The Black Contractors Network Podcast

Are you a homeowner about to have a building or renovation project done? Or are you a contractor looking to grow your business? In this episode I outline some of the most common mistakes being made by builders, contractors and homeowners in America that are costing millions - and provide tangible takeaways that you can apply to your own business or projects.

No matter how much you prepare, there's no way to truly be prepared for life. I learned that lesson last week. And I think the United States government is learning it as well. Crises create chaos and confusion, unsettling our foundation, and taking away from the energy we could use to address daily problems and improve our living situation. And America has faced a good number of crises and will continue to.  The problem is that we're not responding well to these situations. From Sandy Hook to the Boston Marathon bombing, from Syria to Iraq -- we act like a deer in headlights. We just don't know what to do. Our response mechanism seems broken because it is broken -- an unculture of political polarization has turned us into two warring camps incapable of seeing eye-to-eye.

This week I want to talk about building a successful business in the current climate. It's insane the amount of times I get sent emails and messages on Facebook asking me questions like should I quit my job or not? Should I pay off my mortgage early? When should I become a millionaire? These people all seem to think that they have to have it all done by the time they are 30 years old. The truth is, nobody has every had it ALL done by the time they were 30 and as you can see in this video, it's never too late to change your life.

 Believe it or not, negotiating your salary is a lot like dating. It has a series of unwritten rules that you need to follow if you're to have any chance at success. Here are 8 tips for negotiating your next salary and getting the compensation you deserve -- and more importantly, what to do if you get some bad advice along the way.

There are many behaviors that can strongly influence your financial state, for better or worse. It is especially important to be aware of these behaviors if you are struggling with debts, which is probably the case, considering that you are listening to this episode The behaviors that you exhibit has a direct impact on your financial habits and how much money you will make or lose. Let's look at some of the most common financial habits that poor people commonly have.

The right mindset is one of the most important things you can have in order to grow and reach your goals. And, that's because the right mindset allows you to accomplish more and, become the person you want to be.If you're thinking about becoming an entrepreneur, this list will get you warmed up. The things successful entrepreneurs do every day are not that different from aspiring entrepreneurs. Here are twenty ways to think like an entrepreneur (like it doesn't come naturally to you).

That title makes you worry, doesn't it? What do I mean by Global Collapse? Where can we see this collapse all over the world? Who's to blame, who should we avoid? And is there anything one can do about it, like a survival plan?

What is it like to be a black construction worker? This is a question that I get asked , so I figured I'd touch upon it and give some insight for all of my listeners out there who are curious about the subject and have never considered it before.

What's the point in working hard, if you never save any money?! That is the question, and the reality of many Americans today. In this episode I try to paint an accurate picture actually, of the true state of retirement in America right now.

This is a hilariously clever take on a story of Roe versus Wade about Abraham Lincoln- and his relevancy today trying to change history and influence the new Republican party.

Artificial intelligence is going to take everyone's jobs. AI is going to be the death of humanity. We all know these statements, but we also don't really believe them. There are as many people in favor of AI taking over as there are people against it, and both groups are  really loud. So how should entrepreneurs make decisions about artificial intelligence? Should you even care?We are often told by the futurist that we should be worried about coming changes in society due to artificial intelligence, automation and robots. But on what basis are they creating this fear? Are we worry because someone said it? Or should we worry because of facts and data? This episode discusses those things.

 There is no such thing as cheap labor..Cheap labor is only cheap if you're not paying your employees what they deserve. It's an illusion, and one that can only be sustained when you're getting away with paying less than a living wage. If you're doing that, then you're not actually providing value to your customers—you're just taking advantage of them.Labor is a commodity, just like any other. It's subject to the same laws of supply and demand that govern all other commodities.

It's funny how things can change you. For the longest time I had this idea in my head that hard work, and working hard ALONE is the only way to find success in life. I thought that once I grew older it would be a self fulfilling prophecy, and all I would have to do is continue hustling; eventually everything would fall into place. That was the plan, anyway. But life has a funny way of throwing curve balls when you least expect them.

