If you stopped answering your phone for two weeks, what would happen to your construction business?
Are you busy… but still stressed about cash flow, profitability, and where the next job is coming from?
Did you start your contracting business for freedom, but accidentally create another job for yourself?
After 12 years behind the scenes at K&B Communications, I’ve seen this pattern over and over again.
Good contractors are not struggling because of their skills.
They’re struggling because no one taught them how to build business systems, consistent workflows, reliable lead generation, strong team communication, and measurable profitability.
That’s exactly why this podcast exists.
What We Cover
In this episode, I break down the five drivers every construction business needs to grow and stay profitable:
- Systems that remove chaos from your business
- Workflow that creates consistency in how jobs run
- Lead generation that keeps work coming in
- Profitability you can actually measure and protect
- Team building that protects your reputation and brand
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed running your construction company, this episode will help you identify the real problem and start building a better business.
Resources & Links Mentioned
Become a Contractor Insider
Get weekly systems, workflows, and real contractor business insights delivered straight to your inbox:
https://buildingbettercontractorbusinesses.grwebsite.com/
Join the Building Better Contractor Businesses Facebook Community
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1K64LtaA33/
Learn more about K&B Communications
Connect & Next Steps
Step 1: Become a Contractor Insider (join our email list)
https://buildingbettercontractorbusinesses.grwebsite.com/
Step 2: Identify which of the 5 drivers is weakest in your business
Step 3: Take one action this week to improve your systems or workflow
Step 4: Share this episode with another contractor who feels stuck, burned out, or overwhelmed
Step 5: Leave a review to help us reach more contractors who need this message
Disclaimer
The information shared in this episode and the show notes is for educational and informational purposes only and is based on personal experience. It should not be considered legal, financial, or professional advice. Every contractor business is different, and you should consult with a qualified professional before making business decisions.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some of the links mentioned may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them, at no additional cost to you.
We’re not building overwhelmed contractor businesses.
We’re building structured, system-driven, profitable contractor businesses.
Transcript
Why are so many good contractors struggling?
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:Most contractors aren't failing because they're bad at their trade.
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:Let's be completely honest.
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:They're actually very good at their trade and they're probably one of the best, but
they're struggling because no one taught them how to build a business.
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:And truth is we were one of them.
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:Today I'm going to share with you why we started the building better contractor business
podcast.
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:Hey,
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:I'm Shae Toya, I've spent more than 10 years in construction, working behind the scenes in
marketing, hiring, and I've seen how overwhelming it can be to grow a business.
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:That's how we've learned to build a sustainable business using clear systems, strong
communication, and intentional recruiting.
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:If you're ready for better hiring, smarter remarketing, and a business that doesn't fall
apart when you step away, welcome to building better contractor businesses.
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:Why are so many good contractors struggling?
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:After over 10 years behind the scenes in a contractor business, I've realized something.
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:Most contractors aren't failing because they're bad at their trade.
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:They are struggling because no one taught them how to build a profitable business and we
were one of them.
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:I've worked behind the scenes at KMB Communications for over 10 years.
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:I've done many things from supported accounting, marketing, hiring, invoicing, field
support, sales.
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:If we needed it, I learned it.
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:I worked side by side with our CEO, seen what works, absolutely, and what absolutely does
not.
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:We've struggled in the beginning.
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:We've asked people for help, and some of them were willing to help, and some were not.
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:We've asked the wrong people for help.
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:We questioned if we knew what we were doing.
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:We were young entrepreneurs.
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:We figured it out a lot out on our own, but we made very expensive mistakes, sometimes
very stupid mistakes.
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:We tried systems that didn't work.
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:We hired a lot of the wrong people.
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:We overworked.
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:There was times I remember the CEO worked over 24 hours and I remember like, what are you
doing?
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:But those were the things that we did.
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:I also remember being burnt out.
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:I've seen strong leaders question if they should quit.
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:We even questioned it.
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:After 12 years, we started figuring things out what actually works and sometimes honestly
we just still question it.
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:But during my recent market research calls to start this podcast, something became very,
very clear.
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:We were not alone.
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:So many contractors are stuck, unfortunately.
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:What I heard, they were busy, but not with consistent work.
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:I know when I first started, even if I didn't have anything to do, I would find work
without any real systems.
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:Most started their business because they did not want to work for someone else.
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:Some are worried what the future holds.
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:Some are super, super stressed and maybe their wives or maybe husbands are stressed as
well.
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:One contractor said part of the business is the mental side.
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:It's not the physical side, but it's the mental side.
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:Another started because he saw
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:He saw poor quality work and he knew he could do a lot better.
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:Another worked years as a carpenter for the union.
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:He traveled consistently, got laid off, and then on Christmas Eve realized he was just a
number.
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:One said, it's hard not to lower your price when you need the project desperately.
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:They are struggling, unfortunately.
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:Many are trying to stay positive while carrying heavy pressure.
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:You know, they have their families,
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:that they have to worry about.
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:That's not a skill problem.
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:It's a foundation problem.
