The Contractor Grow Show

In this episode of The Contractor Grow Show, Mark sits down with Chris Obry, owner of OBRY Brick & Landscape in Armada, Michigan, to unpack how he’s built a thriving, owner-operated hardscape and landscape construction business over nearly 30 years. Chris shares how starting on a sod farm led to a turf and landscape degree from Michigan State and eventually to launching his own company back in 1997. He explains why he’s stayed focused on design-build hardscapes—patios, walkways, outdoor kitchens, poolside living areas, and planting projects—without getting pulled into mowing, fertilization, and other maintenance work. You’ll hear how COVID accelerated demand for outdoor living, what today’s homeowners expect from premium backyard projects, and why “indoor amenities outside” has become the new standard in brick and landscape design.

Chris also breaks down why he’s committed to remaining the direct point of contact—from the first site visit and design sketches to being on-site with the crew—and how that owner-accessible approach has fueled near-100% word-of-mouth growth and repeat projects for customers’ kids and second homes. He talks candidly about staying small by design, training lead guys to take on more responsibility, and planning for a smooth transition as he moves gradually from field work into more sales and leadership. If you’re a contractor who wants to grow through reputation, craftsmanship, and personal relationships (without turning into a faceless multi-crew operation), this episode is packed with practical insight you can apply to your own market.

Bullet points (episode highlights):

• How Chris went from sod farm worker to Michigan State turf grad to launching OBRY Brick & Landscape in 1997.
• Why he stayed niche on hardscape and construction-focused landscaping instead of chasing recurring maintenance revenue.
• The owner-operated model: being the one who sells, designs, and works on-site—and why clients love it.
• How COVID and changing homeowner lifestyles exploded demand for outdoor kitchens, grill stations, fire features, and poolside living spaces.
• Designing functional outdoor “hubs” for families that entertain—separating kids, adults, dining, and lounge zones the right way.
• Working in a rural market northeast of Detroit while still taking on referral projects across the wider region when they’re a strong fit.
• Building a five-star, referral-driven reputation over three decades and now doing projects for customers’ grown children and second homes.
• Planning the next chapter: training lead crew members, shifting toward more sales, and keeping growth aligned with lifestyle and values.

Seth Raile of FAST-IR Inc. shares how whole-home energy audits using infrared imaging, blower door testing, and even drones help Denver-area homeowners eliminate drafts, fix comfort issues, and lower utility bills without wasting money on the wrong upgrades. You’ll also hear how his lean, family-run operation adds recurring revenue with swamp cooler maintenance and commercial fire extinguisher inspections while serving Colorado’s mountain communities.

• Why most homes (especially pre-2008) are leaking money through hidden insulation gaps and air leaks
• How infrared cameras, blower doors, and drones reveal problems without opening walls or tearing into finished spaces
• Simple upgrades that often beat new windows for comfort and 10–30%+ energy savings in older homes
• How to tap into Xcel Energy programs and BPI “house-as-a-system” standards to boost credibility and close more jobs
• Adding recurring revenue with evaporative/swamp cooler startups, shutdowns, and seasonal maintenance across greater Denver
• Building a zero-overhead, owner–operator model that keeps prices sharp while delivering premium communication and service
• Using fire extinguisher inspections to serve local businesses, stay compliant with NFPA 10, and fill your calendar year-round
• A behind-the-scenes look at Seth’s multi-generational “big house” triplex and how living arrangements can support a resilient contracting business

In this episode of The Contractor Grow Show, Mark Lamberth sits down with Seattle remodeler and AmyWorks owner, Amy Ecklund, to unpack how she went from a science career and a shaky handyman franchise to building a women- and queer-owned remodeling company on track for $3M–$5M in revenue. Amy shares how she navigated the 2008 crash, pivoted from handyman work to high-value remodels, and is now systemizing her company so it can run without her as she prepares for retirement. You’ll also hear how Amy is launching a VIP home maintenance subscription that brings a licensed home inspector and quarterly maintenance visits into homeowners’ lives, preventing costly repairs before they happen. Along the way, Amy and Mark talk about awards, community work, and what it’s really like to be a woman in the trades while building trust with remodel clients.

Bullet points

• How Amy went from science professional to handyman franchise owner to founder of AmyWorks in Seattle.
• The decision to shut down, pivot from handyman services to remodels, and rebuild into a multi‑million dollar company.
• Why systemizing operations and tracking KPIs is key to scaling toward $3M–$5M in revenue and an eventual exit.
• The origin story and structure of AmyWorks’ VIP Home Maintenance Plan and why prevention beats expensive emergency repairs.
• How being a women- and queer-owned remodeling company helps build instant trust with many homeowners.
• The role of community involvement, tiny home villages, and awards like Master Builders and Inc. 5000 in brand building.
• Amy’s take on marketing “by the numbers” and how coaching shifted her view of marketing from vague to data-driven.
• Why trusted vendor relationships (roofers, specialists, and more) are a powerful value-add for maintenance-plan clients

Plumbing growth without sacrificing craftsmanship. In this episode of The Contractor Grow Show, Mark Capehart of AR Mac Plumbing shares how he scaled from Arizona to Tampa, built a referral-driven business, and keeps standards sky-high while adding more trucks to the road.

