Payroll is supposed to buy you results, not headaches. When your employee incentive is off, Sneaky Leaky shows up as overtime, slow jobs, and callbacks that chew up your schedule.

In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Shank to talk about why hourly pay can create misaligned incentives, even when your technicians mean well. We get into what performance-based incentive pay can look like in the real world, and how it ties to company goals, customer goals, and technician goals.

If you are tired of paying more and getting less, this conversation will help you see what to fix first.

What You'll Learn…

• Why hourly pay can quietly reward overtime and slow jobs

• How employee incentive changes technician behavior without micromanaging

• The difference between a random bonus and performance based pay

• Why billable efficiency can matter more than close rate

• How to build employee incentive around what techs can control today

• What technicians actually pay attention to after the first payout

• How to cut callbacks and create more net new jobs with the same crew

Key Moments…

00:45 Why Hourly Pay Creates Misaligned Incentives

05:10 What Techs Actually Do When Pay Rewards Hours

10:30 What Performance Pay Can Look Like In The Field

16:05 Billable Efficiency And The Hours You Cannot Bill

22:40 Why Payout Timing Changes Behavior Faster

28:15 Metrics Techs Can Control Today

34:20 Tools That Help Track Incentives And Overtime

🎧 Listen to all episodes at https://profitablehomeservices.com/

🤝 Connect with Ryan at https://www.sharewillow.com/

ACCESS SOME FREE RESOURCES TO BOOST YOUR PROFITS

15 Profit Leaks Report 📖 Spot the common places where money slips out of a service business and learn the fixes that keep more cash with you. https://profitcoach4you.com/profitleaks

Profit Impact Call ☎️ Get a live review of your numbers so you can see where profit is leaking and walk away with a plan to save thousands. https://taxcoach4you.com/profitimpactcall/

Many owners assume profitable margins come from more jobs or higher prices, but that is rarely the real case. In this episode, I break down how profitable margins are usually lost through small, fixable problems inside your daily operations. I share real examples from home service businesses that looked successful on the outside but struggled on the inside. They weren't able to keep cash around because they were missing the information to see where it was all going. When Sneaky Leaky quietly drains margin through everyday decisions, working harder does not fix it. This episode walks through practical ways to protect your margins without burning out your team or raising prices.

What You'll Learn…

• Why busy schedules can still leave your bank account feeling tight

• Where profitable margins quietly slip away inside everyday jobs

• How job level tracking reveals what is actually costing you money

• Why callbacks and rework drain time, cash, and confidence

• How labor inefficiencies add up without anyone noticing

• What purchasing and inventory habits do to profitable margins

• Why fixing systems protects profits better than pushing people

Key Moments…

0:45 Why Busy Businesses Still Lose Money

3:20 Tracking Job Profitability Not Just Revenue

6:10 Callbacks As A Silent Margin Drain

9:40 Improving Labor Efficiency Without Burnout

13:20 Purchasing And Inventory Profit Leaks

17:05 Overhead Creep And Margin Loss

20:45 Fixing Processes Not People

🎧 Listen to all episodes at https://profitablehomeservices.com/

🤝 Connect with Diane at https://taxcoach4you.com/

ACCESS SOME FREE RESOURCES TO BOOST YOUR PROFITS

15 Profit Leaks Report 📖 Spot the common places where money slips out of a service business and learn the fixes that keep more cash with you. https://profitcoach4you.com/profitleaks

Profit Impact Call ☎️ Get a live review of your numbers so you can see where profit is leaking and walk away with a plan to save thousands. https://taxcoach4you.com/profitimpactcall/

Usually exit planning gets ignored until something forces the conversation, and that's exactly when your best options disappear. In this episode, I'm joined by Chuck Cooper, founder of White Water Consulting, to talk about why a business exit should be planned long before you ever think about leaving the company. Chuck shares a powerful story about an owner who put exit planning in place just in time, allowing the business to keep running and the family to stay protected when life took an unexpected turn. That kind of preparation doesn't just protect the future, it improves how your business runs today. Sneaky Leaky loves it when exit planning gets pushed aside, because when the business all depends on you that is not something you can sell very well.

