Hammer & Grind : Built For Contractors

These days, employers place a premium on candidates' "soft skills" more than ever before. The storyline surrounding hiring is changing as companies aim to build teams with employees who are not only technically proficient but also demonstrate reliability, motivation, and character. In this episode, Brad and Ryan talk about: Ryan's journey into leadership and recruitment The importance of purpose m...

Businesses are always looking for new ways to draw and keep good employees in today's competitive job market. One of the best ways to do this is to mentally invest in new employees. Employers can encourage loyalty, raise job satisfaction, and eventually keep more employees by putting an emphasis on emotional investment during the onboarding process. In this podcast, Brad and Servecraft talk about:...

Financial knowledge is not merely a benefit in entrepreneurship; creating a strong and successful company is necessary. Even if many entrepreneurs are passionate about their goods or services, they frequently ignore important financial aspects essential to long-term success. In this episode, Brad and Greg talk about: Understanding gross margin vs. revenue The importance of labor efficiency ratios...

Franchising is often viewed as a straightforward path to business expansion, where a successful model can be replicated across various locations. However, Mike Andes pointed out that the path to profitable franchising is far from straightforward. It demands meticulous planning, a deep understanding of the franchisor-franchisee relationship, and strong support systems to ensure mutual success. In t...

In entrepreneurship, the path to success is often paved with hard work, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth. Jordan's story, of transitioning from paramedic to successful lawn care entrepreneur, exemplifies how dedication and adaptability can lead to unexpected success. Brad and Jordan talk about: Jordan's journey from lawn care to design-build Importance o...

Open and honest communication is the key to having healthy personal and professional interactions. It's not enough for the information to get through; the person who gets it must also understand it. The goal of good conversation is to understand each other. Changing communication methods to fit different ways of learning is very important. In this episode, Brad talks about: The importance of compr...

Unpredictable as it may be, change can be a driving force in one's growth and development. Adapting to new circumstances shows how our reactions to changes in life shape who we become. A key component of personal growth is accepting that change, no matter how unpleasant, is an unavoidable part of living. In this episode, Brad talks about: The slowing construction market and its implications The im...

One of the main issues facing construction organizations is the difficulty in finding and retaining qualified workers. Because skilled workers usually depart for better opportunities soon after being hired, this gap results in high turnover rates. In this episode, Brad and Matthew talk about: Challenges contractors encounter with hiring and training employees, and how HomeVee offers creative answe...

In today's digital world, a professional online presence, good customer service, and using a variety of marketing strategies are not just choices in a competitive market, they are necessary parts of a successful business strategy. Contractors can set themselves up for long-term success and growth in a market that is always changing by understanding the value of time as a resource and using it...

The need to know building codes is impossible to overestimate in today's fast-paced environment. Though many still view building regulations as difficult and tiresome, they form the basis for construction safety, quality, and efficiency. Experienced building code instructor and consultant Glenn Matheson has decided to demystify these rules and empower others with knowledge. In this episode, Brad a...

Many entrepreneurs begin their journey as jack-of-all-trades, driven to capture as many opportunities as possible. At first, this method might seem like a good idea, but it often leads to a lack of focus, slowing down growth. The challenge of managing numerous tools for various tasks can lead to financial strain and operational chaos. In this episode, Brad interviews Jacob Lawson, owner of Extraor...

These days, blue-collar jobs are often overlooked and undervalued, but they can be very profitable and satisfying careers. If you want to be successful in the blue-collar trades, you need to have a clear picture of what you want your life to be like and work hard to make that picture come true. In this episode, Brad and Ken, an entrepreneur and author of Blue Collar Cash talked about: Ken's journe...

In today's digital world, making the most of social proof is important to build a strong and trustworthy business image. People can boost their credibility, gain trust from their audience, and eventually make their business successful by being open to being vulnerable, keeping a professional online presence, and using social proofing techniques. In this episode, Brad talks about: How social proofi...

Business owners avoid putting down processes because they think it will take too much time and work. They may also be afraid that putting new processes in place will make workers unhappy and mess up how things are done now. In this episode, Brad and Cary talk about: Challenges faced by small business owners in understanding financial statements Importance of weekly dashboards and strategic plannin...

It's not enough to just do good work to get jobs. Quality work may get the phone to ring, but what really makes sales happen is addressing the clients' emotional worries and meeting their needs. In this episode, Brad talks about: The Yes Staircase concept explained Importance of addressing client concerns and expectations in sales Debunking common misconceptions in sales (quality, price, time) Imp...

No matter what size or type, every business needs to hire an accountant. One of the best things about hiring an accountant is that they can help you figure out tricky financial issues. Accountants know how to help businesses make smart financial choices, make the most of their tax strategies, and make sure they follow the rules. Businesses in fields with specific financial needs and difficulties c...

Uncertainty is a normal part of life, and everyone needs to learn how to deal with it to reach their goals. People can find new chances and possibilities they might not have thought of before if they are open to uncertainty. It forces them to leave their comfort zone and take chances that can help them grow and be successful. In this podcast, Andrea and Brad talk about: Andrea's background in corp...

Solving problems in the business world is an important part of growth and innovation in any field. This idea has been shown to work in the gardening business by Weston Zimmerman and his team at Synced Up. Weston went from working as a 16-year-old for a landscaping company to now being the CEO of a software business. This shows how important it is to find and solve problems that affect the whole in...

Everyone who works as a contractor has to deal with scope creep. It means that the scope of a project is slowly changed or added to, usually without proper approval or paperwork. This can make things more expensive, take longer, and create frustration for both the contractor and the client. In this episode, Brad talks about: Factors leading to scope creep Detailed scope of work in estimates....

Accept the strength of being weak. Being vulnerable helps us connect with others more deeply, which leads to more kindness and understanding. It also lets us be who we are without worrying about being judged or rejected. Being open and honest about our real feelings and emotions with other people takes a lot of strength. We can break down barriers and build stronger, more meaningful ties with the...

People and business owners alike often think of their tax bill as one of their biggest costs. As a contractor or small business owner, you should know how to save money on taxes, stay away from common mistakes, and get your business off to a good start. In this episode, Brad and Melissa from Busy Bee Advisors talk about: Importance of tax planning and bookkeeping for contractors Five essentia...

Every business owner needs to be able to lead and handle people well to make their business successful. Leadership is about inspiring and pushing a group to reach a big goal. On the other hand, management is about running the day-to-day business and ensuring everything runs smoothly. People who own businesses need to know the difference between being a leader and a manager and find a good mix betw...

Are you ready to take control of your life and stop being a passive observer? People can move toward their goals with drive and purpose if they break out of their comfort zones. In this episode, Brad talks about: Importance of taking action and not making excuses. Reflection on daily efforts and commitment to their goals. The need to prioritize tasks, delegate effectively, and focus on high-level...

Finding good people takes time. This is a phrase that is often heard in the business world, especially in industries where finding skilled workers is crucial. Getting good people was a hot issue in this podcast with Dave MacDonald of the Better Together Group. In this episode, Brad and Dave talk about: Importance of investing time in the hiring process Differentiating between recruiting and hiring...

People who think too much often make up stories in their heads that might not even be true or reasonable. This habit of overthinking things all the time can make you feel stuck and unable to make choices. When it comes to business, overthinking can slow things down and keep people from doing what they need to do to move their company forward. In this episode, Brad talks about: Common issues that h...