Hammer & Grind : Built For Contractors

What if the real reason your projects are behind, over budget, and full of tension isn’t a labor shortage, but a leadership and planning problem?In this episode, Brad and Mark Story talk about:Discussion on the shortage of tradespeople for large projects, particularly data centers and semiconductor plants.Mark explains how CCS helps project teams with planning, scheduling, and coaching to improve project outcomes.Importance of visual tools for effective communication among trades and project teams.Emphasizing the need for collaboration and respect for tradespeople to enhance productivity and project success.Mentioned:LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-storyYou can email: mark@storyccs.comLink to Resources:This episode is sponsored by NEXT Insurance — the smart, simple insurance designed for contractors and small business owners.Protect your business with fast, affordable coverage you can set up in minutes.Learn more at NEXTinsurance.com/hammerGrab Brad's tell-all book: The Contractor Profit Blueprinthttps://thecontractorprofitblueprint.comHelp us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast!

Profit isn’t just a number on a spreadsheet. It’s what keeps your business alive. Everything feels rushed, tense, and reactive without it. When profit is missing, even good businesses end up in survival mode, constantly scrambling just to keep up.In this episode, Brad talks about:The importance of profit in business and why it’s often misunderstood.Common misconceptions about making money and the mindset of contractors.How financial stress impacts decision-making and business operations.The significance of knowing your numbers and pricing your services correctly.Practical takeaways for improving profitability, including raising prices and only taking profitable work.Introduction of a quiz to assess your business's financial health and identify profit leaks.Mentioned:Take the profit quiz at hammerandgrind.com/profitquiz, or text #QUIZ to 812-405-4610 to get the link.Link to Resources:This episode is sponsored by NEXT Insurance — the smart, simple insurance designed for contractors and small business owners.Protect your business with fast, affordable coverage you can set up in minutes.Learn more at NEXTinsurance.com/hammerGrab Brad's tell-all book: The Contractor Profit Blueprinthttps://thecontractorprofitblueprint.comHelp us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast!

Running a business today means doing everything at once—clients, admin, follow-ups, and an endless to-do list. It’s exhausting. The truth is, the businesses that win aren’t the ones doing more; they’re the ones willing to change how they operate.In this episode, Brad talks about:Definition of a virtual assistantSigns you need a VAKey responsibilities for a VATasks your VA can handleThe value of hiring experts from other countriesHow to find and hire a VAResources for getting startedMentioned:Learn more about hiring a VA: hammerandgrind.com/VADownload the checklist and start the process today: hammerandgrind.com/VAchecklistLink to Resources:This episode is sponsored by NEXT Insurance — the smart, simple insurance designed for contractors and small business owners.Protect your business with fast, affordable coverage you can set up in minutes.Learn more at NEXTinsurance.com/hammerGrab Brad's tell-all book: The Contractor Profit Blueprinthttps://thecontractorprofitblueprint.comHelp us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast!

Every business has its beginnings, and Nicolas Breedlove's began in a little bedroom at his parents' home. Nicolas demonstrates that great businesses don't need big beginnings by sharing the true tale of starting his playground firm from scratch. The connections he made along the road were more important than where he began. It serves as a reminder that trust, consistency, and treating coworkers fairly are the foundations of growth.In this episode, Brad and Nicolas talk about:Nicolas Breedlove from PlaygroundEquipment.com shares insights into the commercial playground equipment industry.Discussion on manufacturing, supplying, designing, and installing playgrounds across the U.S.How the company handles maintenance and the importance of trained installers.Nicolas's background in horticulture and the evolution of his business model.Insights on hiring, company culture, and lessons learned from past experiences.Nicolas shares books he's currently reading, including insights on software and entrepreneurship.Mentioned:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nicolas-breedlove/Link to Resources:This episode is sponsored by NEXT Insurance — the smart, simple insurance designed for contractors and small business owners.Protect your business with fast, affordable coverage you can set up in minutes.Learn more at NEXTinsurance.com/hammerGrab Brad's tell-all book: The Contractor Profit Blueprinthttps://thecontractorprofitblueprint.comHelp us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast!

If you’re still running your business the same way you did five years ago, you’re already behind. Learn how contractors can use technology to save time, reduce chaos, and stop being the bottleneck in their own business. No hype, just real tools and systems that actually make day-to-day work easier and more profitable.In this episode, Brad talks about:Importance of documentation and note-taking toolsRecommended devicesAudio recording essentialsVideo recording optionsEditing software3D scanning technologyUtilizing AI for business efficiencyProject management and CRM toolsImportance of job site photo managementLink to Resources:Grab your FREE document and text #Tech to 812-405-4610This episode is sponsored by NEXT Insurance — the smart, simple insurance designed for contractors and small business owners.Protect your business with fast, affordable coverage you can set up in minutes.Learn more at NEXTinsurance.com/hammerGrab Brad's tell-all book: The Contractor Profit Blueprinthttps://thecontractorprofitblueprint.comHelp us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast!

For years, contractors were told the same thing: do good work and the jobs will keep coming. But in today’s market, that advice is outdated and in 2026, it’s costing a lot of businesses real opportunities.In this episode, Brad talks about:Why simply doing good work is no longer enough to attract clients.Understanding branding beyond logos and how it shapes client expectations.Why video content is essential for building trust and pre-selling your services.How to communicate effectively and differentiate yourself from competitors.Link to Resources:This episode is sponsored by NEXT Insurance — the smart, simple insurance designed for contractors and small business owners.Protect your business with fast, affordable coverage you can set up in minutes. Learn more at NEXTinsurance.com/hammerGrab Brad's tell-all book: The Contractor Profit Blueprinthttps://thecontractorprofitblueprint.comHelp us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast!

The majority of entrepreneurs do not face financial difficulties due to their poor mathematical skills. Their beliefs about it force them to struggle. Your "money personality" drives how you handle finances, charge for your work, and think about money. It may be more positive or negative to your company than you realize.In this episode, Brad and Leanne talk about:Introduction to Leanne and her work with service-based businessesThe concept of "money personalities" and their impact on financial decisionsFive psychological instincts affecting business ownersThe importance of financial boundaries and strategic investmentsLeanne's "Two Number Method" for managing cash flowMentioned:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leanneozainesmith/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/profitwithleanne/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leanne.ozainesmith/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@profitwithleanneWebsite: https://profitwithleanne.replit.app/Link to Resources:Download Leanne's guide at gift.profitwithleanne.comThis episode is sponsored by NEXT Insurance — the smart, simple insurance designed for contractors and small business owners.Protect your business with fast, affordable coverage you can set up in minutes. Learn more at NEXTinsurance.com/hammerGrab Brad's tell-all book: The Contractor Profit Blueprinthttps://thecontractorprofitblueprint.com

The majority of contractors are falling behind because they continue to operate their businesses in the same manner while everything around them changes, rather than because they are poor at what they do.In this episode, Brad breaks down:Why most contractors undercharge and how to fix your pricing without losing good clientsWhat a real sales process looks like (and why winging it is costing you deals)How to put systems in place that reduce daily chaos and free up your timeSimple ways to build visibility and credibility online so customers trust you before you even show upWhere AI actually makes sense in your business and how to use it to work smarter, not harderLink to Resources:Work Smarter in 2026Get my FREE ChatGPT ToolsText #2026 to 812-405-4610This episode is sponsored by NEXT Insurance — the smart, simple insurance designed for contractors and small business owners.Protect your business with fast, affordable coverage you can set up in minutes. Learn more at NEXTinsurance.com/hammerGrab Brad's tell-all book: The Contractor Profit Blueprinthttps://thecontractorprofitblueprint.comHelp us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast!

One of the biggest challenges many businesses face, especially in the early stages, is the urge to use a “shotgun” approach to marketing. When you're trying to attract anyone and everyone, it’s easy to spread your budget and efforts too thin. The result? Wasted ad spend, unfocused messaging, and campaigns that miss the mark.In this episode, Brad and Daniel talk about:Daniel Dixon’s journey and the story behind SendJimHis experience in the home service industryWhy targeted marketing consistently outperforms broad strategiesSmart and effective local marketing tacticsHow automation can streamline and strengthen your marketing effortsThe importance of tracking your numbers to know what truly worksWays to leverage customer relationships to encourage repeat business and upsellsMentioned:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sendjimautomation/Website: https://sendjim.com/Link to Resources:This episode is sponsored by NEXT Insurance — the smart, simple insurance designed for contractors and small business owners.Protect your business with fast, affordable coverage you can set up in minutes. Learn more at NEXTinsurance.com/hammerGrab Brad's tell-all book: The Contractor Profit Blueprinthttps://thecontractorprofitblueprint.com