Episode Description:
This episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast examines the transformation of a side project into one of the most recognized training providers in the building automation industry. It focuses on the strategic shifts, leadership lessons, and systemized processes that shaped Smart Buildings Academy from its inception to its current impact.
The story shared in this episode mirrors challenges many building automation professionals face when growing their careers or businesses. It presents a clear view into what it takes to scale, adapt, and lead with purpose.
Key topics covered include:
- Transitioning from individual training sales to enterprise solutions
- Building internal teams, systems, and culture without external investors
- Creating scalable assessment tools that pinpoint skill gaps
- Adapting to market shifts and identifying long-term growth paths
- Exploring the next evolution in smart building workforce education
Discover what it takes to lead, adapt, and build lasting impact in the smart buildings industry.
Click here to download or listen to this episode now.Podcast Video
How Smart Buildings Academy Grew From a Blog to a Training Powerhouse
Smart Buildings Academy, once known as Building Automation Monthly, began as a simple blog. It was created out of a desire for independence and a passion for teaching. Over the years, it has evolved into a leading training platform for building automation professionals. This journey is more than a business story. It reflects the challenges and decisions faced by those who work to advance in this complex industry.
From Blog to Business
The idea for the blog came from a conversation with Phil’s spouse who recognized the potential in sharing technical knowledge. The blog served as an outlet for communication and reflection. Early on, it was not about revenue. It was about clarity, self-improvement, and professional expression.
As the audience grew, so did the ambition. Podcasts, books, and video content followed. Each new format opened new ways to teach and connect. Eventually, the revenue from these efforts matched the income from a full-time job, prompting a decision to go all in.
Learning Through Experience
Running a business solo from 2017 to 2020 was a deep learning experience. Everything from course development to sales was handled internally. There were no investors or external pressure, only a commitment to delivering value and solving real problems.
The turning point came during the COVID shutdowns. Smart Buildings Academy offered its flagship courses for ten dollars over sixty days. This decision, grounded in empathy and practicality, introduced the brand to thousands of new users. It also revealed a core strength: rapid response to industry needs.
Innovation Through Challenges
The workforce development program emerged from a challenge. Could someone be made job-ready in weeks rather than years? The answer turned out to be yes. The company took individuals with little to no experience and prepared them to be 80 percent productive in four weeks and fully site-ready in eleven.
This led to partnerships with OEMs, building owners, and contractors. The curriculum now supports wide-scale onboarding and upskilling, proving that structured training can scale and adapt across the industry.
The Power of Skill Assessment
Another major milestone was the creation of a comprehensive skill assessment. Built from over 8,000 hours of development, this tool identifies strengths and gaps across key domains like HVAC, BAS, IT, and design. It provides data-driven insights and supports individualized learning plans. To date, over 24,000 professionals have used it.
This tool became a gateway for organizations to improve performance at scale, driving both awareness and loyalty to the brand.
Lessons in Leadership
Building a team taught important lessons about culture, hiring, and structure. The focus shifted from doing to leading. Processes were recorded, transcribed, and stored in playbooks. This approach allowed for knowledge transfer and reduced daily operational friction.
Leadership also brought challenges. Making tough decisions, staying aligned with values, and facing loneliness at the top became real. To manage this, tools like EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), advisory boards, and external mentorship were adopted.
Vision for the Future
Smart Buildings Academy is now a team with instructors, a sales force, and a growing client base across education, healthcare, and commercial sectors. The strategy is to become the centralized platform for all smart building training needs.
Plans include launching a new learning management system with built-in AI. This system will allow contextual learning support, certificate tracking, and skill benchmarking. It aims to deliver a true hire-to-retire development pathway for the workforce.
The next step is exploring adjacent markets such as HVAC, fire alarm, access control, and PLC training. Each presents unique opportunities, and decisions will be guided by scalability, market fit, and impact.
Final Thoughts
The success of Smart Buildings Academy is rooted in action, reflection, and continuous improvement. It is a model of how vision, when paired with structure and responsiveness, can shape the future of an entire industry.
Whether you are starting your own initiative or scaling a team, the lessons shared in this journey offer real-world insights for lasting growth.
For a deeper discussion and insights from the field, listen to this episode on the Smart Buildings Academy podcast.
