Let’s be honest, it takes a certain kind of crazy to walk away from a steady paycheck, health benefits, a pension, and 401(k)…

…just to trade it for stress, uncertainty, no consistent work, and no safety net.

And here we are.

Every one of us who left a “sane” path to start our own thing made a decision that doesn’t make logical sense to most people.

We chose the crazy path.

Most people won’t understand that we didn’t choose this because it’s easy.

Either way, When the stress hits, do you question it?
When you look around at people with benefits and security, do you wonder if you made the wrong call?

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?

​

Everybody says the same thing:
“Just buy a used truck, it’s cheaper.”

Yet, That same truck breaks down 3–6 months later.
Now your jobs are delayed. You’re borrowing vehicles from your spouse or rental.
You’re stressed out and behind on bills. And suddenly the “cheaper option” is costing you way more.

Here's my personal take:
You quit your job ... You are betting 100% on yourself, to care for your livelihood.
If you’re betting your whole future on this business — why risk it with a vehicle that might leave you stranded?

I hate blaming others, or the lack of accountability. So if I can control one variable — like my ability to show up to the job, that will pay me for my services... I’m going to do it.

But that's just my opinion. My hot take, What do you all think?

I created this visual for myself to follow and share whenever anyone is deciding to get a vehicle.

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?

I’m not talking about materials and labor.

I’m talking about the real costs, not just the bare minimum ... the hidden stuff that slowly eats away at your margin while you’re out chasing the next job.

After spending the last few months traveling with contractors across the country, I keep seeing the same problem:

Everyone talks about revenue or price like it means anything
So here I created another visual...

A Blueprint to Understanding Cost — Because I’m tired of watching good contractors work hard and still stay broke.
This is everything that goes into the number before you even think about profit.

What do you guys think?

Once again, contractors are falling into the same pattern.

I keep seeing posts on Instagram that say: “Must have 3–5 years experience.”What do you guys think about this?

Here’s my take:
It’s because most people want someone they can toss straight into the field.

No training. No culture building. Just go-go-go.
But that’s how we end up with more bad hires than good ones.

Here’s the truth:
Hiring talent doesn’t fix broken systems. If you don’t know what problem you’re solving — even the “perfect” hire won’t help.

So I made this visual graphic to help.
This is how I think through hiring when I know I’m ready to grow.

What are your thoughts?

I learned this the hard way - I always assumed people knew or understood what I needed, instead of communicating because I did not want to have the hard conversation. I wanted to be liked more than understood.

But here’s what I’ve learned the hard way:
Most mistakes, delays, and drama on a jobsite don’t come from bad workers — they come from unclear instructions.

It’s not that people don’t want to do good work.
It’s that we assume they understood what we meant.

And when assumptions lead the conversation, everything breaks down.

So I built this visual to help myself, my team, and now other contractors get clear.

What’s one breakdown you’ve had that could’ve been solved with clearer communication?

The last 6 months in our masterclass, we been talking with contractors throughout the USA- and one thing has shocked me personally about Electrical Contractors...

Most electricians aren’t building pricing based on math, they’re just guessing. This is a shock to me because so many of us worked our A$$ off to apply and take the state exam. Yet, we fall back to asking Facebook or Googling “how much to charge for [x].”

Another thing I saw was many copying what the other guy charges without knowing if he’s even profitable, or the fact their competitors have a different overhead.

Am I the only one going crazy here?

I built this visual as a blueprint for the trades. If you wire jobs with code compliance, you should price them with the same level of attention.

What do you all think?

When I first started hiring, I focused on work ethic and skills. We all look for the 3-5 year guy in the field.

That’s how I saw every other electrician hire. Until we’ve trained side-by-side with leaders from the Ritz Carlton, studied what world-class hiring really looks like, and built our own system to bring it into the trades.

But after years in the field, and now in my own electrical contracting company, I’ve learned that’s not enough.

The trades have a people problem because we skip the part that matters:
Character. Trust. Vision.

And it’s how we filter now.
What do you all think?

What do you guys think?

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?

The anticipation is unbearable ... just waiting to find out what will be Luke's first contribution to this new community.

Ready when you are @hansluke

Regardless of trade, what would you say is the absolute best advice you ever received as it relates to business, your craft or heck, even just life?

Fire away!

We’re just getting this thing off the ground, and that means you’re one of the first people to be here — which is pretty damn cool.

This thread is for YOU. Whether you’ve been in the trades 20+ years or just getting started, we want to hear from you. Doesn’t have to be long or fancy — just drop a few things so we can get to know who’s here.

Here’s a quick format to make it easy — just copy/paste and fill in:

• Name or nickname:
• Trade(s):
• Where you’re based:
• What kind of work you do:
• Biggest win lately:
• What brought you here / what you’re hoping to get out of this community:

Let’s get to know each other and build something solid here.

