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

If you’re a contractor or builder wearing every hat in your business, this episode will feel like a wake-up call—in the best way. You didn’t start a contracting business to live inside email, scheduling, DMs, invoicing, recruiting, and admin… but that’s where most owners get trapped. In today’s Builder’s Edge episode, Philip Sessions (founder of Refine VA and host of Unfiltered Sessions) breaks down the leadership shift that helps contractors stop drowning in $10/hour tasks so you can finally operate in your $1,000/hour owner role. You’ll learn why delegation isn’t “letting go,” it’s scaling with systems—and why communication is leadership when you’re managing a virtual assistant (VA) team. Philip shares the real reason owners hold onto the wrong tasks (hint: ego + unclear expectations), plus practical ways to delegate without losing control. If you want to grow your construction or home service company, free up your schedule, and build a team that executes, this is your step-by-step conversation to get started this week.  The #1 mindset shift contractors need to scale with a VA The first tasks to delegate (email, calendar, social, screening calls) Why VAs aren’t “plug-and-play” and how to onboard correctly How to communicate priorities, deadlines, and what “done” means The hidden bottleneck: trying to do recruiting/screening yourself Philip’s simple “delegation muscle” method you can use this week Tools Philip uses daily: GoHighLevel + Asana 00:00 Intro: Stop drowning in $10/hr tasks01:15 Philip’s background (engineering → business)02:04 How he got into virtual assistants04:44 Reinventing yourself as an owner06:54 The first “real” delegation move (process + recruiting)10:38 Why owners hold onto the wrong tasks (ego)13:03 First tasks to hand off to a VA15:40 Communication tips for virtual teams17:55 Personal growth → business growth19:35 3 steps to start delegating this week21:31 Tools contractors should use (GoHighLevel, Asana)22:43 VA mistakes that kill results (expectations + onboarding)24:13 Philip’s personal edge25:17 Where to find Philip26:14 AI visibility scorecard mention + close #ContractorBusiness #VirtualAssistant #Delegation #ConstructionBusiness #Leadership Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re winning on paper but feeling empty, stressed, or burned out, this conversation is for you. In this episode of The Builders Edge, host Deanna Lucas sits down with Zachary Roberts, a certified Christian coach and founder of CJR Coaching, to unpack what it really means to build a business that aligns with your God-given purpose. We talk about why so many entrepreneurs, contractors, builders, and real estate professionals achieve the “wrong” goals—and how clarity of vision changes everything. You’ll learn practical coaching frameworks like The 5 Whys, why clarity comes by reducing (not adding), and how to integrate faith and business without forcing it or sounding fake. Zach also shares real-world business strategy—systems, operations, and performance—so you can grow with integrity and peace. If you want purpose-driven leadership, better decision-making, and a business that creates impact (not just profit), this is your step-by-step mindset + strategy reset.2) What You’ll Learn / HighlightsHow to know you’re chasing the wrong goals (even if you’re “successful”)The 5 Whys clarity exercise to find your real motivation“Audio has to match your video” (alignment that builds trust + authenticity)The difference between a salesperson and a true business ownerHow to integrate faith into business in a way that feels naturalThe 5x5 discipleship model (who you learn from + who you teach)“Performance = Potential − Interference” (what’s blocking you)The POP model: People → Operations → PerformanceZach’s twist on SMART goals: making goals Altar-WorthyThe 3-part burnout reset: vision check, schedule audit, leverage3) Chapters (timestamps)00:00 Intro01:10 Chasing the wrong goals + defining “achievement”02:40 The 5 Whys: clarity comes from reducing04:20 Audio must match video (alignment + authenticity)07:05 Salesperson vs business owner mindset09:10 Integrating faith + business (inner work first)10:30 The 5x5 discipleship model12:40 Performance = Potential − Interference13:45 POP model: People, Operations, Performance14:20 Bank account + calendar audit (time/money systems)15:40 “Altar-worthy” goals (faith-aligned SMART)17:50 Friendships + your personal board of advisors20:10 Transformation stories + map & mirror25:20 Burnout reset: vision, schedule creep, leverage27:55 When faith-based entrepreneurship feels lonely30:00 Zach’s long-term vision + kingdom impact33:15 No is a complete sentence34:55 How to connect with Zach + outro#ChristianEntrepreneur #FaithBasedBusiness #PurposeDrivenLeadership #BusinessCoaching #BuildersEdgePodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re a builder trying to stay steady in an uncertain market, this episode is for you. In this Christmas solo episode of The Builder’s Edge, we talk about the business side of building, and why mastering visibility, systems, and marketing can help you build a business that supports your family, faith, and future.What You’ll LearnWhy builders often struggle with marketing (and why it’s not your fault)What the housing market crash taught me about sustainabilityThe shift from “just doing great work” to building systems that support youHow local contractors can improve visibility and communicate value clearlyWhy community matters when you’re building through hard seasonsA Christmas encouragement: what you build matters—and you matterChapters 00:00 Intro + Christmas message00:58 Why I started The Builder’s Edge01:05 Growing up in construction + early career01:30 When the housing market crashed02:28 Learning the business side: marketing + systems02:56 Why this show is for builders + local service pros04:06 Faith + why builders matter05:19 Share this with a builder + stay connected05:44 Merry Christmas + closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you want effortless goal achievement without the hustle-and-burnout cycle, this episode breaks down the simple system that creates real momentum.Learn how to use clarity, flow, and leverage to grow your business—even when you’re overwhelmed, distracted, or wearing every hat.2) What You’ll Learn Why clarity doesn’t come from thinking—it comes from actionHow to shrink any goal into a 10-minute (or 1-minute) daily stepA simple way to build focus when distractions keep winningHow to identify high-leverage tasks vs. “busy work”The “don’t miss two days” rule (and what to do if you do)A practical daily habit for local business owners: follow-up = revenueHow community + coaching accelerates growth for high performers3) Chapters (timestamps)00:00 Intro: Real goal achievement without burnout00:19 What clarity actually means (and the misconception)02:12 Knowledge vs. action (the swimming analogy)02:30 The “pick ONE thing” momentum method03:16 Shrink the step to 10 minutes (or less)04:28 Flow state + deep work for busy entrepreneurs05:46 Turn a long to-do list into focused momentum07:10 Build focus capacity (even 1 minute counts)08:26 Leverage: working higher, not harder09:34 High-leverage habit for local business: one follow-up/day11:28 How to discover your true highest-leverage activity12:59 Tie it together: clarity + flow + leverage system15:02 Daily reminders + don’t miss two days rule17:34 Jesse’s Inner Circle: calls, systems, accountability22:28 Live coaching walkthrough: stuck → next daily action26:42 Weekly action steps + outro + how to join Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices