1. "It's a dog-eat-dog world, and I'm wearing Milk-Bone underwear." - Norm Peterson
Philosophy from Norm’s bar stool was a bit gloomy. No one would ever accuse Norm of being a hard working contractor who looked to satisfy the needs of clients. However, I’ll lead with one of my favorite quotes from Norm. This quote reminds contractors of the competitive nature of the industry. It encourages us to stay resilient and keep pushing forward despite challenges. Being a contractor is hard. At times it feels like competitors, clients and even family/friends come at you like a dog on a milk-bone. Fellow contractors, it normal feel and no one is trying to nip your arse on purpose. Stay motivated.

2. "Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name." - Gary Portnoy (Theme Song)
People want to work with folks the know, like and trust. Building strong relationships with clients and the local community is crucial for outdoor contractors. This quote emphasizes the importance of creating a welcoming and familiar environment for customers. Key to repeat work is familiarity for clients. Your processes become a comfortable fit for clients where they feel they belong.

3. "What's the point in living if you don't have a life?" - Carla Tortelli
You know exactly what Carla means. Contractor spend so much time making a living, we forget to live. We must prioritize work-life balance to avoid burnout and maintain a passion for our craft. This quote serves as a reminder to enjoy life outside of work.

4. "Even a broken clock is right twice a day." - Coach Ernie Pantusso
Coach, a clumsy character, kept himself busy. Not always productive, but busy. He used this familiar phrase to put a different view on “broken people.” Mistakes happen in outdoor work and sometimes laborers and vendors seem to be a broken clock, but even still there can be opportunities to learn and improve from them. This quote encourages contractors to persevere and find solutions, hear out everyone’s ideas and pick out where others have constructive input.

5. "You gotta find something to like about everybody." - Sam Malone
Sam’s professional career didn’t go as planned, and now as the owner of a community bar Sam provides a gathering spot for people of all walks of life. We, as outdoor contractors interact with various clients and team members. Sam emphasizes the importance of finding common ground and fostering positive relationships with everyone involved in the project.