The Wealthy Contractor

When Ken Wood and his partner Mick launched Five Star Bath Solutions in 2019, the top revenue for other locations in their franchise network was roughly $1 million/yr.When they said they were going to build a $5-6 million business, people looked at them like they were from Mars.This year, they're hitting $9 million.But redefining what was possible required some brutal lessons—like learning to "own it before delegating it," accepting that sometimes good people can't scale with your business, and realizing that what got them to $3M would never get them to $10M.In this raw, tactical conversation, Ken pulls back the curtain on:The accountability, tough love, and breakthroughs that happen when you're in a room with other ambitious contractors who are actually implementing and growing.The "Hire 3 to Get 1" philosophy that accelerated their growth (and why betting on just one person sets you up to fail)Advice for when you want to hire a unicorn on a $70k budgetWhy shifting from loyalty culture to results culture is painful but necessaryThe two responsibilities owners should give up lastThe thing to say to a great person you have to fire (and who to make the bad guy)What "working ON vs. IN your business" actually looks like when you're doing $9M and planning for $30MAnd his Stephen Covey-inspired approach to building a business (and life) worth havingKen also shares the story of bumping into Mick at church after the 2008 crash, how Accelerate LIVE! completely rewired their thinking about what's possible, and why he comes back from every Success Society meeting ready to hit the ground running.Key Highlights:(00:00) Introduction(00:34) Welcome to Episode 251 with Ken Wood(01:50) From Corporate to Crash to $9M: Ken & Mick's Origin Story(05:22) The Brutal Lessons That Got Them Here(06:22) The Event That Opened Their Eyes to What's Possible(08:54) Why Your Franchise Is Capping Your Growth (And What to Do About It)(14:08) "Hire Three to Get One"—The Hiring Advice That Changed Everything(18:38) Are You the "Technician," "Manager," "Builder," or "Visionary?”(19:43) Why Ken Had to OWN Marketing Before Hiring For It(26:59) The Last Two Things You Should EVER Give Up as an Owner(28:50) How to Shift from Loyalty Culture to Results Culture (Without Being a Jerk)(32:25) The Thing to Say to a Great Person You Have to Fire—And Who to Make the Bad Guy(38:04) Stop Relying on Aggregators—Find 20% New Lead Sources Every Year(42:03) Why You Should Work ON Your Business vs. IN Your Business(43:03) Ken’s Parting Advice: The Peer Group "Worth 5 Times the Price of Admission"(47:18) Meet The Group That Helped Fuel Ken’s Success👉 Subscribe to hear more stories, strategies, and secrets that top contractors use to grow their home improvement businesses and enjoy more success, wealth, and freedom.👉 Join us for our next Discovery Day on November 11th: TheEntryDoor.Info Additional Resources:⚡ Get your tickets for Accelerate LIVE! 2026, and use code PODCAST26 for $100 off: https://thewealthycontractor.com/events/accelerate-live ⚡ Brian’s book, The 7 Secrets To Becoming A Wealthy Contractor, is now available. Visit https://www.TheWealthyContractor.com/ for a free copy (just pay shipping).⚡ Follow us on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWealthyContractorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheWealthyContractor/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/TheWealthyContractor/

We've hit a major milestone—Episode 250!And there's no one else I’d rather celebrate with than Brian Elias, my very first guest on The Wealthy Contractor Podcast and true industry trailblazer.If you don’t know him, Brian is the founder of 1-800-HANSONS, which he grew into one of the largest home improvement companies in the country before selling to private equity. These days, he's doing it all over again with Refloor—having already scaled to 15 markets across 12 states and selling 50+ jobs per day.But this episode is about more than Brian’s incredible story. It's about the mindset, marketing psychology, and hard-won lessons that separate struggling contractors from industry titans.Listen in as Brian E. opens up about:Why he’s getting back into face-to-face marketing in 2026 (and which channels he’s targeting)The "Mom's Problems" framework that will make your marketing convertHow you can "reduce to the ridiculous" to close more salesThe psychological triggers all your marketing messages need to hitWhere his confidence REALLY comes from (it’s not what you think)…And why most contractors are “fishing with the wrong lure”Whether you're grinding to hit your first million or scaling past eight figures, this conversation will challenge how you think about marketing, leadership, and building the business (and life) you actually want.👉 Subscribe to hear more stories, strategies, and secrets that top contractors use to grow their home improvement businesses and enjoy more success, wealth, and freedom.Key Highlights:(0:00) Introduction(1:10) Welcome Back: Brian Elias Returns for Episode 250(2:50) Refloor Update: 15 Markets, 12 States, 50 Jobs Per Day(6:08) The Joy of Being Outsmarted by Your Own Kid(8:21) The Power of Faking it Till You Make it(10:04) Why You Should Treat Sales Calls Like Job Interviews(12:17) How His Father’s Mistakes Fueled His Success(14:02) Why Face-to-Face Marketing Is Making a Comeback(16:16) The Fishing Lure Framework: How to Think About Marketing(17:43) Using Psychological Triggers to “Romance” Homeowners(26:59) Why 95% of Cars on the Road Aren't the Cheapest(29:32) The Hardest Thing About Leadership(37:18) "Reducing to the Ridiculous": The $129/Month Close(40:57) Lessons from the First Time Around(41:40) Hire for Attitude, Not Just Experience(44:48) Why You Should Interview 8 People Per Day(47:10) Final Thoughts: Start with the End in MindAdditional Resources:⚡ Learn more about Discovery Day at The Wealthy Contractor Success Society: https://TheEntryDoor.info/ ⚡ Get your tickets for Accelerate LIVE! 2026, and use code PODCAST26 for $100 off: https://thewealthycontractor.com/events/accelerate-live ⚡ Brian’s book, The 7 Secrets To Becoming A Wealthy Contractor, is now available. Visit https://www.TheWealthyContractor.com/ for a free copy (just pay shipping).⚡ Follow us on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWealthyContractorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheWealthyContractor/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/TheWealthyContractor/

