Success Unleashed: Beyond The Jobsite
by Gerritt Bake
Being a contractor is hard. Dealing with clients, employees, billing, managing jobs, and making money consume your every waking hour. Which leaves you no time for what matters most: your family. Success Unleashed was created to give you the frameworks and tools you need to be successful not just on the job site...but in your personal life as well. Gerritt dives into his wealth of experience helping contractors build seven figure businesses that support the personal life they want. His direct approach cuts through the BS of life and help you get results. So if you're ready to make that change and take that tool belt off for good...then strap on your seat belt and listen in.
Episodes
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The Marketing Strategy That Took This Handyman Business to 7 Figures
What if not knowing how to do the actual work was an advantage? In this episode, I sit down with Tim Leary, founder of Handy's Handyman Services. Tim didn't grow up in the trades and he'll be the first one to tell you he isn't the guy you want swinging the hammer. But that's exactly what makes…
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How to Scale a Construction Business Past $1 Million
Getting past seven figures is a huge milestone, but it doesn't mean business suddenly gets easier. In this episode, I sit back down with Dan of Panden Construction to talk about what happens after you hit that first big milestone and realize the problems don't disappear. They just change. Dan has...
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From Zero to $35M: The Brutal Truth About Scaling
👉 Join BuildPro Now! https://buildprosystem.com/vip Summary: In this episode, I sit down with Jeff Dumas, who’s built a $35 million concrete company over the last 22 years and his story is nothing like what most people expect. Jeff didn’t come from construction, didn’t have a roadmap, and didn’t...
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Stop Babysitting Your Employees
👉 Join BuildPro Now! https://buildprosystem.com/vip Summary: If your employees act like toddlers, it’s probably not their fault. In this episode, I explain why most contractors accidentally create dependent teams, and how clarity, standards, scorecards, and ownership transform average employees...
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You’re Not in Business to Make Money
👉 Join BuildPro Now! https://buildprosystem.com/vip Summary: You’ve been lied to. You’re not in business to make money, you’re in business to keep money. I walk through the biggest profit leaks I see in contracting: rework, estimating errors, material waste, labor inefficiency, and poor billing....
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Why Contractors Stay Exhausted at 7 Figures
👉 Join BuildPro Now! https://buildprosystem.com/vip Summary: If you feel exhausted, reactive, and constantly putting out fires, you’re paying what I call the Chaos Tax. In this episode, I explain where chaos hides inside seven-figure businesses, scheduling, estimating, materials, change orders,...
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Cheap Bids Are Killing Contractors
👉 Join BuildPro Now! https://buildprosystem.com/vip Summary: Most contractors are living in an illusion, thinking cheap bids and change orders will save them. They won’t. In this episode, I break down why rework destroys margins, how inaccurate estimating kills profit, and why knowing your...
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The 7-Figure Lie Contractors Believe
👉 Join BuildPro Now! https://buildprosystem.com/vip Summary: In this episode, I break down why hitting seven figures doesn’t make life easier for most contractors — it actually exposes every crack in your business. More jobs, more people, more problems. I walk you through why revenue doesn’t…
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The Only Way Out of Contractor Burnout
👉 Join BuildPro Now! https://buildprosystem.com/vip Summary: The contractors who win aren’t the hardest workers, they’re the most structured. In this final episode, I show you how systems, scorecards, role clarity, and ownership give you your time back and allow real scale. What’s in this…
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Why Most Contractors Don’t Know Their Breakeven
👉 Join BuildPro Now! https://buildprosystem.com/vip Summary: If you don’t know your breakeven, margins, and job costs, you’re guessing, not running a business. I walk through the exact numbers every contractor must understand to stay profitable and avoid working for free. What’s in this episode:...
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It’s Not Your People, It’s Your Process
👉 Join BuildPro Now! https://buildprosystem.com/vip Summary: When things go wrong, contractors blame people. But most of the time it’s the process. I share why clear systems beat talent alone, and how one simple shift can instantly improve performance across your entire team. What’s in this...
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If You Can’t Leave for Two Weeks, You Don’t Own a Business
👉 Join BuildPro Now! https://buildprosystem.com/vip Summary: I share a story from vacation that perfectly explains why most contractors don’t own businesses, they own very expensive jobs. If every decision still runs through you, your company is built on dependency. I show you how to move from...
