Spotlight on Success
Featured Interview
Andrew Nathan
“Spotlight on Success” is an interview series created by David Levine of I Am Your Virtual Professional. Its purpose is to amplify the voices of today’s business leaders. Each interview provides actionable insights that readers can implement immediately. No fluff, just practical wisdom that enables individuals to move forward with clarity and confidence.
Andrew Nathan
| Company | Creative Smart Contractors |
|---|---|
| Role | co-Founder |
| LinkedIn Profile | https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmarcnathan/ |
| Company Website | https://creativesmartcontractors.com/ |
Helping real estate investors maximize ROI with efficient, high-quality rehabs and rental turnovers. At Creative Smart Contractors, we handle the entire process—so you save time, reduce headaches, and boost profits. Let’s build your next success story together.
Who Should You Nominate?
- Leaders doing meaningful work
- People with insights others can learn from
- Voices worth elevating
Interview Questions
1. What’s one strategy your business used recently that created meaningful growth?
I stopped doing all the estimates myself. As a general contractor, I need a team to help clients in many cases. I often find it helpful to have someone more skilled than I go out to do an estimate. I still go out when needed or if I can handle the call quickly on my own. However, I would rather focus on my greatness (bringing in new clients and improving systems).
2. How has AI or technology changed the way you operate or serve clients?
I use automation wherever possible. AI is definitely helpful, but I want automation to ensure I remain consistent in my client follow-up. The reality is that, like most entrepreneurs, I have a lot on my plate. I want to offload things I would need to think about to automation. For example, I had a project manager go out on an estimate this morning (see question one). My CRM sent an automated email and text message confirming the meeting with the prospect that they will be there this morning. Before I even sat down to work today, the prospect confirmed everything via text. I sent a text to my project manager and then started generating more leads.
3. What’s one thing you stopped doing that actually helped your business grow?
Stopped being a project manager when I am a sales and marketing person. Again, it goes back to understanding your brilliance. I own a GC company. I am not a licensed electrician, plumber, HVAC technician, drywall expert, or painting guru. I know what needs to be done and have the team around me to get it done correctly so my clients are happy.
4. What’s a customer insight you discovered that changed the way you do business?
I always think about contracting this way after hearing this on a podcast years ago. To be in the top 20% of contractors, you need to show up and do your job. That’s it. To be in the top 10% you need to do it right. To be in the top 5% you need to do it right and get it done on time. However, to be in the top 1%. The true 1%, you need to clean up after yourself. Simple things help clients. Do what you say you are going to do in the time you promised. Do it right and clean up afterward. If you communicate that correctly, you grow your business.
5. If a business had to improve ONE area to grow faster in the next 90 days, what should it be?
I feel we are still siloed off in certain areas of the company. We need a seamless experience for customers, employees, and leaders.
6. What’s one thing you do consistently that keeps your pipeline healthy?
I try to make at least 10-15 calls per day. When I say calls, keep in mind that some of my calls range from 5-45 minutes. I don’t want to reach out to cold-call numbers. I want to connect with prospects who could benefit from our services.
7. What’s a decision you made in the last year that had a bigger impact than you expected, and what led you to make it?:
We added more teams to our business. One of them is a complete partnership where the partner sends out the estimate (and copies me). It has led to faster service and better conversions because we are on top of the process.
8. What’s one process you streamlined that made a noticeable difference in efficiency or results?
I have a number of processes automated through Zapier and my CRM. One thing I do is when I add a new contact from specific lead sources I tag them to track where I found them. Depending on the tag, they get put into an automation sequence where I reach out to them to schedule a showing..
9. What book, podcast, or resource has influenced your thinking or business decisions lately and why?
Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell. I want to spend more time on my business than in it. With that said, eMyth by Michael Gerber as well.
Who Should You Nominate?
- Leaders doing meaningful work
- People with insights others can learn from
- Voices worth elevating
I am Your Virtual Professional's
3 Key Takeaways
# 1
Delegate to stay in your lane of highest value. Andrew stopped doing his own estimates and offloaded project-management tasks so he could focus on what drives growth—bringing in new clients and improving systems.
# 2
Use automation to create consistency, not complexity. From CRM-driven follow-ups to Zapier sequences that trigger when new leads enter the pipeline, he simplifies communication and ensures every prospect gets timely, reliable touchpoints.
# 3
Daily discipline fuels a predictable pipeline. His commitment to 10–15 calls per day—prioritizing warm, relevant conversations—keeps momentum strong and reinforces the message he gives clients: do what you say, show up, and deliver.
Who Should You Nominate?
- Leaders doing meaningful work
- People with insights others can learn from
- Voices worth elevating
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