Contractor Evolution

Breakthrough Academy
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Breakthrough Academy presents Contractor Evolution. In this show we unpack the systems, tactics, and skills you need to take your fast-growing contracting business to the next level. If you’re here to learn what it takes to scale up, work less, and increase profitability, you’ve come to the right place. Stay tuned to learn what separates the new breed of contractor from the old school, and welcome to your ultimate guide to the business of contracting.

  1. 3D AGO

    257. 10+ Hours a Week Wasted: The Tasks Killing Contractor Productivity - Nick Sonnenberg

    Unlock your next A‑player hire! Join us on February 10 for a free, live web class where we’ll reveal the exact hiring framework top contractors use to consistently attract and keep elite talent (even in a labor shortage). Register here: https://trybta.com/HIFB26 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP257 Take our five minute quiz and get a custom Contractor Growth Scorecard: https://trybta.com/DL257 How much time do you waste each day on little inefficiencies? - Searching for the latest version of that SOP - Flipping through a hundred browser tabs to find your budget spreadsheet - Typing out the same email to 30 different clients Today’s guest, Nick Sonnenberg, literally wrote the book on business efficiency. It’s called Come Up For Air and it is a go-to for small business owners and teams looking to stop “drowning in work” and free up the time they spend on redundant or inefficient tasks. In today’s episode, we get into all the little things you can do that may only save you seconds at the time… …but actually add up to minutes and hours when you stack them day after day. We talk email management, how to invest time up front to save yourself hours down the line, and how to set yourself up for success when it comes to AI and automations. This is a quick one, but we cover a lot. 00:00-Intro 01:29-Increasing Capacity Without Adding More People 01:37-Why Start with Email Management? 04:16-The RAD Framework: Reply, Archive, Defer 06:59-Quick Wins for Email Inbox Management 08:46-AI and Automation in Contracting Businesses 11:18-Progress and Context of Nick's Executive Assistant AI Agent 14:14-Asset Building vs. One-Time Requests with AI 21:54-Identifying Areas for AI Use 24:32-The Shift to AI as a Search Engine 27:05 -Final Thoughts and How to Contact Nick

    31 min

  2. JAN 21

    256. The Truth About Men's Mental Health - Connor Beaton

    Unlock your next A‑player hire! Join us on February 10 for a free, live web class where we’ll reveal the exact hiring framework top contractors use to consistently attract and keep elite talent (even in a labor shortage). Register here: https://trybta.com/HIFB26 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP256 Take our five minute quiz and get a custom Contractor Growth Scorecard: https://trybta.com/DL256 Men’s mental health is in crisis. We are three times more likely to develop addictions and four times more likely to turn to suicide. And yet, 40% of men won’t seek help. In this episode of Contractor Evolution, we are diving into the "silent struggle" with Connor Beaton, founder of ManTalks and author of Men’s Work. While we usually unpack business systems and profit margins, today we’re diving into the importance of men’s inner work. After overcoming his own struggles with infidelity, drugs, and alcohol, Connor’s mission is to help men become better leaders, spouses, dads, and humans. In this conversation, we cover: The Crisis: Why men are struggling today more than ever and why it’s so hard for us to get in touch with our inner selves.Shadow Work: How to identify and confront hidden parts of ourselves (what Connor calls Shadow Work) to stop self-sabotage.Leadership & Legacy: How doing your own inner work pays off for your team and family, and how to foster healthy masculinity and self-leadership on your job sites. We love to unpack business systems, but if this type of episode is useful for you, let us know in the comments. Check out ManTalks: https://www.youtube.com/@ManTalks 🔥 Watch These Related Episodes Next: 1. Business Therapist Destroys My Limiting Beliefs in Real Time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU7m0Bk0Z9s 2. How To Lead WITHOUT Ego (Keith Mercurio's Advice): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwDRgYHKzow 3. How 8 Years in a Community Changed My Contracting Business: https://youtu.be/dL0oLzZLrUQ 00:00-Intro 02:02-Connor Beaton's Origin Story and Early Life 05:07-The Impact of Fatherless Households on Young Men 10:18-Shame-Based Motivation and the Entrepreneurial Identity 15:40-Understanding Shadow Work and Confronting the Unconscious 24:32-Step 1: The Process of Confession and Radical Honesty 32:52-Step 2: Exploring the Origins of Dysfunctional Behavior 41:51-Step 3: Confronting and Replacing Unhealthy Patterns 57:17-Modeling Imperfection and the Importance of Presence as a Father

