On October 21, join our free web class and discover the proven six-step system top contractors use to build rock-solid teams, increase margins, and reclaim evenings and weekends with their families. Reserve your spot now: https://trybta.com/CE-CGM-OC25

Take our 5 minute quiz and get your free personalized Contractor Growth Scorecard today: https://trybta.com/DL241

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP241

In a world where everyone turns to AI to ask questions, how do you make sure YOU show up as the answer? In today’s episode, Phil Risher reveals the secret to getting ChatGPT and other Large Language Models (LLMs) to promote your business to potential customers in every related search.

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There’s no question that AI is changing the way people ask questions online.

So, how do you make sure YOU show up as the answer?

In today’s episode, we’re revealing the secret to getting ChatGPT and other Large Language Models (LLMs) to promote your business to potential customers in every related search.

Contractor Marketing expert Phil Risher is a long-time SEO strategist that has been on the front lines as AI has changed the game for contractors and home service businesses. 

Our conversation covers:

• The difference between SEO, GEO and AEO and where you should invest your marketing efforts right now
• How Large Language Models actually decide which brands to recommend 
• 4 personalized videos you can make in the next 10 minutes that will increase your conversion rate by 20%.

This is a mandatory listen for contractors in every industry.

00:00-Intro

02:07-About Phil and Phlash Consulting

05:29-How is AI disrupting customer search? SEO vs. GEO vs. AEO

12:49-Is SEO still worth doing?

16:10-Becoming a content authority

29:21-How important is a "face of the brand?"

32:41-4 personalized videos for your drip sequence

38:44-Use cases for AI chat bots & automation for speed to lead

41:45-Use cases for self service tools

46:14-How to stay up-to-date on AI without getting overwhelmed

49:58-Connect with Phil

On October 21, join our free web class and discover the proven six-step system top contractors use to build rock-solid teams, increase margins, and reclaim evenings and weekends with their families. Reserve your spot now: https://trybta.com/CE-CGM-OC25

Take our 5 minute quiz and get your free personalized Contractor Growth Scorecard today: https://trybta.com/DL240

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP240

What if you offered a potential customer a free vacation if they hired you by the end of the week? Would it increase your closing rate? Today’s guest John Dwyer (JD, for short) swear by this strategy and in this episode, he’s gonna tell you why.

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What if you offered a potential customer a free vacation if they hired you by the end of the week?

Gimmicky? Maybe.

But according to today’s guest, it works.

John Dwyer, or “JD” for short, has built an entire business around incentive-based marketing.

In other words, rather than resorting to price discounting to get more work, what if you looked for a value add incentive instead?

Sometimes that’s something small, like a Happy Meal toy. Sometimes it’s a free trip to Disneyland.

In this episode, JD breaks down what he thinks are the 5 elements of a successful direct response campaign, including what he calls the WOW factor incentive.

This guy’s got some seriously out of the box ideas, so buckle up.

Episode Highlights:

- Learn how John “JD” Dwyer has used incentive-based marketing to generate over $15 billion in extra sales for businesses across multiple industries.

- Understand what the “WOW Factor” is and how it might fit into your marketing strategy.

- Get inspired to find creative alternatives the next time you’re thinking of price discounting to get more sales.

Get in touch with JD at [email protected]

Learn more about the Institute of Wow vacations Incentive - https://vacationsincentive.com/

00:00-Intro

01:32-About JD and the Institute of Wow

07:52-What exactly is direct response marketing?

11:01-5 components of direct response marketing

22:41-About the Wow Factor vacation incentive

39:26-How to be the "UN" authority

41:52-Quick hits: best and worse of JD's career

53:00-Wrap up

On October 21, join our free web class and discover the proven six-step system top contractors use to build rock-solid teams, increase margins, and reclaim evenings and weekends with their families. Reserve your spot now: https://trybta.com/CE-CGM-OC25

Take our 5 minute quiz and get a personalized Contractor Growth Plan here: https://trybta.com/DL239

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP239

The modern buyer doesn’t want to wait. They expect instant answers, real-time communication, and a seamless experience from first click to final payment. Today, Liveswitch CRO James Hatfield is on the show to talk about how create a seamless and speedy experience for customers using virtual --quoting.

