Contractor Evolution

262. Accountability, Kindness, and Profit: Blake’s Path to 30% Net - Blake Butry

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP262 To download the exact accountability resources Blake used to turn a 30% Net Profit, click here: https://trybta.com/DL262 Most contractors believe you have to choose: be the "nice guy" and lose money, or be the "tough boss" and lose your team. Blake Butry, owner of Churchill USA, proves that is a myth.Since joining Breakthrough Academy in 2022, Blake has doubled his revenue while hitting an incredible 30.8% net profit. Even more impressive? He did it by building a culture centered on "emotional generosity."In this episode, we break down exactly how he balances strict financial accountability with genuine care for his team, and how you can apply this "fair but firm" approach to your own contracting business.In this episode, we cover:Insights into productive (and profitable) leadership strategies, emphasizing the balance between emotional generosity and structural fairness.The significance of articulating emotions, seeking counseling, and establishing healthy stress management practicesHow investing in team members' growth and maintaining a balance between work and personal life can lead to long-term success and a positive work environment.00:00-Intro01:57-Background on Blake Butry and Churchill USA04:23-The Evolution of Leadership and Team Building07:48-Operating with Structural Fairness and Emotional Generosity10:33-The Influence of Clear Roles and Boundaries on the Team14:48-The Duality of Structure and Trust in Leadership27:23-Balancing Fairness and Generosity in Compensation44:57-Self-Leadership, Stress, and Anxiety Management

261. Project Manager Recruitment Mastery (Build Show Live Session) - Danny Kerr

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP261 Grab your free Project Manager Hiring Resources here: https://trybta.com/DL261Most contractors don’t struggle to find work. They struggle to find the right people to run it.In this episode of Contractor Evolution, we’re releasing a talk Danny did at Build Show Live. In just 60 minutes, he breaks down the exact recruiting system he’s seen hundreds of contractors use to hire highly successful project managers across various industries.This conversation is a deep dive into why most PM hires fail, why “posting a job and hoping” no longer works, and how to build a recruiting funnel that consistently attracts A-players — even in a tight labor market.Danny walks through:How to define an Ideal Project Manager Profile (and why most contractors skip this step)Why most job ads repel top talent, and how to rewrite them to stand outThe 20-minute interview setup call that eliminates no-shows and bad fitsHow to run behavioral interviews that reveal how someone performs under pressureActive recruiting tactics that give you control instead of waiting on resumesWhen it actually makes sense to use recruiters (and when it doesn’t)If hiring a strong Project Manager would unlock growth, reduce stress, or finally get you out of the day-to-day, this episode will change how you think about recruiting.00:00-Intro01:01-Four Principles of Project Management and Danny's Background04:04-Red Flags and The Four Systems to Discuss07:36-Employment Agreements, KPIs and Goal Setting & Review (GSR)20:33-Project Communication Plan and Status Updates29:49-Proper Use of Software and Hiring Project Managers37:58-Growth Seen in Breakthrough Academy Businesses and The Contractor Growth Method42:19-Takeaways, Implementation and Audience Questions

260. Why Business Partnerships Fail (And How to Fix Yours) - Dr. Matthew Jones

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP260 Take our five minute quiz and get a custom Contractor Growth Scorecard: https://trybta.com/DL260 Going into business with a partner is one of the most exciting decisions you can make, but knowing how to resolve cofounder conflict is critical if you want that business to survive. In this episode of Contractor Evolution, Dr. Matt Jones (founder of Cofounder Clarity) joins us to break down why business partnerships fail and, more importantly, how to fix them. We dive deep into the psychology of entrepreneurship and the unique challenges that come with shared leadership. If you’ve ever struggled to see eye-to-eye with your business partner, or you feel like you're speaking different languages, this episode is your roadmap to a healthier, more functional relationship.In this episode, we cover:The critical questions you MUST ask before starting a business with someoneThe 3 "languages" cofounders speak (and why mismatches cause endless arguments)How to have conflict conversations that actually resolve issuesStrategies to anticipate partnership hurdles before they destroy the businessCheck out Cofounder Clarity to learn more about Dr. Matthew’s work: https://cofounderclarity.com/ 00:00-Intro01:20-How the Guest Got Into Co-founder Relationships and Conflict Management04:51-Biggest Blind Spots When Selecting a Partner11:08-Big Questions to Ask Before Going into Business Together12:17-Managing Decision-Making and Management Structure Conflict17:32-Deeper Dynamics Fuelling Conflicts in Businesses22:58-Navigating Conflicts Properly40:52-Handling Conflict in Unique Partnership Situations

259. How To Systemize Your Business Without Killing Creativity - Jonathan Ronzio

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP259 Take our five minute quiz and get a custom Contractor Growth Scorecard: https://trybta.com/DL259 Systems and documentation don't have to kill your creativity—they are actually the secret to getting your life back.In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan Ronzio, Co-Founder and CMO of Trainual, to dismantle the biggest myth in the contracting world: that SOPs are just "boring paperwork."If you’re constantly procrastinating on your systems and processes because they feel overwhelming or restrictive, Jonathan reveals the massive mindset shift you need to make. Learn how to stop being the bottleneck in your business, empower your team to run without you, and finally achieve the freedom you started your business for.In this episode, we cover:Why "boring" systems are the gateway to creative freedomThe simple framework to stop procrastinating on SOPsHow to build a business that runs on process, not just peopleThe first steps to automating your operations today00:00-Intro01:33-The Genesis and “Magic” of Trainual and Customer Base10:33-Overcoming Procrastination and the Owner's Mindset Shift for Documentation17:41-Balancing Systems and Creativity in Business19:44-Applying Lessons from Adventure to Business Leadership22:46-Creativity in Marketing30:32-Trainual's Perspective on AI36:05-Wisdom for a Younger Entrepreneurial Self

258. The Accountability System That Scaled Me From $4M to $12.5M - Nick Cloutier

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP258Download the accountability resources Nick used to scale from $4M to $12.5M here: https://trybta.com/DL258 If you’re working 70+ hours a week, micromanaging every detail, and acting as the bottleneck in your own business, you are doing it wrong.In this episode, Breakthrough Academy Member and owner of Willie C. & Sons Landscaping Nick Cloutier explains how to shift your mindset from "Boss" to "Coach" and implement the 3 essential tools—Job Descriptions, KPIs, and GSR Meetings—that allow you to delegate with confidence. In this episode, we cover:The "Warrior Mode" Trap: Why working 80 hours/week is a sign of a broken system, not a badge of honor.$4M to $12.5M Blueprint: The specific acquisition strategy and systems used to scale rapidly in 2025.The 3 Essential Accountability Tools: How to build Job Descriptions that "teach to win," Deliverables (KPIs), and clear Org Charts.The GSR Method: Why "Goal Setting & Review" meetings are the single best thing you can do for employee retention.Financial Mastery: How to reverse engineer a 20% Net Profit budget using LMN.Check out Nick’s business, Willie C. & Sons Landscaping: https://williecandsonslandscaping.com/00:00-Intro01:22-Trajectory of Business Growth and the Shift in the Owner's Mindset05:07-Implementing Job Descriptions and Deliverables (KPIs)10:58-Defining Deliverables and Setting Measurable Goals17:56-The Organizational Chart and Determining Capacity20:09-Leveraging Numbers and Data for Predictable Growth23:00-Goal Setting and Review (GSR) Meetings34:09-Prioritizing Work-Life Balance and Seasonal Employment39:09-Financial Planning, Budgeting, and Understanding the Numbers43:46-The Strategy and Confidence for Acquisition50:23-Final Advice on Building a Successful Team