Transcript
The SnowJobs Podcast: Here we go, Snow Jobs Nation. We are back again bringing you another product profile update episode.
RICK JAMES: Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: As always, I'm Steve. You know it who's with me.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Whenever you do one of these things, you always get Steve and Jeremy. But the bonus today is that this is a product profile update episode, and we got two crowd favorites back with us today.
The SnowJobs Podcast: we got We're talking Team Top Gun today. So we got crowd favorite character Rob Tebow is in the house, and he brought along a friend who who had a Top Gun this year in some pretty famous places. Oh, he had two top guns this year in some pretty famous places. So we got the big dick. Todd Dickerson, a top dog. He's in the house. What's up, boys? How are we?
Todd Dickerson: It's always a pleasure. Always a pleasure.
RICK JAMES: Oh,
Todd Dickerson: Can I get a ring in jingle like that?
The SnowJobs Podcast: ah
Todd Dickerson: instead of
The SnowJobs Podcast: but but I will find one for you.
Rob: ah but
The SnowJobs Podcast: Absolutely. I will find one for you.
RICK JAMES: oh boy. He's
Rob: That's tough to beat the big dick intro like that.
Todd Dickerson: Good God.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That's right. It's better, you know, better being called the little one, you know, yeah I'd rather be the big one.
Rob: Come on.
RICK JAMES: blushing.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Oh
Todd Dickerson: Oh, Lord. going to be a long week next week.
RICK JAMES: He's blushing. is ah
The SnowJobs Podcast: oh man. It's good to see you guys. It's been a while. How's everything going, Rob?
Rob: going great.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Where are you currently?
Rob: Things
The SnowJobs Podcast: You, uh, you log more frequent flyer miles than anybody in the industry. I think you're everywhere.
Rob: For anybody that feels jealous, let me tell you it's not as fun as it sounds.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Not as glamorous
RICK JAMES: Thank you.
Rob: No.
The SnowJobs Podcast: ah
Rob: yep Slept a couple times at the airport. You know, there's always changes. But it's been cool to meet all the guys we have, see the different pockets of North America, however everybody does it differently.
Rob: It's been ah unexpected. I haven't traveled that much. But um it's been a remarkable experience when I reflect on it to see see what I've learned and the relationships we've built. So it's super cool.
The SnowJobs Podcast: oop Where are you currently?
Rob: I'm Vancouver.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Vancouver So you're back over the border
Rob: Yeah. I cross back over.
RICK JAMES: How many players are up there?
Rob: All of them. We have all the fires.
RICK JAMES: All them? Nice.
Rob: yeah
The SnowJobs Podcast: yeah all The fires Oh ah There we go Nice my god That's funny ah
Rob: but her
RICK JAMES: but You got all the players and no gold medal. There you go
Rob: Okay. That came in quick, didn't it?
RICK JAMES: yeah go.
Todd Dickerson: um but I knew that was covered.
RICK JAMES: Started off right. Started off right.
Rob: Every 50 years, we'll throw you a bone.
RICK JAMES: ah You sound like a Green Bay Packer fan.
Rob: We'll do this again.
RICK JAMES: yeah Remember that one championship we won?
Rob: Well, I think that's America though. You're backwards here. We have all the gold medals.
The SnowJobs Podcast: This is Yeah but this is not
RICK JAMES: We live we live in we live in present. We're in the present.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah, this is just the first, I think.
Rob: i yeah ah Yeah, delete all of the past gold medals.
RICK JAMES: I mean, you guys live in the past.
The SnowJobs Podcast: I think this is going to be on the regular.
RICK JAMES: You guys live in the past.
Rob: Those are not consequential. But the last one.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Well, I mean, for a country that hangs their hat on hockey, that's got to be super embarrassing to lose both the men's and the women's gold.
Rob: Oh, God. Yeah, we're also...
The SnowJobs Podcast: I mean, we got a lot different sports here. We we got a lot of different stuff going on. Yeah.
RICK JAMES: that's like hockey is like fourth sport, if that.
The SnowJobs Podcast: It's like hockey, then church.
Todd Dickerson: Yeah.
Rob: That's about it.
The SnowJobs Podcast: ah
Rob: my My buddy who works in Boston, he was saying he's Canadian and he was bragging about we had won ah a championship.
RICK JAMES: Yeah.
Rob: And they're like, dude, nobody cares. It's been not even 100 days since one of our teams won a championship. like Nobody cares. For us, it's like it's a big deal.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Oh, man. Well, it's good to see you. We haven't seen you in a while. So, you know, everybody, most of the country, we talked about it a bunch. of This was like a market reset winter and most of the country had big winners. so how did you guys make out? How, how were the top guns? Did the, were they moving? a lot of guys, new guys on board.
Rob: Yep, absolutely. So it's been cool to see because we've made a lot of big claims over the years about what's possible and they'll stand up for the test. And this guy's absolutely hammered on them. And they held up the whole way through.
Rob: Guys who were sitting on the fence for years. They're like, I'm not sure. Can it be this good? They went... made the move and now their reviews and testimonials, they want to become dealers.
Rob: Like things flipped overnight in that regard where it went to like, I think it's good, but it seems scary because nobody my area has one. And it flipped to like, I'm the guy in my area that has one.
Rob: And now I want to rep this because like this made me so much money, cut my time down so much. I want to be a part of this. So it's been, that's a, that's a big switch from like, I think I want to try it to like, I'm in, I want to be a part of this.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Sure.
The SnowJobs Podcast: We saw a bunch of it on social media on, ah on Instagram. There were a lot of guys that were like, yeah, this is a, this is definitely a cheat code.
Rob: Yes. Yeah, it's for real.
The SnowJobs Podcast: So.
Rob: And so the guys who have seasonal, who got smashed, who you know have different type of contracts, don't have us the helper on top once they reach their cap, they have to cut their time down a lot.
Rob: That's the only way they're going to stay in the game.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Sure.
Rob: So if you can cut your costs by 30%, how much more does that change the numbers for you? it's It's a significant amount. And the guys who are hourly or per service, they got to hit so many more sites over and over.
Rob: So they could just keep that meter running and rack it up. So in both cases, it was a profit machine, which is, I mean, I'm all in on this idea. I saw it in our Canadian snow company, Snow Cleared.
RICK JAMES: Thank you.
Rob: And so it was like, I see the future for this. And now I want to invest in this being part of this. And It's year three now, being on social media, telling the story. It was a bit scary because year one, it was like, you're an idiot. Nobody's ever seen these.
Rob: They've been around in Michigan for 40 years, but like nobody's seen them. This is impossible. Year two was like, oh, maybe there's something to it. Year three is like, okay, yeah, this is the real deal. Oh, now we know it's been around for 40 years. Oh, now legitimate guys like Todd, like guys in Alaska, New Brunswick, all the heavy markets, they have it and they've proven this out.
Rob: So it's been really cool to see how, you know, i I go hard when I believe in something, I'm all the way in. And it was like piss in the wind for a while there. Like, no, no, trust me, this is real.
RICK JAMES: just
The SnowJobs Podcast: You are a true believer. I will definitely, I mean, nobody can say anything different.
RICK JAMES: All
The SnowJobs Podcast: That is for sure. I mean, you believe, but you believe in it because you know what it did for your business.
Rob: No, 100%.
The SnowJobs Podcast: You know you are a snow guy first.
RICK JAMES: right.
The SnowJobs Podcast: You're not a manufacturer.
Rob: hundred percent
The SnowJobs Podcast: You're a snow guy that builds snow products because it's almost like Randy straight from Arctic. You know, Rob found a product that worked for his business, transformed his business and then said, well, shit, I'm going to build these things because they, yeah I know what they can do for people.
Rob: Yeah. And like, you'd be foolish if you had an opportunity, any tool, whatever your off season businesses, if it was like, hold on, what? I can just skip half of the work. Like I just get it done way faster and I charge the same.
Rob: And then you had a chance to buy the business. You know, it wasn't the healthiest business at the time. so it was like an opening was there and I had the opportunity to buy it. It was like, yeah we're Of course we're doing this. I want the blades. And then I know I can tell the secret to everybody else because I was hush-hush when I was just running it in snow cleared.
Rob: But We are terrible for that.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Shocking. A Canadian that won't tell anybody how to do snow.
