CONEXPO – CON/AGG Podcast: Construction Business Insights For Contractors

Advocating for Everybody in Construction with Alexandra SmithOn today’s episode of CONEXPO, Taylor is joined by Alexandra Smith, aka Al the Little Operator, who runs equipment, installs septic systems, and shares Taylor’s love of wastewater treatment. Alexandra kicks off the episode by discussing what her job involves as a newly self-employed worker, her ambitions to learn septic design, and her background growing up in the construction industry. She and Taylor also get into some of the specifics of septic systems and the importance of standing your ground and maintaining your integrity rather than taking shortcuts just to maximize profit.Next, Taylor asks Alexandra where she sees herself going in the industry, and she explains that she has a decision to make in the future about returning and taking over the family business. However, she says that her main priority is to stay in the field without getting sucked into the six-days-a-week, twelve-hours-a-day pressure that many industry workers fall prey to. She also wants to use her social media presence to encourage healthier lifestyles and a return to focusing on what’s important in life, inside and outside the job. Alexandra then discusses what it’s like for women in construction, how she tries to let girls know there’s space for normal girls in the industry, and how she avoids scrutiny as a woman by keeping her content focused on her work. She also shares some of the equipment she loves to work with (and some she doesn’t!) and how a shared love of equipment is a huge part of her relationship with her dad. And finally, Alexandra tells us what she’ll be speaking about at CONEXPO before closing the episode by emphasizing that while it’s important for her to advocate for women in the industry, she also wants to make life better for everybody in construction by encouraging new ways of conducting and organizing business, so people have more freedom.The Finer Details of This Episode: Alexandra’s background The specifics of septics Dealing with difficult homeowners Ensuring perfection and maintaining integrity Setting up for a better future Being a woman in construction and on social media Alexandra’s favorite equipment What Alexandra will be speaking about at CONEXPO Advocating for everybody in the industry Quotes:“I like the process. I like knowing that this is what I’ve got to do, in and out. I enjoy the labor and the machine work combination.”“What happened to doing work because it makes you happy and being okay with making plenty but not overkilling?”“I’m not the type of person where I’m a tomboy, but I’m not really girly, either. I’m kind of all these things, and I’m trying to balance them into one person and to make sure that I can put out a good example and an accurate representation of who I am. And just let girls know, they can just be a normal girl in the construction industry.”“I couldn’t imagine my life not running equipment and not working with my dad. It’s great, I’m really lucky.”“We definitely got to try some new ways of conducting business and expectations for workers and try to find ways that maybe we can organize business, so people have more freedom, and it still runs effectively, if that makes sense.”Links:Taylor White on LinkedInEarth Movers MagazineAl The Little Operator on InstagramAlexandra Smith on LinkedInTo learn more about the 2023 CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show and to...

Taylor welcomes Luke Eggebraaten and Luke Payne, both successful business owners within the construction industry. Luke E is the Founder & Managing Partner of Phaser Marketing, which is a digital marketing agency for construction companies. Luke P, on the other hand, is the owner of the construction businesses: Black Iron Dirt & Demolition & Western Excavation LLC. They both share a passion for the “dirt world,” and they work and grow together with every mutual project.Tune into this episode to hear all about this perfectly complementary partnership. What started out as a close friendship grew to become a strong partnership. And as both Luke E and Luke P say, the goal has always been to grow together, bring people together, and play off each other’s weaknesses. With so many successful years in the field, they’re now committed to sharing their wealth of knowledge with the construction world. In this episode, they share a lot of golden tips for construction companies looking to expand their online presence and build a bulletproof business so if you’re one of them, make sure you join Luke E, Luke P, and Taylor for this enlightening conversation.Topics: The beginning of a beautiful partnership Niching down and becoming an industry expert Deciding when to purchase new equipment Improving cash flow Careers in construction The importance of a digital presence Building a sustainable and strong business Quotes:  “It's one of those business partnerships where we kind of just set the money aside, and we say, ‘Okay, let's get to work.’ Everything is like we're growing together.” “Your website is your gatekeeper. If someone wants to know more about you, they're going to Google you. And the more powerful you are on that site, I feel like it establishes more of the trust.” “People are hungry to learn, they're willing to pay for it, and we're seeing that firsthand.” “If you want to work, construction is a great industry to go into because you have to work to make it happen.” “It's a lot about the technology, and it's a lot about what's new because, again, with the construction industry, you have to adapt to survive.” “Bad times do come, and bad times do happen. So how can we try and set you up best to pivot or to make the most out of these situations?” Links: Taylor White on LinkedIn Black Iron Dirt and Demolition Western Excavation Phaser Marketing Dirt Bags Podcast Turf Wars Racing Luke Eggebraaten on LinkedIn Luke Payne on LinkedIn To learn more about the 2023 CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show and to register, go to: https://www.conexpoconagg.com/show-experience