 I look at the political landscape and issues that face our country. Today, I want to issue a sincere apology to America for the existence of politicians Clarence Thomas and Tim Scott . Both men are unapologetically conservative and do not represent the values of this great nation. I can only hope that in the future, we choose leaders that truly represent the ideals of American liberty and magnanimity; this will never happen as long as Justice Thomas is still on the Supreme Court.

If you want to be a contractor, it's possible that you're asking yourself what the experience will be like being a black contractor. It's true that there are some unique challenges that you may face being a black contractor. However, there are also several reasons why you should consider becoming a black contractor too.

From the very beginning in 1619, when 20 Africans were brought ashore on a Dutch ship and sold into slavery in Jamestown, VA.African Americans have defined the very foundation of this nation. Yet we as a society often choose to either forget or ignore that fact. Black labor built this great nation, yet they are overlooked, forgotten and worse; left out of the historical narrative.

The working class was the backbone of America. They were the ones who took pride in their work and held a strong work ethic. These are the types who believed in sacrificing something now, in order to have something better later. They carried themselves with a certain confidence because they knew that if they put forth an effort, they'd get a reward. The working class in America is on its way out. A lot of people are talking about this but few understand what's causing it. I'm going to share some data and ideas with you to change that situation.

Short stories and life lessons of Abraham Lincoln. One of our US Presidents whose role in American history is still discussed and debated among historians. He was one of the most effective and eloquent leaders America has ever had, who guided the country through a crucial period - the Civil War Era.

Those who hire professional contractors are in the minority. There are many people out there who feel that throwing a few money around doesn't result in poor work. They usually spend lots of money repairing things later on.

Busy has become the new luxury. We all want to feel like we are hard at work, because we want to feel special. But our brain can only handle so much work at a time before it starts shutting down our creative faculties- which means we're never going to be able to deliver at our highest level of creativity, power or productivity. On this Episode I share tips and ideas on how to declutter your schedule so you have time for what's important.

Today, everything is changing faster than ever. And more than at any other time in human history, nobody knows what they're doing. There's no precedent. Nobody has the answers because nobody has our job, or your job. So how can you be yourself and not lose it? How can you be yourself and not feel ostracized out of your group? Maybe it's more important now than ever to be yourself. So this episode I will discuss a few ideas to help you do that - while the world's shifting all around us.

Careers in the construction industry are growing in popularity as more people realize the opportunities and excitement that they can offer. The construction industry is booming, and it's only going to get bigger.Construction Jobs can be a great choice. Whether you're looking for a career in the construction industry that is stable, lucrative, and growing or all of the above, you'll find this episode helpful, with lots of tips and information to help you make the best decision for your career.

Several historical buildings in the United States were built by slaves including some of the most famous buildings in America. The White House, the U.S. Capitol Building, and Monticello are among these famous U.S. landmarks that were built by African slaves. White and African American people have this unique connection; that's one thing that we all have in common. I think it's important to recognize that. So here is a list of 5 American Icons Buildings Built by Black Slaves:

 As a contractor, I appreciate when homeowners ask me questions. I also know that homeowners don't like it when we ask too many as well . Here are some tips for keeping communication open without overburdening your contractor with everything you know about your home and its renovation plans.

We're not surprised that you're asking this question, because it's one we hear a lot. In fact, it's a question that comes up so often that we've decided to put together an easy to listen episode on what it means to be black in the construction industry.The first thing you need to know is that being black in the construction industry isn't as simple as just being black—it's about all of your identities coming together at once, and how they affect your experience as a person of color working in this field. For example:You might have never heard of Affirmative Action before, but if you're planning on entering into a career in construction, you'll want to learn all about it! Affirmative Action has been around since 1965 and is designed to help ensure that people from marginalized groups are given equal opportunities for employment and access to benefits like healthcare coverage or retirement plans. On top of all of this amazing stuff, it also means that if there are more qualified candidates than positions available then companies will have to choose from among them based on their qualifications rather than any other factors like race or gender identity!Another thing you should know about being black in the construction industry is how important it.

 It can be difficult to know how much to pay yourself when you're just starting out. Here are some things to think about:-How much do I need to pay myself? You should be able to afford a comfortable lifestyle and still have some money left over for your business.-Am I going to pay myself a salary or an hourly wage? If you have an office job, then you probably have a salary. If you're working from home, then it might make sense to be paid hourly.-What's my budget like? How much money do I have left over after paying all of my bills and expenses? How much do I need left over after paying myself?

