Pete Cicconi of Twin Cities Electric joins the show to walk through his path from a 17-year-old vocational student in Pennsylvania to owning his own electrical company in Shakopee. He talks about a five-year apprenticeship, a health crisis that led to an ankylosing spondylitis diagnosis and a move to Maine, and how he ended up in Minnesota after meeting his wife. He opened Twin Cities Electric right before COVID hit and pushed through it with low overhead and no employees. Pete gets into rebranding the business in 2024 around his golden retriever Bruno, why he's hit a ceiling trying to grow past himself and one apprentice, how he wins bids by leading with trust and transparency instead of price, and why he still writes every estimate custom instead of using estimating software, leaning on AI for cleanup and voice-to-text. He closes with a message to the next generation: drop the college-only stigma and dream big in the trades.

00:00: Introduction and Pete's background

01:16: Early influences and vocational school

02:30: Starting his apprenticeship and moving to Maine

03:55: A health crisis and an ankylosing spondylitis diagnosis

05:56: Relocating to Minnesota and getting licensed

08:02: Starting Twin Cities Electric and navigating COVID

09:59: Building the business and rebranding

12:00: Hiring, training, and growing the team

14:59: Branding, the logo, and the family connection

17:59: The challenges of hiring and how to improve it

20:05: Winning bids and building customer trust

23:01: Using technology and AI in the business

27:03: Explaining the bid process and customer communication

29:55: Advice for young people and future tradespeople

32:58: Encouragement to dream big in the trades

34:56: Closing remarks and contact info

📱 CONNECT WITH THE REASONABLE CONTRACTOR: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reasonabletechdad/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584817796278 Website: http://reasonabletechdad.com/

👤 CONNECT WITH PETE CICCONI: Twin Cities Electric: https://twincitieselectricllc.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twincitieselectric/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063893058090

Josh Stensgard of Sky Armor Roofing Siding Windows (Woodbury, MN) walks through how he went from a college dropout and exterior house painter to running a roofing business built entirely around specialization. He talks about learning to hone in on one thing after a conversation with a business mentor at a Grant Cardone event, why leading with a class four impact-resistant shingle saves homeowners money on insurance, and why he treats roofing clients as one-time customers by design: do the job right once and you never have to go back. Josh gets into what door-knocking actually costs you, including getting a shotgun pulled on him on a call, and why finding a real "why" (not money) is what gets you through it. He closes with how he actually uses AI day to day: ranking for local search, building content, and writing hyper-detailed prompts to get real work out of it, plus why he still pays for a coach even with everything AI can do. He also name-checks Adam Bensman's Roofing Sales Survival Guide and Hormozi's Money Models as reads that shaped how he thinks about the business.

00:00: Introduction and Josh's background

00:28: Josh's journey from college dropout to roofing entrepreneur

02:16: Why Josh chose to specialize in roofing, siding, and windows

04:56: What sets Josh apart in high-end roofing bids

06:46: The importance of experience, attention to detail, and transparency

08:15: Using insurance benefits as a sales advantage

09:16: The significance of a strong 'why' and personal goals

12:03: Challenges of door knocking and building grit

14:25: Crazy stories from door-to-door sales and safety concerns

16:32: The power of branding and social media in roofing

20:33: Overcoming burnout and the importance of perseverance

22:39: Setting and understanding your 'why' for motivation

27:19: The value of trades and career paths outside college

32:02: The role of AI in modern roofing and marketing strategies

36:54: Using AI for content creation, ranking, and business growth

41:38: The importance of detailed prompts and continuous learning in AI 42:44: Closing remarks and future plans

📱 CONNECT WITH THE REASONABLE CONTRACTOR: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reasonabletechdad/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584817796278 Website: http://reasonabletechdad.com/

👤 CONNECT WITH JOSH STENSGARD:

Sky Armor: https://skyarmor.us

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584528734519

Lucas Mark has run Freedom Mitigation and Restoration for four years with no website and no advertising. Every job comes from communication and referrals. In this episode he breaks down exactly how: why he films every customer interaction to kill he-said-she-said disputes before they start, why a phone call still beats a text every time, and why "we'll get to it as soon as possible" is the line that kills more contractor reputations than bad work ever does. Ryan and Lucas dig into the volatility baked into remodels, why vague scope language is a trap disguised as a sales tactic, and the one habit that's saved Lucas from losing money more times than he can count: recording video with the customer, framed as "a me thing, not a you thing."