P.S. Even if you’re just lurking for now — say hey! This is a good place to break the ice.

New to forums? Here’s what you need to know to get started!

1. Set up a profile. Add a photo, pick a username, and tell us what trade you’re a part of!
2. Get to know some popular voices: Introduce Yourself Here!
3. Check out other users and follow your favorites: ex. John Talman, Good Contractor Podcast
4. Hop into the discussions!
   1. How did you get into the trades?
   2. Social media is tough...
   3. Coffee, Energy Drinks, or Something Else?
5. Don’t forget to start your own threads with questions, advice, recent wins, etc.!

John + CompanyCam Crew

Alright, let’s settle it.

What keeps you running on the job site?

• Coffee (hot or iced?)
• Monster? Red Bull? Celsius?
• Or you one of those superhumans that drinks water?

Be honest. What’s in your cup?

What’s Your Go-To Line When a Customer Is Being Difficult?

We’ve all had those moments where a customer tests your patience — late pay, micro-managing, unrealistic expectations…
Could be a calm, professional line you always go to or it could be something hilarious you only say in your head...

Hit reply and let us know your go-to — someone else might need it this week

Let’s be real — everybody has a “that one time” story.

Underbid a job? Trusted the wrong client or person?

What’s the most expensive (or painful) mistake you’ve ever made — and what did you learn from it?

Could’ve cost you time, money, sanity… or all three. We’re here to learn from each other (and maybe laugh a little too, we hope! ).

Drop yours

This space is for the contractors. All of you. Every trade. Every level of experience. If you're out there kicking ass on the job site, running your business, solving problems, and doing great work — this is your spot to connect with others doing the same.


We’re not here to sell you anything. No pitch, no gimmicks. We just wanted to build a space where contractors can actually connect with other contractors — ask questions, share wins, vent a little, and learn from each other along the way.


Whether you’re in roofing, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, landscaping, painting — whatever your trade is — you belong here.


And we want your feedback. This forum is something we’re building to bring real value to you. If there’s something that would make this space more useful, more fun, or more worth your time, let us know. You can post directly in the forum or shoot me an email: john.talman@companycam.com.


This community is for you. Let’s make it awesome.


— John + the CompanyCam crew

At CompanyCam, we want to provide real value to the amazing contractors we serve—because we think good contractors deserve way more recognition than they get.

You build things that last. You solve problems. You show up when it’s hard. And that deserves a spotlight.

That’s what the Good Contractor Podcast is all about: telling the real stories behind the job—what it took to get there, the lessons learned, and what keeps contractors like you pushing forward.

It connects contractors from across the country and the world—because hearing someone else’s story can remind you that you’re not alone. You hear a guest share something that happened to them and think, “Man, I thought I was the only one”

That sense of connection? That’s what this community is about, too.

It’s honest, unfiltered, and built for the people who do the work. No fluff, no B.S.—just real stories from real contractors who’ve built, struggled, learned, and come out better for it.

Listen now on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/6G2QO4LRC4IyDTlAugbce4


Prefer YouTube?
https://www.youtube.com/@goodcontractor


On Apple Podcasts?
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-contractor/id1738919721

Just created a google business page just from this. Thank you

CompanyCam Community Forum Rules


Welcome to the CompanyCam Community Forum! To keep this a valuable space for all contractors, business owners, and team members, please read and follow these rules.

---

1. Be Respectful and Constructive

• Treat everyone with respect.
• No personal attacks, name-calling, or harassment.
• Focus on ideas, not individuals. Disagreements are okay—just keep it civil.

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5. Respect Privacy

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6. No Impersonation or Misleading Info

• Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not.
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7. Report Problems—Don’t Escalate

• Use the “Report” button for rule violations.
• Don’t argue publicly—let the moderators handle it.
• If you see something off, let us know.

8. Follow Moderator Instructions

• Mods are here to keep things running smoothly.
• If a moderator gives you guidance, please follow it.
• Repeated violations may result in warnings or bans.

9. Account Responsibility

• You’re responsible for what happens on your account.
• Don’t share your login info.
• Use a strong password

10. Consequences of Breaking the Rules

• We issue warnings, temporary suspensions, or permanent bans based on severity.
• CompanyCam reserves the right to remove content or accounts that break these rules.

By participating in this community, you agree to follow these rules. These guidelines may be updated, so please check back occasionally.

If you have questions about any rule or action, please reach out to a moderator or John Talman at john.talman@companycam.com.

We’ve added a new way to help you save time and maintain consistency in your documentation: Page Templates are now available in CompanyCam.

If you’ve been building the same Pages repeatedly for client updates, site reports, or job summaries, you can now turn those into reusable Templates. Build once, apply it whenever you need it.

Here’s what you can do with Page Templates and what’s new:

https://companycam.com/blog/page-templates-build-photo-reports-faster