Podcast Summary: The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast - "Why Peer Groups Accelerate Success"

Episode Details:

• Title: Why Peer Groups Accelerate Success
• Host: John Jantsch
• Guest: Victoria Downing, President of Remodelers Advantage
• Release Date: August 14, 2025

Introduction

In this insightful episode of The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, host John Jantsch welcomes Victoria Downing, the President of Remodelers Advantage (RA). With over 35 years of experience, Victoria has been instrumental in leading RA to become a premier peer group and business improvement resource for remodeling company owners across the United States and Canada.

Understanding Remodelers Advantage

[01:37] Victoria Downing:
"Our vision is to be the company that all remodelers turn to for a better life. We are all about looking at your business as a tool to help you build the life you want for yourself and for your employees while delivering a fantastic product to the community."

Victoria elaborates that RA focuses on transforming businesses into tools that enhance the personal lives of owners and their employees. The organization emphasizes profitability intertwined with work-life balance, ensuring that business growth translates into meaningful personal and professional fulfillment.

The Interconnection Between Profitability and Work-Life Balance

Victoria stresses that profitability and work-life balance are intrinsically connected. By understanding the financial needs for personal goals and business sustainability, RA helps members align their business strategies to support both financial growth and a balanced lifestyle.

[02:19] Victoria Downing:
"It's not about just the owner being greedy and taking every penny. It's building a wonderful culture and future and lifestyle for the employees as well."

Structure and Composition of Peer Groups

RA's peer groups are meticulously structured to foster growth and accountability:

• Membership Tiers: RA offers both base and mentor memberships. Mentors are typically long-term, highly profitable members who have been with RA for 15-20 years, continuously contributing and benefiting from the group.

• Diverse Groupings: To enhance communication and strategic alignment, RA has created specialized groups for different roles within companies, such as marketing managers, finance officers, and production managers.

[04:11] Victoria Downing:
"We have over 200 companies across the US and Canada that altogether produce over $1 billion in revenue annually."

Benefits of Specialized Peer Groups

By categorizing members into specialized groups, RA ensures that individuals can communicate in a common language, share relevant strategies, and collaborate effectively. This specialization not only streamlines communication but also acts as a powerful retention strategy, as members find value in tailored discussions and resources.

Overcoming the Technician Mentality

Many remodeling contractors enter the business with strong technical skills but lack business management training. This technician mentality can hinder growth, as owners may struggle with financial reporting and delegating responsibilities.

[07:50] Victoria Downing:
"If I'm telling them your business is a tool, well, I got to be able to read the story in that tool."

RA addresses this by helping members organize and understand their financials, enabling data-driven decisions and effective delegation. This foundational shift empowers owners to move from being bottlenecks to leaders who can scale their businesses.

Accountability and Growth through Peer Pressure

Peer groups at RA foster an environment of accountability. Members set written commitments and report back to their group, ensuring they stay on track with their goals. This collective accountability often distinguishes a good year from an exceptional one.

[09:40] Victoria Downing:
"Every time a member leaves their peer group, they have two or three written commitments that they have to report back to their group who hold them accountable for achieving those commitments."

Incorporating Technology and Staying Current

Victoria discusses RA's proactive approach to technology adoption. By staying agnostic towards specific tools and consistently gathering feedback from members, RA ensures that the latest technologies—such as CRM systems and AI—are integrated effectively into members' businesses.

[12:30] Victoria Downing:
"Recently we had a members-only webinar where we featured three of our members and how they use AI in their business. Yeah, that was pretty fascinating."

Managing Group Dynamics with DISC Profiles

To maintain harmonious and productive peer groups, RA utilizes DISC personality profiles. This method ensures a balanced mix of personalities, preventing dominance by a single type and fostering a supportive environment.

[15:09] Victoria Downing:
"We use DISC all of our Members take it. We use it internally. We use it for hiring. It's all over the place."

In cases of personality conflicts, RA facilitates smooth transitions by relocating members to groups where they are a better fit, ensuring the overall health and effectiveness of the peer group.

Success Stories and Impact

Victoria shares compelling success stories illustrating the transformative power of RA’s peer groups. For instance, a Canadian remodeling company reported:

• 30% Revenue Growth
• 36% Gross Profit Increase
• Comprehensive Overhaul of Company Departments
• Enhanced Financial Understanding and Reporting
• Implementation of KPIs and Department Scorecards

[17:06] Victoria Downing:
"RA Remodelers Advantage has certainly opened my mind as to what's possible in this business. I feel we have a strong foundation to continue to build upon and our potential is just starting to be realized."

Such testimonies underscore the tangible benefits members gain through participation in RA’s peer groups.

Victoria’s Involvement in Council of Masterminds

Beyond RA, Victoria is an active member of the Council of Masterminds—a peer group for companies that manage peer groups. This engagement allows her to exchange best practices across various industries, enriching RA’s approach to business management.

[19:05] Victoria Downing:
"It's kind of meta, you know, so in that we're all different industry verticals. And we just came back from our meeting."

Staying Ahead with Industry Trends and Future Planning

RA stays abreast of industry trends and future projections by monitoring studies and surveys, such as those from Harvard and House. This proactive stance ensures that members are well-prepared to navigate uncertainties and leverage emerging opportunities.

[19:59] Victoria Downing:
"We try to compile all that information for our members and make it readily available."

Conclusion and Call to Action

Victoria encourages business owners, both within and outside the remodeling industry, to explore Remodeling Advantage for transformative growth and success.

Where to Connect:

• Website: remodelersadvantage.com
• Summit: remodelerssummit.com
• Email: Victoria@remodelersadvantage.com

John Jantsch wraps up the episode by highlighting the importance of strategic marketing systems, referencing his daughter Sarah Nay’s book, and inviting listeners to take control of their marketing strategies.

Notable Quotes:

• Victoria Downing [02:19]:
  "It's not about just the owner being greedy and taking every penny. It's building a wonderful culture and future and lifestyle for the employees as well."

• Victoria Downing [04:11]:
  "We have over 200 companies across the US and Canada that altogether produce over $1 billion in revenue annually."

• Victoria Downing [09:40]:
  "Every time a member leaves their peer group, they have two or three written commitments that they have to report back to their group who hold them accountable for achieving those commitments."

• Victoria Downing [15:09]:
  "We use DISC all of our Members take it. We use it internally. We use it for hiring. It's all over the place."

• Victoria Downing [17:06]:
  "RA Remodelers Advantage has certainly opened my mind as to what's possible in this business. I feel we have a strong foundation to continue to build upon and our potential is just starting to be realized."

This episode underscores the unparalleled value that peer groups offer in accelerating business success. By fostering a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and strategic collaboration, Remodelers Advantage exemplifies how structured peer interactions can lead to substantial business growth and personal fulfillment.