Contractor Evolution

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP266 Take our five minute quiz and get a custom Contractor Growth Scorecard: https://trybta.com/DL266 Can you actually run a contracting business with your spouse… …and still like each other at the end of the day? Caleb Auman (host of the Kid Contractor Podcast) and his wife Brittany have been through bankruptcy, business failure, and the kind of fights that almost ended everything. In this episode, they share the hard-won rules for how they rebuilt — together — and turned their marriage into their biggest competitive advantage.If you and your partner are building a business side by side (or thinking about it), this one's for you.🔥 What You'll Learn in This EpisodeBy the end of this conversation, you'll know how to:Navigate the real tension between being business partners and life partnersDefine clear roles so you stop stepping on each other's toesFight productively — without letting business stress destroy your relationshipRebuild trust and alignment after a major failure (including bankruptcy)Parent effectively while running a demanding contracting businessSet boundaries between "work mode" and "marriage mode"Turn your partnership into a system that makes your business strongerCheck out The Kid Contractor Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8UxQJ9VFnDk4B2f7vMZzJLoWikTD_08k00:00-Intro03:37-Defining Missions and Shared Why06:46-Navigating Bankruptcy and Partnership Roles18:42-Dividing Spouse-Run Business Role27:08-Self-Realization, Humility, and Leadership40:07-Tools for Healthy Communication50:17-Parenting and Instilling Values59:28-Final Thoughts on Life Perspective

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP265 Take our five minute quiz and get a custom Contractor Growth Scorecard: https://trybta.com/DL265 Your biggest expense is labor. If you aren’t tracking it accurately, your job costing is a lie. In this episode, Derrik Shakespear (CRO of AlignOps) reveals why most contractors bleed profit through inaccurate time tracking—and how to fix it without micromanaging your crew.If you’re still using paper timesheets or trusting the "honor system," you’re likely losing thousands in unbilled hours and slip-ups every single year.🔥 What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeBy the end of this episode, you’ll know how to:Stop "managing blind" and get accurate data on your biggest expense (Labor)Compare Estimates vs. Actuals to see which jobs actually made moneyImplement digital time tracking without your crew feeling "Big Brothered"Spot the "Silent Killers" in your workflow that paper timesheets hideUse construction time tracking data to bid more accurately next timeTurn time data into a competitive advantage for safety and liabilityMove from "guessing" productivity to measuring it like a manufacturer00:00-Intro02:24-The importance of time tracking in construction08:59-Productivity comparisons: Manufacturing vs. construction14:26-Essential components of a healthy time tracking system20:14-Frequency and best practices for reviewing project data26:02-Strategies and pitfalls for owner adoption of technology31:47-Incentivizing field crews and gamification34:43-The future of AI in the construction industry

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP264 Stop obsessing over lead generation and start building a real marketing machine. In this episode, Matt Jones (Founder of Tradie Web Guys & Host of The Site Shed) lays out the future of contractor marketing - from strategy and systems to for contractors and smarter, higher-quality leads.If you’re a contractor who feels like you’re spending more on ads but not seeing profit, this conversation will change how you think about marketing forever.🔥 What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeBy the end of this episode, you’ll know how to:Build a real marketing strategy (not just random tactics or “more leads”)Define the right success markers so you know if your marketing is actually workingUse customer lifetime value to make smarter marketing decisionsIncrease conversions without just pumping more cash into adsPosition yourself as the go-to expert in your marketUse 58 ai marketing tools to boost SEO, follow-up, and customer supportTake the first practical AI step as a contractor today00:00-Intro03:35-Defining a Marketing Strategy07:58-The Truth About Generating Leads10:10-Defining the Ideal Customer and Screening Process13:07-Focusing on Customer Lifetime Value (LTV)25:18-Achieving Consistent Growth and Predictability30:53-Balancing Lead Generation and Branding42:37-Implementing a Paid Priority Program for High-Ticket Services

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here:  https://trybta.com/EP263 Make training your next hire a breeze by grabbing a copy of our training checklist template: https://trybta.com/DL263 High employee turnover is killing profitability in the trades. And unfortunately, there is no quick fix. In this episode of Contractor Evolution, we sit down with Mike Matalone, author of Hire. Train. Retain., to break down exactly why you’re losing your best people and how to stop the bleeding.Managing employee retention isn't just about paying more; it requires building robust systems at every stage of the employee lifecycle. Mike reveals the secrets to unlocking 40-60% more productivity from your current team by tapping into their "discretionary effort."If construction hiring and retention are constantly giving you headaches, this episode gives you the blueprint to build a culture that keeps top talent engaged for the long haul. You'll learn the difference between hiring for roles versus people, the three onboarding steps that make new hires stick, and why career paths often matter more to your crew than their paycheck.Check out Mike’s book here: https://www.amazon.ca/Hire-Train-Retain-People-Things/dp/057855143800:00-Intro03:34-Why New Hires Leave in the First 90 Days06:42-The XP3 Talent System and People Systems11:17-Shifting from Management to Coaching and Creating Careers14:19-Role Clarity and Defining Success in Hiring21:17-The Importance of Personality, Skill, and Core Values in Hiring35:24-Training and Onboarding Objectives: Creating an Amazing Experience50:17-Retention Strategies and Interviewing for Fit

