The Battle Plan Marketing Podcast

This is the last episode in our deep dive series on Million Dollar Contracting — and we’re finishing where real growth actually happens: People. In this final conversation, Kim Hopkins breaks down how to: Attract quality employees (without begging) Hire the right people — not just available bodies Build a team that thinks like owners Retain great employees for the long haul Create customer success that drives repeat business and referrals Here’s the reality:You don’t scale a contracting business with hustle alone.You scale it with systems, profit structure, and a team that actually cares. Kim shares how he built a long-term, profitable electrical company with low turnover, strong culture, and customers who keep coming back. If you’re tired of constant hiring cycles, unreliable techs, and carrying the whole company on your back — this episode is your blueprint. 🔥 Listen now.🔥 Apply it.🔥 Build something that lasts. 📗 Grab the book: MillionDollarContracting.com 🎯 Want more booked jobs without chasing leads? BattlePlan-Marketing.com Buy The Book: https://milliondollarcontracting.com/ Guest Website: https://www.theelectricconnection.com/ For more podcast episodes, visit www.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/ Grow Sales Without Ads: https://plumber-dominance.com/reactivation Battle Plan Marketing® Next-Level Marketing for Contractors Capture - Book - Close https://battleplan-marketing.com/ LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Welcome back to our Million Dollar Contracting series with author and contractor Kim Hopkins. In this episode, we dive into the chapter that separates struggling businesses from seven-figure operators: PROFIT . Kim breaks down: Why “breaking even” is a trap How most contractors underprice without even knowing it The 10% rule for long-term success (most skip this and pay the price) How to build a profit-driven team that wants your business to win If you're serious about growing your local service business—without burning out—this episode is a must-watch. 📗 Grab the book: MillionDollarContracting.com 🎯 Want more booked jobs without chasing leads? BattlePlan-Marketing.com Buy The Book: https://milliondollarcontracting.com/ Guest Website: https://www.theelectricconnection.com/ For more podcast episodes, visit www.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/ Grow Sales Without Ads: https://plumber-dominance.com/reactivation Battle Plan Marketing® Next-Level Marketing for Contractors Capture - Book - Close https://battleplan-marketing.com/ LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

We’re back with another no-BS episode in our Million Dollar Contracting book serie s—and this one hits where it hurts: getting paid. Author and 40+ year Operator Kim Hopkins returns in Episode 171 to break down: How he went from losing $80K at a time to collecting every penny The common collection mistakes that bleed your bottom line What to do when a GC, management company, or homeowner stalls ( spoiler: it’s not small claims court ) He’s been burned, bounced back, and built a system that works. If you’ve ever had to chase down a payment, you’ll want to hear this. 📗 Grab the book: MillionDollarContracting.com 🎯 Want more booked jobs without chasing leads? BattlePlan-Marketing.com Buy The Book: https://milliondollarcontracting.com/ Guest Website: https://www.theelectricconnection.com/ For more podcast episodes, visit www.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/ Grow Sales Without Ads: https://plumber-dominance.com/reactivation Battle Plan Marketing® Next-Level Marketing for Contractors Capture - Book - Close https://battleplan-marketing.com/ LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

In this power-packed episode, Tom Howard (VP at ServiceTitan + serial service business acquirer) lays out how he and his team took three underperforming HVAC companies and flipped them into a $25M machine—fast. You’ll learn: How to spot opportunity in a dumpster fire of a business What radical transparency and equity can do for your team How AI is outperforming human CSRs—and cutting costs The real cost of bloated teams and broken systems Why most owners get stuck at $2–5M—and how to punch through This is the kickoff to our Plumber + HVAC Dominance Series—real strategies, zero sugarcoating. ️ If you're running a local service business and want to scale without selling your soul, this one's non-negotiable. 🎧 Listen now, take notes, and get ready to rethink how you lead. 📕 Grab Tom’s book Fetching Millions on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/FETCHING-MILLION-Successful-Services-Business/dp/B0FGKCHKGD/ 📩 Connect with Tom: t.howard@servicetitan.com 📸 Follow @realTomHoward on Instagram For more podcast episodes, visit www.