The Successful Contractor Podcast

How Contractors Grow Through the Hard Stuff | Brandon Marshall

Book a free Discovery Call to see how we can help you hit your goals and beyond: https://bit.ly/3TvGiNW or call us at: (214)-453-1591   🔗 Grab our FREE resource: The Foundation Series, Real strategies to build a business that runs (and grows) without chaos: https://bit.ly/3Yqzow5   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Brandon Marshall knows leadership in the trades isn’t just about KPIs and schedules — it’s about people. And people bring stress, purpose, and pressure with them every day.  As the Transformational Leadership Mentor with CertainPath, Brandon has worked with countless contractors to help them grow not just as professionals, but as human beings. In this conversation, he shares how leaders in home services can learn to manage stress, lead with purpose, and build lasting cultures that truly pour into others.  • Why most contractor stress doesn’t come from the job • How to build “mini leaders” who multiply your culture • Why accountability without leadership never works • How to create a team culture that runs deeper than systems • What Brandon learned about leadership from the pulpit to the trades • Why Lion’s Pride was built — and what it’s doing for service leaders  If you’re a contractor who feels the weight of leadership, this conversation will speak directly to you.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode: • How to identify the real source of stress on your team • What it means to “pour into” people as a home service leader • Why culture is like a river — and how to shape its flow • The power of mentoring vs. managing • Why Brandon believes leadership is a calling, not a role  Want More Support Growing Your Business? When you join CertainPath, you’re not just getting coaching and training. You’re getting access to our Partner Network—120 vendor partners, including solutions like Reins, offering exclusive discounts and rebates on the tools and services you’re already using. Last year alone, our members earned back over $10 MILLION in rebates. That’s more cash in your business—and more partners helping you grow, profit, and scale. Book your free Discovery Call to learn how we can help you level up: https://bit.ly/3TvGiNW or call us at: (214)-453-1591   Chapters TBD  Show Notes The Successful Contractor Podcast is a part of the CertainPath family.  CertainPath builds successful home service businesses—and has for 25 years.  We do it by providing contractors with a proven path to success, professional coaching, software solutions, and a member community of 1,200+ strong. Doubling your sales, with a 20% net profit, and an inspiring company culture is ALL possible.  Let us show you the way. With CertainPath, Success is Made Certain. Visit www.mycertainpath.com for more information.   FOLLOW CERTAINPATH: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CertainPath Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/certainpath Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/certainpath/ 

How Kelson Carter Built an $11M Plumbing Company Debt-Free

Book a free Discovery Call to see how we can help you hit your goals and beyond: https://bit.ly/3TvGiNW or call us at: (214)-453-1591   🔗 Grab our FREE resource: The Foundation Series, Real strategies to build a business that runs (and grows) without chaos: https://bit.ly/3Yqzow5   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Kelson Carter built an $11M plumbing company — without ever offering HVAC or taking on debt. And he’s done it while only 35 years old.  As a third-generation plumber and owner of Carter’s My Plumber in Indianapolis, Kelson has taken bold, focused action to grow fast and profitably. In this episode, he shares how he: Grew a plumbing-only company to $11M, completely debt-free Branded his business around water heaters and a $500 guarantee Closes 60% of water heater sales over the phone Trains every week and manages his team daily with KPIs Promotes future leaders, not just top-performing techs Uses specific systems to scale with structure and confidence  If you're a plumbing contractor ready to grow without chaos — this one's for you.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The water heater sales strategy that changed Kelson’s business Why “guys with bills” are his best hires How to create team-wide accountability through leadership The value of weekly training and daily coaching Why CertainPath has been key to staying consistent while scaling fast  Want More Support Growing Your Business? When you join CertainPath, you’re not just getting coaching and training. You’re getting access to our Partner Network—120 vendor partners, including solutions like Reins, offering exclusive discounts and rebates on the tools and services you’re already using. Last year alone, our members earned back over $10 MILLION in rebates. That’s more cash in your business—and more partners helping you grow, profit, and scale. Book your free Discovery Call to learn how we can help you level up: https://bit.ly/3TvGiNW or call us at: (214)-453-1591   Chapters TBD  Show Notes The Successful Contractor Podcast is a part of the CertainPath family.  CertainPath builds successful home service businesses—and has for 25 years.  We do it by providing contractors with a proven path to success, professional coaching, software solutions, and a member community of 1,200+ strong. Doubling your sales, with a 20% net profit, and an inspiring company culture is ALL possible.  Let us show you the way. With CertainPath, Success is Made Certain. Visit www.mycertainpath.com for more information.   FOLLOW CERTAINPATH: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CertainPath Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/certainpath Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/certainpath/ 

