Builders! Don’t leave 2026 to chance! Join our free strategic planning web class on November 18 to get ahead: learn how to spot cash flow crunches before they hit, identify who to hire before you need them, and lock it all into a proven annual plan used by 1,900+ contractors. Click the link to register now: https://trybta.com/CE-SPB-Nov25

Take our five minute quiz and get a free custom roadmap to growing your contracting business: https://trybta.com/DL246

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP246

Entrepreneurship doesn't have to be lonely. But for most contractors, it is.

After years of grinding alone, Ryan Lermitte from Umbrella Property Services discovered something that changed everything: the power of real community.

In this episode of Contractor Evolution, Ryan shares his 8-year journey with Breakthrough Academy and reveals why he stayed long after learning the systems.

The deep connections, unexpected collaborations with competitors, and the emotional ROI that no spreadsheet can capture.

If you've ever felt isolated in your business journey, this conversation will remind you that you're not meant to do this alone.

🎯 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

Why entrepreneurship feels so isolating (and what to do about it)

How investing in community and connections can improve your wellbeing AND your profitability.

Why emotional ROI matters as much as financial returns

Practical ways to build meaningful connections in your industry

☂️Learn more about Ryan and his business: https://umbrellaservices.ca/

📈Learn more about how Breakthrough Academy helped Ryan double his revenue and make his goals a reality: https://youtu.be/Pa39XAcLRMY

Other stories from REAL contractors like Ryan:

🦾From Reactive to Streamlined: Cory’d Business Automation Journey: https://youtu.be/NykhB5J8cE0

✋STOP Losing Money to Poor PM: No Frills Project Management Tips (Contractor Roundtable): https://youtu.be/xIMb9X4A2Zo

⭐️More coaching success stories: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGzGbmYmvpYonpJ_EAAUldCob7iimjgmc

00:00-Intro

01:46-About Ryan's journey in Breakthrough Academy

06:46-How do you build relationships beyond transactions?

15:19-How to "Be Real" with the people around you

17:55-The true ROI of community as a contractor

22:14-How to overcome imposter syndrome

26:24-Why give back?

31:05-Should you collaborate with your competitors?

34:03-Ryan's unforgettable moment from Winter Summit 2025

39:26-How to know if you're in the right community

45:38-Wrap up and how to connect with Ryan

Builders! Don’t leave 2026 to chance! Join our free strategic planning web class on November 18 to get ahead: learn how to spot cash flow crunches before they hit, identify who to hire before you need them, and lock it all into a proven annual plan used by 1,900+ contractors. Click the link to register now: https://trybta.com/CE-SPB-Nov25

Take our 5 minute quiz and get a custom roadmap to systemizing your contracting business: https://trybta.com/DL245

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP245

Over the next 5 years the ability to leverage AI tools is going to make or break contracting businesses.

But 99% of contracting business owners are barely scratching the surface.

Today we’re joined by Greg Shove, founder of Section AI, who’s gonna teach us how to go from AI-anxious to AI-fluent.

In this episode, we cover:

• A roadmap to learning AI for beginners, intermediates and even well-versed contractors
• What it takes to build a shared company brain that knows your systems, data, and workflows
• And specific ways to use AI for construction businesses, home service companies and other trades.

If you’re ready to stop treating AI like a toy and start using it as your competitive edge, this conversation is for you.

00:00-Intro

01:38-About Greg and Section AI

01:38-About Greg and Section AI

03:34-The AI Revolution: What's Happening and What's Next

07:21-How small business should be benefitting from AI

13:16-Are the trades AI proof?

19:39-Creating a "company brain" with AI tools

29:31-Practical use cases of AI tools for contractors

37:53-How to take the first step to make AI part of your company culture

44:37-Wrap up and next steps

Builders! Don’t leave 2026 to chance! Join our free strategic planning web class on November 18 to get ahead: learn how to spot cash flow crunches before they hit, identify who to hire before you need them, and lock it all into a proven annual plan used by 1,900+ contractors. Click the link to register now: https://trybta.com/CE-SPB-Nov25

Grab your FREE Contractor Growth Method resource bundle: https://trybta.com/DL244

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP244

Whether it's being on the tools, selling jobs, or bookkeeping, we all have something in our business that we HATE doing—and for most 7 figure contractors, it's the relentless struggle with contractor cash flow and time management.

The good news? There’s a predictable way out of small business owner burnout.

After working with over 1,900 contractors, we’ve learned there are six key systems that, once implemented, give owners the freedom to do whatever they want while truly mastering contractor scaling.

🔨 Swing a hammer.

💼 Lead a sales team.

⚾️ Coach baseball.

🇬🇷 Move to Greece.

