Contractor Innovation

In this high energy episode, Sean interviews Jesse Lane of J Lane Construction out of Jacksonville FL. Jesse shares his whirlwind background story and how doubling down his focus allowed him to build a multi-seven figure construction company in 6 short years. We dive into the opportunities that lie in commercial contracting and how to get your foot in the door in this arena. Jesse shares some great insights for growth, teams and scaling up: Jesse’s top 3 keys: Communication Top Quality Work Great Team Leverage a virtual office service like Intelligent Office:https://www.intelligentoffice.com or Pink Callers: https://www.pinkcallers.com/to get high value service at a fraction of in-house pricing Use video whenever possible. Record yourself explaining jobs, post on social, share on your website. Get client video testimonials. Let your website be your digital billboard. Make it as high quality as you can with real sample projects to help clients envision working with you Setup a “client training” page on your website where you put up videos for clients to better understand how they can follow their project online and be apart of the process: Example: https://www.jlaneconstruction.com/training Document your SYSTEMS. Write step by step manuals for every task and responsibility in your company. Use tools like http://www.get-systemized.com/ Use a cloud-based CRM system: Buildertrend: https://www.buildertrend.com Use promo code JLANE60 to get 60 days free trial       Get in touch with Jesse: Subscribe to his youtube channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1Xa3EduXCFEtGa4SeQOR1w Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jesselane123   DM and talk directly with Jesse on our Contractor Innovation FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2193320537569847/     Looking to systemize your business? Join our new software program - Systemize: your one-stop shop for documenting, editing, delegating and storing systems in your business.   Join us as a founding member of our Beta group: www.contractorinnovation.com/software

In this episode, we speak with Joseph Toppi and 20-year veteran to the contracting industry. Joseph has personally built several multi-million dollar construction firms on his own and has packaged his knowledge into a coaching practice to help others achieve the financial freedom they desire. This episode covers one of the most frequently asked topics in the Contractor Innovation community.. How do I better understand my numbers? Joseph goes deep with loads of useful takeaways to get you the knowledge you need to better understand where your money goes. Resources: The 12 Essential Construction Numbers: https://www.josephtoppi.com/offers/WU6Touqz/checkout 3 Tiers of Bidding Contractors: The Charity: bids time an material.  Not profitable The Hobbyist: occasionally adds in Overhead if he/she thinks they can command it on that job The Business Owner: recovers and profits on every project by properly accounting for all costs, expenses, overhead and profit The 3 Buckets of Spending: https://www.josephtoppi.com/blog/3-buckets-of-spending If you own equipment you really own two different companies: An operating business (does the work in the field) And a rental business - where equipment is accounted for and rented for operations 3 Main Metrics of Overhead Recovery: Total Costs of the Equipment Total Life Expectancy Actual Usage Factors often overlooked in calculating Labor costs: Unbillables: meetings, down time, travel Benefits, perks, giveaways Payroll Liability Works Compensation insurance   Get in touch with Joseph Toppi: Website: https://www.josephtoppi.com Check out his courses: https://www.josephtoppi.com/store Check him out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joseph.toppi.35   Ask him a question in our private free Facebook group Contractor Innovation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2193320537569847/   Looking to systemize your business? Join our new software program Systemize: your one-stop shop for documenting, editing, delegating and storing systems in your business.   Join us as a founding member of our Beta group: www.contractorinnovation.com/software   Questions or comments? Email me: sean@contractorinnovation.com

In this episode, Sean does a solocast on the topic of how to professionally end the relationship with customers that are a bad fit for us. This can be a really tricky situation and one that needs to handled in a specific manner. We talk about the Four Types of Bad Customers and Sean shares exact scripts and examples of how to have the “breakup” conversation with each type. To see the text version of this episode and read the scripts visit: https://www.contractorinnovation.com/blog/fire-bad-customers Looking to systemize your business? Join our new software program - Systemize: your one-stop shop for documenting, editing, delegating and storing systems in your business.   Join us as a founding member of our Beta group: www.contractorinnovation.com/software

