The Better Contractor Podcast

Welcome back to another episode of The Better Contractor Podcast. In this episode, Brent’s in the field sharing real talk on what most people overlook—the lost art of execution. Brent breaks down how simply doing what you say you're going to do can set you apart in this industry. Missed calls, unanswered emails, delayed timelines—these are what lose jobs and trust. Execution builds reputation, loy...

Promoting your top performer might feel like the right move, but is it? In this episode of The Better Contractor Podcast, Brent breaks down why high skill doesn’t always equal strong leadership. From delegation and communication to emotional intelligence and teachability, here’s how to spot (and build) real leaders on your crew. #BlueCollarLeadership #SkilledNotAlwaysLeader #CrewCulture #Contracto...

Welcome back to another edition of The Better Contractor. In this episode, Brent Oberlink is joined by Tyler McBroom. Tyler is a CPA, author, and Tony Robbins Business Mastery speaker, who breaks down real tax-saving strategies that every contractor needs to hear. From industry benchmarking to smart write-offs and balancing your tax bill with your financing goals, Tyler shows you how to stop...

In this episode of The Better Contractor, Brent Oberlink and his co-host, Aney Bailor, discuss the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership. While IQ and technical skills are essential, it's emotional intelligence that can truly set you apart as a successful leader. From understanding the role of empathy and self-awareness to managing reactions in stressful situations, they talk about ho...

Welcome back to The Better Contractor. In this episode, Brent tackles the hottest questions straight from our Facebook group. How do you separate work and personal relationships? How do you compete in a flooded market with lowball contractors? When is the right time to add a crew and what is the best way to do it? We also announce the winner of our free 10-seat giveaway for our training platform:C...

What does it take to build a high-performing team? Trent Clark—former MLB coach, serial entrepreneur, and host of Winners Find a Way—joins Brent Oberlink to break down the mindset, discipline, and leadership strategies that separate winning teams from the rest. From overcoming setbacks to keeping a remote workforce motivated, Trent shares powerful insights from his book Leading Winning Teams and h...

Success isn’t about luck, it’s about strategy, discipline, and taking action. In this episode of The Better Contractor, Tony Whatley, entrepreneur, mentor, and founder of 365 Driven, joins Brent Oberlink and Aney Bailor to break down what it really takes to scale a multimillion-dollar business. Tony shares his journey from working a 9-to-5 while building a thriving side business to achie...

Welcome back to another episode of The Better Contractor. In this episode, Brent is joined by Jonathan Fodera from Integrated Business Financing to expose the biggest financial mistakes contractors make—and how to avoid them. From project financing and invoice factoring to the golden handcuffs of banking, he shares powerful strategies to keep your cash flow strong and your business growi...

Join Brent Oberlink and co-host Travis in this episode of The Better Contractor as they chat with Michael Fortinberry from Protiv about an innovative app transforming the construction industry. Protiv links employee performance to quality and budget goals, creating a performance-based pay model that drives accountability and boosts productivity. Listen to this episode to see how this app...

Welcome back to another episode of The Better Contractor. What does it take to go from knowing nothing about landscaping to running a multi-million dollar company? On this episode, host Brent Oberlink is joined by Travis May and Jeremy Talboy, founder of North Georgia Landscape Management, who shares his incredible journey from history major and baseball player to building an eight-figure business...

It's our 50th episode! Brent Oberlink takes a step back in this episode to reflect on the mission behind The Better Contractor. With a focus on elevating the blue-collar contracting space, Brent discusses the podcast’s goals: helping contractors break into the eight-figure revenue range, building a supportive community, and tackling industry challenges together in a community. He also talks a...

How can contractors align with large corporations to improve safety culture and operational success? Brent Oberlink sits down with Jay Keppler of Lanracorp and Sean Galloway of Pro-Act Safety to explore key strategies for fostering engagement, mitigating risks, and navigating the challenges of low-bid procurement. They discuss leadership, alignment, and autonomy in safety, while sharing insights o...