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Why Saying No Was the Best Business Decision He Ever Made - Thomas Wright
👉 Join BuildPro Now! https://buildprosystem.com/vip Summary: In this episode, I sit down with Thomas Wright from Renovate Ease, and we break down what it really takes to grow without chaos. Thomas shares how getting laid off during COVID pushed him into entrepreneurship, why saying yes to...
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Why Being Good at the Trade Isn’t Enough Anymore
👉 Join BuildPro Now! https://buildprosystem.com/vip Summary: In this episode, I sit down with Jim Sanders, owner of Nest Tiny Homes. Jim built a $5.7M company in just three years, and it wasn’t a straight line. We talk about coming up through construction, buying into a franchise that completely...
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From Rock Bottom to Seven Figures
👉 Join BuildPro Now! https://buildprosystem.com/vip Summary: In this episode, I sit down with Dallin Jensen from Utah Flood Guys, and this conversation goes way deeper than business. Dallin shares how he went from addiction, jail, and rock bottom to building a seven-figure water mitigation…
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Marriage, Money, and Scaling a Trades Business
👉 Join BuildPro Now! https://buildprosystem.com/vip In this episode, I sit down with Angie and Ryan Snow, owners of Western Heating, Air, and Plumbing, an eight-figure company that’s been in business for nearly two decades. We talk about what it’s really like building a business as a married...
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From Technician to CEO: Katy's 7-Figure Blueprint
👉 Join BuildPro Now! https://buildprosystem.com/vip Summary: In this episode, I sit down with Katy Higgins from TruePros Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing, and her story is unreal. Katie spent over 25 years in the trades before finally betting on herself, and when she did, she didn’t just start a...
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From Trailer Living to Seven Figures: Court’s Real Story
👉 Join BuildPro Now! https://buildprosystem.com In this episode, I sit down with my friend Court Lundberg from Rare Breed Plumbing, and we dive into the real story behind building a seven-figure home-service company. Court opens up about growing up on a farm, falling into plumbing by accident,...
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Extreme Ownership on the Job Site
👉 Join BuildPro Now! https://buildprosystem.com/vip Summary: When I was a police sergeant, I learned one powerful truth: until it’s your problem, it will always be a problem. In this episode, I talk about Extreme Ownership and how contractors can stop blaming subs, clients, and crews — and start...
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The Chaos Tax Is Killing Your Business
👉 Join BuildPro Now! https://buildprosystem.com/vip Summary: I call it the Chaos Tax — the price you pay when your business runs on reaction instead of strategy. In this episode, I share how my time as a rookie cop taught me the danger of chasing outcomes without a plan. I’ll give you four...
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The $6 Million Mindset Shift
👉 Join BuildPro Now! https://buildprosystem.com/vip Summary: I share the story of a contractor who was stuck at $1 million in revenue, burning out and running in circles. The shift that helped him scale past $6 million wasn’t more hustle, it was structure. I’ll show you how to replace “doing…
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Chaos in a Box: Why Crews Ignore Your Plan
👉 Join BuildPro Now! https://buildprosystem.com/vip Summary: If your crew treats your plan like a suggestion, you’ve got chaos in a box. In this episode, I break down why jobs fall apart even when you’ve got the work lined up and the right people in place. From vague plans, to zero ownership, to...
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Raise Your Standards, Elevate Your Business
Setting Standards: The Key to Quality Work in Your Contracting BusinessIn this episode of Success Unleashed, host Garrett Bake addresses the common issue of sloppy work due to undefined standards. He emphasizes the importance of establishing clear expectations for employees and shares a personal...
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Mastering Cash Flow: The Key to Contractor Success
Summary:In this episode of Success Unleashed, host Garrett Bake shares strategies for contractors to manage their cash flow and escape the 'rich on Monday, broke by Friday' cycle. Garrett emphasizes the importance of having solid payment terms in contracts, charging for change orders, and...
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How to Stop Running a Business That Runs You
Summary: Are you constantly putting out fires, reacting all day, and wondering what you even accomplished? That’s what I call the Chaos Tax — and it’s costing you time, money, and peace. In this episode, I break down four things you can do right now to get out of reactive mode and finally take...