This week Sean interviews Justin Woodford of A cut Above (1-855-RILAWNS) and Ready Business Systems. Justin started his lawn and landscaping business as a high school job and turned it into a fully automated operation that runs smoothly without him. In this episode, we talk about how to identify your strengths as a business owner and why you should surround yourself with others that compliment your weakness to achieve success. Justin focuses on creating predictable results in his business and he does so through a strict adherence to leveraging technology and automations in every system in his business.  Justin has taken his knowledge and expertise in automations and business building and started a consulting helping other contractors do the same with Ready Business Systems.   Resources: CRM system (Customer Relationship Management software): serviceautopilot.com Payroll Software: gusto.com VOIP phone system with answering service: http://readybusinesssystems.com/phone-system Look to outsource your marketing and collection to third parties so to not bog down your office staff Be your managers and office team’s coach/mentor. Guide them by giving them the environment to make the right decisions   Get in touch with Justin: Consulting: http://readybusinesssystems.com Service Autopilot services:  http://readybusinesssystems.com/service-autopilot Check him out on facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ReadyBusinessSystems/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGK1kNm2qavYGKWf7qU3Gog    Looking to systemize your business? Join our new software program - Systemize: your one-stop shop for documenting, editing, delegating and storing systems in your business.   Join us as a founding member of our Beta group: www.contractorinnovation.com/software   Questions, comments, suggestions? Send me an email: sean@contractorinnovation.com  

Sean interview Josh Petosa of ZipWhip a business texting platform for contractors and service companies. We talk about how texting is becoming the preferred communication channel amongst homeowners and property owners. Why texting is one of the best ways to create a great customer experience, stay top of mind and mitigate complaints in our business. Josh touches on how consistent communication and giving your clients a frictionless channel like texting to voice a concern or ask a question can be a differentiator that moves the needle in our business.   Resources: https://www.zipwhip.com To learn more text: Contractor to 816.3982 Josh’s email: jpetosa@zipwhip.com State of Texting Report: https://www.zipwhip.com/state-of-texting/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9QNUcuoBsE Looking to systemize your business? Join our new software program - Systemize: your one-stop shop for documenting, editing, delegating and storing systems in your business. Join us as a founding member of our Beta group: https://www.contractorinnovation.com/software

In this episode, we speak with Shawn Day of Blue Skies Recruiting + Admin Services. Shawn cut his teeth in the cleaning industry growing his business to over 40 employees before selling his company to Blue Skies Services in 2016. Since then, Shawn and his team have focused on rapid growth through acquisition and the creation of a top-notch employee recruiting system. We talk in detail about the step by step process Shawn and his team use including How to setup a job ad, how to implement a “knockout” phase, and how to weed out the poor fits through a simple system that makes candidates jump through a few initial hoops. Shawn explains how he implements an assessment system to screen candidates automatically gather precious data about their character BEFORE ever interviewing them. He then describes why it is important to always be recruiting even if you are not hiring at the moment.   Resources: Blue Skies Cleaning Services: https://www.blueskiesservices.com/ Blue Skies Recruiting Services: http://yourblueskies.com/sale/ See Recruiting checklist on above link^^^ Shawn’s email: recruiting@blueskiesservices.com Looking to systemize your business? Join our new software program - Systemize: your one-stop shop for documenting, editing, delegating and storing systems in your business.   Join us as a founding member of our Beta group: www.contractorinnovation.com/software

In this episode we unpack a ton of value about understanding what a sales pipeline is, how to manage our leads, expertly managing your time and handling buyer objections. Mike Claudio of Winrate Consulting helps contractors and construction professionals to dominate their sales processes. Mike works one on one with you on a monthly basis to uncover your blind spots and reveal the keys to doubling your sales this year. Check out Mike’s programs: https://winrateconsulting.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mike.claudio.56 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-claudio-53812b63/ Looking to systemize your business? Join our new software program - Systemize: your one-stop shop for documenting, editing, delegating and storing systems in your business. Join us as a founding member of our Beta group: www.contractorinnovation.com/software

