Epic Entrepreneurs

What Nobody Tells You About Trading a Boss for a Business with Calvin Denny

• Bill Gilliland

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Meet Calvin Denny, the founder of Atlas Mountain Contractors, who took an unconventional path from mental health professional to successful contractor. Calvin's refreshingly candid account of his entrepreneurial journey reveals both the challenges and unexpected simplicities of launching a business in the trades.

"I wish I would have done it sooner," Calvin confesses when reflecting on his first year in business. 

Calvin dispels the common myth that owning a business means more freedom and leisure time. "When you run your own business, it's not that you don't have a boss, it's that you have a million bosses," he explains. 

Calvin's journey offers practical wisdom and encouragement. His final message? The trades offer tremendous opportunity, AI isn't replacing skilled craftspeople anytime soon. Reach out to Calvin directly at 828-284-1925 to discuss your contracting needs or to get advice on starting your own venture.

ABOUT CALVIN

Calvin still conducts home inspections, but his primary focus is now on growing the contracting business. He is currently specializing in carpentry, metal roofing, and interior remodeling.

His goal from the exposure on this podcast is to encourage others to take the dive into starting a small, low-overhead business. 

Thanks for Listening. You may contact me at https://billgilliland.actioncoach.com/

All the best!
Bill

Thanks for listening. Please hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review, and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com.

All the best!

Bill

Speaker 1:

Hey there and welcome to this week's episode of Epic Entrepreneurs, and I'm super pumped. Today I've got Calvin Denny from Atlas Mountain Contractors, so welcome to the show, calvin.

Speaker 2:

Oh, thank you. I'm really happy to be here. Thank you for inviting me.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, so what is Atlas Mountain Contractors?

Speaker 2:

So basically we're a small collective of independent contractors and I have a three-man crew and we really do a variety of services, but we're kind of focusing on framing repairs. We do a lot of decking, we do floor joist repairs, things of that nature, and we also do metal roofing. So it's a pretty wide scope and we're a newer business. We've been in business less than a year now and have been enjoying pretty steady growth, so that's been very exciting.

Speaker 1:

So I mean you say you've been doing this about a year. What would you do differently if you were starting over today? What have you learned in that first year?

Speaker 2:

That's a great question. I honestly I wish I would have. Well, I wish I would have done it sooner. That's, that's one thing. Yeah, prior to this I worked about 10 years in the mental health field and enjoyed the work but really wasn't making enough money to get myself where I wanted to be in life and I was very intimidated about starting my own business. But it ended up. The process was a lot easier than I thought. But something I would have done differently is probably set firm boundaries with myself at the beginning, like no working on weekends, putting the phone on, do not disturb at night, things like that, because when you're starting a business and you're seeing growth it's really hard to kind of separate. You know that work life balance.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, you have to. You have to say yes to everything for a while until you figure out what to say no to right.

Speaker 2:

Absolutely yeah.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, so those are great, that's great stuff. So what, what would you say, has been your biggest learning so far as an, as an owner and an employer?

Speaker 2:

Um, I would say it, just meeting people where they are. You know, it's just meeting people where they are. You know, no two clients are going to be the same. Some people need a little bit more you know, hand-holding than then. Maybe it would be ideal, but it's uh, projects are very stressful on people, you know they're, they're spending their money, they, they have certain expectations that aren't always met, with timelines and so on. So, um, yeah, that's very important, just uh, meeting everybody where they are and always just trying to provide excellent customer service, regardless of the situation.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, that's a good point. I do want to go back to something. That's a pretty good leap from mental health to contracting. Tell me about that.

Speaker 2:

So I have a bachelor's degree in psychology and I'm a qualified mental health professional and I've worked in a variety of roles in that field, predominantly in addiction recovery and wilderness therapy. And I bought a house about 10 years ago and that's kind of how I cut my teeth on contracting. I bought a foreclosed home. They needed everything from the roof to the floors. I did all of the work myself, kind of trial by fire, did a lot of things two or three times and then, you know, I started feeling burned out from the mental health stuff and thought I'd try out being a home inspector.

Speaker 2:

So I got licensed and did that for a few years and there were things that I didn't and don't love about that industry but it did provide me. I got a lot of excellent education through that licensure process and maintaining that license and continuing my education, licensure process and maintaining that license and continuing my education I think is making me a better contractor. So that's kind of how the shift happened. I just I love working with my hands and I also love being my own boss and have kind of always wanted that, and it just I needed to have the right circumstances, I think, to make that happen wanted that and it just I needed to have the right circumstances, I think, to make that happen.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, I think a lot of people don't pull the trigger fast enough. I mean, yeah, it's pretty interesting. So what are some of the misconceptions that you think people have about running a business?

