Contractor Secrets

Tanner Mullen
  • 4.9 (50)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

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. 6D AGO

    The One Hire That Took Me From "Stressed" to "Scaled"

    You're selling jobs, managing crews, answering every phone call, texting colors to your team, and wondering why nothing runs without you. Sound familiar? In this episode I sit down with Durant Foote of Unlimited Painting and break down exactly what's holding his business back — and it's the same thing holding most contractors back. We go through his entire production workflow and expose every friction point: communication breakdowns, no systems, no admin support, and one crew carrying all the weight. Here's what we cover: 0:00 — Where Durant's business is right now2:00 — The communication problem killing your production3:30 — Why Slack is a game changer for contractors5:55 — Automating your jobs pipeline with DripJobs + Zapier6:20 — Fixing the color confirmation mess9:30 — How to use forms to eliminate back and forth11:45 — The systems you need before you hire14:00 — Why you need an office admin NOW17:00 — Why I don't recommend hiring overseas for this role18:00 — The mindset shift that forces you to build systems21:25 — Production manager vs. admin — which do you actually need24:00 — Quality control and on-time completion27:00 — How I use production rates to price exteriors28:10 — Live sales roleplay and objection handling31:30 — Why I discount 90% of my jobs (and why you should too)34:00 — The 35% gross margin rule36:30 — How to keep your sub crews busy year round38:00 — Stop putting all the pressure on one crew39:00 — Think like an investor, not a painter If you're a painting contractor or home service business owner doing under $2M and you feel like the entire business falls apart without you — this is your episode. —————————————————— 📲 Try DripJobs — The CRM built for contractors, by a contractor:https://www.dripjobs.com 📖 Grab my book "31 Days of Value" on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKMRNIBB —————————————————— #paintingbusiness #homeservicebusiness #contractorlife #businessgrowth #painting #contractor #dripjobs #scalingabusiness #hiringsmart

    42 min

  2. JAN 22

    Marketing in 2026: What's Actually Working for Home Service Businesses

    Try DripJobs free for 14-Days - DripJobs.com In this episode, Tanner Mullen discusses effective marketing strategies for home service businesses in 2026. He emphasizes the importance of understanding marketing principles, the evolving nature of word-of-mouth marketing, and the limitations of SEO for businesses under $750,000 in revenue. Tanner also explores the benefits of lead aggregators and Facebook ads, while encouraging business owners to adopt creative marketing strategies to build trust and grow their businesses. He concludes with a call to action to utilize drip jobs for streamlining operations and enhancing marketing efforts.

    19 min

  3. JAN 19

    He Lost Everything — Now He's Starting a Painting Business From Zero

    In this episode, Tanner Mullen engages in a deep conversation with Alan, who shares his journey from a successful career in real estate investing to starting a painting business. Alan discusses the challenges he faced, including a mental breakdown after losing his home, and how he found motivation to pivot towards a local business that could provide financial stability. The conversation highlights the importance of having a clear business model, understanding the target market, and establishing a core offer to differentiate oneself in a competitive industry. Tanner provides actionable advice on generating leads, pricing strategies, and building a reliable team, emphasizing the need for discipline and focus in the early stages of business development.

    32 min

  4. JAN 15

    Breakthrough Series: Caleb Howell - Scaling Beyond $1.5M

    Sign up for DripJobs: DripJobs.com Free 1-1 Business Coaching Session Signup: https://calendly.com/dripjobs/breakthrough In this conversation, Tanner Mullen and Caleb Plus discuss the operational challenges faced by Caleb's painting business, focusing on performance pay, accountability, communication, project management, and hiring strategies. They explore the importance of establishing clear ownership and responsibility within teams, the pitfalls of performance-based pay, and the need for effective communication tools. The discussion also emphasizes the significance of hiring the right project coordinator to streamline operations and ensure quality assurance, ultimately aiming for business growth and efficiency.takeaways It's crucial to establish clear ownership and responsibility within teams.Performance pay can complicate accountability and should be approached with caution.Effective communication tools are essential for operational success.Hiring a dedicated project coordinator can significantly improve project management.Investing in the right personnel is an investment in the business's future.Streamlining processes can prevent operational chaos and inefficiencies.Setting clear timelines and expectations is vital for crew leaders.Regularly auditing team performance and processes can lead to better outcomes.Understanding the economic implications of hiring decisions is important for growth.Building a strong team culture can enhance overall productivity and morale.

    25 min

  5. JAN 14

    Why 'May I Speak To...' Is Killing Your Sales (And What To Say Instead)

    Start Your 14-Day Free Trial of DripJobs! Book a free 1-1 Coaching Session with Tanner In this episode of the Contractor Secrets Podcast, Tanner Mullen shares valuable insights on sales strategies for 2026, emphasizing the importance of understanding customer value and effective follow-up techniques. He discusses the significance of energy and mindset in sales, and how to create value in customer interactions. The episode concludes with a motivational message about persistence and the importance of follow-up calls in building a successful business. Takeaways: Sales strategies are essential for business growth in 2026.Understanding customer value is key to converting leads.Follow-up techniques can significantly increase sales success.Energy and mindset play a crucial role in sales interactions.Providing more value than expected enhances customer satisfaction.Persistence in follow-ups is vital for closing deals.Effective communication can change the outcome of sales calls.Knowing the reasons customers hire you helps tailor your approach.Creating a positive customer experience can lead to repeat business.Don't fear rejection; view it as part of the sales process.

    27 min

  6. JAN 2

    The 2026 Buyer Has Changed—Here's What They Want

    Summary In this episode, Tanner Mullen discusses the evolving landscape of customer behavior in 2026, emphasizing the importance of understanding and adapting to these changes in the home service industry. He highlights the significance of value in sales, the role of trust as an invisible currency, and the need for businesses to engage with the new age buyer who is increasingly impatient and has high expectations. Mullen stresses the importance of speed and urgency in the buying process, introducing strategies like 'lever pulling' to improve business outcomes. He encourages listeners to adopt a growth mindset and leverage community resources for success in the coming year.

    25 min

  7. 12/22/2025

    Breakthrough Series: Josh Edwards - Leadership Structuring and Maximizing Potential

    Summary In this conversation, Tanner Mullen and Josh Edwards discuss the evolution of Josh's painting business, focusing on growth, challenges, and strategies for effective project management. They explore the importance of hiring the right team, establishing accountability, and refining production rates to enhance operational efficiency. The dialogue emphasizes the balance between character and skill in hiring, the dynamics of team leadership, and the necessity of clear communication and expectations in project management. DripJobs.com

    46 min

  8. 12/08/2025

    Unlocking Business Growth Strategies For 2026

    In this episode, I share insights on scaling a business, emphasizing the importance of leadership, trust, and investing in people. He discusses his personal journey of revitalization after a business pivot, the necessity of creating a sellable business, and the impact of genuine support on team dynamics. Tanner highlights the significance of building a strong team and the rewards of nurturing relationships within the business.

    18 min
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4.9
out of 5
50 Ratings

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
    527
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Tanner Mullen
  • Show Website
    Contractor Secrets

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