How This HVAC Owner Built a 5-Star Business From Scratch (With Zero Customers) | Jeremy Wolf

You're Not Starting Over. You're Starting From Experience

Ashley Burkeen is a serial entrepreneur with 12 years in general contracting, a regional Master Networks franchise, short-term rentals, a holistic skincare line, and a book to her name. In this episode she gets real about what it actually takes to build across multiple industries without losing yourself in the process. From networking and personal branding to failure, delegation, and self-awareness, Ashley brings a refreshingly honest perspective on entrepreneurship that goes way beyond hustle culture. If you're building something and feeling like you have to fit a mold that was never made for you, this one's worth your full attention.

Why Most Contractors Fail (And How to Break the Cycle) with Brandon Fuchs

Brandon Fuchs brings over 20 years of construction experience and $100 million in managed projects to this conversation. As the founder of the Elite Builder Society, he's on a mission to cut the contractor failure rate by tackling the root cause: fear and a lack of business fundamentals. In this episode we cover why so many skilled contractors stay stuck, how AI is transforming the front end of construction businesses, and what a real sales framework looks like when you lead with authority and confidence. Whether you're just starting out or trying to scale past a ceiling you can't explain, Brandon's perspective will challenge how you think about your business and yourself.

How This HVAC Owner Built a 5-Star Business From Scratch (With Zero Customers) | Jeremy Wolf

Most people use a pandemic as an excuse to wait. Jeremy Wolf used it to launch. In March 2020, with the world shutting down, he started Stay Cool Climate Control from scratch and turned it into one of the most recognized HVAC brands in St. Louis. In this episode, Jeremy breaks down how he built a standout brand in a crowded market, made the shift from technician to business owner, and learned to trust a team so the business could grow without him. If you own a service business or work in the trades, this one is worth your time. Book a FREE marketing audit for your business: https://buildauthority.com/contact-us/ Apply to be a guest on the podcast: https://buildauthority.com/learning-hub/contractor-marketing-podcast/

From Solo Contractor to $20M Goal: How to Scale a Deck Business in 2026

Most contractors stay stuck swinging a hammer for 90 hours a week because they never make the jump from operator to owner. Trant, a third-generation carpenter based in Nottingham, New Hampshire, almost did. Then his wife told him they were having a kid, and everything changed. In this episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, host Adam McChesney sits down with Trant to break down exactly how he went from solo contractor to building a custom deck and outdoor living company on track to hit $20M in annual revenue, and why niching down to decks (instead of being a master of all trades) was the single biggest unlock. What we cover: – Why niching down to decks streamlined his estimating, SOPs, and office operations – The mindset shift from contractor to business owner — and the audiobooks and mentors that drove it – How becoming a dad forced him to build a company that could run without him on every job site – The marketing stack that built the brand: vehicle wraps, Google Ads, Google Business Profile, and targeted neighborhood mailers – Why hiring a virtual assistant was one of the highest-ROI moves he made – His 5-year plan: $20M in revenue and a dedicated outdoor living design center – How to delegate the tasks outside your expertise so you can focus on growth 🔗 CONNECT:  Facebook  https://bit.ly/3td8Pdo Instagram  https://bit.ly/3HmCR3m LinkedIn  https://bit.ly/3hjU4jq ✉️ CONTACT: Email  adam@buildauthority.co Website  adammcchesney.com

How to Quit Your W2 and Build a Business That Runs Without You (2026)

Quitting a stable paycheck to build something of your own is the hardest decision most future business owners ever make. In this episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, host Adam McChesney sits down with Michael Schieffer, a former commercial loan officer who spent 10 years inside the banking world before walking away in April 2023 to build three businesses of his own. Today Michael runs a real estate flipping operation (16+ flips and counting), an Exit Factor franchise that helps business owners increase valuation and step out of the operator seat, and a Two Maids cleaning franchise in St. Charles that he runs as an owner, not an operator. That distinction is the entire point of this conversation. What we cover: – Why "golden handcuffs" keep so many high earners stuck in jobs they've outgrown – What 10 years of writing commercial loans taught Michael about why businesses fail – The owner vs. operator framework — and how to structure a business so it doesn't depend on you – How Michael completed 16+ real estate flips while still holding down a W2 – Why "time freedom" became the real driver behind leaving banking – The 80/20 content rule for building authority without becoming a full-time creator – How to position your business for a higher exit valuation 5+ years before you sell If you've been sitting at a desk wondering if it's time to make the jump, or you're already running a business and trying to step out of the day-to-day, this episode lays out the mindset and the mechanics. 🔗 CONNECT:  Facebook  https://bit.ly/3td8Pdo Instagram  https://bit.ly/3HmCR3m LinkedIn  https://bit.ly/3hjU4jq ✉️ CONTACT: Email  adam@buildauthority.co Website  adammcchesney.com