What if the fastest way to grow your business was to stop doing everything yourself?When Ryan Keene started MODE Renovation, a one-day bathroom remodeling business, he was just 24 years old. Four years later, he’s about to hit his first million-dollar sales month and working less than ever before. So how on earth did he get there so quickly??According to him, he just implemented what he was told.In this episode, Ryan shares the wins, struggles, and turning points that helped him go from installer, to owner, to leader—and how building a strong community of peers and mentors helped him get there.You’ll hear how he built an in-house call center from scratch at an early stage (with zero experience), hired a sales manager before he could afford it, raised prices the smart way, and built a culture where people actually want to show up and win.This one is loaded with lessons—especially if you’re stuck in the weeds, hesitant to spend money, or feeling like it’s all on your shoulders. Ryan proves that with the right mindset, community, and systems, you can scale faster and more profitably than you ever imagined.Whether you’re just getting started or trying to push past a plateau, this episode will leave you with the one thing you need most: permission to go bigger.Key Highlights:(00:00) Intro(01:15) Half Brian’s Age, Twice the Man: Meet Ryan Keene(03:00) “Smile and Dial”: How Ryan Built a Call Center from Scratch(07:05) Leads Aren’t Dead (You’re Just Doing it Wrong)(09:25) Tracking KPIs… Even When You Don’t Know What “KPI” Means(10:38) Why Entrepreneurship Feels So Damn Lonely (And How to Fix It)(15:54) Can’t Afford to Hire? That’s Exactly Why You Should(17:30) Press the Business Like a Race Car: Test, Break, Rebuild(18:30) The Counter-Intuitive Way Ryan Increased His Close Rate(22:47) Increase Prices Without Losing Sales (Yes, Really)(27:47) Recruiting New Reps (And Why You Should Treat Them Like Leads)(31:55) The Bounty Board: Competition That Drives Sales(35:00) Building Culture That Actually Means Something(42:02) The Mindset Shift Leading to a Million-Dollar Month(47:45) Stop Deciding and Start DOING👉 Subscribe to hear more stories, strategies, and secrets that top contractors use to grow their home improvement businesses and enjoy more success, wealth, and freedom.Additional Resources:⚡ Learn more about Discovery Day at The Wealthy Contractor Success Society: https://TheEntryDoor.info/ ⚡ Get your tickets for Accelerate LIVE! 2026, and use code PODCAST26 for $100 off: https://thewealthycontractor.com/events/accelerate-live ⚡ Brian’s book, The 7 Secrets To Becoming A Wealthy Contractor, is now available. Visit https://www.TheWealthyContractor.com/ for a free copy (just pay shipping).⚡ Follow us on social mediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWealthyContractorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheWealthyContractor/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/TheWealthyContractor/

What do hundreds—maybe thousands—of today’s home improvement business owners have in common?They have all been influenced by Rob Levin, who has helped shape the home improvement industry as we know it. If you’ve been around long enough, you’ve either worked for one of his companies, learned from someone who did, or competed against them.It all started back in the ‘80s, when Rob quit his CPA job to help grow AMRE (American Remodeling) from a single office surviving on an SBA loan to $300M in revenue across 56 locations. Rob’s story isn’t just a nostalgic trip through time—it’s a blueprint for scaling a sales-driven, systemized, and profitable company.Listen in as Brian and Rob discuss how he trained and led more than 600 salespeople, oversaw 2,200 employees, and created systems so effective that dozens of his former team members went on to start their own companies. He also shares how he did it all with the mindset and precision of a CPA-turned-COO who believed success wasn’t just about hustle—it was about math, discipline, and leadership.This one is part history lesson, part MBA class, and part gut check. And it proves that while a lot has changed in the industry, the fundamentals haven’t. Whether you’re just getting started or running $20 million a year, there’s something in here for you.Key Moments: (0:00) Intro(1:10) Meet Rob Levin: The Man Who Trained an Industry(3:47) From SBA Loan to $300M Empire: The AMRE Origin Story(8:43) Tips for Building a High-Performing Sales Team(10:16) The Math Behind Million-Dollar Sales Teams(13:07) The 3-Month Rule: When to Pull a Sales Rep Off the Field(17:48) The Hard Calls Every Owner Must Be Willing to Make(21:01) How Financial Discipline Built a Powerhouse(24:47) Determining Your Marketing Costs(30:41) Revenue Growth & Gross Margin: Where Most Owners Mess Up(37:51) Rob’s Blueprint for Building a Sustainable Business(45:11) A Cautionary Tale About The Power of Belief (And a Lost RBA License)(50:39) Mentorship, Legacy & Lessons from Industry Giants(54:41) Rob’s Final Word: What Really Makes a Business Work👉 Subscribe to hear more stories, strategies, and secrets that top contractors use to grow their home improvement businesses and enjoy more success, wealth, and freedom.Additional Resources:⚡ Learn more about Discovery Day at The Wealthy Contractor Success Society: https://TheEntryDoor.info/ ⚡ Brian’s book, The 7 Secrets To Becoming A Wealthy Contractor, is now available. Visit https://www.TheWealthyContractor.com/ for a free copy (just pay shipping).⚡ Follow us on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWealthyContractorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheWealthyContractor/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/TheWealthyContractor/

