Success Beyond The Brush

Discover the secrets to transforming your business and skyrocketing your profits in our fascinating conversation with Phil VanderLaan, owner of PMV Custom Finishes in Kalamazoo, Michigan. We discuss Phil's inspiring journey, from his time at college in Grand Rapids to founding and growing his own successful painting company. You'll learn about navigating the "Dutch mafia" in Southwest Michigan, the importance of asking for advice early, and the hard work that went into building a multi-million dollar business.

Join host Scott Lollar, host of the Beyond $1,000,000 Podcast and owner/coach at Consulting4Contractors as Phil opens up about the strategic changes he made to maximize profitability and his "aha moment" when he realized he had the wrong people in the wrong seats. Through others' advice, including his own father-in-law's, Phil looked at the sectors of his business that were losing money and overcame his fear of "firing customers" and raising prices. By narrowing down his customer base, he saw positive results and used various funding options to expand his spray division's capacity and capabilities.

Finally, we delve into the operations, staffing, and company culture of PMV Custom Finishes. Phil shares his insights on streamlining his spray operation for increased efficiency, implementing the EOS entrepreneurial operating system, and the significance of reaching out for help. We explore PMV's org chart, revenue targets, and their unique "secret sauce," which includes a family-first benefits package, hiring based on skill and personality, and empowering those with no painting experience whatsoever. Don't miss this eye-opening conversation with Phil VanderLaan as we take you on his journey to success.

About Phil VanderLaan:

Phil VanderLaan founded PMV Custom Finishes in 2001 and has maintained an active role in company operations and management ever since. He also provides oversight of the company and its growth.

Phil holds a builder’s license and is a member of the Home Builder’s Association of Western Michigan. He and his wife, Katie, are the proud parents of three children, Taylor, Drew, and Mackenzie. They live in the Kalamazoo area and are active members of their community.

----Links from this Episode----

• Open invitation for a free discovery call with Scott Lollar
• Consulting4Contractors’ Website
• PMV Custom Finishes
• PMV Custom Finishes on Instagram
• Check out this video of Consulting4Contractors' Operations Module, one of our flagship Done-For-You tech offerings, and what PMV Custom Finishes utilizes as part of their tech-stack!
• Connect with C4C on Instagram
• Join the C4C community
• Connect on LinkedIn
• Submit to be a guest on our podcast

Credits: 

• Scott Lollar: Host & Founder of Consulting4Contractors
• Phil VanderLaan: Owner/President, Project Manager – Finishing Division, PMV Custom Finishes, Kalamazoo, MI
• Justin Hange: Original music, artwork, transcripts, show notes, audio engineering

-------- EPISODE CHAPTERS ---------

(0:00:00) - Introduction
Phil VanderLaan's journey from college to owning a painting company, the 'Dutch mafia' in Southwest Michigan, and hard work to grow his business are discussed.

(0:13:53) - Maximizing Profitability Through Strategic Changes
Phil VanderLaan pivoted from college to landscaping, then to eventually to owning a painting business, overcame fear of firing customers and raising prices, and used economic opportunities to expand capacity and capabilities.

(0:19:11) - PMV's Operations, Staffing, and Culture
Phil discussed streamlining his spray operation, EOS principles, org chart, revenue targets, and PMV's family-first benefits package.

(0:27:06) - Growing Business With Tech & Planning
Phil VanderLaan shares his journey from college to owning a painting business, discussing software, tools, EOS process, delegation, transparency, and advice for entrepreneurs.

--------- EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS ---------
(0:9:13) - Knowing Your Numbers

(0:11:52) - How To Crawl Out Of A Bad Job

(0:14:27) - Drains Vs. Gains

(0:15:31) - You Might Need To Fire Your Customers

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Rick Holtz, the third-generation owner of H.J. Holtz & Son, and newest coach with the Consulting4Contractors team.  We uncover the secrets of transforming a family business from a $300,000 company to a multi-million-dollar organization employing over 60 people. You won't want to miss this insightful journey as Rick shares his experiences of taking the reins of his family's business and scaling it in just 12 years through embracing challenges and opportunities.

Throughout our discussion, we dive into what it takes to be a successful owner and leader, including the essential aspects of delegation, trusting others, and fostering a strong company culture. Rick provides valuable insights into "The Holtz Way," the core values that have driven H.J. Holtz & Son's success, emphasizing teamwork, customer care, and the importance of trust in building a thriving business. By understanding and embracing these principles, Rick has been able to elevate his family business to new heights.

Get ready to absorb invaluable advice for growing contractors as we explore the importance of mentorship, reflection, and self-confidence. Learn how to find the right people to collaborate with, invest in their capabilities, and trust in their potential. Hear about Rick's experience with delegation, embracing challenges, and his vision for the future of his company. This episode is packed with knowledge and inspiration you won't want to miss!

