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In today’s episode of To The Point, we welcome back Ismael “Ish” Valdez, former CEO of NexGen, the founder of Nuve, and a straight-talking industry disruptor. We talk about AI, what contractors are doing wrong right now, and what’s heading down the pipeline that will shake up the entire industry. You don’t want to miss this one!
Three Years, a BILLION Dollars
Ish has been grinding for years, and after scaling NexGen to massive heights and a successful exit, he still isn’t done. He admits that he could be on the golf course and spending time with his family every day now, but he’s way too excited about his current projects. There’s a plan in place to grow Nuve to a billion-dollar product, and it’s already evolved into more than just the sleekest smart thermostat on the market. It’s turned into a network of like-minded contractors, mentorships, and a nose for being ahead of the curve when it comes to AI and technology.
During the transition from being a contractor to having contractors as his clients, Ish has learned a lot. He listens, adjusts, and is in tune with what contractors need, especially where they’re missing the mark. If you want a crash course in everything you should be aware of as an operator, this is the episode.
- The economy, interest rates, and the outlook for 2026
- The real impact of immigration policies on the trades
- Why Ismael is still grinding after a big exit
- Nuve’s mission and learning from contractor feedback
- Yelp, Google, and the brutal truth about reviews
- How most “CEOs” still think like employees … and why it’s a HUGE problem
- Calling out fake mentors & predatory coaches in the industry
- Robotics in trades: The change is coming faster than you think
- What contractors are messing up with branding and social media
- And more!
Want more Ish? Check out one of our previous episodes with Ismael!
Get Ready. Now.
Ish has no doubt in his mind that AI and robotics will replace plumbers, electricians, roofers, barbers, nannies, and more; it’s gonna replace everything. It’ll be doing brain surgery soon. You think it can’t unclog a toilet? It’s coming.
Add to that AI agents, and you have a future that looks incredible, but also very vanilla. Ish points out that it’s in the name: “Artificial Intelligence.” There will still be a need for operators, and what’s going to set you apart if everyone is using the same tools? Start telling your story now. Prepare for the future. And make sure you’re staying ahead of the competition.
Want to learn more about Nuve? Request a demo today!