What if every day you started with zero leads and still ended the week with a packed pipeline? Sounds too good to be true, right?Not according to this week’s podcast guest, Samantha McGuinness. On top of being a master of face-to-face marketing, she is also insanely good at “making leads out of thin air” (it’s kind of her superpower).From knocking on doors and setting up booths to generating $100,000 from a peach festival, Samantha’s helped companies like Renewal by Andersen Toronto generate $10M+ in revenue from “make” marketing systems.In this episode, Samantha and Brian dive into how elite companies create their own opportunities, the systems behind effective appointment setting (hint: get straight to the point), and why you should avoid gimmicks and “trinkets” that waste time and money.🔑 Key Moments:(0:00) Introduction (1:28) Meet Samantha: From landscaping startup to $10M+ in face-to-face marketing(5:18) Using social skills to get more leads(8:22) Why tests like the DISC profile can be misleading when hiring(11:20) How to make leads out of thin air(12:54) How old-school gimmicks can hurt face-to-face marketing(15:18) The controversy over “trinkets” (and why you should avoid them)(17:24) Building a $10M+ department through systems and events(19:37) Defining “make marketing”: events, home shows, canvassing, and retail partnerships(25:29) Why every single person in your company should help find events (and how to incentivize them)(29:15) What should (and should NOT) be on your booth table and displays—and why salespeople should never staff a booth(33:01) Recruiting & hiring: Who thrives and who flops (Ever hire an actor?)(43:50) The importance of make marketing in today’s market(46:09) Best advice: Be 100% authentic in life and business(50:55) Closing thoughts & resources👤 About Our GuestSamantha McGuinness is the founder of Enabled and the Face-to-Face Marketing Network, where she helps home improvement companies build profitable in-person marketing systems. Her systems and SOPs have generated millions in revenue for contractors nationwide.👉 Subscribe to hear more stories, strategies, and secrets that top contractors use to grow their home improvement businesses and enjoy more success, wealth, and freedom.Additional Resources:⚡ Brian’s book, The 7 Secrets To Becoming A Wealthy Contractor, is now available. Visit https://www.TheWealthyContractor.com/ for a free copy (just pay shipping).⚡ Follow us on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWealthyContractorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheWealthyContractor/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/TheWealthyContractor/

EPISODE 246: When Michael Flores joined Expo Home Improvement, they were under $20 million in revenue. Today? Over 300 employees, 5 locations, and a sales team of 75.But here’s the twist… Michael says they actually need LESS leads. And that’s just one of the counterintuitive lessons he shares in this episode. 🤯Listen in as we chat about:Why Michael recruits using the Predictive Index (and the personality types that crush it in sales)The 3 types of sales cultures (and which one you want in your company)The role of frontline leaders in coaching and mentoring reps (sometimes a pat on the back, sometimes a kick in the pants)Why personal style matters in sales presentations, and how his team tailors their approach to fit Texas markets (“a little more country, a little more city”)How Expo Home manages culture with 300+ people across 5 locations: daily huddles, monthly town halls, and value-driven leadership rolesTwo titles you’ve probably never heard before: Dream Manager and Chief Ministry Officer — and the impact those roles have had on retention and moraleHow they’ve embraced AI and the tech stack that fuels their sales and marketing machineWhy fewer, higher-intent leads are now driving more sales Why “It’s all about relationships,” isn’t just a cliche— it’s the best advice Michael’s ever received.If you’ve ever wondered how to scale with a winning culture, keep your sales team hungry but humble, and finally get marketing working for your reps, this one’s worth the listen.Key Takeaways:00:00 – Introduction01:11 – Meet Michael04:33 – Scaling from $20M to 300+ Employees06:15 – Marketing is the Key to Contractor Growth08:09 – Creating a Strong Sales Culture of “Humble Heroes”13:11 – Recruiting Salespeople with Predictive Index15:10 – 10-Step Sales Training Process Explained18:20 – No Room for Bad Attitudes in Company Culture20:03 – Managing Sales Culture Across Locations27:05 – How a Profit First Mentality Allows Giving Back29:30 – Dream Manager Program & Investing in Employees35:58 – Using IT & Tech to Boost Marketing & Sales38:49 – Why Michael Needs Less Leads43:45 – Final Advice: It’s All About Relationships👉 Subscribe to hear more stories, strategies, and secrets that top contractors use to grow their home improvement businesses and enjoy more success, wealth, and freedom.Additional Resources:⚡ Learn more about Discovery Day at The Wealthy Contractor Success Society: https://TheEntryDoor.info/ ⚡ Learn more about The Profit Masters: https://www.TheProfitMasters.com/⚡ Brian’s book, The 7 Secrets To Becoming A Wealthy Contractor, is now available. Visit https://www.TheWealthyContractor.com/ for a free copy (just pay shipping).⚡ Follow us on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWealthyContractor/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheWealthyContractor/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/TheWealthyContractor/

EPISODE 245: This week on The Wealthy Contractor, I sat down with Cory Minzyk, Call Center Director at All American Roofing & Remodeling. Cory is a powerhouse in the home improvement world; she’s helped build some of the most productive call centers in the country at companies like Window Nation and Thompson Creek.In this episode, she reveals how to hire the right people, implement proven systems, and track the right metrics, which all play into building a call center that can catapult your business growth to an entirely new level. She and I also talk about what it really takes to turn your phones into a profit machine, and where most contractors are getting it wrong.Listen in and learn how to:Influence the “domino effect” your call center has on the rest of your businessTrack KPIs that actually drive profit (not vanity metrics)Use your call center to support a diverse, successful mix of marketing sourcesIdentify when you need to hire a call center manager (and what to look for)Use “active listening” to help your team set more appointmentsSet good issue rate goals for the different types of lead sourcesHire, train, and compensate call center agents who consistently set quality appointmentsDitch the “robotic scripts” and still control the conversationYou’ll even hear what happened when no one showed up to work one morning—and how Cory and her boss set leads themselves.Cory’s strategy and systems are game-changers for any contractor who wants more control, more consistency, and more jobs!Tune in now.👉 Subscribe to hear more stories, strategies, and secrets that top contractors use to grow their home improvement businesses and enjoy more success, wealth, and freedom.Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00)Meet Cory (01:22)What a call center actually does (16:48)What a small company needs to have a successful call center (22:07)Is scripting important? (25:30)How your call center grows with your business (33:20)What’s a good call center agent? (38:03)Call center KPIs (44:24)Additional Resources:⚡ Learn more about Discovery Day at The Wealthy Contractor Success Society: https://TheEntryDoor.info/ ⚡ Learn more about The Profit Masters: https://www.TheProfitMasters.com/⚡ Brian’s book, The 7 Secrets To Becoming A Wealthy Contractor, is now available. Visit https://www.TheWealthyContractor.com/ for a free copy (just pay shipping).⚡ Follow us on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWealthyContractorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheWealthyContractor/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/TheWealthyContractor/