RICK JAMES: but Yeah, weird, weird. yeah
The SnowJobs Podcast: ah
RICK JAMES: Hush, hush.
The SnowJobs Podcast: ah
Rob: it's It's not a great Canadian trade.
RICK JAMES: Yeah. Yeah.
Rob: I'll tell you that much. But so once I got a shot to be a part of it on a bigger scale, it's like how could I turn this down? I can't look this gift horse in the mouth. Um, and then we've just been learning and growing ever since.
Rob: So to have people on like Todd, who's here with us, um, to validate the idea, you know, he talked about it for a while that he wanted to figure out how to put it into his operation, but wasn't sure when and how, and he was going through some company shifts and changes.
Rob: And then he called, he's like, Hey, let's go send me couple. Let's put it out. So, um, so we roped a team together to like hit the road that night, like, we gotta go, guys are like, what, this, where did this come from, was like, well, Todd matters, he called, he's got Storm coming, ah can you finish these blades right now, load up the truck, and drive 12 hours, and they're like, we're gonna try, so that's exactly what happened, guys came in, like, 5.30, I think they worked till 6pm, got the blades finished, loaded up the flat deck, and hit the road, I think they got there at,
The SnowJobs Podcast: Thank you.
Rob: 8 a.m. m or 7.30, straight into the install, finished it, drove halfway back, took a nap, and then went back to business as usual. So I knew that we needed to deliver in this case because Todd, he was waiting for the right moment.
Rob: it it It happened when I called him. and happened to the right moment. And so i was like, I'm not missing this opportunity. And thank God we could pull that off to get it to him because it worked immediately for them. And I've had nothing but good feedback from their guys.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That's awesome. Yeah, it's not like bottom dog called you.
RICK JAMES: Nice.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Top dog called.
RICK JAMES: Yeah, top dog.
Rob: ah Yeah, yes.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Like, you you move. you know top The top dog calls, you move.
Rob: yeah
RICK JAMES: yeah but Top dog.
Rob: Big D when he calls.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Hey,
RICK JAMES: Top dog.
The SnowJobs Podcast: listen, man.
Todd Dickerson: Let's be straight.
The SnowJobs Podcast: and that's You want to play in the big leagues. that's what you know That's what has to happen. You got an opportunity like that that, hey, this this could take off. like They could do some damage with this plow in a good way at airports.
Rob: Yep.
RICK JAMES: Mm-hmm.
The SnowJobs Podcast: like this this This was a big deal. So good for you getting it done. Good for your guys making it happen.
Rob: Yep. It's also scary. Like giving it to someone In Todd's arena, was like, man, if we miss the mark, I'm going to hear about it.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Sure.
Rob: It's going hurt.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah.
Rob: It's going to awkward. So knock on wood, you know, I believe in it and I hope it delivers. Like I know it will, but it's still uncomfortable. And then to see right away the translation of like, they got it.
The SnowJobs Podcast: So Todd, what, what made you pull the trigger?
Todd Dickerson: and was
The SnowJobs Podcast: Todd.
Todd Dickerson: Well, obviously we had storm fern coming in. Right. And, you know, Rob and I've been talking shoot for probably a year, a year and a half, Rob.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Mm. Hmm.
Rob: Yep.
Todd Dickerson: um And I kept saying, you know, I want to put this into action. I'm not sure how going to do it. You know, just, you know how it is. You're, you're sitting there going, you know, how do I try this new piece of equipment?
The SnowJobs Podcast: Sure.
Todd Dickerson: I I've got my mousetrap built as I've always called it. And then I'm getting ready to throw a curve ball and, And how do I do it? So I think Rob literally called me the day before the storm.
Todd Dickerson: um I had snow team six already coming in to all my cities. Rob called and I'm like, dude, get them here and let's roll. I don't care. Let's try it. Let's, you know, we're either going to sink or swim on this thing. So screw it. Let's do it.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Nice.
Todd Dickerson: And I was like, I said, can you pull it off? And he's like, we'll figure it out. I'm like, if you can do it, I'm in, let's do it. So Um, it was super impressive how, you know, like he said, they, they banged out the blades, they jumped on board and my guys, my mechanics called and said, Hey, your, your back blades are here. And i'm like, are you kidding me? Like, ah you know, you just kind of are like that. That's, that's impressive, you know?
Todd Dickerson: So got them into our our, you know, barns over there and got them hooked up. And I, as soon as I heard that they were there, I was trying to figure out, all right, who am I going to put in these trucks that is going to give me like the most honest, like review of, of these, of these blades.
Todd Dickerson: Right. Because, you know, it's a new idea, you know, and as you guys know, you guys know most of my people, like some of them are young and like,
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yep.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Sure.
Todd Dickerson: I mean, if it's not on a telephone, they can't figure it out anyway, right?
The SnowJobs Podcast: Mm-hmm. Oh, yeah.
Todd Dickerson: um my ah Some of my guys are grouchy, old, crusty dudes, you know, and you said that, not me.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah.
RICK JAMES: You talk about Richard.
The SnowJobs Podcast: ah ah
Rob: You
Todd Dickerson: I don't know who you're talking about, but anyway, um you know, some of my guys were like, Uh, you know, I used to plow with the open cab backhoe, you know, blah, blah, blah.
Todd Dickerson: So I had to figure out, all right, who's really going to give me like, this is good. This is bad. Here's why here's, you know, everything. So I picked two of the guys that I knew like they are just going to shoot it straight no matter what. And I mean, honestly, and I'm not just blowing smoke here right now, both of them,
Todd Dickerson: within an hour, we're like, I love this thing. We need more of them. How can we do this? And I was, so i put, um I put both of them air side at Dulles.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Where did you put them to work, Todd?
Todd Dickerson: um I put one um on a supervisor truck. And the reason I did that is, and, and um Jeremy can explain this.
Todd Dickerson: We do a lot of famous J line stuff right at the gate.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Oh, yeah, the J-lines.
Todd Dickerson: Yeah. So, I figured, you know, if we got in a jam with our what we call our SAT team, snow assault team, they get dispatched to gate to gate to gate as like a plane six miles out. We get that notice, right?
Todd Dickerson: So the supervisor could immediately get there. And if there was serious accumulation, I mean, he's going to clear 16 to 20 feet at one time. And then the brooms can go in and and really get it tidied up.
Todd Dickerson: So we did a little bit of that with it. Home run. Um, we did a little bit over, so I don't know. i know Jeremy's been there. i don't know who's been the Dulles, but part of United's gates at Dulles, the passengers have to walk out onto the ramp, right?
Todd Dickerson: Um, instead of a jet bridge, they walk out on the ramp, go up a ramp, uh, like a, uh, KCI ramp and then get onto like a regional. So, um,
RICK JAMES: And like the plane you're going to be on next week, Steve.
The SnowJobs Podcast: No, no, sir.
RICK JAMES: right
The SnowJobs Podcast: Nope.
Todd Dickerson: Not I. um Anyway, so we tried it over there too, because like, you know, you got to get tight to the building.
The SnowJobs Podcast: and hope
Todd Dickerson: You got to, you know, it's it's a little more different than just going underneath the jet bridge and clearing out underneath the jet bridge. So tried it over there, you know, and they hadn't had a lot of throttle time.
Todd Dickerson: I mean, I'm going to guess maybe two, three hours maybe. And like, they were like, man, this is like literally we can open up one side, feed it out to the other side, you know, or box it all. I mean, they they immediately were ranting and raving about this thing.
Todd Dickerson: um Then my second guy works down in the cargo area. So he was doing it next to cargo doors, hangar doors, you know, all the things that I originally thought, like this is a home run here for this, you know, the cargo areas.
Todd Dickerson: And of course it was. The hangar doors were phenomenal. Um, but we, we used it a lot more on the ramp up, up where the gates are for us than what I was expecting to use it. And even in cleanup mode, it really did a good job for us. Just it'd being nimble the way it is. And, and, you know, I mean, basically if you can drive a pickup truck, you can plow snow with this thing. I mean, that's how easy it is.
Todd Dickerson: And, you know, I was very impressed with how quick, And both these guys are good operators, but I mean, they're not, I mean, they they're not, you know, the super best operators that we have in our company.
