Contractor Secrets

Tanner Mullen

It's no secret that a large majority of contractors are too busy working "IN" their business instead of "ON" their business. As a 3rd generation painter, I've first-hand witnessed the struggle of a contractor (my father) as he attempted to manage all aspects of his House Painting Business while still painting and performing the jobs. My passion is to free contractors from the chains of their own business, and truly help them achieve greatness through creating systems, processes, and standards...TUNE IN! Follow @OfficialTannerMullen on Instagram!

  1. 3 days ago

    Stronghold Audio Book: Day 16-24

    What's up good people! As some of you may know, the 31-Days of Value challenge was born on this podcast. Since then, it's evolved into a new vision - Stronghold. New name, new vision, same powerful content. Here's the first 7 days of the audiobook - listen one day at a time - implement the ONE action - don't miss a day. If you want to read along, grab the ⁠⁠Kindle version here

    Stronghold Audio Book: Day 16-24

  2. 3 days ago

    From $0 to 200+ Clients: How He Built a Marketing Empire | Contractor Secrets (Ft. Lucas Jensen)

    How do you go from ZERO clients to building a marketing agency serving 200+ businesses? In this episode of Contractor Secrets, Tanner Mullen sits down with Lucas Jensen, founder and CEO of Forward Media Marketing, to break down how he built his agency, generated massive results with Facebook ads, and helped painting contractors grow their businesses. Lucas started his marketing agency in his parents' basement in 2020, struggling for five months without landing a single client. After borrowing $500 from his dad to register the business, he eventually signed his first painting contractor for $597. That first client changed everything. With just $2,500 in Facebook ad spend over four months, Lucas helped that contractor generate nearly $200,000 in sales. That success opened the door to more painting businesses, eventually helping Forward Media Marketing grow into an agency serving over 200 companies. In this conversation, Tanner and Lucas discuss what it really takes to build a successful marketing agency, how Facebook advertising can help painting contractors generate leads, and why curiosity, innovation, and strong relationships are essential for long-term business growth. They also dive into PaintCon 2026, a major networking and educational event for painting contractors, and share how surrounding yourself with successful business owners can completely change your perspective on what's possible. Facebook Ads can be a powerful marketing tool for painting contractors looking to generate leads and grow their businesses. Lucas Jensen shares how his first painting contractor client generated nearly $200K in sales with a $2,500 Facebook advertising investment. Join Lucas Jensen, Tanner Mullen, and other industry leaders at PaintCon 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 📅 November 18–22, 2026 🌐 https://paintcon.com 🎟️ Promo Code: DRIP20 — 20% off tickets (subject to current availability and terms) **CHAPTERS:** 00:00 – Lucas Jensen's Marketing Agency Success Story 01:27 – Tanner Mullen Introduces Lucas Jensen 04:14 – How Forward Media Marketing Started 09:14 – How Lucas Landed His First Painting Contractor 12:41 – $2,500 in Facebook Ads Generated Nearly $200K 14:56 – Scaling a Painting Contractor Marketing Agency 16:31 – The Facebook Video Ad That Changed Everything 18:28 – Growing a Marketing Agency to 200+ Clients 20:05 – Why Marketing Innovation Matters 23:14 – What Is PaintCon? 26:10 – How a Painting Contractor Grew From $800K to $5M 31:18 – PaintCon Speakers and Business Networking 34:56 – PaintCon 2026 Event Details Start your Free 14 Day Trial for Routemize - https://routemize.com/ Coaching Session Signup: https://calendly.com/dripjobs/breakthrough Purchase the 31 Days of Value and build an EMPIRE: https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2v0D0SNSBofqJJE6zApEE1 Dripjobs Demo: https://calendly.com/dripjobsteam/dripjobsdemo Gusto: https://gusto.com/i/tanner269 OpenPhone: https://openph.one/referral/8Kc17aq Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173750747824373/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: http://Instagram.com/officialtannermullen #PaintingContractor #PaintingBusiness #ContractorSystems #PaintingBusinessGrowth #ContractorSecrets