Heads up: we hit some connection trouble toward the end and the recording cut off early, so this one runs short. What Lucas got into is all here, and it's worth it.

00:00 Introduction and guest background

00:29 Lucas shares his journey into construction

01:08 Transition from family remodeling to commercial projects

02:20 Choosing residential work for control and manageability

03:23 What makes a contractor successful: communication and reliability

04:34 The role of honesty and trust in client relationships

05:44 Handling scope and scope creep in remodels

07:28 The importance of setting expectations upfront

08:26 Using video to document work and set clear expectations

09:24 Leveraging phone calls and modern tech for communication

10:36 The power of early and consistent communication

12:05 How recording videos helps prevent disputes

13:00 Addressing customer concerns with video evidence

🧠 FREE 15-MINUTE AI ASSESSMENT:

I'll find the one spot AI can save your business the most time and point you at the exact tool to do it, no charge. Message me on Facebook or Instagram and we'll set it up.

📱 CONNECT WITH THE REASONABLE CONTRACTOR:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584817796278

Website: https://reasonabletechdad.com/

👤 CONNECT WITH LUCAS MARK:

Freedom Mitigation and Restoration

20 years installing doors and windows, and Mike Bullock has never had to bid a job or sell one. On this episode of The Reasonable Contractor, Mike tells the whole story: hauling garbage at his church, turning down a retail store in South Dakota, and learning windows from one of the best in the business at the Minneapolis Airport Commission.

We get into the craft (flashing is the whole game), the grit (a table saw, a 17-foot fall, and going back to finish the floor the same day he got stitches), and why a guy who works with his hands isn't worried about AI. If you're wondering whether the trades are worth it, this one's for you. There's no ceiling.

Mike runs Bullock's Home Remodeling, specializing in doors and windows across the Twin Cities.

SOUND BITES:

"You can talk yourself out of just about anything you don't want to do. But you can also talk yourself into just about anything you need to do."

"I didn't have to bid jobs. I didn't have to sell jobs. I didn't have to lose out on jobs to other contractors."

"My job's not going anywhere anytime soon. The future of trades is a really promising future."

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Meet Mike Bullock, 20 years in doors and windows

00:31 From hauling garbage at church to falling in love with remodeling

01:05 Slinging jeans at the Buckle, and the South Dakota store he turned down

02:29 Getting hired as a helper: humble, quiet, show up

04:36 Why windows and doors are not as simple as they look

05:11 Learning from one of the best at the Minneapolis Airport Commission

06:38 Flashing, insulating, trimming: how a window really goes in

07:16 The specialization payoff: no bidding, no selling, steady work

08:44 The challenge: working through rain, ten below, and 100 degrees

09:49 The mental game: talk yourself into what you need to do

10:18 Andersen crews, big glass, and the danger of the job

12:04 The table saw story: stitches, then back to finish the floor

13:46 Never trust another man's ladder setup: a 17-foot fall

14:20 Shattered wrist, crew trainer, never missed a bill

16:00 Talking to the next generation about the trades

17:05 No ceiling, and why AI is not coming for the work

18:14 A pulse and a hammer versus applying yourself

19:11 Six-figure trades and killing the blue-collar stigma

21:11 Pick your level: freedom, flexibility, no annual review

23:33 Show up on time and you are in the top 10%

24:18 Wrap up

KEYWORDS: trades, skilled trades, window installation, doors and windows, contractor, remodeling, trades career, Minneapolis, Twin Cities, apprenticeship, blue collar

CONNECT WITH THE REASONABLE CONTRACTOR:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584817796278

Website: http://reasonabletechdad.com/

Michael Fafinski, owner of Gutter Galaxy, is back on the Reasonable Contractor podcast. Six months after his last visit he's cut the homeowner division, gone B2B, and rebuilt how he runs the company around an AI second brain. He's maxing out Claude's $200 plan every week, and he's not writing code. He's running a gutter business.

