Epic Entrepreneurs

Bill Gilliland
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Weekly

Welcome to Epic Entrepreneurs! What does it take to build a thriving business in today’s world? As entrepreneurs and business owners, we start our businesses seeking more freedom, more time, more money, and more control over our lives. But the journey isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. Hosted by Cliff McCrea on behalf of Bill Gilliland, author of the best-selling book The Coach Approach, this chart-topping podcast draws on Bill’s decades of experience coaching entrepreneurs. Discover practical strategies to increase profits, build the right team, and create a business that supports the life you want. Tune in and discover the freedom of EPIC Entrepreneurship.

  1. 20h ago

    How Whole Home Filtration Turns Tap Water Into Mineral Spring Water with Mike Schmitz, Sacred Water

    Clear tap water can still be loaded with things you never taste, and that’s where this conversation gets real. We’re joined by Mike Schmitz, founder of Sacred Water, to break down what “clean water” actually means for a modern household and why whole home water filtration is becoming a health essential rather than a luxury upgrade.  Mike walks us through his process for turning ordinary tap water into something closer to a natural mineral spring: serious contaminant removal, then remineralisation and hydrogen infusion through ionisation. We get specific about what can show up in water supplies, from chlorine byproducts like trihalomethanes, chlorate, and haloacetic acids to heavy metals and PFAS forever chemicals. He also shares a practical tool homeowners can use today: the EWG tap water database, which lets you check your local water report by zip code and compare legal limits to health-based standards.  The business story matters just as much as the water science. Mike opens up about building the company from a deeply personal place, why he refuses “car salesman” tactics, and what it takes to scale a home services business with SOPs, leadership, and the right hires. We talk bottlenecks, delegation, buying back time, and how coaching helped him shift from winging it to running a more organised operation.  If you found this valuable, subscribe to Epic Entrepreneurs, share this episode with a homeowner or founder who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s one thing you want to improve first: your water quality or your business systems? CONTAÇT INFO: Mikey@sacredalkalinewater.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/

    How Whole Home Filtration Turns Tap Water Into Mineral Spring Water with Mike Schmitz, Sacred Water

  2. 6d ago

    Rich Koch of KoCon Construction Explains How Integrity Scales A Construction Company

    A remodel can look perfect on Pinterest and still go sideways fast once the first wall opens. We talk with Rich Koch of KoCon Construction about what it takes to deliver high end home remodeling and renovation work without losing the client’s trust when timelines shift, surprises show up, or budgets get tested. Rich specializes in custom carpentry, fine trim, cabinetry, and start to finish renovation planning, and he’s blunt about the difference between “getting it done” and doing it right. We get into the emotional side of construction project management: setting expectations early, explaining the real sequence of work, and treating change orders like a communication problem before they become a relationship problem. Rich shares how he stays upfront about unknowns like leaks or termites behind the wall, why integrity sometimes means taking a loss, and how consistent updates keep homeowners confident through the messiest phases of a project. Then we zoom out to the business side. Rich breaks down the biggest bottleneck for contractors right now: skilled labor and finding people who match your standard. We also talk delegation, leadership, and the unglamorous back office load of estimating, insurance, scheduling, billing, and subcontractor coordination. He walks us through his systems from estimate to production, including a design team for renderings and client communication tools like Housecall Pro. Finally, Rich shares what’s next after earning his Class A builder license: new home construction and a longer term path into development. If you’re a homeowner hiring a contractor or an entrepreneur trying to scale a service business, you’ll pull practical lessons from this conversation. Subscribe, share this with a business owner who needs it, and leave a review, what’s the hardest part of growing your company right now? CONTACT INFO: koconconstruction@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/

    Rich Koch of KoCon Construction Explains How Integrity Scales A Construction Company

  3. Oct 26

    True Vision Painting Proves Prep Work Makes The Job with Robert & Teddy Schreiber, True Vision Painting

    A paint job can look perfect on day one and still fail fast. We’re joined by Robert and Teddy Schreiber, twin brothers and co-owners of True Vision Painting, to talk about what actually makes residential painting and commercial painting hold up over time and what it takes to build a service business people trust with their homes. We get into the unglamorous details that separate pros from “good enough” contractors: prep work, priming, caulking, sanding, and choosing the right products for the surface. They share real stories from the field, including why skipped steps lead to peeling and how deep detail work can go when a client wants a specific natural finish. If you’re a homeowner comparing painting contractors, you’ll hear how to spot quality before you sign. Then we zoom out to the business of painting: why they prefer residential customers, how communication becomes a competitive edge, and how they win jobs with thorough estimates that clearly lay out the scope of work. We also talk small business growth through referrals, Google reviews, networking groups like BNI, and the tough reality of hiring and training reliable painters in a shrinking trades pipeline. If you’re building any local business, their message is steady: lead with discipline, keep learning, don’t quit when things get hard, and stay close to the people you serve. Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs doing the work, and if this helped you, share it with a friend and leave a review. CONTACT INFO: truevisionpaint@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/

    True Vision Painting Proves Prep Work Makes The Job with Robert & Teddy Schreiber, True Vision Painting

  4. Oct 21

    Alli & Whitney Balabanis, Vero Beach Dumpster Rentals

    A dumpster rental company can look like the simplest business on the planet until you try to run one at full speed. We sit down with Alli Balabanis from Vero Beach Dumpster Rental to get honest about what it really takes to grow a roll-off dumpster business in Florida’s Treasure Coast: the equipment costs, commercial insurance, routing headaches, late-night “we need a dumpster tomorrow” calls, and the constant pressure to make the right move at the right time. Ali shares how he went from years of CDL Class A trucking into entrepreneurship, why he chose a local model instead of over-the-road work, and what surprised him most after launch. We talk about why contractor relationships drive repeat demand, why scaling often forces big decisions like hiring your first driver or investing in a second truck, and how decision fatigue can quietly become the biggest bottleneck. If you’re building a service business, you’ll also hear what’s working for lead generation right now, including Google Ads, local SEO, social media, vehicle wraps, and networking groups. The most powerful part of the conversation is the why. Ali explains how growth creates the ability to give back, from building future jobs to teaming up with nonprofits for free cleanouts that change lives, including major hoarder house situations. If you’re an entrepreneur who feels stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure when to make the next jump, this one will meet you where you are and push you forward. Contact Info: aBalabanis7@gmail.com whitneyBalabanis@gmail.com Subscribe to Epic Entrepreneurs, share this with a business owner who’s in the grind, and leave a review with the biggest decision you’re facing right now. 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/

    Alli & Whitney Balabanis, Vero Beach Dumpster Rentals

  5. Oct 21

    Chris Powell Explains What It Takes To Build A 24 7 Restoration Business

    A burst pipe does not wait for business hours, and neither does the person you trust to walk into your home and fix the damage. We sit down with Chris Powell of Pro Premier Restoration to unpack what water mitigation, mold remediation, and fire damage restoration look like in the real world, from the first panicked phone call to the last piece of equipment leaving the driveway. Chris explains why speed and documentation matter, how he keeps projects tight and safe, and what “working directly with the owner” actually means when the job is urgent and personal. Chris also gets honest about the entrepreneurial side: 100 plus hour weeks, learning marketing without a sales background, and the hard lesson of spending big on digital marketing that did not deliver. The turning point is relationship driven growth through BNI networking and trusted referral partners like plumbers, plus a service mindset that prioritises clear communication and doing right by people even when an insurance claim gets denied. If you care about local service business growth, reputation management, and referral marketing, this conversation is packed with practical insight. We also dig into hiring and leadership under pressure, including how Chris’s Georgia Army National Guard and law enforcement experience shaped his decision making, standards, and ethics in a 24 7 emergency business. He shares how he manages invoicing and receivables with QuickBooks, plans cash flow around slow insurance payments, and maps a path to multiple crews by 2030. If you are building a home services company or simply want to understand what restoration professionals do when disaster hits, you will leave with a clearer playbook and a stronger respect for the work. Contact Info: chris.powell@propremierrestoration.come Subscribe for more founder stories, share this with a business owner who needs it, and leave a review so more listeners can find Epic Entrepreneurs. 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/

    Chris Powell Explains What It Takes To Build A 24 7 Restoration Business

  6. Oct 19

    A Former ICU Nurse Explains How To Lead With Compassion In Emergency Restoration with Chandler Lofgreen, DryTech Restoration

