The Better Than Rich Show

Most business owners blame labor shortages, weak leads, or tough markets when growth starts to feel chaotic. But the real problem usually lives inside the business: unclear roles, weak systems, poor communication, and leaders stuck as bottlenecks.In this episode of The Better Than Rich Show, host Mike Abramowitz sits down with Nick Schriver, a seasoned operational leader who has lived through rapid growth breakdowns firsthand. Nick has experienced overloaded production schedules, hiring misfires, confused team ownership, leadership burnout, and the painful realization that hustle can’t replace systems.Together, they unpack:Why growth exposes operational cracksHow unclear roles silently destroy accountabilityWhy training before scaling is non-negotiableHow communication rhythms prevent daily chaosThe leadership shift required to move from technician to strategic operatorThis episode is a must-watch for contractors, home service owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders who want scalable systems instead of constant firefighting.👉 If your business feels busy but unstable, this conversation will help you regain control.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 When Growth Exposes System Failures05:12 The Danger of Unclear Roles and Shadow Ownership10:27 Why Training Must Come Before Scaling15:41 Hiring Fast vs Hiring Right20:33 From Reactive to Intentional Communication25:50 Empowering Mid-Level Leaders to Remove Bottlenecks30:18 Shifting From Technician to Strategic Leader35:06 Rebuilding Trust After Operational Breakdowns40:22 Creating a Unified Operating System45:10 Leadership Habits That Stability Requires💬 Key Quotes “Responsibility without clarity is just chaos in disguise.”“Your people aren’t broken. Your systems are.”“Training feels slow, but not training slows everything down.”“You can’t grow past the bottleneck if the bottleneck is you.”🎯 Key Takeaways Clearly define roles to eliminate confusion and blameBuild training systems before hiring for growthUse predictable communication rhythms to prevent daily firesDevelop mid-level leaders to remove owner bottlenecksReplace hustle with operational clarity and leadership maturity

Some service businesses plateau because the owner stays trapped in daily operations. Others scale because they build teams, install systems, and let go of the work that keeps them stuck. This episode shows exactly what that transformation looks like.  In this episode of The Better Than Rich Show, Mike Abramowitz interviews Andrea Bryant, owner of Staged Right, one of Tampa Bay’s leading home-staging companies. Andrea went from a 20-year schoolteacher to a full-time house flipper to running a staging company that now completes 150–175 homes a year. Her journey shows how systems, team development, CRM automation, and targeted hiring free owners from 60–70 hour weeks and create a business that scales with consistency.  Andrea explains how she replaced herself in staging, delegated administration, built a reliable team culture, and streamlined client nurturing using automated pipelines and campaigns. She breaks down the shift from doing everything herself to running a company that performs better without her in the day-to-day. Her hours dropped below 40 a week, she took a full month away while revenue held steady, and the company hit more than 100 five-star Google reviews.  You’ll hear the real before-and-after: working nonstop with constant stress vs. creating freedom, stronger family relationships, and optionality to one day sell the business. This is a practical look at how everyday owners can buy back their time, build a self-sustaining company, and use business as a vehicle for their life.  Timestamps  [00:00] Introducing Andrea Bryant and Staged Right [01:10] From schoolteacher to home flipper to staging owner [03:30] Early fears, slow first months, first clients [04:35] Coaching, foundations, and learning real business systems [05:45] Building the team: movers, stagers, assistants [07:40] Hiring breakthroughs and culture wins [09:00] Current team structure and roles [10:40] Shifting out of admin and staging tasks [12:15] Volume growth: 150–175 homes a year [13:45] Revenue increases and price adjustments [15:40] What systems bought back time [16:50] CRM campaigns, nurture sequences, and business card automation [19:00] Staying in her “genius” and keeping relationship-driven sales [21:10] What’s automated behind the scenes [23:00] Impact of automation on reputation and client experience  [27:40] 100+ Google reviews and rising service quality [28:45] Receiving acquisition offers and thinking about selling [30:30] Making a business sellable vs. owner-dependent [37:04] Experience with Better Than Rich and key results [40:10] What being “better than rich” means [41:20] Who Staged Right serves and where to reach Andrea [42:45] Close and next steps for listeners  Key Quotes  “I realized the business actually performs better when I’m not the one staging.” “My 60–70 hour weeks are gone. I’m under 40 now, and the revenue is higher.” “Automation doesn’t replace personalization. It protects it.”  