Contractor Cents

Worker’s comp claims can be extremely expensive – not only in increased costs, decreased ability to get jobs if your MOD factor goes over 1, but most important, employees who experience pain and suffering and unfortunately sometimes death because of accidents. My guest today, Michael Zalle, is the CEO of Yellow Bird, an insurance risk and risk management SAAS platform. Yellow Bird’s mission is to make safer workplaces by offering higher skilled service providers at a lesser cost through technology. Michael gives you strategies to stay safe. Free P&L Statement and Balance Sheet https://tinyurl.com/2rjd6wxu Ruth King Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ruthking1650 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthking1/   Podcast Produced by Nick Uttam https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-uttam-4b33a1147

If I train my people they will leave. The answer to this statement was an old Lennox reply that is still true: What happens if you don’t train them and they stay? Training is an essential component of our businesses. My guest today, Gregg Holladay from Bradford White, is passionate about heat pump water heaters. Bradford White, the only US manufactured heat pump water heater, is helping you prepare for the installation of Federally mandated heat pump water heaters in 2029. Greg discusses how to do this. Free P&L Statement and Balance Sheet https://tinyurl.com/2rjd6wxu Ruth King Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ruthking1650 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthking1/   Podcast Produced by Nick Uttam https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-uttam-4b33a1147

Do you have a phantom stock plan? This might be the way to retain your team members. You might remember my guest, Chris Buttenham who talked about exit plans about a year ago. In this episode he’ll give you what a Phantom Stock Plan is and how it might benefit your business and you. Free P&L Statement and Balance Sheet https://tinyurl.com/2rjd6wxu Ruth King Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ruthking1650 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthking1/   Podcast Produced by Nick Uttam https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-uttam-4b33a1147

I found out about Contractor Commerce from one of my clients who raved about it…then another one did the same thing. If you haven’t heard about Contractor Commerce – you’re in for a treat with a website that can help you grow your business through ecommerce. Brad Felix, the VP of AI for Contractor Commerce discusses how the company let’s contractors sell on-line and generate revenue while they sleep! Free P&L Statement and Balance Sheet https://tinyurl.com/2rjd6wxu Ruth King Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ruthking1650 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthking1/   Podcast Produced by Nick Uttam https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-uttam-4b33a1147

What is the role of AI agents in the contracting world? James Hatfield, answers this question. We did a two part series a few episodes ago and realized we didn’t talk about agents. So, we’re doing it on this episode. Free P&L Statement and Balance Sheet https://tinyurl.com/2rjd6wxu Ruth King Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ruthking1650 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthking1/   Podcast Produced by Nick Uttam https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-uttam-4b33a1147

Free P&L Statement and Balance Sheet Blueprints of Success – this is a really good book to read for any HVAC, plumbing, or other contracting business owner. Timothy Wingate Jr. is the author of this easy to read book. You might recognize his name because he is a previous guest. Timothy is a CPA who specializes in working with contracting companies and has seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. https://tinyurl.com/2rjd6wxu Ruth King Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ruthking1650 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthking1/   Podcast Produced by Nick Uttam https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-uttam-4b33a1147

What if you’re a smaller contractor who is looking to grow? What if there was a way to do it without burning a lot of cash and adding a ton of overhead? My guest, Furman Haynes, partner in Work Hero, gives you ideas on how to do this. Free P&L Statement and Balance Sheet https://tinyurl.com/2rjd6wxu Ruth King Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ruthking1650 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthking1/   Podcast Produced by Nick Uttam https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-uttam-4b33a1147

Are you in the frustrating search for new software? It’s time consuming and how do you know whether you’ve even chosen the right one? My guest, Miles Fawcett, founder of Field Hub, gives you some questions to ask and how to find the right software for you. Free P&L Statement and Balance Sheet https://tinyurl.com/2rjd6wxu Ruth King Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ruthking1650 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthking1/   Podcast Produced by Nick Uttam https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-uttam-4b33a1147

Are you stuck in the weeds – working in your business rather than investing time to work on your business? Do you have the “I wanna’s”: I wanna grow, I wanna spend more time with my family, I don’t want to have to worry about cash, or whatever your “I wanna” is. Angela Chanowsky, Creator of Your Unique Genius, gives you the roadmap to get out of the weeks and achieve the goals you want to achieve. Free P&L Statement and Balance Sheet https://tinyurl.com/2rjd6wxu Ruth King Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ruthking1650 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthking1/   Podcast Produced by Nick Uttam https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-uttam-4b33a1147

In this two-part series, James Hatfield, CRO for LiveSwitch, gives you some ways that AI is currently being used and strategies you can implement now and prepare for in the future. Free P&L Statement and Balance Sheet https://tinyurl.com/2rjd6wxu Ruth King Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ruthking1650 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthking1/   Podcast Produced by Nick Uttam https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-uttam-4b33a1147

In this two-part series, James Hatfield, CRO for LiveSwitch, gives you some ways that AI is currently being used and strategies you can implement now and prepare for in the future. Free P&L Statement and Balance Sheet https://tinyurl.com/2rjd6wxu Ruth King Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ruthking1650 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthking1/   Podcast Produced by Nick Uttam https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-uttam-4b33a1147

How do you grow your business by finding the right people and testing them before you hire them? You know that you need an HR person, a marketing person, a CFO, and more to grow your business. But you can’t afford the overhead right now. And, how do you make sure you have the right person who is competent and fits your culture? Join Nicole Grinnell, owner of Bosun Solutions, gives you the answers. Free P&L Statement and Balance Sheet https://tinyurl.com/2rjd6wxu Ruth King Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ruthking1650 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthking1/   Podcast Produced by Nick Uttam https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-uttam-4b33a1147

Is a 10% net profit ok? Discover the realities of two contractors – each with a 10% net profit. One was doing much better from a profitability standpoint. I discuss the best way to look at your bottom line using net profit per hour to make sure your company is truly profitable. Free P&L Statement and Balance Sheet https://tinyurl.com/2rjd6wxu Ruth King Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ruthking1650 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthking1/   Podcast Produced by Nick Uttam https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-uttam-4b33a1147

I had the honor and privilege of presenting the importance of financial analysis trends to Scott Bunce’s Vistage Group. Scott interviewed me about the why and how of financial analyses. Free P&L Statement and Balance Sheet https://tinyurl.com/2rjd6wxu Ruth King Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ruthking1650 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthking1/   Podcast Produced by Nick Uttam https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-uttam-4b33a1147

In the fourth of the Death by 1,000 cuts series, I discuss the next little cut – improper discounts. Discover how to really discount and ensure you at least break even when discounting. More information and registration for Field Managers Survival School mentioned in the podcast can be found here: https://keap.page/rk139/field- managers-survival-school.html Free P&L Statement and Balance Sheet https://tinyurl.com/2rjd6wxu Ruth King Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ruthking1650 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthking1/   Podcast Produced by Nick Uttam https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-uttam-4b33a1147

Happy New Year! I give you five fun financial facts to begin 2026. Free P&L Statement and Balance Sheet https://tinyurl.com/2rjd6wxu Ruth King Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ruthking1650 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthking1/   Podcast Produced by Nick Uttam https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-uttam-4b33a1147

In the third of the Death by 1,000 cuts series I discuss the next little cut – not paying attention to the bottom line as your company grows. Revenue is important. What you keep is more important! Free P&L Statement and Balance Sheet https://tinyurl.com/2rjd6wxu Ruth King Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ruthking1650 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthking1/   Podcast Produced by Nick Uttam https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-uttam-4b33a1147

In the second of the Death by 1,000 cuts series I discuss the next little cut – Not answering the telephone. Wait! Before you ignore this podcast, listen to what happened and make sure it isn’t happening in your company. Free P&L Statement and Balance Sheet https://tinyurl.com/2rjd6wxu Ruth King Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ruthking1650 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthking1/   Podcast Produced by Nick Uttam https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-uttam-4b33a1147

Death by 1,000 cuts is how the ancient Chinese tortured people. No single cut killed them. However, it was the accumulation of 1,000 cuts that eventually killed the person. I explain what this has to do with your business. It’s the little things that could add up and kill your business. This podcast discusses the first cut: Running your business on cash and/or not paying attention to cash trends. Free P&L Statement and Balance Sheet https://tinyurl.com/2rjd6wxu Ruth King Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ruthking1650 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthking1/   Podcast Produced by Nick Uttam https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-uttam-4b33a1147

Safety training is crucial. You never know when it will pay for itself. My guest, Eric Wik, founder of Safety Team Technologies, tells you why safety meetings fail and what you can do about it. He’ll also give you some of the horror stories of what happens when you don’t comply with the safety training laws. Free P&L Statement and Balance Sheet https://tinyurl.com/2rjd6wxu Ruth King Twitter - @RuthKing LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthking1/   Podcast Produced by Nick Uttam https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-uttam-4b33a1147