What makes blue-collar businesses some of the most valuable and overlooked opportunities for private investors?

In this episode, John Bartlett (Founder of Brentwood Growth) joins Sean Smith to share over three decades of experience in trade services M&A. From roofing and janitorial to fencing and pool service, John breaks down why these sectors are gaining institutional attention—and how operators and investors can unlock their full potential.

He also introduces his “Seven Levels of Growth” framework and offers practical guidance for scaling, timing inorganic growth, and evaluating deals beyond the numbers.

If you're an investor, entrepreneur, or search fund operator looking to grow in the service trades, this episode is full of actionable insights.