  3. 22 Oct

    Stronghold Audio Book: Day 8-15

    What's up good people! As some of you may know, the 31-Days of Value challenge was born on this podcast. Since then, it's evolved into a new vision - Stronghold. New name, new vision, same powerful content. Here's the first 7 days of the audiobook - listen one day at a time - implement the ONE action - don't miss a day. If you want to read along, grab the ⁠Kindle version here

    Stronghold Audio Book: Day 8-15

  4. 16 Oct

    How His Painting Business Made $300K Without Him | Contractor Secrets (Ft. Justin Georgopoulos)

    How do you build a painting business that runs without you? Justin Georgopoulos explains the systems behind his $6.5M painting company and how his team sold and produced $300,000 while he spent 11 days away in Greece. In this special episode of Contractor Secrets from the Routemize launch party, Tanner Mullen welcomes Justin Georgopoulos, founder of High Five Painting (formerly 519 Painters) and Trade Launch. Justin breaks down how he built a painting company where he no longer needs to personally handle estimates, customer calls, project management or payroll. Instead, his business operates through four key departments: → MARKETING: Consistent inbound and outbound lead generation → CUSTOMER SERVICE: Dedicated appointment setters, fast responses and structured follow-up → SALES: Trained closers, commission-based incentives and profitable pricing → OPERATIONS: Project managers, production handoffs, crew scheduling and accountability We also cover: How his team handled $300K in business while he was away The structure behind a $6.5M painting company How they generate approximately 100 estimates per week Their 10-call follow-up cadence over three days How they structure and compensate sales reps Their 60–70% gross profit pricing targets How AI helps match painting crews with the right projects The organizational chart behind the operation Why profit matters more than revenue How to get off the tools and stop being the bottleneck Justin also shares examples of how other painting contractors have implemented these systems through Trade Launch. The takeaway: Growing your painting business shouldn't mean creating a bigger job for yourself. Build the team. Build the systems. Create a business that can operate without you. 🎙️ Contractor Secrets with Tanner Mullen Subscribe for more conversations about scaling a profitable painting business. Start your Free 14 Day Trial for Routemize - https://routemize.com/ Coaching Session Signup: https://calendly.com/dripjobs/breakthrough Purchase the 31 Days of Value and build an EMPIRE: https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2v0D0SNSBofqJJE6zApEE1 DripJobs Demo: https://calendly.com/dripjobsteam/dripjobsdemo Gusto: https://gusto.com/i/tanner269 OpenPhone: https://openph.one/referral/8Kc17aq Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173750747824373/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: http://Instagram.com/officialtannermullen #PaintingContractor #PaintingBusiness #ContractorSystems #PaintingBusinessGrowth #ContractorSecrets

  5. 15 Oct

    Stronghold Audio Book: Day 1-7

    What's up good people! As some of you may know, the 31-Days of Value challenge was born on this podcast. Since then, it's evolved into a new vision - Stronghold. New name, new vision, same powerful content. Here's the first 7 days of the audiobook - listen one day at a time - implement the ONE action - don't miss a day. If you want to read along, grab the Kindle version here

