The Contractor Fight with Tom Reber

Today, Tom sits down with Anthony Abbott of Greystone Remodeling. A few years ago, Anthony was just another hardworking contractor, barely making $300k a year. But after joining The Fight, his life changed forever.   Anthony reveals how he went from $300k to over $2.7 million in sales in just 12 months. He shares his strategies for doubling prices, mastering marketing, and implementing systems that allowed him to 10x his profits. Anthony also opens up about a risky $1.8 million deal he turned down and the lessons he learned.  Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Intro [02:29] - Anthony’s backstory [04:42] - Anthony’s business before joining The Fight [06:14] - Changes Anthony made in himself & business [07:54] - Starting contracting after leaving the army [09:21] - Why he didn’t give up despite financial struggles  [15:26] - How Anthony made $million in sales [17:50] - Hesitation about raising prices  [20:48] - Charging 50% GP [22:35] - Returning a $1.8M check to a client [28:23] - Key takeaways from his journey [33:37] - Firing a subcontractor  [36:24] - Importance of communication  [45:17] - Anthony’s hiring process [49:38] - Tips for hiring your first employee [51:51] - Financial impact of hiring employees  [54:08] - How much additional revenue is needed to afford an employee [57:29] - Anthony’s past mistakes and lessons learned [1:00:43] - The importance of consistency and perseverance in achieving success. [1:04:58] - Mental resilience and the daily grind required for business success  [1:09:23] - How to handle price objections [1:10:59] - How to not let a client go after getting to the price point [1:13:08] - Working with a spouse in a business [1:19:12] - How to obtain, retain, manage, and develop relationships with subs and employees [1:23:43] - How to attract clients who can afford the higher prices [1:28:55] -  Example of how time kills deals [1:34:56] - Mixing his ministry with coaching [1:36:51] - Men’s mental health [1:45:04] - How to connect with Anthony [1:45:35] - Tom’s big goal for 2024 [1:50:00] - Tom’s favorite person to spend a day with [1:51:55] - Self-care amidst giving to others Resources: Greystone Remodeling Website: https://greystoneremodelinginc.com/  💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially. Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together! https://thecontractorfight.com/50/  💸 Grab your copy of our FREE Contractors Guide to Spotting Cheap Prospects here: https://thecontractorfight.com/cheap  == Join us in BATTLEGROUND == Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program with three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info, check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground  == Get your questions answered and connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook  == Grab the Gear == https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/  == Find Us on Social Media == YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber  Instagram: https://thecontractorfight.com/ig  == Rate the Podcast == Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review!  Apple Podcasts   Spotify

January 2024 has already made its mark on the sands of time. Have you planned your work calendar for the year? If not, Tim and Derek want you to create it — by creating a work calendar, you can map out your time, schedule important events, and ensure you have enough time to complete projects and reach your goals.    They tell you to create and organize your calendar based on working days, money, goals, and events and then take advantage of it to maximize your productivity and profitability. In this episode, they discuss: Creating your work calendar for a successful year How Tim and Derek set their work calendar Tips for creating an effective work calendar Determining your working days Blocking out important days like client appreciation events, lead generation campaigns, etc Setting daily and monthly goals Leaving time for vacation and personal time off to keep a healthy work-life balance Resources: 💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially. Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together! https://thecontractorfight.com/50/  💸 Grab your copy of our FREE Contractors Guide to Spotting Cheap Prospects here: https://thecontractorfight.com/cheap  == Join us in BATTLEGROUND == Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program with three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info, check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground  == Get your questions answered and connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook  == Grab the Gear == https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/  == Find Us on Social Media == YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber  Instagram: https://thecontractorfight.com/ig  == Rate the Podcast == Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review!  Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Have you lost projects or opportunities because you lack funding? Do you wish there was a way to take your business to the next level without relying on bank loans? Today’s guest, Kortney Murray, has a non-traditional path to money lending for contractors.    Kortney Murray is the founder and CEO of Coastal Kapital, an alternative lending company based in Florida. Coastal Kapital provides alternative financing options like SBA loans, lines of credit, and equipment financing to help contractors grow and scale their businesses. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Intro [01:47] - Overview of Coastal Kapital [04:03] - How Kortney got a heavy equipment job [05:45] - Building a brand and scaling business [08:04] - Scaling with your brand [10:54] - The financial safety brand building provides [14:29] - Right contractor for discussion about borrowing money [17:08] - Cash flow challenges in contracting [21:41] - What is alternative lending [23:45] - Building business credit [26:15] - Scaling your business credit [27:15] - Checking business credit score  [28:53] - Best way to reach out to Kortney [29:48] - Closing thoughts Resources: Coastal Kapital Website: https://coastalkapital.com/  💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially. Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together! https://thecontractorfight.com/50/  💸 Grab your copy of our FREE Contractors Guide to Spotting Cheap Prospects here: https://thecontractorfight.com/cheap  == Join us in BATTLEGROUND == Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program with three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info, check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground  == Get your questions answered and connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook  == Grab the Gear == https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/  == Find Us on Social Media == YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber  Instagram: https://thecontractorfight.com/ig  == Rate the Podcast == Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review!  Apple Podcasts   Spotify