Todd Dickerson: I mean, they're not Fargo boys, let's put it that way, right? um But I'm not sure any of my guys are, but, you know, they they do pretty well. um And I mean, I'm serious, within within probably two hours, they were like, this thing's awesome, we need more, how can how can we get more?
The SnowJobs Podcast: So Rob's always telling you it'll beat a loader as far as what it can do, ah how much it can clear. Did you find it was faster than having the loaders doing the J lines around the gates and stuff?
Todd Dickerson: 100%. And I'll tell you why. Because so I tested that theory and Rob, I think, posted that video today, right?
Rob: Woo. Yep.
Todd Dickerson: So down at the the United Hangar, we have a taxiway, right? Which is basically like they bring the planes into the hangar, fully active taxiway. Well, normally we're running 24 foot boxes there on or a multifunctional unit. We'll win row it and then do it all.
Todd Dickerson: And literally I said, you know what? let's do the taxiway this time because it at that time the hangar was closed during fort Fern because they were storing planes so that the minute we had everything open, they could get those planes out, get them to the gates up in the air.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yep.
Todd Dickerson: So that area was pretty much closed. So I said, let it, let it get some depth on it. And then I want to clear the whole taxiway and that whole hangar ramp with the ah back blade and,
Todd Dickerson: ah Rob put the video up today, you know, a clip of it today. And I mean, I was, I was thoroughly impressed. And the beauty of it is like you're, all you're doing is driving a pickup, especially in that wide open of an area.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Sure. Yeah.
Todd Dickerson: You don't need to worry about, you know, how close am I to a door, you know, or a bollard or whatever the case may be. Just get it, you know, close one side, when you leave the other side open and just,
Todd Dickerson: Let it roll. and And I was, it, it definitely is faster.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Guys that have them swear by it in big parking lots. They they swear like it will outplow a compact loader, like no problem. It'll outplow a regular size loader, you know, no problem. And I've never plowed with a back blade, so i can't I can never attest to it. But there's got to be something to it because here's yeah yet another guy that's agreeing to this concept that it will outplow a loader.
Todd Dickerson: So look, you guys know me for a while, right?
The SnowJobs Podcast: So, yeah, no.
Todd Dickerson: Like i'm not a BS guy. I will tell you right now, and you know, everybody on here knows this, like I'm always looking at new airports.
RICK JAMES: Yeah.
Todd Dickerson: I'm looking at a huge one right now. And I'm probably going to incorporate a handful of these in this one new airport. and And I'm only talking about one right now, but I would be willing to bet that we're probably going to incorporate, you know, three to five, maybe up to seven of these at at this new airport.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That's awesome good for you what what sizes did you have Todd
RICK JAMES: yes
Todd Dickerson: Um, so we originally had, uh, Rob, I know we had one 16 and what was the other one?
Rob: You got 20 now. So in the urgency, we didn't have a 20 available.
RICK JAMES: right.
Rob: So we sent you two 16s out the door and then we swapped it at Storks.
Todd Dickerson: Right. You're right.
The SnowJobs Podcast: and Okay.
Todd Dickerson: You are correct. Yep. Yep.
The SnowJobs Podcast: So you were you weren't even running 20s and you were still impressed with it.
Todd Dickerson: Um,
Todd Dickerson: Yeah, 100%. I'm telling you. And would I would mix them up like that for my ah my setting, right?
The SnowJobs Podcast: Awesome.
Todd Dickerson: My environment, you know, because like I said, you got to get in between stuff sometimes.
RICK JAMES: right
Todd Dickerson: And that 16 could do anything that I needed it to do.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Sure.
Todd Dickerson: Obviously, the 20 is going to be better on like the big wide open taxiways or or whatever the case may be. But I was i was impressed. I mean, even... Even a couple of the grouchy old guys were like, you know what?
Todd Dickerson: Maybe that thing isn't so bad, you know?
The SnowJobs Podcast: Nice.
RICK JAMES: Richard?
The SnowJobs Podcast: Richard. Yeah, go ahead.
RICK JAMES: Are talking about Richard again?
Rob: Todd, on that, if if I could say like it's easy to dispute something online.
The SnowJobs Podcast: yeah go
Rob: It's easy to hate and talk trash all day. When you see it in real life, it's like, OK, yeah, that really worked that way. I was hating on it. I was doubting it and like it's there. And I think it's better that you had average operators that will give you the truth.
Rob: Because when you have Rockstar operators, I mean, they can make a shovel look good. They can make anything look good.
The SnowJobs Podcast: sure
Rob: To have those guys out there and have them make it look good in two hours, no problem. Like, that speaks to a lot of things. One more point is that, you know, we picked a serious bone talking about comparing to loaders.
Todd Dickerson: you
Rob: I mean, that was like the best hater magnet in the world. I heard from everybody.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Oh, yeah.
RICK JAMES: so Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: but But all the Backblade guys swear by it.
Rob: That's... Yes.
Rob: Yes.
The SnowJobs Podcast: like And they dealt, they they the first thing they say is if you've never plowed with a back blade, you can't say it's not true because you you won't understand it until you do it.
Rob: Yeah. If you know, you know, and if you don't know, you can't know.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Exactly.
Rob: So the thing that guys get stuck on though is like, well, it won't stack like a loader. It's like, obviously it doesn't have the same vantage point. It has different power. We're not disputing that. We're talking about area cleared in a reasonable amount of snow. You know, if you get into 18, hundred inches, which the internet claims all day is like, wow, every day it snows here 36 inches. Like where on this earth are you? Cause I'm unfamiliar with that place. Yeah.
Rob: um But if, you know, like six inches and under, easy, it will compete all day. And then the magic is you pull the wings in and you go to the next site. And whether that's helping out on another site or you're clearing a hole in the site, that's tough to beat.
Rob: I mean in Fargo you can get away with ripping around, you know, a little easier than, say, Steve in New York. What are the odds of you ripping around with a 20-foot plow through town and not –
The SnowJobs Podcast: Zero but No zero it can't be done
Rob: well Right.
RICK JAMES: Mm-hmm.
Rob: so So to a lot of guys, rather than trailering a machine, pulling the attachment off, loading the equipment, to be able to bomb around and hit everything like that, or if you're an inspector, just go check things out early. Guys are in trouble, site went down, go help clear that out real fast, reach some kingpins. That's unique value that you don't really get anywhere else.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah, no, that's a home run. it's ah And, like, people swear, like, we've had a lot of guys, because you' you've had a lot of guys that have come on in the last year, year and a half that you see on social media, and they're like, yeah, this is this is legit. Like, this works.
The SnowJobs Podcast: where's the Where's the one guy? Is it Indiana? um I can't remember his name.
Rob: Does he have a color plow?
The SnowJobs Podcast: Elliott? Is it Elliott?
Rob: ah Minnesota.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Minnesota?
Rob: Red plow?
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah, yeah, Minnesota. Yeah, Red Plow.
Rob: Yep.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah, he swears by it. like He's like, yep, no, I'm a believer. and so I mean, it's great. It's it's definitely definitely good, and I like that the that Top Dog had such good luck with him because, I mean, that could change the game.
The SnowJobs Podcast: theyre really because You're thinking a loader, what, 250K?
Rob: Yes.
RICK JAMES: Oh, no.
The SnowJobs Podcast: with What do the Blue Blades cost?
RICK JAMES: Easy.
The SnowJobs Podcast: I'm unfamiliar with the cost of a Blue Blade. $2,800? $2,800?
Todd Dickerson: They're ridiculous.
RICK JAMES: Too much. Yeah.
Todd Dickerson: They're $2,800. Yeah, they're plastic, they're like $75,000, $80,000.
The SnowJobs Podcast: twenty twenty eight hundred
Todd Dickerson: twenty eight hundred
RICK JAMES: yeah
The SnowJobs Podcast: I'm just kidding. Aren't they plastic plows?
Rob: but
Todd Dickerson: yeah they're plastic but they're they're like seventy five eighty grand
The SnowJobs Podcast: So you're at 300, a little over 300,000 per setup. Now you can buy a truck for, you know, 65, 70 grand and a top gun and you're, you're a third of the price and you're probably operating at what?
The SnowJobs Podcast: 30 miles an hour if you need to. And, uh, you know, if you're on the straightaway or eight miles an hour at the airport, uh,
RICK JAMES: Is that Andy Broughton you got? you got Andy Broughton in that thing or what?