    Stronghold Audio Book: Day 1-7

  6. 6 Oct

    The Truth About Getting Comfortable in Business | Contractor Secrets

    Getting comfortable in business can be more dangerous than failure. In this episode, Tanner Mullen explains why business owners start playing small after they've finally built something worth protecting. When I started my painting business, I knew almost nothing. I was hungry. I asked questions. I took risks. I figured things out as I went. And that's what I've been reflecting on lately. Because there's an interesting thing that happens as your business grows: You finally have something to lose. The same person who was willing to risk everything to start the business can slowly become afraid to make the decisions required to keep growing it. In this episode, I get into: → Why getting comfortable in business can be dangerous → Why business owners start playing small → Remembering who you were when you started → Scarcity vs. service → Purpose over profit → Why your “why” matters when things get hard → Walking away from an $80K job → Starting a painting business with my father → Why your business was born from risk → Learning to operate in uncertainty → Why the nature of business is constant change → Making bold investments and decisions → The responsibility that comes with leadership → Building a business that can keep promises without you → Putting service ahead of self-preservation → Preparing your business before the next storm arrives CHAPTERS: 00:00 A Different Contractor Secrets Episode 01:45 Looking Back 10 Years 03:19 Purpose Over Profit 04:32 Scarcity vs. Service 05:35 Why Your “Why” Changes Everything 07:20 The Reason I Started My Painting Business 09:07 Walking Away From the Safe Path 11:06 Remember Who You Were When You Started 12:17 Faith Requires Action 13:13 Why Business Owners Stop Taking Risks 14:03 Business Is Always Changing 15:24 The Pressure of Leadership 16:49 Where Are You Playing Small? 17:27 The Danger of Getting Comfortable 18:40 Learning to Thrive in Uncertainty 19:45 Make the Bold Decision 21:33 Prepare Before the Storm Comes 22:58 Stop Making It About You 24:24 Operate With a Servant Mindset 25:13 Business Is Bigger Than You Your business was born from risk. You believed you could create something that didn't exist yet — and you acted on it. Don't let having something to lose make you afraid to keep moving forward. Don't get comfortable. Don't play small. Remember why you started. 🎙️ Contractor Secrets with Tanner Mullen Start your Free 14 Day Trial for Routemize - https://routemize.com/ Coaching Session Signup: https://calendly.com/dripjobs/breakthrough Purchase the 31 Days of Value and build an EMPIRE: https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2v0D0SNSBofqJJE6zApEE1 DripJobs Demo: https://calendly.com/dripjobsteam/dripjobsdemo Gusto: https://gusto.com/i/tanner269 OpenPhone: https://openph.one/referral/8Kc17aq Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173750747824373/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: http://Instagram.com/officialtannermullen #PaintingContractor #PaintingBusiness #BusinessMindset #Entrepreneurship #ContractorSecrets

  7. 2 Oct

    The Biggest Lead Leak in Your Painting Business | Contractor Secrets (Ft. Katie Simons)

    Painting contractors spend thousands generating leads — but how many painting leads are lost because nobody answers the phone, follows up, or properly manages the sales pipeline? In this episode of Contractor Secrets, Tanner sits down with Katie from Tech Brush Works to break down one of the most overlooked parts of growing a painting business: what happens AFTER the lead comes in. Answering the phone isn't just an administrative job. It's part of your sales process. Katie explains how her team helps painting contractors answer calls, follow up with leads, organize their CRM, revive old opportunities and create a better customer experience before the estimator ever walks through the door. We cover: → Why answering the phone is a sales function → The hidden cost of missed painting leads → Why old leads aren't necessarily dead → How to systematically follow up by phone, text and email → Why your CRM should tell you what's happening in under a minute → Turning cold leads back into appointments → Why contractors shouldn't be answering every call themselves → The difference between answering calls and creating a customer experience → When overseas VAs make sense — and where Katie sees limitations → Why premium painting companies need a premium customer experience → Getting your business phone off your personal cell → Delegating the phone without losing control → How better follow-up gives contractors their time back CHAPTERS: 00:00 Why Answering the Phone Matters 01:19 Meet Katie 01:58 From Corporate Customer Experience to Painting 03:38 The Gap Katie Found in the Painting Industry 05:02 Customer Experience as a Service 06:06 Fixing the CRM & Reviving Cold Leads 08:59 How Homeowners Prefer to Communicate 09:39 Your Pipeline Is Gold 10:33 Reviving Months-Old Leads 12:44 Why Old Leads Aren't Dead 15:18 Stop Letting Leads Slip Through the Cracks 16:20 Who's Answering Your Phone? 17:32 Overseas VAs vs. Customer Experience 20:08 Why Communication Matters 21:35 What Premium Brands Get Right 22:53 The Experience Has to Match the Price 23:39 Who Should Manage Your Phones? 24:58 How Outsourced Phone Answering Works 26:36 Get Your Business Off Your Personal Cell 27:15 Tanner's Biggest Phone Breakthrough 28:02 Getting Your Time Back 29:14 The CEO Shouldn't Manage the Phones 30:45 How to Work With Katie The big takeaway: Generating the lead is only the beginning. If nobody answers quickly, follows up consistently and creates a great first impression, you're potentially wasting opportunities you've already paid to generate. Build the system. Work the pipeline. Create a great customer experience. And get the phone off your plate. 🎙️ Subscribe to Contractor Secrets for more conversations about building and scaling a profitable painting business. Contact Katie: www.techbrushworks.com Start your Free 14 Day Trial for Routemize - https://routemize.com/ Coaching Session Signup: https://calendly.com/dripjobs/breakthrough Purchase the 31 Days of Value and build an EMPIRE: https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2v0D0SNSBofqJJE6zApEE1 DripJobs Demo: https://calendly.com/dripjobsteam/dripjobsdemo Gusto: https://gusto.com/i/tanner269 OpenPhone: https://openph.one/referral/8Kc17aq Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173750747824373/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: http://Instagram.com/officialtannermullen #PaintingContractor #PaintingBusiness #ContractorMindset #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #ContractorSecrets

