Success Beyond The Brush

Consulting4Contractors
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Host Scott Lollar is a 35-year veteran of the painting industry and founder of Consulting4Contractors. The 'Success Beyond The Brush' Podcast serves as a touchpoint to painting contractors who have hustled, sacrificed, and worked hard to get their business to where it is today. Now, you need the guidance, expertise, experience, and team to make it into the multi-million-dollar company of your dreams. You'll hear stories and interviews from "Brothers of the Brush" and "Sisters of the Sprayer" who have been where you are and are charting a new course for their company's success. Listen in and go beyond $1,000,000!

  1. SBTB Ep 11 | Ask Scott Anything: Coaching, Time Management, Hiring & Building a Team

    4 DAYS AGO

    SBTB Ep 11 | Ask Scott Anything: Coaching, Time Management, Hiring & Building a Team

    In this listener Q&A episode, Scott Lollar shares his origin story—how an entrepreneurial streak as a kid (yard work, snow shoveling, even cleaning an elderly couple’s home) eventually led to painting, then scaling companies, and finally launching Consulting4Contractors (C4C). From there, Scott and Mark tackle big questions contractors face: how to choose a coach in a noisy market, how to stop living in the “firefighter” mode as an owner, how to think about hiring key people when cash feels tight, and what it takes to stop being the center of the business. Along the way, they reference practical frameworks like the “5 Whys,” the urgent-vs-important quadrant, and the idea of building a vertical org chart where people truly own outcomes. What we cover in this episode Scott Lollar’s “through the trenches” background (and how painting started with one question: “Can you paint my house?”)“Experts, not influencers” — how to evaluate coaches and consultants in a crowded spaceWhy information isn’t the problem—and why accountability and support change everythingHow owners get organized when everything feels urgentSolving recurring chaos with systems: Toyota “5 Whys” and process thinkingAutomate / Eliminate / Delegate (and why planning prevents constant emergencies)Hiring to grow: the “chicken or egg” question and how to think about overhead paying for itselfBuilding a team so you’re not the center: vertical org chart, clear ownership, KPIs, reporting loopsLeadership growth: when you need a GM/VP-type role and how to avoid the Superman complexNotable frameworks & references mentioned The E-Myth (and the concept of building systems for recurring problems)Toyota “5 Whys” root-cause methodUrgent vs. Important (Eisenhower / Covey quadrant thinking)Free to Focus by Michael Hyatt (freedom zone, planning, delegation)“Don’t call me unless you have three solutions” (problem-solving culture)Key takeaways If you’re putting out the same fires every week, the fix is almost always a process, not more effort.Coaching isn’t about more content—it’s about getting unstuck, building momentum, and staying accountable.Hiring isn’t only about “can I afford it?”—it’s about what revenue/profit gap the role can close.To stop being the center, you need clear ownership, measurable expectations (KPIs), and a consistent reporting loop.🔗 Links from This Episode ✨ Free Discovery Call with Scott Lollar 👉 https://consulting4contractors.com/discovery-call/ 🏗️ Consulting 4 Contractors Website 👉 https://consulting4contractors.com/ ⚙️ Operations Module Demo Video (YouTube) 👉 https://youtu.be/0IUmPWk4GRI ✌️ Operations Module 2.0 Update Video (YouTube) 👉 https://youtu.be/JTHtbLXyMBI 📲 C4C on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/consulting4contractors/ 👥 C4C Facebook Community 👉 https://www.facebook.com/consulting4contractors/ 💼 C4C on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/70241567 📧 Want to Be a Guest? Send us an email → info@c4c.team 🎧 Credits 🎙️ Hosts:Scott Lollar — Founder, Consulting 4 ContractorsMark Black — Owner, Men In White Painting, Mt. Vernon, IL 🎵 Production:Siren Mastering — Original music, artwork, transcripts, show notes & audio engineeringhttps://www.sirenmastering.com (00:00) - Introduction: Experts, Not Influencers (01:14) - Success Beyond the Brush: Episode Overview (01:42) - Listener Q&A: Scott's Background in the Painting Industry (02:44) - The Journey: From Entrepreneurial Beginnings to Consulting (09:21) - The Value of Coaching: Why Choose Consulting4Contractors (20:03) - Organizing as Business Owners: From Firefighting to Efficiency (20:59) - Identifying and Solving Recurring Problems (21:50) - The Power of Planning and Delegation (23:02) - Time Management Strategies (23:59) - Operating in Your Freedom Zone (26:30) - Creating a Culture of Independence (28:41) - Balancing Growth and Financial Stability (32:52) - Building a Self-Sustaining Team (39:38) - Conclusion and Next Steps

