Contractor Secrets

Hosted by Tanner Mullen

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540

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Jun 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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60 recent

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

May 15, 202623 min

Copy THIS System to Hire and Keep A-Players in Your Business...

If you can't find or keep good employees in your home service business, the problem isn't the labor market — it's your system. In this video I'm walking you through the exact framework I use to attract, filter, and retain quality A-players in my house painting business, and how you can install the same model in yours.We cover the two non-negotiables (provisions + hiring funnel), why paying through Cash App and 1099s is repelling the people you actually want, how I structure my Indeed ads to be 70% character and 30% skill, the JotForm question that filters out 80% of low-quality applicants, and the sushi menu story that shaped how I think about friction in hiring.If you're trying to build a real kingdom business — not just a one-man show — this one is 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/👉 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

May 5, 202625 min

How I Charge 40% More Than My Competition And Still Win...

Most contractors think pricing is the problem. It's not. It's the invisible currency you're losing at every customer touchpoint — and you don't even see it happening.In this episode of Contractor Secrets, I break down exactly how Premium Painting does $1.6M with a $5,800 average job size in Florida, charging 20-40% more than the competition… and still winning the job.I walk you through a head-to-head comparison of "Painter A" (the guy who lets leads come to him, asks the customer to text his info, and never follows up) vs "Painter B" / Premium Painting (the business with systems, automation, and intentional touchpoints). By the end, you'll see exactly where most home service businesses are bleeding trust — and how to fix it.🎯 What you'll learn in this video:- What the "invisible currency" really is and why it determines who gets the job- The expectation-result principle and how to use it to your advantage- Why your phone greeting is costing you thousands- The exact intake stack we use: cloud phone (Quo), randomized booking, missed-call text automation, and AI voice agents- How automated email + SMS sequences build trust before you ever show up- Why we do $1.6M without closing a single job on the spot- How to compete against lowballers without dropping your price- The truth about "selling air" and why perceived value wins every time👉 Learn more about DripJobs:https://dripjobs.com👉 DripJobs Startup Program:https://dripjobs.com/startup👉 Purchase the 31 Days of Value and build an EMPIRE: https://www.amazon.com/31-Days-Value-home-service-businesses/dp/B0FQSH32X7

April 23, 202633 min

Word of Mouth Won't Save Your Business (Here's What Will)

In this episode, I sit down with Ashton - a skilled Painter who built a business that's completely dependent on word of mouth. Sound familiar?This one gets real. We talk faith, fear, and the scarcity mindset that keeps good painters stuck. We dig into why word of mouth is a ticking time bomb, how to think about Google Ads vs Facebook Ads through the lens of buyer intent, and the math behind pricing a job so you don't accidentally work for free. Plus a critical legal warning about paying your first employee the wrong way.If you're a painting contractor trying to make the jump from solo operator to real business owner, this conversation is 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

April 16, 202647 min

Breakthrough Series: You Can't Systematize Chaos

In this episode, I sit down with Evan from Denver Interior & Doors — a skilled carpenter who built a business that's completely dependent on him. He's the estimator, project manager, lead carpenter, and marketer all rolled into one. Sound familiar?We break down why saying yes to everything is actually breaking his business, how to niche down when you're afraid of losing revenue, and a simple pricing shift that could cut his proposal time from days to minutes.If you're a contractor or trades business owner doing $300–400K but working harder than someone making half that, this one's for you.In this episode we cover:00:20 – Meet Evan & Denver Interior & Doors01:50 – The systems bottleneck killing his close rate05:02 – Why passion gets in the way of smart decisions08:30 – Identifying your core services (and dropping the rest)10:45 – The Smoothie Shop Analogy15:49 – "Your business is unsellable right now"19:20 – How AI and video content are generating leads27:00 – The labor-only pricing strategy41:10 – Why you should sell the job BEFORE you measureFree 1-1 BusinessCoaching 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

April 7, 202644 min

From Rock Bottom to $75K Kitchens: Cory Leister's Faith-Led Journey

From teacher to 6-figure kitchen remodels — Cory Leister's story will leave you inspired.In this Partner Spotlight, Tanner sits down with Cory Leister, founder of Inspired By You, a cabinet refinishing and full home renovation company celebrating its 10th year in business. Cory opens up about the rock bottom moment that sparked her business, how faith and family carried her through her darkest season, and what it actually looks like to build a company culture that people want to be part of.In this episode:How a trip to her sister's nursery in Oklahoma started it allGoing from brushing and rolling to spraying industrial coatingsBuilding a team that shows up and asks to work for youWhy she stepped back from social media — and what happened when she didThe word that changed everything heading into 2026What reconciliation in marriage really looks like for an entrepreneurHer advice for anyone just starting outConnect with Cory:Inspired By You — inspiredbyu.comTry DripJobs free:dripjobs.com#PartnerSpotlight #DripJobs #HomeServiceBusiness #CabinetRefinishing #InspiredByYou #PaintingContractor #EntrepreneurStory #FaithLedBusiness