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Contracts with customers vs Contracts with yourself

EnergizeUsEdu
You’d never start a job without a contract, estimate or anything in writing, right?

So why are you trying to build a business… run a team… or chase your goals… without a contract with yourself?

It's so funny how business taught me so many different life lessons and how they all play a part.

So I created this breakdown for myself whenever I want a new goal, or ones starting their own business.

Do you all think business plans are valuable ?Screenshot 2025-07-05 at 11.47.31 AM.png
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EnergizeUsEdu
Momentum’s a weird thing.

I’ve been thinking about how easy it is to fall out of rhythm. One missed workout, one skipped meeting, one bad week on the job… and all of a sudden it feels like you’re back at square one.

I just need to get back to doing the basics right. The things that got me moving in the first place.

What do you all think?

Has Anyone Here Built Their Own GPT Yet? Or Just Using ChatGPT Like Google?

EnergizeUsEdu
Hey everyone just curious where the community stands with AI right now.

I’ve seen a lot of folks using ChatGPT to look stuff up (like Google 2.0), but I’m wondering if anyone here has gone deeper?

  • Has anyone tried to build or train their own GPT yet?
  • Or customized prompts/workflows to actually support your day-to-day?
We’ve been working on building a custom GPT model trained on contractor logic — estimating, soft skills, job-site communication, pricing, SOPs, etc. For our company now, instead of broad knowledge.

I see huge value in contractors having their own smart assistant, not just a chatbot. Something that speaks the language of our company.

Is that something you’d use or find helpful?
Curious to hear what direction you guys are taking.
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Are You Building a Business or Just Buying Problems?

EnergizeUsEdu
When I started contracting, I just want to jump in and hit the ground running.

Ive got the skill. Ive got the drive.
But there's a catch .... Growth costs more than money.

It costs:
Your time
Your sleep
Your weekends
Your peace of mind
Sometimes even your relationships

You want to bring on a new guy?
Cool.
Are you ready to train him, lead him, and carry the pressure when he’s not producing yet?

You want to buy a new truck or tool?
Cool.
Are you ready for the stress that comes with the financing, maintenance, or overhead that doesn't go away?

This is when I began to ask myself:

What am I willing to give up to get where I’m going?
Am I ready for the weight that comes with more responsibility?IMG_9471.pngCan I handle the pressure without breaking myself?

Where do you all stand on this ?
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#1 Reason Most Contractors Shut Down

EnergizeUsEdu
I dont know if you all can relate to this, but ever since starting my business, I have been obsessed with the study of my mind.

I dont mean the corny, self help, realization of past trauma and not just motivation.

I’m talking about the beliefs that shape our decisions, the ones we don’t even realize are holding us back.

It's crazy to see so many individuals on instagram always talk about being real, raw and authentic and then it doesn't carry any weight, because they dont focus on who they are.
On surface level they say everything right and then it doesn't bear fruit.

There's always truth in acknowledging hard times, but a hyper focus on only the negative pisses me off.
This is why most businesses don’t fail because of lack of skill.
They fail because of limiting beliefs. How they view the industry and work.

If you’re not asking better questions about yourself, you’ll keep repeating the same patterns.

So let me ask you:
What belief do you have or struggling with? Screenshot 2025-07-04 at 11.47.00 AM.png
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Did You Know the Oldest Business in the World Is a Contracting Company?

EnergizeUsEdu
“Where do you see yourself in 5, 10, 15 years?” Take a minute to think about it ....

Now let me hear it please.
Before we begin, I'll be giving a little history lesson, so if this isn't for you. I won't take offense...

Guess what, if you have a vision, if you have a plan, you are already ahead of the curve.
If you dont .... Then you are not alone !

Most of the time, the answer is…
“I just want to make it through this week.”
Or, “If I can survive the year, I’ll be good.”

You are doing everything you need to stay alive and I solute you. But thinking like that holds us all back. It keeps us stuck in survival mode, making the joy of contacting a threat. Always reacting, never building or planning for the future.
So we did the research.Turns out the oldest company in the world, not just in trades, but in any industry, happens to be a contracting company.

Kongo Gumi. Japan. Founded in 578 AD.
For over 1,400 years. Let that sink in.

In the U.S., it’s DF Pray, since 1830. Still building today.

Here’s the point:

If it’s been done — it’s possible.
The question is:
Are you building something that can last?Screenshot 2025-07-04 at 11.55.07 AM.png
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How Much Should You Really Be Charging?

EnergizeUsEdu
The number one question I receive is tied directly to the fact, most contractors are still guessing when it comes to pricing.

Overhead.
Profit.
Labor rate.
Trip fees.

They think just because they throw a number they hear their competitors use, thats all that they need.

It may work, but how and what do you divide these funds is just as important for your business health.

If you don’t know how to do the math, you’re not building a business. You’re surviving check to check and think you need more work, when you do not.

So here’s the plan:
This Tuesday & Thursday on IG, I’m walking you through our Contractor Price Builder Worksheet FREE on instagram live.

We will cover:

- How to calculate your real hourly rate
- The difference between markup and margin
- Why profit is a non-negotiable
- And how to price with confidence

Join the session.
Bring your numbers.

Black Dark Tutorial for Healthy Eating New Reels Cover Instagram Story.png
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👋 Welcome! Introduce Yourself Here

Aiden Schneider
RavinBuilders said:
  • Name or nickname: Kevin Choquette @ravinbuikders
  • Trade(s): Decks and Backyards. Previously home builder/remodeling/commercial
  • Where you’re based: Rhode Island
  • What kind of work you do: Big Deck Energy
  • Biggest win lately: 220 lb bigeye tuna 🎣
  • What brought you here / what you’re hoping to get out of this community: Colab with the homies 🤙
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@RavinBuilders we're gonna need some proof on that tuna
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👋 Welcome! Introduce Yourself Here

Aiden Schneider
SlimBrick said:
Jessie Demler / SlimBrick
Commercial masonry foreman that gets to lay brick/block occasionally 😂
Northern Utah
Lay brick, block, or stone and put out job site fires.
Every day I get to come home to a happy pup and beautiful wife, that’s always a win
Aiden brought me here. S/o CompanyCam haha hopefully going to see a really great online community of tradespeople and those within CompanyCam as well since I love everyone I know within the company!

🤘
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@SlimBrick but who is your favorite?
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What is the best business advice you ever received?

John Talman
nick said:
"Spend 80% of your time on the 20%."

Assuming that 80% of the results come from 20% of the work, spending 80% of your time improving the 20% will get you further than trying to improve the other 80%.

In other words, focusing on making the "good" even better is more worth your time than trying to make the "okay" better.
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I dig this, @nick
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