We're re-releasing this fan-favorite episode with Ross Hartmann, founder of Kiingo AI, just in time for our Grand Summit Conference where Ross will be leading a breakout session on this very topic. Ross and Molly explore practical AI applications for small businesses, discussing how tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini can boost efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer experiences while maintaining your authentic brand voice. Whether you're AI-curious or already experimenting, this conversation offers actionable strategies to integrate AI into your business today.

Join Molly Nolan and Colin Nolan as they preview the 2025 Grand Summit Conference in Seattle- NCG's largest annual event bringing together business owners for learning, networking, and one-on-one coaching. Discover what's new this year, including keynote speaker Tiffany Bova, interactive Table Talks, sessions on AI and bot building, strategic wealth building, and business valuation, plus enhanced opportunities for collaboration among the Summit community. Registration closes October 3rd, so don't miss your chance to invest in your business growth at this can't-miss event!

Register Here: https://sites.google.com/nolancg.com/grand-summit-2025-seattle/attendee-registration

We are jumping back into the world of Stewart Painting - a month ago we heard about their Board of Directors Progress and now we’re hearing about the Role dynamics of the General Manager & Owner! Sheldon Stewart, Owner & President and Kimberly Redfield, General Manager discuss the role of the GM and how they work together effectively, sharing real examples of boundary-setting, strategic planning, and building trust during leadership transitions. As the former Controller, Kim shares the the critical differences between the role of the controller and GM and how to balance immediate operational needs with long-term succession and board planning.

This week we are re-releasing an episode originally published in May of 2024 with Michael Murray, he Founder and President at Textbook Painting in Cleveland, OH. As we thinking about planning and budgeting for 2026, we thought it was timely to revisit the topic of hiring overseas talent and how you can build that into your organizational growth to support your scaling teams.

Be sure to check out the show notes for tools & hiring platforms below from the podcast!

Job Postings & VA Hiring Services

https://www.onlinejobs.ph/

https://remote.co/

ProfitWorks

Tools:

https://www.tango.us/

https://www.notion.so/

https://vocaroo.com/

https://wise.com/us/

https://www.loom.com/

https://justcall.io/

https://www.ringcentral.com/

Nolan Consulting Group Coach, Eamon Lynch shares lessons from scaling operations at a billion-dollar remodeling company and applying those systems to smaller trades businesses. From bay window sales gone wrong to the critical handoffs between sales and operations, Eamon breaks down why "we say a lot of things" isn't good enough and how to build accountability that scales. Learn his approach to cross-departmental meetings and the communication strategies that turn chaos into consistent growth.

When the Summer days start fading, we start planning! Today we’re diving into the importance of starting your 2026 planning now - at the very least, getting those dates on the calendar in October or November. From vision setting and SWOT analysis to identifying Planning Discussion Items and breaking them into 90-day action steps, we explore the tools and structure that make planning retreats impactful. We also discuss the balance between big-picture dreaming and practical integration, and why getting out of the office fuels creativity.

Join us as we welcome Gavin Hepp, Co Founder of Webfoot Home Improvements and newest addition to the Nolan Sales Coaching team. Gavin shares his passion for "Setting the Table" - the critical foundation of every successful sales interaction that makes customers comfortable and sets clear expectations from the start. We dive deep into practical communication strategies, and discuss how to leverage texting effectively with clients and avoid the dreaded "ghosting" through structured follow-up processes.

Back in 2022, we sat down with Sheldon Stewart, Owner & President of Stewart Painting to talk about his early journey building a board of directors—well, we're back for round two to see how things have actually played out! This time we're joined by Sheldon's daughter Shayla Wilkinson, who's now wearing two hats as both marketing manager and board member, and they have made great progress. From navigating family business dynamics to mapping out a succession plan that'll bring in two outside board members by 2028, Sheldon and Shayla give us the real scoop on what it's actually like to evolve from a traditional family business into something with a serious governance structure.

To listen to the first episode with Sheldon -

Ep 110: A Member Story ~ Building Stewart Painting's Board of Directors