ACCOUNTABILITY
It’s easy to blame the client. Easy to blame the apprentice. Even easier to blame the industry. But here’s the truth: Problems don’t get solved until you own your role in them. I used to get frustrated when things went wrong — late jobs, customer complaints, crew mistakes. Until I started asking: Did I set clear expectations? Did I follow through? Did I build the systems that make success possible? Because here’s the thing — leadership isn’t about being perfect. It’s about owning the problem, fixing it, and preventing it from happening again. I created this visual to help myself and the team when I comes to unforeseen issues. What's your thoughts?Stop Avoiding the One Thing That Could Change Everything
Let me say this .... Networking isn’t just about collecting business cards or tagging #collab on posts. It’s about putting yourself in the right rooms. With the right people. So you stop guessing and start growing. Most contractors avoid networking because they’re uncomfortable… or they think their work should speak for itself. But here’s the truth: You don’t know what you don’t know. Your next breakthrough isn’t coming from grinding harder. It’s coming from who you talk to — who challenges your thinking. So if you’re feeling stuck… maybe it’s time to expand your circle. So I ask you all ... How can I help you?Saying You Want Growth.. If You’re Not Willing to Change
Everybody says they want to grow… but no one talks about what actually needs to change. You can’t keep doing the same thing, with the same habits, and expect new results. At some point, you’ve got to ask: If I keep running my business like this… am I gonna get what I really want? This is where I stopped, and created this graphic for our company to review. What do you think? Does it hold value?Walt Disney sketched his empire on a napkin. Here’s ours
Walt Disney once sketched the future of his entire company on a napkin. Studios, parks, licensing, characters, media, all connected, all feeding each other. Like an eco system. That inspired me to create our own. This is my flywheel, for our 5 year plan. Every piece in here, from trade schools to disaster relief, HR services to supply chain, events to real estatse, connects to one mission: Build people. Build systems. Build opportunity in the trades. With Builders and Leaders. I’m not trying to run a business that survives year to year. I want a ecosystem that outlives me, one that pushes the skilled trades forward, from every angle. How about you all? What gets you fired up? What is your vision?Do you know what SDS sheets are?
Starting a small business can be daunting, there are so many things that we don't know right away. My business is a residential and commercial cleaning service and we have only been in business a year and about 6 months. I never heard of SDS sheets until I became a cleaner. I learned about this after I became IICRC certified. So what exactly are SDS sheets and why you should always have them with you while at a cleaning job, especially if you are using your own cleaning supplies? SDS sheets or Safety Data Sheets, previously known as a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) are for hazardous chemicals used on the job. The SDS sheet will contain the manufacturer's name, the ingredients, is it toxic or not, what to do in case of emergency - first aid measures, how to handle and store the product, exposure controls, personal protection, transportation, disposal and more. SDS sheets must be on file at your office and on the job site. So as a residential cleaner, should I have SDS sheets? As a precaution, I always have a copy of the SDS sheets for all the cleaning products I use on a job, when I go to a client's home or office. Even for household cleaning supplies that I use, if it has an SDS sheet, I have a copy of it. I keep it in a plastic folder and put it in one of my caddies. Note this only applies, if I am supplying the cleaning products, on some jobs the client especially commercial clients will supply their own cleaning supplies and the client is then the one responsible for having the SDS sheets available. A good practice is to ask your commercial client if they have SDS sheets and where they are located in the event you have an accident on the job site and only you or your staff are on site. Note: that you may not be required to have a SDS sheet if the product has the same purpose, duration, and frequency as a consumer product. How can I find SDS sheets? Go to Google or any other search engine you use Type in the name of the chemical: SDS (type in the name of the chemical colon then SDS) Review and make sure it is the correct SDS sheet. Print and put in your folder. Did you know know about SDS sheets prior to this post? Do you update your SDS sheets folder frequently or annually? Do you have any other helpful suggestions for start-up cleaners that want to make sure they stay OSHA compliant?Why do most contractors copy what they see — and wonder why it doesn’t work?
Hey Everyone My names Will, Im an Electrical Contractor out in the New England area (Connecticut / Massachuseets) Last year and a half, I been traveling the US speaking and working with contractors, working with them in the field and hosting podcasts... And something surprised me and it's starting to become a pattern in our industry. The biggest mistake I see tradesmen-turned-business-owners make? They chase what someone else is doing, when It comes to pricing, life styles, how they even act — Instead of figuring out what they actually need. Before you start hiring, expanding, or throwing money at tools, you need to ask yourself: What am I really trying to fix? That’s why I built this visual — a Blueprint to Defining Success — so we stop copying other businesses and start building with purpose. Would love to expose myself now and ask what do you all think?
Real Talk: The Ups and Downs of Running a Business
Let’s start a real conversation — no filters, no fluff. What’s it really been like running your business? I’m talking about the mistakes that taught you lessons, the wins that made it all feel worth it, the burnout you didn’t expect, and the goals that keep you going even on the tough days. Whether you’re just starting or deep in the game, your story can inspire someone else (and maybe theirs will help you too). Drop your honest take below 👇 Let’s build something real — together.
