So You Want To Be A Contractor?

By Mike Fisher

From the books to the boots..we discuss everything it takes to be a contractor with today's top industry professionals.... more

4

88 ratings

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about So You Want To Be A Contractor?:

How many episodes does So You Want To Be A Contractor? have?

The podcast currently has 44 episodes available.

So You Want To Be A Contractor? episodes:

July 06, 2022#23 - Greg Westmoreland
My guest on this episode is Greg Westmoreland of Westmoreland Builders. In a changing economy and a changing workforce Greg is working to lead a national company by sticking to the core values of his company.
00:00 - Intro
01:06 - Getting started in the industry
Your career picks you

From engineer to general contractor
10:27 - Making the decision to go at it alone
14:00 - Hiring and onboarding
Using subcontractors

Production delays
19:12 - Diversifying your offerings
24:51 - Marketing a national business
Westmoreland 23 fundamentals

Building and maintaining a culture
31:15 - Social media marketing and branding
39:57 - How the workforce has changed
Working from home

Paying for production instead of time
45:48 - What's next?
49:07 - Outro
...more
50min
June 28, 2022#22 - Bob Muller
My guest on this episode is Bob Muller of Personal Plumbing. Through a commitment to organic search marketing and ongoing branding. Bob has carved out a niche in Southern California.
00:00 - Intro
01:14 - Getting started in the industry
Military background

Striking out on your own
09:11 - Finding a mentor and business coach.
15:23 - Growing your business through organic advertising and SEO.
21:20 - Hiring and retaining talent
29:15 - Marketing and Branding
Plumber Sam

Reviews

Grabbing customers’ attention
41:21 - Creating a family business
44:48 - What's next?
Growth and expansion

Succession and getting organized
53:24 - Outro
...more
54min
June 22, 2022#21 - AJ Cappuccitti
My guest on this episode is also my first international contractor, AJ Cappuccitti, President of AC Custom. AJ gives marketing and branding a whole new meaning by using high-quality videos on social and bringing the customer into the production process in creative ways. As a business that primarily uses subcontractors, building relationships and goodwill is paramount for success.
00:00 - Intro
01:14 - Getting started in the industry
Beginning as a carpenter

Fake it until you make it
06:27 - Managing the work and expansion
12:40 - Building relationships with subcontractors through licensed trades
19:20 - Promoting your business
Leveraging social media

Creating added value through sharing the process of production
25:52 - Differentiating yourself
34:19 - The future of AC Custom
42:35 - Outro
...more
44min
June 14, 2022#20 - John Stich
My guest on this episode is John Stich of Completely Concrete Structures. Having been steeped in the construction industry since a summer job during childhood, John has combined all that he’s learned into a thriving business and internet show (Concrete Cowboys).
00:00 - Intro
00:55 - Breaking into the industry
Starting in construction as a summer job

Retaining what you learn through various job transitions
05:15 - Going from working for others to starting his own business
17:15 - Biggest hurdles and struggles getting started
Establishing yourself as a leader
22:51 - Finding quality labor
27:06 - Concrete cowboys and marketing
Attracting more people to the industry
35:28 - Evolving, growing, and saying no
42:51 - Looking to the future and expansion
50:02 - Outro
...more
51min
June 07, 2022#19 - Jeff Mudd
My guest on this episode is Jeff Mudd of Best Rate Repair Company. Having been in the home service business for decades, Jeff brings a wealth of knowledge to the trades industry. At this stage of his career, Jeff is becoming a champion for the industry to replenish the pipeline and destigmatize trade careers.
00:00 - Intro - From high school to handyman.
Pivoting post 9/11

Being a proponent of education
07:01 - Striking out on his own
Desiring freedom and flexibility

Building trust and leveraging relationships
10:31 - Being a self-taught marketer and doing it all
18:42 - Building up the labor force.
Hiring - training - retention

Bosses vs. Leaders
25:17 - Teaching the why to new people coming into the trades
Finding a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction in work

