TCF351:5AM Fight – Welcome to the Club
The journey of building your contracting business to the point of financial success does not have to be a solo one. Tom’s guests today are David Szemcsak, Robert Dailey, Adam Copher, and Marino, 4 contractors with differing experiences who are using the 100K Contractor Program to get their shit together. Each of them has been in the contracting industry for a different amount of time, but they all needed help putting money in their pockets.
TCF350: 5AM Fight – When to Hire Your First Employee
Don’t know when to hire your first employee? Well, that’s why you have Tom. Hiring your first employee is something that you know you need to do at a certain point but can be very stressful. With so many things that can go wrong, Tom is here to tell you when the time is right! In this episode, we talk about… Why you should not hire someone from a place of desperation The importance of
TCF349: 5AM Fight – How to Compete with Low-Ball Contractors
Every respectable contractor out there hates all those low-ball contractors that seem to be taking their business. Don’t hate all of them. Some of these guys don’t even know they are doing it. Tom is here to educate you on how to compete with those low-ball contractors. Control the things that you can control! In this episode, we talk about… Some contractors might not be intentionally low-balling Half the price doesn’t mean they are making
TCF348: 5AM Fight – Protect the Experience
Everyone is looking for a way to stand out, a way to prove their value and give their clients a reason to pay their higher price. Tom’s on the road but that’s not going to stop him from dropping a knowledge bomb on you today. You must emphasize protecting your clients’ experience! In this episode, we talk about… Common denominators amongst businesses that continue to sell their work at higher rates Setting the tone for
TCF347: 5 AM Fight – Aim Small Miss Small
In order to hit the goals that you set for yourself, you need to narrow your focus. If a sniper aims for a shirt, he might miss by 3 feet. If a sniper aims for a button, he might miss by 3 inches. Break down those big goals. Aim small miss small. In this episode, we talk about… Break down your yearly goal into quarters, months, and days Why you need to aim small Be
TCF346: 5 AM Fight – Which Coaching Program is Right For Your Business?
Which coaching program is right for your business? There’s no better way to get to where you want to be than to learn from those who have already gotten there. You don’t just want to go out and join any group, however, because many can be poisonous and a waste of money. That’s why Tom is here to tell you about a kickass program that you can join! In this episode, we talk about… TCF
TCF345: 5 AM Fight – How to Help Your Foremen to be More Successful
The truth is, most contractors are not giving their foremen what they need to be successful. As a result, those foremen become frustrated with their job and are more likely to leave. Tom is here to tell you 5 tips to help your foremen to be more successful. These tips are key to keeping your team happy and making more money! In this episode, we talk about… Many foremen are frustrated with their job Owners
TCF344: 5AM Fight – How to Market My Business When Things are Still Locked Down
There are still parts of the world that are completely locked down due to the ongoing pandemic. How, then, are you supposed to market your business when things are still locked down? Well, it’s definitely not the time to slow down. Tom is here to talk about what you should be doing right now! In this episode, we talk about… What “forward” should mean to you Turn your business into a content creation machine Establish
TCF343: 5AM Fight – Do You Have a Hiring Plan?
Do you have a hiring plan? If you don’t, you’re not alone. This is a big issue for contractors all over the world. Tom is here to break down a few clear signs that you have a hiring problem that needs to be fixed. Don’t let a bad experience with hiring scare you away from bringing in the right help and scaling your business! In this episode, we talk about… PLEASE NOTE: The Contractor Fight
TCF342: 5AM Fight – Winter is Coming
Winter can suck if you’re not properly prepared for the notorious slow-down it brings to businesses everywhere. Tom shares 3 ways to protect your business and be ready for whatever winter brings! In this episode, we talk about… Price your work high enough so you can squirrel away money for operational expenses Build your database and constantly market to your past and potential customers Create content and establish yourself as an expert people will remember
TCF341: 5AM Fight – 5 Tips for Contractors Just Starting Out
As the new kid on the block, you may feel the need to overcompensate and it’s very likely that you waste time on the wrong things. Tom is here to give you 5 tips that brand-new contractors need to focus on to be successful. Give yourself a fighting chance! In this episode, we talk about… Focus on being a problem solver when approaching your marketing and sales Commit yourself to bring oxygen (sales) into the
TCF340: 5AM Fight – 5 Reasons to Fire Someone
It’s already hard enough to find skilled labor right now without considering the possibility that you might have to fire somebody. Well, consider it. Not everyone you hire is going to be the perfect fit and it’s just a part of doing business. Here’s Tom with 5 reasons to fire someone! In this episode, we talk about… Assessing yourself as a leader before firing someone Unethical behavior cannot be tolerated for sake of your company
TCF339: 5AM Fight – Sales Advice for New Contractors
It’s normal for the new guy to feel pressure to prove themselves, but that doesn’t mean you have to run that mouth of yours. Tom is here to share a tip for new business owners that will help you skip a lot of the trouble between you and sales success. Peel it back, don’t pounce on it! In this episode, we talk about… New business owners make the mistake of running their mouths during the
TCF338: 5AM Fight – 5 Ways to Make More Money on Next Job
Focus and consistency are key to making more money as a contractor. Focus and consistency with what you might ask? Tom is here to tell you three simple things you can do to make more money as a contractor! In this episode, we talk about… Creating a clear scope of work to use your time efficiently What Parkinson’s Law says about time Conducting a meeting at the beginning of the job to transfer the trust
TCF337: 5AM Fight – Make More Money as a Contractor
Do you want to make more money as a contractor? Of course you do! If you don’t then this podcast isn’t for you. Tom is here today to tell you a couple of things that will help you make more money as a contractor! In this episode, we talk about… Having an open and honest conversation with your prospects Saving yourself some time by avoiding the tire kickers Knowing what a project costs to see
TCF336: 5AM Fight – Should You Give Bonuses to Your Employees?