In this interview, we talk with Nicole Landau of Landau Accounting and Consulting. Nicole specializes in providing tax, financial and accounting services for the construction industry. We talk about understanding tracking your numbers, material costs and overhead recover. Nicole gives insights into how technology can make accounting simple and easy. She also talks about how cashflow is king in small businesses and why proper books actually MAKES you money. Reach out to Nicole directly: http://www.landauconsultingsolutions.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolelandau1/   Looking to systemize your business? Join our new software program - Systemize: your one-stop shop for documenting, editing, delegating and storing systems in your business.   Join us as a founding member of our Beta group: www.contractorinnovation.com/software

Sean interviews Clay Martin of Martin Recruiting & Consulting an agency focused on providing Puerto Rican laborers to the Green, construction and manufacturing industries. With a background in the green industry, Clay quickly recognized the massive skilled labor shortage happening in the U.S. and decided to take action. Being bilingual, Clay began making relationships in Puerto Rico and realized this was the perfect opportunity to bridge the labor shortage gap. His agency has a unique offering in which they help facilitate the coordination and onboarding of Puerto Rican laborers for contracting companies.   Resources: Culture building activities engrain positive work environments Nurture cross-cultural training H2B: https://www.h1base.com/content/h2bvisa Contact Martin Recruiting and Clay: https://martin-recruiting.com/ clay@martin-recruiting.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clay-martin-7788b179/?trk=profile-badge-cta www.contractorinnovation.com/software

Sean interviews Ricky Regalado of Rozalado Services a building service contractor out of the Chicago area. Ricky has an amazing story of how he doubled down on what was working in his affiliate and relationship-based marketing to scale to $7Million in revenue in just 6 short years. Ricky talks about how diversifying your services can be a double-edged sword and he lays out actionable tips about how to think differently regarding your service offering. We talk about his unique walkthrough and proposal process that allows him to delegate his workload to his more than 200 employees. This episode cover a wide-range including how Ricky went from part-time franchisee to operating in over 11 states in just 6 years.   Resources from this episode: Quickbooks: quickbooks.com Ricky’s Company: https://rozaladocleaning.com/ Ricky’s software tool for building contractors - Route: getroute.com   Check Ricky and his team out on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickyregalado/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ricky.regalado.39?fref=search&__tn__=%2Cd%2CP-R&eid=ARBv0EobD5U_HRjDuNknCxuzHi1YXBwVYF9JFXe5hi0sNyqfndQbrZRvixLN7bd1B02mgse1np71mGyz Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn4cyQRGICzCxq2pElKHhpA   Want more tips on systemizing and scaling your contracting business? Join the conversation in our private Facebook group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/2193320537569847/?ref=bookmarks See more of our content at: https://www.contractorinnovation.com/ www.contractorinnovation.com/software

In this episode, Sean interviews Kevin Bold of Abundant Tree Care in Louisville, Kentucky. Kevin built his grass roots tree service from humble beginnings into a Million Dollar business in just 7 short years. Kevin discusses how we doubled down on his company culture and this focus was the catalyst for allowing him to leave the field for good and eventually run a completely remote business. He lives his passion everyday by helping other contractors explore a life unchained from their business. Books mentioned in this interview: The Advantage: https://amzn.to/2VcWzXh Start with Why: https://amzn.to/2VfyeAa Resouces mentioned: TCIA - Tree Care industry association: https://www.tcia.org/ CRM software: getjobber.com Pink Callers virtual office service: pinkcallers.com Concepts discussed: Operational expectations by an owner Keys to Remote Success: Get a business coach Get a quality office manager Get a high functioning CRM software program Weekly Meetings with Operations Weekly Sales meetings Monthly Company-wide meeting on 7 Business Components - Standard Operating Objectives   Get in touch with Kevin: kevin@abundanttree.com https://kevinbold.com/ https://abundanttree.com www.contractorinnovation.com/software