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:Most contractors don't have a work problem.
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:They have an actual business foundation problem.
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:A lot of them just don't know what to do.
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:Being great at your trade is a skill.
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:Skill alone will not build a profitable business.
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:Skill alone does not build stability.
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:Skill alone does not create consistent
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:Sistency if you took two weeks off of your business, what would happen if you get sick?
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:What happens if you stop answering the phone?
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:What happens if everything stops?
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:Unfortunately, you own a job not a real business Busy does not mean stable Revenue does
not mean profit just because you bring in revenue does not mean that you are profitable
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:Getting the next job is not a system if you're constantly chasing the next project.
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:The next check, the next lead, that's called survival mode.
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:Survival mode leads to burnout.
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:And as I learned from my market research, a lot of the contractors are currently in
burnout.
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:The mental side is harder than the physical.
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:Why?
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:Because you're
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:great at your trade.
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:You possibly don't know your numbers.
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:You're wondering if you priced it right.
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:Hiring without a process.
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:Lowering your price because you need the job or maybe that the customer said that it's too
expensive.
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:Saying yes to everything and not having a niche could be an issue as well.
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:Uncertainly does create stress.
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:Structure.
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:helps with peace.
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:Most started because they didn't want to work for someone else.
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:They didn't want to just be a number.
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:They wanted freedom.
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:Somewhere along the way, things got lost.
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:You forgot your memories.
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:You forgot why you were fighting for it.
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:A lot of contractors recreate another job for themselves.
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:You did not start a business to create a job for yourself.
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:And if that's where you are currently,
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:You are not alone.
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:We were there too, and then honestly, sometimes I still feel like I'm there.
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:If we're going to build a better contractor of businesses, we have to focus on the right
things.
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:And some of us may not know what the right things are, but it's not more hustle.
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:It's not longer hours, not just the next job.
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:The five drivers of this podcast is gonna be very, very simple.
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:Number one is systems.
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:If it lives in your head, it's not a system.
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:These systems can include hiring, bidding, communication, closeouts.
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:Systems create consistency.
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:Also to remember that as you're growing, these systems may change.
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:They've changed many times for us.
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:Number two will be workflows.
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:How work moves through your company, from leads to estimates.
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:when a job is signed, execution, also what happens when payments are made.
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:Messy workflows does cause unnecessary stress.
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:Number three is going to be lead generation.
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:So many of the contractors that I spoke to during the market research calls were truly
struggling with consistent leads.
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:Being busy isn't just a strategy.
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:a lot of them possibly received a lot of referrals.
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:And referrals are great, but it's not super predictable.
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:A business needs consistent opportunities flow.
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:And also for you to understand that more leads makes it to be where when people do tell
you that your pricing is too high, you have a backbone to stand behind.
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:Because you're not worried, you know there's going to be more leads.
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:There's no more panic marketing because you understand there's more to come.
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:Number four is going to be profitability.
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:Revenue does not equal profit.
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:Reminder, revenue does not equal profit.
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:Being booked out does not mean you are profitable.
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:Knowing your numbers are super, super important.
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:It took us a very long time for us to understand this.
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:It's very, very important for you to protect your margin at all costs.
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:stop panic discounting.
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:And I know it can be very, very difficult at times.
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:And this is why it's so, so important that you are focused on leads.
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:That way you have a full pipeline.
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:Number five is going to be team building.
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:You can only grow so big alone.
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:Hiring without structure does create chaos.
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:Leadership does matter.
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:The mental side gets lighter when you're not alone in carrying everything by yourself.
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:I do think one of the things that I did learn throughout the last 12 years is the
importance of having roles.
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:Even if you do have a small business, everyone should understand their role within the
organization.
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:So we will talk more about that throughout the time of the podcast.
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:These five drivers are what we're going to break down on this podcast, which I'm very,
very excited to share and get honest and provide real
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:value of what's worked for us, because it's been a long, it's been a long 12 years and I'm
very, very excited.
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:We're going to be honest, particular, also without pretending.
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:As I said, having a contractor business can be hard, but having clear systems, workflows,
makes it a lot easier.
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:This is why I started building better contractor businesses.
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:If this resonates with you,
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:If you're tired of figuring it out alone, if you're serious about building something
stable, I invite you.
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:We just launched our Facebook community.
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:This is where contractors can have real conversations with other people in the trades.
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:There's no gatekeeping, no pretending, just building better together.
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:And if you believe in what we're building here, leave a review.
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:Our podcast is just being launched and we're very excited.
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:That will help us reach more contractors who need this.
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:You don't have to figure this out alone.
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:Let's build better contractor businesses.
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:If you believe that this episode brought you real clarity, be sure to share it with
another contractor who also needs it.
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:And if you want to keep this conversation going, be sure to join our community of
contractors inside Building Better Contractor Businesses Facebook group.
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:This is a community where we talk through the real problems.
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:that you are having in your business.
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:The link will be found in our show notes.
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:And remember, we are not just completing projects.
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:We are building better contractor businesses.
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:I will see you next time.
