Explore every episode of the podcast Contractor Cents

I give you questions to answer before you start budgeting and some different ways you might look at creating your 2025 budget.

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Ruth King

Customer retention and growth in 2025. Jason Kramer is back to give you some easy and unique ways that you might not have thought of to retain and grow customers in 2025. Jason is the founder of Cultivize, a CRM consulting firm that empowers companies to identify, nurture, and transform leads into real revenue.

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Ruth King

What do you want to accomplish in 2025? I’ll talk about some easy ways to get started on your 2025 plan.

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Ruth King

This is part two of the series that discusses the technological advances in solar, battery storage, and generators. This podcasts discusses some of the major advances in solar. My guests for these discussions are Carol Smith, Senior Director of Sales and Ben Simon, Senior Regional Sales Manager for Endur Energy Systems.

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Ruth King

The advances in technology are staggering. We now have solar, battery storage, and generators. Which is right for your customers and you? What do you say if a customer asks you about these three topics? This is the first of a two part series that covers these three technological advances. My guests for these discussions are Carol Smith, Senior Director of Sales and Ben Simon, Senior Regional Sales Manager for Endur Energy Systems.

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Ruth King

Happy Thanksgiving! My Thanksgiving wishes and hopes for your employees, family, and you.

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Ruth King

Artificial intelligence, AI, is the latest buzz word that has been thrown around for a few years. ChatGPT and others use AI…and it can help us in many ways. What are the pros and cons for us in our industry? My guest, Roland, Ligtenberg, one of the founding members of House Call Pro, talks about using AI in three areas: automated scheduling, inventory management, and enhanced data.

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Ruth King

Your Rolodex is NOT your CRM. I’m probably dating my self when I use the word Rolodex. Back in the day we used our rolodex to keep track of our contacts, customers, and potential customers. No we have software to help us. Join Jason Kramer, the founder of Cultivize, a CRM consulting firm that empowers companies to identify, nurture, and transform leads into real revenue. Jason gives you easy ways to track and transform leads into sales.

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Ruth King

There is an exit plan for all of us. We don’t know how long we will be on this earth. The last thing most of us probably want to do is to die in our office chair. But, what should your business exit plan look like? Chris Buttenham is the co-founder of Reins. They recently launched an equity solution that might help you.

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Ruth King

Imagine what your life would be like if you had financial freedom and time freedom. Many of us have financial freedom yet we are slaves to our businesses. Clay Staires gives you several easy to implement practices that can increase your time AND financial freedom. Clay is a seasoned leader, speaker, and coach with more than 25 years of transformative experience. His mission is to liberate business owners so they can experience time and financial freedom.

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Ruth King

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What if you could hire and manage the perfect salesperson? Ok, you might call that person a comfort consultant or some other title. What would the perfect salesperson do for your bottom line? Jonathan Whistman has the proven methodologies for hiring that perfect salesperson. He is the author of the Sales Boss: The Real Secret to Hiring, Training, and Managing a Sales Team. Jonathan gives you a few things to do today!

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Ruth King

Fall is upon us. In some areas of the country fall is the start of the busy season. In other areas, fall slows down dramatically. Whether you are busy or slow, here are 5 easy to implement steps to have the best fall ever.

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Ruth King

Contractors sometimes do dumb financial things – I know you who are listening never do dumb financial things – you’ve learned from this podcast. With that said, I asked Denise W Grove, a CPA who works with companies on the financial segment of their business, to talk about her six top dumb mistakes.

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Ruth King

This may sound insane..we’re going to talk about taxes and it’s October. Why plan so soon? If you start on December 1 st its too late…so let’s get prepared. My guest, Eric Broughton is co-owner with his wife Melissa, of BusyBee advisors. Eric gives you the answers to these questions and more: - The $12,000 Tax Loophole - Why the Tax System is Rigged & What You Can Do About It - 5 Essential Questions You Should Be Asking Your Tax Preparer

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Ruth King

We all know there is a labor shortage in our industry. However, most of us are ignoring 50% of the population who could have a successful career – women. Amy O’Grady is the Executive Director of Women in hVACR and will talk about some of the progress we’ve made getting women into our industry. She’ll also talk about the upcoming annual conference October 21- 23, 2024 in Dallas, Texas (men are invited too)!

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Ruth King

AO Smith is celebrating their 150th year anniversary. I asked David Chisolm, the Vice President of Marketing and Customer experience to talk about how AO Smith has helped their customers be more profitable for the past 150 years.

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Ruth King

Almost everyone I know complains about paying taxes. The reality is that the tax code is set up to give taxpayers ways they can reduce their tax bill. Yet, many CPA’s and others are too afraid to take advantage of what is written into law. What can you do about it? My guests, Scott and Chris Miller, have been working with business owners helping them reduce their taxes legally without gray areas in the tax law. They will give you some questions to ask your advisors as well as some areas you might want to take advantage of.