Sean interviews Mike Callahan owner of Callahan’s Lawn Care in Rochester New York. Mike has been in the green industry for over 25 years and scaled his homegrown business well passed One Million Dollars in annual revenue. In this episode, we peel back the layers into Mike’s personal transformation story and how we went from a business that sucked the life out of him, to a business that he was able to fully automate and eventually walk away from the day to day operations. We talk about how Mike discovered the power of technology and automation systems and how he utilized this insight to replicate every function of his business. Mike uncovers how to tackle hurdles in your sales process, recruiting, interviewing and even training of new employees scale. Mike took his industry knowledge and best practices he mastered in his own business and opened SimpleGrowth Systems - a consulting company focused on helping service contractors implement automations to free themselves from their businesses. Mike and his team have several done-for-you solutions that take all the guesswork out of scaling a company.   Check out their services at: https://www.simplegrowthsystems.com/ Mike is also a Certified Advisor with Service Autopilot CRM: https://www.simplegrowthsystems.com/contact-us/ as well as Infusionsoft (Keep) where he implements his automation packages. Mike is active daily on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mike.callahan.963 As well as his company Facebook page and group: SimpleGrowth: https://www.facebook.com/SimpleGrowthSystems/?eid=ARAHoe48dl7xFnNg_IdUwWCX_jT_dkzn9i5VBqCvizC74kqNVAwgtCto9j5oFdu61SqC_lmF87asbl0T&timeline_context_item_type=intro_card_work&timeline_context_item_source=737580622&fref=tag   Lawn Care Automation Sales Page: https://www.simplegrowthsystems.com/lawn-care-automation-overview-2/ Home Cleaning Automation Sales Page:https://www.simplegrowthsystems.com/home-cleaning-video-overview/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6Ony1gZdHcZIRWhzP_25oA   www.contractorinnovation.com/software

In this unique episode, we dive deep into the topic of health and wellness and why it is important to busy contractors. Like most stressed out contractors, our health is an after-thought. We uncover the reasons why your overall health and diet are crucial for your success in your business. Jason provides us with great insights on how to gain the discipline to focus on a simple daily routine and how to incorporate healthy activities into our stuffed schedules. Resources covered in this episode: Forward Momentum not perfection. Start with 15 minute walks 3 times per week and scale up Focus on sustainability not short term fads. What is something actionable that you will actually stick to each week? Find an activity that does not bore you or that you hate to become your intensity release Stop skipping breakfast. Disrupts your metabolism: Eat breakfast BEFORE coffee Eat Fats: Nuts and Fruit Eggs and Spinach w/ Avacado Protein Shake + nuts Focus on healthy fats not carbs Prep nuts and healthy snack the night before Jason Priest’s information: Company Website: https://www.dadbodhealth.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DadBodHealthOfficial/ Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpxF08pow-LLP0aumbJJZAQ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dadbodhealth/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dadbodhealth/ Check out Podcast: Dad Bod Pod https://anchor.fm/jason-priest www.contractorinnovation.com/software

In this interview, Sean talks with Brandon Harris of Lawn Care Marketing Success. Brandon has a deep background in the green industry working for large organizations before breaking out on his own to help 100s of service businesses with the website support and online marketing impact. Brandon reveals what social selling is and why business owners should be focusing on being an active member of their community. He explains how free techniques on Facebook can create a personal experience for your local market and how potential leads can feel connected when they see you interacting throughout their local community. Brandon talks about the importance of a 6-touch marketing system and how to integrate quality content without breaking the bank. Learn how, what and when to post content to build up your audience and support your community. Resources from this episode: Brandon’s companies: https://www.lawncaremarketing.org/ https://www.servicemarketingnow.com/ Tools for posting: Hootsuite: https://hootsuite.com/ Buffer: https://buffer.com/ Hubspot: https://www.hubspot.com/ Pic Monkey for creating content: https://www.picmonkey.com/ Choose relevant hashtags: https://ads.google.com/home/tools/keyword-planner/ www.contractorinnovation.com/software

