What do you need to make sure your business is set up well? In this episode, we look at what legal steps you need to take to ensure your business's legitimacy, safety, and future!9 things you need to do:Create your entityGet insuredGet licensedOpen a bank accountSet up accounting softwareSet up payroll provider (if you have employees)Business phoneSetup websiteGoogle listingStay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of the ConGenius and The Contractor Commute crew:Website: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGeniusFacebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)Youtube: ConGenius - YouTubeEmail podcast@congenius.com for questions and feedback

For every yes you give, in business and in life, you're saying no to something else. This episode dives into learning when and how to say no to customers, to projects, and even when to say no to your team.Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of the ConGenius and The Contractor Commute crew:Website: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGeniusFacebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)Youtube: ConGenius - YouTubeEmail podcast@congenius.com for questions and feedback

Is it time for you to hire your first employee? This episode breaks down what to do if you feel like it is time for your business to grow. We'll talk through how to define a role, hiring for projects over long-lasting purpose, and deciding whether you mine for talent or hire it out of the gates. Whether you're on the brink of growth or just exploring your options, this episode provides valuable insights to help you navigate this pivotal decision.Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of the ConGenius and The Contractor Commute crew:Website: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGeniusFacebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)Youtube: ConGenius - YouTubeEmail podcast@congenius.com for questions and feedback

Shawn Van Dyke is joining us for this episode of The Contractor Commute!Shawn wrote Profit First for Contractors and is a business consultant for many in the construction industry. He wants contractors to run successful businesses and level up wherever they can while realizing that they aren't meant to do everything for their business all the time. Shawn has some great advice to get you started so you can take your life back from your business.Profit First for Contractors: Amazon.com: Profit First for Contractors: Transform Your Construction Business From a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine (Audible Audio Edition): Shawn Van Dyke, Shawn Van Dyke, Shawn Van Dyke: BooksStay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of the ConGenius and The Contractor Commute crew:Website: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGeniusFacebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)Youtube: ConGenius - YouTubeEmail podcast@congenius.com for questions and feedback

This episode is a hands-on approach to marketing that will help you get more customers, build a brand, and establish a reliable business.Whether you are just getting started with your construction business, or you're trying to reinvigorate what you have, this episode is for you!Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of the ConGenius and The Contractor Commute crew:Website: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGeniusFacebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)Youtube: ConGenius - YouTubeEmail podcast@congenius.com for questions and feedback

Everyone who has ever worked in construction or some form of sales has stories of clients that they wish they would have avoided. In this episode, Ben and Kinsey talk about steps you can take to minimize the impact red flag clients can have, and some steps you can take to avoid working for them entirely. Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of the ConGenius and The Contractor Commute crew:Website: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGeniusFacebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)Youtube: ConGenius - YouTubeEmail podcast@congenius.com for questions and feedback

Sales and marketing for your company could become a full-time position, but it doesn't need to start out that way! In this episode, Ben and Kinsey talk about key strategies and tangible options that you can start working on today to sell better and start marketing your business. There's more to sales than closing jobs and there is more to marketing than putting out ads. Let's dive in!Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of the ConGenius and The Contractor Commute crew:Website: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGeniusFacebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)Youtube: ConGenius - YouTubeEmail podcast@congenius.com for questions and feedback

In this episode of The Contractor Commute, Ben gives some of the backstory behind ConGenius and how that has impacted what he wants his business to do. Estimating construction jobs is an increasingly difficult task, but it can be one that saves your business and livelihood.Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of the ConGenius and The Contractor Commute crew:Website: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGeniusFacebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)Youtube: ConGenius - YouTubeEmail podcast@congenius.com for questions and feedback

With 2023 coming to a close, Ben and Kinsey have a discussion on near-death experiences, New Year's Resolutions, and what is next for The Contractor Commute and ConGenius.Thank you for making the past three dozen+ episodes of this show so fun! We've connected with many contractors trying to make their way and have been able to offer them advice and learn more of their stories. As we look to 2024, we'll continue offering helpful tips, advice, and stories for contractors looking to start out on their own and find their place in the industry.Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of the ConGenius and The Contractor Commute crew:Website: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGeniusFacebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)Youtube: ConGenius - YouTubeEmail podcast@congenius.com for questions and feedback

The back office...not quite the place that many production-oriented contractors like finding themselves. It doesn't mean it isn't important and shouldn't be thought about. That's why we're here!Establishing back office processes is vital to the success of your business and your role in leading or working in it. You don't have to do everything immediately, but if you don't complete your back-office processes, your business will not succeed.In this episode, we'll talk about what you can do to set your business up for success even if you aren't on a job site. We cover accounting, contracts, legal paperwork, scheduling, and more!Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of the ConGenius and The Contractor Commute crew:Website: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGeniusFacebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)Youtube: ConGenius - YouTubeEmail podcast@congenius.com for questions and feedback