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How to Stop Blaming and Start Leading
👉 Join BuildPro Now! https://buildprosystem.com/vip Summary: Everything changed for me the moment I realized: if it’s my business, it’s my responsibility. In this episode, I tell a story from my time as a police sergeant and how it applies to running a successful contracting business. I break…
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Scaling Without Losing Your Sanity
👉 Join BuildPro Now! https://buildprosystem.com/vip Summary: If you're a contractor who thinks doing more means earning more, this episode is your wake-up call. I talk about how unchecked hustle leads to burnout — and how systems, processes, and structure are the true drivers of growth. I break...
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Why Your Social Media Isn’t Working (And What Fishing Taught Me About It)
👉 Join BuildPro Now! https://buildprosystem.com/vip Summary:In this episode, I share a story from our contractor retreat in Idaho — and how my first fishing trip in years opened my eyes to the truth about marketing. If you're posting content without a strategy, you're just tossing out empty…
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Shift from Worker to Leader
https://buildprosystem.com/vipIn this video, I discuss why the hustle and 'grind mentality' could be hurting your business rather than helping it grow. I outline the common daily chaos most trade business owners experience and underscore the importance of shifting from being a problem-solver to...
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Smart Hiring Practices for Contractors
https://buildprosystem.com/vip In this episode, I discuss the pitfalls of hiring the first available candidate and the importance of building a strong, reliable team for your contracting business. I share personal experiences and examples, highlighting the significance of having a robust hiring...
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Mastering the Bid Process
https://buildprosystem.com/vip Mastering the Bidding Process: Accuracy and Speed Are KeyIn this episode, I tackle the critical issue of ineffective bidding processes that's causing many to lose job opportunities. Drawing from personal experiences and direct insights, I discuss the importance of...
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Effective Marketing for Contractors
https://buildprosystem.com/vip In this episode, I address the common pitfalls of inconsistent marketing strategies and stress the importance of taking direct responsibility for your marketing efforts. I highlight that marketing is fundamentally about getting and keeping people's attention, and...
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Building A Multi-Million Dollar Empire With Chuck Staszkiewicz
In this episode, host Garrett Bake, founder of the American Contractor Network and the Build Pro system, interviews Chuck Staszkiewicz, former owner of All Hours Plumbing. Chuck shares his journey from starting his business in 2011 to exiting in 2023 for an eight-figure sum. He delves into the...
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Overcommitting is Sabotaging Your Contracting Business
In this episode, the host delves into the pitfalls of overcommitting in the contracting business. He highlights the dangers of saying yes to too many jobs, which can lead to disrupted schedules, unhappy clients, and ultimately, a damaged reputation. Drawing from real-life examples, the speaker...
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Verbal Agreements Are a Contractor's Worst Nightmare
In this episode of Success Unleashed, the host underscores the critical importance of having written contracts in the contracting business through a cautionary tale involving a costly mistake. The narrative highlights the pitfalls of relying on handshake agreements and the necessity of detailed...
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Stop Underpricing Your Way to Burnout
In this episode, Gerritt Bake addresses the critical issue of underpricing jobs, which often leads to financial loss and burnout, especially for tradespeople like finish carpenters. Through an engaging conversation with a seasoned trim carpenter struggling despite being busier than ever, the...
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Why Skipping Marketing Is Killing Your Contracting Business
Today I'm focusing on how contractors can secure a steady stream of high-quality leads and grow their businesses to seven or eight figures. Through relatable scenarios, I discuss the pitfalls of relying solely on referrals and word-of-mouth marketing, emphasizing the importance of hard work…
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$8.50/hr to $8.5M/yr: How This Contractor Built a Legacy HVAC Business Without Burning Out
What happens when a kid who loved fixing motorcycles becomes the CEO of an $8.5M HVAC company?Anthon Meacham didn’t grow up in the trades. He wasn’t handed a family business. He built Authority Heating & Cooling from the ground up—starting with a trade school pitch at his kitchen table and a…
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Still Lowballing Bids? That’s Why You’re Broke.
