Podcast
Epic Entrepreneurs
Hosted by Bill Gilliland · EN
Welcome to Epic Entrepreneurs! What does it take to build a real and thriving business in today’s world? As entrepreneurs and business owners, we went into business to have more freedom of time and money. Yet, the path of growing a business isn’t always filled with sunshine and rainbows. In this chart-topping show, host Bill Gilliland; author of the best-selling book “The Coach Approach” leverages his decades of experience coaching proven entrepreneurs to make more money, grow the right teams, and find the freedom of EPIC Entrepreneurship.
31episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How Two Roofers Built Trust Without High Pressure Sales with Ben and Keary
3d ago00:52:28Tap to summarizeThe fastest way to ruin a service business is to chase growth while cutting corners, and Ben Lyle and Carrie Sampson refuse to play that game. As the owners of Roof Guys of East Tennessee, they share what it actually feels like to run a roofing company day to day: the long hours, the “always on” phone, the stress of slow seasons, and the discipline it takes to keep showing up when jobs fall through and the calendar suddenly looks empty.We talk through the real mechanics behind their reputation: one of the owners physically touches every job site, they obsess over communication with homeowners, and they treat safety as non-negotiable. They also explain why doing things “the right way” can cost more upfront but saves money long term through less rework, fewer surprises, and stronger trust. If you care about customer experience, contractor accountability, or building a durable local brand, you will recognize a lot of hard-earned wisdom here.Their most controversial choice might be their sales process. They do not hard close, and they often do not deliver a formal quote on the spot. Instead, they educate homeowners on roof replacement versus roof rejuvenation options and send a detailed proposal later, even if it means waiting weeks or months for the decision. That patience, they argue, is exactly what wins the right customers and supports sustainable growth as they plan expansion toward Western North Carolina.If you enjoy candid conversations about entrepreneurship, small business systems, and scaling a service business without losing integrity, subscribe, share this with a business owner who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.Contact Info:bear.lyle@gmail.comhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574881502994https://www.roofguys-tn.com/ Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/All the best!BillPlease hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review, and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/
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How A Mortgage Loan Officer Builds Trust And Referrals with Robbie Gardner
1w ago00:41:03Tap to summarizeIf you’ve ever wondered why “working hard” still isn’t paying off, this conversation gives you the missing piece: nobody pays you to show up. We’re joined by Robbie Gardner of Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group, a mortgage loan officer serving North Carolina and Virginia, to unpack what it really takes to build a durable referral-based business in a market defined by shifting interest rates and constant noise online. Robbie walks us through the jump from a secure bank role to a commission-driven mortgage career, including the moment COVID-era refinancing dried up and the job turned into daily lead generation. We talk about earning trust with home buyers who are making one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives, partnering with real estate agents, and why communication can matter more than chasing the lowest advertised rate. He also shares how he reverse engineers the numbers, focuses on behaviours over outcomes and uses coaching to stay consistent when motivation dips. We dig into the real day-to-day of pre-approval conversations, credit and income realities, “not today” guidance that turns into future yeses, and how technology and AI can support the process without replacing the human touch. If you’re a small business owner trying to scale without burning out, this one is packed with practical mindset shifts and repeatable habits. Subscribe, share it with a friend building something, and leave a review. What’s one daily behaviour you know would move your business forward if you did it consistently?Contact Information:robertgardner@atlanticbay.comhttps://www.facebook.com/robbiegardnermortgage/https://www.atlanticbay.com/robbiegardner/ Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/All the best!BillPlease hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review, and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/
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Building A Flooring Business By Doing What You Say with Nathan Roach
2w ago00:25:50Tap to summarizeSilence kills trust faster than bad pricing, and Nathan Roach has seen it from both sides. We’re joined by Nathan, co-owner of Floor Coverings International in Chattanooga, to unpack what it really takes to build a dependable local service business when you’re no longer protected by a corporate safety net. From day one, their goal is simple to say and hard to execute: do what you say you’ll do, call people back, and fix problems the right way when installs don’t go perfectly.Nathan walks us through their mobile showroom model, where flooring samples come to the customer’s home for an in-home consultation that actually fits the space and the light. We also get honest about the messy startup phase: testing marketing channels, learning which lead sources create quality jobs, and tightening Google and zip-code targeting after wasting money early. If you care about small business profitability, customer acquisition, and creating a seamless flooring installation experience, you’ll hear the real trade-offs behind the numbers.We go deeper into leadership and mindset too: checking your ego, staying disciplined with planning and weekly meetings, and building a team you can trust without micromanaging. Nathan shares how referral networking with realtors and local partners starts compounding over time, why he now shuts work down after 7 pm to protect family life, and what’s next for the company, including epoxy garage floors and concrete finishings.If you got something from this conversation, subscribe for more founder stories, share it with a business owner who needs a reset, and leave a quick review telling us what principle you’re focusing on this week. Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/All the best!BillPlease hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review, and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/