About Rick Holtz:
Having joined his father and grandfather’s business in 1994, Rick has been vital in the growth and modernization of H.J. Holtz & Son, Inc. Now President, he has been instrumental in initiating relationships with contractors not only in the Richmond area, but in Charlottesville, Fredericksburg, Williamsburg, and Tappahannock, VA to name a few. He has also added technology to the business and is making the most of modern amenities such as specialized computer software, digital photography, and paint removal equipment. Rick has maintained and built on the strong work ethic and professionalism set forth by his father and grandfather. He is respected for his determination and integrity in his business and with his family.

----Links from this Episode----

• Open invitation for a free discovery call with Scott Lollar/Rick Holtz
• Consulting4Contractors’ Website
• H.J. Holtz & Sons, Inc.
• H.J. Holtz & Sons on Instagram
• "The Holtz Way" Company Values
• Check out this video of Consulting4Contractors' Operations Module, one of our flagship Done-For-You tech offerings
• Connect with C4C on Instagram
• Join the C4C community
• Connect on LinkedIn
• Submit to be a guest on our podcast

Credits: 

• Scott Lollar: Host & Founder of Consulting4Contractors
• Rick Holtz: President, H.J. Holtz & Son, Richmond, VA; Coach, Consulting4Contractors
• Justin Hange: Original music, artwork, transcripts, show notes, audio engineering

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Episode Highlights:
* Taking Over a Family Business | 0:14:19 - 0:15:28 (69 Seconds)

Rick:
And I feel like that was a real key to me And one of the biggest things people will say oh, you're a third generation business. Having your dad build a business and you come in is easy. That's not easy. Building a business from scratch is not easy. And I have the utmost respect for people like that. But coming into a business that has someone else's personality and someone else's name on it, that has its own challenges as well.

* Learning to Be an Owner | 0:20:29 - 0:21:44 (76 Seconds)

Rick:
But I think the first major thing he really did is taught me what it meant to be an owner. Bill at first was like, "Do you go to the paint store?" And I was like, "Yeah, I go to the paint store. I'm a painter." (Bill) "Come on, you can't go to the paint store anymore." And I'm like, "Really, but I like those people there, they're nice people!" (Bill) "No, an owner of a paint company does not go to the paint store." And that's such an elementary thing, and it's very basic. But that was a pinnacle kind of statement for me, because it was something I did for how many years? What, maybe almost 20 years or something like that, or 16 years, 16 years? And all of a sudden not to do it anymore? So I had to understand what it meant to be an owner and to get things done through other people, cause that's really hard. 

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Episode Chapters/Summaries:

(0:00:00) - Growing a Multi-Million Dollar Painting Company (9 Minutes)

Rick Holtz, the third-generation owner of H.J. Holtz & Son in Richmond, Virginia, shares his story of how he took his family’s business from making $300,000 in revenue to a multi-million-dollar business with over 60 employees. We discuss the challenges of taking on an existing business and the importance (but eventual impossibility) of consistently saying yes to opportunities and getting the business in front of more people.

(0:09:11) - Building a Multi-Generational Business (11 Minutes)

Rick shares his journey of taking over his family's business and scaling it to a $5 million business in 12 years. He talks about the difficulties he faced during the financial crisis of 2008 and how he relied on the help of Bill Silverman, his personal coach, to get back on the right track. He also discusses the importance of relying on others and learning from their experiences in order to grow and succeed.

(0:20:29) - Becoming a Successful Owner/Leader (6 Minutes)

Rick shares the importance of understanding what it means to be an owner, and how to delegate and trust other people to grow and shine in their roles. Rick's journey of learning how to become more of an owner, delegating and allowing his team to flourish, and the importance of alignment and culture in his business is discussed. The need for an orchestrated system of roles and how marketing, sales, production and human resources must all work together for success is also discussed.

(0:26:15) - The Holtz Way (3 Minutes)

We discuss the core values at H.J. Holtz Son and the importance of teamwork, caring for customers and employees, and understanding the importance of trust in creating a successful business. We explore how building a culture of trust and caring for each other can result in higher quality work, increased customer loyalty, and greater profits for the company. By understanding the "

In this episode, Scott and Mike dig into a couple more questions they receive from their own coaching clients, and other contractors.

In this episode, you'll hear their thoughts on: 

• How to plan for when your schedule starts to thin out
• What a good "backlog" looks like from their vantage points (it's not what you might think)
• Leveraging customer flexibility to your advantage
• Making good use of a CRM tool for attracting cold leads
• Job minimums and how they can help your company in the long run

Also In This Episode: 

• Open invitation for a free discovery call with Scott Lollar
• Consulting4Contractors’ Website
• Check out this video of our Operations Module, one of our flagship Done-For-You tech offerings
• Join our community
• Connect on LinkedIn
• Submit to be a guest on our podcast

Credits: 

• Scott Lollar: Host & Founder of Consulting4Contractors
• Mike Katounas: Owner, Home Works Painting, Chantilly, VA; Coach, Consulting4Contractors
• Justin Hange: Original music, artwork, transcripts, audio engineering

If you've ever wondered whether hiring our subcontractors is the right thing to do, or whether having a project manager within your business makes sense or not, then our first Q&A episode with Scott & Mike is a must-listen!

