The Builder’s Edge - Mastering the Business Side of Building

• How to Turn Your Jobsite Hack Into a Real Product

  Ever looked at a tool on your jobsite and thought, there’s got to be a better way? In this episode of The Builder’s Edge, painting contractor turned inventor Laurence Ash shares how he turned a simple jobsite hack into the patented Diplomat Brush — and how you can turn your jobsite idea into a real product. If you’re a builder, contractor, or trades pro with an idea for a better tool or system, this one’s for you.2. What You’ll Learn / HighlightsThe exact job in Hingham, MA that sparked the idea for a brush with an internal spray tip.How Laurence hacked a standard brush onto a spray gun and realized he’d built a better way to work.What the “poor man’s patent” looks like and how he documented his idea when he couldn’t afford legal fees.Why the prototype sat on a shelf for 10–12 years — and what finally pushed him to secure multiple patents.The reality of chasing licensing deals with big companies (and why most want proof of concept first).How a single dad contractor bootstrapped manufacturing, partnered up, and turned his invention into a real business.The productivity gains from the Diplomat Brush — including applying and back-brushing 15+ gallons in 7 hours solo.Laurence’s simple first step for builders with an idea: how to move from “someday” to written, real, and actionable.3. Chapters (Timestamps)00:00 Intro – The Builder’s Edge & “there’s got to be a better way”00:21 Meet Laurence Ash & the Diplomat Brush origin story01:14 The Hingham, MA job that sparked a new kind of paint brush01:42 Strapping a brush to a spray gun: the first jobsite hack02:50 Realizing the potential of an internally fed brush03:40 Early prototypes and DIY attachments for spray equipment04:20 Sketches, photos, and the “poor man’s patent”05:13 Shoebox on the shelf: 10+ years before taking action06:29 Why he kept the brush as his secret advantage on jobs07:01 Chasing licensing deals & trips to the National Hardware Show07:55 Hitting a wall and the shift in licensing expectations08:28 Partnering up, finding manufacturers, and going all-in09:00 Filing patents, waiting years, and finally getting them granted10:12 Bootstrapping: paying cash, no investors, and pushing through doubt11:31 Marketing a niche tool & fighting for product awareness12:45 Real-world results: 15+ gallons in 7 hours on a two-story garage13:39 User feedback, testimonials, and skeptics who never tried it14:05 First steps if you’ve got a tool or system idea14:45 Mindset shift: from tradesperson using tools to inventor building them15:39 Where to find the Diplomat Brush online and on social16:20 Host’s challenge: write your idea down and build a prototype16:45 The AI Visibility Scorecard for builders & final send-off

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• How an Engineer Reinvented Himself Into a Top Commercial Builder

  What does it really take to reinvent yourself, scale a contracting business, and break into high-end commercial construction? In this episode of The Builder’s Edge, we sit down with Nathan Dockery, a civil engineer turned top-tier developer, to unpack the systems, mindset, and leadership that built the Dockery Group. Commercial construction, design-build, and contractor growth strategies—this one hits them all.What You’ll Learn / HighlightsHow Nathan went from designing bridges to running a full design-build firmThe mindset shift required to go from worker → leader → developerWhy niche focus makes scaling easier (and what to say no to)The design-build advantage and why premium clients prefer itSystems, technology, and delegation habits that protect qualityHow to build a subcontractor network that actually represents your brandThe leadership traits that separate average contractors from industry leaders00:00 Intro00:08 Meet Nathan Dockery00:38 Dockery Group Overview01:10 From Engineering to Development02:20 The Moment He Took Ownership03:09 Reinventing Into a GC & Developer03:52 Mindset Shifts for Business Growth05:00 Breaking Into High-End Commercial Work06:01 Guiding First-Time Medical & Dental Owners07:17 Relationships vs. Reputation vs. Results08:27 Why Design-Build Wins10:17 How Contractors Can Start in Design-Build12:36 Building the Right Team13:59 Managing Growth Without Losing Quality15:23 Leadership With Subs & Teams17:41 Hiring People Who Hold Your Values18:32 Challenging Projects & Lessons Learned20:36 Standing Out in a Competitive Market22:42 Tools & Tech That Changed Everything27:06 Delegation & Leadership Systems29:46 Scaling Without Sacrificing Your Brand31:14 Picking Your Lane as a Commercial GC32:44 Defining Success & Core Work Ethic34:37 How to Reach the Dockery Group35:50 His Advice to Contractors Ready to Grow37:04 Final Challenge to Builders#ConstructionBusiness#CommercialConstruction#DesignBuild#ContractorGrowth#ConstructionLeadership#BuildersEdgePodcast#EntrepreneurMindset#ScalingAConstructionBusiness

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• How to Know If You’re Actually Ready to Start a Business with $0