• Why a business exit should be planned years before you think you need it

• How business exit planning improves profitability and stability today

• The one risk owner dependency creates during a transition

• How systems and leadership development increase business value

• Why waiting too long forces decisions instead of giving options

• How business exit planning protects employees, customers, and family

• What changes when you prepare your business but decide not to sell

Key Moments

05:45 Why Exit Planning Starts Earlier Than Owners Expect 11:30 Owner Dependency And Business Value 18:50 Systems And Leadership That Increase Valuation 27:10 A Business That Did Not Skip A Beat 36:40 When Exit Planning Creates More Freedom 42:10 Why Some Owners Decide Not To Sell After All 48:30 Final Advice For Owners Who Want Options

🎧 Listen to all episodes at https://profitablehomeservices.com/

🤝 Connect with Chuck at https://whitewaterconsulting.net

ACCESS SOME FREE RESOURCES TO BOOST YOUR PROFITS

15 Profit Leaks E Book 📖 Spot the common places where money slips out of a service business and learn the fixes that keep more cash with you. https://profitcoach4you.com/profitleaks

5 Step Fast Cash Formula 💵 Get clear on when money comes in and goes out so you can plan ahead and stop cash flow surprises. https://taxcoach4you.com/cashflow/

Being busy does not automatically mean you are profitable. Many home service business owners work long days, stay booked out, and still feel like money is always tight. In this episode of the Profitable Home Services podcast, I sit down with Ron Beckner to talk about what it really means to be financially literate as a business owner.

We dig into why so many skilled tradespeople were taught how to do the work but never taught how money actually works inside a business. If you want to stop guessing, reduce stress, and keep more of what you earn, this conversation will change how you think about your numbers.

What You'll Learn…

• Why being financially literate keeps your hard work from disappearing in overhead

• How to spot the quiet profit leak hiding inside unclear job instructions

• The one bottom line habit that keeps Sneaky Leaky from draining your bank account

• How being financially literate changes the way you price and protect margins

• What to look for when building a financial team that actually helps you keep profit

• Why budgeting feels painful, and how to make it simple enough to stick

• How small money decisions compound into bigger profits over time

Key Moments…

0:45 Why Busy Owners Still Feel Broke

3:10 Money As A Tool For Financially Literate Decisions

6:05 The TIME Formula And Costly Rework

9:20 Drive By Delegating And Profit Drain

13:10 Budgeting Without Getting Lost In Spreadsheets

17:35 Tax Basics For Financially Literate Business Owners

22:05 Protection And Legacy Planning For Owners

🎧 Listen to all episodes at https://profitablehomeservices.com/

🤝 Connect with Ron at www.peaks-integrity.com

ACCESS SOME FREE RESOURCES TO BOOST YOUR PROFITS

💵 Want to know just how much profit you have each month? Get my Free 'Break Even Breakthrough' Worksheet here: https://taxcoach4you.com/monthlynut/

💸 There are many "hidden" ways your profits could be leaking out, and I've compiled 15 common leaks into this FREE report for you. Download this Free report & checklist here https://profitcoach4you.com/profitleaks

Safety problems rarely show up on your P&L until it's too late. I've watched too many home service business owners lose profit, time, and sleep because safety training in the workplace kept getting pushed aside.

Eric Wick has sat on the other side of OSHA audits, insurance inspections, and lawsuits, and what he sees most is panic when owners cannot produce safety training records. Sneaky Leaky loves missing documentation because it quietly drives up workers comp costs and legal exposure. In this episode, Eric breaks down what actually matters, what inspectors look for, and how a simple system can protect both your people and your bottom line.

What You'll Learn…

• Why safety training in the workplace impacts insurance costs more than most owners realize

• How missing records turn a routine inspection into an expensive problem

• The one thing OSHA asks for first during an audit

• How effective safety training in the workplace can lower workers' comp premiums

• Why "we meant to do it" does not protect you legally

• How proof of training helps you win bigger jobs

• The simple habit that separates prepared companies from panicked ones

Key Moments…

00:45 Why most contractors fail safety audits

04:10 What OSHA asks for first

08:55 How safety training in the workplace affects workers' comp costs

13:30 When missing records turn into legal trouble

18:40 Why inspectors reward documented training

23:15 How effective safety training in the workplace helps win larger jobs

28:50 The hidden profit leak inside workers' comp pricing

🎧 Listen to all episodes at https://profitablehomeservices.com/

🤝 Connect with Eric at https://oursafetyteam.com/ to download his free OSHA checklist