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Here’s a hard reality:

The modern buyer doesn’t want to wait. They expect instant answers, real-time communication, and a seamless experience from first click to final payment.

But most trades businesses struggle to make that a reality for their customers.

Today, I’m joined by James Hatfield, CRO at LiveSwitch, to unpack a faster, smarter way to sell—without losing the human connection.

We’ll cover how expectations have shifted, where contractors are still falling short, and how to blend speed with authenticity in every step of the sales journey.

If you want to win the “race to the face” and elevate your customer experience, this one’s for you.

00:00 - Intro

02:03 - History of Liveswitch

04:15 - Balancing race to face vs. personalization

07:46 - What does the modern buyer expect from a sales process?

11:02 - What does the virtual quoting experience look like for customers?

16:37 - Benefits of tech-enabled sales

24:19 - Creating a tech-enabled review/referral process

27:04 - Claiming the property with QR codes

32:16 - Does EVERY customer really prefer tech-enabled sales?

34:20 - Other tech to add to your stack

39:08 - Final thoughts and wrap up

On October 21, join our free web class and discover the proven six-step system top contractors use to build rock-solid teams, increase margins, and reclaim evenings and weekends with their families. Reserve your spot now: https://trybta.com/CE-CGM-OC25



Take our 5 minute quiz and get a personalized Contractor Growth Plan here: https://trybta.com/DL238

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP238 

Ben Degros has built an audience on two YouTube channels: one on skateboards and one on drywall. Guess which one has more subs? In this episode, Ben breaks down his process for creating content for his drywall channel, which has amassed over 700K subscribers over the years.

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Today’s guest is living proof that you don’t need fancy gear or a media team to build a killer online brand—just some drywall dust and a camera.

Ben Degros is a carpenter, drywaller, and the creator of Vancouver Carpenter, a YouTube channel that’s grown to over 700,000 subscribers with simple, value-packed videos shot right on job sites.

The content? Just drywall videos. And people love it.

But here’s the twist: Before drywall, Ben was a full-time skater, even running a skateboarding YouTube channel. Now, he’s blended his trades skills with content creation to build massive reach while still running a small contracting operation.

Since Ben is a Vancouver local, we recorded this one in studio and dug into how contractors can build brand, trust, and community—all with a phone and a few smart tactics.

If you’re considering leaning into video content, there are some great insights for you here.

Episode Highlights:

• Learn how a larger-scale trades content creator brings videos to life from idea to results.
• Understand the challenges of balancing content creation with daily operations, especially when you don’t have a media production team behind you.
• Get some tips from Ben on how to incorporate content creation into your marketing, whether you’re committed to the process or just getting your feet wet.

00:00-Intro

01:24-Intro & Origin

03:04-Why contracting content works

12:00-Building an audience

31:28-Process of creating ideas: what works?

36:03-Ben's "how to bend drywall" video

41:07-Quick tips & wrap-up

On October 21, join our free web class and discover the proven six-step system top contractors use to build rock-solid teams, increase margins, and reclaim evenings and weekends with their families. Reserve your spot now: https://trybta.com/CE-CGM-OC25

Take our 5 minute quiz and get a personalized Contractor Growth Plan here: https://trybta.com/DL237

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP237

When we started Breakthrough Academy 10 years ago, business coaching for contractors wasn’t particularly common.

Most of the contractors we talked to had never considered coaching and really didn’t know what it was.

Today, business coaching has skyrocketed in popularity, and as a result there are a TON of choices out there for contractors.

So…if you’re considering coaching… HOW do you make a decision?