$0 to $21M: How Brett Hadley is Growing a Great Company—and Great Humans

Book a free Discovery Call to see how we can help you hit your goals and beyond: https://bit.ly/3TvGiNW or call us at: (214)-453-1591   🔗 Grab our FREE resource: The Foundation Series, Real strategies to build a business that runs (and grows) without chaos: https://bit.ly/3Yqzow5   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  How do you grow a home services company to $21 million in revenue—and still stay true to your values?  In this episode, Bob Houchin sat down with Brett Hadley, president of Mountain Home Services in Ogden, Utah. Brett shares how he: Navigated a major company merger Rebuilt his team’s culture from the ground up Built a high-performing business by hiring for character, not just skill  You’ll hear how he overcame marketing breakdowns, aligned two companies into one mission, and scaled sustainably—all while developing leaders and “great humans” along the way.  This is a must-listen for any contractor who wants to grow without losing what matters most.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Brett helped scale Mountain Home to $21M in revenue His strategy for merging companies while protecting team culture Why “humble, hungry, and smart” beats any resume How to lead through marketing chaos and operational setbacks Systems and leadership habits that make scaling sustainable What’s next for Brett and Mountain Home Services  Want More Support Growing Your Business? When you join CertainPath, you’re not just getting coaching and training. You’re getting access to our Partner Network—120 vendor partners, including solutions like Reins, offering exclusive discounts and rebates on the tools and services you’re already using. Last year alone, our members earned back over $10 MILLION in rebates. That’s more cash in your business—and more partners helping you grow, profit, and scale. Book your free Discovery Call to learn how we can help you level up: https://bit.ly/3TvGiNW or call us at: (214)-453-1591   Chapters TBD  Show Notes The Successful Contractor Podcast is a part of the CertainPath family.  CertainPath builds successful home service businesses—and has for 25 years.  We do it by providing contractors with a proven path to success, professional coaching, software solutions, and a member community of 1,200+ strong. Doubling your sales, with a 20% net profit, and an inspiring company culture is ALL possible.  Let us show you the way. With CertainPath, Success is Made Certain. Visit www.mycertainpath.com for more information.   FOLLOW CERTAINPATH: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CertainPath Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/certainpath Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/certainpath/ 

How Smart Contractors Lock in Their Top Employees with Phantom Equity

Book a free Discovery Call to see how we can help you hit your goals and beyond: https://bit.ly/3TvGiNW or call us at: (214)-453-1591   🔗 Grab our FREE resource: The Foundation Series, Real strategies to build a business that runs (and grows) without chaos: https://bit.ly/3Yqzow5   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  What if you could retain 94% of your key employees—without giving up a single share of equity?  In this episode, we sit down with Chris Buttenham, Co-Founder of Reins, a game-changing platform that helps home service contractors create performance-based incentives like phantom equity and profit sharing—without the complexity, confusion, or legal risk.  Reins makes it dramatically easier to set up and manage profit-sharing plans—giving you a powerful way to reward performance without getting buried in spreadsheets or back-end admin. Whether it’s short- or long-term incentives, Reins handles the heavy lifting so you can focus on running your business.  Chris shares how growing up in a contractor household inspired him to tackle one of the industry’s toughest challenges: employee retention. You’ll learn how the most forward-thinking contractors are locking in their top techs and leaders—while keeping full control of their businesses.  🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why traditional equity doesn’t work for most contractors How phantom stock creates buy-in without ownership Why profit sharing is powerful—and how Reins makes it easy The incentive system behind 94% employee retention How to align your team without giving up equity Real-world examples of contractors using this strategy today  💼 Want More Support Growing Your Business? When you join CertainPath, you’re not just getting coaching and training. You’re getting access to our Partner Network—120 vendor partners, including solutions like Reins, offering exclusive discounts and rebates on the tools and services you’re already using. Last year alone, our members earned back over $10 MILLION in rebates. That’s more cash in your business—and more partners helping you grow, profit, and scale. Book your free Discovery Call to learn how we can help you level up: https://bit.ly/3TvGiNW or call us at: (214)-453-1591   Show Notes The Successful Contractor Podcast is a part of the CertainPath family.  CertainPath builds successful home service businesses—and has for 25 years.  We do it by providing contractors with a proven path to success, professional coaching, software solutions, and a member community of 1,200+ strong. Doubling your sales, with a 20% net profit, and an inspiring company culture is ALL possible.  Let us show you the way. With CertainPath, Success is Made Certain. Visit www.mycertainpath.com for more information.   FOLLOW CERTAINPATH: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CertainPath Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/certainpath Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/certainpath/ 

How Leadership, Training, & Systems Took Ongaro & Sons to $40M | with CGO Nick Hartman

Book a free Discovery Call to see how we can help you hit your goals and beyond: https://bit.ly/3TvGiNW or call us at: (214)-453-1591   🔗 Grab our FREE resource: The Foundation Series, Real strategies to build a business that runs (and grows) without chaos: https://bit.ly/3Yqzow5   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  What does it take to grow a home service business to $40 million—without chasing headcount or cutting corners?  In this episode, Nick Hartman, CGO at Ongaro & Sons, shares how a relentless focus on leadership, training, and accountability helped the company scale across HVAC, plumbing, and electrical. From record-breaking margins to life-changing employee outcomes, this is a playbook for contractors who want to grow the right way.  Whether you're leading a $2M shop or managing multiple trades, you’ll walk away with clear, proven strategies to elevate your team, improve operations, and build a people-powered company that lasts.  🚀 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: • How Ongaro & Sons grew to $40M by developing leaders at every level • The systems behind 25% net profit and $1.7M+ months in HVAC • Why growing your people can unlock exponential company growth • The impact of growth plans—from new homes to reunited families • How to lead managers so they lead their teams • What it looks like to scale HVAC success into plumbing & electrical • The role of trust, training, and communication in high-performing teams • How culture drives results—and breaks sales records  💡 This is how you scale with intention. This is how you build something that lasts. 💡 Want insider strategies from operators like Nick Hartman?  CertainPath members get access to leaders like Nick at our twice-annual Expos—where contractors come to learn, level up, and lead.  Chapters TBD  Show Notes The Successful Contractor Podcast is a part of the CertainPath family.  CertainPath builds successful home service businesses—and has for 25 years.  We do it by providing contractors with a proven path to success, professional coaching, software solutions, and a member community of 1,200+ strong. Doubling your sales, with a 20% net profit, and an inspiring company culture is ALL possible.  Let us show you the way. With CertainPath, Success is Made Certain. Visit www.mycertainpath.com for more information.   FOLLOW CERTAINPATH: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CertainPath Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/certainpath Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/certainpath/