You’ll learn:

• Why Mark named AR Mac Plumbing for maximum visibility in old-school Yellow Pages and modern search.
• How storms and insurance work reshaped his Florida business from commercial-heavy to residential and back again.
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• The payment terms and phased billing strategies he uses so GCs fund jobs without upfront deposits.
• How he finds and develops young talent through high school trade programs instead of overpaying mediocre “managers.”
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• Why he refuses to compete on price, avoids track-home work, and focuses on inspectors complimenting his craftsmanship.
• The surprising reason national brands prefer his “non-local” LA number for Florida commercial projects.
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• His plan to add more trucks, expand licensing into multiple states, and grow steadily without losing control of quality.

If you’re a contractor who wants to grow 10–40% this year while staying profitable and proud of your work, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of The Contractor Grow Show, host Mark Lamberth sits down with Alan Ruttencutter of Service Plus Garage Doors in Seymour, Tennessee, to unpack how he built a thriving garage door company by doubling down on community, culture, and customer experience. Starting in 2009 at the height of the housing crisis with just himself and his wife, Alan has grown the business to a nine-person team serving a 50–60 mile radius around Knoxville, Gatlinburg, and the surrounding areas.​

Alan shares the simple systems and mindset shifts that turned Service Plus Garage Doors into a highly reviewed, referral-driven business, including how they collect Google reviews, why they invested in the largest garage door showroom in their market, and the community events that now function as local family traditions. If you’re a contractor or home service pro looking to stand out in your market without pushy sales tactics, this conversation is packed with practical ideas you can swipe and deploy in your own company.​

Bullet Points (show notes / description bullets)

• How Alan launched a garage door company in 2009 during the housing crash and grew to a nine-person team.
• The “treat them like family” service philosophy that drives referrals without high-pressure sales.
• The exact review process they use with QR codes, tech business cards, and name recognition to consistently earn new Google reviews.
• Why they invested in the area’s largest garage door showroom and how it helps homeowners see, hear, and feel doors before buying.
• The community-first events (Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s, Mother’s and Father’s Day) that turned Service Plus into a local tradition.
• How involving employees’ families, company picnics, and Christmas outings has helped retain long-term team members.
• Simple mindset shifts contractors can use to build trust, earn referrals, and become a true staple in their community.

In this episode of The Contractor Grow Show, Mark sits down with Loannie “Luan” Reyes, co-founder and CEO of Authentic Elevator Services Corp., an eight-figure, family-owned elevator company serving New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico—with eyes on Florida and Connecticut next. Starting as an accountant with zero field experience, Luan learned the trade side-by-side with her husband, picked up the tools, became an inspector, and now leads a 25+ person team in one of the most specialized, male-dominated construction niches.

You’ll hear how she builds a high-performing, loyal crew through intentional training, matching techs to the work they love, and treating people like humans—not numbers—while still maintaining strict safety and code compliance standards. Luan also breaks down how Authentic Elevator strategically expands into new markets without sacrificing service quality, why she invests heavily in education even when it means people may leave, and how that culture actually brings top talent back.

Watch or listen in if you’re a contractor or trades business owner who wants to grow beyond a single location, create a culture people don’t want to leave, and build a company that clients and employees trust for the long haul.

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Bullet points (6–8):

• How Luan went from CPA firm and admin background to hands-on elevator mechanic and inspector
• The moment she solo-fixed her first elevator and earned her place in a male-dominated field
• Building an eight-figure, multi-state elevator company with 25+ techs and strategic subcontractors
• Their in-house training “army” model and how they match mechanics’ strengths to the right roles
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• Why they invest heavily in education—even when trained techs leave—and why so many end up coming back
• Non-union, people-first culture: respect on the jobsite, zero yelling, and unwavering safety standards
• Strategic growth into New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and future branches in Florida and Connecticut without diluting service quality
• How Authentic Elevator gives back through industry associations, inspector certification, and developing women in the elevator trade

In this episode of The Contractor Grow Show, Mark Lamberth sits down with Brian Huelsman of Mile High Roofing Services in Westminster, Colorado to unpack how a small, family-run roofing and exteriors company has stayed A+ rated and highly reviewed for over 15 years in one of the most competitive, storm-heavy markets in the country. Brian shares how a bad early experience in roofing sales shaped his “do the right thing” philosophy, why he built Mile High around honesty and referrals, and how he helps homeowners navigate hail damage and insurance without upselling work that isn’t storm-related. You’ll also hear how Mile High handles solar detach/reset, leverages Heather’s real estate background on timing and transactions, and plans to scale while keeping their hands-on, local reputation intact. If you’re a contractor looking to grow with integrity—or a homeowner in Colorado’s Front Range wanting a trustworthy roofer—this conversation is packed with practical, real-world insight.