Today, we’re joined by Brendon Toyne, our Head of Sales at BTA who’s personally talked to thousands of contractors during their decision-making process.

In this episode, we explore what to consider before signing on with a coach, but we also talk more broadly about how to make smart business decisions when it comes to working with key vendors that will propel your business forward. 

Episode Highlights:

• Hear about the rise of business coaching for contractors and why there is now so much choice out there for those seeking coaching or consulting solutions.
• Understand the difference between coaching, consulting, online communities and other solutions.
• Get Brendon’s tips on making the right choice about coaching solutions, based on his experience guiding thousands of contractors through the decision making process.

00:00-Intro

02:44-What's changed in the contractor coaching space since you started at BTA?

09:35-Different types of coaching solutions

20:41-What to consider when choosing a contractor coaching program

43:32-How to make an informed decision on coaching (or anything)

46:31-Contractor coaching red flags

50:25-Wrap-up and next steps

On October 21, join our free web class and discover the proven six-step system top contractors use to build rock-solid teams, increase margins, and reclaim evenings and weekends with their families. Reserve your spot now: https://trybta.com/CE-CGM-OC25

Grab your productivity resource bundle here: https://trybta.com/DL236

Take our 5 minute quiz and get a personalized Contractor Growth Plan here: https://trybta.com/QF236

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP236

There’s 168 hours in every week. That’s true for everyone.

So why do some people stall out while others build empires?

Some might say it’s about time management. But that’s only half the story.

Managing your time means deciding WHEN to get your work done. But just because you’re crushing tasks, doesn’t mean you’re crushing the RIGHT tasks.

That’s why you need to shift your focus to priority management. 

This is a skill Matt Risinger had to master as he scaled Risinger Build and The Build Show into the goliaths they are today. Which is why Danny co-hosted a webinar with him a while back to teach contractors how to conquer their calendar, block interruptions and get the RIGHT sh*t done.

Today, we're releasing it as a bonus episode so you can benefit from the insights.

Episode Highlights:

• Learn how $10MM+ contractors accomplish more by doing less (using the 4 keys of priority management).
• Get simple tactics for placing guard rails on your time. PLUS tips for getting your clients, staff, and subs to understand how these new boundaries will benefit them.
• Understand how to recognize the 4 horsemen of overwhelm (and why common time management hacks don’t work). If you feel like you are always reacting to everyone else’s requests — this is for you.

00:00 - Intro

03:54 - About Matt and Danny

09:45 - Purpose & Outcomes

13:27 - Step 1: Define Your Why

20:05 - Step 2: Strategic Planning

33:00 - Step 3: Priority Management

41:41 - Step 4: Time Management

51:13 - Recap

54:35 - Next Steps

01:07:34 - Q&A

On October 21, join our free web class and discover the proven six-step system top contractors use to build rock-solid teams, increase margins, and reclaim evenings and weekends with their families. Reserve your spot now: https://trybta.com/CE-CGM-OC25

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP235

Let’s be honest:

It’s kinda hard to prioritize when everything is on fire.

With so many problems to solve and systems to build, how do you figure out what to focus on?

Today, landscaper, content creator and author of Total Business Turnaround Mike Andes is here to answer that question.

Mike built his business, Augusta Lawn Care into a national brand with 180 franchises. He also created CoPilot CRM, a software platform designed to help home service businesses streamline their operations.

In this episode, Mike lays out the four areas of business you need to get dialed based on which phase of growth you’re in:

- Lead Gen

- Labor

- Leadership and

- Liquidity

His roadmap will help you focus on the most important systems for YOUR business. And give you a plan to put your fires out one at a time.

00:00-Intro

01:11-Intro & Why Franchising Matters

04:19-Common Misconceptions About Readiness to Scale

09:31-The 4 L’s

10:50-Phase 1: Lead Gen

16:43-Phase 2: Labor

29:45-Phase 3: Leadership

40:57-Phase Four: Liquidity

53:22-Wrap up and how to connect with Mike

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP234

Check out Spencer's benchmarking tool here: https://fixyourprofit.com/signup/bta

Confused by your financials? You’re not alone. Most contractors struggle to make sense of their numbers, and it costs them big.