EPISODE 244: This week on The Wealthy Contractor podcast, I sit down with Eric Peschke. As VP of Marketing at ZINTEX Remodeling Group, Eric is one of the most methodical and data-driven marketers in the home improvement industry. In this episode, he divulges how ZINTEX went from issuing a few leads per day across four markets to issuing 80–100 appointments daily across 31 markets.He also shares actionable insights on mastering your call center, the right mix of “make vs. take” lead gen strategies, and how to scale your marketing without sacrificing ROI. Here’s what you’ll learn:How to take control of your lead generation strategy (step 1: stop being a “lead baby”)Why you need to treat your call center like a profit centerThe 15-minute weekly ritual that saves thousands in wasted marketing spendWhy canvassing is the hardest source, but worth the blood, sweat, and tearsHow to create a compensation plan for marketing roles that drives real resultsWhat time of year you should be testing new lead sourcesDissecting marketing reports the right way (ever read right to left?)How to make your marketing team the John Stockton to your sales team’s Karl Malone… and a lot more!Eric’s approach is something every contractor needs to adopt today — whether you’re at $1M or $100M.Are you ready to discover the huge opportunities in lead gen this year?Then make sure to tune in!👉 Subscribe to hear more stories, strategies, and secrets that top contractors use to grow their home improvement businesses and enjoy more success, wealth, and freedom.Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00)Meet Eric (01:29)Why you need to focus on your call center (06:35)Make marketing vs take marketing (11:15)Start with 100 leads a month (20:50)A good sales system is a must! (32:41)Is your data good enough? (38:46)Additional Resources:⚡ Connect with Heather: https://www.macklinlawllc.com/ ⚡ Learn more about Discovery Day at The Wealthy Contractor Success Society: https://TheEntryDoor.info/ ⚡ Learn more about The Profit Masters: https://www.TheProfitMasters.com/⚡ Brian’s book, The 7 Secrets To Becoming A Wealthy Contractor, is now available. Visit https://www.TheWealthyContractor.com/ for a free copy (just pay shipping).⚡ Follow us on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWealthyContractorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheWealthyContractor/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/TheWealthyContractor/

EPISODE 243: In this episode of The Wealthy Contractor podcast, I sit down with attorney Heather Macklin to uncover the legal blind spots that can take down even the most successful contractors, remodelers, or home services companies.Heather doesn’t just talk theory, she lives this stuff. As both a lawyer AND a home improvement business owner, she understands the real-world risks contractors face in 2025 and beyond. In this episode, she shares real examples of legal screw-ups that cost contractors thousands, along with the simple systems you can put in place to avoid them.We also talk about:Why operating under an LLC or corporation is not a legal safety netCommon contract mistakes that put your business at riskWhich poor documentation policies could end up costing you BIG TIMEHow certain employee “agreements” could be problematic (and by problematic, we mean illegal)What a “corporate agent” or “registered agent” is and if you need oneImportant updates on the TCPA one-to-one consent rule (and some wrong info you may be receiving from certain led gen or marketing companies)Why you shouldn’t hire Google as your lawyerThis episode might not be sexy…but it could save your business.Protect what you’ve built. Listen now.👉 Subscribe to hear more stories, strategies, and secrets that top contractors use to grow their home improvement businesses and enjoy more success, wealth, and freedom.Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00)Meet Heather (00:55)Think forming an LLC is enough? Think again (07:46)Labor laws to keep in mind (12:30)Insurance and risk management (21:07)What about contracts? (22:52)Why you need to follow document retention policies (24:31)TCPA compliance (28:54)Legal resources (38:56)Additional Resources:⚡ Connect with Heather: https://www.macklinlawllc.com/ ⚡ Learn more about Discovery Day at The Wealthy Contractor Success Society: https://TheEntryDoor.info/ ⚡ Learn more about The Profit Masters: https://www.TheProfitMasters.com/⚡ Brian’s book, The 7 Secrets To Becoming A Wealthy Contractor, is now available. Visit https://www.TheWealthyContractor.com/ for a free copy (just pay shipping).⚡ Follow us on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWealthyContractorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheWealthyContractor/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/TheWealthyContractor/

EPISODE 242: What if scaling your home improvement business didn’t mean working more, but finally doing less?That’s the exact mindset shift Rebecca Ackerly made—and the results have been transformational. With a diverse background in construction, business development, and digital marketing, Rebecca has built a successful career by combining hands-on experience with strategic leadership.In this week’s episode of The Wealthy Contractor podcast, Rebecca and I discuss her professional journey, including how she helped scale Universal Windows Direct of Manchester into a successful, multi-million-dollar business that’s well positioned to grow during this time of change in our industry.Join us as we cover:The game-changing power of delegation (and how to get out of your own way)Why most contractors are just giving themselves a paycheckWhy mentorship, community, and mastermind group support are essential for serious successRebecca’s unique perspective as a woman thriving in a traditionally male-dominated fieldHow she helped her company escape "lead aggregator dependence" in the nick of timeWhat happened when Rebecca sent Brian a direct mail piece to critiqueWhy Rebecca used to put her Barbie dolls in the toaster oven…and so much more!If you’re a contractor stuck in the grind, wearing 17 hats, or just trying to figure out how to grow without burning out, this episode is your wake-up call.▶️ Listen now to hear how Rebecca scaled her contracting business by letting go—and how you can, too.Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00)Meet Rebecca (01:14)The importance of community in business growth (11:54)The role of EOS in scaling the business (13:49)Why you need to stop relying on lead aggregators (25:22)Assessing your pricing strategy (30:59)Shifting from a survival mindset to growth and legacy-building (40:08)Additional Resources:⚡ Learn more about Discovery Day at The Wealthy Contractor Success Society: https://TheEntryDoor.info/ ⚡ Learn more about The Profit Masters: https://www.TheProfitMasters.com/⚡ Brian’s book, The 7 Secrets To Becoming A Wealthy Contractor, is now available. Visit https://www.TheWealthyContractor.com/ for a free copy (just pay shipping).⚡ Follow us on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWealthyContractorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheWealthyContractor/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/TheWealthyContractor/--The Wealthy Contractor is a podcast for home improvement professionals who want to grow their business, work less, and make more money. Follow us for more!