    41 min
  2. SBTB Ep. 10 | The Scheduling Mistakes That Quietly Cost Contractors $150K+

    3 FEB

    SBTB Ep. 10 | The Scheduling Mistakes That Quietly Cost Contractors $150K+

    In this episode, Mark Black and Scott Lollar break down why scheduling is one of the biggest hidden profit leaks in a contracting business. They unpack how going over budget doesn’t just cost you on the job — it steals capacity from the next job (the “double whammy”), why “my board is full” is meaningless if it isn’t tied to revenue targets and headcount, and how crew sizing, overtime, job rounding, and even supply runs can quietly wreck production. If you want more predictable revenue, smoother operations, and fewer end-of-job surprises, this one is a must-listen. What you’ll learn in Episode 10 Why scheduling = capacity, and capacity dictates revenueThe “double whammy” of going over budget:You lose margin on the current jobYou lose revenue you could’ve produced on the next jobThe KPI mindset shift: when a job hits budget, everything after is free workWhy over-staffing jobs “just to give Joe somewhere to go” creates inefficiencyWhy a 2-person crew often outperforms a packed 4-person crew (and how to run 4 as “two crews of two”)The danger of letting the schedule drift because “it’s only a couple hours”Why 36–38 hours/week becomes a massive annual revenue leak at scaleWhen overtime actually helps production (and profitability)Why you still need to track “FTE” (full-time equivalent) even with subcontractorsWhy “we’re good” updates are meaningless unless you track % complete vs. hours burnedThe “don’t send the whole crew back tomorrow” rule:push the next job forwardsend a leader back to wrap up for a couple hoursWhy estimates should be rounded to workable scheduling units (8s/16s/32s)Skill levels and scheduling: don’t build your schedule around weaknesses — train and cross-train🔗 Links from This Episode ✨ Free Discovery Call with Scott Lollar 👉 https://consulting4contractors.com/discovery-call/ 🏗️ Consulting 4 Contractors Website 👉 https://consulting4contractors.com/ ⚙️ Operations Module Demo Video (YouTube) 👉 https://youtu.be/0IUmPWk4GRI ✌️ Operations Module 2.0 Update Video (YouTube) 👉 https://youtu.be/JTHtbLXyMBI 📲 C4C on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/consulting4contractors/ 👥 C4C Facebook Community 👉 https://www.facebook.com/consulting4contractors/ 💼 C4C on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/70241567 📧 Want to Be a Guest? Send us an email → info@c4c.team 🎧 Credits 🎙️ Hosts:Scott Lollar — Founder, Consulting 4 ContractorsMark Black — Owner, Men In White Painting, Mt. Vernon, IL 🎵 Production:Siren Mastering — Original music, artwork, transcripts, show notes & audio engineeringhttps://www.sirenmastering.com (00:00) - Introduction to Scheduling in Operations (00:26) - The Importance of Efficient Scheduling (01:07) - Wecome To Success Beyond The Brush (02:15) - Diving into Scheduling Challenges (03:16) - Operational Realities and Capacity (05:50) - The Impact of Over-Budget Jobs (12:20) - Optimizing Crew Sizes and Job Efficiency (18:54) - Balancing Operational and People Components (22:19) - The Importance of Manpower in Achieving Revenue Goals (22:55) - Understanding and Expanding Your Production Schedule (27:01) - The Role of Technology in Scheduling (29:05) - Effective Project Management and Communication (36:16) - Addressing Skill Levels and Cross-Training (40:02) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    41 min
  3. SBTB Ep. 9 | Risk Management Without Killing Momentum

