The Contractor Fight with Tom Reber

Have you lost projects or opportunities because you lack funding? Do you wish there was a way to take your business to the next level without relying on bank loans? Today’s guest, Kortney Murray, has a non-traditional path to money lending for contractors.    Kortney Murray is the founder and CEO of Coastal Kapital, an alternative lending company based in Florida. Coastal Kapital provides alternat...

We’ve all struggled with negative self-talk at times, and this negative self-talk impacts not only our well-being but also our relationships and work. Tim and Derek discuss how intentionally practicing self-love and positive affirmations can help you break the chain of negative self-talk and boost your business.   They also talk about how we’re all imperfect works in progress, and the goal is cont...

Many people in the trades industry will often say it's challenging to find skilled tradespeople. To solve this problem, Brian Drucks founded a platform called Where Trades Go, which directly connects employers with qualified tradespeople.  Brian is a second-generation painting contractor with decades of experience running his own painting business. Brian explained his motivation for creating the n...

Many times, prospects really want to use your service, but they hesitate to make the deal because they lack trust and think somebody is going to take advantage of them. This lack of trust makes it hard to convince them to go ahead. That’s why, to help them say yes,  you need to show them you’re trustworthy so they can feel comfortable in making the deal.    Tim and Derek are here to teach you how...

Are you struggling to close leads? Are you unable to convert prospects into customers? It’s because there’s a trust issue — and sales are about trust! Trust is one of the biggest factors that holds contractors back from converting leads into sales. Tom is here to help you build trust with the prospects you’re talking to and reduce the number of sales objections you’re going to get. Because when yo...

What is the most dangerous thing in your life? Other people? Accidents? Past trauma? Today, Steve tells you that you may be the most dangerous thing in your life. He shares how you may be your biggest villain by not adapting and staying stuck in unhealthy patterns, but you're also the best hope for yourself and your salvation — if you want to live the life you want, you have to take action to impr...

Have you ever experienced a situation where important documents sit on your desk for far too long without any action being taken? Why does this happen? Is it a personal problem, or is it a procedure problem?   Tim shares with Derek the story of a thank you letter he received from a client months ago that got buried under other tasks on his desk because of oversight. They discuss how it becomes eas...

Knowing your number is essential for any contractor who wants to stay profitable, but it may be intimidating for many who don’t know how to do it properly. Tom is here to make it much more manageable and less daunting for you. He shares three important things you can do to make knowing your numbers much easier.   Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Importance of knowing your numbers [01:37] - Keeping yo...

As the new year unfolds, it brings with it a fresh start, a chance to reflect on the past and make new goals, and new commitments for yourself and your business. Today, Tim and Derek talk about new year commitment. They want you to start the new year strong by committing to your business goals, creating a better lifestyle for yourself and your team, and staying consistent with your goals.    In th...

How was 2023 for you? Did you achieve your goals? Was it great? Or was it rough? Whatever your experience was in 2023, you definitely want to make 2024 the best business year yet. Today, Tom guides you through how you can win bigger in 2024. He shares three questions that you can ask yourself to make 2024 the best business year you've ever had in your life.   Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Intro -...

As we enter 2024, lots of people will have a resolution to change or improve their mindset and reach their goals. But it's not a simple task to change your way of thinking. It takes a lot of work to overcome negative thoughts and grow a positive mindset.   In this episode, Steve talks about methods he has used successfully to reprogram his brain and have a better and happier outlook on life. In th...

Have you ever felt like you're drifting without a clear direction or purpose? You may be feeling rudderless — without a plan to guide you to where you want to go. In this episode, Tim and Derek discuss how creating a detailed 5-year plan can help you feel more focused and motivated. As you enter 2024, the guys want you to create your detailed 5-year plan to feel more purposeful and motivated inste...

Are you new to the construction business and feeling a little overwhelmed? Don’t worry. Tom is here to guide you through the things that you should do immediately if you have just started your construction business. Following these strategies will help you build a strong foundation and allow your business to grow sustainably for years to come.   Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Intro [00:48] - 1.1: M...

You must have come across many prospects who agree to a job and price on the phone but then back out or make excuses when you go to their house for an in-person estimate. Why do they back out? Are you doing something wrong on the phone?    This is where Steve's solution, Shin-Fu, comes in. With Shin-Fu, you’ll never have to return from an in-person estimate without a check. It helps you learn how...

“Why are you so expensive?” This is a common question many contractors face while having pricing conversations with their clients. But how you respond to the question determines whether you’ll seal the deal or break it. Tim and Derek are here to discuss how to react when you’re questioned about your expensive rates.   In this episode, they discuss: Derek’s experience with a client who asked him ab...

If you're a new contractor just starting out on your own, marketing may not seem like a top priority. But Tom wants you to make marketing your top priority if you want to grow a successful business. He tells you that your number one job is to sell your service, and you can't sell your service if your phone isn't ringing. It's not enough to be skilled at your craft – as a new contractor, marketing...

Have you ever had to miss a business or personal development event? Tim and Derek are here to talk about the fear of missing out (FOMO) — It's real, especially for those missing out on opportunities like The Fight summits. They discuss how valuable these events are for contractors, offering knowledge, networking, and business growth, and encourage contractors to attend events and summits to gain s...

There are many pricing myths in the construction industry, and falling victim to them can have serious consequences. Today, Tom debunks some common myths that often misguide contractors in their pricing strategies and advises you to rethink yours and make more informed decisions to ensure the success of your business.   Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Common pricing myths that affect contractors [00...

Showing up half-heartedly to roleplays and training will not give you the full benefits and impacts your ability to listen and interact with real clients — Effortless training leads to poor client interactions. Tim and Derek discuss the importance of paying attention and holding yourself to a high standard during roleplay training calls.   In this episode, they discuss: The importance of paying at...

The fastest way to make more money in your business is to sell at 50% gross profit or more, but many contractors believe that they can't sell a job at 50% gross profit in their local market. Tom is here to explain why and how any contractor can sell their work at a 50% GP in any area. He explains that 50% GP is location neutral, and with the right approach any contractor can sell their work at 50%...

It’s the silence between words or notes in music that gives them meaning – if we just string words together without breaks, it’s just noise. Steve uses this fascinating analogy to ask you a question, “Are you making music or noise when you talk to customers?” He tells you why you need to STFU when you’re having a discussion.   In this episode, Steve discusses: The power of silence Story from Steve...

Have you ever met a potential client who mentioned budget constraints? What were your assumptions about them? Did you assume that they won't be able to afford your services? Tim and Derek are here to tell you that making assumptions about clients can cost you good projects and clients. They discuss handling budget-conscious clients by taking the time to listen and understand their needs.   In this...

Tom sits down with Dominic Rubino —  business coach and host of ‘Profit Tool Belt’ and ‘Cabinet Maker Profit System’ podcast — to discuss strategic planning for contractors. Dominic shares his approach to keeping strategic planning simple by asking the right questions and also shares practical tips for mapping out the coming year in a straightforward way.   Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Welcome no...

What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning? Starting your day with gratitude is one of the most powerful habits not only for your personal life but also for the success of your business! Tim and Derek are here to tell you why you should practice gratitude and how it will improve your business.    In this episode, they discuss: How practicing gratitude serves you and the p...

Today, Tom discusses a recent contractor fail that was reported in ABC 7 Chicago news. He shares the story of a homeowner unhappy with work done by her contractor, and takes a look at the key fails of the project and shares fixes for both contractors and clients on how to prevent similar failures from occurring in the future.   Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Intro [00:20] - The situation [01:19] -...