 So you want to be an entrepreneur? Great! There are lots of different paths you can take, but let's start with what it means to be an entrepreneur.

 A black man with a gun in America is something that most people would assume is inherently dangerous. But what if it's not? What if he's just trying to defend himself and his family?On this podcast, I'm going to talk about the realities of being a black man with a gun in America. I'll be honest with you: it's not easy. But there are ways that you can make your life easier, and maybe even safer.First off: why do black men need guns? The answer is simple: because America has a history of violence against black men. In fact, there are countless examples of white people killing black people for no reason at all—sometimes even when they aren't doing anything wrong! It happens all over the country, from New York City to Los Angeles.So what does this mean for you? It means that if you're going outside at night or during the day—especially if you're alone—you should consider carrying around some protection for yourself and your family. And by protection, I mean a gun!

Home improvements are often considered investments, and if you're considering remodeling your home you're probably wondering if the money you invest will actually pay off. The good news is that there are some simple steps you can take that will help increase your home value with little to no effort.

 Do you have what it takes to be a construction entrepreneur? Find out with this comprehensive guide, which offers everything you need to know to Being A Construction Entrepreneur.

 Have you ever been there? To the place where you felt broken, vulnerable and alone. Where it seemed like nothing would ever be right again in your life. Where you wondered if you had even thought of doing anything wrong? Have you ever been there?

The construction industry is a formidable space, especially when it comes to accounting. But as you build your accounting department, or if you don't have one in the first place, it's important to know which piece each construction accounting tool fits into the ongoing puzzle. From estimating to project budgets and A/R management, there are various tools you should use that are tailored to the specific needs of your industry.

Every construction project needs to have a checklist. Here's a list of the top 10 things you could do to make your job sites more successful.

How to start your own small business. It is a dream that many people have, but there is a lot of work that goes into it. One of the most important things is to find out what you want to do and then figure out if there is a market for it. There are many different ways that you can go about this such as using google trends or other tools like that.

There are a lot of circles that America gets painted with. One of the most common is "racist". This one has painted more times than a side of a van. Is America really such a racist land? The answer is complex and has been in the making for hundreds of years. Lets look at some of the development and history behind this big question.

I've heard this phrase before in a lecture about African Americans don't even pretend you don't know what I'm talking about. But today, you learned the  history of it.

A lack of organizational structure means that project and administrative responsibilities are often neglected.

Poor Communication on jobsites. Can generates chaos and disorder, which can have a negative impact on a project by creating time delays, cost overruns, and missed deadlines. 

I know I am a small business but in the pandemic that we just had . We found out what the government think a small business is. 1 to 500 employees.

Construction jobsites can be a dangerous places to work.  Please follow  the construction site safety rules to keep yourself, and others, safe.

What Is the American Dream in 2022?

Having a stress management offers a range of strategies to help you better deal with stress and difficulty in your life. Managing stress can help you lead a more balanced, healthier life.

What is startup capital? And why is it so hard for minorities and African Americans to get access to it?

Having construction insurances is required for every single construction project. it doesn't matter how big or small they are. You got to have it.

Labor cost is one of the major components of the overall cost in construction projects all over the world.

For those new general contractors or new construction companies getting started, this may be difficult to accept because of the adversarial environment within the construction industry. Having said all of that, it offers contractors a great opportunity to differentiate themselves from their competition. While other companies are greater at negotiating and closing deals.  there are still significant opportunities for improvement to win over new customers, you guess it providing good customer service.

Lets talk for a second on what the hell is going on in the world of construction, and why I am starting the black contractors network.  It is. Because when I Googled black general contractors, nothing really comes up. Which makes no fucking sense?

Ready to become a licensed general contractor in California, but not exactly sure where to start?

Why aren't there a lot of black construction workers or general contractors in the construction industry? I have been living in the state of California for about 25 years now and, I have never met another black license contractor or a lot of black construction workers. 

A brief introduction about myself and why The Black Contractors Network podcast was created.