• How Brian went from unpaid roofing salesman to launching Mile High Roofing in 2010 with an A+ BBB track record and long-term local presence.
• The “do the right thing” mindset that drives referrals, five-star reviews, and repeat business across Westminster and Denver’s north metro communities.
• Why every hail-damage homeowner should work with a general contractor who understands insurance language—not just a roofer bidding off the adjuster’s first estimate.
• How Mile High coordinates detach and reset of existing solar systems without getting tangled in the risks of full-blown solar installation.
• The role Heather’s real estate experience plays in nailing inspection deadlines, transaction timing, and communication with agents and buyers.
• Mile High’s flexible service area—from Westminster and the North Metro Front Range to occasional out-of-state commercial projects when the numbers make sense.
• Why Brian is shifting from a lifestyle business he largely ran solo into growth mode with more salespeople and managers, and what that means for future opportunities.

Andrew “Drew” DiSilvestro Jr., President of AmeriTech Contracting, joins The Contractor Growth Show to reveal how a 2‑person SDVOSB exploded into an $195M inks / $85M+ revenue federal construction powerhouse in just a few years.

Key takeaways include:

• How Drew took over a fledgling company from a sick founder and turned it into an 86‑person veteran‑focused operation with a massive federal backlog.
• Why systems—not heroes—are the real engine behind stratospheric growth, and how he built processes that don’t rely on any single person.
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• The smart financial strategy he used to scale: starting with low‑bond‑requirement service construction, stacking cash, and building banking and bonding credibility.
• Why culture and intangibles are non‑negotiable: hiring for attitude, training up, and firing fast when standards slip.​
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• How you can hire ahead of revenue—securing A‑player talent early, then creating a roadmap so they slot in at the right time.
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• The role of veteran leadership in shaping accountability, adaptability, and execution across a 22‑state federal construction footprint.
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• Drew’s vision for the next 5–7 years: moving into private healthcare and life‑science work, expanding outside the U.S., and targeting $500M+ annual collected revenue.
• How to reward loyalty without paying for it, and why true loyalty is earned through consistent culture, clear expectations, and leadership from the top

Dynamic Air president Brad Carpenter shares how an employee-first culture, A‑player talent, and a “run to the fire” mindset helped DAC become a go‑to independent rep for complex institutional HVAC and energy recovery projects across labs, healthcare, and high-end commercial buildings in New England.

• How Dynamic Air grew from a founders’ vision into a leading Boston-based independent manufacturers’ rep for complex institutional HVAC systems.
• The employee-first, work–life balance culture that keeps elite sales engineers and technicians on the team in a highly competitive HVAC talent market.
• Why Brad organizes the company like a pro sports team so A players can do their best work and self-manage around shared standards and accountability.
• Real stories of going “all stops” for customers, from cross-border COVID supply chain workarounds to same-day site visits when critical projects are at risk.
• How DAC’s Local 537 pipefitters and Local 17 sheet metal service branches became the missing link between complex engineered systems and reliable field performance.
• Why owning service on high-spec, energy recovery and lab systems protects decades of brand equity and eliminates finger-pointing when something goes wrong.
• The unique “cradle to grave” sales-engineer model that keeps one accountable point of contact from design through installation, startup, and ongoing support.
• How large healthcare, lab, and institutional owners should engage their engineers and DAC together to get the right custom HVAC and energy recovery solution for their next project.

In this episode of The Contractor Grow Show, Mark sits down with Richard Safo, founder of Nature’s Lawn Care in Lakewood, Colorado, to unpack how he turned a small COVID side hustle into a growing local lawn care business serving Denver, Lakewood, Littleton, and Aurora. You’ll hear how Richard quit his full-time job with just 15 clients, pushed through losing nearly half of them, and still managed to grow to about 25 recurring customers by focusing on relationships, word of mouth, and relentless hustle. We dig into his simple but effective sales process, why he insists on visiting every property in person, and how listening first (instead of talking over customers) has become his secret weapon. Richard also shares how he cobbles together marketing—Nextdoor ads, EDDM postcards, door hangers, and even putting cards on cars at the park—to keep his phone ringing. For lawn and landscape pros, his first winter going full time is a must-listen segment, from slow snow seasons to budgeting and saving enough in the busy months to make it through. If you’re a lawn care or landscaping contractor wondering when to go all in, how far to travel for jobs, or how to keep revenue coming in a seasonal business, this conversation will give you real-world insight from someone in the trenches right now.

Bullet points:

• How Richard turned a COVID side hustle into Nature’s Lawn Care in Lakewood, CO
• Quitting his full-time job with 15 clients, losing nearly half, and rebuilding to 25
• Simple, relationship-first sales process from first text or call to on-site estimate
• Why in-person property visits and truly listening to customers set him apart
• Grassroots marketing mix: word of mouth, Nextdoor ads, EDDM, door hangers, and more
• Navigating Colorado’s slow winter season with minimal snow work and smart saving
• Dialing in service area to cut travel costs while still serving Denver, Lakewood, Littleton, and Aurora
• How to contact Nature’s Lawn Care via phone, Instagram, and LinkedIn to book services