In this episode of Tile Money Podcast, I sit down with James Yoder of Custom Tile Solutions, a family-run tile business out of Central Ohio that James operates with his two brothers. About 60% of their work comes from one major builder relationship, with the remaining 40% split between private clients, other builders, remodelers, and referrals from local tile shops.We talk about what it took to get the business off the ground — the cash flow challenges in the early years, the learning curve on the tools of the trade, and why James has settled on Wedi as his go-to shower system. We also get into how he handles payment: on smaller, direct-to-client jobs, he doesn't collect any money until the work is fully complete, while larger custom builder projects are billed in stages as sections finish. I share why I take a different approach — collecting 50% up front — and we compare notes on the trade-offs of each.Pricing comes up too. James hasn't raised his rates in a couple of years, and we talk through why small, steady annual increases (even 2.5–5%) beat waiting and then having to hit clients with a much bigger jump all at once. We close out talking about job efficiency, working reasonable hours, and knowing when to step back from the long-hours grind that defines the early years of running a trade business.Whether you're running your own tile business, working in the trades, or just curious what it takes to build a family company on referrals and reputation, this conversation is full of practical, real-world insight.Connect with James Yoder / Custom Tile Solutions: https://www.instagram.com/customtilejames/

From delivering mail to installing custom tile for high-end residential builds — Kaleb's path wasn't a straight line, but it built the business he runs today. Kaleb is the owner of Rutland Tile Company, specializing in custom tile for large residential projects.In this episode, we dig into the real challenges of scaling a solo installer business, and how raising his prices — not lowering them — is what finally helped Kaleb find his ideal clients. His take: "If you're not charging enough, you will never find your client."We also cover the mental side of business ownership, keeping perspective through the ups and downs, marketing as a tradesperson, and managing client expectations on big projects.Learn more about Kaleb: rutlandtileco.com | facebook.com/rutlandtileco

A solo episode on why contractors isolate themselves — and what actually shifts when you stop. We get into pricing panic, underbidding, and how being around other people doing this work changes all of it. Plus a look at tomorrow night's live masterclass on bidding, estimating, and profit margins. Come figure it out with people who are in it with you.

Hello Tile Friends! I wanted to record a short solo episode reintroducing myself and my mission with Tile Money. I also shared some of my personal life, the struggles I've had, why I disappeared, and where I am headed. Want to get a preview of our paid community? Click the link below to join us in the live discussion of my six figure job, I will share what I priced it at, what the margins were and what the Net Profit was, come to learn or share your knowledge!Click this link for a FREE Masterclass Wed July 29th!

$113,000 custom tile job. Six months of work. Two skilled tradesmen full-time. Take a guess — what was my real net profit? Almost every contractor gets this wrong. Full reveal in the live class "Where the Money Goes." July 29th 4 pm ET

I'm excited to let you know about what we've been building. Join us this coming Tues. 4/21 to learn about the proposal & estimating app exclusively for tile contractors. Join Luke and Andy live to see the prototype, tell us what's missing, and lock in beta access before anyone else.Sign Up Here : https://tilemoney.businessupai.com/register-for-call-page

How important is it to know where you are headed with your business? This is just one of the great topics Dan & I discussed on this episode of the Tile Money Podcast. Dan has been in business for about 5 years now and is growing a fantastic tile business in New Jersey. He is working with Porcelain Panels as well as custom tile work. I know you will benefit from today's Tile Money Podcast!If you need a CRM and or FB/Google advertising, reach out to Andy at Business Up Hub. businessupai.com/tilemoney If you need a website, check out Happy Tile Guy! https://happytileguy.com/

This is a great interview with Jason, the owner of Artistic Tile & Design.Jason has grown his business from a "jack of all trades" to a Tile & Bathroom Remodel Specialist. We discuss his journey, growing beyond himself, hiring employees, replacing them with subcontractors. How he hired his project manager, the tools he is using to grow and expand. We discuss the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and why this is paramount to living a successful life.I know you will benefit from todays Tile Money Podcast!If you need a CRM and or FB/Google advertising, reach out to Andy at Business Up Hub. businessupai.com/tilemoney If you need a website, check out Happy Tile Guy! https://happytileguy.com/

Tile friends — you’re gonna love this one! I sat down with Leo Pena, USG Tile & Flooring Sales Representative, to talk all things tile, business, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. We got into the real stuff: common tile installation mistakes, how contractors can stay profitable without burning out, and what it actually takes to grow a successful tile business today.Leo also shared how using the right products (shoutout to our sponsor USG) can save installers time, boost quality, and make life on the jobsite a whole lot easier.If you’re a tile contractor, installer, or just love hearing shop talk mixed with solid business advice, this episode is packed with tile installation tips, contractor success strategies, and tile business growth insights that you can put into action right away.👉 Hit play and join us for laughs, stories, and plenty of wisdom from Leo Pena!Sponsored by USG.

Andy Morrison joins me for this weeks discussion. Andy is the founder of Business Up Ai, a powerful CRM designed specifically for contractors. We have a great discussion around scaling your contractor business using the Ai powered CRM him and his team have created. We discuss sales, running paid ads, how to increase your organic (free) reach, how to increase your referrals, pricing your jobs with ease and much more!If you want to learn more about what Business Up Ai can do for your business book a call with Andy today! businessupai.com/tilemoney