    27 JAN

    SBTB Ep. 9 | Risk Management Without Killing Momentum

    📝 Episode Summary Risk management isn’t about playing scared — it’s about playing smart. In this episode of Success Beyond The Brush, we dig into the reality that as your painting business grows, so does your exposure to risk. From everyday jobsite mistakes to insurance blind spots, safety shortcuts, and financial vulnerabilities, this conversation reframes risk as something to be managed, not avoided. Through real-world examples — including costly adhesion failures, overlooked safety protocols, and underinsured scenarios — we explore how contractors can protect their companies without slowing momentum or stalling growth. If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly reacting instead of leading, this episode will help you rethink how defense, systems, and preparation actually fuel long-term success. 🎯 Key Topics Covered Why growth naturally increases risk for contractorsThe danger of “everyday work” when protocols are skippedHow experience can actually create safety blind spotsThe difference between fear-based leadership and defensive leadershipInsurance gaps contractors don’t realize they haveLead, asbestos, and pollution exposure in the coatings industryWhy safety is a leadership responsibility — not just OSHA complianceFinancial risk created by vague scopes, contracts, and handshake dealsHow managing risk properly allows your reward to grow alongside it🔗 Links from This Episode ✨ Free Discovery Call with Scott Lollar 👉 https://consulting4contractors.com/discovery-call/ 🏗️ Consulting 4 Contractors Website 👉 https://consulting4contractors.com/ ⚙️ Operations Module Demo (YouTube) 👉 https://youtu.be/0IUmPWk4GRI 📲 C4C on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/consulting4contractors/ 👥 C4C Facebook Community 👉 https://www.facebook.com/consulting4contractors/ 💼 C4C on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/70241567 📧 Want to Be a Guest? Send us an email → info@c4c.team 🎧 Credits 🎙️ Hosts:Scott Lollar — Founder, Consulting 4 ContractorsMark Black — Owner, Men In White Painting, Mt. Vernon, IL 🎵 Production:Siren Mastering — Original music, artwork, transcripts, show notes & audio engineeringhttps://www.sirenmastering.com (00:00) - Introduction: Everyday Risks in Paint Contracting (01:16) - Introduction: Success Beyond the Brush (02:15) - Understanding Risk Management (07:05) - Insurance and Financial Risk (11:35) - Safety Protocols and OSHA Compliance (17:28) - Financial Risks and Contracts (21:42) - Conclusion: Managing Risk for Sustainable Growth

    23 min
  4. SBTB Ep. 8 | Executing The Gameplan - Why Great Contractors Run Better Meetings (And Bad Ones Avoid Them)

    20 JAN

    SBTB Ep. 8 | Executing The Gameplan - Why Great Contractors Run Better Meetings (And Bad Ones Avoid Them)