EPISODE 241: Do you ever feel like you’re flooring the gas, but your business is still stuck in first gear?Well, I’ve got some news for you: you may THINK it’s the economy, or your team, or your leads.But the truth is…it might be you. That was the case for my guest on this week’s episode of The Wealthy Contractor podcast, Donald Robbins.Donald runs a successful remodeling business. He’s a smart guy and a hard worker, but for the longest time, he couldn’t figure out why his hard work didn’t seem to be paying off. Here’s what Donald DID know: He couldn’t keep coming home, saying business was booming, only to hear his wife ask—again—“So…where’s all the money?"Then he discovered something big—his own thoughts and beliefs around money were sabotaging his success. The REAL growth? Believe it or not, it all started when he shifted his mindset. In this episode, Donald gets real about how his daily mindset works, some powerful coaching, and giving himself permission to win turned EVERYTHING around. He even opens up about how finally joining The Success Society gave him the tools and support he needed to level up in a big way.Listen in and learn:Why your bank account won’t grow until your mindset doesHow your subconscious beliefs can hold your business backWhy daily mindset work isn’t woo-woo—it’s survival (and why Donald hid it for a while so nobody thought he went crazy)The real difference between a business problem and a mindset problemWhy so many contractors feel “stuck”—and how to break through…along with a whole lot more.If you’ve ever had the sneaking suspicion that YOU might be the bottleneck in your home improvement business, don’t miss this episode.Tune in now to learn more!Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00)Meet Donald (00:56)Daily mindset work (09:44) The decision that will change everything (19:02)How mindset changes spread to your team (34:10)Why you need to embrace gratitude (40:04)Learning from The Success Society (49:30)Additional Resources:⚡ Learn more about Discovery Day at The Wealthy Contractor Success Society: https://TheEntryDoor.info/ ⚡ Download The 4 Numbers Exercise: https://Success.TheWealthyContractor.com/4numbers-exercise⚡ Learn more about The Profit Masters: https://www.TheProfitMasters.com/⚡ Brian’s book, The 7 Secrets To Becoming A Wealthy Contractor, is now available. Visit https://www.TheWealthyContractor.com/ for a free copy (just pay shipping).⚡ Follow us on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWealthyContractorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheWealthyContractor/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/TheWealthyContractor/--The Wealthy Contractor is a podcast for home improvement professionals who want to grow their business, work less, and make more money. Follow us for more!

EPISODE 240: You’ve probably heard this said before: “If you have a home improvement business, you actually have a sales and marketing business.”And if you’re experiencing pain right now with lead gen or your closing percentage or your revenue, that’s the homeowner market reminding you that every time you heard that statement, IT WAS 100% TRUE.So, what can YOU do to take advantage of unique opportunities presenting themselves this year and absolutely crush your competition?This is exactly the question my guest Vince Nardo and I aim to answer on The Wealthy Contractor Podcast this week.Vince is the Co-Founder of Reborn Home Solutions. He has been in the industry for over three decades and knows EXACTLY what it’s like to grow a company from humble beginnings to a household name (and this was all BEFORE the Covid boom.)You know who needs a lot of leads? A company doing thousands of jobs a month. It takes A LOT of leads to feed that machine. And boy did Vince become good at it.Today, he’s here to share some of his marketing magic with you, along with the mindset shifts, strategies, and systems that can help you do something very similar for your home improvement business.Listen in and learn:What you need to start doing RIGHT AWAY with lead genWhat percentage of your lead gen should be "make marketing" vs "take marketing"Reborn's "seminar" showroom strategy that captivated 160+ people for 5 whole hours and produced a ton of new and rehash salesWhy education, knowledge, and expertise are an important part of your brand and marketingWhat to do during the sales appointment so that the homeowner owes you a YES or NOWhy we won't touch emailing a price with a ten foot poleHow a business gets "static", stuck, and frustrating for you as an ownerHow Vince’s journey with mastermind groups has helped him learn quickly from others and accelerate his growthWhere Vince continues to get great ideas from … and a lot more!If you’re ready to receive a firehose of takeaways from one of the greats, then don’t miss this episode.Tune in now.Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00)Meet Vince (01:03)The most important mindset shift of your career (06:15)Overcome your ego (09:48)How to build a lead generation machine (19:40)Why you need to focus on strategic planning (29:42)How to learn from others (41:32)Additional Resources:⚡ Learn more about The Wealthy Contractor Success Society Discovery Day: https://theentrydoor.info/ ⚡ Learn more about The Profit Masters: https://www.TheProfitMasters.com/⚡ Brian’s book, The 7 Secrets To Becoming A Wealthy Contractor, is now available. Visit https://www.TheWealthyContractor.com/ for a free copy (just pay shipping).⚡ Follow us on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWealthyContractorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheWealthyContractor/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/TheWealthyContractor/--The Wealthy Contractor is a podcast for home improvement professionals who want to grow their business, work less, and make more money. Follow us for more!