  Starting a business at 40 with $0 in a crowded HVAC market sounds crazy… until you hear Tim Harrell’s story. From a near-death experience in the ICU to launching Giddy Up HVAC in Temple, Texas, Tim built everything on faith, integrity, and old-school word of mouth.If you’re a contractor, builder, or service business owner wondering if you’ve “missed your chance,” this episode of The Builder’s Edge is for you.What You’ll Learn / Episode HighlightsHow Tim built trust as “the new guy” in a skeptical HVAC market using honesty, photos, and education instead of hard sells.Why he refuses investors and private equity—even when money is on the table—and what it’s allowed him to protect.The ICU moment that completely reset his life, faith, and purpose (and how HVAC became his unexpected ministry).The simple, $0-cost moves he used to launch Giddy Up HVAC: maintenance visits, door hangers, Facebook, and the “Winner’s Circle” club.How his family (wife, in-laws, friends) became the backbone of the business—handling books, website, and support while he’s in the field.The mindset shift you need if you’re starting later in life and worried the “entrepreneurship train” has already left the station.Practical advice for any contractor or service pro who wants to build a legacy business on faith, service, and integrity—not just revenue.Chapters / Timestamps00:00 – Intro: From ICU to CEO & why this story matters01:01 – Building trust as the new HVAC guy in a crowded market03:30 – Honesty, photos & education: how Tim sells without “selling”05:12 – Giddy Up as a family operation & the realities of money and numbers07:30 – Faith, support systems, and keeping God at the center08:35 – Why Tim refuses investors & private equity offers10:30 – The toxic relationship, the cross, and the night that almost killed him13:20 – Finding HVAC, discovering his calling, and “ministry in the home”15:10 – Getting licensed, starting Giddy Up HVAC, and growing from $017:10 – $0-cost strategies: maintenance, Winner’s Circle, door hangers & Facebook18:45 – Starting at 40: Have you really missed your chance?20:04 – How to reach Tim Harrell & final words for late-start entrepreneurs

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• How to Build a Roofing Business That Actually Lasts

  He moved to a city where he knew no one, bought a roofing company that was already dead… and resurrected it. Twice.In this episode, you’ll learn how to build a profitable roofing business without being “the cheapest guy” on the bid sheet.Perfect for roofing contractors, home service business owners, and anyone tired of racing to the bottom on price.What You’ll Learn / HighlightsHow Chuck “accidentally” got into the roofing business after years as a truck driverThe crazy story of buying a shut-down roofing company and bringing it back to life (two times)Why chasing cheap clients almost guarantees burnout and failureHow he landed his first San Antonio roofing jobs using nothing but FacebookThe mindset shift that helped him say no to insurance fraud and underpriced workHow to choose (and keep) premium roofing clients who value quality over discountsDaily habits (3am wakeups, gym, 200+ miles walked) that keep his energy and focus highThe painful lesson of trying to “do it all” vs. partnering around your strengthsA simple exercise to figure out what you should stop doing in your businessChapters (Timestamps)00:00 – Intro & why his roofing story is so wild01:15 – How he “accidentally” got into the roofing business in 199804:38 – Moving states, opening branches, and the San Antonio opportunity08:22 – Buying a dead roofing company and starting over in a city with zero contacts11:50 – Living in the office, using Facebook, and landing the first few jobs16:40 – Why he refuses to be the cheapest roofer (and still wins the job)21:05 – Firing bad fit clients & shifting to a premium clientele25:33 – Saying no to insurance fraud and standing on ethics29:10 – How social media still drives most of his roofing leads32:45 – Keeping high energy: mindset, loss, and choosing positivity37:02 – 3am mornings, gym routine, and walking 200+ miles in a month41:30 – Shutting the company down, buying it back, and starting again45:18 – The #1 lesson: double down on your strengths, delegate your weaknesses49:05 – Practical advice for stuck business owners ready to scale52:10 – Where to find Chuck online & closing thoughts for builders and roofers

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• What Nobody Tells You About Starting a Home Inspection Business

  Entrepreneurship isn’t about more “hustle”—it’s about better systems, mindset, and marketing. In this episode, Certified Master Inspector and founder of I Am Home Inspections, Ian Mayer, shows exactly how he went from laid off to leading a team, with balance. What You’ll Learn / HighlightsThe day a layoff on Ventura Blvd became the launchpad for a home inspection businessWhy marketing (not technical skill) is your first-year full-time job—and how to treat it that wayThe mindset switch from doing the work to leading the vision (E-Myth & Rocket Fuel takeaways)Practical steps to hire, train, and spot-check quality without losing your standardsHow Ian protects work–life balance in a hustle-glorifying worldThe “education-first” strategy that makes clients trust you (and choose you)Using social media to drive bookings when ads aren’t the answerChapters (timestamps)00:00 Intro01:12 Laid Off → Leap to Self-Employment05:33 The Marketing Wake-Up Call10:25 Mindset Shifts: Operator vs. Owner15:48 Hiring, Training & Quality Control21:30 Beating Fear: Coaching, Books & Breakthroughs27:02 Work–Life Balance (and Parenting as a North Star)32:40 Redefining Success: From Mortgage Money to Vacations38:05 Setbacks: When the Phone Doesn’t Ring43:17 Education-First Differentiator49:10 Social Media Visibility Done Right55:22 The Builder’s Edge: Next Steps & Scorecard

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