In this episode of The Builder’s Edge, host Deanna Lucas sits down with bookkeeping expert Deborah Gustin to expose the real cost of messy finances in your business. If you’ve ever avoided your books out of guilt, overwhelm, or straight-up confusion; this one’s for you. Deborah breaks it down so even the busiest contractor can understand why clean books are a game changer. It's not about perfection. It's about clarity, confidence, and control.

Key Takeaways:

1. Why checking your bank balance is NOT a financial strategy
   

2. The hidden cost of ignoring your books; and your stress levels
   

3. Simple systems that make receipts, reports, and taxes easier
   

4. How clean books build confidence and better bids
   

5. Why partnering with the right bookkeeper could change everything

“If your numbers aren’t clear, your decisions won’t be either.”

Learn more about Deanna Lucas through the following links:

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Builders Visibility Blueprint

In this episode of The Builder’s Edge podcast, host Deanna Lucas delivers a powerful breakdown of the five essential systems every trades business needs to scale efficiently and reduce chaos. From solo operators to those managing full crews, Deanna outlines how to transform your business with systems that ensure you get found, chosen, and paid; consistently. She dives into the critical components of online presence, lead generation, conversion, reputation management, and visibility, offering practical insights to help contractors attract the right clients, boost profitability, and build sustainable growth. This episode is a roadmap for trades people looking to streamline operations and elevate their business with purpose.

Deanna emphasizes that systems, not trends, are the backbone of a thriving trades business. Using vivid analogies like a mattress store storefront, she illustrates how a professional online presence and strategic lead generation can make or break your credibility. From leveraging referral loops with realtors to automating review requests, Deanna shares actionable strategies to retain clients and stay top of mind. Packed with real-world examples and a call to action for a free systems checklist, this episode is a must-listen for contractors ready to level up their business with clarity and confidence.

Key Takeaways

Online Presence: A professional, consistent digital footprint across Google Business Profile, directories, and your website is your modern storefront, building trust and credibility.

Lead Generation: Use targeted SEO, paid ads, and referral loops to attract high-quality leads, avoiding clients who shop solely on price.

Conversion System: Implement call scripts, fast response times, and a strong digital brand to turn leads into booked jobs efficiently.

Reputation and Retention: Automate review requests and maintain client relationships to secure repeat business and referrals.

Visibility System: Consistent, authentic content across platforms builds authority and familiarity, ensuring clients think of you before they need you.

"Your online presence is your storefront. If it looks messy, outdated, or hard to find, you’re losing business before they even walk through the door." - Deanna Lucas

Learn more about Deanna Lucas through the following links:

DND Website

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Builders Visibility Blueprint

THE 5 SYSTEMS EVERY TRADE BUSINESS NEEDS

In this episode of The Builder’s Edge, host Deanna Lucas sits down with Benson Fechter, the visionary founder of Legacy Paint Holdings, who transformed a high school side hustle into a multi-company empire. Starting with a ladder and a minivan, Benson scaled his painting business into a national platform by leveraging systems, strategic acquisitions, and a passion for empowering contractors. He shares his journey from knocking on doors to leading a holding company, offering insights into his five pillars of success; sales and marketing, HR, operations, systems, and finance; that drive efficiency and growth. Benson’s story is a masterclass in blending entrepreneurial grit with disciplined processes, making this a must-listen for contractors and business owners aiming to build sustainable, scalable enterprises.

Benson dives into the importance of hyper-targeted marketing, employee retention through equity and benefits, and the art of acquiring companies with strong cultural fit. He also reflects on how his faith and love for reading shape his leadership, ensuring Legacy Paint Holdings not only grows but creates lasting value for its people and partners. Whether you’re a trades person looking to refine your operations or an entrepreneur seeking inspiration, this episode offers actionable strategies and a compelling vision for building a legacy in the skilled trades.

Key Takeaways

Hyper-Targeted Marketing: Focus on specific zip codes using data like household income and home value to maximize lead generation and capture rates.

Employee Retention: Offering equity, health insurance, and a 7% 401(k) match reduces turnover and builds loyalty in a transient industry.

Production Rate Pricing: Use industry-standard production rates to estimate project time accurately, ensuring consistent 40% gross profit margins.

Cultural Fit in Acquisitions: Prioritize companies with ambitious owners and strong community reputations to ensure seamless integration.

Long-Term Vision: Build businesses with enterprise value for future liquidity events, creating generational wealth for contractors.