Rob: ah Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: ah But no, I mean, it's got to be faster.
Rob: No, we don't need to blow that up.
The SnowJobs Podcast: It's got to be faster in a truck than it is with a loader. And I don't know. Is your visibility? Yeah, I guess your visibility is better in a loader, but i don't know.
Rob: Can I rewind this one second though?
The SnowJobs Podcast: yeah go ahead Yeah, go ahead.
Rob: You're so you're, who doesn't have an extra truck or two or five guys that have loaders that are running equipment. They all have extra trucks with nothing on the back. So even when we factor in the cost of a new truck and our blade,
Rob: It's still a third or less of a setup that will do the same. But almost everyone has at least one truck they could put this on to try it out. So you're really into it for $12,000 to $16,000. And as long as you don't like cutting your own throat, you bill the same price. So either it's per service or it's seasonal or if you are set up on hourly certain things.
Rob: You charge per foot. We switched that contract um in Vancouver with Snow Cleared from types of equipment to size of blade. And when we did that, nobody's going to believe that with a 620-foot blade that's come on a pickup truck. But we did the volume, and then our profit was substantial.
Rob: And the contracts we took over required Big Loader and Metal Plus. And I said, hey, I know this not traditional. You haven't seen it. Can you give us a shot? If we fail, if we look stupid, if it's awkward, kill it. Right there, let's be done. We've had those contracts for six years and our prices stayed up there. So when you know you you have – what is the hourly expense on running your equipment? Do you guys know on a big loader? and And when you factor in your payments on everything, loader, guy, fuel, like hourly run on that.
The SnowJobs Podcast: I have it written down. I don't have it offhand. I don't 85, 90 bucks, maybe a little bit, but maybe a little bit more if I'm actually factoring a decent portion of the insurance on it as well.
Rob: Let's
The SnowJobs Podcast: But yeah, it's around a hundred, but it, You know what? This speaks to a lot of there's a there's a spot for every there's a spot for everyone. there There's a lot of different ways to to skin the cat, so to speak, in the industry.
The SnowJobs Podcast: What I'm thinking is, like you said, everybody's got a spare truck laying around. The small guys may only be in a position to have a truck.
Rob: Yes.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Because they're they're using that truck for landscape. So they have to maximize what they can do with that one truck. They may not be in a position to even think about affording equipment yet. So they need to they need to be efficient with what they have.
The SnowJobs Podcast: And it sounds like from from the guys I've spoken to and what we've seen and heard from guys that are trying these, that it does increase your efficiency.
Rob: Yep.
The SnowJobs Podcast: And that's the name of the game every day now.
Rob: Big time. So the guys in residential, they say like, i I don't have huge money. I can't buy a ton of this stuff. but it's like But you could take double the driveways without adding anything. No new driver, no new motor or set wheels, no new no new truck. You literally add this to the back and you've doubled up. And for those guys, with most companies are under a million. Like the smaller guys trying to get ahead, trying to break into commercial, trying to get to the next level earnings.
Rob: And they can't carry all the capital expenses. This is their foot in the door to show up and break into there, which a lot of guys, they're scared. I can't buy the equipment and then show up and hope work shows up.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah.
Rob: I need an advantage. How do I make that leap? And this is that cheat code that allows you to get in run 16, 20 feet, and your your expenses didn't really change.
RICK JAMES: Yeah.
Rob: It's tough to beat. The numbers all day. And I mean, I'm retarded. I actually got the math wrong. For a couple of years, it's like you you know you do double the volume. You make double the profit. It's incorrect.
Rob: So I put up the the post yesterday. if you were, say, theoretically, charging $150 for your truck. I mean, the I've learned a lot about North American rates. They are dramatically different all over.
Rob: But let's just pick in the middle.
The SnowJobs Podcast: They are.
Rob: front So it's front blade, $150.
The SnowJobs Podcast: No, they are.
Rob: With our blade, you should be doing double that. So let's say you're charging $300 an hour. If at $150, you're making $50 an hour and at $300, you're making $200 an hour because your cost didn't change. Same truck, same operator, same everything.
Rob: That increases to 400% of what you were doing because it's a 300% increase plus $50. So it's going to take you how many more trucks to reach that same number of profit.
The SnowJobs Podcast: No, I get it.
Rob: And it's real.
The SnowJobs Podcast: I get it because a normal truck with a plow is 8'6". So if you're now the minimum what you have is a 16-footer, you're doubling up what you can plow.
Rob: Yep.
The SnowJobs Podcast: So you have to double your your hourly on it because of the productivity it's giving you.
Rob: Yeah. Right. With no cost to incur.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Exactly. Exactly.
Rob: So the all that extra – again, as long as you don't like slicing your own throat, which I hope nobody does, like don't kill your pricing for you and for everyone else. Hold the line. It's very tempting when you do have something like this to sneak in and shoot for the bottom just you know because you wanted the work. If you can have like that integrity and stay focused on like I'm holding the line for everybody, I just have an advantage. Yeah.
Rob: It's huge and you can't unsee it.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Nice.
RICK JAMES: Mm-hmm.
The SnowJobs Podcast: So what you got top dog to try him this winter. Did it catch on anywhere else that surprised you?
Rob: Yeah, I mean the like most northeast New Brunswick, Moncton. We had a contractor up there who runs 25 loaders. He runs a metal.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Where the hell is Moncton?
Rob: You probably haven't been there.
Todd Dickerson: you
The SnowJobs Podcast: with
Rob: Yeah,
The SnowJobs Podcast: Is that in the States? No, that's Canada.
Rob: it's way up there.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Oh, you got the Canadians to try these?
Rob: Yeah, I mean I get the most hate from Canadians for some reason.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Wow.
Rob: They're like, oh, bring it to Canada. It's like, guys, I'm Canadian. it is in Canada. Give me a break. So yeah, we tried it up there and he runs 25 loaders, big loaders, Metal Plus.
RICK JAMES: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Rob: And they were the first ones in town to run those. And a younger guy bought it, Alex, the company, and he's taken over and he's like, man, I wish I could just rip around town, opening up sites, checking, inspecting things. And he took the risk. He saw it online. He's like, it might work. It might not. My cost is low. low I'm going to try it.
Rob: He tried it. He's totally pivoting his strategy because he hates truck plows. It's like front, you're beating your truck up suspension, the plows are taking a beating. For the level of snow they get, it doesn't make sense. But he's actually pivoting to us um because the numbers. Again, he's holding the line on a 16 to 20 foot plows for pricing. So he's like, already own this truck.
Rob: It's nothing but money on my end. why why would i do any Why would I take on another few thousand thousand dollar loader when I can run what I've got. And a funny part of that is he's had one of the, their company's had one of those contracts for almost 20 years.
Rob: And the guy who's been there forever called him immediately. he's like, what's on your truck? I've never seen that. He's like, oh yeah, I'm trying this new thing. It's on the back. It's doing real well. And he's like, that reminds me of when you guys were the first ones in town with the metal plus. Now everybody in Moncton, I guess all the commercial contractors have those blades. He's like,
Rob: This is the same thing. I'm seeing the same pattern. You guys are doing this again with the modern version of that. So it was cool to see their customers recognize that.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Nice.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That's cool.
RICK JAMES: That's awesome.
Rob: Yeah.
Todd Dickerson: Yeah, so I think the interesting thing that you just said there, Rob, is it's the exact same thing.
Rob: it's pretty exciting.
Todd Dickerson: That guy was a supervisor and I put it on my supervisor's truck, right? So like they already are in the pickup trucks, like you're saying, you know what I mean?
Todd Dickerson: So for 16 whatever grand, like to just ramp up your your production, it's no brainer in my opinion.
Rob: Yes.
Todd Dickerson: um You know, I know You know, you guys have been talking about all these seasonals and all these new contract structures and all that. I mean, if you're getting paid on production, I don't know why. it Why? Why would you not have at least one of these on a supervisor's truck?
Todd Dickerson: Like it it it literally it's a game changer.
RICK JAMES: Mm-hmm.
Todd Dickerson: I'm not going to straight up. It's a game changer.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That's great. I'm glad it worked out for you.
