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Closing Conversations

Closing Conversations

Episode 35: Why You Should Never Bet Against New York with Kevin Appleby (Managing Partner at RUHL)

Sep 3, 2026 · 34 min · 13 segments

Kevin Appleby is the managing partner at RUHL, a New York City-based MEP design and engineering consulting firm focused on building electrification, energy efficiency, HVAC, and high-rise commercial…

Kevin Appleby is the managing partner at RUHL, a New York City-based MEP design and engineering consulting firm focused on building electrification, energy efficiency, HVAC, and high-rise commercial and residential buildings. In this episode, we talk about: \- How Kevin helped bring a 70-year German family business to New York \- Why New York City is one of the hardest markets to break into \- Why networking matters more in closed industries \- How handwritten letters can still beat automated outreach \- Why sales culture feels different in Germany versus the U.S. \- What it takes to earn trust in real estate \- Why the wrong partners can cost money, time, and enthusiasm \- How family businesses can work when the vision and values are shared Kevin brings a sharp perspective on sales, market entry, trust, partnerships, and what it means to build in New York. This one is about taking a proven business into a new market and earning your way in. 🎙️ Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at comissionsales.com Connect with us: Kevin Appleby: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-appleby/ Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/ CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

Kevin Appleby is the managing partner at RUHL, a New York City-based MEP design and engineering consulting firm focused on building electrification, energy efficiency, HVAC, and high-rise commercial…

Show signals: SuitabilityLimitedBiasNot politicalAudience≈39 followers

Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube Website

Speakers: Kevin ApplebyGuestMax NotisHost

Top entities: New York×60 Kevin Appleby×48 Germany×28 United States×22 Europe×11

Introducing Kevin Appleby0:01 – 0:47

0:01

Welcome back to Closing Conversation, the show for founders, leaders, and sellers who win together.

0:07

I'm your host, Max Notis.

0:09

My guest today is Kevin Appleby, managing partner at Ruhl, a New York MEP design firm and engineering firm specializing in electrification, energy efficiency, HVAC, and high-rise buildings.

0:23

Ruhl started as a German family business more than 70 years ago.

0:27

Kevin brought it to New York, which is one of the hardest markets in the world to crack.

0:32

We talk closed networks, selling across cultures, handwritten letters, trust and partnerships, and what it actually takes to break in.

0:41

Let's get into it.

0:43

Kevin, great to have you

Kevin ApplebyGuest

0:45

here.

0:45

Why

Kevin ApplebyGuest

0:45

don't you start

0:45

by just telling the audience a little bit about yourself?

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New YorkCityCity in New York State
98%60 mentions
Kevin ApplebyPerson
93%48 mentions
GermanyCountryCountry in Europe
89%28 mentions
United StatesCountryCountry in North America
85%22 mentions
EuropeContinentContinent
80%11 mentions
Mechanical, electrical, and plumbingEntity
76%4 mentions
Bill ClintonPerson42nd U.S. President
72%5 mentions
ChinaCountryCountry in East Asia
67%3 mentions
One World Trade CenterTourist AttractionSupertall building in New York
63%3 mentions
Frankfurt am MainEntityCity in Germany
59%2 mentions
LinkedInSoftware ApplicationSocial networking service
54%8 mentions
Harvey SpecterEntityFictional character
50%2 mentions
CanadaCountryCountry in North America
46%3 mentions
New York KnicksSports TeamBasketball team
41%2 mentions
SpotifyCompanyCompany
37%1 mention
AsiaContinentContinent
30%1 mention
Ice ageEntity
30%1 mention
Javits CenterTourist AttractionConvention center in New York
24%1 mention
San DiegoCityCity in California
20%4 mentions
Kobe BryantPersonAmerican basketball player
15%2 mentions
Apple PodcastsSoftware Application
11%1 mention
EasterEntityFestival
7%1 mention
Larry SilversteinPersonAmerican businessman
2%1 mention

Market ExpansionBusiness > Entrepreneurship > Networking
Cultural DifferencesBusiness > Entrepreneurship > Networking > Market Expansion
MEP EngineeringEngineering > Design
Building SystemsEngineering > Design > MEP Engineering
HVACEngineering > Design > MEP Engineering > Building Systems
Market PenetrationReal Estate > Commercial Real Estate
Building ProjectsReal Estate > Commercial Real Estate > Market Penetration
Real Estate NetworkingReal Estate > Commercial Real Estate > Market Penetration > Building Projects
Sales PracticesCulture > Cultural Differences
Business EtiquetteCulture > Cultural Differences > Sales Practices
International BusinessCulture > Cultural Differences > Sales Practices > Business Etiquette
Sustainable DesignEnergy > Energy Efficiency > Building Electrification
HVAC SystemsEnergy > Energy Efficiency > Building Electrification > Sustainable Design
Cultural DifferencesCulture
NetworkingBusiness > Entrepreneurship
Building ElectrificationEnergy > Energy Efficiency
Commercial Real EstateReal Estate
DesignEngineering
Energy EfficiencyEnergy
Energy
Business
Culture
EntrepreneurshipBusiness
Engineering
Real Estate

Introducing Kevin Appleby0:01 – 0:47

0:01

Welcome back to Closing Conversation, the show for founders, leaders, and sellers who win together.

0:07

I'm your host, Max Notis.

0:09

My guest today is Kevin Appleby, managing partner at Ruhl, a New York MEP design firm and engineering firm specializing in electrification, energy efficiency, HVAC, and high-rise buildings.

0:23

Ruhl started as a German family business more than 70 years ago.

0:27

Kevin brought it to New York, which is one of the hardest markets in the world to crack.

0:32

We talk closed networks, selling across cultures, handwritten letters, trust and partnerships, and what it actually takes to break in.

0:41

Let's get into it.

0:43

Kevin, great to have you

Kevin ApplebyGuest

0:45

here.

0:45

Why

Kevin ApplebyGuest

0:45

don't you start

0:45

by just telling the audience a little bit about yourself?