Epic Entrepreneurs

Bill Gilliland
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Epic Entrepreneurs! What does it take to build a real and thriving business in today’s world? As entrepreneurs and business owners, we went into business to have more freedom of time and money. Yet, the path of growing a business isn’t always filled with sunshine and rainbows. In this chart-topping show, host Bill Gilliland; author of the best-selling book “The Coach Approach” leverages his decades of experience coaching proven entrepreneurs to make more money, grow the right teams, and find the freedom of EPIC Entrepreneurship.

  1. 23h ago

    Stop Hiring “Honda Price” Builders For A Mercedes Home with Greg Palmer, Built Up Homes

    The fastest way to ruin a custom home build isn’t bad taste or a missed detail, it’s broken communication. We’re joined by Greg Palmer of Built Up Homes, a Greenville, South Carolina custom home builder and remodel contractor who’s seen the difference firsthand, from production neighborhoods to high-touch custom projects where the relationship matters as much as the framing. We talk about what clients actually reward: clear updates, calm problem-solving, and the kind of professional trust that makes referrals inevitable. Greg explains why homeowners should choose a builder early, before the bid spreadsheet takes over, and how that decision can save months of churn as plans evolve. We also dig into real-world construction pressures like labor shortages, supply chain delays, and fluctuating material costs, including why allowances and cost-plus estimating became common during the worst volatility. Greg gets candid about the feast-or-famine cycle many small businesses face, how interest rates can slow the pipeline, and why he’s building multiple marketing streams instead of relying only on word of mouth and architect referrals. You’ll also hear his plan to expand into commercial construction with a separate commercial license, plus two hard-earned lessons every entrepreneur can use: price your work like a pro and listen to your internal red-flag meter before you say yes to the wrong client. If you care about custom home building, home remodeling, contractor communication, or practical small business growth, hit subscribe, share this with a friend who’s planning a build, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. CONTACT INFO: greg@builtuphomes.com High Retention - Short and Sweet Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/All the best!Bill Please hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review,  and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/

    Stop Hiring “Honda Price” Builders For A Mercedes Home with Greg Palmer, Built Up Homes

  2. 1d ago

    COVID Forced A Pause That Turned A Videographer Into An Agency Owner with Anthony Sparks, Sparks Media Agency

    A lot of companies think their marketing problem is “we need a video.” We see it differently, and Anthony Sparks from Sparks Media Agency explains exactly why. From Morgantown, West Virginia, Anthony has spent 12 years building a creative agency that blends storytelling and strategy across video production, website builds, rebrands, and ad placement on Meta, YouTube pre-roll, and streaming TV. The result is work that looks great, but also moves people to act. We talk about the evolution from a one-man band chasing cool projects to an agency with clarity, systems, and a team that can deliver a consistent client experience. Anthony shares how COVID created a rare “great pause” that forced a mindset shift into true ownership: hiring, building work culture, defining repeatable processes, and learning how to stop the founder from becoming the bottleneck. If you run a service business, this is a real-world look at scaling without losing your standards. Anthony also breaks down the discovery-driven approach that builds trust before a client even walks in the door, plus the behind-the-scenes stories that shaped the agency including filming heart surgeries for a major medical device conference and turning around an underground coal mine project on a tight deadline. We wrap with a simple, memorable piece of advice for overwhelmed entrepreneurs: don’t change your stance, make small tweaks and stay consistent. Subscribe for more conversations with builders and operators, share this with a founder who needs a reset, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. What’s the small tweak you’re going to make this week? CONTACT INFO: anthony@sparksmediaagency.com High Retention - Short and Sweet Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/All the best!Bill Please hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review,  and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/

    COVID Forced A Pause That Turned A Videographer Into An Agency Owner with Anthony Sparks, Sparks Media Agency

  3. 1d ago

    Honest Estimates Beat Hard Sales Every Time with Alex Savely, Ridge Roofing

    A roofing business can look simple from the outside, but the moment you try to scale it, everything gets real fast: crews, margins, weather delays, homeowner expectations, and the never-ending question of how hands-on an owner can stay. We talk with Alex Savely, co-owner of Ridge Roofing in Western North Carolina, about building a company that grows on referrals and repeat trust instead of pressure sales. Alex shares how hurricane-season roofing in South Louisiana shaped his view of “local and here to stay,” then how he and his wife took the leap in 2018 as newcomers to the mountains. We get into the practical strategy behind their service mix, including why metal roofing and standing seam projects became a smart play for winter months, and how relationships with custom home builders helped Ridge Roofing step into high-end designer roofs without abandoning everyday repairs that homeowners still need. We also dig into the operator side: direct owner involvement as a competitive advantage, the current constraint around project management capacity, and what breaks first if demand suddenly doubles. Alex breaks down where leads really come from today (referrals, Google, Angie, and surprisingly ChatGPT), plus how they use AccuLynx CRM and spreadsheets to track profitability and warranty work. We wrap with candid advice for small business owners facing tough staffing decisions and a look at Ridge Roofing’s next growth move into residential siding. If you care about small business growth, trades entrepreneurship, residential roofing, and what trust looks like in the real world, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a business owner friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. CONTACT INFO: alex.savely@ridge-roofing.com High Retention - Short and Sweet Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/All the best!Bill Please hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review,  and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/