Being a part of something larger than yourself
31:34 - The future of Best Rate Repair
33:30 - The Trades Podcast
38:48 - Outro
...more
40min
May 04, 2022#18 - Keanu Spindola
My guest on this episode is Keanu Spindola of Spindola Construction. As a young CEO, Keanu is navigating a family legacy with taking a company into the future. Keanu brings a fresh prospective to construction from his time in the military surrounding collaboration.
00:00 - Intro - Keanu’s entrance into construction
From Marine Corps to college to CEO.
04:02 - Taking the company from plumbing to general contracting
Growing a business acumen in order to grow the company
08:50 - Navigating the family dynamic of business
Focusing on collaboration, togetherness, and respect.
11:12 - Working with HOAs
19:39 - Marketing and advertising in a crowded field.
24:42 - Division of roles within the company
Using subcontractors

Hiring and training
29:50 - The future of Spindola Construction
36:14 - Outro
...more
37min
April 19, 2022#17 - Brian Toppel
My guest on this episode is Brian Toppel of Toppel Consulting. Brian is the quintessential jack of all trades. His curiosity and willingness to learn every facet of the business has helped him forge strong relationships as he seeks to change the narrative of the construction industry.

00:00 - Intro - Brian’s road to construction
03:05 - pivoting to being the “man in the trailer”
From field engineer to senior project manager

Becoming a one-man show
07:21 - Rebuilding the construction workforce pipeline
Using mixed reality for training

6 in 6
10:47 - The gap between labor and skilled labor
17:15 - Creating partnerships and cultivating relationships
The need for being well-rounded and knowledgeable.
27:16 - How technology enhances the experience
Making decisions based on experience
35:16 - The future of Toppel Consulting
38:37 - Outro
...more
39min
April 12, 2022 #16 - Micah Johnson
My guest on this episode is Micah Johnson, President of Clean Roofing. As an investment banker turned roofer, Micah’s journey into business wasn’t traditional. Micah’s diverse background in manufacturing, sales, and contracting gives him a unique customer-first perspective. He’s evolved this perspective into the culture of Clean Roofing.
00:00 - Intro
● Investment banking to roofing
● Finding your niche and doing many different jobs.
07:29 - Moving from a contractor to leadership to ownership
17:05 - Finding mentors and partnerships in business.
● The benefit of working with people who've been there and done that.
● Looking past competition to benefit the customer.
29:00 - Finding your labor force
● Building a culture
● Paying a living wage
35:10 - Communication and customer service
37:55 - Drawing in new business
● Getting bigger vs. getting better
44:15 - Branding and advertising
● Making data informed decisions
● Staying connected to the customer
53:45 - The future of Clean Roofing
58:25 - How to get in touch with Clean Roofing
01:01:35 - Outro
...more
1h 3min
April 05, 2022#15 - Aaron Gianni
My guest on this episode is Aaron Gianni. Aaron is the CEO of Larratt Brothers and the creator of the Plunjr App. Aaron is setting out to disrupt his own industry in an effort to make everyone more money and bring equity and customer service back into home improvement.
00:00 - Intro
01:25 - How Aaron got started
Taking advantage of the construction boom

Striking out on his own and getting busted by the union
10:57 - Taking on his first high-profile job and risking everything.
15:42 - An owner who gets his hands dirty
21:48 - Taking over a company with history and legacy
Growing and finding new labor
31:41 - Dealing with hurdles
Supply chain issues

COVID

New Regulations

Competition
38:49 - Building a better app that works to the benefit of the technician and the customer
Answering objections and dealing with unethical people.
47:27 - The future of the Plunjr app
Getting paid for consultation calls

Integrating AI into website chat functions

Dealing with insurance liability
1:05:22 - The future of Larratt Brothers
1:09:16 - Outro
...more
1h 10min
March 22, 2022 #14 - Lance Smith
My guest on this episode is Lance Smith. As the owner of Smith and Son Construction, Lance focuses on grit and grind. Through determination and will Lance is building a legacy with strong roots.
00:00 - Intro
01:22 - How Lance got started
● Taking risks
● Building a legacy
07:32 - The challenges of striking out on your own
● Strengthening relationships
● Building a referral network
13:47 - Growth, expansion, inflation
19:15 - Hiring and training
24:47 - Learning from hurdles and failures
28:26 - Keeping everything in-house and staying away from subcontractors
35:25 - Marketing, social media, and Google reviews
46:34 - Outro
...more
47min

FAQs about So You Want To Be A Contractor?:

How many episodes does So You Want To Be A Contractor? have?

The podcast currently has 44 episodes available.