EPISODE 239: Too many home improvement business owners settle for a convenience: the convenience of hiring or keeping someone around who isn’t REALLY the talent they need. Sometimes it's family or a friend. Sometimes it’s an employee who’s been around for a decade. Sometimes it’s whoever just feels “comfortable” to be around.And that is a tragedy, because you could be 1 or 2 good hires away from completely transforming the trajectory of your business.That’s the hard truth Justin Bartley faced after FINALLY doing what it took to get the right sales manager…after 10 years of settling.Justin, owner of NEXT Door & Window and one of our new mastermind group facilitators for The Wealthy Contractor Success Society, shares what it really cost him to delay the tough people decisions—and how he was able to get the right help that changed everything for him and his business.In this jam-packed episode, we cover:How tracking down the root cause of most of your issues typically leads to “people”Why loyalty can sometimes become deadly to your businessWhat roles should you use recruiters forA method to hire your own in-house recruiter (even if you’re only at $5M/yr)The one bright spot in NEXT Door & Window’s 2025 lead gen channelsThe right frequency for direct mailLeveraging the rising value of homes in your marketing messagingThe astonishing power of coaching and mastermind groupsWhat completely shocked Justin and Brian at the recent Success Society meeting! (Only 5 people raised their hands when asked a pivotal question about their marketing.)…and so much more! (Like I said, this one is JAM-PACKED!)If you’re tired of doing it all yourself—and ready to STOP settling—this episode is your wake-up call with actionable steps you can take away and implement today.Tune in now!Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00)Mastermind power revealed (03:13)Importance of an org chart (06:08)Coaching and EOS for clarity (14:08)What’s holding contractors back? (18:43)The hardest moves to make as a business owner (21:39)Attract, coach, and train the right people (27:12)Business is people, period (33:24)The most important low-hanging fruit in your business (48:47)Additional Resources:⚡ Learn more about Discovery Day at The Wealthy Contractor Success Society: https://TheEntryDoor.info/⚡ Learn more about increasing the profitability of your home improvement business: https://www.TheProfitMasters.com/⚡ Brian’s book, The 7 Secrets To Becoming A Wealthy Contractor, is now available. Visit https://www.TheWealthyContractor.com/ for a free copy (just pay shipping).⚡ Follow us on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWealthyContractorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheWealthyContractor/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/TheWealthyContractor/--The Wealthy Contractor is a podcast for home improvement professionals who want to grow their business, work less, and make more money. Follow us for more!

EPISODE 238: Do your leads suddenly suck? It’s not just you!Many home improvement business owners who have been running thriving businesses for years are now finding themselves with bad leads, declining lead volume, or both.And yet SOME businesses are having their best months ever.So, what exactly is going on with leads?There’s no stopping the wheels of progress—the last few years have completely transformed our industry, including how we can find and convert good leads. So, knowing what works and what doesn’t when it comes to your lead generation strategy is A MUST if you want to compete in today’s market.In this week’s episode of The Wealthy Contractor podcast, we aim to uncover exactly what’s happening. And to do so, I’ve invited two experts: Chris Behan and Natalie Russo. Chris is the co-founder of Truvolv, a data-driven marketing company that specializes in helping home improvement contractors optimize their lead generation and marketing efforts, and Natalie is a digital marketing expert at Truvolv who specializes in paid media strategies, particularly Google PPC and social media marketing.In this episode, the three of us dive into this problem contractors are facing—inconsistent lead quality and volume—and what they can do about it. Listen in now and learn:Why it's becoming necessary to change your KPI from "cost per lead" to "cost of marketing"What is a "Super Lead" and how do you attract them?Google’s “creepy” knowledge about your leads (and how you can use it to your advantage)Why the technology most websites have been built on for the last two decades is now defunctHow bad leads can be just as impactful as no leadsWhich level of the marketing funnel paid search should actually be targetingWhy poor lead quality is often due to a lack of systems and not the leads themselves (but not all the time)How some technologies are leveling the lead gen playing field for smaller companies in the home improvement industry… and a lot more!If you want the insider scoop on how to become a lead generation powerhouse that completely crushes your competition, do not miss this episode!Tune in now for more.Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00)Are lead generation fluctuations normal? (01:38)Speed to lead (06:27)Google PPC for home services? (16:00)The technologies that are changing the game (29:48)What contractors can do for better leads (37:31)Additional Resources:⚡ Learn more about Truvolv: https://www.truvolv.com/ -- ⚡ Learn more about The Wealthy Contractor Success Society: https://www.TheWealthyContractor.com/SuccessSociety⚡ Learn more about The Profit Masters: https://www.TheProfitMasters.com/⚡ Brian’s book, The 7 Secrets To Becoming A Wealthy Contractor, is now available. Visit https://www.TheWealthyContractor.com/ for a free copy (just pay shipping).⚡ Follow us on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWealthyContractorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheWealthyContractor/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/TheWealthyContractor/--The Wealthy Contractor is a podcast for home improvement professionals who want to grow their business, work less, and make more money. Follow us for more!

EPISODE 237: You’ve poured everything you have into your home improvement business. You’re overwhelmed, stuck doing everything yourself... unable to grow beyond a certain point because you cannot find or attract the A-players you need.Here’s the truth: true growth and freedom only come once you hire the right second-in-command. A trusted right-hand who can execute your vision and systematize what you’ve built.I know, letting go isn’t easy—trusting someone else with your business is terrifying, and finding the right person who understands your vision (and is invested in it) is tough. But if you want a business that thrives without you, it’s a challenge you need to face head-on.That's why I've invited Cameron Herold, the founder of the COO Alliance, to join us on the show this week!Cameron is the author of Double Double and The Second in Command as well as the man behind the explosive growth of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?In this episode, Cameron pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build a business that runs without you—and why most contractors are sabotaging themselves with one simple mistake: they don’t have the right “Number 2” in place to help make their vision a reality.Listen in now and learn all about:The yin and yang between a leader and their number two The Ones and the Threes—Which roles should be your second-in-command throughout your various stages of growthHow our school system screwed up the type of thinking we need as business ownersHow to communicate the vision of your future company—not the chaos of today—to attract actual A-playersThat one time Cameron and his team “accidentally” faxed their own price list to competitors (and why)How your R&D should be less “research & development" and more "rip off and duplicate"Why you as a leader should spend more time on the "that's no big deal" stuffWhen Simon Sinek used to sleep on Cameron’s couch (AND helped him discover his “why”)… and so much more!If you want to build a business that works for you— and not BECAUSE of you—then tune in now.Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00)The most important relationship in your business (03:24)When can you move to the next level? (08:10)You need to learn to let go (11:24)How to attract A-players (16:28)The ONE question you need to answer (22:36)What’s your “why”? (26:42)What happens when you find the right second-in-command? (34:21)Why you need to delegate more (41:14)Additional Resources:⚡ Get Cameron’s book, The Second in Command: http://amazon.com/Second-Command-Unleash-Power-Your/dp/1544537603 ⚡ Get Cameron’s book, Double Double: https://www.amazon.com/Double-Your-Revenue-Profit-Years/dp/1608320995 ⚡ Learn more about Cameron’s work: https://cameronherold.com/ -- ⚡ Learn more about The Wealthy Contractor Success Society: https://www.TheWealthyContractor.com/SuccessSociety⚡ Learn more about The Profit Masters: https://www.TheProfitMasters.com/⚡ Brian’s book, The 7 Secrets To Becoming A Wealthy Contractor, is now available. Visit https://www.TheWealthyContractor.com/ for a free copy (just pay shipping).⚡ Follow us on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWealthyContractorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheWealthyContractor/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/TheWealthyContractor/--The Wealthy Contractor is a podcast for home improvement professionals who want to grow their business, work less, and make more money. Follow us for more!

