Contractor Evolution

Breakthrough Academy
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Contractor Evolution

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. 2D AGO

    225. From Reactive to Streamlined: Cory's Business Automation Journey - Cory Byron

    On July 22, attend our free web class to discover the 6 proven processes to pull you off the job site and out of sales. Register now here: https://trybta.com/CE-CGM-JL25 Get a copy of Cory's Client Guide here: https://trybta.com/DL225 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP225 If you’re a business owner stuck in the day-to-day whirlwind and wondering how to reclaim your time—today’s episode is your blueprint. We’re joined by Cory Byron, founder of Vancity Electric and a Breakthrough Academy Member for over seven years. Since joining, Cory has doubled his gross profit—not by working more hours, but by installing smart automated systems that do the heavy lifting for him. In this episode, he unpacks the exact systems that took his customer journey from reactive chaos to streamlined machine—from customer onboarding automations to virtual quoting tools, to follow-ups that actually close more jobs. Cory is an absolute tank when it comes to automation, leveraging technology and implementing systems and every contractor can learn something from him. Episode Highlights: - Get a walkthrough of a REAL contractor and BTA Member’s customer experience automations and systems that increase closing rates, facilitate upsells and foster positive engagement between the company and the customer. - Learn about Cory’s experience as a BTA Member and how the program helped him double his gross profit WITHOUT grinding harder for more hours. - Hear about the lifestyle systemizing has allowed Cory to live. More time with family, more involvement with community and more time to do what he loves. 00:00 - Intro 01:50 - Background 03:49 - A business = a list of 50 systems 08:51 - About VanCity's customer journey systems 09:17 - System 1: Estimates 16:39 - System 2: Virtual Video Quoting 24:52 - System 3: Post-Estimate Follow Up 29:13 - System 4: Sales to Production Handoff Email 32:32 - System 5: Upsell Email 35:04 - Upkeep and team adoption 39:27 - The Payoff: Freedom to Build a Bigger Life 47:29 - Closing questions Software mentioned: Jobber: https://go.getjobber.com/glem5q3dftbc NiceJob: https://book-a-demo.referral-factory.com/uEYyWFkd

    53 min

  2. JUL 2

    224. How To Lead WITHOUT Ego - Keith Mercurio

    On July 22, attend our free web class to discover the 6 proven processes to pull you off the job site and out of sales. Register now here: https://trybta.com/CE-CGM-JL25 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP224 As entrepreneurs, we’re constantly learning how to lead others. How to manage people, set direction for our business, and implement systems with our team. But how often do we take the time to learn how to lead ourselves? Today, we're talking to special guest Keith Mercurio. Keith is a plumber turned speaker and executive coach. He is the CEO and Founder of Ethical Influence Global and does significant coaching work with our friends at Service Titan. As a leader of leaders, Keith knows that our ability to serve others is rooted in our ability to understand ourselves. Our egos, our vulnerabilities, and our needs. In this episode, we unpack strategies for self-leadership—self awareness, spirituality, and showing up without ego in our daily lives. We really loved our conversation and learned a lot myself, and we hope you do too. Episode Highlights: Understand the importance of self-leadership to being an effective person in business and in life.Learn how to show up without ego by bringing awareness to what your mind, body and spirit need in everyday life.Listen in as Danny and Keith reflect on how childhood experiences continue to impact how they respond to situations as adults. 00:00 - Intro 02:24 - About Keith 10:09 - What it's like working with the ServiceTitan exec team 14:20 - The importance of staying open 34:00 - How our past experience influences our present behaviour 56:19 - About Ethical Influence 01:22:47 - What does it mean to "learn how to breathe?"

    1h 35m

  3. JUN 25

    223. How to Pick the Right Software For Your Contracting Business - James Benham

    On July 22, attend our free web class to discover the 6 proven processes to pull you off the job site and out of sales. Register now here: https://trybta.com/CE-CGM-JL25 Grab a copy of our free tech stack audit tool here: https://trybta.com/DL223 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP223 Ever had to shop for a software solution? It sucks. There’s so much out there and they all say they’re the best. That’s why today we're talking to James Benham. James is the CEO and co-founder of JBK, which offers technology solutions for Insurance & Construction companies. He’s also the author of Be Your Own VC and founder of the ConTechCrew podcast. Today’s conversation is all about how to solve problems by using the RIGHT technology. Including how to pick the problem to solve, how to research solutions using AI, and tips to get your team to actually adopt the solution you select. Episode Highlights: Get a walkthrough of construction technology expert and author James Benham’s process for identifying, choosing and implementing the right software solutions for your business (e.g. CRMs, automation and AI tools etc.)Learn the most common mistakes contractors make when purchasing new software.Hear James’ tips on keeping your company innovative as technology continues to change at an unprecedented pace. 00:00-Intro 01:21-About James 07:12-How has the construction technology space evolved in the last 10 years? 11:32-How to prioritize and select the right tech solutions 29:00-Is it realistic to get all systems working well together as one streamlined process? 37:00-Bootstrapping: Make innovation a habit and a process 39:40-What’s the biggest tech mistake you could make in the next 5 years? 41:58-Connect with James

    44 min

  4. JUN 18

    222. Is ADHD a Superpower? - Peter Shankman

    On July 22, attend our free web class to discover the 6 proven processes to pull you off the job site and out of sales. Register now here: https://trybta.com/CE-CGM-JL25 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP222 In ten years of working with contractors, we've noticed that a LOT of entrepreneurs have ADHD or other forms of neurodiversity. It’s both our biggest strength, and our biggest weakness. And the data backs this up. Studies show as much as 10% of adults have an ADHD diagnosis, and there’s some data suggesting that people with ADHD are statistically more likely to pursue entrepreneurship. Chances are, you have or know someone who has ADHD. In your family, in your network or on your team. That’s why we wanted to talk to Peter Shankman, entrepreneur, author, and advocate for neurodiversity. He’s best known for his book Faster Than Normal, where he reframes ADHD as a superpower. Today, that’s exactly what we’re talking about. What ADHD actually is, how to manage it, and how to work with people who move a little faster than normal. Episode Highlights: Understand what ADHD actually is, and what it is not when it comes to its symptoms and impacts on a person’s ability to function.Learn why Peter Shankman, author of Faster Than Normal believes ADHD is a superpower for business owners and entrepreneurs.Get tips on how to set yourself up for success as a business owner if you have ADHD, and how to set others on your team up for success if they have ADHD. 00:00 - Intro 01:26 - About Peter 07:56 - Why ADHD is a superpower 11:04 - ADHD and dopamine 14:47 - Positioning yourself to succeed in business with ADHD 18:05 - Recognizing tasks you are great at, and the ones you need help with 20:21 - How to avoid burnout 24:32 - Tackling imposter syndrome 28:17 - Use of medication 31:04 - How do you work with a team member who has ADHD? 33:38 - What are a few best practices a listener with ADHD should adopt? 36:29 - One thing to understand about people with ADHD 38:38 - Where can people connect with you?

    40 min

  5. JUN 11

    221. What to Say to An Underperforming Employee - Jen Long

    On July 22, attend our free web class to discover the 6 proven processes to pull you off the job site and out of sales. Register now here: https://trybta.com/CE-CGM-JL25 Get your free accountability resources from Jen here: https://trybta.com/DL221 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP221  Is there someone on your team who is not performing the way you need them to? Someone you know you need to do a better job of holding accountable? Someone you need to have “the talk” with? If you’re used to an accountability conversation turning into a finger-pointing exercise that goes nowhere, this episode is for you.  In today’s conversation with Jen Long, author of Own Up! How to Hold People Accountable Without All the Drama, we’re breaking down the six steps to getting someone to own their responsibilities by having one simple conversation.  Spoiler alert: this conversation isn’t about ruling with an iron fist. It’s not even about giving into all your peoples’ needs. Danny even did a little role playing with her so you can hear what this sounds like in practice. Episode Highlights: Learn the framework that accountability expert Jen Long has helped hundreds of businesses implement to create a culture of accountability within a team.Understand how to hold an effective accountability conversation with anyone on your team by following six steps.Hear Danny role play this conversation with Jen so you can actually hear what is sounds like in practice. 00:00-Intro 01:24-About Jen 05:04-Accountability misconceptions 07:50-What's unique about accountability in construction or contracting? 10:49-SOS Conversation Model (6 Steps) 11:38-Step 1: Identify Your Issue 14:24-Step 2: Analyze the Context 18:37-Step 3: Explore Impacts 20:08-Step 4: Rehearse 25:07-Step 5: Engage in Conversation 34:12-Step 6: Build Solutions 35:35-Role play