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP262 To download the exact accountability resources Blake used to turn a 30% Net Profit, click here: https://trybta.com/DL262 Most contractors believe you have to choose: be the "nice guy" and lose money, or be the "tough boss" and lose your team. Blake Butry, owner of Churchill USA, proves that is a myth.Since joining Breakthrough Academy in 2022, Blake has doubled his revenue while hitting an incredible 30.8% net profit. Even more impressive? He did it by building a culture centered on "emotional generosity."In this episode, we break down exactly how he balances strict financial accountability with genuine care for his team, and how you can apply this "fair but firm" approach to your own contracting business.In this episode, we cover:Insights into productive (and profitable) leadership strategies, emphasizing the balance between emotional generosity and structural fairness.The significance of articulating emotions, seeking counseling, and establishing healthy stress management practicesHow investing in team members' growth and maintaining a balance between work and personal life can lead to long-term success and a positive work environment.00:00-Intro01:57-Background on Blake Butry and Churchill USA04:23-The Evolution of Leadership and Team Building07:48-Operating with Structural Fairness and Emotional Generosity10:33-The Influence of Clear Roles and Boundaries on the Team14:48-The Duality of Structure and Trust in Leadership27:23-Balancing Fairness and Generosity in Compensation44:57-Self-Leadership, Stress, and Anxiety Management

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP261 Grab your free Project Management Resource Bundle here: https://trybta.com/DL261In this episode of Contractor Evolution, we’re releasing a talk Danny did at Build Show Live. In just 60 minutes, he breaks down the exact project management system he’s seen hundreds of contractors use to cut waste, increase profit and leave both their teams and customers happy.Danny walks through:- The four principles of good project management- How to properly structure a project manager role and hold them accountable through -effective goal setting and review rhythms- Foolproof templates for a project communication plan and status update00:00-Intro01:01-Four Principles of Project Management and Danny's Background04:04-Red Flags and The Four Systems to Discuss07:36-Employment Agreements, KPIs and Goal Setting & Review (GSR)20:33-Project Communication Plan and Status Updates29:49-Proper Use of Software and Hiring Project Managers37:58-Growth Seen in Breakthrough Academy Businesses and The Contractor Growth Method42:19-Takeaways, Implementation and Audience Questions

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP260 Take our five minute quiz and get a custom Contractor Growth Scorecard: https://trybta.com/DL260 Going into business with a partner is one of the most exciting decisions you can make, but knowing how to resolve cofounder conflict is critical if you want that business to survive. In this episode of Contractor Evolution, Dr. Matt Jones (founder of Cofounder Clarity) joins us to break down why business partnerships fail and, more importantly, how to fix them. We dive deep into the psychology of entrepreneurship and the unique challenges that come with shared leadership. If you’ve ever struggled to see eye-to-eye with your business partner, or you feel like you're speaking different languages, this episode is your roadmap to a healthier, more functional relationship.In this episode, we cover:The critical questions you MUST ask before starting a business with someoneThe 3 "languages" cofounders speak (and why mismatches cause endless arguments)How to have conflict conversations that actually resolve issuesStrategies to anticipate partnership hurdles before they destroy the businessCheck out Cofounder Clarity to learn more about Dr. Matthew’s work: https://cofounderclarity.com/ 00:00-Intro01:20-How the Guest Got Into Co-founder Relationships and Conflict Management04:51-Biggest Blind Spots When Selecting a Partner11:08-Big Questions to Ask Before Going into Business Together12:17-Managing Decision-Making and Management Structure Conflict17:32-Deeper Dynamics Fuelling Conflicts in Businesses22:58-Navigating Conflicts Properly40:52-Handling Conflict in Unique Partnership Situations

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP259 Take our five minute quiz and get a custom Contractor Growth Scorecard: https://trybta.com/DL259 Systems and documentation don't have to kill your creativity—they are actually the secret to getting your life back.In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan Ronzio, Co-Founder and CMO of Trainual, to dismantle the biggest myth in the contracting world: that SOPs are just "boring paperwork."If you’re constantly procrastinating on your systems and processes because they feel overwhelming or restrictive, Jonathan reveals the massive mindset shift you need to make. Learn how to stop being the bottleneck in your business, empower your team to run without you, and finally achieve the freedom you started your business for.In this episode, we cover:Why "boring" systems are the gateway to creative freedomThe simple framework to stop procrastinating on SOPsHow to build a business that runs on process, not just peopleThe first steps to automating your operations today00:00-Intro01:33-The Genesis and “Magic” of Trainual and Customer Base10:33-Overcoming Procrastination and the Owner's Mindset Shift for Documentation17:41-Balancing Systems and Creativity in Business19:44-Applying Lessons from Adventure to Business Leadership22:46-Creativity in Marketing30:32-Trainual's Perspective on AI36:05-Wisdom for a Younger Entrepreneurial Self