Underselling isn’t noble. It’s bankrupting your business. In this clip, we break down the Jordan Belfort ‘Sell Me This Pen’ lesson—and how it applies to contractors who keep bidding like broke salespeople. You're not Amazon. You're not Walmart. So stop attracting price shoppers who drain your…
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Your Crew Doesn’t Need a Boss… They Need a Leader
You’re the most skilled on the crew—but do they respect you as a leader?In this episode, we break down why so many contractors get stuck under 7 figures and what real leadership looks like.📉 Micromanagement = low morale📈 Leadership = direction, culture, resourcesYou’ll learn: The 3 things every...
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This One Hiring Mistake Is Costing You Thousands
Most contractors hire out of desperation... not strategy.The result? Missed deadlines. Lost money. Damaged reputation. In this video, we break down exactly how to fix your hiring process — with real stories, tactical tips, and a proven step-by-step process we use with 7 and 8-figure…
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Still Running Your Business from Memory? Here’s Why It’s Costing You Thousands
Still scribbling notes on napkins or trying to run your business from memory?That’s not “old school.” That’s why you’re broke.In this episode of Success Unleashed, we break down:✅ Why your brain is NOT a CRM✅ How disorganization is killing your cash flow✅ The simple tech stack (yes, even free...
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From Spare Bedroom to $36M: How a Single Mom Built a Contracting Empire
She started in a spare bedroom with three kids—and now runs a $36 million contracting company. In this powerful episode of Success Unleashed, we sit down with Carrie Kalish, CEO of A+ Garage Doors, to unpack her incredible journey from mortgage broker to 8-figure contractor.✅ How she grew from…
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Why Referrals Are Killing Your Growth (And What to Do Instead)
Still hoping referrals will grow your business? That’s not a strategy—that’s a gamble.In this episode, we break down the brutal truth: relying on word-of-mouth and waiting for business to show up is the fastest way to stay stuck. You’re not in control, you’re just hoping for the best—and hope...
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Working harder won't make you more money. THIS WILL
You can be the best craftsman in your market—but if you don’t know how to run a business, you’ll still be broke. Just ask Tyler. He was a top-tier carpenter, known for his insane attention to detail. Custom staircases, bunk beds, trap doors—you name it, he built it. But despite his skill, his…
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Are You Working Hard or Just Sabotaging Yourself?
If you're struggling to grow your business, the hard truth is that you may be the one holding it back. In this video, we'll explore how your mindset and actions can impact the success of your business. It's time to take ownership and make the necessary changes to move forward!Meet Sarah. She was...
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No One Cares About Your “Family-Owned” Business
If you think slapping “Family-Owned Since 1992" on the side of your truck is enough to stand out… think again. In this week’s episode of Success Unleashed, I share the story of Tony, acontractor who thought branding his business with a generic slogan would bring in customers. He put it on his...
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The #1 Hiring Mistake That’s Burning Your Business Down
If you’re hiring just anyone who can “start Monday,” you’re **playing with fire**—and it’s only a matter of time before you get burned. In this week’s episode of *Success Unleashed*, I break down how **bad hires** are quietly draining your time, money, and reputation—and what to do instead.
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90% of Contractors Make This Profit-Killing Mistake
What if the biggest thing holding your contracting business back was... you?In this week’s episode of Success Unleashed, I break down the 8 common ways contractors unknowingly sabotage their businesses—and share how to turn things around.
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Mastering Money & Vision: Lessons from a Homebuilding Maverick
In this episode of Success Unleashed, we sit down with Zach Gordon, founder of Vibe Homes, to uncover the secrets behind his rapid rise in the home building industry. From saving money as a teenager to building a thriving business in just four years, Zach shares how focusing on financial…
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About this show
Being a contractor is hard. Dealing with clients, employees, billing, managing jobs, and making money consume your every waking hour. Which leaves you no time for what matters most: your family. Success Unleashed was created to give you the frameworks and tools you need to be successful not just on the job site...but in your personal life as well. Gerritt dives into his wealth of experience helping contractors build seven figure businesses that support the personal life they want. His direct approach cuts through the BS of life and help you get results. So if you're ready to make that change and take that tool belt off for good...then strap on your seat belt and listen in.
Hosted by
Gerritt Bake
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