Overview
In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, John Jantsch interviews Victoria Downing, president of Remodelers Advantage—the leading peer group and business improvement resource for remodeling company owners. With over three decades of experience, Victoria explains how peer groups, professional training, and a focus on both profit and work-life balance have helped thousands of remodelers scale their businesses, lead more effectively, and create better lives for themselves and their teams. If you’re interested in how accountability, community, and structured learning can accelerate your growth—no matter your industry—this episode is packed with actionable insights.
About the Guest
Victoria Downing is the president of Remodelers Advantage, the premier peer group and business improvement organization for remodeling contractors. For more than 30 years, Victoria has helped remodelers across the US and Canada improve profitability, leadership, and work-life balance. She is a sought-after speaker, industry pioneer, and advocate for viewing your business as a tool for creating a great life—for yourself, your team, and your clients.
Actionable Insights
- Your business should be a tool for creating the life you want—for both owners and employees—not just an engine for profit.
- Peer groups are powerful: non-competing companies from all over the country meet to share numbers, challenges, and best practices, creating deep accountability and real results.
- The most successful remodelers invest in their teams, using credits and resources for professional development, masterclasses, and specialized peer groups (production, design, finance, etc.).
- Many contractors start as technicians—great at the craft, but not always at the business skills (especially finance and delegation). Peer groups help bridge that gap.
- Clear, accurate financials are essential—the numbers tell the story and help owners decide what to focus on next.
- Growth comes from learning to delegate and letting go of control; owners who try to hold onto every decision become the bottleneck.
- Publicly sharing numbers and commitments with a peer group drives focus, accountability, and targeted improvement.
- Technology (from CRMs to project management to AI) is rapidly evolving—Remodelers Advantage helps companies share what works and stay ahead without pushing a single software.
- The peer group model is thriving in many industries; masterminding with other business owners cuts your learning curve in half and keeps you on the leading edge.
- Group dynamics matter—matching by size, style, and personality (using tools like DISC) creates high-functioning, supportive communities.
Great Moments (with Timestamps)
- 00:56 – What is Remodelers Advantage?
Victoria explains the vision: building better lives through better businesses. - 03:02 – The Power of Peer Groups
How non-competing owners form deep accountability, learn, and grow together. - 05:23 – Investing in the Team
Specialized peer groups and credits for professional development boost performance and retention. - 07:20 – The Technician’s Trap
Why so many owners struggle with finance, delegation, and growth—and how peer groups help. - 09:17 – Accountability and “Peer Pressure”
How public commitments drive faster, more focused improvement. - 11:38 – Adapting to Technology
How Victoria’s team stays agnostic but ahead, sharing what’s working across the industry. - 13:31 – Group Dynamics and the Role of DISC
How careful placement and personality matching keep groups thriving. - 16:21 – Real Results: 30% Revenue Growth, Complete Overhauls, and More
Victoria shares a real-life member’s story of transformation. - 18:13 – Peer Groups in Other Industries
How masterminding accelerates learning and keeps Victoria sharp as a leader herself. - 19:19 – What’s Next for Remodelers and the Industry
How Victoria’s team helps members stay on top of trends and plan for the future.
Insights
“Your business is a tool to build the life you want. Start with your goals, then engineer your business to deliver them.”
“Peer groups aren’t just about sharing wins—they’re about accountability for the tough stuff, too. That’s where growth happens.”
“The most successful owners invest in their teams’ development. When your people get better, your business gets better.”
“Clear, accurate numbers are a must. If you can’t read your financials, you can’t steer your business.”
“Business management is business management—masterminding with peers cuts your learning curve in half, in any industry.”
Peer Groups, Victoria Downing
