Good Contractor

This episode, Luke Hansen and John Talman sit down with Michele DiCorcia, owner of A To Z Pool Inspections. She went from PhD-level sports psychology professor to a grade A pool inspector — a leap she describes less as reinvention than as putting a lifetime of experience into one hands-on business. She draws on her psychology background to manage client emotions, especially softening bad inspection news for nervous home-buyers, and treats every report as a teaching moment for first-time pool owners.

• Every career becomes an asset — restaurant, real estate, and teaching experience all fed directly into running a trades business; no background is "wasted."
• Managing people is the real job — the hardest part of the trades isn't technical skill, it's handling client emotions, expectations, and your own time.
• Credibility opens doors — her PhD gives instant trust with skeptical customers, showing how expertise (however earned) builds authority fast.
• Deliver bad news gently — softening tough inspection results (e.g., needed repairs) without killing the deal is a skill worth deliberately developing.
• Not fitting in can be the edge — she doesn't fit neatly into pool maintenance or home-inspection circles, and treats that niche position as a differentiator.

This episode, Luke Hansen and John Talman sit down with Tanner Mullen, third-generation painter turned Drip Jobs CEO. Tanner shares how a rough childhood and the winding path of his career taught him the psychology of trust that now drives both his painting company and his software. The core theme: contractors sell a dream, not a product, and the winner is whoever manages fear and communication best — from a killer follow-up text to promoting people before they have to ask.

• Varied jobs build pattern recognition — unrelated work experience often teaches the sales and people skills that matter most.
• Trust is the real product — homeowners pay more for communication and confidence, not materials.
• Reduce fear, speed the cycle — simple, fast follow-ups (like his top-converting "Does Wednesday work for you?" text) beat generic outreach.
• Promote before they threaten to leave — spotting and rewarding effort early builds loyalty; waiting kills it.
• Mission retains people, not just money — once basic needs are met, purpose and growth matter more than pay.
• Transparency wins deals — arming customers with the right questions to ask builds instant credibility.

This one's a little different—recorded live. Luke and John talk CompanyCam, answer audience questions, welcome a surprise guest from Good Contractor Season 1, and play a "Who Said It?" game using real quotes from the podcast.

This week, Luke Hansen and John Talman sit down with Jessie Demler—better known online as SlimBrick — a fourth-generation mason from Northern Utah whose family has been laying brick for over 75 years. From his great-grandpa coming home from the war and finding work on a high school to Jessie repairing those same walls decades later, this episode is all about legacy, craftsmanship, and what it means to build something that lasts.

Jessie talks about the mentors who shaped him, the joy of watching things "click" for younger crew members, and his personal mission to be "the journeyman [he] needed" when he was coming up. Along the way, Luke and John dig into the realities of running commercial masonry work while also building a massive social media presence—how one viral TikTok changed everything, what it's really like to juggle the jobsite and content, and why showing the process matters as much as showing the finished wall.

Key Takeaways:

• Legacy in Every Wall: Jessie sees each project as another chapter in a family story that spans generations, reminding contractors that every job becomes part of their name and reputation.
• Be the Journeyman You Needed: Instead of just complaining that "no one wants to work," he focuses on mentoring younger crew members and modeling the kind of leadership that changed his own life.
• Crew Culture Builds Staying Power: Multi-decade employees and family members returning to the company highlight how treating people well and building real community on-site leads to loyalty and better work.
• Pride in Good Work: From schools to homes to public buildings, Jessie never forgets that people will walk past his brickwork for decades, and that mindset pushes him—and his crew—to do work that truly lasts.

This week, Luke Hansen and John Talman sit down with Jarod Coffman, of Coffman Construction, whose innovative framing methods and transparent approach to craftsmanship are changing how contractors think about speed and quality. Jarod shares how he built a team that prizes efficiency without cutting corners—and why showing your process can be just as important as the finished product. He offers an honest look at leadership, legacy, and finding smarter ways to build. Jarod also opens up about his mission to improve trade education and raise the bar for framing as a respected, well-paid career.

• Build Smart, Not Slow: Jarod proves that speed and quality aren't opposites—when systems are dialed in, both can thrive.

• Lazy Ambition Pays Off: Sometimes, the desire to "do less" leads to smarter, more efficient solutions on the job.

• Transparency Builds Trust: By showing his work online, Jarod earns respect from both clients and other contractors.

• Attitude Over Experience: Skills can be taught, but the right attitude and teamwork mindset make all the difference.

This episode, Luke Hansen and John Talman celebrate 4,000 downloads and a growing contractor community before tackling the big picture: a projected 2026 labor gap in construction, rising wages, and why hands-on careers are gaining momentum.

