Running a business today means doing everything at once—clients, admin, follow-ups, and an endless to-do list. It’s exhausting. The truth is, the businesses that win aren’t the ones doing more; they’re the ones willing to change how they operate.

In this episode, Brad talks about:

• Definition of a virtual assistant
• Signs you need a VA
• Key responsibilities for a VA
• Tasks your VA can handle
• The value of hiring experts from other countries
• How to find and hire a VA
• Resources for getting started

Mentioned:

Learn more about hiring a VA: hammerandgrind.com/VA

Download the checklist and start the process today: hammerandgrind.com/VAchecklist

Link to Resources:

This episode is sponsored by NEXT Insurance — the smart, simple insurance designed for contractors and small business owners.

Protect your business with fast, affordable coverage you can set up in minutes.

Learn more at NEXTinsurance.com/hammer

Grab Brad's tell-all book: The Contractor Profit Blueprint

https://thecontractorprofitblueprint.com

Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every business has its beginnings, and Nicolas Breedlove's began in a little bedroom at his parents' home. Nicolas demonstrates that great businesses don't need big beginnings by sharing the true tale of starting his playground firm from scratch. The connections he made along the road were more important than where he began. It serves as a reminder that trust, consistency, and treating coworkers fairly are the foundations of growth.

In this episode, Brad and Nicolas talk about:

• Nicolas Breedlove from PlaygroundEquipment.com shares insights into the commercial playground equipment industry.
• Discussion on manufacturing, supplying, designing, and installing playgrounds across the U.S.
• How the company handles maintenance and the importance of trained installers.
• Nicolas's background in horticulture and the evolution of his business model.
• Insights on hiring, company culture, and lessons learned from past experiences.
• Nicolas shares books he's currently reading, including insights on software and entrepreneurship.

Mentioned:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nicolas-breedlove/

Link to Resources:

This episode is sponsored by NEXT Insurance — the smart, simple insurance designed for contractors and small business owners.

Protect your business with fast, affordable coverage you can set up in minutes.

Learn more at NEXTinsurance.com/hammer

Grab Brad's tell-all book: The Contractor Profit Blueprint

https://thecontractorprofitblueprint.com

Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’re still running your business the same way you did five years ago, you’re already behind. Learn how contractors can use technology to save time, reduce chaos, and stop being the bottleneck in their own business. No hype, just real tools and systems that actually make day-to-day work easier and more profitable.

In this episode, Brad talks about:

• Importance of documentation and note-taking tools
• Recommended devices
• Audio recording essentials
• Video recording options
• Editing software
• 3D scanning technology
• Utilizing AI for business efficiency
• Project management and CRM tools
• Importance of job site photo management

Link to Resources:

Grab your FREE document and text #Tech to 812-405-4610

This episode is sponsored by NEXT Insurance — the smart, simple insurance designed for contractors and small business owners.

Protect your business with fast, affordable coverage you can set up in minutes.

Learn more at NEXTinsurance.com/hammer

Grab Brad's tell-all book: The Contractor Profit Blueprint

https://thecontractorprofitblueprint.com

Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For years, contractors were told the same thing: do good work and the jobs will keep coming. But in today’s market, that advice is outdated and in 2026, it’s costing a lot of businesses real opportunities.

In this episode, Brad talks about:

• Why simply doing good work is no longer enough to attract clients.
• Understanding branding beyond logos and how it shapes client expectations.
• Why video content is essential for building trust and pre-selling your services.
• How to communicate effectively and differentiate yourself from competitors.

Link to Resources:

This episode is sponsored by NEXT Insurance — the smart, simple insurance designed for contractors and small business owners.

Protect your business with fast, affordable coverage you can set up in minutes.

Learn more at NEXTinsurance.com/hammer

Grab Brad's tell-all book: The Contractor Profit Blueprint

https://thecontractorprofitblueprint.com

Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The majority of entrepreneurs do not face financial difficulties due to their poor mathematical skills. Their beliefs about it force them to struggle. Your "money personality" drives how you handle finances, charge for your work, and think about money. It may be more positive or negative to your company than you realize.

In this episode, Brad and Leanne talk about:

• Introduction to Leanne and her work with service-based businesses
• The concept of "money personalities" and their impact on financial decisions
• Five psychological instincts affecting business owners
• The importance of financial boundaries and strategic investments
• Leanne's "Two Number Method" for managing cash flow

Mentioned:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leanneozainesmith/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/profitwithleanne/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leanne.ozainesmith/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@profitwithleanne

Website: https://profitwithleanne.replit.app/

Link to Resources:

Download Leanne's guide at gift.profitwithleanne.com

This episode is sponsored by NEXT Insurance — the smart, simple insurance designed for contractors and small business owners.

Protect your business with fast, affordable coverage you can set up in minutes.