EPISODE 236: When you look at incredibly successful 9-figure home improvement businesses—the kind that have absolutely exploded and are raking in gobs of cash (and notoriety), you may wonder how what THEY do applies to what YOU could do in your own businessWell, if you think your business is too small and their methods won’t apply, then I strongly encourage you to catch this week’s episode of The Wealthy Contractor podcast.In it, I sit down with Tommy Mello, the founder and CEO of A1 Garage Door Service, the largest non-franchise residential garage door company in the US, operating in 43 markets across the country. Tommy is also the author of Home Service Millionaire and Elevate, and host of The Home Service Expert podcast.Tommy isn’t just running a $250 million business—he’s doing it with nearly 25% net profit! In this powerful episode, he unpacks the exact systems, compensation methods, and mental frameworks that helped him create his behemoth.Together, he and I talk about why it's actually not hard to double, triple, or quadruple your business when you're still small.We also share how to hire smarter, the best ways to manage your time as an owner, and how to create equity incentives that drive next-level loyalty.Additionally, we discuss:Why most contractors lose money without realizing itThe equation that predicts revenue, capacity, and ROIWhat holds owners back from “just doing it” when they finally get the advice they needWhy the phrase "I buy how I want to be bought from" might reveal a lot about youWhy MC Hammer went brokeIf you’re ready to leave the grind behind, then don’t miss this episode.Tune in now for more!Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00)Meet Tommy (00:48)Why you need to plan for the end (06:10)Why some people work fast and some don’t (12:43)Why you need to fail forward (19:38)The five Fs (27:03)How to be a people’s leader (35:44)How to make $10 million (43:31)The numbers don’t matter, the strategy does (55:52)Additional Resources:⚡ Learn more about Tommy’s work: https://www.tommymello.com/⚡ Get your copy of Tommy’s book, Elevate: https://angels.homeservicemillionaire.com/order-537068861647523872885 -- ⚡ Learn more about The Wealthy Contractor Success Society: https://www.TheWealthyContractor.com/SuccessSociety⚡ Learn more about The Profit Masters: https://www.TheProfitMasters.com/⚡ Brian’s book, The 7 Secrets To Becoming A Wealthy Contractor, is now available. Visit https://www.TheWealthyContractor.com/ for a free copy (just pay shipping).⚡ Follow us on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWealthyContractorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheWealthyContractor/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/TheWealthyContractor/--The Wealthy Contractor is a podcast for home improvement professionals who want to grow their business, work less, and make more money. Follow us for more!

EPISODE 235: Most people, entrepreneurs and home improvement business owners included, believe that success is the secret to happiness.But what if it was the other way around? What if cultivating a positive mindset and a happy outlook is the key to achieving everything you want in life?This is exactly what I discuss in this week’s episode of The Wealthy Contractor alongside my guest Briana Hetherington.Briana is the founder of Altruistic Advisory and a mindset and business consultant who specializes in home improvement companies. She is a certified life coach and an Orange Frog workshop trainer, helping entrepreneurs develop positive psychology principles in business and leadership.In this episode, Briana and I delve into the psychology of success and the Orange Frog concept, which teaches how positivity and mindset shape business outcomes in very pragmatic ways.Together, we’ll be discussing:The key psychological factors that determine success (and how)Harvard studies on the advantages of positive mindset and its effects on performanceThe role gratitude actually plays in financial growthShifting through different phases of leadership as your business growsPractical ways business owners can reprogram their brains… and so much more!If you’ve ever felt stuck or unhappy in your business, struggled with self-doubt, or been crippled by stress, this is THE episode for you, so make sure not to miss it.Are you ready?Let’s dive in.Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00)Meet Briana (01:48)Orange Frog theory? (02:52)The power of perspective (07:04)How our belief systems shape our world (16:08)A quick exercise for you (19:42)How happiness fuels success (23:10)Five healthy habits for happiness (26:56)The importance of social investment (37:53)Additional Resources:⚡ Connect with Briana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briana-hetherington-b417077b/⚡ Learn more about Altruistic Advisory: https://www.altruisticadvisory.com/ --⚡ Learn more about The Wealthy Contractor Success Society: https://www.TheWealthyContractor.com/SuccessSociety⚡ Learn more about The Profit Masters: https://www.TheProfitMasters.com/⚡ Brian’s book, The 7 Secrets To Becoming A Wealthy Contractor, is now available. Visit https://www.TheWealthyContractor.com/ for a free copy (just pay shipping).⚡ Follow us on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWealthyContractorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheWealthyContractor/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/TheWealthyContractor/--The Wealthy Contractor is a podcast for home improvement professionals who want to grow their business, work less, and make more money. Follow us for more!