Speaker 2:

I'd say the number one misconception is people think oh, I'll run my own business, that means I'll make my own schedule, I'll get to take vacations whenever I want, I'll have more free time. That just couldn't be farther from the truth. When you run your own business, it's not that you don't have a boss, it's that you have a million bosses. Everybody that you're working with that has expectations, contractors that maybe you sub for and things of that nature timelines. So I can't imagine a situation where running your business is less work than whatever you're doing prior.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, it's an old saying that people give up a 40-hour a week to work 100 hours and make half the money. I love it. Yeah, yeah, so it's, you know, to get to get started. Well, you said you've been growing. What do you attribute the growth to?

Speaker 2:

Just it's been word of mouth. I don't have. I don't even have a website, I don't really have an online presence. I've been a member of a B& group for years and they have helped me tremendously to grow my business and they send me a large percentage of my referrals. And then at this point now we're getting a lot of repeat customers, so we're growing that customer base and they tell their friends and that's just kind of how we've grown, grown and I also. We're also just blessed to be, you know, in an area with a huge need for skilled contractors. There's a lot of growth in the housing market here and not a lot of people to do the work, so part of it is just circumstantial.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, we did have a flood, um, so there is some stuff going on there. But we give a shout out to BNI. I mean, we've been members of BNI groups over the years and it's been hugely beneficial. I do think it's pretty easy to refer a contractor in BNI once they understand they can trust you. So, yeah, if you're looking for a referral-based group, bni, once they, once they understand they can trust you. So yeah, if you're, if you're, if you're thinking, if you're looking for a referral based group, bni is probably a good thing to check out. Um, yeah, um. So you said you got, uh, a couple of three guys working with you. What do you, what do you look for? You know, in, in, in team members, you know, and team members.

Speaker 2:

So the guys that I work with I knew previously and the business really as funny as it may sound, it kind of started on accident. I started working as a handyman, got my insurance and I got a referral to a job that was way too big for me. So I reached out to a couple of guys I knew, who I knew were highly skilled and, you know, were undervalued in their current work situation, and said, hey, you want to come help do this big project with me? They jumped on that with me. We were kind of vibing, you know, and working well together and you know, after that project we're like, hey, let's keep doing this and so got them set up with their their own insurance and everything, and they're independent contractors, that just, we do everything together and I'm looking to add more team members as well, but I just got lucky already knowing a great crew to jump on with me.

Speaker 1:

OK, so you're just so you're. You're a group of independent contractors. They're not actually employees, exactly, yeah, yeah, okay, and that's how you're doing it, all right, well, let me do a quick fire round with you. Epic is an acronym, so let me get your thoughts on the letters in EPIC, and the E stands for education Just real quick. Maybe a sentence or two about each one. What are your thoughts on education?

Speaker 2:

Well, education is very important and it doesn't have to be traditional education in the sense of like going to a university. You know, if you want to be a plumber, go work with a plumber and get paid to learn, you know if you want to set tile, do the same thing. Go work with a tile guy. I think in the trades, experience is about as important as anything.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, look, I'm encouraging so many people that if you're good with your hands and that's what you want to do and you want to work with your hands, you should go get a trade. You should go learn. That's so many young people I'm like go into the trades, it's a great business. You should go learn. That's what so many young people I'm like go into the trades, it's a great business. You're going to make more money than most people. You're going to do well in life and it's never going to go away. Ai is not going to replace trades. It's just not going to. It's just not happening. All right, what about P for planning? What's your thoughts on planning?

Speaker 2:

Well, it's super important to know what job is coming up next and you know as things. If something doesn't finish on time, have a plan for how you're going to address that. Stay on top of communication with all of your clients and planning. I'm sure there are ways to streamline scheduling and planning. That's something that I'm still learning. I spend too much time, to be honest, just trying to get my ducks in a row, so that's something that I'm always trying to improve on.

Speaker 1:

Right, so the I is inspiration.