Many contractors have gotten into trouble over the bonus policies. Tom can tell you first-hand that 100% of companies that he has worked with that had bonus plans were in trouble. There are great alternatives to bonus plans, but if that is the route that you choose to go then make sure you know what you are doing! In this episode, we talk about… A poorly planned bonus plan can sink your business Here’s why
TCF335: 5AM Fight – Track Your Time
The #1 thing that is bleeding contracting businesses dry is their labor. It’s important to track your time as specifically as possible. Tom is here to tell you all about the company that he uses to be as efficient as possible with his time. What’s the point of deciding how much to charge if you’re not tracking your time?! In this episode, we talk about… Labor is the most expensive part of a contracting business
TCF334: 5AM Fight – How to Plan Your Week
Set your week up for success. Most contractors make the mistake of not planning their weeks, which leads to wasted time and missed goals. Tom sure does love to keep things simple and he applies that principle to how he plans his week. It’s important to remember that your process can change as you grow! In this episode, we talk about… Reverse engineer your goals down to weekly plans Priority management vs. time management Determine
TCF333: 5AM Fight – I Have Less Experience
Just because you are the new kid on the block or you don’t have a ton of experience in the trade doesn’t mean you can’t kill it as a business owner. Tom wants to share his response to a post on the Facebook group the other day about a lack of experience. This can actually be your greatest advantage! In this episode, we talk about… Many with trade experience can’t get out of their own
TCF332: 5AM Fight – 5 Stupid Things You’re Doing Right Now
If you’re not killing it as a contractor right now, you’re definitely doing something wrong. In fact, you’re probably doing a lot of things wrong. Tom’s here to tell you about 5 stupid things that you are doing right now that are holding you back! In this episode, we talk about… Stop caring so much about what other people think Define your outcomes clearly or else you don’t know where to aim Make more money;
TCF331: 5AM Fight – How Much Do you Need to Make Each Day?
One of the most important aspects of owning a business is knowing your numbers. Do you know how much you need to make each day to not only pay the bills but achieve the lifestyle that you desire? If you don’t, take a listen. Tom is here to tell you how to figure that out! In this episode, we talk about… Charging improperly is why so many contractors go broke Use overhead and the number
TCF330: 5AM Fight – How Resilient Are You?
“Resilience is the ability to bounce back from problems and setbacks.” A great man said this, and that great man was Tom Reber. Your ability to continue pushing forward through all the challenges and failure will determine whether or not your business achieves financial success. Fall seven times, get up eight! In this episode, we talk about… Bad stuff is going to happen; it’s a guarantee Recognize failures as an opportunity to progress and learn
TCF329: 5AM Fight – Winners Find a Way
Winners find a way and losers find an excuse. Own your crap. That’s the core principle here in The Fight. Once you can step back and take responsibility for the current state of your business, you can start to move past those things that you thought were holding you back. Find a way to be successful! In this episode, we talk about… Are you where you want to be in your business? Stop making excuses
TCF328: 5AM Fight – Tom’s Message to the Haters
There’s not a day that goes by that Tom doesn’t get some sort of hate mail. Lucky for him, he has skin thick enough to deal with it. Tom knows that the first people through the wall always get bloody, but eventually, they will come around. His message about the haters is for those that are feeling the heat! In this episode, we talk about… Tom likes to poke the hornet’s nest from time to
TCF327: 5AM Fight – Conquer Your Sales: Change Your Life with Steve Shinholser
There are some fundamental principles to becoming great at your sales. Amongst all these principles, resiliency and consistency remain vital no matter what industry you find yourself in. Why not go to a place and surround yourself with people that know exactly how to get to where you want to go? Tom’s in the house with Steve Shinholser today to talk about how conquering your sales doesn’t just change your business, it changes your life.