Feeling stuck in your business? Every contractor faces tough seasons, but the key to success is how you navigate these tough seasons. In this episode of The Better Contractor, Brent Oberlink talks about actionable strategies to turn your business around. With years of his experience, he discusses cash flow management, pricing, team building, and cutting waste. If you’re ready to stop struggling an...

In this quick episode of The Better Contractor, Brent Oberlink shares advice on attracting customers who value quality over price and who have the same values as you. Learn how to market your expertise, deliver exceptional service, and build trust with clients who align with your core values. Tune in for insights that can transform your business approach and profitability, plus discover how to con...

In this episode of The Better Contractor, Brent and co-host Travis, "The Professor," speak about the complexities of equipment purchasing with Andrew Fiala from Vermeer Midwest. Learn how contractors can strategically decide when to buy, maintain, or turn over machinery, and explore the evolving role of technology in managing fleets. Whether you're an established contractor or just starting, this...

In this episode of The Better Contractor, host Brent Oberlink teams up with “The Professor” Travis to interview entrepreneur and financial strategist Antonio Vaglica, co-founder of GFG Solutions and host of the Consistency Wins podcast. From protecting your assets and trimming tax bills to building a sellable business that doesn’t eat up your free time, Antonio delivers the inside track on turning...

In this episode of The Better Contractor Podcast, host Brent Oberlink teams up with “The Professor” Travis and special guest James Hatfield from LiveSwitch—the “high-tech redneck” with a track record of scaling small ventures into big breakouts. Together, they discuss simple tactics to ditch job-site guesswork and drive-time headaches. Listen in on how to score faster, more accurate bids, boost yo...

In this episode of The Better Contractor, host Brent Oberlink breaks down the crucial strategies that can instantly take your contracting business to the next level. Discover how to leverage historical data for precision bidding, dial in consistent systems and processes, and cultivate a reputation that lets you charge more—without apologizing. Whether it’s pricing smarter, attracting the right cli...

In this episode of The Better Contractor, host Brent Oberlink is joined by Aney Bailor where they tackle one of the biggest challenges for growing contractors: delegating effectively to scale your business. Inspired by a listener's question, Brent and Aney share actionable strategies for hiring the right people, onboarding with purpose, and developing systems and processes that set your company up...

Want to stand out in the workplace and climb the ladder faster? Brent Oberlink breaks down actionable steps to make yourself indispensable to your company. From embracing the company culture to thinking like a business owner and coaching others, this episode is packed with advice that can reshape your career trajectory. If you're ready to stop being just another employee and start being a vital as...

In this episode of The Better Contractor, Brent Oberlink delivers the bold blueprint for transforming your business from a six-figure operation into a multi-million dollar powerhouse. If you’re serious about growing, it’s time to stop playing small and start playing smart. Brent dives into the crucial steps that too many overlook—like tapping into high-margin, specialized niches, dominating your m...

We’re back from Equip Expo with exciting insights into the future of landscaping! This year’s Expo showcased the latest in tech, from high-performance battery-powered equipment to cutting-edge robotics designed to simplify and elevate daily tasks. In this episode of TBC, we’re unpacking what these advancements mean for contractors and how they’ll impact the way we do business. Our goal is to help...

In this episode of The Better Contractor, host Brent Oberlink welcomes special guest Aney Bailor to explore the vital role of passion in shaping a successful and fulfilling career in the blue-collar industry. Drawing from their personal journeys, Brent and Aney discuss how a deep commitment to mastery and craftsmanship can elevate one’s work and contribute to a sense of pride in work and in their...

In this episode of The Better Contractor podcast, Brent Oberlink hosts a Question and Answer session from the field. Learn effective strategies to improve equipment care, from assigning responsibility to creating training systems and holding your crew accountable. Brent also dives into tips for more accurate bidding, like removing unknowns from your scope of work, using detailed contracts, and per...

In this episode of The Better Contractor Podcast, Brent Oberlink shares valuable leadership tips for crew leads, foremen, and all contractors in the field. From leading by example to setting clear goals, Brent dives into actionable strategies to help you build respect, coach your team, and create a strong, goal-oriented crew culture. Whether you're stepping into a leadership role or looking to sha...