    1h 7m

  3. JAN 14

    255. Why Contractors Are Losing the War for Talent - Aaron Witt

    Unlock your next A‑player hire! Join us on February 10 for a free, live web class where we’ll reveal the exact hiring framework top contractors use to consistently attract and keep elite talent (even in a labor shortage). Register here: https://trybta.com/HIFB26 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP255 Take our five minute quiz and get your free Contractor Growth Roadmap: https://trybta.com/DL255 What if we told you that the skilled labor shortage is your fault? Yes, there’s demographic challenges. Yes, the economy plays a role. But our industry has REALLY missed the mark on attracting the next generation. Today’s guest is the one and only Aaron Witt, founder of BuildWitt and host of the Dirt Talk podcast. He’s on a mission to empower the next generation of tradespeople and bridge the gap between the old guard and the next wave of talent. In this episode you’ll learn: Why the construction industry is partially at fault for the lack of new skilled laborersThe employer branding mistakes you’re definitely making, and what to do insteadAnd what different generations owe each other to solve the workforce crisis If you care about the future of your team, your business, and the trades as a whole — this one’s for you. Check out Aaron's YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/AaronWitt More episodes on employer branding and recruiting the next generation of skilled laborers: How to Build a Hiring Funnel (EP 220): https://youtu.be/ITtfUjjD5JI How to Attract Reliable Staff in a Labor Shortage (EP 208): https://youtu.be/bjdnIQJxAMk Leadership Beyond The Hammer (EP 215): https://youtu.be/DlJhlx65UIs 00:00-Intro 01:15-Aaron Witt's Background and Founding of BuildWit 04:20-The Importance of Brand in the Construction Industry 08:16-Why Contractors Struggle to Attract Young Talent 14:31-How Best-in-Class Contractors Hire Smarter 20:11-The Role of Authentic Storytelling 31:52-Employer Branding for the Next Generation of Contractors 40:28-Private Equity, Capitalism, and the State of Infrastructure 48:43-Responsibilities of Both Generations in Solving the Labor Crisis

    59 min

  4. JAN 7

    254. Patrick Lencioni’s Top Team Building Tips For Contractors - Patrick Lencioni

    Unlock your next A‑player hire! Join us on February 10 for a free, live web class where we’ll reveal the exact hiring framework top contractors use to consistently attract and keep elite talent (even in a labor shortage). Register here: https://trybta.com/HIFB26 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP254 Use code EVOLUTION (at check out) for 20% off both the Ideal Team Player and Working Genius Assessments: Ideal Team Player: https://www.tablegroup.com/idealteamplayer/ Working Genius: https://www.workinggenius.com/about/assessment Are you sick of hiring the wrong people? Whether you got swindled by a smooth talker in an interview or hired a B-player in desperation, you know that recruiting top talent as a contractor is an uphill battle these days. So today, we invited one of the most well-known experts in the industry to teach us how to simplify our hiring standards by using two proven frameworks for assessing prospective and current employees. Our guest today is the one and only Patrick Lencioni. He is the bestselling author of 13 books selling over 9 million copies worldwide. He’s most well known for The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. Today, we’re focusing on two of Pat’s books that are especially relevant for our industry: The Ideal Team Player and The 6 Types of Working Genius. In this episode you’ll learn: How to attract and hire Ideal Team Players at all levels of your business by looking for three key virtues. The common archetypes that show up when someone is missing one of these virtues AND how to identify the 6 types of working genius within your team so you can help everyone thrive in their roles Pat was a dream to have on the show. If you have other guests you think we should interview, leave a comment and let us know. More HEAVY HITTERS on Contractor Evolution: Chris Voss - Negotiation Tactics for Contractors: https://youtu.be/a4RDJRtkOBY Greg McKeown - Essentialism for Contractors: https://youtu.be/6J1qth84qwg Garrett Gunderson - Why Most Contractors Stay Broke: https://youtu.be/-Xx2LKkKEI8 00:00-Intro 02:20-Why did you choose the construction industry to base your book, The Ideal Team Player, in? 05:30-Defining the three virtues of an ideal team player: hungry, humble, and smart 07:15-Defining "hungry" 09:35-Defining "humble" 11:33-Identifying "fake humble" 17:36-Defining "smart" as emotional intelligence (EQ) 23:05-How to spot these three virtues in the interview process 28:23-"Scaring" people in the recruiting process 30:55-How to look for "hunger" 33:14-“Non-ideal archetypes": the accidental mess-maker (humble and hungry, but not smart) 36:20-“Non-ideal archetypes": the lovable slacker (humble and smart, but not hungry) 40:29-“Non-ideal archetypes": the skillful politician (hungry and smart, but not humble) 44:35-About The 6 Types of Working Genius and getting people in the right seat on the bus