Learn more at NEXTinsurance.com/hammer

Grab Brad's tell-all book: The Contractor Profit Blueprint

https://thecontractorprofitblueprint.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The majority of contractors are falling behind because they continue to operate their businesses in the same manner while everything around them changes, rather than because they are poor at what they do.

In this episode, Brad breaks down:

• Why most contractors undercharge and how to fix your pricing without losing good clients
• What a real sales process looks like (and why winging it is costing you deals)
• How to put systems in place that reduce daily chaos and free up your time
• Simple ways to build visibility and credibility online so customers trust you before you even show up
• Where AI actually makes sense in your business and how to use it to work smarter, not harder

Link to Resources:

Work Smarter in 2026

Get my FREE ChatGPT Tools

Text #2026 to 812-405-4610

This episode is sponsored by NEXT Insurance — the smart, simple insurance designed for contractors and small business owners.

Protect your business with fast, affordable coverage you can set up in minutes.

Learn more at NEXTinsurance.com/hammer

Grab Brad's tell-all book: The Contractor Profit Blueprint

https://thecontractorprofitblueprint.com

Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the biggest challenges many businesses face, especially in the early stages, is the urge to use a “shotgun” approach to marketing. When you're trying to attract anyone and everyone, it’s easy to spread your budget and efforts too thin. The result? Wasted ad spend, unfocused messaging, and campaigns that miss the mark.

In this episode, Brad and Daniel talk about:

• Daniel Dixon’s journey and the story behind SendJim
• His experience in the home service industry
• Why targeted marketing consistently outperforms broad strategies
• Smart and effective local marketing tactics
• How automation can streamline and strengthen your marketing efforts
• The importance of tracking your numbers to know what truly works
• Ways to leverage customer relationships to encourage repeat business and upsells

Mentioned:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sendjimautomation/

Website: https://sendjim.com/

Link to Resources:

This episode is sponsored by NEXT Insurance — the smart, simple insurance designed for contractors and small business owners.

Protect your business with fast, affordable coverage you can set up in minutes.

Learn more at NEXTinsurance.com/hammer

Grab Brad's tell-all book: The Contractor Profit Blueprint

https://thecontractorprofitblueprint.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many people believe that being a leader is a fixed attribute that one either has or does not. But the truth is much more complex. In the area of effective leadership, ongoing self-improvement is not simply desirable; it is crucial.

In this episode, Brad and Chris talk about:

• Importance of empowering team members and recognizing their strengths
• Distinction between leadership and management
• Key traits of effective leaders: vision, communication, and trust
• The significance of setting and maintaining standards
• The role of pre-planning in project success
• Conducting After Action Reviews (AARs) for continuous improvement
• Creating a safe space for team feedback and accountability

Mentioned:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/barrel-strength-leadership/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barrel_strength_leadership/

Link to Resources:

This episode is sponsored by NEXT Insurance — the smart, simple insurance designed for contractors and small business owners.

Protect your business with fast, affordable coverage you can set up in minutes.

Learn more at NEXTinsurance.com/hammer

Grab Brad's tell-all book: The Contractor Profit Blueprint

https://thecontractorprofitblueprint.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s fast-paced business world, clarity is everything. As companies grow, so does the complexity of their operations, and without structure, confusion quickly follows.

In this episode, Brad and Isaac talked about:

• The role of an integrator vs. a visionary
• Importance of hiring and training for business growth
• The freedom formula for business owners
• Overcoming the scarcity mindset in hiring
• Creating a positive onboarding experience for new employees
• Insights on business efficiency and productivity

Mentioned:

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-isaacs-28071b41/

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jake.c.isaacs/rname

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jake.isaacs.56

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@coachjakeisaacsname

Link to Resources:

This episode is sponsored by NEXT Insurance — the smart, simple insurance designed for contractors and small business owners.

Protect your business with fast, affordable coverage you can set up in minutes.

👉 Learn more at NEXTinsurance.com/hammer

Grab Brad's tell-all book: The Contractor Profit Blueprint

https://thecontractorprofitblueprint.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ADHD impacts millions of people, shaping how they focus, prioritize, and stay productive. For many, it feels like being both the arsonist and the firefighter in their own life, like constantly sparking new ideas while scrambling to put out the flames of unfinished tasks. This nonstop cycle of excitement and overwhelm can leave individuals feeling frustrated or “not enough,” especially when they compare themselves to others who don’t face the same internal battles.

In this episode, Brad and Skye talk about:

• Skye's journey from academia to entrepreneurship
• The impact of ADHD on business owners
• Importance of tailored systems for ADHD brains
• Strategies for prioritizing tasks and delegating effectively
• The role of operations assistants in scaling businesses

Mentioned:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skye-waterson-026286204/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unconventionalorganisation

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnconventionalOrganisation

Link to Resources:

Grab Brad's tell-all book: The Contractor Profit Blueprint

https://thecontractorprofitblueprint.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.