We get into the real mechanics. An AI executive team trained on actual business books, whole books digested into frameworks the AI loads on demand, and everything in plain folders Michael owns, so no software company can hold his business hostage. Ryan shares the engineer trap rule that stops him from building things nobody asked for, and the 500 pages of estimating tables he scanned into his vault. About 40 focused hours is all that separates you from the people doing this.

Takeaways:

* A second brain is plain text folders the AI reads. You own it and can move it to any AI, any time

* Michael trained AI executives (a CEO, a CRO) on real business books so strategy answers come from real frameworks

* With a vault plus voice dictation you talk to the AI like anoal work

* 95% of people still use AI like a search engine. About 40 focused hours puts you ahead

* Don't wait for the perfect structure. Having a second brain at all is 90% of the battle

Chapters:

* 00:00 - Gutter Galaxy update: going B2B

* 02:52 - The AI executive team, trained on real books

* 05:49 - Whole books into frameworks

* 09:01 - Talking to it like another employee

* 11:53 - Skills: making the AI do real work

* 14:54 - Markdown before the second-brain wave

* 17:52 - Model talk

* 26:04 - Scraping and research

* 28:47 - Startups vs the model companies

* 30:11 - Portability: your brain moves with you

* 32:13 - Open source keeps the big guys honest

* 36:28 - Privacy and the vault

* 38:34 - API keys, trust, and control

* 42:01 - The AI that knows your tendencies

* 44:00 - The engineer trap: validate before you build

* 49:21 - You're not behind: start the second brain

* 50:19 - 500 scanned pages: paper into the vault

* 54:18 - When does the non-technical user get in?

* 01:00:28 - A patient tutor for every kid

* 01:05:38 - AI, education, and who gets hired

* 01:10:55 - Just start: 40 hours puts you ahead

Keywords: ai for contractors, second brain, obsidian, claude, contractor business systems, gutter company, contractor technology, minnesota contractor

In this episode of The Reasonable Contractor podcast, host Ryan Templin interviews Eulyyses Urzua, owner of Amigos Quality Environmental in Burnsville, Minnesota. Eulyyses recounts his journey from a self-described "second chance guy" in Southern California to building a successful asbestos abatement business over the past 10 years. He shares insights on asbestos safety that most people have never heard, the brutal reality of confined space work, and what it takes to build a business when nobody wants to give you a shot. Key discussions include friable vs. non-friable asbestos, working in tunnels, learning from mistakes, staying humble, and why Minnesota gave him opportunities California never could.

TAKEAWAYS:

• Asbestos fibers are invisible to the naked eye—the dust you see isn't the danger, the fibers you can't see are.
• Friable asbestos crumbles easily and becomes airborne fast; non-friable materials like tile and plaster are harder to disturb but still dangerous.
• Water is your best friend in asbestos work—it keeps fibers from going airborne.
• Even new construction materials can contain asbestos; materials imported from certain countries still require testing regardless of age.
• For residential asbestos removal, smaller local companies often deliver better results than large commercial operations because they have more varied experience.
• Building a contracting business takes years of bridge-building; Eulyyses spent 10 years developing relationships with HVAC companies, remodelers, and general contractors.
• Early-stage hustle meant working 6 AM to 3 AM the next day—that intensity built the reputation and client base.
• Entrepreneurs often become slaves to their own business; "freedom" usually means working more hours than everyone else.
• When starting out, ask for the jobs nobody wants—mastering the hard work makes the regular work feel easy.
• Confined space work requires mental discipline; when panic sets in, Eulyyses learned to lay back and pray to keep himself and his crew calm.