Taylor welcomes construction veteran and legend, Jeff Cavanagh, to the podcast to talk about the history of his family firm, Thomas Cavanagh Construction, the importance of building vibrant communities, and investing and trusting in the right people. The pair open the episode by discussing Cavanagh’s company history and familiarity with vertical integration. Since the late 20th century, the firm has done nothing but grow, and Jeff owes a lot of that success to his tough team that runs 1200 people deep. Since his father let him join the family business, Jeff has dutifully taken the time to hire and invest in the right people, and according to him, that’s made all the difference in the company’s success. Not only does Thomas Cavanagh Construction strive to develop vibrant communities around Ottawa at large, but they also aim to foster the same positive atmosphere within their organization. After all, taking care of Cavanagh employees is paramount to the company’s success. Given that Jeff and his family have been in the game for decades, Taylor and Jeff spend the remainder of the episode reminiscing on early land development lessons, market recessions, how they prepared for them, and the future of Jeff’s ever-expanding business. Filled with wisdom informed by extensive experience, Jeff truly has so much to offer listeners here today - you don’t want to miss this one! Topics: Cavanagh Construction’s history of vertical integration Building vibrant communities The importance of delegation Investing in the right products and people Taking care of Cavanagh employees Early land development mistakes Preparing for residential market recessions The future of Cavanagh Construction Quotes: “We do all things construction. We do home building. We're into land development– building houses. We backfill houses, dig basins. We have aggregates, pits, and quarries, asphalt, and all types of heavy equipment.” “Lots of times, you know, you see things going wrong. But lots of times you see things going right, so there's more right than wrong.” “So that's building vibrant communities; it's more than just the community itself. We're building a community inside of Cavanagh construction.” “I found that I was becoming too much of a micromanager for the size of our business. And we were able to empower the people that work for us, in particular the bosses in that sector.” “So we tried to buy what was best in class. Because we were using the product and basically wearing it out, fixing it and wearing it out, then selling it. So we didn't want to work on junk anymore.” “When we're building you a house, when you move into that house, there's good value in that product. When we develop a lot, we do it efficiently so that when we are able to sell that lot, it’s good value for the consumer. So, if you can provide good value for what they're buying, they'll come back and buy some more.” Links: Taylor White on LinkedIn Cavanagh Construction Homepage  To learn more about the 2023 CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show and to register, go to: https://www.conexpoconagg.com/show-experience