    Many business owners come up through the trades as high performers and lone wolves. Meetings can feel “too corporate,” expensive, inconvenient, or uncomfortable — especially when owners don’t know what to say or fear saying the wrong thing. The result? Meetings get avoided entirely… and communication suffers. The One Meeting Every Company Needs Scott explains why monthly all-company meetings are essential regardless of size: Casting vision and directionReinforcing stability and future workloadCreating trust and transparencyHelping employees understand why they should stayPeople don’t just work for paychecks — they work for purpose, security, and belief in the plan. What Belongs in an All-Company Meeting You don’t need a long agenda — just consistent structure. Effective meetings may include: Company performance vs projectionsVision and annual goalsSafety training & OSHA documentationAdministrative updatesRecognition and appreciationLight financial education (without overwhelm)Most importantly, the meeting should not be a one-person monologue — sharing leadership builds buy-in. Financial Transparency: How Much Is Too Much? Scott outlines why some transparency is critical, but excessive detail can backfire. Using rolled-up categories (COGS, expenses, net) educates teams without exposing sensitive owner compensation — and prevents false assumptions about profitability. Crew Leader & Foreman Meetings Weekly or bi-weekly crew leader meetings allow owners to: Mentor leadersDiscuss work-in-progress and hotspotsAddress personnel issuesAlign schedules and expectationsIf leaders aren’t supported, neither are the people they lead. Sales & Operations Meetings For growing companies, Scott recommends: Sales meetings for accountability, KPIs, and pipeline clarityOperations meetings for job handoffs, production planning, staffing, and backlog awarenessClean handoffs eliminate confusion, wasted time, and poor client experiences. The Power of Stand-Up Meetings Short daily check-ins help teams confirm whether tomorrow’s plan will actually work — early enough to avoid last-minute chaos, late-night texts, and unnecessary stress. Why Meetings Must Be Non-Negotiable Meetings only work when they are: Held consistentlyStarted on timeProtected from interruptionsSupported by a simple agendaCanceling meetings sends a message — and your team hears it loud and clear. Final Takeaway Meetings aren’t about control — they’re about community, clarity, and confidence. Today’s workforce wants to feel connected, valued, and part of something bigger. Well-run meetings deliver exactly that. 🔗 Links from This Episode ✨ Free Discovery Call with Scott Lollar 👉 https://consulting4contractors.com/discovery-call/ 🏗️ Consulting 4 Contractors Website 👉 https://consulting4contractors.com/ ⚙️ Operations Module Demo (YouTube) 👉 https://youtu.be/0IUmPWk4GRI 📲 C4C on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/consulting4contractors/ 👥 C4C Facebook Community 👉 https://www.facebook.com/consulting4contractors/ 💼 C4C on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/70241567 📧 Want to Be a Guest? Send us an email → info@c4c.team 🎧 Credits 🎙️ Hosts:Scott Lollar — Founder, Consulting 4 ContractorsMark Black — Owner, Men In White Painting, Mt. Vernon, IL🎵 Production:Siren Mastering — Original music, artwork, transcripts, show notes & audio engineeringhttps://www.sirenmastering.com (00:00) - Introduction: The Importance of Vision in the Workforce (01:17) - Welcome to Success Beyond the Brush (01:29) - The Great Debate: Company Meetings (02:12) - Diving into Company Meetings (03:36) - The Value of Regular Communication (05:01) - Types of Essential Meetings (06:57) - Overcoming Resistance to Meetings (07:48) - Structuring Effective Meetings (11:53) - Transparency and Financial Discussions (16:16) - Additional Key Meetings for Business Success (24:59) - The Role of Standup Meetings (26:58) - Consistency and Structure in Meetings (35:40) - Conclusion: Building Strong Companies

    36 min
  5. SBTB Ep. 7 | Executing The Gameplan - Stay in Your Lane: How Contractors Lose Money by Doing ‘A Little Bit of Everything'

    13 JAN

    SBTB Ep. 7 | Executing The Gameplan - Stay in Your Lane: How Contractors Lose Money by Doing ‘A Little Bit of Everything'

    In this episode of Success Beyond The Brush, Mark and Scott dive into one of the biggest profit-killers for contractors: diversifying too much, too quickly, for the wrong reasons. From wanting to please customers…to scarcity mindset…to having “a guy” who used to do tile 13 years ago… This conversation exposes the real risks behind saying “yes” to work that falls outside your core lane. Mark opens up about his own struggles with chasing new services, overextending his team, and getting stuck personally finishing commitments that were never profitable. Scott breaks down why owners need to understand profit centers, data tracking, scalability, manpower, and the emotional traps that cause them to make terrible decisions. Whether you're a painting contractor doing small carpentry on the side, or a growing company tempted by commercial opportunities, this episode delivers clarity, structure, and the tough-love reminders that contractors desperately need. 🔑 Key Topics Covered The “Superman Complex” and why contractors struggle to say noScarcity mindset vs. optimistic overconfidenceHow diversification overloads teams and kills moraleWhy “we have a guy who can do that” is NOT a strategyTracking profitability by service line (hashtags, job types, etc.)Determining true profit centers in your businessWhen adding ancillary services actually makes senseScalability and trainability — the two silent killersThe risks of chasing big commercial jobs before you're readyWhy clarity on who you are (and are NOT) creates business freedom🔥 Episode Highlights “Just because you can do a thing doesn’t mean you should.”“When you say yes to the wrong stuff, you don’t have time to say yes to the right stuff.”“Your team doesn’t want to be handyman generalists—they want to be experts.”“If one person on your team is the entire reason you offer a service, you don’t have a business model—you have a dependency.”“If it’s not a hell yes…it’s a no.” 🔗 Links from This Episode ✨ Free Discovery Call with Scott Lollar 👉 https://consulting4contractors.com/discovery-call/ 🏗️ Consulting 4 Contractors Website 👉 https://consulting4contractors.com/ ⚙️ Operations Module Demo (YouTube) 👉 https://youtu.be/0IUmPWk4GRI 📲 C4C on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/consulting4contractors/ 👥 C4C Facebook Community 👉 https://www.facebook.com/consulting4contractors/ 💼 C4C on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/70241567 📧 Want to Be a Guest? Send us an email → info@c4c.team 🎧 Credits 🎙️ Hosts:Scott Lollar — Founder, Consulting 4 ContractorsMark Black — Owner, Men In White Painting, Mt. Vernon, IL🎵 Production:Siren Mastering — Original music, artwork, transcripts, show notes & audio engineeringhttps://www.sirenmastering.com (00:00) - Introduction: The Eternal Optimist's Dilemma (00:27) - The Passion and Proficiency Debate (01:48) - Welcome to Success Beyond the Brush (03:05) - The Struggle of Saying No (04:24) - The Superman Complex (05:33) - Determining Your Core Competencies (08:23) - The Pitfalls of Diversification (09:15) - Tracking Profitability and Data (18:13) - Scalability and Trainability (24:22) - Final Thoughts and Advice (30:57) - Conclusion: Wrapping Up

