The Better Contractor Podcast

In this episode of The Better Contractor Podcast , host Brent is joined by Mike Whalen of the Beyond the Belt podcast and DBS Remodel to discuss the critical challenges of attracting, training, and retaining high-quality workers in the trades. Drawing from over 25 years of experience, Mike provides a boots-on-the-ground perspective on transitioning from a business owner to a project manager and le...

In Episode 84, Brent Oberlink breaks down the sales strategies that helped grow his business. He covers the tactics he relied on in the early days as well as the systems and processes he uses today. He shares practical lessons on building relationships, earning trust, closing more work, and why great sales involve more than just offering the lowest price. Whether you're just starting out or lookin...

In Episode 83, Brent Oberlink shares how he grew Lanracorp into an 8-figure company through the power of marketing. From the early days of relying on relationships and word-of-mouth to building a personal brand and embracing social media, Brent breaks down how his approach has evolved over the years. He discusses what worked when he was getting started, why marketing became a priority, and the str...

Welcome to The Better Contractor, a podcast dedicated to helping you build a more successful and professional blue-collar business. We tackle the tough questions about modern industry challenges, from the rapid rise of controversial data centers to the essential need for professional legal and accounting protection. Our discussions dive deep into the power of social media marketing, showing you ho...

Why do some contractors grow into thriving businesses while others stay stuck for decades? In this episode, Brent Oberlink and Alex Eckhardt discuss the biggest reasons contractors struggle to scale, from taking on too much debt to failing to understand their financials. They break down the importance of knowing your numbers, building a strong brand, and developing leadership within your company....

This episode of The Better Contractor Podcast dives into mentorship, leadership, and what it really takes to build a business without losing yourself in the process. Instead of chasing one perfect mentor, They teach how to learn from multiple people in different areas of life. The hosts also touch on employee management, emphasizing that owners must set the culture rather than relying on one key p...

Episode 79 breaks down one of the biggest mistakes contractors make. Underbidding. This results from not accounting for overhead, which leads to underpriced jobs and small margins. Brent Oberlink and Alex Eckhardt dive into when it makes sense to rent vs buy, and how the wrong decision can cost you in the long term. They also cover smart financing strategies, including building banker relationship...

Episode 78 of The Better Contractor Podcast dives into the constant battle between cost and safety in various industries with Brent Oberlink and Shawn Galloway. Too often, procurement teams chase low-bid, completely ignoring the real risks that come with cutting corners. The guys break down why Low-bid culture leads to weaker safety, worse outcomes, and contractors who simply can't perform at a hi...

In this episode of The Better Contractor, Brent breaks down the habits that separate great business owners from poor ones. They dive into life hacks that will benefit your business like executing immediately, structuring your day around non-negotiables, and why chasing impact beats chasing money. From fitness and discipline to faith and intentional living, this episode is all about building a foun...

Episode 76 of The Better Contractor Podcast dives into personal development, business strategy, and the lessons we learned along the way. We reflect on key business insights that you should be looking at, the value of mentorship, building systems early, and the opportunities we wish we had pursued sooner. We also explore the power of personal branding and why contractors should share their story t...

In this Q&A episode of The Better Contractor Podcast, we answer real questions from contractors in our Facebook community about pricing, competition, and finding consistent work. They explain why contractors need to stop letting customers dictate prices and stressing the importance of knowing your overhead and sticking to profitable rates. We also dive into competing in saturated markets throu...

Episode 74 of The Better Contractor Podcast features host Brent and co-host Alex diving into three real-world questions that contractors are facing today. The episode opens with a blunt discussion on inflation and how failing to adjust pricing can quietly destroy profit margins. They break down how to handle low-bid customers with vague scopes, emphasizing the importance of qualifying clients and...

Episode 73 of The Better Contractor Podcast introduces new co-host Alex and launches a listener-driven Q&A format that continues in Episode 74. The hosts share practical advice on contractor cash flow, including lines of credit, invoice factoring, progress payments, and tightening payment terms. They also break down how to bid complex jobs correctly, price equipment and labor to reflect true o...

