Author name: Mark

How to Build Trust, Retain Top Talent, and Grow a Successful Painting Business In this episode of The Contractor Grow Show, Mark Lamberth sits down with Andy Cruse of Andrew K. Cruse Painting in Gulf Breeze, Florida. They discuss the trials and triumphs of building a contracting business. Andy has a diverse background, having worked in fields ranging from ministry to environmental surveys, but it was painting that ultimately became his calling. Since establishing his business in 2018, Andy has focused on delivering high-quality painting services, including interior cabinet painting, lime washing, and power washing, all while building a reliable team of about 12 skilled workers. As a foundational business strategy, it’s important to be connected to others in your industry. this helps you grow, learn and swap ideas. If you’re a painter, here’s the best association for you. Retaining Team & Building Trust – Keys to Building a Contracting Business Throughout the conversation, Andy delves into the challenges of recruiting dependable employees, emphasizing the importance of building relationships and fostering trust within his crew. He also shares insights into managing work-life balance, his approach to customer relationships, and how organic word-of-mouth and reviews have been key to his company’s growth. With a strong commitment to his faith, family, and employees, Andy’s leadership style is rooted in treating his team well and ensuring they feel valued, which in turn drives exceptional customer service and high-quality results. This interview offers valuable lessons on leadership, recruitment, and building a contracting business in today’s competitive market. “I will pay you more than what someone else will because what that does, it gets me out of the field and I get to spend more time with my wife and children.” ~ Andy Cuse Topics Transcript Topics Discussed The Importance of Building a Reliable Team: Andy discusses how crucial it is to find dependable, trustworthy workers and how he fosters a positive, supportive culture by prioritizing decent people and training them on the job. Challenges in the Trades Industry: Andy shares his perspective on the labor shortage in the trades, citing the push for college education and the unreliable nature of some workers in the industry as factors contributing to this challenge. Effective Recruitment Strategies: Andy highlights how referrals from current employees have been his primary source of recruitment, demonstrating how a good reputation within a team can help build a strong workforce. Work-Life Balance for Contractors: Through his experience, Andy emphasizes the importance of overpaying his team to reduce his hours in the field, which allows him to spend more time with his family—a value he holds above all else. Handling Unreliable Contractors in the Industry: Drawing from his experience, Andy explains how contractors in the industry often struggle with unreliability and why maintaining trust within a team is vital for success. The Role of Reviews in Business Growth: Despite not actively seeking reviews, Andy’s business has gained organic traction from satisfied customers who appreciate the work, demonstrating the value of reputation in driving new leads. The Power of Simple Marketing: Andy reflects on how his simple but effective website, paired with direct phone communication, has generated substantial traction without relying heavily on complex marketing strategies. Unlock Growth Insights. More inspiring guests and episodes are just around the corner! Watch those Podcasts here: See how Andy capitalized on the subprime mortgage crisis to carve out a niche in the luxury market, focusing on slow, deliberate design and staying hands-on with his projects. Allen brings over 25 years of experience, sharing how Nevada Stairs grew from a small operation to one of the longest-running, locally-owned stair companies in the area. Audio Transcript Mark Lamberth: Hello and welcome to another episode of The Contractor Grow Show. My name is Mark, and today we have Andy Cruse at Andrew Cruse Painting in Gulf Breeze, Florida, way over on the west side on the far left side of Florida. Pensacola, the end of the panhandle there. Andy, thank you for being with us today and sharing you tips on building a contracting business. Andy Cruse: Oh, you’re welcome. Yeah, whenever on the west side, it’s kind of like I live in la, lower Alabama. Right, right. Yeah, you’re Mark Lamberth: Right there at the edge, huh? Andy Cruse: Yeah. Mark Lamberth: Awesome. Well great to have you with us today, Andy. You guys have been at this looks like since around 2018 or so. You talked a little bit, you’ve got a crew around 10 or 12 folks right now. Maybe you could tell us a little bit about just the history of the business and where you guys are at right now. Andy Cruse: Alright, well I’ve been in and out of painting since 2002. I got out of the military and didn’t know what I wanted to do and so I got hooked up with a painter and started painting and then I painted for a few years. I absolutely hated it and so I tried to do everything else, but I’ve been a teacher, I’ve been a pastor, I’ve done environmental surveys after the oil spill. I mean, I’ve just done a lot of different things, but I always came back to painting. Andy Cruse: Even whenever I resigned from my job in ministry, they asked me, what are you going to do? I said, I don’t know. I might paint, but I’m going to try to find anything else. So I ended up getting back into painting because I had more important things driving me than what I wanted to do. I had a wife and two children whose life I threw into chaos whenever I quit my ministry job. And so I went, fell back into painting and I struggled for the first couple years getting people to anyone to help work with me just because I find most people in the construction field, a lot of ’em, if they’re not already entrenched somewhere, the majority of ’em are not dependable. Oh