Key Takeaways:

• The 2026 Labor Gap Is a Real Opportunity: With a major shortage projected, contractors who recruit high-school grads and career-switchers now will win later.
• The "Fairness" of the Trades: Effort maps to outcome—learn, level up, lead, and even own.
• Positioning vs AI: The trades are resilient to white-collar AI volatility while still able to leveraging AI to reduce admin time.
• Leading Indicators: Kids are fascinated by hands-on work; internships and job-shadowing are potent pipelines into the trades.

This week, John Talman and Luke Hansen sit down with Colleen Keyworth, marketing director at Online-Access, international advocate, and past president of Women in HVACR. From getting fired at her family's plumbing and heating business to becoming a global voice for contractors, Colleen shares her unexpected journey into sales, leadership, and advocacy. Whether you're a contractor, business owner, or advocate for the industry, this conversation is packed with laughter, perspective, and actionable lessons.

Key Takeaways:

• The Value of Odd Jobs: Early struggles taught Colleen the importance of structure and the hidden value of a steady 9-to-5.

• Social Media's Double-Edge: While it expands reach, social media has also made contractors more short-term focused and "fickle."

• Advocacy Matters: Younger contractors must step into state-level associations where codes and regulations are shaped—or risk having decisions made without them.

• Global Perspective: Women's trade organizations not only help recruit talent but also boost retention and create essential peer support worldwide.

• Visibility Drives Change: Showcasing women in leadership and technical roles is key to inspiring the next generation in the trades.

This week, Luke Hansen and John Talman dive into one of the hottest topics shaping every industry today: artificial intelligence. From lighthearted jokes about AI "replacing" John to serious conversations about accountability, trust, and the real work that still needs human hands, Luke and John explore how AI is changing the trades. They discuss where AI is right now, what tools are already saving contractors time, and how CompanyCam is building AI features designed to give contractors more freedom to focus on what matters most—doing good work and serving their customers.

Key Takeaways:

• AI as a Tool, Not a Threat: AI can automate busywork like documentation, proposals, and communication, but responsibility and trust remain firmly human.

• Time Back for What Matters: The true value of AI is giving contractors more space for craftsmanship, leadership, and personal life.

• Small Business Advantage: For small contracting teams, AI and CompanyCam can function like an extra employee—handling marketing, communication, and project management.

• Enterprise Oversight: Larger companies benefit from AI's ability to surface relevant data, enforce standards, and provide confidence across multiple locations.

• Simplicity Wins: The tools that succeed will be powerful yet simple enough for anyone—tech-savvy or not—to use effectively.

This week, John Talman and Luke Hansen sit down with Matt, the multi-skilled tradesman and content creator behind Working with Matt. From starting as a teenage lawn care entrepreneur to building a thriving full-service landscaping, hardscaping, and irrigation company, Matt shares how his curiosity, adaptability, and pride in doing things right shaped his career. Along the way, his candid stories reveal the challenges of running a business, the power of collaboration over competition, and how a chance move into social media created unexpected opportunities.

Key Takeaways:

• Collaboration Over Competition: Partnering with other reputable contractors benefits everyone and strengthens the industry.

• Pride in Craftsmanship: High standards should never depend on whether someone is watching.

• Educating Clients: Informing homeowners about the value of quality work helps protect both their investment and the contractor's reputation.

• Leveraging Social Media: Sharing work online can build trust, connect you with peers, and open new business opportunities.

• Choose Your Circle Wisely: Surround yourself with tradespeople who push you to grow and share knowledge.

This week, John Talman and Luke Hansen dive into the power of community and the challenges of communication in the trades. Luke reflects on his early days working alongside Spanish-speaking crews and how that experience continues to shape the way CompanyCam is building tools for multilingual teams. They also explore the deeper value of visual communication, share laughs about generational slang, and encourage contractors to get involved in the growing online community. Community.companycam.com

Key Takeaways:

• Visuals Speak Louder Than Words: Luke explains how photos and videos cut through language barriers, making them an essential part of clear job site communication.
• Join the Conversation: The new CompanyCam Community forum gives contractors a place to share stories, get advice, and connect in a judgment-free zone.
• It's Okay to Look Dumb: Growth often starts with discomfort. Luke shares how being willing to make mistakes—especially in a new language—leads to real progress.
• Language Is a Tool, Not a Barrier: Whether it's English, Spanish, or Spanglish, communication is about clarity, respect, and a willingness to meet people where they are.
• Build for the Real World: CompanyCam is creating tools that translate input across languages—helping contractors reduce miscommunication and work more efficiently, regardless of what language is spoken on site.