"If you can figure out your production rate, it’s going to be a positive effect for the rest of the business. You’re going to start to realize I’m making more money on my projects, and everything will positively benefit from there." – Benson Fechter

Learn more about Deanna Lucas through the following links:

DND Website

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Builders Visibility Blueprint

In this episode of The Builder's Edge podcast, host Deanna Lucas speaks to business builders, tradespeople, and entrepreneurs facing setbacks, drawing from her own experience during the 2008 housing market crash when her thriving business came to a halt. This episode is for anyone who’s been shaken, slowed, or sidelined, wondering if their dream is still alive or if failure is final. Deanna reframes setbacks as refining moments, not endings, and shares practical steps to plan a comeback with clarity, faith, and intention. With a spiritual anchor in God’s purpose, she encourages listeners to see setbacks as opportunities for growth and redirection.

Deanna shares a story of a client whose service-based business grew too fast, leading to a quality slip and a need to restart. She emphasizes that setbacks are not failures but moments to realign and build stronger foundations. Through reflective questions like “What am I being shown here?” and “What will I never build the same way again?” she guides listeners to learn from challenges and plan intentional comebacks. Rooted in the belief that God uses setbacks for preparation, not punishment, this episode inspires builders to trust the process and move forward with faith.

Key Takeaways:

Reframe Setbacks: View setbacks as pruning seasons for growth, not as punishments or failures.

Reflect and Learn: Ask, “What am I being shown here?” and “What needs realignment?” to gain clarity from challenges.

Plan Your Comeback: Intentional comebacks require prayer, preparation, and a focus on moving forward, not returning to the past.

Trust God’s Purpose: God doesn’t waste setbacks; He uses them to build lasting impact (spiritual anchor).

Take Action: Start with a clear morning mindset and assess your business strategy to ensure a sustainable comeback.

“Setbacks only refine the builder, but it’s the comeback that defines them.” – Deanna Lucas

Learn more about Deanna Lucas through the following links:

DND Website

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Builders Visibility Blueprint

Dive into this episode of The Builder's Edge, where host Deanna Lucas speaks with returning guest Amon Medinger, a thriving handyman business owner whose journey exemplifies the power of personal growth. This episode shifts gears from tools and trades to the mindset that drives success, offering contractors and tradesmen actionable insights to build not just stronger businesses, but richer lives. Amon shares how a life-changing injury forced him to slow down, leading to profound mental breakthroughs that reshaped his approach to business and leadership. With heartfelt stories and practical wisdom, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone ready to elevate their mindset and transform their life.

Discover how intentional self-development can unlock new levels of empathy, purpose, and resilience. Amon reveals strategies like habit stacking, asking better questions, and curating positive inputs to navigate the entrepreneurial roller coaster. From leading his family and social media "tribe" with positivity to embracing AI as a tool for growth, Amon’s insights are both relatable and forward-thinking. Packed with faith-driven perspective and real-world advice, this episode will leave you motivated to invest in yourself as the foundation for lasting success.

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace Daily Self-Development: Commit to small, consistent habits like listening to podcasts during commutes to fuel personal growth.

• Ask Better Questions: Shift from "Why is this happening to me?" to "How can I grow through this?" to reframe challenges and unlock solutions.

• Curate Your Inputs: Be mindful of the media, music, and conversations you consume, as they shape your thoughts and actions.

• Build a Supportive Tribe: Surround yourself with mentors and a community who inspire and pull you forward during tough times.

• Stay Open to Growth: Whether it’s adopting AI or deepening empathy, remain adaptable to evolve personally and professionally.

"Personal development is an intentional process of becoming a better version of who God created you to be." – Amon Medinger

Learn more about Deanna Lucas through the following links:

DND Website

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Builders Visibility Blueprint

In this episode of The Builder’s Edge, host Deanna Lucas dives into a critical mistake that could be draining your business budget and stunting growth: running ads before your digital presence is ready. Deanna breaks down why more traffic doesn’t always mean more clients, using the story of a business owner whose ad spend led to clicks but no conversions. From outdated websites to missing reviews and unclear branding, she reveals the trust and authority gaps that sabotage ad campaigns. This episode is packed with actionable advice to ensure your digital house—your website, reviews, and Google Business Profile—is in order before you invest in ads. Tune in to learn how to align your message, build trust, and turn clicks into loyal customers, ensuring every ad dollar amplifies your business.

Deanna emphasizes that ads only work when your digital foundation is strong, offering practical steps to create a customer-focused online presence that converts. She shares insights on crafting a clear website, leveraging recent reviews, optimizing your Google Business Profile, and ensuring consistent follow-up systems. Whether you’re a builder, contractor, or service provider, this episode will help you avoid wasting money on ads and instead create a digital strategy that scales. Don’t miss Deanna’s free resource, the Builder’s Digital House Checklist, to guide you in tightening your online presence and building trust that turns prospects into clients.

Main Points Featured in the Episode:

• Digital Foundation First: Ads amplify existing problems if your website, reviews, or branding lack clarity or trust signals.