Whether you're up and coming or you've been in for a while, it can feel like the number of true craftsmen is dwindling. To grow yourself as a craftsman and prepare for more to come, here are a few tips that we walk through this episode:- Grow in humility- Practice the right things- Find the best way to learn- Learn a complete process at a timeA construction industry full of humble people, learning with each other, and doing the best they can to do proper and correct work is an industry that will find itself full of ambitious and young craftsmen.Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of the ConGenius and The Contractor Commute crew:Website: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGeniusFacebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)Youtube: ConGenius - YouTubeEmail podcast@congenius.com for questions and feedback

There are so many factors in play for business owners. How much time do you have? What skills are at your disposal? Are you prepared to be a leader or hire others?Running a construction business is hard. In this episode, Ben and Kinsey talk about what it takes to make it work and what happens when you can't. You can do it! You've just got to set the right expectations for yourself and have a bit of grit.Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of the ConGenius and The Contractor Commute crew:Website: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGeniusFacebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)Youtube: ConGenius - YouTubeEmail podcast@congenius.com for questions and feedback

Ballparking bids is normal. Everyone does it or has done it, but if you want to grow your business or move forward with confidence, you've got to take the time to learn your numbers and the cost of your business.This episode breaks down why we ballpark bids, the thought process of moving beyond them, how to do bids better, and why it matters!Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of the ConGenius and The Contractor Commute crew:Website: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGeniusFacebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)Youtube: ConGenius - YouTubeEmail podcast@congenius.com for questions and feedback

Brent Hull is a master builder and craftsman. He has a sharp focus on bringing passion to his craft, showcasing how buildings can be a form of artistry, and appreciating the historical nature of buildings and construction forms. If you've ever felt like there was more for you in the construction world, Brent is the guy to light that fire.Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of the ConGenius and The Contractor Commute crew:Website: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGeniusFacebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)Youtube: ConGenius - YouTubeEmail podcast@congenius.com for questions and feedback

Every construction project has to be sold. Sometimes, that comes naturally, other times, it is a hard-fought process.In this episode, Ben and Kinsey combine their experience to talk about the best selling practices for contractors. What thought processes, customer communication, and selling strategies do you need to win?Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of the ConGenius and The Contractor Commute crew:Website: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGeniusFacebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)Youtube: ConGenius - YouTubeEmail podcast@congenius.com for questions and feedback

Ben's brother, Caleb, joins us for a very unique episode!Caleb and Ben worked together for a few years and still have a really good relationship...so how did they do it and should you do it? Working with family in any field could be dangerous, so we cover what to look out for and when to call it quits!Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of the ConGenius and The Contractor Commute crew:Website: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGeniusFacebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)Youtube: ConGenius - YouTubeEmail podcast@congenius.com for questions and feedback

What do you do when you've submitted an invoice and customers don't want to pay? In this episode, Ben and Kinsey dive into what to tangibly do to help you get paid AND what to do to stop it from happening again.Contracting is hard enough, so make sure you're set up to inform customers and get paid!Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of the ConGenius and The Contractor Commute crew:Website: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGeniusFacebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)Youtube: ConGenius - YouTubeEmail podcast@congenius.com for questions and feedback

This episode of The Contractor Commute is a special one! Drew makes his final run as our co-host as he and Ben talk about how to grow and improve your construction business.If you're just getting started or have been running your own business for a while now, it's still good to set goals and markers for yourself. We want contractors to win!Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of the ConGenius and The Contractor Commute crew:Website: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGeniusFacebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)Youtube: ConGenius - YouTubeEmail podcast@congenius.com for questions and feedback

Insurance isn't usually the most thrilling topic, but it is still massively important to the security and success of your contracting business. We snagged Mr. Insurance for our podcast and he breaks down what insurance you might need, why you need it, and the best practices to save your business in the long run.To get connected with Craig, otherwise known as Mr. Insurance: https://mrinsurance.net/Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of the ConGenius and The Contractor Commute crew:Website: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGeniusFacebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)Youtube: ConGenius - YouTubeEmail podcast@congenius.com for questions and feedback

Whether your business is large or small, you need to know at what point you can start making money on projects. You have to know your overhead, what you want to pay yourself, and you need to know what the base needs of the project will cost. Material costs are just one aspect. We'll dig into the "why" and "how" in this episode!Stay connected with Kinsey, Ben, and the rest of the ConGenius and The Contractor Commute crew:Website: Construction Sales, Takeoff, and Estimating Software | ConGeniusFacebook: ConGenius | Springfield MO (facebook.com)Youtube: ConGenius - YouTubeEmail podcast@congenius.com for questions and feedback