Sean interviews Luis Muniz of Funnelwave Digital Marketing. Luis and his partner Derreck Smallwood have 10+ years experience running, scaling and marketing home service businesses. After moving on from their home service business, Luis and Derreck went on to join SendJim direct mail software taking it from a small startup for a multi-seven figure business in just a few short years. Luis and Derreck took their digital growth hacking success and experience and started Funnelwave, a consultancy helping local businesses dominate their competition online. In this episode Luis reveals the 6 fundamental features of optimizing your digital footprint: Listings Reviews Social Media Website Paid Advertising SEO 3 Marketing Phases: Initial Breakeven Profit Resources Mentioned: SendJim: https://sendjim.io/signup-home Book: The Millionnaire Next Door Funnelwave: https://funnelwave.com/ Funnelwave Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FunnelWave/   www.contractorinnovation.com/software

Sean interviews Michelle Myers of Pink Callers. Michelle and her husband Doug started Pink Callers a little over 9 years ago with the sole mission of helping support contractors with their office tasks all while providing jobs for stay at home Moms. In this episode, we uncover what options are available for contractors looking to get help with their customer care and general office tasks. We break down the differences between an answering service, virtual assistant, on-site office staff and a virtual office management service. Michelle uncovers best practices and insights about what hiring a virtual office manager can do for your business. We go in-depth about how the right office hire can handle things like pre-qualifying leads, setting up onsite estimates and even upselling new work. Michelle explains how her team is challenging the old school norms and urging contractors to view your office as a revenue generator and not a liability.   Find Michelle: pinkcallers.com myers5group.com Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn Want help systemizing your office so you can hire your virtual staff? Check out www.contractorinnovation.com www.contractorinnovation.com/software

Sean interviews Martha Woodward of Dusting Divas Maid Service and Quality Driven Software. In a little over 10 years, Martha has been able to go from complete scratch to a thriving multi-location maid service with over 23 full-time employees. Martha recognized that in order to scale and build her dream business she would need to tackle the elephant in the room for field service companies... quality control of her employees. Through much trial and error, Martha began to implement robust training, onboarding, and performance systems so she could build consistency to ultimately scale. Martha perfected her systems through the use of customer surveys and continuous improvement in her organization.     Finding limited tools available to help her support her systems, she co-founded a customer satisfaction app called Quality Driven Software: https://qualitydrivensoftware.com/ that empowers transparency by automating surveys to customers to gauge quality and satisfaction from both the company and the individual employees. Quality Driven has grown rapidly and is currently in direct integrations with several CRM partners making it seamless to nurture your existing customers.     Other resources mentioned in this episode:       - Book: "They ask, your answer." - Mark Sheridan: https://www.amazon.com/They-Ask-You-Answer-Revolutionary/dp/1119312973       - Dustin Divas: https://www.dusting-divas.com/ Want help putting systems in place? Check out our new resources at www.contractorinnovation.com www.contractorinnovation.com/software

Sean talks with Jim Wertz a 35+ year landscape business owner. Jim shares valuable insights having interviewed, managed and communicated with hundreds of employees in his career. Learn Jim's 4 step method to attacking problems in with your team head on and how to run effective daily huddles. Jim talks in depth about the importance of daily huddles and how to run a high level, efficient field staff.  Check out Jim's facebook group for systems creation and community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1828069664099399/ Email Jim directly: jim@clientsdaily.com Schedule a free consult with Jim: https://calendly.com/jimwertz   www.contractorinnovation.com/software

Sean talks with Debbie Neese the owner of Offshoot Virtual Landscape Services, a virtual assistant company for green industry entrepreneurs, business coaches, landscape architects, and inventors of landscape products. With over 10 years of experience in the landscaping industry and a degree in Horticulture, Debbie is well versed in how to run a successful back office. Debbie shares excellent tactics on how blogging and newsletters position you as an authority in your space and act as an invaluable slow drip sales tool. Help educate the consumer on the service you specialize in by producing content that is informative, insightful and helps the DIYer. For more information on Debbie or to get help with starting your blog and newsletter check out her website: https://virtuallandscapeservices.com/ Want help systemizing your contracting company? Visit us at www.contractorinnovation.com www.contractorinnovation.com/software