0122: Contractors Success Map Interview Daniel Bowling SmartTradesman

This Podcast Is Episode Number 0122 And It Will Be Interview Of Daniel Eric Bowling From SmartTradesmen.com

Tell us about your background and how you came to be where you are now

I once co-owned a custom furniture design company, I have done many construction jobs including commercial drywall finishing, and most recently I have jumped into the world of online business.

Upholstery is the trade that I am most known for.  I spent the last 10 years mastering this dying trade.  As I was mostly self taught and also younger than most in the trade, I brought in a fresh perspective. 

While everyone else has this idea of a cookie cutter business with overhead and lots of expenses… Once I left my for company, I went a different route.  Low overhead and double my prices.  What I do is an art, so why not treat it as such.

There are times that work gets a little slow, but when you charge what you're worth it is easier to make up the difference.  I have found that in the slower times, I can make GOOD money.  But when everything falls into place.. I can make GREAT money and all it took was a change in mindset.  Swing for the fences when you have everything set up ready to support your workload.

Last year I had one job that brought in 10K in less than a week.  In the Smart Tradesmen way of doing things, working with other talented individuals is the quickest way to success.  That being said, this big job was mostly sewing.  I outsourced to my friend and former employee, who is a seamstress.  I paid her $2K to cut and sew.  She did this in less than a week.  Then I had 2 days of install and made $8K.  It all came down to charging what I thought it was worth to them.  Not how long will it take me.  Value yourself, and your knowledge.

I believe podcasts are very powerful and will be vital in my marketing strategy for this next year.  By the time this episode goes out, I will have launched my 2nd podcast called Smart Tradesmen.  Smart Tradesmen the podcast is designed to help bring entrepreneurship into small business, where most of us just own our own jobs.

We are building a great community behind the Smart Tradesmen brand.  
One that is ready for a new way to do business.  I am currently building a platform to support trade based businesses and to improve the life of the Tradesman and self employed from apprenticeship to retirement.

I believe in a “for the greater good” mentality, and I strive to offer as much value to the lives of those around me, as I possibly can.

What are some differences between you and your competitors?

Probably the fact that I do not approach anything like I have any competition.  My goal is to just be myself in life and in business, so good like competing with me on being me.  I have that market cornered. 

There are no competitors in the online world.  I am looking to help that one person who needs to hear my message.  If I am the guy for the job then so be it.
I know there are other upholsterers, so in the strict definition of competitors, yes they are out there.  I am unaffected though.  I only  take the jobs I want, I am honest, and I charge what I am worth. Because of that, I have some loyal customers.

What problem or issue does your product or service solve?

With the Smart Tradesmen community, I hope to get us all communicating so we can take our business to a new level as a whole.  A movement has begun in society, where there is a skills gap and a growing need for people to fill those skilled jobs.  I want to be out front speaking up to make sure that when the dust settles, we are getting paid what we are worth.

What are three things a contractor should consider when hiring your services?

Where they have been in the past, what worked for them and what didn’t. Where they want their business to be in 5 years. Where do they want to be personally in 5 years.

How can you tell if someone is a good fit for your company?

If they are ready to stop spinning their wheels and try something new. As far as my upholstery business, I only deal with very high end designers in the residential side of things.  I know right away if they are a fit just by the questions the ask me about my work. Commercial work is a little different.  It depends on their budget, and if I think I can make money for what they are able to pay.  It goes back to feeling out what they are able to pay and not just coming in at a low number to get the job.

What types of advice do you give a contractor?

Educate yourself.  Keep up with industry innovation.  Find out what new tools there are.  This includes new software or services. Use the new software, services, and systems to become more entrepreneurial. For example:  Dropbox, evernote, freshbooks, just to name a few. There are even free project management tools.

In closing, tell the listeners how they can contact you.

daniel@SmartTradesmen.com is my email address.

SmartTradesmen.com is where they can keep up with what we have going on.  If they want to grab a free business jumpstart guide go to smarttradesmen.com/bizplan.  As a warning… It will force them to really look deep and ask questions that we usually avoid.  If someone is ready to take their business to a new level, then I recommend giving it a try.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/SmartTradesmen/ is the community page.

Twitter is @DanielEBowling

Instagram is DanielEricBowling

I trust this podcast helps you understand that outsourcing your contractors bookkeeping services to us is about more than just “doing the bookkeeping”; it is about taking holistic approach to your entire construction company and helping support you as a contractor and as a person.

We understand the good, bad and the ugly about owning and operating construction companies because we have had several of them and we sincerely care about you and your construction company!

That is all I have for now and if you have listened this far please do me the honor of commenting and rating podcast www.FastEasyAccounting.com/podcast Tell me what you liked, did not like, tell it as you see it because your feedback is crucial and I thank you in advance.

I trust this will be of value to you and your feedback is always welcome at www.FastEasyAccounting.com/podcast

This is one more example of how Fast Easy Accounting is helping construction company owners across the USA including Alaska and Hawaii put more money in the bank to operate and grow your construction company. Construction accounting is not rocket science; it is a lot harder than that and a lot more valuable to construction contractors like you so stop missing out and call Sharie 206-361-3950 or email sharie@fasteasyaccounting.com

Thinking About Outsourcing Your Contractors Bookkeeping Services?

Click On The Link Below:

www.FastEasyAccounting.com/hs

Need Help Now?

Call Sharie 206-361-3950

sharie@fasteasyaccounting.com

In closing, I want to caution you that we may or may not be a good fit for your contracting company. This guide will help you learn what to look for in outsourced construction accounting.

Thank you very much and I hope you understand we really do care about you and all contractors regardless of whether or not you ever hire our services.
Bye for now until our next episode here on the Contractors Success MAP Podcast.

Warm Regards,

Randal DeHart | Contractors Accountant