Rob: did That is so nice to hear. like you know I'm like all in on this and then see legitimate big players. but Like, no, is actual game changer. I can't pay Todd any amount of money to say something like that.
Rob: With his reputation, how he's known in the industry, the airports. But when he's seen something that's benefited the company like that's that, I made the right bet here. It's validating.
Todd Dickerson: And I'll be honest, like, and I said this to both Steven and ah Jeremy, I was like, I'm going to try one of these. I don't know what it's going to be like. Like, you know, I was, I was honest, but like it, I love to think outside the box like that.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yes, you did say that.
RICK JAMES: Yep. Yep.
Rob: Good.
Todd Dickerson: Right. Like
The SnowJobs Podcast: You said we're going to give it a shot. It may end up on the pile of shit in the back of the the lot, but we're going to.
Rob: Of course.
Todd Dickerson: okay I said that a hundred percent.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yep.
RICK JAMES: Yep.
Todd Dickerson: I own it. But When I put it to the two guys that I put it to, because I knew that they weren't the best operators and they were going to give me 100% effort to try it, number one, which is key.
Todd Dickerson: And number two, 100% honest review. And literally two hours in, they're like, we need more of these. Like, you know, no question.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That's great. And Hey, not everybody's comfortable in a loader. You can pretty much anybody in a truck and have them be comfortable.
Todd Dickerson: Sure. Yep, exactly.
Rob: And if there's if
The SnowJobs Podcast: And they're more, and they're more comfortable in a, in a truck than a loader. You know, you can have your little command center, you know, you can have plenty of snacks and stuff. It, uh, it works. It works for a lot of guys.
The SnowJobs Podcast: So that's cool.
Rob: and for the the poor operators, you just put the blade down, keep the wings in. It's still a huge box plow.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah.
RICK JAMES: Mm-hmm.
Rob: You're still moving big volume. And for guys that do busy malls or distribution yards, same thing. If you're just doing circles like a Zamboni with your wings in, You're still collecting so much snow it feels useless when you're driving until you get to the end of your run and lift the blade and you're like, oh, I picked up a ton of snow.
Rob: And it's safer than running a front blade or a loader in those really busy settings from my experience. Not always, but plowing busy malls daytime is is so comfortable.
The SnowJobs Podcast: and I agree.
Todd Dickerson: Yeah, I totally agree.
The SnowJobs Podcast: I agree.
Todd Dickerson: and And honestly, I think the commercial application, which is different than what I'm used to, but I think it's, I mean, i don't know how you can not not try it.
The SnowJobs Podcast: There can't be anything more stressful than plowing with a 737 bearing down on you. Like, I mean, so, I mean, commercial lots are kind of nothing compared to the stress involved with the being on active taxiways and stuff.
Todd Dickerson: and It's no big deal.
The SnowJobs Podcast: no
RICK JAMES: I did it.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Oh, man.
Todd Dickerson: It's easy.
RICK JAMES: i did it
Todd Dickerson: It's easy.
The SnowJobs Podcast: So we go ahead, Rob.
Rob: Also, yeah like that's a common trait. I mean, Todd's a leader. You guys are all leaders in here. like you When you believe in something, you you try it. It's like, oh, it's worth the risk. Guys that want to fit in with the pack, they try and blend and do the same things.
Rob: All the guys that have really tried it the last two years, they all lead in their space. And it's been cool to see them be rewarded for that. But if you're trying to fit in, don't buy your plow. It's not it for you.
Todd Dickerson: So another key word that I would call this is, and I use this term all the time, differentiator, right? This is going to set you apart from every other guy that was driving around in that town that pulled up and said, what the hell is that thing?
Todd Dickerson: Right? Like it sets things apart. And, ah you know, you guys were talking about the Arctic plow, right? Like people were driving up to you, Steve, going, what the hell is that thing?
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah.
Todd Dickerson: Right? Game changer, differentiator.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yep.
Todd Dickerson: That thing. While on a different scale, it's the same thing. It's just different.
The SnowJobs Podcast: If you, if there was a back blade around in my area, you would literally, it would be like seeing a UFO.
Todd Dickerson: ah No question.
RICK JAMES: and
The SnowJobs Podcast: Like literally like guys would stop. You'd probably cause an accident because you'd have 10 cars sitting on a snow covered shoulder, watching the thing work because nobody's ever seen it. that It's just not a thing in the area.
Todd Dickerson: So, I
Rob: Oh, yeah.
Todd Dickerson: I had almost every airline stop us at Dulles that day and say, what the hell is that thing? Number one, which I'll break the news. We're working on one of the big airlines right now to get in there and supply them with those.
Todd Dickerson: So that's, that's number one. Number two, they want their own.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Their own? They want their own?
Todd Dickerson: Yep.
Rob: Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Wow.
Todd Dickerson: um So that's, that's number one. Number two, the airport authority was like, what is that thing? And how to get us some information? Because they have supervisor. So like in a government setting, right?
Todd Dickerson: Like, yes, you have your plow trucks, you have your big equipment, the multifunction, all that stuff. But you got plumbers just running around all over the the airport with just pickup trucks in case they get called to, you know, hey, we got a pipe burst or whatever.
Todd Dickerson: Same thing in in any municipality, right?
The SnowJobs Podcast: Mm-hmm.
Todd Dickerson: So, like, okay, slap that thing on the rear. And if even if they get, what's what's the regular moldboard, Rob, without the wings out? Pool feet?
Rob: It's 101. Yeah, like eight feet and change.
Todd Dickerson: Okay. Yeah. So, okay. So you're getting, let's just say eight and a half feet, like just to drive around in a pickup truck and clear snow. I mean, that just makes you look better in in the public eye as part of the government.
Todd Dickerson: So, you know, um how many times have I heard you guys or Steve, especially you bitch about, and I can't remember if it was the state or the County that their roads suck during your big show.
The SnowJobs Podcast: The county. State's very good around here. The county is not so good sometimes.
Todd Dickerson: So, I mean, imagine if they probably had 20 pickup trucks out during that event. They put 20 of those on just to drive around and and, you know, pull eight and a half feet.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah.
Rob: It costs them nothing too.
Todd Dickerson: know Yeah, I mean, but yeah, go ahead.
Rob: It's a fraction of what it would cost to outfit things otherwise.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah.
Rob: That differentiator, Todd, can I speak to that for one second too?
Todd Dickerson: Yeah.
Rob: I tell guys put your blade on early when you're going to do biz. We're going to do sight walk when you're around town. We now offer everybody if they want their company decals on there. We'll do vinyl decals for you with your order.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That's decals for everybody in America.
RICK JAMES: Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: All right.
RICK JAMES: Details.
Rob: Decal. Got it.
RICK JAMES: Decau. What's a decal? What's a decal?
Rob: Yeah. Sorry. Speaking Canadian.
The SnowJobs Podcast: and No, it's okay. I get translate from Canadian.
Rob: Yep. Busted. Yep. Busted.
RICK JAMES: Yeah.
Rob: Fair play.
The SnowJobs Podcast: but
Rob: ah So you take it to your bids, your quotes, your site walkthroughs. There's not a single property manager or property owner that you're goingnna walk with that's familiar with it.
Rob: If they come out, your plows looking tidy, it's branded, your truck's looking good. When they come out, they're always fascinated. You have something that is a differentiator.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah.
Rob: And right away, they're like, oh, what is that? You know, kind of smirk. And you're like, oh, let me show You probably haven't seen this, right? No, I haven't seen this. Oh, give me one second. Here's the controller. When they see it, no matter what, you're different. They know you have specialty equipment. You take it seriously. It's hard for them to not want to see you work.
Rob: i've lost won a lot of I have won a lot of work that way. And now I've been helping coach guys through the same thing preseason. And I'm seeing them win lots of work that way. it just It's fascinating. It's like the science fair when we're kids or when you have kids. The thing that makes the most noise or looks different is interesting.
Rob: It's going to get the attention. And it wins sales all day.
The SnowJobs Podcast: What do you mean you're coaching guys?
Rob: Good question. So we actually launched something. I kind of merged Snow Cleared Experience And Top Gun. So I understand as an operator, as a plow user, I also understand as a business owner how to develop businesses.
Rob: we've We've done very well at Snow Cleared in a low snow market, ah you know, multi-million dollar operation, a very low snow market. Even when you punch it into chat, it's like Vancouver is a weird market compared to everywhere else.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Sure.
Rob: yeah Not in a good way, but we've still managed. And so was talking my coach a bit about Top Gun and how I can support more businesses. And he's like, Rob, what you you don't, What you do isn't totally normal to just build something in a market like that. Why don't you help guys buying your blades who are scared, who are unsure, who don't have the work yet? Why don't you help them build their businesses too? You have the playbook. Just make it through Top Gun.
Rob: So that's something new. We just started offering. We launched ah First Class yesterday. it was It was really cool. I'm not a teacher. I'm not a professor. I'm not that guy. If you see me public speak, like that's not my place to be typically. But I know how to build businesses. I know how to do sales. I know the cycles and the timing. So so guys who are uncomfortable, they want to go to the next level. It's like, look, this thing will pay for itself several times in a season if you apply this playbook. And I will help you apply the playbook. It's 14 weeks, one hour a week. And it is like you know snowplow business for dummies.
The SnowJobs Podcast: So you're, you buy a top gun now and you're giving them a 14 hour snow business crash course.
Rob: That's right.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Dude, that's, that's it nobody's done that.
RICK JAMES: That's cool.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Nobody's doing that. That there's a differentiator.
RICK JAMES: That's cool.
The SnowJobs Podcast: I like that, dude.
Rob: Thank you. I mean, I wouldn't accuse me of following the path or trying to fit in and do normal things. To me, this is like the most good for the most guys is like, I know what it's like trying to get off the ground and being scared not having the capital and not knowing.
Rob: So like, if someone would have just held my hand and said, hey, once a week, let's meet, let's go through this. As long as you don't mess this up, just follow the book, you're gonna be fine.
The SnowJobs Podcast: It's brilliant. No, it's brilliant. And especially with like where, you know, it's funny how like-minded people, like-minded businesses find each other and get together.
RICK JAMES: Yeah, it's pretty cool.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Cause you came to us. Top Gun has been with us since almost the very beginning and You're doing the same thing. So it makes sense. You're trying to elevate and educate, not just sell.
The SnowJobs Podcast: You know, you're not just trying to sell your plow. But if you want to change your business and you're not sure how to do that, you buy a plow and I'm going to show you how to do it.
Rob: Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That's awesome, dude.
Rob: Thank you.
RICK JAMES: Hmm.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Good for you.
Rob: Yeah.
RICK JAMES: Yeah.
Rob: but it just It's fun seeing guys win, right?
RICK JAMES: Good feel.
Rob: when I know what it's like to be scared and unsure and they listen to your podcast like religiously. It is crazy how much guys just absorb everything.
The SnowJobs Podcast: It's a little cultish, isn't it?
Rob: It's awesome. Yeah, like you guys nailed it.
The SnowJobs Podcast: It's kind of creepy. It's kind of creepy at times.
Rob: Well, a lot of people have tried and they are not in the same universe because the way they approach the whole thing.
The SnowJobs Podcast: ah
Rob: It's not the same at all. Like you guys, it's like You're professional, you're educated, you're smart, but it's like you're in the garage drinking beer with everybody and that like tone with real information is very distinct.
Rob: It's amazing.
The SnowJobs Podcast: I get that. yeah I mean, we're, we are regular guys. We're not, you know, we're not white collar. And even the white collar owners that we know that are multi, multi-million dollar companies, they're not, they're not these stuff shirts either.
The SnowJobs Podcast: They're, you know, they're work boot guys. They just happen to make some money, you know, but they're still, they still know what it's like to be boots on the ground and they started there.
Rob: Yes.
Rob: yeah
The SnowJobs Podcast: So it's, uh, but that's, I mean, I don't know. I, I, I understand what you're saying. There are other podcasts and they're either, How do I put this nicely?
Rob: They're dry and like data driven
The SnowJobs Podcast: Well, yes, you do have Ferris Bueller's teacher, you know, Bueller, Bueller.
Rob: or pretentious, you know, like.
The SnowJobs Podcast: We're going to. Yeah. Very pretentious. They speak to the white collar portion of the industry only. Or you have the ones that are reading off a teleprompter with everything scripted. You can't do that. The guys guys see through that in two seconds.
Rob: That's embarrassing.
The SnowJobs Podcast: You know, snow guys are unforgiving.
Rob: You can't.
The SnowJobs Podcast: I will tell them, you know, there there is no, i don't know of any industry that has a tougher crowd as far as sniffing out fakes and bullshit and calling you on it.
Rob: Oh.
Rob: And ruthless.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Ruthless, call you on it. Absolutely.
Rob: but Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: You got to come correct. You got to come real. And, you know, it's a great community, though. And we've had a lot of support from a lot of people. And it's been awesome. And you guys have been a big part of that.
The SnowJobs Podcast: So we thank you for being involved with the show. And, and i you know, i thought i thought it was crazy.
RICK JAMES: i get a I got a question for you, Rob.
The SnowJobs Podcast: What?
Rob: It was. Hit me.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah, hit him.
RICK JAMES: we'll back Go back to the plow. You got anything new coming out with it or status quo or what's going on with it?
Rob: Ah, good question. We're always doing some R&D. um Until I'm confident in the change, like we're we're not going for it. A couple things. You'll see the the plow will look a little different. Same outline, same design. A little less. I talked to Jordan Smith and I said, Jordan, what's one thing I don't know about my plow?
Rob: And he's like, it's great. It's strong. He's like, It definitely looks like it came from a fabricator shop. Like if you're going to just like tidy it up, smooth a little bit, less pockets for rust or things to develop, like the brute strength is there, but just make it a little more sexy. So a couple of things like that, some extra lighting, ah tidy work. We also developed a municipal plow.
Rob: So it's similar.
RICK JAMES: Wow.
Rob: ah Most the plow is the same, except it will pivot um to be able to accommodate municipalities and runways and doing big long stretches because we had great success this year with municipality.
Rob: The guys like my time's down 30, 40% running through the city, doing roads. It was like, okay, that that matters for your budgets.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That's great.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah.
Rob: and And we could double down into that market. So we've been working on it. We we finally got our dialed, got our right. And so that's something we're releasing for this year too. It's to be able accommodate long runways and long roads.
RICK JAMES: Cool.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That's awesome.
RICK JAMES: Awesome.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Good for you guys.
RICK JAMES: Good for you
The SnowJobs Podcast: And you have, you you currently already, if I'm not mistaken, you have a mounting bracket for a spray bar, right?
Rob: Thank you.
The SnowJobs Podcast: For guys running liquids.
Rob: Yep. So, ah you know, Graham Utter, the golden horse.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah. G H I baby.
Rob: Yeah. Yeah. Sweet dude.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That's our boy.
Rob: Yeah. No, he's good, dude.
RICK JAMES: you.
Rob: So we' were talking today. He's getting ah a big ass plow with us. And he's i think he's got a 750, the VSI.
RICK JAMES: Yep.
The SnowJobs Podcast: yeah he does.
Rob: And so we're looking to set it up on two trucks. And I'm like, man, it should be illegal to be that efficient. If you're running liquids on the same truck, and you're running 20-foot back blade. Like, that feels crazy.
Rob: It's going to be a profit center.
RICK JAMES: Mm-hmm.
Rob: So ah yeah, brine bars, whether it's a homebrew system, whether it's VSI, whatever, you can attach that to the top of the mold board. It basically looks like a two-inch receiver that goes on a truck.
Rob: Same as you'd plug it in and it's all set there. Plug and play. You know, because I'm a contractor, I have a company. They're like cute features and super patented whatever is needed.
The SnowJobs Podcast: you
Rob: It's special. Like forget it. You put our plow on with two trailer pins and power just like a trailer. You put your brine bar in just like you would to your truck.
Rob: Everything should be that simple. the Same idea. We have the three-point tractor hitch. You put that on to the plow. That hooks right up to your three-point skid steer. um About as simple as possible.
Rob: Everybody that gets it, because most guys that bought them haven't seen them in real life. It's pretty bold choice. So they get them they're like, oh, that was real. Like it is this simple. It's like hooking up my trailer.
Rob: Yeah, yeah. I wasn't joking.
RICK JAMES: Yeah. Awesome.
Rob: It's real deal.