Joining Taylor White on the podcast this week is Ryan Priestly, President of Priestly Demolition, who you may know from the show Salvage Kings on the History Channel. Ryan kicks off the episode by discussing the scope of Priestly Demolition’s work, from bringing down power plants to bridge demolitions to asbestos abatement - taking on projects both big and small along the way. He shares his background as a second-generation industry member, having taken over the business from his father fifteen years ago, and how he’s worked to hone his workers’ skills and create a harmonious team who work together effectively. He also discusses Salvage Kings, the impact the show had on his business, the challenges involved in making it, and why Priestly won’t be returning for its third season.Next, Taylor and Ryan delve into some of the big issues facing the industry right now, including the impact of inflation and the likelihood of an economic course correction. They also chat about stress relief and how to achieve a work/life balance and maintain your well-being in an industry that doesn’t always make it easy to sit back and appreciate your achievements. Taylor then asks Ryan to share some of his most memorable “Oh, man” projects, the ones that caused the biggest headaches, and Ryan describes some of the unique and challenging projects he’s been involved in over the years along with the lessons he learned from them. And finally, Ryan closes the show by sharing what’s up next for him and the business, including some ambitious plans for growth and bringing on the next generation of Priestly Demolition employees, including his son and nephews. Topics: Inheriting the family business The impact of Salvage Kings Inflation and its impact on the industry Ryan’s most memorable “Oh, man” project What’s next for Ryan and Priestly Demolition Quotes:“I guess the biggest issue for them, it’s just not their specialty, it’s just not their skill set. So at the same token, it’s not really something they want to put a whole lot of time and energy into. Whereas we thrive on it, we want to come up with a plan that’s going to work for everyone, and we want to come up with a plan that’s going to make it efficient and safe and get done on time.”“The question with inflation that really, as a business owner, is like, what’s the number? Is it 3%? Is it 8%? Is it 5%? Is it 22%? Is it 13%? And, you know, I just feel like there’s a real disconnect on what’s happening, percentage-wise.”“Not a lot makes sense right now, and I think there’s got to be some kind of correction coming just with real estate and priced-up fuel and inflation. But I don’t think it’s going to be huge. I don’t think the correction is going to be 50% or anything like that.”“As far as facing challenges on a daily basis, the contracting business is pretty out there for that, as far as I’m concerned. It’s just a very challenging job day in and day out. It’s the amount of hills you’ve got to climb on a given day.”“I learned that you need to have a goal. At least then, we’re all going in the same direction. You don’t want to lose complete touch with reality. It’s great to have a goal and stuff like that, but at the end of the day, if it’s not in the cards, it’s not in the cards.”“It's just nice to see that people are enjoying their time here and that people are making a career out of Priestly, which is super awesome.”Links:Taylor White on LinkedInPriestly Demolition IncTo learn more about the 2023 CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show and to register, go to: https://www.conexpoconagg.com/show-experience

On this very special second episode of the podcast, Taylor welcomes Nick Drew, the man behind the infamous 'Digger Man Blog’, to talk about his early start in construction, his late blooming blogging skills, the realities of the construction industry, and, of course, CONEXPO. Nick opens up the episode by fondly remembering his childhood and the days he used to spend with his father at his job working on construction sites. It wasn’t until he was much older and more seasoned in the construction industry, however, that Drew got his start in his true calling, construction journalism.  In 2008, Drew got his big break and hasn’t looked back since. As an illustrious construction blogger, he now gets approached to travel the world and report on the newest machinery, construction news, and conventions, like CONEXPO, which Taylor and Nick are both looking forward to. They go on to explain how special the convention is, noting that nowhere else can you find so many leaders and friends in the field that put you in contact with new machinery and communities. And in the wake of the COVID-19 construction boom with new developments popping up overnight and product demand rapidly increasing, that’s now more important than ever.   Episode overview: Drew’s early start in construction Tilt rotator technology Shifting the narrative around construction work Journalism in the construction industry Drew’s blogging career The future of diesel alternatives North American and European machinery The COVID-19 construction boom Quotes: “We need to show people that necessarily wouldn't want to be exposed or work in the construction, blue collar industry– show them what it's like, and show them how it can be. I think a part of that is also a lot of businesses and construction companies need to make it a place that these young people want to come and work for.””At the time, there wasn't anyone else doing it.”“Yeah, well, you know, the blog, by its nature, is a host of various topics. I don't try to focus on anything special in particular, you know, I like to keep it very interesting.”“There's a lot of interesting people there and machinery and technology. And it's a really good place for people to showcase that. But also, I feel like just putting a face to people as well.”“You'll meet industry leaders and friends. And you're also going to build new relationships in the community. And you'll find the equipment, services, and people within your construction field.” Links: Taylor White on LinkedInEarth Movers MagazineDigger Man Blog on TwitterDigger Man Blog on InstagramTo learn more about the 2023 CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show and to register, go to: https://www.conexpoconagg.com/show-experience