Key Takeaways  Hire for passion and skill so you can step out of the technical work. Build systems early: CRM, campaigns, tagging, automations, pipelines. Delegate admin immediately; every 10-minute task adds up to lost hours. A business grows faster when the owner focuses on relationships and rainmaking. Culture matters: loyalty, celebrations, shared wins, and team pride drive results. Removing yourself from operations increases valuation and creates optionality.  Links Mentioned  Staged Right www.stagedrightllc.com Better Than Rich betterthanrich.com/gsd Connect with The Better Than RichWebsite - https://www.betterthanrich.com/Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/betterthanrich/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterthan_rich/Twitter - https://mobile.twitter.com/betterthan_richTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@betterthanrichYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3xXEb7rKBvkCOdtWd4tj2ALinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterthanrich

Why do some home service owners stay stuck while others build companies that run with predictability? Many think the problem is marketing or labor, but the real issue is a lack of clarity. When the owner is unclear, the team becomes unclear. That creates mixed messages, slow decisions, and systems that break under pressure.  In this episode of The Better Than Rich Show, Mike Abramowitz sits down with Christine Marie, a 4th-Gen trades professional and consultant to leaders in the home service space. Christine explains how Legacy, identity, and apparent self-awareness influence the way an owner leads. She shows how personal clarity impacts the brand message, decision-making, systems, customer experience, and team alignment.   Christine guides business owners through vision work, emotional drivers, customer journey audits, and essential systems to help their businesses grow without personal burden. She shows how emotional intelligence, clear values, and strong relationships create predictable companies that scale confidently.   Timestamps [00:00] Opening and guest introduction [02:48] Legacy and the fourth-generation story [07:26] Why Legacy matters for every owner [11:26] Bringing identity into the business [12:31] Vision, clarity, and the eulogy exercise [18:58] Prompts for self-reflection [22:48] How relationships affect business health [26:39] Systems, audits, and predictable operations [30:42] The customer journey from first search to follow-up [32:33] Why emotions drive buying decisions [36:20] Understanding how customers feel [39:56] A simple testimonial framework [42:41] Emotional transformation for the customer [45:53] The complete client journey and referral loop [49:50] Bottom of funnel strategies [50:50] The Knowing Framework [52:15] How to connect with Christine [53:30] What it means to be better than rich  Key Quotes   “Every owner has a personal brand, even if they ignore it.”  “Your decisions today create the legacy your kids live with.”  “Predictability comes from systems, not talent.”  “Customers buy with emotion before they buy with logic.”  “Relationships shape the future of your business.” Key Takeaways    Get clear on who you want to be and what you want your business to become.  Audit the whole customer journey from search to follow-up.  Track how customers feel at every step.  Use systems to remove friction and free up your time.  Keep nurturing customers long after the job is done.  Links Mentioned https://christenemarie.com/ theknowingagency.com  Connect with The Better Than RichWebsite - https://www.betterthanrich.com/Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/betterthanrich/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterthan_rich/Twitter - https://mobile.twitter.com/betterthan_richTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@betterthanrichYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3xXEb7rKBvkCOdtWd4tj2ALinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterthanrich

The reasons some service businesses thrive while others struggle with ongoing crises and high employee turnover can be perplexing. While many attribute these challenges to market conditions, the true issues often stem from disorganized systems, ineffective hiring practices, and intricate customer journeys that obstruct growth. In this episode of The Better Than Rich Show, host Mike Abramowitz interviews Christine Hodge, CEO of Process CEO and owner of Clear View, New Jersey’s fastest-growing exterior cleaning company. Christine shares straight talk on how workflow systems, hiring frameworks, and clear client intake turn chaos into rapid, sustainable growth. She breaks down the “budget-middle-luxury” bundle pricing and her structured hiring process, and shows how automation frees owners from busywork. Christine’s approach keeps teams loyal, clients happy, and scaling steady—without burnout. You’ll get practical playbooks for qualifying leads, onboarding talent, and building company culture that employees