    1h 3m

  5. 2025-12-31

    253. Cash Flow Q&A: Learn to Predict Your Profit in 2026 - Danny Kerr

    Unlock your next A‑player hire! Join us on February 10 for a free, live web class where we’ll reveal the exact hiring framework top contractors use to consistently attract and keep elite talent (even in a labor shortage). Register here: https://trybta.com/HIFB26 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP253 Check out our industry benchmarks and find out what your profit margins should be: https://www.btacademy.com/blog/profit-margin-benchmarks-for-contractors Are you constantly stressed about cash flow heading into 2026? You’re not alone. Our research shows: 👉45% of contractors don’t have any financial plan beyond paying bills and sending invoices. 👉50% of contractors hit cash crunches due to unforeseen circumstances 👉30% of contractors describe their cash flow as “unpredictable.” In this Contractor Evolution episode, we’re answering common questions from contractors about cash flow, just in time for 2026 – so you can stay cash positive, pay yourself consistently, and actually crush your goals instead of feeling like you’re drowning under 2 inches of water. We cover: ⬆️How to improve your cash flow (so you can have fewer painful conversations with your accountant) 📋How to build an annual budget for your construction or home services business 📊What job costing is and how it has the potential to completely change your business’ financial wellbeing 🤔How to figure out if you can afford to hire someone new (or if you’ll just have to awkwardly lay them off down the road) 💲AND what your profit margins should look like in 2026 More videos to help you fix your finances and take control of your profit: 💰3 Ways to Control Profit and STOP Confusing Your Finances: https://youtu.be/Qbm9yRBYgRk 🛑STOP Losing Money on Jobs (Job Costing 101): https://youtu.be/nCzP0B2u4BM 🔻Why Most Entrepreneurs Stay Broke - Garrett Gunderson: https://youtu.be/-Xx2LKkKEI8 👇 Your turn: What’s the #1 cash flow or budgeting question you want answered before 2026 kicks off? Drop it in the comments – I read every single one. 00:00-Intro 01:13-How do I improve my cash flow for 2026? 04:47-How do you go about making an annual budget? 07:26-What is job costing? Do I need to do it? 09:17-How do I get customers to pay me on time? 10:28-How do I know if I can afford a new hire? 12:10-What should my profit margins be

    14 min

  6. 2025-12-24

    252. Performance Pay vs. Hourly: What Actually Boosts Contractor Profits? - Michael Fortinberry

    Take our 5 minute quiz and get your free roadmap to contractor growth: https://trybta.com/DL252 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP252 If you’ve ever felt like your crew works hard but your margins still suffer… you’re not alone. And, according to today’s guest, traditional hourly pay might be the root of the problem. Michael Fortinberry is the co-founder of Protiv, a performance pay platform built specifically for contractors. In this episode, Michael lays out a simple but powerful framework to amplify the productivity of your team using incentive based pay. He walks us through how performance pay actually shifts crew behavior, and the step-by-step system you can use to drive productivity, boost morale, and protect your bottom line. 00:00-Intro 07:16-Catalyst for Protiv 12:53-Measuring the Productivity Lift from Performance-Based Pay 16:06-The Legal Compliance of Performance-Based Pay (Piece Rate, Overtime) 18:37-Setting up Performance-Based Pay: Numbers, Logistics, and Culture 24:23-The Three Keys to Effective Performance-Based Pay: Simple, Frequent, and Transparent 29:55-Shifting to a Performance-Based Culture 37:34-Team Buy-in and Implementation 43:43-Roles Best Suited for Performance-Based Pay 46:06-Handling Quality Issues and Rework 49:47-Addressing Budgets That Are Significantly Off 54:13-Final Takeaways

