Webinar Recap
John Talman is joined by Danny Kerr, Co-Founder and Director of Assessment at Breakthrough Academy, to talk about all things business planning, goal setting, and building systems that help contractors grow without burning out.
We all get 168 hours in a week, but why does it seem like some have more time than others? John and Danny answer your questions and share real-world strategies to help you scale your business without losing your sanity.
From Hustler to Leader
Danny shares his journey from running a College Pro Painters franchise to co-founding Breakthrough Academy, where he’s helped over 600 contractors scale their businesses. He highlights how early in his career, hard work alone got him ahead — but systems, not hustle, are what build lasting success.
You Can’t Outwork a Dysfunctional Business
Danny breaks down why working harder won’t solve business problems — only systems will. He stresses the importance of annual planning and building processes for sales, hiring, and operations. Without these systems, you’ll be stuck working in the business instead of on it.
Start with the End in Mind
Danny encourages business owners to create a “painted picture” vision — a 3 – 5 year snapshot of their dream company. This exercise helps clarify goals, align teams, and map out a clear path to growth.
Strategic Planning Made Simple
Danny walks through his 3‑day planning process:
Day 1: Review the past year — what worked, what didn’t, and why.
Day 2: Set goals for the next 12 months, including revenue targets, hiring plans, and technology upgrades.
Day 3: Break down quarterly initiatives, such as rolling out tools like CompanyCam or BuilderTrend.
Keep Learning
Check out The Good Contractor Podcast hosted by CompanyCam CEO Luke Hansen, where real contractors share their stories, challenges, and wins — because doing good work starts with learning from the best.
For more actionable strategies to hit your goals from Breakthrough Academy, check out:
Explore more expert insights in our CompanyCam Webinar Hub, packed with resources from industry leaders to help you do good work every day.
Tools & Free Resources
Danny offers free downloads from Breakthrough Academy, including templates for annual planning and the “Painted Picture” exercise. These step-by-step guides help contractors build a solid roadmap for success.