Building houses? You've got that covered. But building a business that doesn't rely on you working 80-hour weeks while making $25 an hour? That's where most builders hit the wall.
Cole Tilbury, performance coach with The Professional Builder, is helping construction pros break free from the chaos cycle and build businesses that actually work for them instead of against them. With nearly two years coaching builders across North America, Cole has seen the same pattern over and over: skilled craftsmen trapped in their own success, spinning plates instead of scaling profits.
On this episode of Builder Straight Talk, Cole breaks down why the best builders often make the worst business owners and what it takes to flip that script.
Cole walks through how The Professional Builder's coaching process helps contractors identify their Professional Builder Rate (PBR) and systematically eliminate everything below it.
The secret isn't working harder or finding more leads. It's about implementing systems that make every job more profitable while buying back your time.
Cole talks about:
One of Cole's most powerful insights Cole is about delegation and the psychology of letting go. Most builders are doing $15-an-hour admin work while their business starves for $150-an-hour leadership. Hiring specialists to handle everything doesn't cost money, it makes money.
Cole shares a breakdown of offline marketing strategies that actually work. While everyone's chasing social media, the real money is still in community relationships, referral systems, and professional presentation that builds trust before you even show up.
The Professional Builder's coaching team includes active builders who've implemented these systems and now teach others while running their own profitable companies. It's not just theory from the sidelines.
If you're a builder ready to stop trading time for money and start building a business that works without you, Cole's provides a clear roadmap. Whether it's $100K in revenue or $25 million, the principles remain the same: systems, delegation, and strategic focus.
The choice is simple: stay trapped in the chaos or build something that gives you true wealth.
"We're not trying to make you sound like every other business. You can add your personality into these systems and we can tweak it to make sense for your business."
About Cole Tilbury:
Cole is a performance coach and marketing strategist, has worked with over 150 residential builders worldwide, helping them scale smarter, sell better, and gain control of their time and profits.
He serves as the Head of Content and Training at The Professional Builder, a coaching company supporting builders across Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the US.
Cole specializes in turning operational chaos into clear systems - whether it's building pricing models that protect margins, creating lead-generation campaigns that convert, or coaching teams through the challenges of growth.
Originally from Canada, Cole's background blends boots-on-the-ground experience with sales psychology and operational strategy. His practical, straight approach has a single goal: helping builders create businesses that are profitable, sustainable, and support the lifestyle they set out to achieve.
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