Contractor Secrets

Hosted by Tanner Mullen

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545

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Jul 2026

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About the show

It's no secret that a large majority of contractors are too busy working "IN" their business instead of "ON" their business. As a 3rd generation painter, I've first-hand witnessed the struggle of a contractor (my father) as he attempted to manage all aspects of his House Painting Business while still painting and performing the jobs. My passion is to free contractors from the chains of their own business, and truly help them achieve greatness through creating systems, processes, and standards...TUNE IN! Follow @OfficialTannerMullen on Instagram!

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July 13, 202630 min

Subcontractors vs W-2 Employees: The Mistake Killing Your Contracting Business | Contractor Secrets

Tired of fighting with low-quality subcontractors in your home service business? In this episode I break down exactly why I run my painting business with 14 W-2 employees across 4 crews — the pros, the cons, and the hiring system that keeps my best people loyal for 9+ years.I own Premium Painting, and my goal was never a $10M company — it's a $2M–$2.5M business with 47–52% gross margins that runs like a franchise I collect dividends from. W-2 employees are how I got there.But it's not all sunshine and rainbows, so I'm giving you the real trade-offs subcontractors vs employees, and the systems that make W-2 actually work.Whether you run a painting company, HVAC, roofing, landscaping, cleaning, or any home service or trades business, this is the W-2 vs subcontractor breakdown I wish I had when I started.📘 Grab the 31 Days of Value book on Amazon — every step from this video broken down in detail → https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7🛠️ Check out Routemize — https://routemize.com/💸 Sign up for Gusto and fix your payroll the right way → https://gusto.com/i/tanner269👉 Learn more about DripJobs:https://dripjobs.com👉 DripJobs Startup Program:https://dripjobs.com/startup🔔 Subscribe for more no-fluff content on building a real home service business.#PainterMarketing #HomeServiceBusiness #HiringEmployees #PaintingContractor #TannerMullen #31DaysOfValue #ContractorCoaching #BlueCollarBusiness #TradesBusiness #PaintingBusiness

July 8, 202647 min

The Future of Contractor Marketing (AI, SEO & Ads) | Drip Jobs Partner Spotlight: Danny Barrera

The future of contractor marketing is here. In this Partner Spotlight, Danny Barrera — founder of Contractor Click — breaks down how AI, SEO, Google Ads, and Google Business Profile are changing how contractors and home service businesses get leads.Danny sits down with Eli for a raw, value-packed conversation covering both the business and the story behind it. He shares his journey from growing up around his father's concrete business in El Salvador, to working IT at Fox News, to hitting rock bottom during a divorce, to building a digital marketing agency that has now tracked over $600 million in revenue for contractors.He opens up about the lessons his father left him, what real leadership looks like, and why "just showing up" is the ultimate long game.We also dig into the business side: why he rebranded from Concrete Marketing Crew to Contractor Click, how he thinks about niching down, and his bold vision to turn his agency into a self-serve, AI-powered marketing platform serving 100,000 contractors.Plus, Danny drops a practical masterclass on how overwhelmed business owners should approach AI, SEO, websites, Google Business Profile, reviews, and ads — starting with the foundations.⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 – Intro01:24 – Meet Danny Barrera, founder of Contractor Click02:42 – Growing up around his dad's concrete business in El Salvador09:39 – Grit, faith & learning to forgive14:07 – "I won't be able to see you land"18:04 – Leadership & showing up for his family and team25:58 – Why he rebranded from Concrete Marketing Crew to Contractor Click29:15 – Niching down vs. going broad (marketing agency lessons)31:17 – The vision: an AI-powered marketing platform for contractors34:00 – What's actually working: Facebook, ChatGPT, TikTok & YouTube ads39:06 – A self-serve marketing platform for contractors43:20 – Practical advice for overwhelmed business owners (AI, SEO, ads)47:20 – Closing thoughts📘 Grab the 31 Days of Value book on Amazon — every step from this video broken down in detail → https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7🛠️ Check out Routemize — https://routemize.com/💸 Sign up for Gusto and fix your payroll the right way → https://gusto.com/i/tanner269👉 Learn more about DripJobs: https://dripjobs.com👉 DripJobs Startup Program: https://dripjobs.com/startup🔔 Subscribe for more no-fluff content on building a real home service business.#ContractorMarketing #HomeServiceBusiness #AIMarketing #ContractorClick #DripJobs #LocalSEO #GoogleBusinessProfile #TradesBusiness #PaintingContractor #31DaysOfValue #ContractorCoaching #BlueCollarBusiness

July 3, 202634 min

SEO Is Dead — It's Search EVERYWHERE Optimization Now | Drip Jobs Partner Spotlight: Mr. Pipeline