These proven contractor time management systems transform how 7 figure contractors operate—no more 14-hour days, no more cash flow stress, no more feeling trapped in your business.

In a web class we hosted a while back, I unpacked those six contractor scaling systems step-by-step—the same ones that help contractors break free from small business owner burnout and finally build businesses that serve them.

Today, that web class is hitting the podcast.

You’ll learn:

- How to build a business budget to help with contractor cash flow and financial management

- The foolproof hiring systems 7-figure contractors use to secure top talent

- How to level up your time management skills to implement more systems faster

00:00-Intro

00:54-Welcome to the web class

09:06-About the 6 Systems (Contractor Growth Method™)

10:27-System 1: Financial Controls

14:39-System 2: Defined Roles

21:20-System 3: Hiring Systems

26:20-System 4: Training & onboarding

33:02-System 5: Sales & marketing

39:31-System 6: Goal Setting & Review

49:34-Getting started

57:59-Q&A

Builders! Don’t leave 2026 to chance! Join our free strategic planning web class on November 18 to get ahead: learn how to spot cash flow crunches before they hit, identify who to hire before you need them, and lock it all into a proven annual plan used by 1,900+ contractors. Click the link to register now: https://trybta.com/CE-SPB-Nov25

Take our 5 minute quiz and get a custom Contractor Growth Scorecard today: https://trybta.com/DL243

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP243

LMN, Greenius and SingleOps are three of the biggest names in landscaping software. After rebranding to Granum, CEO Mark Sedgley is on the show to talk about the bright future of the green industry.

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What does it take to lead lasting change, not just inside your business, but across an entire industry?

Today’s guest is Mark Sedgley, CEO of LMN, Greenius, and SingleOps, three of the biggest names in landscaping software that are now coming together as one brand: Granum.

Mark’s story—from entrepreneur to CEO—offers a masterclass in leadership, accountability, and building companies that put people first.

In today’s episode, we talk about his vision for Granum, and what he sees as the future of the green industry.

Episode Highlights:

- Learn why Granum, the amalgamation of LMN, Greenius and SingleOps was created, straight from CEO Mark Sedgley.

- Understand Mark’s entrepreneurial journey and how you can benefit from the lessons he’s learned about leadership.

- Get insight into the bright future of the green industry and the trades more broadly from someone who is actively working to improve and professionalize the space.

Learn more about Granum: https://granum.com/

00:00-Intro

01:38-Mark's journey in the Green Industry

10:52-Being an entrepreneur vs. being a CEO

17:10-How to make the right decisions as a CEO

23:26-The future of the Green Industry

30:05-How to address change management in a rapidly changing industry

33:44-About the Granum rebrand: how did LMN, Greenius and SingleOps come together?

39:28-Finding balance as a high-impact CEO

43:52-Wrap up

Builders! Don’t leave 2026 to chance! Join our free strategic planning web class on November 18 to get ahead: learn how to spot cash flow crunches before they hit, identify who to hire before you need them, and lock it all into a proven annual plan used by 1,900+ contractors. Click the link to register now: https://trybta.com/CE-SPB-Nov25

Take our five minute quiz and get your free custom Contractor Growth Scorecard here: https://trybta.com/DL242

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP242

Some moments in life can completely shape the way we see the world. Hard lessons, key pieces of advice, or sudden realizations in the face of adversity.

Today, Danny is opening up about four moments in his life that would become the mantras he uses to survive and thrive as a successful contractor, business coach and entrepreneur.

Episode Highlights:

• Hear the story of how Danny went from a struggling dyslexic student to a successful paint contractor to the thriving founder and coach he is today.
• Understand the power of mantras in overcoming adversity, navigating relationships and staying calm under pressure.
• Benefit from Danny’s vulnerability, as he opens up about the personal and professional mistakes over the last 20 years as an entrepreneur.

00:00-Intro

01:16-Habit #1: F*ck it

04:32-Habit #2: “How can I…?”

07:32-Habit #3: Relinquishing control

09:07-Habit #4: “It’ll be fine.”

11:15-Wrap Up

Builders! Don’t leave 2026 to chance! Join our free strategic planning web class on November 18 to get ahead: learn how to spot cash flow crunches before they hit, identify who to hire before you need them, and lock it all into a proven annual plan used by 1,900+ contractors. Click the link to register now: https://trybta.com/CE-SPB-Nov25

Take our 5 minute quiz and get your free personalized Contractor Growth Scorecard today: https://trybta.com/DL241

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP241

In a world where everyone turns to AI to ask questions, how do you make sure YOU show up as the answer? In today’s episode, Phil Risher reveals the secret to getting ChatGPT and other Large Language Models (LLMs) to promote your business to potential customers in every related search.