    55 min

  6. JUN 4

    220. How to Build a Hiring Funnel - Brandon Vaughn

    On July 22, attend our free web class to discover the 6 proven processes to pull you off the job site and out of sales. Register now here: https://trybta.com/CE-CGM-JL25 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP220 Those of you who know us know that we're huge advocates for putting as much effort into your hiring funnel as you do to your sales funnel. And that’s exactly why I’m excited for this week’s episode. Brandon Vaughn is a long-time entrepreneur, business coach and CEO of HireBus, a recruitment automation software built specifically for contractors. Using what’s called the RightSeat™ Assessment, HireBus helps contractors get the right people in the right roles so both the business and employees win. In this episode, I ask Brandon to walk us through an ideal hiring funnel for contractors, drawing on everything he learned from building and optimizing the RightSeat™ Assessment. How do you find qualified people? How do you get them to actually show up to an interview? And how do you know that they are ACTUALLY right for the role they applied for? Brandon covers all this and more. Episode Highlights: Get actionable recruitment tips from Brandon Vaughn, CEO of HireBus, a recruitment platform built for contractors.Learn what an ideal hiring funnel for contractors should look like, and what you can do right away to start attracting better people while weeding out the duds.Hear real examples of what good recruitment assets look like for contractors (if you want to steal some ideas, we won’t tell). 00:00-Intro 01:30-About Brandon and HireBus 07:51-Brandon's experience with Wise Coatings 19:40-Why focus on recruitment? 23:56-Learnings from HireBus for contractors 27:42-What makes the best job ads? 31:18-Importance of speed-to-lead in recruitment 34:40-How to qualify and prioritize candidates 37:31-How to get the right people in the right seats 44:26-How do you get people to actually show up for an interview? 50:45-Lightning round 53:46-Connect with Brandon

    57 min

  7. MAY 28

    219. Tariff-Proof Your Business: A Construction Lawyer's Playbook - Trent Cotney

    On July 22, attend our free web class to discover the 6 proven processes to pull you off the job site and out of sales. Register now here: https://trybta.com/CE-CGM-JL25 Download Trent's Price Acceleration Provision and tariff-proof your contracts today: https://trybta.com/DL219 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP219 While the details have shifted over the past few months, there’s no doubt that all the talk about tariffs has caused uncertainty for the small business community. Especially contractors. And, whether the USA’s plan remains the same or not, this whole situation got me thinking: what exactly should contractors DO to minimize the impact of new tariffs on their materials, supply chain and profit margins? My guest today, Trent Cotney, is back on the show to help us answer that question. Trent is a board-certified construction lawyer, author and co-host of the #1 construction law podcast, Law and Mortar. Today, we cover: What tariffs actually are, and how they will impact on our industry What clauses you can put in your contracts to protect yourself from tariff shocksTrent’s predictions on what’s coming next based on his time spent in Washington DC. And a whole lot more. 00:00-Intro 01:15-What's the current situation with US tariffs? 07:41-How tariffs actually work 10:40-Audit and rethink your supply chain 13:50-Best way to price jobs when costs are unpredictable 21:03-Tariff-proof contract clauses 25:40-Trent's predictions on the future 28:39-Planning for the good, the bad and the ugly 34:04-One action you can take tonight to become more tariff resistant.

    37 min

  8. MAY 23

    218. $10MM Contractor Roadmap: Operator to Strategist - Danny Kerr

    Grab a copy of your resource bundle: https://trybta.com/DL218 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP218 Growth can be intimidating. More revenue, more staff and more work = more headaches. Plus, there’s no way to predict what new problems you’ll face as you grow. Except…there actually is. See, when you coach over 1500 contractors, like we have at Breakthrough Academy, you notice some patterns. Turns out, the journey to a highly profitable and systemized contracting business looks the same for pretty much everyone. Four phases. Predictable barriers at each phase. Predictable solutions to get from one phase to the next. Last year, Danny gave a keynote at a convention in Orlando that walked through this whole process. Today, we’re releasing it as a bonus episode so more contractors can benefit. Episode Highlights: Understand the four phases of contractor growth and how to determine which phase you’re in.Learn the predictable problems contractors will face at each phase, and which systems to implement in order to overcome them.Get access to systems and templates that hundreds of contractors have used to make more money, hire A-players and promote themselves from operator to strategist. 00:00-Intro 02:48-Danny's story 06:42-About Breakthrough Academy 11:37-About the Contractor Growth Method 14:56-Phase 1: Operators 18:34-Phase 2: Managers 26:45-Phase 3: Leaders 32:30-Phase 4: Strategists 38:51-Summary 46:07-How to implement your learning

    52 min
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4.9
out of 5
62 Ratings

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 - 2025
  • Episodes
    225
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025
  • Show Website
    Contractor Evolution

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