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Hello Priscilla,
Over the last few months, I have been reminded of something I see in contractor businesses all the time.
A lot of good people are carrying too much.
They are answering questions, following up on loose ends, digging for documents, trying to remember who said what, keeping projects moving, handling client communication, and holding a hundred small details in their head while also trying to lead the business.
That kind of load wears on a person. It slows things down. It creates dropped balls, delays, and frustration, even when the business is full of capable people who care.
That is part of why I brought Doreen Patrick, onto the Blazing Trails Coaching team as my Virtual Assistant (VA).
Having her support has made a real difference. Work is moving better. Follow-through is stronger. Details are not sitting in a pile waiting for “when I get a minute.” There is more structure around the day-to-day work that keeps the business running.
And the more I work with her, the more I see how valuable this kind of support can be for contractors too.
When I work with a client, I usually start by looking at workflow. I want to understand how work travels through the business, from the first call to the final handoff. Where does communication break down? Where do things get stuck? Where is the owner still carrying work that someone else could handle with the right process and support?
That gives me a needs assessment grounded in real life, not guesswork.
From there, we sort out what needs to be cleaned up, what needs to be delegated, and what kind of support would actually help. Sometimes that support includes a VA.
That is where the combination gets powerful.
A business coach helps you see the gaps, the friction, and the opportunities to improve.
A VA helps keep the follow-through moving.
Doreen is part of the Blazing Trails Coaching team, so her role is not limited to helping me behind the scenes. When it makes sense, she can also support clients as part of a coaching engagement or Boots on the Ground work. That might look like task coordination, follow-up, documentation, organization, communication support, or helping hold together the practical pieces that often get lost in a busy week.
For a contractor, that kind of support can be a relief.
You are still leading the business. You are still making the decisions. You just have better support around the work, and that changes things.
And if you are looking at your business and thinking, “We need better flow, better support, and a better way to keep things moving,” that is exactly where this work begins.
Your Partner in Success,
Priscilla
Here's some NEWS you can use!
🤝 NETWORKING
JLC LIVE is a great event for residential contractors in the Northeast who want fresh ideas, hands-on learning, and time with people who understand the work and the business. It runs March 26-28, 2026 in Providence, Rhode Island, with conference sessions, exhibits, live building clinics, and a crowd that leans heavily toward builders, remodelers, and trades. If you are attending - let me know - I'd love to meet up for coffee or beverage of choice!
For arborists and tree care companies, ArborEXPO ’26 is shaping up to be a strong regional event. It is a good fit for owners and leaders who want fresh ideas, better field insight, and a look at equipment and practices that can strengthen day-to-day operations. The event runs March 25–27, 2026 at The Big E in West Springfield, Massachusetts and includes preconference workshops, a tradeshow, and speakers focused on tree care, equipment, and field operations.
The Maine Home Show circuit gives contractors a practical way to stay visible, walk the floor, and make local connections. The 2026 dates are Auburn: March 28-29, Portland: April 11-12, Augusta: April 18-19, and Bangor: May 15-17. For remodelers and design-build firms, PRO New England has several good networking touchpoints this spring, including Tools Down Talk – Pricing for Profitability on April 8, 2026, a Women in Residential Remodeling Monthly Zoom Conversation on April 9, 2026, and the PRO Awards Gala on June 3, 2026 in Milford, Massachusetts.
📖 EDUCATION
Classes & Training
Customer Service for Trades at SMCC
A no-cost training on March 25 designed to strengthen the customer side of the trades. It was created in response to industry feedback asking for more soft-skills training. Email smccworkforcereg@mainecc.edu for more information.
Cybersecurity for Small Business
Lunch and Learn Session - May 8th - 12pm - A practical session for owners who want simple ways to better protect their business, devices, and data. Presented by Jim Keenan of Keenan Technologies RSVP through HBRAME at eo@hbrame.org.
ICC G13 Class C License Prep
A fully online prep course for residential contractors working toward the National Standard Building Contractor Class C ICC G13 license. Classes run April 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, and May 1, 2026.
A practical webinar for builders, HVAC contractors, and others who need clear guidance on Maine’s residential ventilation code. Offered March 19 from 2:00–4:00 PM and March 24 from 8:00–10:00 AM.
Worth a Read
Worth a Listen
- When not ONE, but TWO of my clients tell me I need to listen to an audiobook - I drop everything, download it and give it a listen. Business owners - you need to do the same. The Highest Calling by Lawrence Janesky tells a story about an owner of a remodeling business, Troy Becker, who struggled in his business for 12 years, but finds a "mysterious mentor" who gave him all the tools, resources and inspiration to succeed. Definitely worth a listen!
💡 WISDOM
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What I’m seeing in the field: A lot of owners are still carrying work their team could handle with clearer roles, better systems, and tighter follow-through. The issue is not always people. Often, it is the lack of structure around the people.
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A common mistake: Many businesses try to solve overload by adding more work capacity before they fix workflow. More jobs, more leads, or more people will not clean up poor handoffs, weak communication, or unclear ownership.
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A leadership reminder: Most people do not need more motivation. They need more clarity. Clear expectations, visible priorities, and consistent follow-up go a long way.
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A reframe for owners: If everything still depends on you, the business has not become stronger. It has only become busier.
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A final thought: The goal is not to do more work. The goal is to help the right work move.
👷♀️ SUPPORT
Free Resources
Grants & Funding
- The Maine Workforce Development Compact can help eligible employers offset training costs. Recent HBRAME guidance says eligible employers may receive 50% reimbursement on frontline employee training costs, up to $1,200 per employee per year, and may also qualify for the Dirigo Business Incentive with up to $2,000 in tax credits per employee per year for training investments.
- For energy-focused contractors, the Maine Department of Energy Resources contractor training grants are supporting residential energy-efficiency workforce training programs across the state. That is a useful one to watch if your work touches weatherization, HVAC, or home performance.
Services
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