    59 min

  7. 2025-12-17

    251. Are Trades Businesses Future-Proof? (AI Is Coming) - Kasim Aslam

    Take our 5 minute quiz and get your free Contractor Growth Roadmap: https://trybta.com/DL251 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP251 Will AI replace construction workers? 🤔 Not yet. But if it ever does, the most successful contracting businesses will be the ones who adapt the quickest. So how do you make sure your business is ready for automation and AI in construction to improve and gain popularity? Today’s guest, Kasim (think “awesome” with a K) Aslam has built and exited multiple multimillion-dollar companies and now dedicates his time to helping business owners and their teams take control of AI… …Before it takes control of them. And in his opinion, that doesn’t mean automating EVERYTHING. It actually means doubling down on humanity at every possible opportunity. If you want to future-proof your business and stay on the right side of the AI revolution, this one’s for you. Episode highlights: Get perspective on the AI revolution from Kasim Aslam, renowned entrepreneur, business strategist and co-founder of Pareto Talent: a Virtual - Assistant agency that focuses exclusively on connecting owners with AI-empowered admin support.Learn why scalable things may not be relevant in the age of AI (and the shifts you need to make to future-proof your company).Understand why doubling down on your people is the counterintuitive way for contractors to win in the modern world. 00:00-Intro 01:15-What will trades businesses look like as AI progresses? 09:35-Are small businesses screwed in the age of Private Equity? 15:21-Biggest AI opportunities and biggest AI red flags 26:59-What happens in 10 years? 36:03-What should contractors be focused on right now? 38:54-Kasim's thoughts on the emotional side of selling a business 49:49-Wrap up

    50 min

  8. 2025-12-10

    250. Can Learning Less Can Make You More Successful? - Pat Flynn

    Take our 5 minute quiz and get a custom Contractor Growth Roadmap: https://trybta.com/DL250 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP250 Do you ever feel like there is WAY too much to learn or feel guilty for not learning enough? Financial literacy, AI, automation software, job site best practices, leadership theory… The list of things you COULD go and figure out is endless. But what if I told you the answer is actually to learn LESS? Our guest today is Pat Flynn: entrepreneur, podcast host and author of several books including Superfans and Will it Fly? In his newest book Lean Learning, Pat lays out a tangible framework for spending LESS time learning the RIGHT things. And today, we’re talking about how to understand what you NEED to learn, what you WANT to learn, and what you DON’T need to learn at all. Episode Highlights: - Understand the dangers of “over-learning” as a contractor and entrepreneur and why we feel so much pressure to “know it all.” - Learn Pat’s framework for determining what is worth learning and what is a waste of your time and energy. - Get tips on avoiding “analysis paralysis” by focusing on ONLY the important data points to make a decision for your business. Get Pat's book here: https://leanlearningbook.com/ Want to learn more about prioritization and decision making? Check out these videos 👇 📝Steal These Prioritization Methods to Get More Done: https://youtu.be/-9zk4mQfL7k ⏰Matt Risingers’ $10MM Time Blocking System REVEALED: https://youtu.be/Pdf4Vpq1KZ4 ✋No More Excuses: Stay Consistent When Goals Go Sideways: https://youtu.be/YBa20g7kQRc 00:00-Intro 01:39-The dangers of "over-learning" for contractors 07:58-The Inspiration Matrix 17:50-"Just in time" learning vs "Just in case" learning 24:45-The importance of community to a contractor's learning journey 33:57-Thinking through the risks vs. "just going for it" 42:54-Micro-mastery vs. Quantum Leaps 51:00-Wrap up

    53 min
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4.8
out of 5
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About

Breakthrough Academy presents Contractor Evolution. In this show we unpack the systems, tactics, and skills you need to take your fast-growing contracting business to the next level. If you’re here to learn what it takes to scale up, work less, and increase profitability, you’ve come to the right place. Stay tuned to learn what separates the new breed of contractor from the old school, and welcome to your ultimate guide to the business of contracting.

Information

  • Creator
    Breakthrough Academy
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    257
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025
  • Show Website
    Contractor Evolution

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