Base Coat Brainiac Podcast

"If I just land one more big job, everything will be fine."

Calvin Correli chased billionaire status by 30. Hit rock bottom instead. Now he helps entrepreneurs see the truth: your business problems aren't about leads, systems, or hiring—they're mind bugs.

The pattern killing contractors:

✅ You fix the crew issue, another one pops up

✅ You hit revenue goals, still feel stressed

✅You work harder, things get worse

The breakthrough: Stop fixing "out there." Every business struggle is a projection of an internal pattern you haven't addressed. Kill the small version of yourself that says "I just need to push through."

It's just a mind bug. Find it, kill it, move on.

Al Levi didn't just survive three generations in the trades—he discovered the exact system that transforms chaos into a business that runs without you.

In this episode, Al—author of "The Seven Power Contractor" and veteran coach with 20+ years helping contractors escape the grind—reveals the planning framework that took him from working 24/7 to disconnecting for a month while his business thrived.

You'll discover:
✅ The "Master Project List" funnel that turns endless ideas into focused action
✅ Why your top 5 priorities matter more than your top 30
✅ The willingness test that predicts employee success before day one
✅ How systems-first thinking creates teams that don't need you to solve every problem

Be in the 13% that takes action, not the 87% that stays stuck complaining about time.

Kasim Aslam didn't just build successful businesses—he cracked the code on the single most important factor that separates thriving contractors from struggling ones.

In this episode, Kasim—author of "Hire" and founder of eight-figure businesses—reveals the exact seven-step system he uses to attract peak performers who transform entire operations.

You'll discover:

👉 Why paying 10% more than market rate gets you 300% better results

👉 The "fly trap" filtering system that weeds out 80% of applicants automatically

👉 How to structure trial projects that reveal true character before you hire

👉 Why great employees eliminate your need to advertise

Be in the 20% that thrives, not the 80% that gets left behind.

Luis C Rodriguez didn't just stumble into success—he strategically leveraged technology to transform his entire operation.

In this episode, Luis—owner of Lifetime Custom Painting—pulls back the curtain on exactly how he used artificial intelligence and smart technology to explode his business growth.

Luis shares the real numbers and specific tools that drove his 400% revenue increase.

You'll discover:

👉 The tools and systems that generated his 400% growth

👉 How to automate your sales process without losing the personal touch

👉 Which technologies actually move the needle vs. the shiny objects that waste time

If you're ready to leverage technology to scale your painting business, Luis shows you exactly how.

Behind The Iceberg Theory – The Real Stuff That Grows Businesses with Brandon Vaughn

What really drives business growth? According to Brandon Vaughn, it’s not just the systems and strategy you see—it’s the people, leadership, and culture beneath the surface. In this episode, Brandon—owner of HireBus and a lifelong tradesman turned serial entrepreneur—shares what most business owners overlook when trying to scale. From running his dad’s company to building national franchises, Brandon brings honest, hard-earned insight into the people side of business and what truly fuels sustainable growth. You’ll learn:

👉 The “iceberg theory” of business and why most owners are focused on the wrong things
👉 Common people and leadership mistakes in home services (and how to fix them)
👉 How to grow a team that’s aligned, motivated, and bought in
👉 Why leadership development is the single best investment you can make

If you want to build a business that lasts, this episode is your roadmap to the real work that makes it possible.

Join industry veteran Ben Landusky as he reveals the proven blueprint that transformed Foothills Painting from a startup to an 8-figure powerhouse. With over a decade of experience revolutionizing painting businesses, Ben shares the exact systems, mindsets, and strategies that break through revenue plateaus. 🔑 Discover high-value insights on:

• Building the organizational structure for sustainable scaling
• Creating acquisition and retention systems that fuel exponential growth
• Developing leadership teams that drive operational excellence

Implementing financial frameworks that maximize profitability while scaling Ben's unique approach has helped dozens of painting contractors achieve freedom and financial success while building outstanding businesses.

Zack shares how he’s grown a full-service residential and commercial painting company that’s grounded in reliability, customer care, and trend-forward solutions. 

A proud PCA member and last year’s EXPO winner, Zack talks about what it takes to stay relevant, build trust, and deliver results that speak for themselves.

Tune in for a down-to-earth, honest look at what it takes to build a modern painting business with a personal touch.

What happens when a master craftsperson, Army vet, and industry leader takes over the mic? In this episode, Nick Slavik shares how painting contractors can flip the script on marketing and redefine what it means to lead in this industry.

Nick is the Proprietor of Nick Slavik Painting & Restoration Co. and the host of Ask a Painter Live, a weekly show running for over 8 years. His company—now in its 17th year—employs 40+ people and is nationally known for award-winning craftsmanship, leadership development, and business systems that work.