The Systems Every Contractor Needs to Scale – Anthony Valerio, Owner of Four Winds Chimney

In this episode, we sit down with Anthony Valerio, owner of Four Winds Chimney, to talk about how he scaled his contracting business from a one-man operation to over 50 employees in just seven years—right here in Western New York.

Anthony shares how a personal injury sparked his entrepreneurial journey, how he hires and retains top talent in a tough labor market, and why focusing on people over profit has been the key to sustainable growth.

You’ll learn:

How to build systems that support scaling (even if you hate admin work)

Why delegating early—even before you're “ready”—is crucial

How to turn your first few hires into long-term team members

What culture actually means in a service business (and how to create it)

Tips for attracting and keeping talent in contracting and trades

Why branding matters even in local home services

How Anthony used marketing, mentorship, and leadership to build a trusted name in multiple cities

Whether you’re a solo operator or running a small team, Anthony’s approach will inspire you to think bigger—and grow smarter.