never want to leave. Timestamps [00:00] Meet Christine Hodge—Background and Family Business [02:03] Fixing Business Bottlenecks and Moving to Digital [04:36] Standardizing Estimates and Increasing Ticket Price [07:04] Cross-Sell, Upsell, and Sales Team Training [09:53] Bundle Pricing: Budget, Middle, Luxury [13:44] Pre-Qualifying Clients and Streamlining Quotes [17:36] Remote vs In-Person Estimates: The 3000 sqft Rule [18:56] Building Trust with Branding and Online Systems [23:39] Automations: Email, Text, and Sales Follow-Ups [33:36] Hiring Framework: Multi-Step, Long-Term, Referral Driven [36:42] Company Culture: Clear View Day and Investing in People [45:01] Replacing Yourself: Hiring Experts as You Grow [52:51] The Process CEO: Coaching, Systems, Scaling [55:39] Work-Life Balance and Defining Better Than Rich Key Quotes “We don’t just hire a warm body. We build loyalty and careers.” “Our average ticket nearly doubled after bundling, cross-selling, and upselling—systematically.” “If your sales process takes ten steps, automate nine. Free yourself for what matters.” “Company culture isn’t an add-on. It’s the core of keeping great team members.” “There’s always a framework: qualify, quote, deliver, and delight.” Key Takeaways Move off paper—every process can and should be digitized. Create pricing bundles: basic, middle, luxury. This maximizes options and value. Systemize hiring: detailed, multi-step, and incentivized for referrals. Use automation for client comms and internal reminders—don’t leave anything to chance. Culture matters: recurring appreciation events, a clear mission, and personal investment retain talent. Delegate and invest strategically—know when to stay lean and when to buy back your time. Links Mentioned The Process CEO Community : https://www.theprocessceo.com/Jobber : https://www.getjobber.com/Connect with The Better Than RichWebsite - https://www.betterthanrich.com/Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/betterthanrich/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterthan_rich/Twitter - https://mobile.twitter.com/betterthan_richTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@betterthanrichYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3xXEb7rKBvkCOdtWd4tj2ALinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterthanrich

Are you a home service business owner who feels overwhelmed by the pace of change in 2025? Do you worry that AI is moving faster than your team, your systems, and even your competitors? How do you keep up with the new rules of search, booking, content, and customer experience without burning cash or wasting time?  In this episode of The Better Than Rich Show, host Mike Abramowitz talks with Jennifer Bagley, CEO of CI Web Group and Co-Founder of JustStartAI.io.  Jen is known as one of the leading experts in agentic AI systems for contractors. She is passionate about helping small- and mid-sized home service owners future-proof their businesses, increase visibility, raise margins, and eliminate operational waste through AI-enabled systems that operate 24 hours a day. Her background in development, automation, and large-scale digital operations makes her uniquely qualified to explain the shifts happening in the industry and how owners can win today, not someday. If you want to understand the real path forward, Jen brings clarity, urgency, and practical steps you can apply right away.  Timestamps [00:00] Why AI matters for home service owners [01:20] Conversational AI vs agent vs multi agent vs agentic [04:30] How Jen builds a whole AI-driven content team [09:30] What agentic workflows look like in real life [12:00] Why trying to build your own network is risky [13:15] Why Jen invested millions to stay ahead [18:20] What owners should do right now [20:00] Inside Start AI and how to get free credits [23:00] How AI improves marketing efficiency [26:30] Building systems for booking and follow-up [33:45] Why WordPress is holding contractors back [37:40] The shift from Google to AI search [43:20] Running a lean and profitable business with AI [46:10] Remodeling your PNL with AI [51:00] What being better than rich means to Jen   Key Quotes "Consumer adoption accelerates when devices receive updates overnight. This allows users to experience improved features right away, leading to faster acceptance of new technology." "The speed of progress is crucial right now. Staying ahead in a rapidly changing market is key to success." "Content acts as your storefront; if it's outdated, you risk becoming invisible. Fresh and relevant content is essential for attracting customers in the digital age." "AI will not replace contractors, but those who use AI will surpass those who don't. Embracing AI can boost efficiency and innovation, giving forward-thinking contractors a significant advantage."  