Constructing More Than Buildings: Don McDaniel on Business Growth and Community Impact In this episode of The Contractor Grow Show, host Mark Lamberth sits down with Don McDaniel, co-owner of FM Constructors, a general contracting firm based in Flower Mound, Texas. Don shares insights into the growth and success of FM Constructors, which specializes in commercial tenant finish-outs and improvements. He discusses the unique dynamics of commercial versus residential construction, the importance of strong community ties, and how personal values shape their business model. Don dives into the impact of social media and word-of-mouth marketing on their growth, as well as the significance of building long-lasting relationships within their community. He also talks about his passion for philanthropy, serving on several nonprofit boards, and his experiences as a former stay-at-home dad. Constructing More than Buildings – local builder grows through Community Impact As a seasoned contractor, Don offers valuable advice for others in the industry, particularly those just starting out or looking to expand. From defining core values to adapting your business model to meet market demands, Don’s insights provide actionable strategies for success in both business and life. If you’re a contractor looking to grow your business or someone interested in the intersection of community involvement and business success, this episode is a must-listen! Connect with FM Constructors: Website: fmconstructors.com Email: don@fmconstructors.com “If you’re not growing, you’re dying. We’re constantly looking to grow, constantly looking to improve, and that mindset drives everything we do.” – Don McDaniel Topics Transcript Topics Discussed FM Constructors’ Business Focus: FM Constructors is a full-service general contractor specializing in commercial tenant improvements, offering everything from small remodels to ground-up developments. The Benefits of Commercial Construction: Commercial projects provide a clear beginning, middle, and end, making them more manageable and structured compared to residential work, which can often feel endless. Word of Mouth & Organic Growth: The company thrives primarily on word of mouth, with a strong focus on building relationships and maintaining a positive community presence. Social Media & Community Engagement: FM Constructors leverages social media for organic growth, showcasing past projects and actively engaging in local community organizations to build trust. Building a Team with Subcontractors: With just three core team members, FM Constructors relies heavily on trusted subcontractors for project execution, ensuring quality and flexibility without the overhead of a large in-house team. Community Involvement: Both Don and his partner are deeply involved in their local community, serving on nonprofit boards and working to provide resources and opportunities for local children to succeed. Advice for New Contractors: New contractors should define their core values, be willing to adapt their business model as they learn, and focus on finding a niche that aligns with their strengths and market demand. Ready to be Inspired? We host incredible guests and have more exciting episodes on the way! Listen to the podcasts here: Andrew has specialized in high-end home AV and low-voltage installations, catering to luxury homeowners in Southern California’s most exclusive communities. Jeff Margulis, co-owner of Good Earth Landscaping in Carbondale, discusses the company’s growth and success. Audio Transcription Mark Lamberth: In this episode, I interviewed Don McDaniel: of FM Constructors, his partner and co-owner of the business. Claudio Forres was not able to be with us today. He had a prior engagement, but hopefully we will get to have Claudio back on the show at a future time. Hello and welcome to another episode of the Contractor Grow Show. This local builder grows through community impact and good business This is Mark Lamberth:. I’m your host Today I have Don McDaniel: of FM Constructors here in Flower Mound, Texas. Don, thank you for being here today, Don McDaniel: Mark. Thank you for having me. Good morning. Mark Lamberth: Good morning. Fantastic. So yeah, I’ve taken a look and done some research. Looks like you guys, you’re doing some amazing work. Maybe you could tell me a little bit about what FM is up to over in Flower Mound. Don McDaniel: Yeah, so we’re a full service general contractor. Everything from simple bathroom remodels to full ground up and new commercial development. The smaller stuff we take really just reputationally friends and friends of friends. We don’t pursue that. What we pursue is commercial construction primarily tenant finish out, tenant improvement is kind of our sweet spot, but like I said, we’re a full service general contractor and can really tackle it all. Mark Lamberth: Yeah, fantastic. Yeah, I saw that you guys are doing primarily commercial work. What percentage is commercial versus any residential stuff you guys do? Don McDaniel: So we tend towards commercial just because it’s where my partner’s strength was coming into this partnership. We’ve been in business together for about seven years now, and he comes from the commercial side of things. He’s a trained architect, university of Michigan, and he came from that part of the world. And so when I rolled in with him, it just made sense for us. That’s where our contacts were and all that. But when you get good at something, people want you to expand that. There’s always somebody that, Hey, you just helped me open my yoga studio, but I need some help at my house. Can you help me with that? And we’re always happy to do that. Mark Lamberth: Interesting. What is the difference between, I mean, when you’re doing commercial construction, I’m just curious what’s your experience of that is? I mean obviously these are huge segments in the market, but doing commercial versus residential, I mean, do you prefer doing commercial work? Don McDaniel: Yes, absolutely no question. Primarily because there’s a beginning, middle, and end. Not to eshoo the residential stuff, but when you get into a residential space, they love you. You’re in their personal space and you’re making their personal space better. And gosh, while you’re here, could you also and will you look at this? And it seems to never end. And there’s also

