In this episode of the Business Builder Way, I sat down with Jeff Bowers, owner of Bowers Home Improvement and Liberty Hill Investment Properties in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania.

Jeff didn’t start out looking to build a business empire. He started out cleaning up job sites for his dad. But over time, Jeff grew into the work. And when his life nearly fell apart from addiction, he made a decision that changed everything: he got sober.

This conversation is raw and real. Jeff shares what it was like growing up in the coal region, raised by a single dad who got clean himself in 1990 and started a business from scratch. Jeff joined him straight out of high school. For 25 years, they worked side by side.

Then, like his father before him, Jeff hit rock bottom. He found his way into recovery. And along the way, he found new energy for the business, his family, and his community.

Today, Jeff runs a crew with his son by his side. He also manages 28 rental units, serves as president of the Chamber, and still finds time to coach baseball. When a tornado tore through Mahanoy City, Jeff and his team stepped up—and his customers stepped back, giving him the space to lead his community.

Timestamps

00:00 – 05:18 - Jeff shares how getting clean reshaped his life and business.

05:19 – 20:23 - Jeff reflects on joining the business as a teenager, working beside his dad for decades, and the quiet strength he found after his father passed

20:24 – 34:45 - Jeff shares how getting sober led to rebranding, rebuilding, and real growth in the business.

34:46 – 40:50 - When a tornado struck Mahanoy City, Jeff stepped up for his town. His customers gave him room to lead, and the community felt the impact.

Learn more about Jeff and Bowers Home Improvement:
https://www.facebook.com/BowersHomeImprovements

🎧 Listen to the Business Builder Way Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-business-builder-way/id1651043424

In this episode of the Business Builder Way, I sat down with Ed O’Sullivan, a business broker and former fireplace shop owner from Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Ed and his wife didn’t set out to become brokers. They started by buying a business themselves. It wasn’t glamorous. But it had good bones.
Over the past ten years, they have polished it.

Added systems. Built a team. Expanded the product line. And then, when it was thriving, they sold it. Now, Ed helps other business owners do the same. He shared what makes a business truly sellable. And what gets in the way.
We talked about cleaning up the books.

Building a business that doesn’t rely on the owner. Creating documented processes. And how a few changes can sometimes add hundreds of thousands of dollars to a sale. Ed also told the truth. About the mistakes he made. About what he didn’t know. And how he’s now helping others avoid those same traps.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to exit well, or just want to build a stronger business, this is one to sit with.


Timestamps
00:00 – 00:16 - Business is about relationships: trust must be earned by investing in clients.

00:16 – 01:45 - Meet Ed O’Sullivan. He and his wife went from medical sales to buying a small fireplace shop, growing it over a decade, and selling it for a strong return.

01:45 – 02:31 - After selling, they realised they loved the process, so they started helping other owners do the same.

27:56 – 33:07 - Most businesses don’t sell. Clean books and less owner dependency add value. Messy financials and risky contracts scare buyers and banks.

41:13 – 44:42 - One business added $800K in value by lowering risk. Ed’s advice: build a business someone wants to buy, not just one you’re ready to leave.

Learn more about Ed and VR Brokers:
https://www.vrbusinessbrokers.com/

🎧 Listen to the Business Builder Way Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-business-builder-way/id1651043424

Paul Cantarella is a fourth-generation mason who’s built more than buildings—he’s built a resilient business and a loyal team. In this candid conversation, Paul shares leadership lessons forged through growth, setbacks, and personal loss.

From splitting off the family business in 2003, to navigating a safety crisis, to leading with heart after tragedy—this episode is full of insight for business owners who want to build something that lasts.

Timestamps:
0:00 – People first: “You’re nothing without your people”
1:34 – Starting fresh: Lessons from splitting off a family business
10:28 – Stepping into full leadership after loss
16:10 – Turning a workplace accident into a safety culture
42:05 – Planning for growth and succession with the right people

Learn more about Paul and his business: https://cantarellamasonry.com/

🎧 Listen to the Business Builder Way Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-business-builder-way/id1651043424