• Customer-Focused Website: Ensure your homepage clearly states what you do, who you serve, and the next steps for customers to avoid confusion.

• Reviews as Trust Signals: Recent, responded-to reviews on your Google Business Profile act as digital referrals to build credibility.

• Optimized Google Business Profile: Include hours, location, recent photos, keywords, and Q&A to answer customer questions and boost trust.

• Consistent Follow-Ups: Implement email sequences or callback systems to engage prospects quickly and maintain trust.

“People don’t buy when they understand you. They buy when they feel like you understand them.” - Deanna Lucas

Learn more about Deanna Lucas through the following links:

DND Website

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Builders Visibility Blueprint

In this episode of The Builder’s Edge, Deanna Lucas honors Military Appreciation Month by spotlighting Matt Anderson, a veteran with six years of active duty in the Army and one year in the National Guard, now thriving as the owner of a SunMed Health and Wellness in Quincy, Illinois. Matt shares his remarkable transition from military service to entrepreneurship, driven by a personal mission to educate his community about holistic wellness. Reflecting on his journey, from his time in military intelligence to navigating the challenges of opening a retail business during the 2020 pandemic, Matt reveals how his military-honed values - loyalty, duty, respect, honor, integrity, selfless service, and personal courage - shape his business and advocacy for responsible cannabis regulations. His story is a powerful testament to resilience, purpose, and the pursuit of continuous learning.

Matt dives into practical strategies for building a mission-driven business, from demystifying cannabis through transparent education to fostering community through events like the Army-Navy Showdown. He also shares insights on balancing the demands of entrepreneurship with personal life, emphasizing mindfulness and adaptability. With real-world examples, like third-party lab testing for product safety and community-driven initiatives, Matt offers actionable advice for entrepreneurs looking to make an impact. Whether you’re a veteran, a business owner, or simply seeking inspiration, this episode will motivate you to build with intention and lead with integrity.

Key Takeaways:

• Military Values in Business: Leverage core Army values like loyalty, duty, and integrity to create a strong foundation for ethical entrepreneurship.

• Transparency and Education: Build trust by prioritizing transparency, such as third-party lab testing, and educate consumers to demystify complex products like CBD.

• Community Engagement: Strengthen your brand through community events, like the Army-Navy Showdown, to foster camaraderie and drive local impact.

• Advocacy for Industry Standards: Advocate for responsible regulations to ensure safe, accessible products, reflecting a commitment to consumer well-being.

• Work-Life Balance: Embrace mindfulness and adaptability to navigate the ever-changing demands of business and personal life.

“The military taught me to live with transparency and discipline, and I carry that into my business. Whether it’s third-party testing our products or advocating for safe access, it’s about building trust with every step.” — Matt Anderson

Learn more about Deanna Lucas through the following links:

DND Website

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Builders Visibility Blueprint

In this episode of The Builder’s Edge, host Deanna Lucas dives into the art of writing Google reviews that make a real impact for both customers and businesses. Far from being just a star rating, a well-crafted review is a digital testimony that builds trust, drives business, and multiplies impact within your community. Deanna shares a powerful parable of two farmers at a well; one who simply takes what they need and leaves, and another who places stones to guide others: illustrating how a thoughtful review can lead more people to quality services. With practical tips and a downloadable email template, this episode equips business owners, particularly contractors, with the tools to encourage meaningful reviews that elevate their online presence.

Deanna emphasizes the importance of storytelling in reviews, guiding listeners on how to teach clients to share specific, impactful experiences rather than vague praise. She breaks down a simple yet effective email template designed to prompt clients to leave detailed five-star reviews, complete with QR codes for ease and suggestions for highlighting quality, timeliness, and problem-solving. By fostering a culture of “sowing honor” through reviews, businesses can become local guides on Google, gaining authority and visibility. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to transform their online reputation and stand out in a competitive market.

Key Takeaways:

• Storytelling in Reviews: Encourage clients to share specific stories about their experience - before, during, and after - to create trust and connection.

• Simplify the Process: Use QR codes, short links, and clear instructions to make leaving reviews frictionless for clients.

• Guide Client Feedback: Provide suggestions for reviews, like mentioning quality, timeliness, communication, and location, to ensure impactful content.

• Build Community Authority: Consistent, detailed reviews elevate your Google ranking and establish you as a trusted local guide.

• Reciprocity of Reviews: Sowing honor through reviews for others encourages reciprocal reviews, amplifying your business’s visibility.

“A good Google review isn’t just a pat on the back—it’s a bridge that connects someone with a problem to your solution, multiplying impact and building trust in your community.” — Deanna Lucas

Learn more about Deanna Lucas through the following links:

DND Website

Facebook Group

Facebook

Builders Visibility Blueprint