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There’s no question that AI is changing the way people ask questions online.

So, how do you make sure YOU show up as the answer?

In today’s episode, we’re revealing the secret to getting ChatGPT and other Large Language Models (LLMs) to promote your business to potential customers in every related search.

Contractor Marketing expert Phil Risher is a long-time SEO strategist that has been on the front lines as AI has changed the game for contractors and home service businesses.

Our conversation covers:

• The difference between SEO, GEO and AEO and where you should invest your marketing efforts right now
• How Large Language Models actually decide which brands to recommend
• 4 personalized videos you can make in the next 10 minutes that will increase your conversion rate by 20%.

This is a mandatory listen for contractors in every industry.

00:00-Intro

02:07-About Phil and Phlash Consulting

05:29-How is AI disrupting customer search? SEO vs. GEO vs. AEO

12:49-Is SEO still worth doing?

16:10-Becoming a content authority

29:21-How important is a "face of the brand?"

32:41-4 personalized videos for your drip sequence

38:44-Use cases for AI chat bots & automation for speed to lead

41:45-Use cases for self service tools

46:14-How to stay up-to-date on AI without getting overwhelmed

49:58-Connect with Phil

Builders! Don’t leave 2026 to chance! Join our free strategic planning web class on November 18 to get ahead: learn how to spot cash flow crunches before they hit, identify who to hire before you need them, and lock it all into a proven annual plan used by 1,900+ contractors. Click the link to register now: https://trybta.com/CE-SPB-Nov25

Take our 5 minute quiz and get your free personalized Contractor Growth Scorecard today: https://trybta.com/DL240

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP240

What if you offered a potential customer a free vacation if they hired you by the end of the week? Would it increase your closing rate? Today’s guest John Dwyer (JD, for short) swear by this strategy and in this episode, he’s gonna tell you why.

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What if you offered a potential customer a free vacation if they hired you by the end of the week?

Gimmicky? Maybe.

But according to today’s guest, it works.

John Dwyer, or “JD” for short, has built an entire business around incentive-based marketing.

In other words, rather than resorting to price discounting to get more work, what if you looked for a value add incentive instead?

Sometimes that’s something small, like a Happy Meal toy. Sometimes it’s a free trip to Disneyland.

In this episode, JD breaks down what he thinks are the 5 elements of a successful direct response campaign, including what he calls the WOW factor incentive.

This guy’s got some seriously out of the box ideas, so buckle up.

Episode Highlights:

- Learn how John “JD” Dwyer has used incentive-based marketing to generate over $15 billion in extra sales for businesses across multiple industries.

- Understand what the “WOW Factor” is and how it might fit into your marketing strategy.

- Get inspired to find creative alternatives the next time you’re thinking of price discounting to get more sales.

Get in touch with JD at john@theinstituteofwow.com

Learn more about the Institute of Wow vacations Incentive - https://vacationsincentive.com/

00:00-Intro

01:32-About JD and the Institute of Wow

07:52-What exactly is direct response marketing?

11:01-5 components of direct response marketing

22:41-About the Wow Factor vacation incentive

39:26-How to be the "UN" authority

41:52-Quick hits: best and worse of JD's career

53:00-Wrap up

Take our 5 minute quiz and get a personalized Contractor Growth Plan here: https://trybta.com/DL239

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP239

The modern buyer doesn’t want to wait. They expect instant answers, real-time communication, and a seamless experience from first click to final payment. Today, Liveswitch CRO James Hatfield is on the show to talk about how create a seamless and speedy experience for customers using virtual --quoting.

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Here’s a hard reality:

The modern buyer doesn’t want to wait. They expect instant answers, real-time communication, and a seamless experience from first click to final payment.

But most trades businesses struggle to make that a reality for their customers.

Today, I’m joined by James Hatfield, CRO at LiveSwitch, to unpack a faster, smarter way to sell—without losing the human connection.

We’ll cover how expectations have shifted, where contractors are still falling short, and how to blend speed with authenticity in every step of the sales journey.

If you want to win the “race to the face” and elevate your customer experience, this one’s for you.

00:00 - Intro

02:03 - History of Liveswitch

04:15 - Balancing race to face vs. personalization

07:46 - What does the modern buyer expect from a sales process?

11:02 - What does the virtual quoting experience look like for customers?

16:37 - Benefits of tech-enabled sales

24:19 - Creating a tech-enabled review/referral process

27:04 - Claiming the property with QR codes

32:16 - Does EVERY customer really prefer tech-enabled sales?

34:20 - Other tech to add to your stack

39:08 - Final thoughts and wrap up