    Honest Estimates Beat Hard Sales Every Time with Alex Savely, Ridge Roofing

  4. 3d ago

    Preventative Turf Care Beats Chasing Weeds Every Spring with Yoel Clark, Pittsburgh Turf & Fertilizing

    A truly great lawn isn’t a single product, it’s a system. We talk with Yoel Clark from Pittsburgh Turf and Fertilizing about what’s really happening under your grass, why the NPK numbers on a fertilizer bag matter, and how timing and balance can make the difference between a quick green-up and lasting turf health. If you’ve ever wondered why weeds keep coming back or why your lawn looks great in spring and falls apart in summer, this conversation connects the dots in plain language. We also get into what it’s like to build a lawn healthcare business in Pittsburgh, where weather can flip the plan overnight. Yoel explains how late springs shift pre-emergent strategy, why certain chemistries become risky as temperatures rise, and how a professional adjusts routes and applications without sacrificing results. Along the way we cover the core six-step lawn care program, plus services like lime treatments for pH issues, grub control, fungal treatments during muggy summers, aeration, and overseeding when the season turns. Then we go behind the scenes on growth: the fear of asking for referrals, the need for a real sales and marketing funnel, when it makes sense to hire the first employee, and how equipment and storage space can quietly limit scale. Yoel also shares what sets a local, family-run operator apart from big lawn care franchises, and what new pest control options he’s excited to offer next. If you enjoy practical lawn care advice mixed with honest small business lessons, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more local entrepreneurs can find the show. CONTACT INFO: info@pghturfandfert.com https://pghturfandfert.com/ https://www.facebook.com/pghturfandfert High Retention - Short and Sweet Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/All the best!Bill Please hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review,  and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/

    Preventative Turf Care Beats Chasing Weeds Every Spring with Yoel Clark, Pittsburgh Turf & Fertilizing

  5. 6d ago

    A Great Home Design Happens Long Before Delivery Day with Caitlin Madia, Remarkable Interior

    A remodel can look gorgeous on Pinterest and still feel wrong the minute you move back in. We talk with Caitlin Madia, founder of Remarkable Interiors in Morgantown, West Virginia, about what actually makes a home come together and why “just picking colours” is rarely the real problem. Caitlin breaks down full-service interior design from concept to completion, including furnishings, remodels, and new builds, and she explains why homeowners often feel overwhelmed right when the spending gets serious. We get honest about the parts most people never see: the space planning hours, the trade coordination, the backorders, the last-minute swaps, and the small problems that can turn into expensive regrets. Caitlin shares how she acts as a client advocate across contractors, vendors, and big-box options, keeping the project aligned with what the homeowner wants to live with for years. If you have ever second-guessed a tile choice, a lighting plan, or a layout, this conversation will feel painfully familiar in the best way. We also zoom out to the business side of interior design and entrepreneurship in 2026: nonstop price changes, rising freight and labor costs, and the pressure to grow without losing quality. Caitlin talks about hiring, using a business coach, building documented systems and processes, and what “growing the right way” looks like as she works toward a future flagship showroom. She even shares what she looks for when hiring a designer, and why drive and sales ability can matter as much as technical skills. If you enjoy real stories about small business growth, leadership, and building a home that supports your life, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a friend planning a remodel, and leave a review with the biggest decision you are trying to make in your space. CONTACT INFO: caitlin@remarkableid.com High Retention - Short and Sweet Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/All the best!Bill Please hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review,  and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/

    A Great Home Design Happens Long Before Delivery Day with Caitlin Madia, Remarkable Interior

  6. 6d ago

    You Can Grow A Cleaning Business Without Losing The Human Touch with Marcus Southern, Southern Royalty Cleaning Service LLC

    Clean is easy to promise and brutally hard to deliver the same way every single time, across every crew, on every job. That’s why our conversation with Marcus Southern from Southern Royalty Cleaning Service LLC goes far beyond mops and buckets and straight into what actually scales a service business: trust, communication, and leadership that shows up when it counts. Marcus shares the real story behind building an 11-year, Hampton Roads based cleaning company with his wife Amber, rooted in faith, family, and a commitment to making customers feel heard. We talk about what sets Southern Royalty apart in commercial cleaning, recurring janitorial services, post-construction cleaning, floor care, soft washing, and pressure washing, plus why becoming a one-stop solution can win contracts that would otherwise require multiple vendors and multiple bids. Along the way, Marcus breaks down how he thinks about quality control, training leaders, and staying personally involved without getting trapped in the day-to-day forever. We also get candid about the hardest parts of growth: hiring in a changing culture, finding people with the right attitude, and learning to delegate when you’ve spent your life believing you have to do everything yourself. Marcus explains “trust but verify,” why accountability and business coaching matter as revenue rises, and how referral marketing and strong networks like BNI can create steady leads without dumping money into ads. If you’re building a local service business and want practical insight you can apply this week, press play, then subscribe, share the episode with a fellow owner, and leave us a review with your biggest takeaway. CONTACT INFO: support@southernroyaltyservicellc.com https://www.southernroyaltyservicellc.com/ High Retention - Short and Sweet Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/All the best!Bill Please hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review,  and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/