We’ve all struggled with negative self-talk at times, and this negative self-talk impacts not only our well-being but also our relationships and work. Tim and Derek discuss how intentionally practicing self-love and positive affirmations can help you break the chain of negative self-talk and boost your business.   They also talk about how we’re all imperfect works in progress, and the goal is continual growth, not perfection. By cultivating compassion for yourself through daily affirmations and mindfulness practices, you can better show up for clients who just want their problems solved.  In this episode, they discuss: How listening to a podcast about gratitude led Derek to start practicing self-love and its impact on him Comparing yourself to others can steal your happiness The value of forgiving ourselves for imperfections and practicing positive affirmations  Allowing yourself to become better versions of yourself over time Leaving past limitations behind to continue growing Cultivating gratitude and mindfulness for personal development Resources: 💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially. Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together! https://thecontractorfight.com/50/  💸 Grab your copy of our FREE Contractors Guide to Spotting Cheap Prospects here: https://thecontractorfight.com/cheap  == Join us in BATTLEGROUND == Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program with three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info, check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground  == Get your questions answered and connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook  == Grab the Gear == https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/  == Find Us on Social Media == YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber  Instagram: https://thecontractorfight.com/ig  == Rate the Podcast == Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review!  Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Many people in the trades industry will often say it's challenging to find skilled tradespeople. To solve this problem, Brian Drucks founded a platform called Where Trades Go, which directly connects employers with qualified tradespeople.  Brian is a second-generation painting contractor with decades of experience running his own painting business. Brian explained his motivation for creating the new app, key features of the app, how the app works and much more. Brian says that Where Trades Go is like a dating site for contractors and tradespeople, where they can connect and help each other easily.   Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Intro [03:17] - Brian’s contracting and software journey [07:49] - Priorities when starting a new company [10:06] - Importance of gross profit [13:56] - Challenges in hiring skilled tradespeople [16:28] - Where Trades Go app [20:19] - Vetting process for tradespeople on the platform [24:07] - Background checks conducted by Where Trades Go [25:37] - Part-time, full-time, and temporary job facilities  [27:07] - Finding temporary work while travelling or during slow periods [29:08] - How to connect with Brian  [33:35] - Untapped market business philosophy [35:43] - Rising cream business philosophy [40:04] - Available languages in the app [41:37] - Closing remarks Resources: Where Trades Go Website: https://wheretradesgo.com/   💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially. Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together! https://thecontractorfight.com/50/  💸 Grab your copy of our FREE Contractors Guide to Spotting Cheap Prospects here: https://thecontractorfight.com/cheap  == Join us in BATTLEGROUND == Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program with three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info, check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground  == Get your questions answered and connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook  == Grab the Gear == https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/  == Find Us on Social Media == YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber  Instagram: https://thecontractorfight.com/ig  == Rate the Podcast == Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review!  Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Many times, prospects really want to use your service, but they hesitate to make the deal because they lack trust and think somebody is going to take advantage of them. This lack of trust makes it hard to convince them to go ahead. That’s why, to help them say yes,  you need to show them you’re trustworthy so they can feel comfortable in making the deal.    Tim and Derek are here to teach you how to gain that trust. They discuss the importance of making the client feel important in order to gain their trust. In this episode, they discuss: Gaining your client’s trust to have an honest conversation about their needs and budget How to sense when the trust has been gained in a conversation Examples of questions that can be asked to build trust  How Tim and Derek built trust with their clients Making the clients feel important by listening to them and understanding their needs Resources: 💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially. Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together! https://thecontractorfight.com/50/  💸 Grab your copy of our FREE Contractors Guide to Spotting Cheap Prospects here: https://thecontractorfight.com/cheap  == Join us in BATTLEGROUND == Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program with three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info, check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground  == Get your questions answered and connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook  == Grab the Gear == https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/  == Find Us on Social Media == YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber  Instagram: https://thecontractorfight.com/ig  == Rate the Podcast == Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review!  Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Are you struggling to close leads? Are you unable to convert prospects into customers? It’s because there’s a trust issue — and sales are about trust! Trust is one of the biggest factors that holds contractors back from converting leads into sales. Tom is here to help you build trust with the prospects you’re talking to and reduce the number of sales objections you’re going to get. Because when you increase trust, it will minimize all the issues and, in turn, increase your sales   Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Intro – Ways to increase trust and convert more leads [02:19] - Create value through free educational content [05:47] - Communicate immediately to build trust [07:08] - Understand and connect to the client’s motive [08:35] - Closing remarks Resources: 💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially. Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together! https://thecontractorfight.com/50/  💸 Grab your copy of our FREE Contractors Guide to Spotting Cheap Prospects here: https://thecontractorfight.com/cheap  == Join us in BATTLEGROUND == Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program with three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info, check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground  == Get your questions answered and connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook  == Grab the Gear == https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/  == Find Us on Social Media == YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber  Instagram: https://thecontractorfight.com/ig  == Rate the Podcast == Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review!  Apple Podcasts   Spotify

What is the most dangerous thing in your life? Other people? Accidents? Past trauma? Today, Steve tells you that you may be the most dangerous thing in your life. He shares how you may be your biggest villain by not adapting and staying stuck in unhealthy patterns, but you're also the best hope for yourself and your salvation — if you want to live the life you want, you have to take action to improve yourself.   In this episode, Steve discusses: Example of how you are your own worst enemy Your choices can either destroy you or elevate you Breaking the cycle of poor business practices Choosing between the pain of staying the same or taking action and making changes Taking action daily and investing in things that will give you a big return in the future The difference between successful and unsuccessful people Resources: 💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially. Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together! https://thecontractorfight.com/50/  💸 Grab your copy of our FREE Contractors Guide to Spotting Cheap Prospects here: https://thecontractorfight.com/cheap  == Join us in BATTLEGROUND == Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program with three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info, check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground  == Get your questions answered and connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook  == Grab the Gear == https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/  == Find Us on Social Media == YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber  Instagram: https://thecontractorfight.com/ig  == Rate the Podcast == Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review!  Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Have you ever experienced a situation where important documents sit on your desk for far too long without any action being taken? Why does this happen? Is it a personal problem, or is it a procedure problem?   Tim shares with Derek the story of a thank you letter he received from a client months ago that got buried under other tasks on his desk because of oversight. They discuss how it becomes easy for things to slip through the cracks, the root cause of the oversight – personal and procedure problems – and how it impacts your business. In this episode, they discuss: Story of thank you letter Tim received from a client but hadn't responded to it People problem and procedure problem and how they impact your business Importance of accountability and prioritization Importance of having procedures in place to avoid mistakes How to properly handle mistakes caused by oversight Resources: 💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially. Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together! https://thecontractorfight.com/50/  💸 Grab your copy of our FREE Contractors Guide to Spotting Cheap Prospects here: https://thecontractorfight.com/cheap  == Join us in BATTLEGROUND == Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program with three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info, check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground  == Get your questions answered and connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook  == Grab the Gear == https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/  == Find Us on Social Media == YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber  Instagram: https://thecontractorfight.com/ig  == Rate the Podcast == Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review!  Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Knowing your number is essential for any contractor who wants to stay profitable, but it may be intimidating for many who don’t know how to do it properly. Tom is here to make it much more manageable and less daunting for you. He shares three important things you can do to make knowing your numbers much easier.   Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Importance of knowing your numbers [01:37] - Keeping your financials up to date [02:15] - How to manage your finances: QuickBooks [03:32] - Hire a bookkeeper [04:18] - Have regular money meetings [06:32] - Set and track KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) [07:08] - Important KPIs to track [08:57] - Job costing every project [10:25] - Wrap-up Resources: 💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially. Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together! https://thecontractorfight.com/50/  💸 Grab your copy of our FREE Contractors Guide to Spotting Cheap Prospects here: https://thecontractorfight.com/cheap  == Join us in BATTLEGROUND == Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program with three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info, check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground  == Get your questions answered and connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook  == Grab the Gear == https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/  == Find Us on Social Media == YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber  Instagram: https://thecontractorfight.com/ig  == Rate the Podcast == Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review!  Apple Podcasts   Spotify