ACCESS SOME FREE RESOURCES TO BOOST YOUR PROFITS

💵 Want to know just how much profit you have each month? Get my Free 'Break Even Breakthrough' Worksheet here: https://taxcoach4you.com/monthlynut/

💸 There are many "hidden" ways your profits could be leaking out, and I've compiled 15 common leaks into this FREE report for you. Download this Free report & checklist here https://profitcoach4you.com/profitleaks

Waiting until the last minute to sell a business is one of the most expensive mistakes owners make. Too many business owners assume they can wake up one day and sell, only to find out Sneaky Leaky has been draining value for years. In this episode, I sit down with Cameron Bishop to talk about what buyers actually look for and why preparation matters far more than timing the market. We dig into why most owners stay stuck working in the business instead of building something that can stand on its own. If you want high-paying options to sell a business someday instead of running out of time, this conversation will help you know what to fix and where to start today.

What You'll Learn…

• Why waiting too long to sell a business costs you leverage and buyers

• How working on your business increases value long before an exit

• The one leadership gap buyers notice immediately when reviewing a company

• Why planning to sell a business should start years earlier than most owners expect

• How succession planning affects price, terms, and buyer confidence

• What buyers see as risk even when revenue looks strong

• How to shift from daily operations to long term business ownership thinking

Key Moments

00:00 Intro 0:45 Why Owners Decide To Sell Too Late 3:20 Working In The Business Versus On The Business 6:10 Why Preparation To Sell A Business Takes Time 9:35 What Buyers Look For First 13:00 Succession Gaps That Lower Offers 17:40 How Earn Outs Hurt Sellers 22:15 Building A Business Someone Wants To Buy

🎧 Listen to all episodes at https://profitablehomeservices.com/

🤝 Connect with Cameron at https://raincatcher.com/

ACCESS SOME FREE RESOURCES TO BOOST YOUR PROFITS

Profit Blueprint Masterclass 🎓 Learn practical steps for pricing, systems, and financial clarity so you can take control of your business numbers. https://taxcoach4you.com/blueprint/

💵 Want to know just how much profit you have each month? Get my Free 'Break Even Breakthrough' Worksheet here: https://taxcoach4you.com/monthlynut/

💸 There are many "hidden" ways your profits could be leaking out, and I've compiled 15 common leaks into this FREE report for you. Download this Free report & checklist here https://profitcoach4you.com/profitleaks

You can change the direction of your business with a few simple daily steps. I have 12 strategies to increase profit to share as a parting 12 days of Christmas gift for you. Your business numbers tell a story, and these strategies help you understand that story so you can finish the year strong.

When I looked back at my own progress this year, I noticed real improvements hiding in plain sight, the kind we often miss because we never slow down long enough to see what has gotten better. Sneaky Leaky loves when we rush past the wins and ignore the areas that quietly drain our cash, so this episode focuses on quick actions that give you more control.

By the end, you will have twelve practical ways to steady your cashflow, strengthen your team, and step into the new year with confidence.

What You'll Learn…

• Why simple year-end habits shape predictable growth for your business

• How strategies to increase profit start with understanding your real numbers

• The one action that strengthens customer relationships before January even begins

• How recurring revenue gives you stability when slow season hits

• Why team recognition lifts morale and increases productivity

• How trimming unnecessary expenses is a powerful part of the strategies to increase profit

• The easiest follow up system that brings past customers back

🎧 Listen to all episodes at https://profitablehomeservices.com/

🤝 Connect with me at https://profitcoach4you.com/

ACCESS SOME FREE RESOURCES TO BOOST YOUR PROFITS

📅Get the 12 Profitable Days of Christmas Action Tracker to guide you through twelve quick actions to keep your profit goals on track. https://taxcoach4you.com/tracker

💸 There are many "hidden" ways your profits could be leaking out, and I've compiled 15 common leaks into this FREE report for you. Download this Free report & checklist here https://profitcoach4you.com/profitleaks

Chaos creeps into your business the moment your team is unsure of the next step, and that is when Sneaky Leaky takes full advantage. I saw this firsthand when Karen described how a simple software update left her team staring at a screen that no longer matched the documented processes they relied on. Those small moments of confusion add up in ways owners rarely see, from slower jobs to frustrated customers to money slipping away one missed button click at a time.