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How A Refinishing Business Delivers Affordable Home Restoration with Armando Garcia
3w ago00:26:28Tap to summarizeMost people think entrepreneurship starts with a big idea. Armando Garcia’s story starts with something more grounded: taking damaged surfaces and making them look new again, then deciding to bet on himself and buy the Miracle Method franchise. We sit down and talk through that shift from technician to owner, what changed in his mindset, and why the support and training of a nationwide franchise can be the bridge between being great at the craft and being solid at running the business.We also get honest about the parts nobody glamorizes. Armando breaks down the “you own a business so you must be rich” myth, the reality that it takes money to make money, and the business skills he wishes every new owner learned sooner, especially bookkeeping, accounting basics, and financial management. From there we go into the day-to-day pressure of leadership: how to plan a vacation when you’re still essential to operations, how to mentally shut down at night, and how faith and family help him keep stress in check without losing momentum.If you care about building a team that customers trust, this conversation delivers. Armando explains why work ethic beats a polished resume, what professionalism looks like in a customer-facing trade, and how he keeps a positive, motivated culture by treating mistakes as fixable and treating the team like family. We also look at what’s next for Miracle Method Charlotte, including bath safety upgrades for elderly and handicap customers, cabinet refacing, and the sustainability benefit of restoring instead of replacing and sending materials to landfills.Subscribe for more real small business growth stories, share this with an owner who needs a push, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. What’s one myth about business ownership you want to see retired for good? Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/All the best!BillPlease hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review, and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/
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What If Your Next Customer Is One Coffee Away with Cameron Fagala
4w ago00:27:25Tap to summarizeSome businesses win by going bigger. Punchlist Pros wins by going smaller and doing it with care. We sit down with Cameron Fagula to talk about building a family-owned handyman service in Asheville that focuses on the in-between home repair projects most contractors don’t want, like deck board replacement, drywall repair, carpentry fixes, ceiling fan installs, and quick bathroom upgrades that improve quality of life without the pain of a full remodel.We get into the real engine behind small business growth in Western North Carolina: relationships. Cameron explains how networking, coffee meetings, and community connections turned a slower launch season into a pipeline of referrals as the busy spring and summer months arrive. If you’re trying to grow a local service business, you’ll hear practical ideas for building trust, finding the right rooms, and staying consistent long enough for momentum to compound.You’ll also hear the parts people leave out: the scheduling puzzle of running multiple small jobs, the myth that ownership automatically means freedom, and the challenge of stepping away when customers and crews need answers. Cameron shares what he looks for when hiring, why customer service matters as much as trade skills, and how a “buttoned up” team presence can be a competitive advantage in the home services market.If you enjoy candid, tactical conversations about entrepreneurship, home services, and operations, subscribe for more, share this with a business owner who needs a boost, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/All the best!BillPlease hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review, and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/
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Great Merch Starts With Better Questions And Better Process with Eliza Webster
May 2200:31:08Tap to summarizeMost people think a print shop makes money by “just printing shirts”. The truth is a lot more human and a lot more useful if you’re trying to grow a business without betting everything on one giant client. I’m joined by Eliza Webster, Sales Director at Cotton Street Apparel, a Winston-Salem, North Carolina screen printing and embroidery shop that helps everyone from local events to nationwide organisations build merch lines, uniforms, and promotional products that actually get worn. We talk about how Cotton Street evolved from band merch roots into a professional custom apparel company, and what they’d do differently starting from scratch: tighter SOPs, clearer team standards, and better early conversations with customers. Eliza shares how asking “Where are we going with this?” turns a once-a-year order into steady, predictable revenue, and why chasing a single “white whale” account can quietly put your cash flow at risk. Eliza also breaks down one of the biggest myths in custom T-shirt printing: markups aren’t about yachts and Bugattis, they’re about skill, equipment, quality control, and getting the details right when it matters. We get into outreach and sales habits like cold calling, planning with a printing-specific CRM (Sales Inc.), and building relationships across the industry instead of treating everyone like a competitor. You’ll also hear a simple mindset reset for overwhelmed leaders, plus what’s next for Cotton Street, including their community partnership with Camel City Goods and upcoming local events. If you got value from this, subscribe, share it with a business owner who needs steadier growth, and leave a review so more entrepreneurs can find the show. What part of the merch and sales process do you want to improve first?Contact info:eliza@cottonstreetapparel.comhttps://www.cottonstreetapparel.com/https://www.instagram.com/cottonstreetapparel/ Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/All the best!BillPlease hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review, and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/