SOUND BITES:

• "I always wanted to be my own boss."
• "You just become a slave of your own business."
• "Give me the shittiest job. The job that nobody wants to do. I'll take that all day."
• "If you do the hard stuff, I'm telling you, the regular stuff is easy."
• "Sometimes when I'm in the middle of a job, I want to hire somebody to finish the job."
• "When I moved to Minnesota, I thought my dad had hit the lottery or something."
• "Stay humble, man."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Ulysses Urzua
01:21 Ulysses' Journey into Asbestos Removal
04:03 Understanding Asbestos and Its Dangers
10:35 The Business of Asbestos Removal
12:58 Challenges in the Asbestos Industry
20:37 Working in Confined Spaces
25:54 The Importance of Humility in Business
32:30 Encouraging the Next Generation in Trades

Keywords/Tags: Amigos Quality Environmental, asbestos abatement, asbestos removal, friable asbestos, Burnsville Minnesota, Twin Cities contractors, confined space work, second chance employment, trades career, small business growth, Minnesota construction, environmental remediation, contractor podcast, entrepreneurship, business challenges

In this episode of The Reasonable Contractor podcast, host Ryan Templin interviews Scott Corbin, owner of Corbin's LLC, a multi-trade contracting company running 40-50 jobs simultaneously. Scott shares his raw journey from substance abuse and starting with nothing to building a family of companies including excavation, painting/drywall, and tree services. He discusses the brutal reality of his first year bringing in $280K but walking away with only $70K, why he views his role as "firefighter and babysitter," and the mindset shifts required to scale. Key discussions include building a family culture, learning through expensive mistakes, and why finding your purpose before chasing money is essential.

• Working 17-hour days and bringing in $280K meant nothing when profit after taxes was only $70K - revenue is vanity, profit is sanity
• "Find the reason before you make the money" - if money is your source of happiness, you'll never have enough
• The apostrophe in "Corbin's LLC" is intentional: everyone in the company is family and has a voice
• Five big jobs per year make the real money; the team keeps the lights on the rest of the time
• Losing money on a complex project (zip-up drainage system) was paid training - refusing to do it again would waste that investment
• Surround yourself with people doing what you want to do; you become who you spend time with
• The 18-22 age group is showing up hungry and ready to work; the 25-35 range is the hardest to find quality help
• Reaching out for help is the biggest lesson in business - making something on something beats zero on nothing
• Legacy matters more than cashing out - Minnesota Rusco's collapse shows what happens when you lose control of your vision
• College isn't wrong, trades aren't wrong - it depends on whether you want a 9-to-5 or to build something with no ceiling

• "Find the reason before you make the money. Because if that's the reason why you're happy, there will be no end to the happiness. You will never be happy."
• "There's always better on making something on something than zero on nothing."
• "I started with nothing. Absolutely nothing. I woke up in Minnesota in a treatment center going, how did I get here? That's when I started."
• "Pick up that shovel. Sweep the shop. If I could go back to doing stuff like that, I would pick it every day of the week."

In this episode of The Reasonable Contractor podcast, host Ryan Templin interviews Jake Iskierka, President of 10K Construction in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. Jake recounts his journey from HVAC trade school at Hennepin Tech to co-founding a full-service general contracting company during COVID. He shares insights on customer service philosophy, insurance industry changes, building company culture, and why the competition makes it easy to win by simply answering the phone. Key discussions include the Randy Shaver Foundation partnership, navigating Minnesota's insurance regulation changes, and advice for the next generation considering trades.