In this episode of Contractor Evolution, we sit down with Spencer Sheinin, bestselling author of Entreprenumbers and CEO of Shift Financial, who’s on a mission to empower contractors by turning complex financial data into simple, actionable insights.

Spencer used to be a contractor himself, so he gets the challenges you face. That’s why this conversation hits different. It’s not just about spreadsheets and profit margins, it’s about taking control of your business through real financial empowerment.

🔍 In this episode, we break down:

• How to make your numbers tell a story using visual tools
• How to spot red flags in your P&L before it’s too late
• What your bookkeeper should really be doing for you
• The three financial levers that drive profitability in contracting businesses

📘 Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or just getting serious about your growth, this episode will help you stop fearing your financials and start using them to win.

🔗 Check out Spencer’s book Entreprenumbers here: https://entreprenumbers.com/

👇 Drop a comment if you've ever felt overwhelmed by your P&L—and let us know your #1 takeaway from this episode!

00:00-Intro

01:55-About Spencer and Shift Financial

09:33-Define: Financial Empowerment

10:35-Three levers of profitability

14:32-How to determine which lever to pull (with visuals)

21:01-How to build your first proper budget

25:26-How to select your strategic financial team

38:24-Essential software and tools for financial management

40:25-How to maintain clean financial data

46:05-One thing listeners can go do right now to get comfortable with numbers

47:59-Free benchmarking tool

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP233

Ever had a project go sideways, a client bail, or cash flow dry up?

This episode of Contractor Evolution is your playbook for bouncing back when business gets messy. Today, Reset With Resilience author Mandy Gill, broadcaster, ultra-endurance athlete, and creator of the Hooked on Healthy Habits app, shares field-tested strategies for staying consistent, even when your goals go off the rails.

👉 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to hit reset when a client bails or a project stalls
• A resilience framework for handling cash flow crises and staffing headaches
• Why courage (not comfort) is your best tool when motivation fades
• The daily habits top contractors use to stay on track—even in chaos
• How to design goals that work in the messiness of construction, not just on paper

Whether you’re growing a trades business or just trying to get your footing back, Mandy’s insights will give you the tools to navigate the “messy middle” and come out stronger.

📘 Get her book: https://www.mandygill.com/book

📱 Explore her app: https://www.mandygill.com/app

00:00-Intro

01:19-About Mandy

12:40-The Concept: Reset With Resilience

17:13-Courage vs. Comfort

21:21-Three Goal Setting Tips from the book

37:18-Building Healthy Habits

43:01-Leading with Resilience

47:41-Final thoughts

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP232

Today we are bringing back the best moments with our friend Matt Risinger

This man is a true industry goliath: host of The BUILD Show, founder of Risinger Build, and one of the most trusted names in the industry.

He’s been on our show four times and has shared some truly life-changing advice about everything from recruiting to finances.

In this episode, we’ll be summarizing our favorite Matt Risinger moments from his various collaborations with Breakthrough Academy over the years.

Important teachings, practical tips, and thought provoking stories from his experience building both of his massive brands.

This video covers Matt Risinger’s top Contractor Evolution moments.

Episode Highlights:

• Refresh your memory on the top 4 moments from Matt Risinger on Contractor Evolution.
• Hear about Matt’s $200K SOP mistake and what he learned from it.
• Get Matt’s insight on when to let a high-performer go, rather than try and keep them on.

00:00-Intro

01:31-Revenue is Vanity and Profit is Sanity

02:33-Matt's $200K Mistake

07:07-Profit Comes From Pre-Construction

07:56-When to Let A-Players Move On

09:43-Matt and Danny's next web class