  8. 29 Sept

    The Mindset Holding You Back | Contractor Secrets (Ft. Joel Mercado)

    Your painting contractor mindset could be the biggest thing holding your business back. Joel Mercado breaks down the limiting beliefs, leadership habits and systems that keep painting contractors stuck. In this special episode of Contractor Secrets from the Routemize launch party, Joel explains why changing your business often starts with changing the way you think. From struggling to make payroll to building multiple businesses, Joel shares the mindset shifts that helped him stop focusing on what couldn't be done and start taking action on what could. We cover: → Fixed mindset vs. growth mindset → The limiting beliefs keeping contractors stuck → Why higher prices can mean fewer headaches → Transferring your skills to your employees → Why you shouldn't try to fix everything at once → Focusing on one problem for 30 days → Why expanding too quickly can hurt your business → Motivation vs. discipline → How to scale from $1M toward $5M → Why people and systems need to come before growth → Developing better leaders → Why self-leadership comes first → Getting 1% better every day CHAPTERS: 00:00 Routemize Launch Party 01:27 Meet Joel Mercado 02:24 Fixed vs. Growth Mindset 03:35 From Nearly Losing a House to $2.5M 05:31 Destroying Your Limiting Beliefs 06:53 Empower Your Employees to Sell 08:21 Stop Competing on Price 10:13 Don't Expand Too Quickly 11:33 Focus on One Thing 13:13 How to Stop Feeling Overwhelmed 14:04 Get 1% Better Every Day 16:55 Why It's Easier to Win Today 19:24 How Joel Pushed Through the Struggle 21:26 Motivation Is Temporary 22:10 Discipline & Consistency Win 22:43 How to Scale From $1M to $5M 24:25 Leadership Starts With You 25:48 The Law of the Lid 27:43 Become a Student for Life 28:48 Final Message The biggest takeaway: Your business can't consistently grow beyond your ability to lead it. Change the way you think. Focus on one thing. Develop your people. Build the systems. Stay disciplined. Then grow. Start your Free 14 Day Trial for Routemize - https://routemize.com/ Coaching Session Signup: https://calendly.com/dripjobs/breakthrough Purchase the 31 Days of Value and build an EMPIRE: https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2v0D0SNSBofqJJE6zApEE1 DripJobs Demo: https://calendly.com/dripjobsteam/dripjobsdemo Gusto: https://gusto.com/i/tanner269 OpenPhone: https://openph.one/referral/8Kc17aq Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173750747824373/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: http://Instagram.com/officialtannermullen #PaintingContractor #PaintingBusiness #ContractorMindset #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #ContractorSecrets

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About

It's no secret that a large majority of contractors are too busy working "IN" their business instead of "ON" their business. As a 3rd generation painter, I've first-hand witnessed the struggle of a contractor (my father) as he attempted to manage all aspects of his House Painting Business while still painting and performing the jobs. My passion is to free contractors from the chains of their own business, and truly help them achieve greatness through creating systems, processes, and standards...TUNE IN! Follow @OfficialTannerMullen on Instagram!

Information

  • Creator
    Tanner Mullen
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    572
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Tanner Mullen
  • Show Website
    Contractor Secrets

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