Would you know if your last 5 leads came from ChatGPT?In this episode of Partner Spotlight, Eli sits down with Jacob Bartholomew, Senior Account Strategist at Mr. Pipeline, to break down how customers actually find home service businesses in 2026 — and why the SEO playbook from 3 years ago no longer works. Jacob shares how Mr. Pipeline spent a year cracking how to get clients recommended by ChatGPT (with a 90% success rate), what Google's AI Overview means for your rankings, and the new Google update that pulls your social media posts directly under your Business Profile.What you'll learn:- Why "search engine optimization" is now Search EVERYWHERE Optimization- How to show up in Google's AI Overview and ChatGPT recommendations- Why fake or purchased reviews will get your business flagged (and what to do instead)- The simplest way to build social content: your phone, your job site, once a week- How to structure social media video ads that convert (same body, 3 different CTAs)- Why consistency beats everything — the gym analogy every contractor needs to hear📘 Grab the 31 Days of Value book on Amazon — every step from this video broken down in detail → https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7🛠️ Check out Routemize — https://routemize.com/💸 Sign up for Gusto and fix your payroll the right way → https://gusto.com/i/tanner269👉 Learn more about DripJobs:https://dripjobs.com👉 DripJobs Startup Program:https://dripjobs.com/startup🔔 Subscribe for more no-fluff content on building a real home service business.#PainterMarketing #HomeServiceBusiness #HiringEmployees #PaintingContractor #TannerMullen #31DaysOfValue #ContractorCoaching #BlueCollarBusiness #TradesBusiness #PaintingBusiness

July 1, 202629 min

13 Appointments in 3 Days — The Instant Booking System | Contractor Secrets

Most contractors think they have a sales problem. You don't — you have a friction problem. In this episode of Contractor Secrets, Tanner breaks down operational efficiency for home-service businesses: the law of averages, why supply and demand means you HAVE to stand out, and the single biggest mistake killing your Facebook ad conversions.He shares the exact reason leads fill out your form and vanish — and how removing friction took his funnel to 13 booked appointments in 3 days at a $13 cost per appointment. This is the thinking behind Routemize, the instant-booking tool that checks your service area, vets the right customers, and route-optimizes your schedule automatically.If you're running Facebook ads and not getting the results you want, this one's for you.📘 Grab the 31 Days of Value book on Amazon — every step from this video broken down in detail → https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7🛠️ Check out Routemize — https://routemize.com/💸 Sign up for Gusto and fix your payroll the right way → https://gusto.com/i/tanner269👉 Learn more about DripJobs:https://dripjobs.com👉 DripJobs Startup Program:https://dripjobs.com/startup🔔 Subscribe for more no-fluff content on building a real home service business.#PainterMarketing #HomeServiceBusiness #HiringEmployees #PaintingContractor #TannerMullen #31DaysOfValue #ContractorCoaching #BlueCollarBusiness #TradesBusiness #PaintingBusiness

June 22, 202621 min

3 Things That Separate 7-Figure Contractors From Everyone Else | Contractor Secrets

After personally coaching over 400 business owners, I've seen exactly what separates the contractors who break through seven figures from the ones who stay stuck in the norm. In this episode, I break down the 3 patterns that show up every single time.Whether you run a painting business, roofing, HVAC, or any home service company, these principles are the foundation for real growth.📘 Grab the 31 Days of Value book on Amazon — every step from this video broken down in detail → https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7🛠️ Check out Routemize — https://routemize.com/💸 Sign up for Gusto and fix your payroll the right way → https://gusto.com/i/tanner269👉 Learn more about DripJobs:https://dripjobs.com👉 DripJobs Startup Program:https://dripjobs.com/startup🔔 Subscribe for more no-fluff content on building a real home service business.#PainterMarketing #HomeServiceBusiness #HiringEmployees #PaintingContractor #TannerMullen #31DaysOfValue #ContractorCoaching #BlueCollarBusiness #TradesBusiness #PaintingBusiness

June 12, 202636 min

This Roofer Was Losing Deals to ONE Thing | Contractor Secrets

Japheth is three months into his roofing business and already running into the wall every contractor hits: he's the bottleneck.He's the closer, the estimator, the admin, the guy meeting every adjuster. So we sat down for a Business Breakthrough and mapped out exactly how to get him out of the way and let the business actually scale.We cover the office admin / insurance facilitator role, why "simple scales" is the only mindset that matters, how to kill friction at every step, package pricing (good/better/best), selling on the spot, and why cutting construction will make him MORE money — not less.Coaching Session Signup: https://calendly.com/dripjobs/breakthroughPurchase the 31 Days of Value and build an EMPIRE: https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2v0D0SNSBofqJJE6zApEE1DripJobs Demo: https://calendly.com/dripjobsteam/dripjobsdemoGusto: https://gusto.com/i/tanner269OpenPhone: https://openph.one/referral/8Kc17aqFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173750747824373/?ref=shareFollow me on Instagram: http://Instagram.com/officialtannermullen#roofing #roofingbusiness #contractormarketing #localseo #roofingcontractor #homeservices #businessgrowth