When your team has a clear path to follow, they move with confidence and give every job the quality and consistency your customers expect. In this episode, we break down how strong processes protect your profits and keep your business running smoothly even when things change around you.

What You'll Learn…

• Why documented processes keep your team consistent even when things change

• How to reduce wasted time inside daily tasks

• The one shift that helps your techs work with confidence instead of constant check ins

• Why documented processes speed up training and strengthen your culture

• How to avoid the profit drain that happens when each person does work their own way

• The real cost of slow decision making and how to remove it from your jobs

• How clear systems make your business easier to run and protect your margins

🎧 Listen to all episodes at https://profitablehomeservices.com/

🤝 Connect with Karen at https://StopGrowingBroke.com

ACCESS SOME FREE RESOURCES TO BOOST YOUR PROFITS

🗓️ If you are serious about putting more profits in your pocket, book a Profit Impact Call - where I'll find $45k in profits in 45 minutes. https://taxcoach4you.com/profitimpactcall/

💸 There are many "hidden" ways your profits could be leaking out, and I've compiled 15 common leaks into this FREE report for you. Download this Free report & checklist here https://profitcoach4you.com/profitleaks

Every home service business owner wants a better strategy for marketing that helps you get real calls instead of empty clicks. Chris Lonergan joins me to talk about why the top three spots on Google Maps matter more than most people realize, why your old customer list is one of your most valuable assets, and how to guide your marketing team so they stay focused on what actually grows your business.

Chris also shares simple steps for managing reviews, avoiding common technology traps, and using AI as a helper instead of a replacement. If you want marketing that makes sense and supports the way home service businesses really work, this is a conversation worth hearing.

What You'll Learn…

• Why focusing on calls instead of clicks protects your profit every season

• How a clear strategy for marketing helps your phone ring more often

• The one thing that will keep reviews working for your business instead of against you

• How to turn small review asks into steady social proof for your company

• Why your past customer list may be the most valuable asset you own

• How to build a simple strategy for marketing you can actually manage each week

• The one change that will stop wasted ads from quietly draining your bank balance

🎧 Listen to all episodes at https://profitablehomeservices.com/

🤝 Connect with Chris at https://www.footbridgemedia.com/

ACCESS SOME FREE RESOURCES TO BOOST YOUR PROFITS

🗓️ If you are serious about putting more profits in your pocket, book a Profit Impact Call - where I'll find you $45k in profits in 45 minutes. https://taxcoach4you.com/profitimpactcall/

💵 Want to know just how much profit you have each month? Get my Free 'Break Even Breakthrough' Worksheet here: https://taxcoach4you.com/monthlynut/

💸 There are many "hidden" ways your profits could be leaking out, and I've compiled 15 common leaks into this FREE report for you. Download this Free report & checklist here https://profitcoach4you.com/profitleaks

Running a home service business gets expensive when customers remember every competitor but forget you. You can serve them for years, only to lose the big job because someone else communicated with them more often.

In our conversation, Jason Kerby shared how he cared for customers through every tune up, yet when it came time to replace a system, they bought from someone in a big box store. That moment showed him how much money Sneaky Leaky grabs when the relationship with customers is weak. This episode takes you step by step through what it takes to stay connected so you can protect the revenue you work so hard to earn.

What You'll Learn…

• How a strong relationship with customers protects you from losing high value work

• Why missed calls weaken your relationship with customers and create expensive leaks

• How consistent communication builds trust and keeps your name top of mind

• Simple ways to educate customers about the services you already offer

• How AI supports your team in staying connected

• What steady touch points can do for long term retention

🎧 Listen to all episodes at https://profitablehomeservices.com/

🤝 Connect with Jason at www.servestra.com

ACCESS SOME FREE RESOURCES TO BOOST YOUR PROFITS

💵 Want to know just how much profit you have each month? Get my Free 'Break Even Breakthrough' Worksheet here: https://taxcoach4you.com/monthlynut/

💸 There are many "hidden" ways your profits could be leaking out, and I've compiled 15 common leaks into this FREE report for you. Download this Free report & checklist here https://profitcoach4you.com/profitleaks