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/ Grow Sales Without Ads: https://plumber-dominance.com/reactivation Battle Plan Marketing® Next-Level Marketing for Contractors Capture - Book - Close https://battleplan-marketing.com/ LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Think great work is enough to grow your service business? Think again. In this episode, we sit down with Kim Hopkins, author of Million Dollar Contractor , to break down the three skills every local service pro must master to scale— people skills, technical skills, and admin systems. Kim built a multi-million dollar electrical business from the trunk of a sedan—and he’s sharing the no-fluff strategies that actually get you more jobs, better referrals, and a business that doesn’t own you. What You’ll Learn: Why 1-star reviews are almost never about your work How doing just 10% more can double your repeat business The admin systems that separate real businesses from chaos How to grow without losing your weekends (or your mind) Whether you're a solo operator or running a growing team, this one’s a must-watch. Subscribe for more real-world tactics that book jobs—not just hype. 📗 Grab the book: MillionDollarContracting.com 🎯 Want more booked jobs without chasing leads? BattlePlan-Marketing.com Buy The Book: https://milliondollarcontracting.com/ Guest Website: https://www.theelectricconnection.com/ For more podcast episodes, visit www.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/ Grow Sales Without Ads: https://plumber-dominance.com/reactivation Battle Plan Marketing® Next-Level Marketing for Contractors Capture - Book - Close https://battleplan-marketing.com/ LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

We continue the “Million Dollar Contracting” book review series with special guest and author, Kim Hopkins, Founder & Owner of The Electric Connection out of Los Angeles CA, in business for over four decades. In this episode Kim we cover Sales, chapter 8 of his book. Kim shared the lessons he learned on what customer types are ideal and which ones to avoid and the signals each one gives off telling you who they are. Topics discussed included: The key questions and deal breakers customers have (they’re probably different than what you’re selling) Flat-rate / fixed pricing versus time plus materials Developing a price book Free phone estimates vs free field estimates Truck roll charges What the customers wants and what they need Being a good human Once again, here’s an opportunity to learn from 40+ years of experience from a very successful operator who’s willing to share his knowledge. Enjoy! Buy The Book: https://www.amazon.com/Million-Dollar-Contracting-Business-Financial/dp/B0CYHF7WD8/ Guest Website: https://www.theelectricconnection.com/ For more podcast episodes, visit www.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/ Grow Sales Without Ads: https://plumber-dominance.com/reactivation Battle Plan Marketing® Next-Level Marketing for Contractors Capture - Book - Close https://battleplan-marketing.com/ LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

We continue the “Million Dollar Contracting” book review series with special guest and author, Kim Hopkins, Founder & Owner of The Electric Connection out of Los Angeles CA. In this episode Kim shares two of the most important lessons he’s learned in four decades of running his electrical services company. We also touched on a few key points of Chapter 7 of his book, this chapter is on Internet Marketing. Enjoy! Buy The Book: https://www.amazon.com/Million-Dollar-Contracting-Business-Financial/dp/B0CYHF7WD8/ Guest Website: https://www.theelectricconnection.com/ For more podcast episodes, visit www.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/ Grow Sales Without Ads: https://plumber-dominance.com/reactivation Battle Plan Marketing® Next-Level Marketing for Contractors Capture - Book - Close https://battleplan-marketing.com/ LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

We continue the “Million Dollar Contracting” book review series with special guest and author, Kim Hopkins, Founder & owner of The Electric Connection out of Los Angeles CA. Nearly the entire episode was devoted to the essential ingredients of a high-converting website for contractors. From fundamental structure, to essential conversion elements, and how pretty it should look are all discussed. Kim shared how his company targets lucrative keywords that have little to no competition. Designing a website that aligns with the stage of development your company is in. The needs for one, differs from those of another. For those who make it the end, there’s a sweet little golden nugget awaiting you. Enjoy! Buy The Book: https://www.amazon.com/Million-Dollar-Contracting-Business-Financial/dp/B0CYHF7WD8/ Guest Website: https://www.theelectricconnection.com/ For more podcast episodes, visit www.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/ Grow Sales Without Ads: https://plumber-dominance.com/reactivation Battle Plan Marketing® Next-Level Marketing for Contractors Capture - Book - Close https://battleplan-marketing.com/ LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