The SnowJobs Podcast: It's awesome, dude. Good for you, man. I'm glad you guys are doing well. I'm glad this winter went well for you.
Rob: Thank you.
The SnowJobs Podcast: it's ah I'll tell you you, you are like a human pinata, though, man. All the guys throwing shade at you and saying, and this doesn't work. This can't be that good. You just keep spitting up candy and smiling.
Rob: Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: You just take all the hits possible.
Rob: ahha
The SnowJobs Podcast: and like I know what I know. like You guys can say whatever you want, but you can't prove I'm wrong.
Rob: Yeah.
Rob: Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Well, good for you.
RICK JAMES: Right.
Rob: Totally. Thank you. I mean, it's very uncomfortable when you got a lot of people just send in shade constantly. There's no ah amount of, I was shocked at the amount of people that have access to keyboards or their phones.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah.
Rob: ah It was crazy. But when you have receipts all day, all it'll never is like, oh, do you mean like this? Oh, it'll never. Oh, like this one here. Oh, but it wouldn't work Canada. Oh, like in New Brunswick.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yep.
Rob: Oh, here's Alaska. Oh, here's an airport. Here's a municipality. Here's the school districts that got them. Here's the residential. And they're like, Now the comments are you know a hater comment and then I reply and then a couple guys underneath saying, hey, you so you stopped hating. well He provided receipts and now you're gone?
Rob: Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah. the Well, I mean, listen, that's all you got to do.
RICK JAMES: Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Be able to be able to prove what you're saying, but, and you can do that.
Rob: Yeah, it's pretty cool.
The SnowJobs Podcast: So it's great, man. It's,
Rob: Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: You know, and and I think, honestly, I think it scares some people too, because they see something they don't understand. That's not a mainstream everyday product in this industry, but for guys that have found the the cheat code for whatever they're doing, that they found that niche where it works beautifully for them, you know, they're true believers. You're never going transform 100% of anything.
The SnowJobs Podcast: You know, you're you're always going to have guys that want to go a different direction or just, you know, are because water's wet, sky's blue, they're going to complain about it.
Rob: No.
The SnowJobs Podcast: But, I mean, you don't need that. You just need the guys that know what they need and and are willing to listen about expanding their efficiency. and And now I think the flight group classes that you said, are I think that's phenomenal, dude.
The SnowJobs Podcast: that's That's really a game changer.
Rob: Thank you.
RICK JAMES: That'd be cool.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Like nobody nobody is doing that.
Rob: Yeah.
RICK JAMES: Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: No manufacturer is going to help you with your snow business, like actually, you know, dollars and cents, how to how to get to here and there.
Rob: And
The SnowJobs Podcast: Nobody's doing that. So good for you.
Rob: Yeah. No, i that's fair. Like their job is to wait till you need parts or sell the new thing or whatever. But like that's that's not how we work here. um And to your point on change is like who likes change?
Rob: Everyone likes homeostasis. They like to be warm and comfortable and have things easy. But the guys that do change, they blow the gates off everything. Those are the ones we read the books about. Those are the ones we learned from the industry about.
Rob: Those are the ones that brought everything to light. The things that we all do now that we take for granted, like wheels on a suitcase, like silicone eyes ice cube trays, like they were all stupid until like, oh, yeah, that's obvious.
Rob: Okay, I'll take one of those. and
The SnowJobs Podcast: First guy, first guy through the wire always gets bloody Rob.
RICK JAMES: Yes. yes
Rob: ah Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: He always gets bloody, but if he can get through the wire, you know, there's a hole there.
Rob: Yep.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Now everybody's coming. So
Rob: Yep. I don't mind a little bit of that blood. I can handle it.
The SnowJobs Podcast: what else, what else, anything else we, miss we gotta got to talk about anything else so we've missed in the last, uh, God, it's been, I think probably a year since we talked to you.
Rob: Yeah, it's been a few days. I mean I listen to you guys all the time but I haven't been talking with you so much.
The SnowJobs Podcast: okay thought
Rob: ah I mean that's that's a lot of a lot of it. Like we've changed in our product. We're fine-tuning things. We've got the municipal option. We've got the flight group for guys um who hear you, who read books, who understand it but are isolated and don't have somebody to help support them and ask questions. I think that closes a gap in the industry. is like it's not an information gap.
Rob: It's that support group working through it together in a small trusted space.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah.
Rob: um you know Which is amazing.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That's awesome.
Rob: Yeah, that the internet has allowed us to do those kind of things. So all over we can...
The SnowJobs Podcast: That's what we do sometimes with the web meetings. We we just put 30 guys in a room and just, it basically is a support group. They just happen to talk snow and snow business.
Rob: Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: And, you know, ah it it works for guys though. Guys get questions answered where, you know, I don't know everything. I don't know how to do a fucking airport, but if you put me in a room with Todd and I need a question about an airport, I guarantee you Todd's going to be able to answer it.
The SnowJobs Podcast: So you put 20, 30 guys in a room, a lot of information gets exchanged and that's how everybody gets better.
Rob: Big time.
The SnowJobs Podcast: So I love it.
Rob: And that's something unique that you guys have cultivated, I would say, in the industry is that openness and mutual respect.
RICK JAMES: Yeah.
Todd Dickerson: Thank you.
Rob: And it's not pissing contests. Like what works in Fargo is not going to work in Vancouver. You're going to go broke day one.
The SnowJobs Podcast: no
Rob: And that's not going to work in where wherever. Like there's a small mind of like, well, my market is the whole world. It's like if you ran tractors with snowblowers in a lot of North America, you're going under day one someplace.
Rob: And it's the only way.
The SnowJobs Podcast: The way I've always looked at it and I can't plow everything in my town, nor do I want to, but in order for me to get the money that I need to, I need to help those around me get better and understand what the hell they're doing and what their prices should be, what equipment they should be using.
The SnowJobs Podcast: So if I elevate them, like that was Randy straight's philosophy that he gave me, you know, 15 years ago.
Rob: Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: And I listened.
Rob: Cool.
The SnowJobs Podcast: And it's 100%. You elevate elevate everybody around you. You all win. It all gets better.
Rob: Rising tide.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Absolutely. Like you've said that a lot. Rising tide lifts all boats.
Rob: It's more fun when we all grow together.
The SnowJobs Podcast: I don't have a problem with sharing information, you know, like, and that's what the show has been about. You know, Jeremy, we've been doing it for almost four years, and ah three and a half years now. And it's, ah yeah, we're three and a half years in.
Rob: Wow.
The SnowJobs Podcast: And i think I think we've helped a lot of guys. And more importantly, it's not like it's just me and Jeremy. It's the guys we have on the show.
Rob: Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: It's the guys we can put you in contact with because of the show.
RICK JAMES: Okay.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Because we didn't know Rob Tebow before the show. You know, we didn't know Todd Dickerson before the show.
Rob: wow
The SnowJobs Podcast: It's like a giant freaking Rolodex. All you got to do is email or text or DM on Instagram or something. What your question is and who you're looking to talk to, ah we'll get you to we'll get you in touch with them.
Rob: You know what? I got to give you high praise on that, that both of you actually. One thing that you have done which blew my mind and didn't expect is is you know a guy for everything. You are the most impressive, warm connector.
Rob: I have a question about something, oh, here's the guy. i need Here, go to this guy. like The amount of warm introductions you've made to people that I was trying to understand something from or needed something from or wanted to work with, You opened the door for me and made it so easy.
Rob: I couldn't be more grateful to you in particular, Steve, for for that connection.
The SnowJobs Podcast: There's no reason to thank us for that. That's being a human. Like, I mean, that in my opinion, in my opinion, that's how you do things.
Rob: Well, yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Like, I don't know, maybe I've had better experiences than other people in my life with people. But when I've asked questions, I've never been told to go fuck myself.
Rob: Well, I'm glad you haven't.
Todd Dickerson: Steve, I would say that you're a little bit different and hear me out on it because being a first responder and having to deal with that side of the nightmare of everyday life, like some people don't have the people skills in that arena that you have, right?
The SnowJobs Podcast: Sure.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Okay. That's fair. That's fair.
Todd Dickerson: You know, ah the first time we met, you walked right up to me and, and you know, I mean, I'm a people person anyway, but like, A lot of like I have to engage 90 percent of the time.
