The Contractor Fight with Tom Reber

In this episode, Tom and Steve Shinholser talk about their business journey, what they've learned from being in the business space for so many years, business partnerships, sales and improving your emotional health.   Conversation Highlights: [00:00] - Intro [02:08] - Steve is leaving the Battleground Group [04:52] - Who is a good fit for The Fight [06:36] - Advice for making business easier and more profitable [09:18] - The millionaire mindset [09:36] - The sixties are the best decade of your life [18:46] - Steve's best takeaway from 8 years in business: Sales is a mental and psychological game [21:21] - Tom's vision for his family and The Fight [26:31] - "Your mess is your message." - Tom  [30:15] - The magic of helping others  [34:24] - Heat up when you're near the finish line [38:31] - Things that make a good partnership fall apart [41:45] - Deciding whether or not you need a partner [42:23] - Steve's worst partnership experience and what he learned [44:52] - "Marriage and partnership is the same way." - Steve [47:39] - Partnership tips and advice [51:44] - Finish the right way    Resources:  == Get the FREE Contractor's Guide to Spotting a Cheap Prospect BEFORE They Waste Your Time: 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  

You often steal your family's time when you work long hours and weekends as a contractor. Dan reminds you that you have to work hard for your business, but you can't handle everything alone—reach out and get coaching from someone who has been through it, and protect your time with your family. In this episode, we talk about…   Your business can be stealing time away from your family. Seeking out coaching help instead of trying to solve everything yourself Making sure your family life doesn't suffer because of your business   Resources:  == Check out Contractor Sales Pros on Facebook. The place to ask questions and share strategies and best practices to help each other get better as salespeople in the construction industry: https://thecontractorfight.com/salespro    == 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  

The guys answer your questions about investing in paid coaching, restarting your business after losing money, and giving clients a rough estimate of the project during the prequalification phase. In this episode, we talk about…  Question 1: When is the right time to invest in paid coaching? Getting paid coaching doesn't have to wait until you're struggling in your business In order for coaching to work, it must be put into practice. Coaching is more about your intent to implement things. Question 2: Having failed two projects worth more than $40k as a business owner, I'm losing motivation. Could you give me advice on getting back out there? Take the time to analyze the mistakes, adapt, and then move Your success depends on what you have learned and what you will do with this new knowledge. Anyone who has been successful in anything has learned some hard lessons and fought through adversity to get there. Question 3: I own a window door company, but I have trouble giving rough estimates to clients. Can you provide me with any recommendations? Join Colosseum Sales Training to improve your sales skills You can expect to pay between $100k to $125k for a high-quality window or $35k to $40k for a basic window. Listen to the clients, deliver what they want, and you'll stand out Resources:  Are you stealing money from your family because you aren't charging enough for your services? Discover what you SHOULD be charging. Download our 50% Gross Profit cheat sheet: https://thecontractorfight.com/50  == 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  == Order your free copy of Tom's book Winning the Contractor Fight (Just pay to ship) == https://thecontractorfight.com/book  == 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 

Tom’s guest is John Salzarulo—the founder of Hoist—who left the coding world to run his family service business, which he grew to double its value within two years. After John sold his family business, he realized how much potential there was in the home services market, so he founded Hoist, a software company to help people to build successful painting businesses.   In this episode, we talk about…  What led John to start Hoist A brief overview of Hoist and the best candidate who is suitable for Hoist Strategies for contractors to grow their business Why contractors need to know their constraints The capacity issue with finding and hiring talent Mistakes that held his family business back—pricing, the improper delegation of work, etc. Lessons John learned running and selling his multi-generational business   Resources:  = Hoist: https://www.withhoist.com/    = 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 free copy of Tom's book Winning the Contractor Fight (Just pay to ship): https://thecontractorfight.com/book   = Connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: http://thecontractorfight.com/facebook   = Grab the Gear: https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/   = Find Us on Social Media:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber   Instagram: http://thecontractorfight.com/ig   == Rate the Podcast == Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review!  Apple Podcasts  Spotify 

