Your brand story is one of the most powerful tools you have, but most businesses don't know how to tell it. In this episode, Molly sits down with Dennis Williams, co-founder & Partner of 3 Bridges Consulting and former broadcast journalist, to explore what it really means to define and elevate your brand in a crowded market. Dennis makes the case that every trades business should think like a media company, and breaks down the real cost of high-quality video and why AI-driven search is changing where your content needs to live. Practical, honest, and packed with perspective from someone who has built brands from the ground up.

Annie Newton, founder of ProfitWorks, joins the podcast to share how fractional CFO services and strategic remote talent placement are transforming trades businesses. From weekly cash flow discipline to "financial empathy" in reporting, Annie breaks down what commercial painting companies need to scale profitably. She explains why separating financial clarity from operational chaos is the first step toward smarter staffing decisions and sustainable growth.

Today’s Podcast is brought to you by Protiv

Cash flow is the number one reason businesses fail—even profitable ones. Luis Serrano, Founder of Serrano Bookkeeping, joins the show to discuss why trades businesses struggle with cash flow and how to fix it. From understanding the stress in-house bookkeepers face to implementing practical strategies for maintaining 2-3 months of operational capital, Luis shares insights on breaking the cycle of being "profitable but broke." Plus, NCG Business Coach Kathryn Freeman weighs in on real-world cash flow challenges, including the dangers of making financial decisions based solely on tax benefits without considering cash flow implications.

Today’s Podcast is brought to you by PaintScout 

Pete DiStefano, President of DiStefano Brothers Companies, shares his 20-year journey from solo contractor to leading four thriving divisions: construction, floor coatings, closets, and electrical services. He gets candid about his early struggles with impulse-driven leadership and accountability, revealing the practical systems that helped him transform from visionary entrepreneur to intentional leader. If you're a trades business owner who sees the vision but struggles with execution, this conversation offers actionable insights on building structure that supports growth instead of stifling it.

Guest: Pete DiStefano, President, DiStefano Brothers Companies
Website: dbcri.com | Nolan Client Since: 2013

Today’s Podcast is brought to you by Busybusy

Are your sales reps following a script, or thinking strategically about each opportunity? Jeff Cramer, Sales Coach for Nolan Consulting Group and founder of Perceptive Learning, tackles one of the most common problems in trades sales: autopilot selling. When reps run the same process for every customer, they create tactical fatigue—high volume, low profit, and constant price pressure. Jeff explains how to build a sales GPS that aligns every action with your business goals, why strategy must come before tactics, and how role-playing can transform your team's preparedness. If your reps are busy but not profitable, this conversation will change how you approach sales.

Today’s Podcast is brought to you by Graco

COO of Coeur d'Alene Painting Group, Desiree Cleave, knows what it means to conquer the chaos -  running multiple businesses, raising kids, and navigating family business leadership dynamics all at once.  In this honest conversation, Des shares what it really took to find her voice in business, create the daily habits that set her up for success, and learn that sometimes the best thing you can do is just reroute. 

Today’s Podcast is brought to you by Acrisure

Business is Messy is back, bringing you practical solutions to the challenges every growing trades business faces. Brian Nolan and Colin Nolan are digging into three challenges facing their clients right now: shifting sales teams from immediate-results thinking to relationship-building, navigating the complexities of family business succession, and creating accountability systems that actually stick.

Have a business mess you'd like Colin & Brian to address? Drop us a note at [email protected] and we'll put it in front of our Coaches on an upcoming "Business is Messy" episode

Today’s Podcast is brought to you by ProfitWorks. 

Rob Vallentine, National Mental Health Trainer, joins us following his powerful Grand Summit keynote that left attendees still reaching out months later with gratitude. Rob shares how equipping managers with mental health response skills can transform workplace culture, improve retention, and help leaders connect with their teams before problems escalate. Learn about the upcoming Mental Health First Aid Certification workshop in March - a practical training that teaches leaders how to notice warning signs, listen without judgment, and respond with confidence when team members are struggling.

Today’s Podcast is brought to you by Safety Reports 

Succession planning isn't just about paperwork—it's about trust, timing, and knowing when to let go. Susan Kussin Tompkins shares her 32-year journey at Kent Countryside Nursery & Landscaping, from unexpected tragedy to a proud, intentional transition. She discusses implementing Profit First across two revenue streams, using winter downtime strategically, and why starting succession conversations earlier make everything easier. This is real talk from a business owner who's preparing to watch her legacy thrive in the next generation's hands

Today’s Podcast is brought to you by Spartan Digital Marketing

Eric McDonald built CHP Paint Co.'s culture on a simple principle: you can't out-produce bad culture. After experiencing severe burnout in 2021, he made drastic changes—4-day work weeks, comprehensive benefits, employee recognition programs, and a two-week December shutdown. The results? Productivity increased, profitability soared, and December's "planned loss" became the strategic investment that transformed his entire year. Eric shares how to budget for culture and why bottom-line thinking beats chasing top-line revenue every time.

Today’s Podcast is brought to you by Red Key Solutions