    You Can Grow A Cleaning Business Without Losing The Human Touch with Marcus Southern, Southern Royalty Cleaning Service LLC

  7. Sep 30

    Honest Same Day Repairs Turn One Call Into Loyalty with Mike Melatti, The Garage Doc

    Your garage door breaks at the worst possible time and suddenly you’re not shopping for a “good deal” you’re shopping for someone you can trust. That’s why I wanted to bring on Mike Melatti, founder and president of The Garage Doc in Virginia Beach, to talk about what it really takes to run a reliable garage door repair and installation company in Hampton Roads when pricing is rising and competition is everywhere.  We get into the practical side of the business: how same-day service works without rushing quality, why Mike refuses to throw out quotes over the phone, and how honest diagnostics can beat shady upsells in the long run. Mike shares the real numbers behind lead conversion, including why paid lead platforms can be a grind unless you’re first to respond, and why the close rate jumps once you’re standing in the homeowner’s garage solving the right problem. We also dig into the unglamorous work owners carry: answering phones, managing reviews, staying organised, and choosing software that keeps the field running smoothly.  You’ll also hear the personal side of leadership in a family-owned business: working 50 to 60 hours a week, struggling with delegation and control, and deciding whether “growth” is even the goal. Mike talks about balancing emergency calls with the opportunity for predictable recurring revenue through annual tune-ups and a potential maintenance plan, plus what he wants the company to look like by 2030. If you like real-world small business stories, home service marketing lessons, and customer experience strategies that actually hold up under pressure, this one’s for you.  Subscribe to Epic Entrepreneurs, share this with a business owner who cares about doing it right, and leave a review if you want more conversations like this. What’s one service experience that instantly won your loyalty? CONTACT INFO: mike@thegaragedoc.com Google Link: https://share.google/NLiulliD2OhKIgQJ6 Personal FB: https://www.facebook.com/mike.melatti?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=rGRZzQbDkEnfBkqQ&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1bEQFJQmz6%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr# Business FB: https://www.facebook.com/SearsGarageSolutionsHamptonRoads?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=KpzNQI7jcps9oz0K&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F14maCNZLn6p%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr# Company Website: www.TheGarageDoc.com High Retention - Short and Sweet Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/All the best!Bill Please hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review,  and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/

    Honest Same Day Repairs Turn One Call Into Loyalty with Mike Melatti, The Garage Doc

  8. Sep 30

    Running A Service Business Means Learning To Pre-Qualify People Fast with Andrew Schray, AB Tree Service

    A tree service business can look like a simple trade until you see what’s underneath: high-stakes safety, expensive equipment, nonstop scheduling decisions, and customers who can change plans at 10 p.m. I sit down with Andrew Schray of AB Tree Service NC to get real about what it takes to build a fast, high-quality tree removal and tree trimming operation in a crowded market, and why “must be nice” doesn’t capture the mental load of ownership. Andrew shares his journey from always hustling to running a four-year-old service company that’s built on clean job sites, fair pricing, and reputation. We dig into lead generation, the problem of quote shoppers, and how pre-qualification protects your time while improving the quality of your pipeline. He also explains what he’d do if qualified leads suddenly quadrupled, how he thinks about scaling crews, and why speed becomes a true competitive edge only when you can finish the job without damaging a customer’s yard. We also get into leadership and resilience: losing a partner, learning not to blow up when “stuff” breaks, and leading by example when your crew is watching everything you do. Andrew talks about the future too, from how AI may change marketing and search behavior to his plan to launch a crane division and expand into bigger lifting and rigging work. If you’re a small business owner feeling stuck or overwhelmed, this conversation is a push to take the next step and learn by doing. Subscribe for more founder stories, share this with a friend in the trades, and leave a review if it helps you think differently about growth, sales, and leadership. CONTACT INFO: abtreeservicenc@gmail.com High Retention - Short and Sweet Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/All the best!Bill Please hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review,  and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/

    Running A Service Business Means Learning To Pre-Qualify People Fast with Andrew Schray, AB Tree Service
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About

Welcome to Epic Entrepreneurs! What does it take to build a real and thriving business in today’s world? As entrepreneurs and business owners, we went into business to have more freedom of time and money. Yet, the path of growing a business isn’t always filled with sunshine and rainbows. In this chart-topping show, host Bill Gilliland; author of the best-selling book “The Coach Approach” leverages his decades of experience coaching proven entrepreneurs to make more money, grow the right teams, and find the freedom of EPIC Entrepreneurship.

Information

  • Creator
    Bill Gilliland
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    337
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Epic Entrepreneurs
  • Show Website
    Epic Entrepreneurs

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