Scott & Mike will cover: 

• Best practices when it comes to hiring out subs 
• Where they find the best subs for their companies 
• How to handle customer questions about subcontractors 
• Whether a project manager is a necessary hire or not 
• Paying subs in as convenient a way as possible. 

Also In This Episode: 

• Open invitation for a discovery call with Scott Lollar
• Consulting4Contractors’ Website
• Check out this video of our Operations Module, one of our flagship Done-For-You tech offerings
• Join our community
• Connect on LinkedIn
• Submit to be a guest on our podcast

Credits: 

• Scott Lollar: Host & Founder of Consulting4Contractors
• Mike Katounas: Owner, Home Works Painting, Chantilly, VA; Coach, Consulting4Contractors
• Justin Hange: Original music, artwork, transcripts, audio engineering

Consulting 4 Contractors is so glad to welcome Mark Black, owner of Men In White Painting, to the podcast.  Mark started Men In White, located in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, after a few "false starts" in the painting industry. 

We admire Mark, not only for his vision of what's possible, but his determination, humility, and not trying to do everything on his own.

Here's a great quote from show host Scott Lollar that sums up who this episode is for:

"Mark is classic entrepreneur and entrepreneurs chase shiny objects every day...if that's you  Mark's a kindred spirit...I would say over the last four months... I've seen a lot of growth...[and] if you're going to grow in a significant way and [Mark's] talking towards the $2,000,000 this year, you are going to have to stay in your lane and ascend to more of a CEO level and mentor  and be more leadership and monitor your data and let your people do their thing or else you're gonna get stuck."

Mark's story isn't just hustling and picking yourself up by the bootstraps. 

It's taking a good, honest look at what you're good at, what you're not good at, leveraging the strengths, delegating the weaknesses, then creating a company culture where loyal employees feel like family.

Mark has long blown past "Death Valley" (between $500k and $750k annual revenue), and we hope his story inspires you to do the same.

Listen In For:

• How Mark started a painting business before Men In White, and why he thinks it failed
• How volume of jobs wasn't the thing holding Mark and his company back from growth
• Unique (but very doable) ways that Mark helps create a company culture in which people love to work
• How Men In White leveraged various professional inputs (including Consulting 4 Contractors) to open a second location and increase their service area

Also In This Episode:

• Open invitation for a discovery call
• Scott Lollar, founder of Consulting 4 Contractors 
• Mark Black, owner of Men In White Painting, Mt. Vernon, Illinois
• Consulting 4 Contractors Website
• Men In White Painting on Facebook
• Men In White Painting on Instagram
• Men In White Painting’s Website
• See a demo of C4C’s proprietary painting business tech stack (used by Men In White Painting) in action
• Join Consulting 4 Contractors' Facebook Community to connect with other contractors like you!
• Connect with Consulting 4 Contractors on LinkedIn
• Submit to be a guest on the podcast

Credits:

-Hosted by Scott Lollar

-Guest speaker: Mark Black, Men In White Painting

-Music, artwork, transcripts, mixed by Justin Hange

In this episode, we sit down with Nick Lauro, owner of Lauro Painting in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.  Nick isn’t afraid to confront his own shortcomings and come out a better owner for it.

Are you frustrated with the lack of growth and success in your painting business?  

If Nick’s story has anything to offer it’s this: Maybe it’s not your leads. Maybe it’s not your employees. Maybe it’s not your location. Maybe it’s you.

Listen In For:

• Nick’s transformation from a me-focused business to an others-focused business
• Key things that helps Nick assess his company’s health
• Ways Nick keeps employee health and growth a top priority

Also In This Episode:

• Open invitation for a discovery call
• Scott Lollar, founder of Consulting4Contractors 
• Nick Lauro, owner of Lauro Painting
• Consulting4Contractors Website
• Lauro Painting on Facebook
• Lauro Painting’s Website
• See a demo of C4C’s proprietary painting business tech stack in action
• Join our community
• Connect on LinkedIn
• Submit to be a guest on our podcast

Credits:

-Hosted by Scott Lollar

-Guest speaker: Nick Lauro, Lauro Painting

-Music, artwork, transcripts, mixed by Justin Hange

In our very first episode, Scott sits down with Mike Katounas, fellow Consulting4Contractors coach, to find out about how Mike got his start, scaled his business to the multi-million dollar company it is today, and shed some insight on how they specialize helping business like yours scale to $1,000,000 annual revenue and beyond.

Main Topics

• Mike's start in the painting industry with his dad's company (1:45)
• Mike's first few years on his own (7:50)
• Scott and Mike's thoughts on Mike scaling his painting business to the next level (17:50) 
• Mike's business philosophy and approach to company culture (26:35)

Additional Resources

• Schedule A Free Discovery Call With Scott Here
• Connect with us on LinkedIn Here
• Home Works Painting in Chantilly, VA
• Check out our webinars where Mike does some live demos of the Operations Module system he implemented for his company, and that we can also do for yours!