    32 min
  6. SBTB Ep. 6 | Behind The Bid - Where to Spend Your Marketing Dollars: Buyers, Brand, and Better ROI

    6 JAN

    SBTB Ep. 6 | Behind The Bid - Where to Spend Your Marketing Dollars: Buyers, Brand, and Better ROI

    Where to Spend Your Marketing Dollars: Buyers, Brand, and Better ROI When you’ve got a limited marketing budget and a dozen people shouting “We’re the answer!”, where do you actually put your dollars? In this episode of Success Beyond The Brush, host Mark Black sits down with Scott Lollar from Consulting4Contractors to unpack how painting contractors can make smarter, data-driven decisions about marketing spend—without getting hypnotized by shiny objects or agency hype. Scott walks through how to reverse-engineer your marketing budget from your revenue targets, average job size, and close rate, and why tracking cost per lead and cost of acquisition is non-negotiable once you start spending real money. They compare branding vs. direct-response marketing, dig into Google vs. Facebook, Angi and other lead services, billboards, TV/radio, Every Door Direct Mail, door hangers, and more—showing where each fits in your overall strategy. You’ll also hear why past customers are your most underused marketing asset, and how a simple, consistent newsletter can beat out expensive ad campaigns when it comes to profitability and long-term growth. Whether you’re a one- or two-person shop just starting to spend, or a multi-million-dollar contractor wrestling with a six-figure marketing budget, this conversation will help you think more clearly about the why behind every marketing dollar. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to back into your marketing needs using revenue targets, average job size, and close ratesThe difference between buyers (Google searchers) and shoppers/scrollers (Facebook)Why Scott’s personal guideline is ~6% max marketing spend—and when 10% can still be okayHow to calculate and track cost per lead and cost of acquisitionThe real role of branding: billboards, TV, radio, vehicle wraps, and social postsWhy ignoring your past customer list is one of the biggest marketing mistakes contractors makeHow to build a simple annual marketing calendar that keeps you out of “panic spend” modeWhat to look for (and watch out for) when hiring a marketing agencyHow newsletters, case studies, and helpful local content keep you top-of-mind and profitableIf you’re tired of just “throwing money at marketing” and hoping your calendar fills up, this episode will help you start acting like a true manager of systems—especially your marketing system. 🔗 Links from This Episode ✨ Free Discovery Call with Scott Lollar 👉 https://consulting4contractors.com/discovery-call/ 🏗️ Consulting 4 Contractors Website 👉 https://consulting4contractors.com/ ⚙️ Operations Module Demo (YouTube) 👉 https://youtu.be/0IUmPWk4GRI 📲 C4C on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/consulting4contractors/ 👥 C4C Facebook Community 👉 https://www.facebook.com/consulting4contractors/ 💼 C4C on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/70241567 📧 Want to Be a Guest? Send us an email → info@c4c.team 🎧 Credits 🎙️ Hosts:Scott Lollar — Founder, Consulting 4 ContractorsMark Black — Owner, Men In White Painting, Mt. Vernon, IL🎵 Production:Siren Mastering — Original music, artwork, transcripts, show notes & audio engineeringhttps://www.sirenmastering.com (00:00) - The Big Mistake Young Contractors Make (00:50) - Introduction to Success Beyond the Brush (01:02) - Where Should Your Marketing Dollars Go? (02:43) - Understanding Your Marketing Needs (04:18) - The Importance of a Web Presence (06:25) - Building Your Brand (09:37) - Tracking Marketing ROI (12:13) - Maximizing Marketing Spend Efficiency (19:25) - Opinions on Common Marketing Avenues (22:51) - Introduction to C4C's Marketing Systems (23:21) - Evaluating Service Referral Agencies (24:56) - The Effectiveness of Print Advertising (26:22) - Proximity Marketing Strategies (28:07) - Television and Radio Ads: Branding vs. Direct Response (32:06) - Creating a Marketing Calendar (34:40) - Working with Marketing Agencies (38:35) - Building Trust Through Branding (44:06) - Final Thoughts on Effective Marketing