EPISODE 234: If you’re not using EOS yet, then chances are you’re missing out on a proven system to gain traction towards real results across many areas of your home improvement business. Implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) is such a surprisingly simple way to break through team, process, and prioritization issues and take your business to the next level. It’s a great way to bring clarity and accountability to your team, from management all the way down to every member of your staff.To discuss this in more detail, I’ve invited the amazing Bill Burkhardt Jr. to sit down with me on this week’s episode of The Wealthy Contractor podcast.Bill is the co-owner of Four Seasons Kanga Roof, a family-owned roofing business in Detroit. Bill has a background in marketing, recruitment, and admissions from his career in private college prep school administration before joining the family business.In this episode, Bill and I discuss:How implementing EOS transformed the business operations inside Four Seasons Kanga RoofThe specific strategy that drives them to do service and repair work on top of replacement roofs Why creating a cheap maintenance program for your clients can ensure consistent business across the board, even during hard timesEmotionally detaching yourself from pricingWhy they play the "penny game" with their team once a year… and so much more!If you're looking to recession-proof your business, build lasting client relationships, and drive profitability, then this is the episode for you.Tune in now.Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00)Meet Bill (01:25)How EOS can transform your company (06:29)Why you need an EOS implementer (15:15)Are you pricing yourself right? (22:11)Why do roofers do repairs? (26:17)Netflix for your roof? (30:39)The importance of keeping your business recession-proof (35:07)One last question (36:26)Additional Resources:⚡ Learn more about The Wealthy Contractor Success Society: https://www.TheWealthyContractor.com/SuccessSociety⚡ Learn more about The Profit Masters: https://www.TheProfitMasters.com/⚡ Brian’s book, The 7 Secrets To Becoming A Wealthy Contractor, is now available. Visit https://www.TheWealthyContractor.com/ for a free copy (just pay shipping).⚡ Follow us on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWealthyContractorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheWealthyContractor/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/TheWealthyContractor/--The Wealthy Contractor is a podcast for home improvement professionals who want to grow their business, work less, and make more money. Follow us for more!

EPISODE 233: Being willing to learn and adapt to emerging trends isn’t just a great way to differentiate yourself from your competition today—it's necessary to avoid the slow death of being left behind as customers and the market change.It’s time to consider the new strategies that are shaping the future of the industry! But don’t take my word for it; hear it straight from my guest this week, Benji Carlson.Benji is the Director of Content Marketing at Breakthrough Academy and the host of the Contractor Evolution podcast. He has worked with hundreds of trades and home service businesses and has a unique insight into new trends that are starting to propel some companies way ahead of the pack.In this episode, Benji and I will be diving into THREE emerging trends for home improvement businesses in 2025 and beyond. We look at:The emergence of the self-serve sales processes and its impact on our industry Clever performance-based pay structures for your entire team that motivate employees and control costs What modern brand building really means and whether Benji and I agree on its importance for contractorsWe also touch on the changes in customer behavior we’ve been seeing lately, why some customers hate talking on the phone (and how they want to communicate instead), and why someone who is "team human" still uses AI.Are you ready to position your company for success over the next decade and take it to the next level TODAY?Then tune in now!Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00)Why modern brand building matters (05:47)Self-serve sales processes explained (07:09)Customer experience as a competitive advantage (18:50)Why you need performance pay (22:55)How technology can help grow your business (47:47)Additional Resources:⚡ Stop wasting time on tire kickers and start attracting A-players today with our HIRING RESOURCES, free to listeners of The Wealthy Contractor Podcast: https://trybta.com/wealthy-contractor/ ⚡ Learn more about The Wealthy Contractor Success Society: https://www.TheWealthyContractor.com/SuccessSociety⚡ Brian’s book, The 7 Secrets To Becoming A Wealthy Contractor, is now available. Visit https://www.TheWealthyContractor.com/ for a free copy (just pay shipping).⚡ Follow us on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWealthyContractorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheWealthyContractor/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/TheWealthyContractor/--The Wealthy Contractor is a podcast for home improvement professionals who want to grow their business, work less, and make more money. Follow us for more!

EPISODE 232: 2024 was a tough market for the home improvement industry. Economic uncertainties and rising costs threw a wrench in many contractors' plans, but not for my guest today, Kirk Koskiniemi.Kirk took his roofing business from $10.4M to $16.7M over the past year AND raised profits at the same time. He and his team achieved this with a single mantra: "Do fewer things better".In this episode, Kirk lays out the areas they worked on to achieve this amazing feat during a year other home improvement companies were stumbling.We talk about how he optimized his sales funnel’s various conversion points, increasing average ticket size to drive down marketing costs (even on small repair jobs), what a typical week looks like for his sales reps, and the magic behind “handing out leads like they are diamonds”.You’ll also find out why their average NSLI (Net Sales Per Lead Issued) went from $5,600 to $10,500 in December when they were low on leads—and why they are thinking of switching sales goals from overall revenue to the highest NSLI.We finally chatted about how our Accelerate LIVE! event played a major role in his growth with its big learning and networking opportunities.Hit play now to hear how Kirk simplified his way to success and how you can too.Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00)Kirk’s 2024 business performance (00:20)Challenges and benefits of remote management (14:52)Business growth and sales team focus (15:10)Sales funnel optimization and marketing strategies (15:52)Sales rep performance and training (21:12)Rehash and lead management (30:39)Accelerate LIVE! event and networking (34:42) Additional Resources:⚡ Save your seats for Accelerate LIVE! 2025: https://www.AccelerateEvent.com/ ⚡ Learn more about The Wealthy Contractor Success Society: https://www.TheWealthyContractor.com/SuccessSociety⚡ Brian’s book, The 7 Secrets To Becoming A Wealthy Contractor, is now available. Visit https://www.TheWealthyContractor.com/ for a free copy (just pay shipping).⚡ Follow us on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWealthyContractorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheWealthyContractor/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/TheWealthyContractor/--The Wealthy Contractor is a podcast for home improvement professionals who want to grow their business, work less, and make more money. Follow us for more!