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Ruth King

What if you could hire and manage the perfect salesperson? Ok, you might call that person a comfort consultant or some other title. What would the perfect salesperson do for your bottom line? Jonathan Whistman has the proven methodologies for hiring that perfect salesperson. He is the author of the Sales Boss: The Real Secret to Hiring, Training, and Managing a Sales Team. Jonathan gives you a few things to do today!

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Ruth King

In honor of Labor Day, I asked Suzi Lemen to give you some of the new rules and regulations as they apply to your employees. Suzi lives, eats, and breathes employee rules, regulations, and the alphabet soup that is FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act). Her company, Dynamic Corporation solutions, has an HR Tool Kit for smaller businesses – and it complies with the rules of the state you reside and/or work in. Suzi updates you on the newest, most frustrating rules so that you stay in compliance and out of an orange jumpsuit.

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Ruth King

My grandfather and father ingrained in me – learn from the mistakes of others so avoid stress, cash issues, and other horrors with your business. Today, Chris Lee shares what NOT to do when growing and selling a company. He has been through the wringer…and he has volunteered to tell you his story – lessons learned and what to do when growing and selling a company. Pay attention and learn from his mistakes!

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Ruth King

How do you become uncopyable? My guest, Steve Miller and his smokin hot wife Kay, according to Steve, have become synonymous with the brand uncopyable…and the color orange. Steve and Kay just released a new book, Uncopyable YOU: Create a Personal Brand That Gets People to Know You, Like You, Trust You, and REMEMBER You! Steve tells you how being uncopyable can help you generate more sales.

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Ruth King

Most contractors and small business owners use bank financing. A requirement is almost always a personal guarantee of the loans. There is a financing method where you don’t have to personally guarantee the loans. Brian Trask tells you how. To book an appointment with Brian go to jgalt.io/btrask

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Ruth King

Lead generation numbers are trending down – both for Big Box In-Store generated leads and traditional advertising methods. And, today’s millenials and Gen Z shop differently than other generations. So, how do you attract and get today’s millenials and Gen Zers to pay attention. Daniel Bezden gives you the answers to these questions and more.

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Ruth King

How can your business be found on Google? You need to master the Google Map Pack. My guest, Brittany Murphy explains what it is, the four critical elements to be found in the map pack…and two diet pills you can take to achieve this.

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Ruth King

In this second summer podcast, I discuss the six dumbest “when it’s busy” mistakes that I’ve seen so that you can avoid them.

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Ruth King

It’s hot! Don’t get complacent because cash flow is plentiful. I discuss five easy to forget actions you must take to protect your cash this summer.

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Ruth King

My best wishes for a happy and prosperous July 4 th – and planning for the summer

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Ruth King

If you want to increase air flow by as much as 30%, increase revenues, and have a product that can be sold in slower seasons, join Dave McIntosh as he explains how Duct Saddles can help you achieve these results.

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Ruth King

How do you define success? This is a deep and often ignored question. Join Ed Zarecki, coach and host of the popular podcast, Elevate your Business, as he answers this question and much more.

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Ruth King

What should your business be spending on software? Are you spending too much? Too little? More important, what should you expect the software to do? And most important, will it help you operate your business more profitably? My guest, Weston Zimmerman, Co-founder and CEO of SynkedUp answers these questions and more.

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Ruth King

What happen if you “Just added a Zero” to your revenues? Or better yet, added that “Zero” to your profits. Before you say “That’s impossible”, think about ways it could be done…and more important, what impact it would have on your business. Chad Jenkins is famous for helping business owners “just add a zero”… and you can check out his book of the same name.

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Ruth King

Are you one of the estimated 91% of all people in the construction industry who feel overwhelmed? Obviously you’re not alone. My guest, Michael Pink, CEO of Smart PM, will give you some suggestions to decrease your feelings of overwhelm and increase your productivity.

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Ruth King

How much time do you waste on the WRONG prospects? What if you could get the right prospects most of the time rather than get frustrated with someone who couldn’t buy? Join Tom Reber, who has helped contractors generate hundreds of millions of dollars. Tom will give you some of the essential skills to identify and attract the right prospects, eliminate wasted time, and maximize your sales efforts.

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Ruth King

Fact: According to Fed survey, the average homeowner has less than $5,000 in savings. How can this homeowner afford a new HVAC system, a new water heater, or any home repair? The answer: Financing. Joel Cannon, SVP for Consumer Home Improvement Lending Sales and Marketing for Enerbank, a Regions Company gives you some financing do’s and don’ts. The goal is to increase your sales with easy to use financing.

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Ruth King

“If I want it done right, I have to do it myself.” If you believe, or worse, live this statement be prepared for frustration and slow, if any, growth in revenue or profitability. What’s the answer? Sometimes the answer is outsourcing. Nolan Bradbury discusses why outsourcing is important when it is done right. It can help you scale to the next level.