Todd Dickerson: Right. And you you engage.
The SnowJobs Podcast: I got you.
Todd Dickerson: So that is a good trait that you have. So I would agree with Rob. And then, you know, Rick James. I mean, he's just special all the way around.
The SnowJobs Podcast: He's, you know, super celebrity, you know what I mean?
Todd Dickerson: Yeah. I mean, you know.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That's why it just works.
Todd Dickerson: Yeah. Yeah.
Rob: Well, and with Jeremy, going back to Snow Cleared for me, like he was generous. I'm this guy in small market. Nobody knows me nothing. And I posted a lot of my learnings and things I'm trying to figure out.
Rob: And he commented on stories and DMed me like, hey, look up. It was like plow site days. It was like coming out of that phase. And he's like, this is the product. Call this guy. Go this thing.
Rob: Have you considered this? It was like, no, I haven't. And no one in town will tell me anything. And the dealers don't know this stuff either. Like he really helped me get out the gates in a big way for snow cleared.
Rob: So both of you and in different ways have totally positively impacted both of our snow operations.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah, i'm I'm very shy and reserved, and, you know, Jeremy's very outgoing.
Rob: It's been cool.
RICK JAMES: Oh,
The SnowJobs Podcast: So, I mean, it just works. You know, the opposites just work.
RICK JAMES: boy.
Todd Dickerson: It's very good.
The SnowJobs Podcast: No, I mean, but that's why we started this.
RICK JAMES: boy
Rob: But.
The SnowJobs Podcast: we We used to talk snow all the time, and one of the things we kept saying was, what is the big fucking secret? Like, we we'd always tell her tell each other, like, why is it such a big secret? Like, nobody wants to like, everybody wants to talk, but nobody's talking.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Like, let's.
Rob: Well, where's the platform?
The SnowJobs Podcast: Well, that's exactly like, let's do something.
Rob: There wasn't.
The SnowJobs Podcast: And we started it and guys were desperate to talk. Like they wanted to talk. We still got a list that's two years out to get on the show from general, you know, just guys for doing company profiles.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Cause everybody wants to talk about their snow business.
Rob: Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: So it's, it's great. and And we're having a lot of fun.
Rob: who else in the world Who else in the world understands it though? You're a snow guy?
The SnowJobs Podcast: Nobody. That's it Exactly. Exactly.
Rob: just Literally, you were talking in a different universe. than Everybody else, they're like, why would you do that? And why don't you just go for a nap? And why don't you just like, um, these aren't the rules.
Rob: I know it's just business, but it's not just business.
The SnowJobs Podcast: And I think that's why it works. I think that, you know, me and Jay keep it real. we We have a good time. We have a lot of laughs with everybody we have on here. And we're just trying to help guys, you know, be the best versions of them of themselves with their businesses and try and, you know, steer them away from pitfalls that we've learned the hard way. And that's, you know, if you can do that for one guy, that's a win. That's an hour that we spent. That, that to me, is a win doing that. And I think why you don't have more of these is,
The SnowJobs Podcast: I should say you don't have more of them that have worked and have exploded like we did, i think, because you can't plug in actors. Like you you, you can't plug in somebody that's coming from outside the industry and say, Hey, you're going to do a snow podcast.
Rob: Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: And, and basically you're just going to you don't know anything about the industry. You can't plug somebody in and say, Hey, here it is. Talk about snow. Go.
Rob: You can't fake this.
The SnowJobs Podcast: you know No, you can't. You can't. And and guys don't want to guys don't want to hear from manufacturers like that are doing their own stuff. it's not you know They want to talk to snow guys, and that's what that's what we would listen to. 100%. 100%. 100%.
The SnowJobs Podcast: you know
Rob: And that's, thank you. That actually is like, this whole episode is like, I wanted a contractor who uses it to be in here with me. Cause who, a guy selling stuff, like don't listen to him.
The SnowJobs Podcast: ah percent hundred percent
Rob: He's just going to sell you the thing.
RICK JAMES: Yeah, right.
The SnowJobs Podcast: hundred percent
Rob: But having someone vouch, I mean, Todd's here, he's being seen, he's being heard. This is not fake. This is real. This is his experience. And look, it was a lot I said, it was a lot of risk. If we got it wrong, it was going to be ugly and awkward.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Absolutely. And we would have called it.
Rob: Yo, yeah
The SnowJobs Podcast: We would have done it. we would've so We wouldn't have liked it, but we have to tell the truth.
Rob: ah
The SnowJobs Podcast: So, I mean,
Rob: yeah I have a healthy respect and fear for you boys. I know if I cross a line and something flops, it's going to not be a good day.
The SnowJobs Podcast: you know, I mean, you got to steer guys right.
RICK JAMES: Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Because if you if you don't steer them right once, you know this industry is unforgiving, man. They're going to call you on it.
Rob: Well, Warren, was it Warren Buffett that said it takes a lifetime to build a good reputation in five minutes to ruin it all?
The SnowJobs Podcast: Literally one bad decision or one bad call on a product and you're screwed. You know, Oh, what about that? No matter what you do for the next 20 years, you could have everything right. Oh, wait minute. Remember that product X you told us that that was good and we should check it out. And that thing was a total shit burger and that company didn't stand behind it.
Todd Dickerson: Yeah.
Rob: I would say it's okay to get it wrong, but the guys that that happened to, they're always on the take. So it's like, oh you got it wrong and you got a bag.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yes.
Rob: We didn't hear about the cash. How how come... ah Yeah, like that's the... The part you find out in hindsight is, oh, yeah, they knew the story.
The SnowJobs Podcast: hundred percent
The SnowJobs Podcast: We haven't steered anybody wrong yet. So we're, we're still batting a thousand on that one.
Rob: It's legit. You guys are the real deal.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That's why you hook up with the right people.
Rob: Yep.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Do your due diligence.
Rob: Yep.
The SnowJobs Podcast: but
Rob: Big time. No,
The SnowJobs Podcast: What else you got for us, Rob? Anything else before we let you go? It's
Rob: that's about it. I want to put...
The SnowJobs Podcast: all
Rob: i want to put ah
RICK JAMES: Shush.
Rob: but Yeah, my brain moves faster than my mouth most of the time. So I try and slow it down.
The SnowJobs Podcast: all good
Rob: um So Todd, if someone's considering buying a blade, they've seen us online for three years. They've seen all the haters. They've seen all the stuff. and They're not sure, but they they think they want to give it a shot.
Rob: What would you say to them or ask questions to them? Like how would you, from your experience, you're on the other side of the fence. You don't own any the company. You don't have 100 You've tried a couple. You're helping share the product because it's gone well. What would you say to guys in that position?
Todd Dickerson: I'll say the same thing I've said since day one when I was on this this podcast from day one. Call me and I will literally explain to you step by step why this is a no brain decision.
Todd Dickerson: Like, and everybody has my number. If not, Instagram, whatever. I'm telling you, if if you're a one truck guy or 101 guys,
Todd Dickerson: This is the differentiator. I'm telling you that.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Can't do any better testimonial than that.
Rob: That's a wrap. I'm not saying anything else.
The SnowJobs Podcast: That's it.
RICK JAMES: All okay
Rob: That's time to button.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Oh, well, Rob, thanks very much, man. We appreciate Top Gun support for the last three years. it's It's been a great ride and we're glad to have you on board. We'll see you next week. Right.
Rob: Can't wait.
The SnowJobs Podcast: All right. We'll see you guys at Syma and we'll wrap it there.
RICK JAMES: right. See
The SnowJobs Podcast: So that'll do it for this very special product profile update episode on the snow jobs podcast. Want to thank Rob Tebow and top gun backblades as always. And we want to thank Todd Dickerson of top dog services.
The SnowJobs Podcast: i didn't screw that up. Top dog top gun once.
Rob: Hey-o, the big D.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Yeah, baby. ah We're out.
Todd Dickerson: Professional.
The SnowJobs Podcast: Everybody.
Todd Dickerson: You are professional.
The SnowJobs Podcast: What's that?
Todd Dickerson: You are a professional.
The SnowJobs Podcast: There we go. I'm getting the hang of it. All right, guys, we are out. Everybody have a great weekend. If you're traveling to Simon next week, have very safe travels. We will see you there and ah keep pushing.