    Your home floods at 2 a.m., a ceiling caves in after a storm, or you spot mold creeping behind drywall. That is when a restoration company stops being a “vendor” and becomes the calm voice you trust. We talk with Chandler Lofgreen, owner of DryTech Restoration, about how emergency response really works across Northern Arizona, from Prescott and Prescott Valley to Sedona and Flagstaff, and what “restoration done right” looks like when the stakes are personal. Chandler’s story is not the usual trades path. He went from earning a nursing license at Arizona State University and working as a pediatric ICU nurse at Phoenix Children’s Hospital to running a 24-hour emergency restoration operation. That experience shows up in how he leads: empathy first, clear communication, and fast action that keeps people grounded. We also get practical on the work itself, including mold remediation basics, water extraction and dry out strategy, fire cleanup, and even odor control with ozone machines when smoke or melted plastic lingers. We dig into the business side too: why insurance claims can be tricky, how deductibles and rate worries shape customer choices, and why documentation matters so much in restoration. Chandler also breaks down what drives consistent job flow, how Google Business Profile reviews can win big jobs, why property managers and plumbers are key referral partners, and what he would prioritise if calls doubled tomorrow. If you are a small business owner, you will recognise the themes: time management, hiring technicians you can trust, and building systems so every emergency does not escalate back to the owner. If you found this helpful, subscribe, share it with a local business owner, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show. What is the biggest bottleneck in your business right now? CONTACT INFO: chandlerlofgreen99@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/

    A Former ICU Nurse Explains How To Lead With Compassion In Emergency Restoration with Chandler Lofgreen, DryTech Restoration

  7. Oct 19

    Curiosity Creates Ownership When You Lead with Stephanie Smith, Be Brave

    Default mode is sneaky. One day your team feels aligned and energized, and the next day everyone is “busy” while priorities blur, meetings turn into checkboxes, and momentum quietly disappears. We sit down with Stephanie Smith, founder of Be Brave Group in Morgantown, West Virginia, to talk about a better way to lead: grow by design, not by default. We walk through how Stephanie’s background in software, government contracting, academia, and commercial leadership shaped her approach to leadership coaching and strategic facilitation. Her takeaway is clear: the real system is the people. When leaders create the right environment, the wisdom is already in the room. Stephanie explains why “curiosity creates ownership,” how intention changes the way you show up in meetings, and what it looks like to build trust so every voice can participate. You’ll also hear the practical side of building a business as a solopreneur: protecting time for family, leaning on an ecosystem of partners, and using simple operating rhythms like an end-of-day planning protocol and a daily focus block. If you’re feeling stuck, her “1% edge” advice is a reset you can apply today: small, consistent micro actions that compound into real progress. If you get value from this conversation, subscribe, share it with a leader who feels stretched thin, and leave a review. Then grab Stephanie’s free leader check-in at bebravegroup.com/design and tell us what you discovered. CONTACT INFO: steph@bebravegroup.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/

    Curiosity Creates Ownership When You Lead with Stephanie Smith, Be Brave

  8. Oct 8

    What Happens When AI Can Answer Everything with TJ Clayton-Cornell, Modern Woodmen of America

    If you have ever looked at entrepreneurship and thought, “I just want more freedom,” this conversation adds the missing warning label. We talk with TJ Clayton-Cornell of Modern Woodmen of America about what it feels like to leave the military’s guaranteed paycheck and step into a commission-based financial services career where discipline is the difference between growth and panic. He shares the moment it hit him that passing exams and having a website does not automatically earn trust with someone’s retirement plan, life insurance, or their kids’ college savings. We also dig into what makes Modern Woodmen stand out in the financial planning and insurance world. It is a fraternal organization and the nation’s largest not-for-profit insurance organization, which changes how it shows up in the community. TJ explains how consistent networking, monthly volunteer events, and a “talk to clients quarterly” service model creates real relationships in an industry where many people only hear from an advisor once a year. Along the way, TJ gets candid about leadership and boundaries: why you cannot want it more than your team does, why he started saying no to certain clients, and why AI will reshape financial services without replacing genuine human connection. If you are an entrepreneur feeling stuck, his time audit method is a practical reset you can run this week to find the leaks in your schedule. Subscribe for more honest founder stories, share this with a friend building a business, and leave a review with the biggest takeaway you are applying next. CONTACT INFO: Tim.clayton-cornell@mwarep.org 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/

    What Happens When AI Can Answer Everything with TJ Clayton-Cornell, Modern Woodmen of America
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About

Welcome to Epic Entrepreneurs! What does it take to build a thriving business in today’s world? As entrepreneurs and business owners, we start our businesses seeking more freedom, more time, more money, and more control over our lives. But the journey isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. Hosted by Cliff McCrea on behalf of Bill Gilliland, author of the best-selling book The Coach Approach, this chart-topping podcast draws on Bill’s decades of experience coaching entrepreneurs. Discover practical strategies to increase profits, build the right team, and create a business that supports the life you want. Tune in and discover the freedom of EPIC Entrepreneurship.

Information

  • Creator
    Bill Gilliland
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    345
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Epic Entrepreneurs
  • Show Website
    Epic Entrepreneurs