In this interview we explore Chapter 5 on Promotions of this “Million Dollar Contracting” book review series with special guest and author, Kim Hopkins, Founder & owner of The Electric Connection out of Los Angeles CA. 40+ years of promotional wisdom was shared once again in this episode. What channels wasted money and where he found his best returns through the decades. Kim talked about growing repeat and referral business from past customers through maintenance contracts / service agreements, referral programs, newsletters, specials, and more. Simple yet highly effective things like stickers, promotional items, signs, truck wraps and more. Relationship strategies and the power of establishing many referral sources are touched on again. More of the good stuff here. Enjoy! Buy The Book: https://www.amazon.com/Million-Dollar-Contracting-Business-Financial/dp/B0CYHF7WD8/ Guest Website: https://www.theelectricconnection.com/ For more podcast episodes, visit www.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/ Grow Sales Without Ads: https://plumber-dominance.com/reactivation Battle Plan Marketing® Next-Level Marketing for Contractors Capture - Book - Close https://battleplan-marketing.com/ LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Today we provide Chapter 4 of this “Million Dollar Contracting” book review series with special guest and author, Kim Hopkins, Founder & owner of The Electric Connection out of Los Angeles CA. Promotion is the subject of chapter 4 and we had a fun time discussing many of the methods Kim has successfully used over the last 40+ years. More of the good stuff here. Enjoy! Buy The Book: https://www.amazon.com/Million-Dollar-Contracting-Business-Financial/dp/B0CYHF7WD8/ Guest Website: https://www.theelectricconnection.com/ For more podcast episodes, visit www.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/ Grow Sales Without Ads: https://plumber-dominance.com/reactivation Battle Plan Marketing® Next-Level Marketing for Contractors Capture - Book - Close https://battleplan-marketing.com/ LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Today we provide Chapter 3 of this “Million Dollar Contracting” book review series with special guest and author, Kim Hopkins, Founder & owner of The Electric Connection out of Los Angeles CA. Marketing is the subject of Chapter 3 and Kim shared his four decades of experience highlighting the need for a mixture of slow and fast marketing and why budgeting for marketing is crucial to long term survival. Kim also shared how important it is to step up your game when the economy slows down and how seeking out a diverse group of referral partners is a key ingredient to long term success, especially during slow economic cycles. We’re getting into the good stuff here. Enjoy! Buy The Book: https://www.amazon.com/Million-Dollar-Contracting-Business-Financial/dp/B0CYHF7WD8/ Guest Website: https://www.theelectricconnection.com/ For more podcast episodes, visit www.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/ Grow Sales Without Ads: https://plumber-dominance.com/reactivation Battle Plan Marketing® Next-Level Marketing for Contractors Capture - Book - Close https://battleplan-marketing.com/ LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Today we review chapter 2 of the book "Million Dollar Contracting" with its author and special guest and author, Kim Hopkins, Founder & Owner of The Electric Connection out of Los Angeles CA. From this chapter, titled “Setting Up Your Contracting Company Properly” we discussed seemingly simple but very important things like naming your company for future use, domain names, professional email, insurance, banking, legal requirements, and more. We also touched on the importance and differences of capturing incoming leads with humans, voice AI agents, voicemail, and answering services. Build your business on a rock solid foundation. These are core requirements to begin any business. If we skip some of these steps, and we’ll always regret it later. Enjoy! Buy The Book: https://www.amazon.com/Million-Dollar-Contracting-Business-Financial/dp/B0CYHF7WD8/ Guest Website: https://www.theelectricconnection.com/ For more podcast episodes, visit www.