    46 min
  7. SBTB Ep. 5 | People Before Paint - Building Loyalty That Lasts: How to Create a Magnetic Culture That Retains Great Employees

    30/12/2025

    SBTB Ep. 5 | People Before Paint - Building Loyalty That Lasts: How to Create a Magnetic Culture That Retains Great Employees

    In this powerful episode of Success Beyond The Brush, Mark Black and Scott Lollar sit down with special guest Rick Holtz of H.J. Holtz & Son to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing contractors today — employee retention. With over 55 field employees and decades-long tenures on his team, Rick shares the intentional systems and leadership mindset that have helped him build a loyal, high-performing workforce. This conversation dives deep into how vision, onboarding, personal connection, leadership training, accountability systems, and emotional intelligence all work together to create an employee experience that keeps people engaged and committed long-term. 🔑 Key Topics Covered: Why most contractors struggle with employee retention post-COVIDThe power of personal connection between owners and employeesRick’s 3-hour executive onboarding process for every new hireWhy vision and company language matter more than perksHow to discipline without emotional conflictTraining crew leaders in emotional intelligence and soft skillsWhen to invest in an employee — and when to terminateHow documentation protects both the company and the teamWhy employee experience is just as important as customer experienceUsing role play to train leadership in real-world scenariosCreating a culture where accountability feels safe, not threatening💬 Memorable Quotes: “There’s no such thing as bad employees — only bad places to work.” – Rick Holtz“Your culture is taught, not hoped for.”“We don’t discipline for conflict — we discipline for broken agreements.”“Employees are yearning to belong to something bigger than themselves.”🎧 Episode Takeaway Retention is not a hiring problem — it’s a leadership and culture problem. When owners become intentional about vision, connection, training, and accountability, loyalty follows. 🔗 Links from This Episode ✨ Free Discovery Call with Scott Lollar 👉 https://consulting4contractors.com/discovery-call/ 🏗️ Consulting 4 Contractors Website 👉 https://consulting4contractors.com/ ⚙️ Operations Module Demo (YouTube) 👉 https://youtu.be/0IUmPWk4GRI 📲 C4C on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/consulting4contractors/ 👥 C4C Facebook Community 👉 https://www.facebook.com/consulting4contractors/ 💼 C4C on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/70241567 📧 Want to Be a Guest? Send us an email → info@c4c.team 🎧 Credits 🎙️ Hosts:Scott Lollar — Founder, Consulting 4 ContractorsMark Black — Owner, Men In White Painting, Mt. Vernon, ILRick Holtz - H.J. Holtz & Son, Inc., Richmond, VA 🎵 Production:Siren Mastering — Original music, artwork, transcripts, show notes & audio engineeringhttps://www.sirenmastering.com (00:00) - Introduction: The Importance of Employee Connectedness (00:47) - Welcome to Success Beyond the Brush (01:23) - Introducing Rick Holtz and Employee Retention (01:58) - The Challenge of Employee Retention (02:26) - Rick Holtz's Approach to Employee Connection (05:36) - Onboarding and Setting Expectations (08:01) - The Importance of Vision and Goals (12:36) - Handling Employee Accountability (15:13) - Training Leaders for Better Management (18:24) - Addressing Accountability in the Workplace (19:40) - Consulting for Contractors: Building Better Systems (20:27) - Welcoming New Employees: A Leadership Challenge (22:14) - Training Crew Leaders for Success (26:38) - Role Playing for Better Employee Interactions (31:36) - Fostering Open Communication and Employee Growth (34:22) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    35 min
  8. SBTB Ep. 4 | Cents & Sense - KPIs That Matter: Using Data to Run a Smarter Contracting Business

    23/12/2025

    SBTB Ep. 4 | Cents & Sense - KPIs That Matter: Using Data to Run a Smarter Contracting Business

    In this episode of Success Beyond The Brush, Mark and Scott dive deep into one of the most critical — and often misunderstood — subjects in contracting: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). While many business owners rely heavily on instinct and gut feelings, this conversation unpacks why real growth, sustainability, and profitability come from data-driven decisions. Scott explains how KPIs allow business owners to remove emotion from decision-making, giving clarity on everything from job profitability and labor efficiency to headcount planning and break-even analysis. The discussion walks through how properly configured financial systems — especially QuickBooks — become the backbone of clean, actionable reporting. You’ll learn why simply tracking revenue isn’t enough, how job costing reveals your most (and least) profitable services, and why tracking billable vs. unbillable labor hours can make or break your margins. Scott also breaks down the importance of running your company on an accrual basis, understanding your gross profit vs. net profit, and maintaining clear visibility into cash, receivables, and liabilities. Mark shares real-world experiences from running Men In White, including how tracking data exposed unprofitable services like popcorn ceiling removal — even though those jobs felt “easy” and stayed busy. Once the data was visible, strategic changes drastically improved profitability. The episode also introduces Consulting for Contractors’ Scorecard System, a centralized dashboard that gives owners real-time visibility into: Revenue vs. projectionsClose ratios by count and dollarsCrew production and job performanceHeadcount requirementsLead source profitabilityBacklog and scheduling healthScott emphasizes that growth is not about chasing big revenue numbers — it’s about building a balanced business engine where leads, labor, sales, and production stay aligned. Without that balance, even fast-growing companies become financially unstable. If you’ve ever wondered: “Why am I busy but not profitable?”“How many people do I actually need to grow?”“Which jobs or services are secretly hurting my business?”This episode gives you the framework to finally answer those questions with confidence. 🔗 Links from This Episode ✨ Free Discovery Call with Scott Lollar 👉 https://consulting4contractors.com/discovery-call/ 🏗️ Consulting 4 Contractors Website 👉 https://consulting4contractors.com/ ⚙️ Operations Module Demo (YouTube) 👉 https://youtu.be/0IUmPWk4GRI 📲 C4C on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/consulting4contractors/ 👥 C4C Facebook Community 👉 https://www.facebook.com/consulting4contractors/ 💼 C4C on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/70241567 📧 Want to Be a Guest? Send us an email → info@c4c.team 🎧 Credits 🎙️ Hosts:Scott Lollar — Founder, Consulting 4 ContractorsMark Black — Owner, Men In White Painting, Mt. Vernon, IL🎵 Production:Siren Mastering — Original music, artwork, transcripts, show notes & audio engineeringhttps://www.sirenmastering.com (00:00) - Introduction: Emotions vs. Data in Business Decisions (01:01) - Welcome to Success Beyond the Brush (01:39) - Deep Dive into Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) (04:19) - Common KPIs and Their Importance (06:45) - Tracking Job Profitability and Cost of Goods Sold (10:28) - The Role of Headcount in Business Growth (14:07) - Building a Data-Driven Business (16:01) - The Importance of Accurate Financial Data (26:35) - Weekly and Monthly Data Tracking (35:23) - Conclusion: Control Your Business with Data

    36 min
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About

Host Scott Lollar is a 35-year veteran of the painting industry and founder of Consulting4Contractors. The 'Success Beyond The Brush' Podcast serves as a touchpoint to painting contractors who have hustled, sacrificed, and worked hard to get their business to where it is today. Now, you need the guidance, expertise, experience, and team to make it into the multi-million-dollar company of your dreams. You'll hear stories and interviews from "Brothers of the Brush" and "Sisters of the Sprayer" who have been where you are and are charting a new course for their company's success. Listen in and go beyond $1,000,000!

Information

  • Creator
    Consulting4Contractors
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Consulting4Contractors
  • Show Website
    Success Beyond The Brush