June 5, 202632 min

He Spent $3,600 on Leads… Here's Why It Failed | Contractor Secrets

A faith-driven roofing founder is doing everything right — viral social media, wrapped trucks, real estate referrals, over-the-top customer service — so why are leads still his #1 bottleneck? In this episode of Contractor Secrets, I break down the single marketing mismatch quietly capping his growth, and how to fix it fast.We get into:• Why marketing an unknown product creates friction (and what to lead with instead)• The "superhero" sales framework: repair first, upsell rejuvenation later• How to know if your ad agency is the right fit — and when to cut ties• Breaking down cost-per-lead: what $3,600 for "40 guaranteed leads" really means• Why retargeting + branded ads beat generic lead-gen pages• Protecting the CEO's time: stop doing the $15/hour work• Building a mission-first, people-first contractor brand that scalesThis one goes beyond roofing — it's about building a business with a mission bigger than profit.Coaching Session Signup: https://calendly.com/dripjobs/breakthroughPurchase the 31 Days of Value and build an EMPIRE: https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2v0D0SNSBofqJJE6zApEE1DripJobs Demo: https://calendly.com/dripjobsteam/dripjobsdemoGusto: https://gusto.com/i/tanner269OpenPhone: https://openph.one/referral/8Kc17aqFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173750747824373/?ref=shareFollow me on Instagram: http://Instagram.com/officialtannermullen#roofing #roofingbusiness #contractormarketing #localseo #roofingcontractor #homeservices #businessgrowth

May 29, 202628 min

the $50,000 Mistake Killing This Roofing Company - Live Business Breakthrough

Josh built Green Construction & Roofing from $0 to $550K in his first year — and he's on track for $1.5M. So why can't anyone find him on Google?In this live business breakdown, we pull up his market in Biloxi, MS and discover the brutal truth: he's spending $10,000/week on ads and is NOWHERE to be found. The problem isn't his budget. It's his name, his niche, and who he hired to run it.We break down:0:00 The keyword mistake costing him customers1:19 Meet Josh — $550K year one, on track for $1.5M04:30 Why "Construction AND Roofing" is killing his Google ranking06:00 The rebrand + mascot strategy the big players use08:15 Live Google audit — he's invisible (watch it happen)12:30 Generalist vs. specialist: who you should ACTUALLY hire15:55 The Facebook video strategy 99% of contractors get wrong17:40 Automating the customer journey (booking, color selection, follow-up)24:40 The 3 moves to make THIS weekIf you're a roofer or contractor trying to scale past the chaos, this one's for you.Coaching Session Signup: https://calendly.com/dripjobs/breakthroughPurchase the 31 Days of Value and build an EMPIRE: https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2v0D0SNSBofqJJE6zApEE1DripJobs Demo: https://calendly.com/dripjobsteam/dripjobsdemoGusto: https://gusto.com/i/tanner269OpenPhone: https://openph.one/referral/8Kc17aqFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173750747824373/?ref=shareFollow me on Instagram: http://Instagram.com/officialtannermullen#roofing #roofingbusiness #contractormarketing #localseo #roofingcontractor #homeservices #businessgrowth

May 20, 202641 min

He Makes Less Money Now Than When he Painted Alone - Live Business Breakthrough

Journey has been painting since 1990. Got his California contractor's license in '96. Been on his own for 15 years. And in January of this year, he decided he was done. Done picking up the brush every day. Done being the bottleneck. Done being a "painter" — and ready to become a business owner.The problem? Four months in, he told me he's making less than when he worked alone. He's losing sleep at 3am wondering how to keep his two guys busy. He's drowning in disorganization. He was embarrassed to even let me see how messy the back end of his business actually is.In this Business Breakthrough episode, I sat down with Journey for a live, no-fluff coaching call. I walked him through exactly why he's stuck, called out the identity shift he's been avoiding, and laid out the foundational moves I believe every solo painter has to make to escape the trap of "just doing it themselves.Coaching Session Signup: https://calendly.com/dripjobs/breakthroughPurchase the 31 Days of Value and build an EMPIRE: https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2v0D0SNSBofqJJE6zApEE1DripJobs Demo: https://calendly.com/dripjobsteam/dripjobsdemoGusto: https://gusto.com/i/tanner269OpenPhone: https://openph.one/referral/8Kc17aqFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173750747824373/?ref=shareFollow me on Instagram: http://Instagram.com/officialtannermullen

May 19, 202621 min

Contractor Pricing Mistake: You're Not Selling Value, You're Selling Price

If you've ever lost a job to a cheaper competitor, been told "your price is too high," or felt like just another name on a 3-bid list — this episode is for you.In this solo episode of the Contractor Secrets Podcast, I break down what the single most important concept in home service: value. Not the kind you list on a flyer — the invisible kind. The stuff customers can't see, can't touch, and won't pay for unless you know how to surface it.📘 Grab the 31 Days of Value book on Amazon — every step from this video broken down in detail → https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7🛠️ Check out Routemize — https://routemize.com/💸 Sign up for Gusto and fix your payroll the right way → https://gusto.com/i/tanner269👉 Learn more about DripJobs:https://dripjobs.com👉 DripJobs Startup Program:https://dripjobs.com/startup🔔 Subscribe for more no-fluff content on building a real home service business.#PainterMarketing #HomeServiceBusiness #HiringEmployees #PaintingContractor #TannerMullen #31DaysOfValue #ContractorCoaching #BlueCollarBusiness #TradesBusiness #PaintingBusiness