Welcome to Episode 103 of I’m The Gaffer 👷‍♂️

Gavin Coyle is joined by Liz Chism, a construction coach and business expert, to break down how contractors can stop being the bottleneck and start building a business that runs with systems, standards, and the right hires.

If you’re stuck doing everything, working insane hours, and feeling like quality will drop if you let go, then this episode gives you a practical roadmap to step into leadership and build a team that performs without you.

1. Liz’s story: from 100-hour weeks to building a team that could run the business
2. The first step before hiring: simplify your business
3. Why “organizing clutter” is a band-aid (and what to do instead)
4. The project audit: focusing on the 20% of jobs that drive 80% profit
5. “Recapture + reallocate”: cutting waste to free cash fast
6. Why marketing agencies fail contractors and how to market smarter
7. The best first hire for small contractors: a Virtual Assistant
8. Hiring sequence: VA → Project Coordinator → Field Labor → Project Manager
9. Why hiring managers too early creates friction (they end up managing you)
10. Cost control: project managers owning job cost + KPIs
11. SOPs that work: start with outcomes, then build the process backwards
12. Liz’s daily routine, leadership mindset, and long-term vision
13. Book recommendation: The 6 Types of Working Genius + assessment

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00:16 Podcast sponsor: Hustro.com

01:04 Intro: Gavin Coyle + Liz Chism

02:07 Liz’s background in construction + QuickBooks at 14

02:46 Brewery journey + becoming the bottleneck

03:42 100-hour weeks → learning to build a team

04:31 Turning phone off for 2 weeks (test of systems + team)

05:41 Where do we start? (not hiring first)

06:28 Step 1: Simplify your business (Liz’s 5S framework)

07:07 Project audit: which jobs are most profitable?

08:07 “Say no more” + profit margin jump example

08:31 Recapture + reallocate: cutting waste to free cash

10:31 Gavin on marketing agency frustrations

11:41 Liz: why most agencies waste money + how to market smarter

13:21 Key hires in construction teams

13:35 First hire: Virtual Assistant (admin leverage)

14:29 VA cost breakdown + bonuses approach

15:52 “$5/hour is illegal?” (context + fair pay by country)

17:45 Next hire: Project Coordinator (coordination + client comms)

18:46 Is the project coordinator virtual? (usually on-site)

20:40 Follow-up example: VA = revenue growth opportunity

22:05 Hiring shift: hire experts, not warm bodies

24:41 Hustro.com sponsor segment

25:26 Bookkeeper + forecasting importance

26:08 Field labor and job-site admin role

27:31 When to hire a project manager (after team foundation)

29:38 Cost control: who owns job costing?

30:20 PM + estimator alignment before sending estimates

31:13 Weekly KPIs: on time + on budget accountability

33:03 SOPs that work: start with outcomes, build backwards

34:26 Subscribe + community message

35:08 Trends Liz sees: 80% mindset, 20% tactics

35:48 Video marketing + contractor camera confidence

37:48 Social proof + posts showing up in AI search

38:53 Liz’s book: “SOPs Suck”

39:45 Day in the life: 4am routine + family + business

41:38 Can the business run without Liz? (2026 goal)

42:25 Liz’s plan: coaches + leadership focus

43:48 Curveball: what would Liz do differently?

44:40 Book recommendation: Six Types of Working Genius

46:50 Assessment cost + why it matters

47:32 How to contact Liz + website + socials

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-chism-coaching/

Website: https://lizchism.com/

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

I’m The Gaffer, hosted by industry expert Gavin Coyle, is the essential podcast for construction people—bringing insider insights, expert interviews, and actionable strategies to blueprint success in the building industry.

Available on:

Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/ImTheGaffer

Spotify: https://bit.ly/ImTheGafferSpotify

YouTube: /@imthegafferpodcast

Website: https://www.imthegaffer.com/

#ImTheGaffer #Construction #Leadership #ConstructionBusiness #ProjectManagement #ContractorLife #Operations #SOPs #ConstructionManagement #Hustro