TAKEAWAYS:

• Never telling customers "no" builds loyalty—even for problems outside your wheelhouse, tap your network to solve it.
• Answering the phone fast wins jobs; most competitors don't even call back when homeowners reach out to 6-7 companies.
• Minnesota insurance policies are changing significantly—deductibles shifting from flat rates to percentage of home value, and roofs over 10 years may only get actual cash value instead of full replacement cost.
• Profit matters more than revenue; you can sell $10M at 10% profit or $5M at higher margins and come out ahead.
• A real person answering phones beats AI automation—customers need the "warm and fuzzies" from that first contact.
• White glove service and turnkey processes keep quality consistent as the company grows.
• Building a business isn't easy—it takes long nights, family sacrifice, and learning from mistakes.
• Owner-operators in skilled trades (electricians, HVAC, plumbers, concrete, masonry) can make hundreds of thousands per year.
• 10K Construction supports team members who want to eventually start their own companies—they see themselves as a stepping stone.

SOUND BITES:

• "Our competition really makes it easy sometimes to win because they don't even show up."
• "No one else will care as much as you."
• "We're a customer first company."
• "Why not you? What do you want to be when you grow up? Well, why not you?"
• "There's a shit ton of money to be made in construction." (Ryan)

CHAPTERS/TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Introduction and Jake's Background 01:17 – From HVAC Trade School to Construction 02:10 – What 10K Construction Does 02:42 – The "Never Say No" Philosophy 04:09 – Randy Shaver Foundation Partnership 06:13 – How the Partnership Came Together 09:04 – Winning Jobs by Answering the Phone 11:23 – Building the 10K Team and Culture 12:14 – Why Real People Beat AI for Customer Contact 13:47 – Minnesota Insurance Changes Explained 17:55 – Understanding Your Coverage vs. Premium 19:52 – Business Goals and Hiring Plans 21:43 – Growing at the Right Pace 23:27 – Profit vs. Revenue Mindset 25:20 – Work-Life Balance in Construction 28:11 – Challenges: Learning Your Way Isn't the Only Way 30:40 – Hiring for 2026: Two Project Managers 31:53 – Advice for the Next Generation 35:08 – Opportunities in the Trades 35:40 – Wrap-up

Keywords/Tags: 10K Construction, general contractor, insurance restoration, Coon Rapids, Twin Cities contractor, Randy Shaver Foundation, customer service, hiring, trades careers, Minnesota insurance, exterior remodeling, hail damage, insurance claims, construction business, skilled trades

In this episode of The Reasonable Contractor podcast, host Ryan Templin interviews Jason Schmidt, owner of American Plumbing in Burnsville, Minnesota. Jason shares his unexpected journey from aspiring dentist to master plumber, including failing his journeyman test three times and taking over the family business after his father's death in 1999.

They discuss the transition from remodeling to service work, honest pricing that undercuts big companies by 50%, and the business systems that create efficiency. Jason explains why the plumber shortage drives premium pricing, and the personal transformations (becoming morning people, lifestyle changes) that support business success. The conversation concludes with direct advice for the next generation: skip expensive trade school, pursue apprenticeships, and build recession-proof careers without student debt.

Takeaways:

• Jason never intended to become a plumber, initially planning to study dentistry at University of Minnesota
• He failed his journeyman test three times by margins as small as 0.08% before passing
• Big plumbing companies charge $3,000-$4,000 for water heaters Jason installs for $2,000
• The plumber shortage creates supply-demand economics that drive premium pricing across the industry
• Jason transitioned from remodeling to service work primarily for job happiness and satisfaction
• Field Pulse digital management costs $99/month per user and streamlines scheduling and invoicing
• QuickBooks automation eliminated year-end bookkeeping panic and auto-categorizes all business expenses
• Press tool technology reduced basement bathroom plumbing from 8 hours (copper) to 2 hours (PEX)
• Both Jason and Ryan became morning people after years of reprogramming late-night habits
• AI cannot replace skilled trades - it won't unplug toilets or repair frozen pipes
• Apprenticeships offer good pay from day one with no student debt

Sound Bites:

• "I never thought I'd be a plumber."
• "Your plumbing license is a license to steal."
• "I just wasn't happy doing it."
• "What would take me eight hours in copper, I'm home at lunch."
• "AI is not gonna unplug a toilet."
• "You're gonna make good money right out of the gate."
• "This is the first year I'm ready. I'm just waiting for January 1st."
• "Slow learners who don't quit."