Speaker 2:

So talk to us about inspiration. Well, I've certainly been inspired by members of my family and also just people that I've worked with, who work with their hands and just people who, when something breaks, they know how to fix it, and people who do their own mechanical work and grow their own gardens. I'm really inspired by independence and I think that's something that drives me in my business and that I try to encourage everyone. If you think you might be able to do it yourself, give it a try.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, I remember, right after we got married, my wife we were living in an apartment she said you need to call somebody to come fix this thing. And I'm like why? She said what do you mean I can fix it? You know it's not. I mean it wasn't some electrical outlet or something, it was pretty simple, you know. And yeah, she's like. And then she figured out well, okay, bill can fix anything. Now she doesn't call somebody, she just says fix it. So it's all right. So that's the way it works out in our family anyway. So what C stands for commitment, obviously, to be in business, you've got to commit. So what are your thoughts about commitment?

Speaker 2:

Well, like you said, being in business means you have to commit. So I think if you're going to take something like this on, you have to, at least initially, be willing to. You know, put the business in the forefront of your life and really be able to focus on its growth. And you know, having more time for vacations and hobbies and things like that are kind of are earned through sustained hard work, and you're not necessarily going to have that initially. And at the same time, you have to maintain your commitments to your family, you know, and learn to balance your work and your life.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, that's well said. What do you wish somebody had told you before you went in business that you know now.

Speaker 2:

I wish somebody would have explained just how the process works how to get an LLC, how to get insurance, how to generate leads. It's all you know every step of the way I've learned. You know I learn as I go, but it's really, at the end of the day, it's not all that complicated to start a low overhead business where you don't actually have employees. You have your own tools and your own work vehicle and things like that. I wish I could have just seen it mapped out, because it probably would have encouraged me to take the jump sooner.

Speaker 2:

I thought I needed so much money to start up and it really wasn't the case for me.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, no, I mean it's not. I mean you get a federal ID, you get an LLC and you get a checking account and put some money in it and you're in business. I mean it's not really that hard if you want to start a business. I mean there's a lot more to it to grow a business. But to get started with a single member LLC is pretty straightforward. What would you say to other business people or other people who are potentially thinking about jumping into business?

Speaker 2:

jumping into business. I would say, if you have a skilled trade and maybe you're undervalued at the current place, that you work or you're thinking about jumping out on your own, I would say, do it. It's hugely challenging in so many ways, but it's not that hard to get started hugely challenging in so many ways, but it's not that hard to get started. So I would say, take the leap. I would love to connect with people and help them get started. I would really like to see more small businesses like my own popping up and I'd like to see you know more of my peers enjoying success in this industry.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, cool, that's exciting. So any advice to business owners looking to grow?

Speaker 2:

Well, something that I'm trying to teach myself right now is that there does come a point where you just can't do it all yourself. That's something I really struggle with is like I want to have my hands on everything, I want to make all the decisions, and that's not sustainable. In order to grow, you have to let go of a little bit of that control and trust the people that you work with, put people in you know leadership positions who will do a good job, and just trust that you know that you don't have to do everything. You don't have to do it all.

Speaker 1:

A hundred percent. A hundred percent. Yeah, if you want to grow, at some point you're going to run into yourself.

Speaker 2:

Absolutely.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, you're, you're absolutely. That's what I tell everybody. You want to know what the biggest problem in your business is? It's you. The biggest problem in my business is me. The biggest problem in your business is it's you, and the biggest problem in my business is me. The biggest problem in your business is you. It's just whoever's at the top. That's what's holding it back. That's all there is to it. So, yeah, anything else you'd like to say about your business or about business in general.

Speaker 2:

Just, I guess I just want to express my gratitude to uh the, the people that we have worked with in the community and the folks that have trusted us with their projects, and and again I want to encourage other people in the community who have thought about starting a business. Give it a shot and if you have questions about it, you can contact me directly. I would love to sit down with people and just talk to them about how they could start a really small business that can pay the bills and that they'll get a lot of fulfillment out of.

Speaker 1:

Yeah. So that brings me to my last question, which is basically how does somebody get in touch with you? What's the best way for someone to reach out? Which?

Speaker 2:

is basically how does somebody get in touch with you? What's the best way for someone to reach out? Just give me a call. My personal cell phone is 828-284-1925.

Speaker 1:

All right, and we'll get that in the show notes for everybody. So give him a call. He can help you with your contracting. Decks, roofs, all kinds of carpentry. Get out there. It'd be great, calvin, it's been great having you. Thanks for being on the show.

Speaker 2:

Well, thank you so much for having me. I've really been enjoying listening to your podcast.

Speaker 1:

And until next time, all the best. Bye.