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Behind the Cabinets: The Real Work of Building a Trades Business with Brandon Laney
May 1100:35:51Tap to summarizeMost people see a finished kitchen and assume the business behind it runs like clockwork. We sit down with Brandon Laney of Progressive Cabinets to talk about what it really takes to run a high-end custom cabinetry company: the late nights, the constant problem solving, and the pressure of knowing your name is on every door, drawer, and install.Brandon shares how he grew up in a cabinet shop, pursued computer networking, then pivoted when the 2008 economy changed what felt “safe” to build a career on. We get into the nuts and bolts of small business growth in the trades, including outsourcing early production, deciding when to bring work in-house, and how a CNC upgrade can expand capacity. Along the way, he explains why word-of-mouth marketing is still the lifeblood of a custom cabinet shop, and why strong relationships with homeowners can be a competitive advantage you can’t copy.We also talk leadership and real-life balance. Brandon breaks down what he hires for (soft skills, reliability, attention to detail), how he keeps morale up by being in the trenches with his team, and why the myth of the “rich business owner with endless vacations” misses the point. He offers honest advice for anyone feeling stuck or overwhelmed: slow down, pray or pause, and call another owner who’s been through the same roller coaster.If you care about entrepreneurship, skilled trades, woodworking, custom cabinets, and building a business that lasts, subscribe for more conversations like this, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review so more builders and owners can find us.Contact info:progressivecabinetsllc.combrandon@progressivecabinetsllc.com Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/All the best!BillPlease hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review, and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/
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A Slow First Year Taught Him How To Price Jobs Hire Well And Keep Going with Joseph Johnson
May 800:24:16Tap to summarizePeople love to say “just start a service business” like the hard part is buying a ladder and printing a logo. Then the phone goes quiet, the insurance bill hits, an employee calls out, and a commercial client still expects the job done on time. That is why our conversation with Joseph Johnson from JMJ Painting and Maintenance LLC lands so well. Joe is a combat veteran and Chattanooga painting contractor who tells the truth about what it takes to build a legitimate, professional business that can actually last.We dig into the behind-the-scenes costs that customers rarely notice when they compare painting estimates: licensing, insurance, workers’ comp, scheduling risk, and the time it takes to price jobs fairly. Joe walks us through the marketing channels that bring real leads for local home services, including BNI networking, the Nextdoor app, Google Business Profile visibility, social media, and the simple power of finally getting a website. He also shares lessons learned the hard way about hiring, vetting, and adjusting leadership style so a team can meet high standards without burning out.The most eye-opening part is what Joseph hears from customers right now: painters taking large deposits then not showing up, changing numbers, and disappearing. He explains how he protects customer trust by communicating clearly and asking for payment when the job is complete, plus a review and referral discount system that turns great service into steady word of mouth.If you care about small business growth, local SEO, and building a contractor brand on integrity, listen through to the end for what’s next for JMJ and how to connect. Subscribe, share this with a business owner who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.Guest Contact info:Email: honor1956.jj@gmail.comWebsite: jmjpaintingandmaintenancellc.com Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/All the best!BillPlease hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review, and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/
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From Chemistry to Construction: Jim Box on Building JWB Remodeling
May 100:30:56Tap to summarizeJim Box of JWB Building and Remodeling shares his journey from a chemistry career and hazardous waste work into construction, where he has spent the last 25 years building a business around quality craftsmanship, adaptability, and word-of-mouth growth. He talks candidly about the challenges of entrepreneurship, the shift from print to digital marketing, the importance of insurance, planning, and discipline, and why being good at the work helps create your own luck.Guest contact info:sdbuilderguy@gmail.com Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/All the best!BillPlease hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review, and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/
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From Franchise to Growth: Daryl Turner of Grounds Guys Boiling Springs
May 100:23:33Tap to summarizeDaryl Turner shares how Grounds Guys of Boiling Springs, South Carolina has grown into a customer-focused, one-stop landscaping and yard services company built on communication, training, and quality work. He talks about the value of franchise support, hiring reliable team members, staying organized with planning and schedules, and growing steadily without sacrificing service.Guest contact info:daryl.turner@groundsguys.com Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/All the best!BillPlease hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review, and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/
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