Tools of the Trade – Business Coaching for Energy Pros
Master a proven framework for building and sustaining your energy services business! With Tools of the Trade, you’ll gain new insights into recruiting and retaining your workforce, improving the financial viability of your business, understanding the needs of your customers and capitalizing on Vermonter’s growing interest in clean energy and energy-efficiency oriented solutions. Expand your capacity to assist everyday Vermonters save money, improve the comfort of their home and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
Tools of the Trade is an in-person, 9-month business training program designed to support the needs of weatherization contractors to improve your executive business skills, enhance core operations, expand your workforce and improve your work-life balance.
Hone your business skills in the areas of:
- Workforce Recruitment and Retention
- Financial management, including revenue projections, budgeting, project costing, and managing your cashflow
- Operational efficiencies
- Identifying your ideal customer, how to reach them and customer pipeline management
- Company leadership and work-life balance, company culture
Tools of the Trade – Business Fundamentals for Energy Pros includes:
1. Monthly half-day, in-person, interactive and engaging learning sessions on a particular topic, including 1:1 individualized coaching time so that you spend time working on your business each month
2. Peer learning and sharing that can lead to lasting relationships with others in your field
3. One-on-one coaching time outside of monthly learning sessions, tailored to your interests and needs
4. Access to industry adjacent professionals such as an employment attorney and workforce training providers
Now Accepting Tools of the Trade 2.0 Applications!
Application Closes: September 12, 2025
Notification of Businesses Selected to Participate: September 26, 2025
Program Start Date: October 20, 2025
Program End Date: June 2026
Participation Cost: $1,000; this program and its delivery is valued at $7,000 per company.
Contact for questions about the program: Kurt Ericksen, kurt@vsjf.org
Additional Details:
- Participants are encouraged to have at least a year of experience running their weatherization business or at least three years in the building trades prior to wanting to launch their weatherization business
- Continuing education credits from EVT for program hours completed will be awarded
Our Business Coaches:
You’ll have access to a team of seasoned business professionals with a range of subject matter expertise, all of whom have owned, led, or managed entrepreneurial companies in Vermont for decades. In addition to interactive in-session presentations, there will be ample time for 1:1 coaching to help you dial in on the specific needs of your business.
Participant Pledge:
- We ask that you make a commitment to showing up both to work on your business and to engage with and support the other participants who are also working on their business.
- We ask that you be open to learning and adapting your business based on new insights you gain and new practices you are exposed to in the program.
- Confidentiality will be maintained throughout the program.
“An excellent collection of industry professionals offering their time and expertise on multiple business topics. It isn't often that you have access to so many successful business minds that can share insights on accounting, mission, HR, advertising and sales. Well worth the price for the program.” - Ben Service, Roots Builders, Tools of the Trade 1.0 Participant
Tools of the Trade 1.0 particpants and business coaches in action!
“This program was a fantastic jump forward for me as a business owner - I wish it had existed ten years ago!” - David Bailey, Black Cat Builders, Tools of the Trade 1.0 Participant
Program Flow
-
- October 20, 2025 – Program Kick-Off; Business Case and Value Proposition
- November 2025 – Financial Statements; Revenue Projections, Budgets and Cash Flow
- December 2025 – Costing of Projects; Intended Markets and Customers
- January 2026 – Customer Personas
- February 2026 – Industry Panel on Trends and Workforce Training Programs; Future Staffing Plan
- March 2026 – All Things Human Resources
- April 2026 – Operational Efficiencies, KPIs and Project Management
- May 2026 – Outside Panel TBD
- June 2026 – Pulling It All Together; Leadership and Culture
“I was at a place prior to the program of wanting to close my doors and become a one-person builder operation. The skills and confidence I gained have enabled me to continue working on improving my employer / employee relationships and create more work opportunities.” - Eric Solsaa, Solsaa Building and Energy Solutions, Tools of the Trade 1.0 Participant
Tools of the Trade is made possible through funding from Efficiency Vermont, Vermont Gas Systems and Burlington Electric Department.
Become a Funder
Are you interested in funding one of our programs or services? We are seeking funders to achieve our sustainable economic goals as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Learn more…
Become a Client
Are you interested in becoming a client to grow your business, industry sector, or replicate one of our approaches? We offer a suite of services for businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies.
Learn more…
Become a Partner
Are you interested in partnering with us to build a thriving economic, social, and ecological future for Vermont? We invite collaboration from diverse stakeholders in all areas of our work.
Learn more…