Key Takeaways Identify where clients are dropping off in the process and quickly eliminate any friction. Utilize AI-enabled vendors before attempting to build anything in-house. Increase daily content output to boost visibility, impressions, and the number of booked jobs. Prepare for AI agents that can schedule appointments on behalf of homeowners. Modernize booking tools to allow agents to schedule appointments smoothly. Transition to low-code platforms when appropriate. Use AI to analyze and remodel your profit and loss statements to enhance margins.  Links Mentioned Just Start AI: https://juststartai.io CI Web Group: https://ciwebgroup.comConnect with The Better Than RichWebsite - https://www.betterthanrich.com/Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/betterthanrich/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterthan_rich/Twitter - https://mobile.twitter.com/betterthan_richTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@betterthanrichYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3xXEb7rKBvkCOdtWd4tj2ALinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterthanrich

Why do most business owners never achieve a successful exit, even after decades of effort? Many assume selling a company is simple—find a buyer, sign the papers, and walk away. The reality is harsher: 70 to 80 percent of businesses that go to market never sell. Poor planning, missing documentation, and overdependence on the owner make it nearly impossible to exit with both profit and peace of mind. In this episode of The Better Than Rich Show, host Mike Abramowitz sits down with Bennett Lebowitz, co-founder of Pando Consulting Group, to uncover what it really takes to build a business that can be sold on your terms. Bennett covers everything from financial cleanup to operational systems and leadership transitions. He shares actionable frameworks, key metrics, and real-world stories of owners who created companies strong enough to thrive long after they stepped away.   Timestamps [00:00] Defining a Successful Exit [03:11] Avoiding Forced Liquidations and the 5 D’s [05:43] Controlling the Controllables [06:51] Financial Health and Clean Books [09:27] Quality of Earnings and Operational Audits [12:06] Key Metrics Every Owner Should Track [17:31] Preparing for the Right Buyer [20:59] Getting the Owner Out of the Day-to-Day [28:27] Hiring Smart and Building Support Infrastructure [32:42] Shifting from Tactical to Strategic Leadership [36:52] Ideal Client Profile and Readiness [40:54] The Exit Process and Discovery [42:06] Why 70–80% of Businesses Never Sell [43:35] Life, Family, and Purpose  Key Quotes “Seventy-five percent of owners regret selling their business within 12 months, and it has nothing to do with money. It’s because they weren’t prepared for life after the sale.” “You can’t sell a business if you’re the one driving all the revenue. No one wants to buy a job.” “Profit is a direct correlation to value. Taxes are just a byproduct.” “If you’re not growing, you’re dying. Every system and hire is a step toward freedom.” “Everything we do should be purpose-driven. The money can’t come with us, but the impact can.” Key Takeaways Prepare early. A successful exit takes years, not months. Begin by cleaning your finances and documenting your systems.Build independence. A business that relies on the owner isn’t sellable. Train leaders and automate wherever possible. Track what matters. Focus on metrics like revenue per employee, recurring revenue, and client acquisition cost. Control what you can. You can’t change the market, but you can strengthen your processes, people, and profit.  Links Mentioned Pando Consulting Group – Readiness Assessment: https://pandoconsultinggroup.com LinkedIn – Bennett Lebowitz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennett-lebowitz Connect with The Better Than RichWebsite - https://www.betterthanrich.com/Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/betterthanrich/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterthan_rich/Twitter - https://mobile.twitter.com/betterthan_richTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@betterthanrichYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3xXEb7rKBvkCOdtWd4tj2ALinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterthanrich

Most contractors and home service owners don’t struggle because they can’t sell. They struggle because they lack a predictable client journey from cold to sale. Estimates vary wildly, every technician sells differently, and customers often drift into the “let me think about it” dead zone. Meanwhile, owners are left wondering how many jobs slip away simply due to an inconsistent process rather than customer resistance. In this episode, host Mike Abramowicz sits down with Curt Kempton, founder of ResponsiBid and former owner of an internationally awarded window cleaning and pressure washing business. Curt reveals how he engineered a curiosity-driven sales process that feels natural for technicians, reduces customer friction, and dramatically increases close rates. This conversation is a masterclass in sales psychology, customer experience, and systemizing the path from interest to investment. Timestamps: [00:00] Meet Curt Kempton [03:00] Building and selling an award-winning cleaning business [06:40] Why many tradespeople struggle with sales [09:20] What makes a good salesperson [13:30] Research Mode vs Decision Mode [17:45] Creating a predictable client journey [21:30] Pre-framing with video and email [24:00] Why line-item estimates reduce conversions [30:10] Running the in-home experience smoothly [34:45] Your selling process vs their buying process [38:40] How many options to present [44:30] Price anchoring and shifting customer expectations [48:30] Following up after a “no” [53:50] Curt’s free sales audit quiz [54:50] What it means to be Better Than Rich Key Quotes “Curiosity is what leads good sales.” “If you don’t participate in research mode, you won’t be there when it flips to decision mode.” “Line-item estimates create moral tax for the customer.”