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/ Grow Sales Without Ads: https://plumber-dominance.com/reactivation Battle Plan Marketing® Next-Level Marketing for Contractors Capture - Book - Close https://battleplan-marketing.com/ LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Today we start a special book review series with special guest and author, Kim Hopkins, Founder & Owner of The Electric Connection out of Los Angeles CA. Kim started his electrical services company in 1979 and today, nearly 45 years later, it thrives and operates with minimal involvement from him. Kim decided at this point in his life he’d like to share the knowledge he acquired over all of those years of operating a successful home services company. It’s his desire that his book will help other Operators learn a few things to run more efficient, profitable, and enjoyable businesses while also avoiding common and costly mistakes made along the way. This is episode #1 in a series where we review his book, one chapter at a time, as he shares his learned experiences to help you run a more successful and satisfying business. Enjoy! Buy The Book: https://www.amazon.com/Million-Dollar-Contracting-Business-Financial/dp/B0CYHF7WD8/ Guest Website: https://www.theelectricconnection.com/ For more podcast episodes, visit www.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/ Grow Sales Without Ads: https://plumber-dominance.com/reactivation Battle Plan Marketing® Next-Level Marketing for Contractors Capture - Book - Close https://battleplan-marketing.com/ LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Today we have a special guest on the podcast, Jakob Kirschner, Peak Advisory Fractional CFO out of Woodland Park CO. When it all comes down to it, we’re all essentially in the profits business, so knowing our numbers and consulting with those who specialize in them best is a smart move. Learn what a Fractional CFO is and how they’re an essential ingredient to make your service business more profitable or take it from 7 figures to 8 or 9. Jakob specializes in working with contracting companies and service businesses to develop financial strategies designed to alleviate seasonal fluctuations, plan for growth, efficiency, and for a future sale or generational transfer. We discussed bookkeeping, profitability, cash flow, making payroll, uncovering waste in operational costs, debt management, tax planning, and more. If you’re seeking to better understand how to have more money in your bank account at the end of the month, this episode is a good start. Enjoy! Guest Website: https://www.peakadvisory.us/ For more podcast episodes, visit www.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/ Grow Sales Without Ads: https://plumber-dominance.com/reactivation Battle Plan Marketing® Next-Level Marketing for Contractors Capture - Book - Close https://battleplan-marketing.com/ LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Today we have a special guest on the podcast, Osh Sawa, of Mile High Plumbing, Electrical, & Air out of the greater Denver area. Discover how Osh, his wife, and his best friend John started plumbing and grew it in just a few short years to expand into HVAC and now electrical with a good sized team. They developed referral relationships within the community to create a constant stream of incoming leads. They concentrated on training and developing a culture that cares for their team to ensure they deliver only the best service possible to their customers. With little spent on marketing so far, they’re a lesson in how to develop a company culture that sells itself. Enjoy! Guest Website: https://www.milehighmep.com/ For more podcast episodes, visit www.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/ Grow Sales Without Ads: https://plumber-dominance.com/reactivation Battle Plan Marketing® Next-Level Marketing for Contractors Capture - Book - Close https://battleplan-marketing.com/ LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Today, we have a special guest on the podcast: Rebecca Ramirez of Rambo121 Moving & Storage Company in the greater Phoenix AZ area. Five years ago, Becca and her husband Oscar quit their jobs, bought a moving truck, and started on their path to owning and operating a successful moving and storage company. See how they sought out relationships with referral partners to keep a steady stream of business flowing and brand themselves in the community. Learn how they specialize in moving highly valuable and fragile items to stand out from the crowd and increase average job revenues. Discover how they created recurring revenue to smooth out seasonal trends in the industry. From the origins of their name to the high energy, we can do anything attitude, this is a fun interview sprinkled with some golden nuggets that we all can use to improve our businesses. Guest Website: https://rambo121.com For more podcast episodes, visit www.