people closest to the work.
Action Step:
Set up a weekly leadership rhythm in your company. Make it non-negotiable. Let every manager present their own metrics and goals. Use it to align your team and stay on track toward your vision.
Lesson 5: Sales Coaching Is Not Optional. It’s Foundational
Aaron credits much of his transformation to investing in elite-level sales coaching, starting with his experience in Service MVP’s Total Immersion Training. I remember working with Aaron and seeing that fire he didn’t just want to survive; he wanted to excel.
He didn’t just “learn how to sell.” He learned how to serve at the highest level using Pure Motive principles.
Action Step:
If you haven’t yet, get your team into consistent, real-time sales coaching. Whether through live training or online courses, they need continuous reps, feedback, and support.
What’s Next for Eco?
Aaron isn’t stopping at $100 million. He’s aiming for:
-$250 million in multi-trade expansion
-$1 billion under management
-A legacy built on service, people, and transformation
-This is what happens when you combine a powerful vision with relentless action and expert coaching.
Takeaways You Can Apply Right Now
Whether you’re just starting out or scaling fast, here’s how to apply what Aaron’s done:
-Clarify your vision—and share it with your team
-Brand around your people, not just your service
-Train constantly, both in-house and with expert partners
-Start executing now—don’t wait for perfect conditions
-Meet weekly to stay accountable and aligned
-Invest in real sales coaching, not just scripts or tips
Ready to Train Like Eco?
Join the Service MVP Club Now and unlock the system Aaron used to build a $100M empire—starting with a $50 loan and a vision that wouldn’t quit.
To your transformation,
Joe Crisara
America’s Service Sales Coach
Founder, Service MVP