The Importance of Trust: How Ali Moghaddam Cultivated Loyalty Among Subcontractors and Clients In this episode of The Contractor Grow Show, Mark Lamberth sits down with Ali Moghaddam, the founder of Almo Construction, a premier custom home builder in the Bay Area. Ali’s journey from a handyman in the late ’90s to constructing stunning, high-end luxury homes is nothing short of inspiring. He shares how his passion for building, frugality, and focus on customer satisfaction helped him build a successful business with zero advertising—relying solely on word-of-mouth and organic growth. From overcoming language barriers to building relationships with subcontractors, Ali offers invaluable insights into what it takes to scale a construction business. The Importance of Trust when Growing a Sustainable Business “What turns me on the most about what I do is it really boils down to creative problem solving.” – Ali Moghaddam He dives deep into his business philosophy: keep overhead low, prioritize client happiness, and grow with the right partners. He also reveals the lessons he’s learned from his unique background, including growing up surrounded by construction in Iran and his commitment to continuous learning. Whether you’re a contractor trying to scale your business, or simply interested in how to build a strong foundation for success, this episode is filled with actionable advice. Ali’s story proves that with passion, persistence, and the right mindset, anyone can achieve success—no matter where they start. **Key Topics:** – From handyman to luxury home builder – The power of word-of-mouth marketing – Scaling a construction business without big overhead – Building long-term relationships with subcontractors – Overcoming cultural and language barriers in business – Managing client expectations and delivering exceptional results **Find Ali Moghaddam and Almo Construction:** Website: https://www.almoconstruction.com/ – Instagram: @AlmoConstruction – Office Phone: (650) 610-9300 If you’re looking to take your construction business to the next level, or if you’re dreaming of your own custom home project, Ali’s insights are a must-listen! Remember, joining associations and coaching groups accelerate you growth. Consider signing up for your local Builders Association for education and insightes. Topics Transcript Topics Discussed Website Conversion Optimization: Ensuring your website has key features like easy navigation, authentic images, and calls-to-action that convert visitors into leads. The Power of Google Ads: Leveraging Google Local Service Ads (LSAs) to get guaranteed placement and high-quality leads for your remodeling business. Maximizing Mobile Optimization: A mobile-friendly website is essential for remodeling businesses, as most customers now browse and contact businesses through their phones. Optimizing for Google Maps & Local SEO: Properly optimizing your Google Business Profile and creating local pages on your website to rank higher in local searches and maps. Online Reviews & Reputation Management: Actively seeking and responding to online reviews, as they significantly impact your business’s credibility and ranking. Retargeting Unconverted Leads: Using retargeting strategies like display ads and video campaigns to re-engage visitors who didn’t convert on their first visit. Consistent Content Creation: Publishing unique and relevant content across service pages and Google Business Profile to stay competitive and rank higher on search engines. Audio Transcription Mark Lamberth: Hello and welcome to another episode of the Contractor Grow Show. My name is Mark, and today I have the pleasure of interviewing an interesting guest, Ali Moghaddam, originally from Iran that now builds stunning custom homes in the Bay Area. I’ve seen some photos, they’re incredible. Ali, thank you for being on the show today. Ali Moghaddam: Of course, thank you for having me. Mark Lamberth: You’re welcome. It’s exciting to hear your story. So I mean, Haley talked to you a little bit about your journey and I think that you’ve got some great stuff to share with our audience. Maybe before we get into that, maybe you could tell us just a little bit about Almo Construction, the history of the business, and where you guys are at today. Sure. Ali Moghaddam: I started doing the construction business since 1999 as a handyman, and then I started growing and thinking about the beer company and then I was thinking about to name my company, how should I name my company, the Almo Construction. It came out from my first name and my last name, two letter of my first name and two letter of my last name. Mark Lamberth: I got it. If you like this podcast and are learning a ton about growing your remodeling business, then you should check out some of our other Contractor Grow Show Guests. Ali Moghaddam: And then in 2005 I started, my company was grown and my client had so much love me, they pushed me to go get my license. I was doing their small jobs and then I was really into construction and I love what I’m doing and I see this is, that’s it. I’m going to do only construction, nothing else. And then I got my license, I study, and then I got my license on 2005. And then I saw the business, the first job I’ve done, I thought about it, forget about any profit, I just want to make this guy happy. And when I finished that job, they started advertising for me and then the word of mouth, it become my best tools for the advertising. And then since 2005 as a licensed contractor, the Alamo Construction Incorporated born on 2005 and then since then we are busy and then we are doing nothing but the best for our clients. Want all our best tips for Contractor Marketing in 2025? We give it all away on our webinar. Mark Lamberth: Man, I heard that. I actually want to share my screen here really quickly, Ali, because I want to show the level of quality of what you guys are doing. So you see here, you guys can see my screen. If you’re online, look at these houses that Ali’s building, right? So I mean these are named houses. These are just high end in the Bay Area. Absolutely gorgeous. So Ali,