It can be hard to get the work-life balance right. You want to spend time with your family, but you also want to work hard to build a successful business. In this episode, Derek shares how he manages the two lives he lives—family life and business life.    In this episode, we discuss…  Finding the balance between work and family life The three pillars that will help you win in life and business The power of communication   Resources: == Join the COLOSSEUM SALES TRAINING ==Join other high performing contractors and coaches for live online training on the sales process. There are breakout rooms for specific trades where you will get powerful sales coaching!https://thecontractorfight.com/colosseum-sales-training   == Join Us in the 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  == Connect with us on FACEBOOK ==Get your questions answered and connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight:https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook  == 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

When it's hard to see the good things in life, being grateful for what you have is an instantly uplifting and positive ritual! Tom tells why it's important to think of gratitude as something fundamental in your daily routine and how practicing gratitude can benefit your business and improve your life.   In this episode, Tom discusses…  Making gratitude a part of your daily routine Psychological, physical, leadership, and social benefits of approaching your day with gratitude Things Tom is grateful for   Resources: ==Grab our free resources: https://thecontractorfight.com/worksheets/  == Join Us in the 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  == 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   

Doing it alone seems so much easier, and logical doesn't it? It's just you, being smart and efficient, doing whatever you want, for better or for worse—but it is not without cost. Dan shares why you should stop being a lone wolf and start networking and using mentors.   In this episode, we talk about…   What happens when you try to do everything alone Understanding the power of being a part of a team Encouragement to join Battleground group coaching program    Resources:    == Check out Contractor Sales Pros on Facebook. The place to ask questions and share strategies and best practices to help each other get better as salespeople in the construction industry: https://thecontractorfight.com/salespro    == 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 

Tom and Dan answer your questions about the impact of the current state of the economy on contractors, how contractors can thrive and survive during this time, and what they can do to compete with large companies. They also share the strongest attribute, which helped them to survive and thrive during the past recessions. In this episode, we talk about…  Question1: What is your forecast for the bottom of the economy to fall out, forcing subs and generals to scramble? The past few years (except the pandemic phase) have been easy to make money in business—If you weren't making money during those years, then you're not doing your job well. Develop the habits of what a successful business owner does with their time, energy, and focus. Ups and downs in the economy are natural. It's going to happen. Control what you can control. Choose not to participate in the recession. Question 2: In a market where the two largest companies are reducing prices by 30 to 40% below the market rate, how can you compete? Discounting products or services doesn't mean they're undermining product prices or services. Build your brand. Build value. Know what your customers really want—big companies can be tone-deaf because they are too busy steamrolling their systems. Differentiate yourself with your unique selling proposition—how you pre-plan a job, how you show up, and follow up on things with people and yourself. Resources:  Submit your questions to help@thecontractorfight.com with the subject "Podcast" and Tom and Dan will try to answer them on an upcoming show. Are you stealing money from your family because you aren't charging enough for your services? Discover what you SHOULD be charging. Download our 50% Gross Profit cheat sheet: https://thecontractorfight.com/50  == 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  == Order your free copy of Tom's book Winning the Contractor Fight (Just pay to ship) == https://thecontractorfight.com/book  == 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 

Tom and Steve discuss some of the dumbest things that contractors do. If you ever wonder why you're not making money or struggling to grow your business, it may be because of these things. Some of them are funny, and some of them are serious. But, all of them need to stop!   In this episode, we discuss…  Things that some contractors do that make no sense Making your decisions based on common sense Putting an end to the things that are hurting your business and yourself How can you tell if you're doing things wrong   Resources: == Monthly COLOSSEUM SALES TRAINING ==Join other high-performing contractors and coaches for live online training on the sales process. There are breakout rooms for specific trades where you will get powerful sales coaching!https://thecontractorfight.com/colosseum-sales-training   == Join Us in the 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  == Connect with us on FACEBOOK ==Get your questions answered and connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight:https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook  == 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

Should I promote this guy? Tom explores the question of whether or not it’s a good idea to promote an employee who isn’t working as hard as they used to, why that might be, and gives you his advice on this issue.   In this episode, Tom discusses…  The mistake a lot of companies make while promoting their employees When should you give someone a promotion? The things you should keep in mind when promoting someone   Resources: ==Grab our free resources: https://thecontractorfight.com/worksheets/  == Join Us in the 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  == 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