Smart buyers and strong contractors understand that best value beats low bid. This episode is for both the contractor and the buyer or procurement team. There is one thing that is crippling the contracting industry, damaging the reputation, and causing non-stop headaches for procurement and buyers - and that is the idea that low-bid award is the best practice for selecting contractors. Honestly, i...

Welcome back to another episode of The Better Contractor Podcast. In this episode, Brent gets real about the hard seasons of business. Not the highlight reels. Not the wins. The years that test everything. Too often, entrepreneurship is sold like a fairy tale. Freedom. Money. Flexibility. But anyone who’s been in business long enough knows the truth: there are seasons that nearly br...

Want to actually make big changes in 2026? Then you need to listen to this podcast. Most New Year’s resolutions fail because they’re built on motivation instead of discipline. You start strong in January, fade by March, and end up right back where you started. That yo-yo cycle doesn’t build real momentum in business, fitness, or life. In this episode, Brent breaks down four principles that help co...

In the trades, talent and/or will gets you in the door, but mindset can determine how far you go. In this episode of The Better Contractor Podcast, Brent breaks down what actually gets people promoted in blue-collar companies and why so many skilled workers stay stuck. This conversation is for laborers, operators, foremen, and owners who want more than just another job. If...

Your foremen are not just running crews. They are running your reputation. In this episode, Brent breaks down five tactical leadership moves every field foreman must master: starting the day with a battle plan, communicating with authority, tracking production like a business owner, managing customer perception, and protecting safety and morale as if they were profit. Share this with your lea...

Vaughn Kohler, co-host of The MFCEO Project , joins Brent and Aney to share his journey from pastoring to building a platform that impacts thousands. Vaughn dives into balancing faith and excellence, lessons from working alongside Andy Frisella, and strategies contractors and entrepreneurs can use to tackle anxiety, failure, and the daily challenges of business and life. #TheBetterContractor #MFCE...

In this episode we are joined by Kalen Whitney from Whitney Roofing, who went from wiring power plants to building Whitney Roofing into one of the most recognized roofing companies in the Midwest. In this episode, he and Brent discuss the grind of starting from nothing, the power of blue-collar careers, and the creative marketing moves that keep Whitney Roofing top of mind. #TheBetterContract...

In this episode, Brent breaks down why so many contractors stay broke even while working harder than ever. From weak collections to poor margins, Brent shows you the exact fixes you need to stop chasing jobs and start chasing profit. With action steps like auditing crews, tracking every cost, and adopting a profit-first mindset, this episode gives you the blueprint to finally put more money in you...

In this episode, Brent Oberlink focuses on the 5 things entrepreneurs must do in order to increase their net income. From profit margins, to cash flow, to SOPs - Brent breaks down exactly what you need to do to turn your contracting business into a profitable business. #Entrepreneur #BusinessOwner #Scale #BusinessGrowth #Contractor #TheBetterContractorPodcast #ContractorPodcast #BlueCollarBusiness...

Most contractors are flying blind - no systems, no KPIs, no dashboard, and no financial stats. In this episode, Brent Oberlink (The Better Contractor) and Josh Alatis (616 Solutions) break down why tracking your numbers, building processes, and using the right software from day one is the only way to scale into the millions. You have to set key KPIs and benchmarks, then track data, measure, and an...

Too many contractors stay stuck because they’re too good at doing the work and never make the leap to building the business. In this episode, Brent Oberlink lays out the path from operator to owner. From hiring smart to documenting your systems, this is how you go from crew leader to business builder. If you’re ready to stop running ragged and start running a real company, this one’s for you. Join...

Motivation fades. Discipline builds empires. In this episode of The Better Contractor, Brent breaks down 9 ways to outwork your excuses, so you stop quitting and start winning. From building rigid routines to killing distractions, this is a no-fluff breakdown of how real business owners push through the hard days. If you're tired of starting over, this one's for you. Listen now. Then go execute. I...