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Introduction to American Plumbing
• 01:08 - Jason's Journey: From Dentistry Dreams to Plumbing Reality
• 02:38 - Failing the Journeyman Test Three Times
• 06:59 - Taking Over After His Father's Death (1999)
• 11:24 - The "License to Steal" and Big Company Pricing
• 12:18 - Choosing Service Work Over Remodeling for Happiness
• 15:01 - Real Numbers: $2,000 vs $4,000 Water Heater Pricing
• 18:33 - The Plumber Shortage and Market Economics
• 20:06 - Field Pulse: $99/Month Digital Management System 21:30 - QuickBooks Automation: Eliminating Year-End Panic
• 23:00 - Inventory Management and Shop Efficiency
• 26:36 - Copper vs PEX: From 8 Hours to 2 Hours
• 27:56 - Becoming Morning People: Breaking Late-Night Habits
• 30:05 - Slow Learners Who Don't Quit Build What They're Proud Of
• 34:25 - Advice for Next Generation: Apprenticeships Beat Trade School
  

  Keywords: plumbing business, journeyman plumber, master plumber, American Plumbing, apprenticeship, trade career, business systems, Minnesota contractor, Burnsville plumber, water heater pricing, morning routine

In this episode of The Reasonable Contractor podcast, host Ryan Templin interviews Michael Fafinski, founder of Gutter Galaxy. Michael recounts his entrepreneurial start from lawn mowing at 16 to building a gutter business in college. He shares insights on systems, SOPs, marketing challenges, Google Business Profiles, and why young people should consider trades. Key discussions include scaling through subcontracting, rebranding strategies, and implementing EOS Traction for business operations.

Takeaways:

• Michael started his entrepreneurial journey at 16 with lawn mowing.
• Subcontracting allowed for scaling without direct field work.
• Communication, craftsmanship, and hassle-free service differentiate Gutter Galaxy.
• Rebranding to Gutter Galaxy targeted direct-to-homeowner expansion.
• Google My Business is essential for local SEO and lead generation.
• Consistency in reviews and posts boosts GMB rankings.
• Implementing EOS Traction helps organize vision and operations.
• Young people should consider trades over college for better ROI.
• Jump into business to learn; balance systems with action.
• Annual strategic reviews provide clarity for growth.

• "I started lawn mowing at 16."
• "I want to be the go-to gutter guy."
• "Jump in and start doing it!"
• "My favorite SOP is how to create an SOP."
• "We need more young people in trades."

• 00:00 Introduction and Entrepreneurial Family Background
• 01:27 First Business Ventures: Lawn Mowing
• 02:59 Learning Management and Subcontracting
• 04:25 Launching Gutter Business in College
• 05:23 Balancing College Life and Business
• 07:56 Systems and Vetting Crews
• 08:48 Rebranding to Gutter Galaxy
• 09:01 Fox and Friends Appearance
• 10:17 Iterating Through Challenges
• 11:19 Favorite SOP: Creating SOPs
• 11:49 What Differentiates Gutter Galaxy
• 12:47 Annual Strategic Review
• 14:56 Marketing Challenges and Shifts
• 18:22 Google Ads vs. SEO
• 19:09 Power of Google My Business
• 21:37 Consistency in Reviews and Posts
• 22:26 Geotagging and Keywords
• 23:23 AI Tools and Building for Contractors
• 25:04 Navigating GMB Suspensions
• 26:10 Multiple GMB Strategies
• 29:30 Current Business Challenges
• 30:46 Implementing EOS Traction
• 31:51 Advice for Next Generation in Trades
• 35:58 Plugs and Contact Info
  
  Keywords/Tags:
  

  Gutter Galaxy, entrepreneurship, trades, marketing, business systems, Google My Business, construction industry, young entrepreneurs, performance metrics, rebranding, SOPs, KPIs, lead generation, subcontractors, EOS Traction