business coaching for contractors
Grow Profits. Build Teams. Work Lean.
Design a business that works as hard as you do
What If You Could?
Have a plan for how you will grow and scale your business
Market yourself with authenticity to find customers you enjoy working with
Manage your cash flow, time, and resources wisely
Hire, retain, and engage great employees who share your companies vision
Be able to go on vacation (and not check your phone obsessively)
Know where your next clients are coming from
What I Do
what is lean business coaching for contractors?
Hands-on, strategically designed, field-tested systems that strengthen your crews, streamline your operations, and keep profits growing:
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Leadership development and training
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Streamlined systems and processes
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Field-based coaching and support
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Succession and sustainability planning
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Profitability and efficiency improvements
👉 Start with my free guide, “Lean Systems at Work for Contractors.”
How I Help
Get out of your pickup truck and get on top of your business.
You work hard, but running a contracting business shouldn’t mean chasing crews, fixing problems, and living out of your truck. With the right systems in place, your jobs run smoother, your team takes ownership, and your profits stay protected.
Here’s how I help you make that happen:
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Build confident leaders and accountable crews
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Streamline your operations to cut waste and save time
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Bring “Boots-on-the-Ground” coaching and training to your jobsites
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Protect your margins with smarter, more efficient systems
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Prepare your business for long-term growth and succession
When your business runs lean, you stay in control and gain the freedom to focus on growth, legacy, and life outside the jobsite.
My Services
Business Coaching
One-on-One Contractor Coaching:
Transform your business with Blazing Trails Coaching's personalized sessions
Mapping Sessions
Plot out a roadmap for you to follow to make your business more successful
Workshops
Where practical insights and expert guidance drive your success
Industries I work with:
Construction and Building Trades
- ZBuilders
- ZRemodelers
- ZContractors
- ZElectricians
- ZMasons / Concrete Finishers
Property Management Services
- ZLandscaping / Lawn Care / Pest Control
- ZMoving and Storage
- ZPainting / Siding / Roofing Services
- ZPlumbing / Heating / HVAC
- ZDisaster Cleaning and Restoration Services
- ZJunk Removal Services
- ZResidential and Commercial Cleaning Services
A little bit about me…
Hi, I’m Priscilla Hansen Mahoney. I grew up in the trades and know firsthand the grit it takes to build a business from the ground up. With over two decades of experience helping small and mid-sized construction and service companies, I’ve seen the challenges that come with long hours, slim margins, and trying to lead a team while keeping projects moving. As a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and Certified Professional Coach, I bring proven systems and practical strategies to help contractors cut waste, strengthen leadership, and scale with confidence. Through Blazing Trails Coaching, I partner with business owners to streamline operations, boost profitability, and build teams that last—so you can grow your business without burning out in the process.
What people are saying about Blazing Trails Coaching…
We’ve been working with Blazing Trails Coaching off and on for a few years now. Priscilla has guided our team through a variety of classes as well as one-on-one coaching sessions with us as owners. Most recently, we completed the “Crew U” program with our leadership team and were very happy with the results. Our leaders found their voice and realized how their choices impact the bottom line every day.
We emphasize this often, but hearing it from someone else in a class setting really flipped the switch. The program helped our team develop a deeper understanding of their roles, and I have no doubt much of what they learned will stay with them for life. We’re grateful for the support Priscilla provides and the time she invests in these courses.
I’ve been working with Priscilla Hansen Mahoney at Blazing Trails Coaching, and the transformation in our deck-building company has been incredible. I originally started with her one-on-one coaching, looking for guidance, and what I got was someone who truly became part of our team.
Priscilla jumped in with both feet and quickly became one of our biggest cheerleaders. She didn’t just offer high-level advice; she helped us dig into the day-to-day operations and start putting real systems in place. With her support, we were able to create clear roadmaps for our business, making our goals more achievable and our direction more focused.
When I transitioned into the Boots on the Ground program, it brought even more value to the table. Priscilla’s network of professionals gave us access to specialized insight exactly when we needed it, and her ability to connect us with the right resources has been a huge asset.
More than just a coach, Priscilla feels like a true part of our team. She genuinely cares about our success and shows up with the kind of energy and support you don’t find often. We’re incredibly grateful for all she’s done for us and highly recommend her to any contractor or trade professional looking to take their business to the next level.
We have been working with Priscilla of Blazing Trails Coaching, and with her help, we’ve made huge strides in the direction we wanted to go. Our company culture and professionalism have improved dramatically through her coaching. We’ve strengthened our safety and training program and clearly defined the structure and functions of all positions within the company.
Now, through the Boots on the Ground program with a focus on succession planning and leadership development, we’re continuing to take the company to the next level. I highly recommend her coaching services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a business coach for contractors actually do?
A business coach helps contractors strengthen the systems, leadership, and operations that keep a company running well.
Many contractors are excellent at their craft but find the business side becomes more complicated as the company grows. Teams expand, communication breaks down, and the owner ends up carrying too much responsibility.
Who do you typically work with?
Most of my clients are contractors and trades businesses generating between $2 million and $10 million in annual revenue with teams of 6 to 40 employees.
They are usually at a stage where the company has grown beyond what one person can manage alone, and they want to build stronger leadership, clearer systems, and more consistent operations.
This includes builders, remodelers, landscape companies, arborists, and other specialty trade
What makes your approach different from other business coaches?
My approach combines Lean operational principles, field observation, and practical implementation.
I spend time inside the business observing how work actually moves through the company. This allows us to identify bottlenecks, miscommunication, duplicated effort, and operational risks.
From there, we develop practical systems that improve communication, accountability, and operational flow.
The focus is always on solutions that can realistically work in the field.
What kinds of problems do contractors usually hire you to solve?
Contractors typically reach out when they are experiencing challenges such as:
- Owner overload or burnout
- Lack of clear roles and accountability
- Waste in operations that is quietly eroding profitability
- Communication breakdowns within the team
- Operational bottlenecks or inefficiencies
- Difficulty developing leaders within the company
- Growth that has outpaced the company’s systems
What types of services do you offer?
I work with contractors in several ways depending on the needs of the business.
Services may include:
- One-on-one coaching with owners or leadership teams
- Strategic consulting and operational improvement
- Leadership development and team training
- Field observation and operational assessments
- Process development and implementation support
Do you work with clients in person or remotely?
Both.
I have a private office in South Portland, Maine where many coaching clients prefer to meet. These in-person sessions allow contractors to step away from the daily demands of the jobsite and focus on their business.
Some engagements also include onsite visits to observe operations, as well as virtual sessions when needed.
What results should we expect from working together?
Every company is different, but common outcomes include:
- clearer roles and responsibilities
- stronger leadership within the company
- improved communication across teams
- fewer operational bottlenecks
- reduced operational waste
- more efficient processes
- greater confidence in decision making
How do we get started?
The first step is scheduling an introductory conversation.
During this call, we will discuss your business, the challenges you are experiencing, and what you hope to improve.
How long do companies usually work with you?
Improving operations, developing leaders, and strengthening systems takes time. Real change requires more than a few conversations. It involves evaluating the current state, implementing improvements, supporting the team through the changes, and refining processes as the business grows.
A longer engagement allows us to work through those stages together and make sure the improvements are fully implemented and sustainable.
Is my company ready to work with a business coach?
Most contractors are ready to benefit from coaching when they have reached a stage where the business is growing but the systems and leadership structure have not fully caught up.
Some common signs include:
- The owner is still involved in too many daily decisions
- The team depends heavily on the owner for direction
- Roles and responsibilities are not always clear
- Communication breakdowns cause delays or frustration
- Growth is creating operational strain
- There is waste in the system that is affecting efficiency and profitability
Coaching works best for contractors who are open to examining how the business operates and are willing to implement improvements that strengthen the company over time.
How much does business coaching cost?
Business coaching and consulting is an investment in the long-term health and performance of your company.
Every engagement is customized based on the scope of work, the size of the organization, and the level of support required. Because of that, pricing can vary depending on the needs of the business.
What I encourage contractors to consider is the cost of leaving operational issues unresolved. Inefficient systems, communication breakdowns, unclear roles, and operational waste can quietly affect profitability, team morale, and long-term growth.
Building the right foundations in a business takes time and intention, but the return can be significant when those systems begin to support stronger leadership, better decision making, and smoother operations.
What does the process look like when starting with you?
Most engagements begin with a conversation to understand the company’s goals, challenges, and priorities.
From there, the process typically includes:
- An initial assessment of operations and leadership structure
- Identifying key improvement opportunities
- Developing systems and leadership practices
- Supporting the team as those improvements are implemented