“You are either taking them through your selling process, or they are taking you through their buying process.”“Follow-up keeps the door open so customers can return without feeling embarrassed.” Key Takeaways: A good salesperson prioritizes the customer’s value, not their own agenda. Buyers move predictably from research mode to decision mode, and your process must meet them early.Pre-framing with simple videos and emails reduces objections before you ever arrive on-site. Presenting packages instead of line items eliminates overwhelm and increases conversions. Follow-up after a no often recaptures customers who regret choosing cheaper competitors. Mentioned Links: ResponsiBid: https://responsibid.com Sales Process Audit Quiz: https://responsibid.com The Better Than Rich Show YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thebetterthanrich Connect with The Better Than RichWebsite - https://www.betterthanrich.com/Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/betterthanrich/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterthan_rich/Twitter - https://mobile.twitter.com/betterthan_richTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@betterthanrichYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3xXEb7rKBvkCOdtWd4tj2ALinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterthanrich

Ever wonder why some home service businesses grow effortlessly while others can’t convert loyal customers? Many blame competition or marketing spend, but the real issue is confusion—unclear stories, inconsistent branding, and clunky customer experiences that break trust.  In this episode of The Better Than Rich Show, host Mike Abramowitz talks with Brian Sooy, author of Blue Collar Branding and Marketing Director at Gorjank Home Services. Brian shares how the StoryBrand and CARE Framework (Clarity, Alignment, Relevance, Experience) can help small service companies communicate clearly, deliver trust at every touchpoint, and scale through simplicity. He explains how local expertise, consistent messaging, and frictionless systems create brands that customers remember and recommend. Sooy discusses the StoryBrand framework, emphasizing the customer as the hero, and outlines a seven-step process—identifying the customer’s problem, presenting a solution, and defining success. He highlights the importance of clarity, alignment, relevance, and experience in branding, stressing the need for consistency across all touchpoints, including marketing and customer service.  Timestamps [00:00] From Story to Strategy [01:32] The Customer Is the Hero [05:05] Defining the Ideal Client Avatar [07:23] The PASS Framework for Messaging [12:47] Ensuring Consistency in Conversions [17:01] Training CSRs for Alignment [18:26] The CARE Framework Explained [26:19] Building Frictionless User Experiences [32:43] Aligning Vendors with Company Vision [38:33] Standing Out Through Local Expertise [43:33] Delivering Premium Customer Experience [48:03] Tracking Sanity Metrics vs Vanity Metrics [51:00] Significance Over Success  Key Quotes “The customer is the hero, and your brand is the guide.” “Clarity builds confidence. Confusion kills conversion.” “Alignment means everyone tells the same story—marketing, sales, and customer service.” “The sale is a sample of the service. Every touchpoint matters.” “Significance over success—that’s what it means to be better than rich.” Key Takeaways Clarify your message so customers instantly know who you help and how. Align every team and vendor around one consistent brand story. Focus on relevance—speak like a trusted local expert, not a faceless company. Deliver an experience that’s frictionless, fast, and personal.  Links Mentioned Blue Collar Branding by Brian Sooy: https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Collar-Branding-Field-Proven-Framework-ebook/dp/B0F91PMS6ZGorjanc Home Services: https://www.gorjanc.com/Aespire: https://www.aespire.com/Connect with Brian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansooy

Most business owners hit a ceiling not because they lack hustle but because their systems leak money. They underprice, overpay, and unknowingly trap themselves in the “hourly labor” mindset that kills profitability. Have you ever felt like your team works hard, but your margins never seem to improve? Do you wonder why, after another big month of sales, there’s still not enough left over for growth—or you?  In this episode, host Mike Abramowitz sits down with James Kwon, serial entrepreneur, early employee at CVS.com, and founder of Figmints Digital Creative Marketing. After selling one of his companies for nearly nine figures, James could have coasted. Instead, he built a revolutionary model called SLICES—a simple, scalable way to transform your compensation structure into a proper pay-for-performance system. Whether you lead a trades business, a digital agency, or a growing team, James breaks down the math, the mindset, and the mechanics of paying your people like owners. Timestamps: [00:00] The Problem with Hourly Pay [03:50] Why “SLICES” Was Born [06:40] Pricing for Pay-for-Performance [09:20] The $10K Job Breakdown [14:00] Paying Contractors vs. Salaried Teams [21:45] Overcoming Team Resistance [26:30] Real Results from the Field [39:00] From Chaos to Clarity in Commercial Cleaning [44:30] Rethinking Ownership: ESOPs and the Future of SLICES [52:40] Building Brand Leverage through Figmints  Key Quotes: “You should treat every employee like a salesperson.” “Your slices already exist—you’re just not tracking them.” “Profit isn’t what’s left over; it’s a pre-decided slice of the pie.” “A players light up when they see opportunity. C players panic.” “Slices make utilization visible. There’s nowhere to hide.” “The goal isn’t to be rich—it’s to build royalty.” “Loving people is the ultimate game in business.”    Key Takeaways: Define Every Slice: Categorize every dollar earned—marketing, labor, operations, profit—and track against those ratios. Pay for Output, Not Time: Transition compensation to performance-based models that reward production, not presence. Reconcile Quarterly: Measure slices earned versus salary paid; adjust based on utilization and profitability. Build a Culture of Ownership: Teach your team how their work connects to the bottom line. Transparency breeds accountability.  Mentioned Links: Figmints Digital Creative Marketing: https://www.figmints.com SLICES Resources for Better Than Rich Listeners: https://www.figmints.com/betterthanrich The Better Than Rich Show YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thebetterthanrich  

Ever wonder why some businesses thrive during economic chaos while others collapse? Many believe success in the trades comes from luck or endless hustle, but the truth is discipline, systems, and culture determine survival. In this episode of The Better Than Rich Show, host Mike Abramowitz sits down with Tim O’Brien, founder of Tim O’Brien Homes, who shares how launching a homebuilding company during the Great Recession became his greatest advantage. He unpacks how faith-based principles of stewardship, integrity, and servant leadership fueled his growth from zero to $138 million. From building long-term trade partnerships and defining company values to using the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) for sustainable scale, O’Brien shows how simplicity, trust, and vision create businesses that last.  Timestamps:  [00:00] Starting from Zero During a Recession [07:00] Building Brand Awareness with No Budget [11:00] Culture Before Scale [16:00] Hiring and Delegation Lessons [20:00] Communication Cadence and the EOS Revolution [27:00] The Trade Council Blueprint [33:00] Empowering Trades Through Shared Values [43:00] How to Get the Attention of a $138M General Contractor [48:00] Scaling from $25M to $138M [54:00] Simplicity, Sustainability, and Freedom of Time   Key Quotes “You can’t lead from the valley; you have to get up on the hill to see what’s really going on.”  “We’re in the people business. We just happen to build homes.”  “Culture isn’t a slogan—it’s a system that decides who stays and who leaves.”  “Your best trade partners aren’t your vendors, they’re your collaborators.”  “Freedom of time is the ultimate wealth.”  Key Takeaways Build culture before chasing growth. Your team and trade partners should co-create values, not receive them top-down.Implement structure early. Meeting cadences and EOS frameworks prevent chaos as you scale. Prioritize long-term relationships. Treat trades and clients as collaborators in your ecosystem. Simplify annually. Audit your systems and processes to eliminate redundancy and complexity before burnout sets in.  Links Mentioned Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh: https://www.deliveringhappiness.com/  Traction by Gino Wickman: https://www.eosworldwide.com/traction  Tim O’Brien Homes: https://www.timobrienhomes.com  Contact Tim: tobrien@tobhomes.com Connect with The Better Than RichWebsite - ⁠https://www.betterthanrich.com/⁠Facebook - ⁠https://m.facebook.com/betterthanrich/⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/betterthan_rich/⁠Twitter - ⁠https://mobile.twitter.com/betterthan_rich⁠TikTok - ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@betterthanrich⁠YouTube - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3xXEb7rKBvkCOdtWd4tj2A⁠Linkedin - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterthanrich⁠