Raising The Grade

Welcome to a podcast that celebrates the visionaries and trailblazers of the hardscape and landscaping industry in the vibrant Phoenix Metro Valley. Each episode delves into the stories of industry leaders who are redefining landscapes and elevating the standard of excellence in their craft. But we don’t stop there—we also spotlight dynamic businesses and inspiring personalities from diverse fields who are “raising the grade,” offering fresh perspectives and innovative approaches. Whether you're a seasoned professional or simply someone with a passion for transformation, this podcast promises to inspire, inform, and elevate your vision.

Raising The Grade is a business podcast hosted by Eric, with 25 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Eric hosts Raising The Grade, a business show with 25 episodes published.

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  Raising The Grade

  Built on a Strong Foundation: Leadership Lessons from Valley Wide Painting Pros

  Dec 29, 202556 minS0

  <p>In this episode of Raising the Grade, we sit down with Dave Walls, owner of Valley Wide Painting Pros, to explore the intersection of entrepreneurship, faith, and service. From touring the country as a professional drummer to building one of the Valley’s most trusted painting and flooring companies, Dave’s story is rooted in purpose, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to community.</p><p>We talk about how Dave turned his passion for ministry into motivation for business, the lessons he learned launching West Valley Garage Coatings, and why he ultimately expanded into painting to serve more people. Dave...

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  Raising The Grade

  Wired for Success: The Journey from Employee to Lighting Supply Leader

  May 21, 20251h 1mS0

  <p>In this episode of Raising the Grade, we sit down with Michael Borgeson, founder of Sonoran Lighting Supply, to explore the business of lighting, the value of relationships, and what it takes to build trust in a tight-knit industry. From growing up in a small California town to launching one of Arizona’s most respected lighting supply companies, Mike shares how his work ethic, industry experience, and commitment to doing things the right way have shaped his entrepreneurial journey.</p><p>We dive deep into how Sonoran Lighting Supply became more than just a distributor—offering hands-on support, custom ligh...

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  Raising The Grade

  How Faith, Family, and Grit Built Dino Turf Cleaning

  May 7, 202545 minS0

  <p>In this episode of Raising the Grade, we sit down with Anthony Vickman, founder of Dino Turf Cleaning, to talk about entrepreneurship, work ethic, and how turf cleaning became his unexpected path to success. From growing up in a family carpet cleaning business to scaling and selling a wedding rental company, Anthony’s journey is marked by hard work, intentionality, and faith.</p><p>We dive into how Dino Turf was built from the ground up—literally—and how Anthony has turned a one-man operation into a growing company with multiple trucks and a vision for national expansion. Along the wa...

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  Raising The Grade

  Breaking Barriers: Gerise's Journey from Teacher to Industry Leader

  Mar 26, 20251 hourS0

  <p>In this episode of <b>Raising the Grade</b>, we sit down with <b>Gerise Montoya</b>, an experienced professional in the construction industry and an advocate for workforce development and training. Gerise shares her journey from the field to the office, discussing how she built her career by seizing opportunities and pushing through challenges. Her passion for empowering others is evident as she dives into strategies for training, mentorship, and leadership within the construction sector.</p><p>We discuss the importance of workforce development in an industry that is constantly evolving, as well as the need to create...

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  Raising The Grade

  Human Connection and Quality Design: Transforming the Hardscape Industry

  Mar 19, 202536 minS0

  <p>This week on Raising the Grade, we sit down with Megan Pratt, Hardscapes Sales Manager at Superlite, a division of Oldcastle APG. Megan's journey from the power sports industry to leading the charge at Belgard is nothing short of impressive. We dive into her passion for training, the evolution of hardscape design trends, and how Belgard is making waves in the Arizona market by emphasizing innovation and quality.</p><p>Megan shares her unique perspective as a woman thriving in a male-dominated industry, the importance of building human connections, and how leveraging new technologies like AI and 3D renderings...

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