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. 3D AGO

    Copy THIS System to Hire and Keep A-Players in Your Business...

    If you can't find or keep good employees in your home service business, the problem isn't the labor market — it's your system. In this video I'm walking you through the exact framework I use to attract, filter, and retain quality A-players in my house painting business, and how you can install the same model in yours.We cover the two non-negotiables (provisions + hiring funnel), why paying through Cash App and 1099s is repelling the people you actually want, how I structure my Indeed ads to be 70% character and 30% skill, the JotForm question that filters out 80% of low-quality applicants, and the sushi menu story that shaped how I think about friction in hiring.If you're trying to build a real kingdom business — not just a one-man show — this one is for you.📘 Grab the 31 Days of Value book on Amazon — every step from this video broken down in detail → https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7🛠️ Check out Routemize — https://routemize.com/💸 Sign up for Gusto and fix your payroll the right way → https://gusto.com/👉 Learn more about DripJobs:https://dripjobs.com👉 DripJobs Startup Program:https://dripjobs.com/startup🔔 Subscribe for more no-fluff content on building a real home service business.#PainterMarketing #HomeServiceBusiness #HiringEmployees #PaintingContractor #TannerMullen #31DaysOfValue #ContractorCoaching #BlueCollarBusiness #TradesBusiness #PaintingBusiness

    23 min

  2. MAY 5

    How I Charge 40% More Than My Competition And Still Win...

    Most contractors think pricing is the problem. It's not. It's the invisible currency you're losing at every customer touchpoint — and you don't even see it happening.In this episode of Contractor Secrets, I break down exactly how Premium Painting does $1.6M with a $5,800 average job size in Florida, charging 20-40% more than the competition… and still winning the job.I walk you through a head-to-head comparison of "Painter A" (the guy who lets leads come to him, asks the customer to text his info, and never follows up) vs "Painter B" / Premium Painting (the business with systems, automation, and intentional touchpoints). By the end, you'll see exactly where most home service businesses are bleeding trust — and how to fix it.🎯 What you'll learn in this video:- What the "invisible currency" really is and why it determines who gets the job- The expectation-result principle and how to use it to your advantage- Why your phone greeting is costing you thousands- The exact intake stack we use: cloud phone (Quo), randomized booking, missed-call text automation, and AI voice agents- How automated email + SMS sequences build trust before you ever show up- Why we do $1.6M without closing a single job on the spot- How to compete against lowballers without dropping your price- The truth about "selling air" and why perceived value wins every time👉 Learn more about DripJobs:https://dripjobs.com👉 DripJobs Startup Program:https://dripjobs.com/startup👉 Purchase the 31 Days of Value and build an EMPIRE: https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7

    26 min

  3. APR 30

    He's Pacing $250K at 22 — Here's What's Stopping Him From Hitting $1M...

    In this episode, I sit down with Jose - a skilled Painter who is pacing for $250K this year but has hit a ceiling. Sound familiar?In this coaching session, we break down exactly why door-to-door alone won't get Jose to a million, how to think about Google Ads vs Facebook Ads in 2026 (the algorithm has changed — and most contractors haven't caught up), and why the biggest lever in his business right now is getting comfortable on camera. We also dig into the "pay to play" reality of Local Services Ads, why hiring a generalist marketing company is quietly costing him deals, and the Hook-Story-Offer framework that separates winning ads from wasted spend.If you're a painting contractor scaling past $250K, this one's for you.Coaching Session Signup: https://calendly.com/dripjobs/breakthroughPurchase the 31 Days of Value and build an EMPIRE: https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2v0D0SNSBofqJJE6zApEE1DripJobs Demo: https://calendly.com/dripjobsteam/dripjobsdemoGusto: https://gusto.com/i/tanner269OpenPhone: https://openph.one/referral/8Kc17aqFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173750747824373/?ref=shareFollow me on Instagram: http://Instagram.com/officialtannermullen

    36 min

  4. APR 23

    Word of Mouth Won't Save Your Business (Here's What Will)

    In this episode, I sit down with Ashton - a skilled Painter who built a business that's completely dependent on word of mouth. Sound familiar? This one gets real. We talk faith, fear, and the scarcity mindset that keeps good painters stuck. We dig into why word of mouth is a ticking time bomb, how to think about Google Ads vs Facebook Ads through the lens of buyer intent, and the math behind pricing a job so you don't accidentally work for free. Plus a critical legal warning about paying your first employee the wrong way.If you're a painting contractor trying to make the jump from solo operator to real business owner, this conversation is for you. 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