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/ Grow Sales Without Ads: https://plumber-dominance.com/reactivation Battle Plan Marketing® Next-Level Marketing for Contractors Capture - Book - Close https://battleplan-marketing.com/ LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Today we have a special guest on the podcast, Dominic Arsenault with Domination Plumbing out of Leominster MA with locations in 3 cities. In just five short years Dominic has started and grown his plumbing & HVAC company from zero to 28 employees and expanded into three cities. You can quickly see why he’s been so successful and his growth so rapid, because Dominic is all about taking care of people - his employees and his customers. It’s 100 percent all about them and as a result, his team is all about quality in every aspect of the business. Plus, he’s a champion promoter, sharing his story and business with everyone from the checkout woman at the grocery store to the CEO of a local company at the Chamber of Commerce. We talked about what marketing is working for him and where he puts his primary efforts to grow the business. I’m trying my best to get better at interviewing to bring out those golden nuggets of wisdom from our guests that help every listener. Dominic made that pretty easy this time around. Enjoy! Guest Website: https://dominationplumbing.com For more podcast episodes, visit www.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/ Grow Sales Without Ads: https://plumber-dominance.com/reactivation Battle Plan Marketing® Next-Level Marketing for Contractors Capture - Book - Close https://battleplan-marketing.com/ LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Today we have a special guest on the podcast, Don Hilderbrand, from PlumbSmart out of Asheville NC. Asheville NC and dozens of cities and towns across the southeastern U.S. were hit hard or completely devastated by Hurricane Helene. In this discussion, Don talks about how unprepared most of us are for such events and how you can take action to help ready yourself, your business, and your community for such tragedies. Don talks about planning ahead for such events with local contractors, suppliers, state trade associations, and more. Experience is always our best teacher and Don is right smack in the middle of all the devastation and has identified several key areas that could be planned for on a local business level. Being in the trades is all about helping people and supporting our local communities. Don’s suggestions throughout this talk can help you add a little more spice towards doing both. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by these disasters and the long, difficult roads ahead for so many. Relief efforts are also discussed near the end of the interview. Thank you for listening! Guest Website: https://callplumbsmart.com/ For more podcast episodes, visit www.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/ Grow Sales Without Ads: https://plumber-dominance.com/reactivation Battle Plan Marketing® Next-Level Marketing for Contractors Capture - Book - Close https://battleplan-marketing.com/ LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Today we have a special guest on the podcast, Erik Bon Fleur, MBA, owner-operator of Andy Frattin Plumbing in Ormond Beach Florida. After spending over a decade in the corporate world, Erik caught the entrepreneurial bug and went on a path to buy and then run a service business. We explore his path, why he chose a plumbing company, and where he took it from there. He grew the company fast by implementing some key fundamentals. Erik shared some great advice for any operator all throughout the discussion. Have fun & enjoy this one! Guest Website: https://andyfrattinplumbing.com For more podcast episodes, visit www.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/ Grow Sales Without Ads: https://plumber-dominance.com/reactivation Battle Plan Marketing® Next-Level Marketing for Contractors Capture - Book - Close https://battleplan-marketing.com/ LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing

Today we have a special guest on the podcast, Brett Neal, CPA, and Co-owner of High Velocity Accounting, who specializes in working with home service companies. Running a service business is hard, and getting the numbers right is the most important ingredient to success. Working harder when the numbers are off just accelerates the challenges and stress. Accounting and bookkeeping are usually not the strong suits of most business owners. But they’re also one of the most important functions to get right so we’re not working for peanuts and struggling to stay ahead. If you find that your business is running you, and the financial rewards are not what they should be, then this episode is for you. As business owners, once we get the numbers right, life gets a lot easier and a whole bunch more fun and rewarding. Making sure the numbers align so you can deliver exceptional service, treat your employees well, and make it all worth it to the business owners in the end, is what it’s all about. Seeking the help of professionals in the areas we need guidance in is the key to sustainable growth. This episode may help you get back on that path. Enjoy! Guest Website: https://www.highvelocityaccounting.com/ For more podcast episodes, visit www.battleplan-marketing.com/podcast/ Grow Sales Without Ads: https://plumber-dominance.com/reactivation Battle Plan Marketing® Next-Level Marketing for Contractors Capture - Book - Close https://battleplan-marketing.com/ LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/battleplan-marketing