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Ruth King

What does it take for your business to experience great success? In this second part of this two part series, Less O’Hara gives you the twelve steps to great business success. Les has implemented these steps in his own businesses – helping them grow from a $600,000 venture into a thriving $6 million enterprise.

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Ruth King

What does it take for your business to experience great success? In this two part series Less O’Hara gives you the twelve steps to great business success. Les has implemented these steps in his own businesses – helping them grow from a $600,000 venture into a thriving $6 million enterprise.

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Ruth King

Podcast Sponsor is Financially Fit Business - https://financiallyfit.business/

Recruitment and retention…how do you find and keep great employees? Indeed doesn’t work well for most. And, many owners complain that there are no good people to be found…at least no good people. Yet, many of my clients have waiting lists of potential employees who want to work at those companies. Matt Dibara, founder of Contractor Consultants has revolutionized the recruitment and retention processes. He answers these questions and more.

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Ruth King

Do you really know what your employees are doing with YOUR money? What they are spending it on? How can you achieve freedom with expense control? How can you trust your employees with your credit cards? Daniel Simon gives you the answer to these questions. He also explains the three things your employees are using your fuel cards for…that aren’t fuel.

Podcast Sponsor is Financially Fit Business - https://financiallyfit.business/

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Ruth King

What if you could increase your closing rat at the kitchen table? Whether you are a technician, a comfort consultant, or an owner, these three, easy to implement, strategies will help you close more sales. Drew Cameron, a long time industry veteran descries how to do it.

Podcast Sponsor is Financially Fit Business - https://financiallyfit.business/

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Ruth King

How do you get employees to get an “owner’s attitude” rather than a “we just work here and collect a paycheck” mentality? And, what does giving back really mean and how does it affect operations? Jonathan Orpin discusses the answers to these questions and more.

Podcast Sponsor is Financially Fit Business - https://financiallyfit.business/

Ruth King

Do you know the difference between a tax credit and a tax deduction? Randy Crabtree, CPA has helped thousands of business owners take advantage of tax credits and incentives, many of which have been around for years, yet most CPA’s and others don’t know about them. Randy will give you three which apply to our industry.

Podcast Sponsor is Financially Fit Business - https://financiallyfit.business/

Ruth King

Ever heard of Appreciation Marketing? I hadn’t either until I ran across the book by Tommy Watt and Curtis Lewsey. I liked it so much that I gave all of my clients a copy of the book. Curtis discusses how gratitude is probably the best way to market.

Podcast Sponsor is Financially Fit Business - https://financiallyfit.business/

Ruth King

Worker’s Comp audits are probably some of the most frustrating audits. How do you classify workers properly so you only get charged the proper amount? What do you do to prepare? Kevin Ring is the Lead Worker’s Compensation analyst at the Institute of WorkComp Professions. He’ll give you tips on how to classify your workers correctly and survive an audit.

Podcast Sponsor is Financially Fit Business - https://financiallyfit.business/

Ruth King

Worker’s comp. We must have it. It’s expensive. Getting hurt on the job is MORE expensive. How do you classify workers properly? How do you have an effective worker’s compensation program? In this first of two parts, Kevin Ring answers these questions and more.

Podcast Sponsor is Financially Fit Business - https://financiallyfit.business/

Ruth King

Bookkeeping. Profit and Loss statements. Balance sheets. Just hearing these words may make you cringe. None of us, with perhaps the exception of my guest today, Robyn Hass, started our businesses to love and analyze our financial statements. However, knowing what they mean and acting on the trends is critical to staying in business. Robyn gives you tips on how to do just that.

Podcast Sponsor is Financially Fit Business - https://financiallyfit.business/

Ruth King

How do you build a sustainable business? Join Monique Allen, who grew up in the HVAC world…and created a thriving, growing business…not in HVAC but in the landscape industry. You’ll discover these two industries have the same issues. Monique discusses how she has seamlessly combined the worlds of landscaping and business and why sustainability is the key to success.

Podcast Sponsor is Financially Fit Business - https://financiallyfit.business/

Ruth King

What are cash flow do’s and don’ts? What does it take to maximize cash flow? Timothy Wingate, Jr., CPA works with contractors on a day to day basis to help them maximize their cash flow. He’ll give you five easy ways to do this.

Podcast Sponsor is Financially Fit Business - https://financiallyfit.business/

Ruth King

Life long customers – that is one of the keys to building profit and wealth. You might recognize my guest today, Ron Nussbaum who recently changed the company name from NutNest to Builder Coms. He’ll tell you why during our conversation – and yes, it has to do with keeping life long customers.

Podcast Sponsor is Financially Fit Business - https://financiallyfit.business/

Ruth King

What if you could increase your sales closing ratio by 5%, 10% or more? What would that do to your bottom line? Join Phillip Ferrara as he explains software that can help you price better and Bruce Gammon who teaches you how to close more sales.

Podcast Sponsor is Financially Fit Business - https://financiallyfit.business/

Ruth King