In this conversation, Tommy Mello interviews Peter Roth, a seasoned entrepreneur and expert in the call center industry. They discuss the challenges and strategies of cold calling, the importance of lead management, and the nuances of targeting the right audience in home services. Peter shares insights on building and managing call centers, the role of AI in sales, and the significance of personal branding in business. The discussion also touches on Peter's experiences in the solar and HVAC industries, as well as his journey in the cigar business. The conversation concludes with thoughts on the future of the call center industry and the importance of resilience in entrepreneurship. 00:00 Introduction to Cold Calling and Marketing Strategies 03:00 The Journey into the Call Center Industry 06:00 Understanding Lead Management and Follow-Up 09:01 Targeting the Right Audience for Home Services 11:55 The Importance of Speed to Lead 15:04 Outbound vs Inbound Marketing Strategies 18:03 The Role of AI in Cold Calling 20:56 Data-Driven Approaches to Lead Generation 23:51 Building Your Own Call Center 26:54 Managing Call Center Agents and Performance 30:07 Insights on the Solar and HVAC Industries 32:47 The Cigar Business and Lifestyle Entrepreneurship 36:03 The Impact of Personal Branding on Business 39:01 Future of the Call Center Industry 41:59 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways