Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Philip Coiro. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Philip thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One of our favorite things to brainstorm about with friends who’ve built something entrepreneurial is what they would do differently if they were to start over today. Surely, there are things you’ve learned that would allow you to do it over faster, more efficiently. We’d love to hear how you would go about setting things up if you were starting over today, knowing everything that you already know.

If I had to do it all over again, I’d play the game differently—

Out of college, I was all music, all the time. In NYC, getting gigs isn’t just about how well you play—it’s about networking. And for musicians who aren’t naturally good at it, networking often comes off as transactional, like you’re just trying to get something from someone. Meanwhile, when I got into contracting about ten years ago and started my own company in 2017, I studied negotiation, business strategy, and scaling—skills I wish I had when I was grinding in the music world. If I had approached my music career like I did my construction business, I would have gotten further, faster, and with way fewer roadblocks.

Before COVID, NYC musicians had this weird purity test—if you had a side hustle, people saw it as a sign you weren’t “making it.” I actually hid the fact that I was doing contracting work because of that stigma. Now? Everything’s flipped. Some of the best musicians I know are also running businesses and stacking income streams. The ones still trying to make it on music alone? I love them, but that seems like insanity to me.

Philip, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve built my career in two demanding industries—music and construction—both requiring creativity and discipline.

Out of college, I was a full-time musician, performing on Broadway tours, leading bands, and playing recording sessions. About ten years ago, I got into contracting, and in 2017, I launched GoTu Home Improvements. I took what I learned from music—attention to detail, working under pressure—and applied it to building a construction business.

What I Offer & What Sets Me Apart
In an industry full of bad actors, what sets us apart is trust. Clients know they can rely on us to respect their home, their hard-earned money, and deliver exceptional work with a seamless experience.

What I’m Most Proud Of
That I’ve always worked for myself—except for my first job at 14, where I spent 11 years at a pizza restaurant. Since college, I’ve been fortunate to build a career my way, staying passionate about both music and construction.

What I Want People to Know
There’s no substitute for an amazing life partner. None of this would be possible without the love and support of my wife, Lauryn. If you have someone who believes in you unconditionally, it makes the hard days, weeks, months, and years bearable. So thank you, Lauryn!

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots in my life was shifting from being solely a musician to building a construction business.

For years, music was everything—Broadway tours, leading bands, session work. But NYC’s music scene is unpredictable, and I didn’t want to spend my life chasing the next gig just to get by. About ten years ago, I got into contracting, and by 2017, I launched GoTu Home Improvements. The skills I honed in music—discipline, attention to detail, performing under pressure—became the foundation for running a business.

For a while, I felt like I had to hide my construction work because, in the music world, having a side hustle was seen as a failure. But post-COVID, that stigma is gone. Now, some of the best musicians I know run businesses and stack income streams. Ironically, having a successful company has made my music career stronger—I play fewer gigs, but they’re better than ever. I’m currently on tour with singer-songwriter Troy Ramey, leading his band from behind the drums. I get to play on my own terms while running a business that gives me real freedom. Looking back, pivoting wasn’t just necessary—it was the best move I ever made.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

What’s helped me build my reputation in construction is simple: we stand behind our work, no matter what.

In construction, things happen—products fail, human error occurs. But what sets us apart is how we handle it. In eight years, I’ve only had one real callback—and it was five years after we remodeled a client’s bathroom. Well beyond any industry warranty, she noticed a water leak in her basement from the custom shower pan we installed. We were there the next day, ripped it out, replaced it, and covered the cost—no questions asked.

That’s just who we are. When you work with us, we don’t disappear after the job is done. We believe in long-term relationships, not quick transactions. That level of integrity is rare in this industry, and it’s why clients trust us with their homes.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.gotuhomeimprovements.com & www.philipcoiro.com
• Instagram: @philcoiro