    33 min

  5. APR 16

    Breakthrough Series: You Can't Systematize Chaos

    In this episode, I sit down with Evan from Denver Interior & Doors — a skilled carpenter who built a business that's completely dependent on him. He's the estimator, project manager, lead carpenter, and marketer all rolled into one. Sound familiar?We break down why saying yes to everything is actually breaking his business, how to niche down when you're afraid of losing revenue, and a simple pricing shift that could cut his proposal time from days to minutes.If you're a contractor or trades business owner doing $300–400K but working harder than someone making half that, this one's for you.In this episode we cover:00:20 – Meet Evan & Denver Interior & Doors01:50 – The systems bottleneck killing his close rate05:02 – Why passion gets in the way of smart decisions08:30 – Identifying your core services (and dropping the rest)10:45 – The Smoothie Shop Analogy15:49 – "Your business is unsellable right now"19:20 – How AI and video content are generating leads27:00 – The labor-only pricing strategy41:10 – Why you should sell the job BEFORE you measureFree 1-1 BusinessCoaching Session Signup: https://calendly.com/dripjobs/breakthroughPurchase the 31 Days of Value and build an EMPIRE: https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2v0D0SNSBofqJJE6zApEE1DripJobs Demo: https://calendly.com/dripjobsteam/dripjobsdemoGusto: https://gusto.com/i/tanner269OpenPhone: https://openph.one/referral/8Kc17aqFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173750747824373/?ref=shareFollow me on Instagram: http://Instagram.com/officialtannermullen

    47 min

  6. APR 7

    From Rock Bottom to $75K Kitchens: Cory Leister's Faith-Led Journey

    From teacher to 6-figure kitchen remodels — Cory Leister's story will leave you inspired. In this Partner Spotlight, Tanner sits down with Cory Leister, founder of Inspired By You, a cabinet refinishing and full home renovation company celebrating its 10th year in business. Cory opens up about the rock bottom moment that sparked her business, how faith and family carried her through her darkest season, and what it actually looks like to build a company culture that people want to be part of. In this episode: How a trip to her sister's nursery in Oklahoma started it allGoing from brushing and rolling to spraying industrial coatingsBuilding a team that shows up and asks to work for youWhy she stepped back from social media — and what happened when she didThe word that changed everything heading into 2026What reconciliation in marriage really looks like for an entrepreneurHer advice for anyone just starting outConnect with Cory:Inspired By You — inspiredbyu.com Try DripJobs free:dripjobs.com #PartnerSpotlight #DripJobs #HomeServiceBusiness #CabinetRefinishing #InspiredByYou #PaintingContractor #EntrepreneurStory #FaithLedBusiness

    45 min

  7. APR 2

    2026 Home Service Marketing Secrets

    The marketing secrets no one's telling home service business owners. I've spent years figuring out what actually works — and watching contractors waste thousands on stuff that doesn't. In this episode, I'm laying it all out. No fluff. No BS. Just the truth about marketing your home service business in 2026. Whether you're broke and need leads tomorrow or you're scaling past $750K and ready to dominate — I'm breaking down the exact channels, the exact approach, and the exact mindset you need. In this video I cover:→ The #1 principle behind every marketing decision→ Door knocking: why it still works and how to not be annoying→ Google LSA vs SEO: which one and when→ Facebook ads: it's not about leads — it's about trust→ Why I spent $16K on van wraps and $3,500 on a videographer→ The truth about Angie Leads (use it, but don't build on it)→ Why hiring a specialist will save you money long term→ Reviews win championships — 755 and counting This is the marketing gameplan I wish someone gave me when I started. 🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED: → Start your free DripJobs trial: https://dripjobs.com→ Apply for the DripJobs Startup Program (4 months free): https://dripjobs.com/startup→ Grab "31 Days of Value" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7→ Trusted marketing partners: https://dripjobs.com/our-partners 📌 CHAPTERS:0:00 - The marketing principle most owners miss2:26 - Secret #1: Door knocking still wins4:52 - Secret #2: Google — pay to play, then build9:30 - Why your sales ability determines your marketing ROI11:58 - Secret #3: Facebook is a trust machine16:42 - Why I'm investing heavy in content19:09 - Branding isn't optional anymore21:28 - When to use Angie Leads (and when to ditch it)23:51 - The boring stuff builds empires 💬 What's your biggest marketing struggle right now? Drop it in the comments.

    27 min

  8. MAR 30

    3 Things Separating $500K Contractors From Everyone Else in 2026

    Home service business owners — it's time to make your move. In this episode, I'm sharing the 3 strategic plays that helped me build a $1.5M painting business that runs without me. Less than 5 hours a week. No burnout. No chaos. These are the same moves I've watched transform hundreds of contractors from overwhelmed operators to actual business owners. In this video I cover:→ Move #1: How to identify and develop leaders (stop being the bottleneck)→ Move #2: Why doing everything yourself — even with AI — is killing your growth→ Move #3: The software stack that lets you skip the line→ Why your marketing shouldn't be a DIY project→ Tools I use daily: DripJobs, Quo (OpenPhone), CompanyCam If you're a painting contractor, home service business owner, or trades professional trying to scale without sacrificing your sanity — this is your playbook. 🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED: → Start your free DripJobs trial: https://dripjobs.com→ Grab "31 Days of Value" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7→ Quo (formerly OpenPhone): https://www.openphone.com→ CompanyCam: https://www.companycam.com→ Trusted marketing partners: https://dripjobs.com/our-partners 📌 CHAPTERS:0:00 - The 3 moves that changed everything1:00 - Move #1: Create leaders, not followers4:23 - Move #2: Stop trying to do it all yourself6:45 - Move #3: Software that skips the line9:03 - My tool stack: Quo, CompanyCam, DripJobs11:00 - Recap and your next step 💬 Comment below — which move are you making first?

    14 min
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4.9
out of 5
51 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
    536
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Tanner Mullen
  • Show Website
    Contractor Secrets

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