On this highly anticipated episode of the podcast, Taylor White takes on the hosting duties and is joined by his very special guest, Scott Colclough. The pair talk about Colclough’s life, his business, his experiences with CONEXPO-CON/AGG, and the upcoming 2023 show. Upon getting his start in construction as an operator in Alberta, Scott acquainted himself with all of the skills, tools, and techniques that he could. Now after years and years in the industry, Colclough has taken to social media under the username @pushysix to teach people about construction and inspire others. He’s always felt that he had a purpose larger than himself, and unlike most people, Scott practices what he preaches.  He loves helping others, noting that CONEXPO-CON/AGG is a perfect place to do so and agreeing with Taylor that it’s the best trade show worldwide. They love meeting colleagues from the other side of the globe, but it’s also nice to see friendly faces from the town over. And for Colclough, that’s what it’s all about: people. Authenticity and caring for others is absolutely paramount to him. And with the advent of social media that’s now easier than ever. Scott’s been online for quite a bit now, and he’s seen how online construction content has evolved. TikTok now encourages users to create bite-sized videos instead of the longer form ones that he’s used to. And while that makes jobs like Colclough’s a little harder, he’s still just as passionate about producing content and sharing it with others - something that, thankfully, he plans on continuing to do for a long time to come. Episode overview: Scott’s varied construction experience Making moves for the future of the industry CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 Coming up in Alberta’s heavy construction scene Authenticity and caring for others Changes in construction content   Quotes: “So, I've just always been trying to find a way to help teach people about construction and inspire people, like yourself”“I'm just trying to pass down knowledge.”“You know how to operate on a construction site and you also know how to do the multimedia side of it. That is such a niche that I think people don't understand.”“I think what's so cool about a CONEXPO is that you realize how much of a small world it is when you go down there and you see somebody from one town over.”“It's like all the cool stuff that you see on people's Instagram but in person.”“What happens is I have ideas. I work towards it. If it fails, I pick the next one. It's just this constant moving ahead trying to succeed at things and build.”“So, yes, we used to make sick edits with tons of production time going into it. Now they've changed everything to compete with TikTok so it's all now the short base stuff.”“It's really hard to teach people or connect with people with a short little clip.”“Yeah, that's what we are, rough and tough blue collar, right? So, going from that to electric with no noise. I don't know. It kind of kills the whole vibe for the thing.” Links:  Taylor White on LinkedIn Scott Colclough on LinkedIn Pushysix on Instagram Pushysix Homepage   Pushysix on YouTube To learn more about the 2023 CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show and to register, go to:https://www.conexpoconagg.com/show-experience 

Kevin Gray took a leap of faith when he purchased a dying asphalt paving and sealcoating business in 2011. A small business loan, some rundown equipment, and entrepreneurial grit were all they had during the first few years. Now, thanks to the organizational processes and culture initiatives Kevin has implemented, Louisville, Kentucky-based ADC Paving is thriving.   Kevin and host Missy Scherber talk about getting your office and crew in order to jumpstart your economic engine. They also cover: Making customer experience a priority Committing to training and investing in your staff Open and transparent communication

Heath Hanna’s passion for dirt runs deep. He spent the first part of his career working as a Caterpillar dealer instructor before making the leap into starting his own construction business. With some serious work ethic and grit, his company, Contour Mining & Construction, has transformed from startup to one of the largest heavy civil contractors in South Carolina in 9 years.  Heath and host Missy Scherber discuss the leadership and culture that has made that business growth possible.  They also cover: Going the extra mile to do what your competitors won’t Being intentional about roles to be a better partner Building operational systems to scale your business Using your culture and flexibility as a recruitment and retention strategy

Randy Blount, president of Arizona-based Blount Contracting grew up around the construction industry, helping at his family’s business during high school and college. When his dad received a cancer diagnosis, Randy was thrust into a leadership role at a young age.  Now 10 years later, we’re getting the scoop on how far the company has come and what’s in store for the next 10 years.  Randy joins host Missy Scherber to discuss: Learning from your mistakes as a young business owner Handling critical conversations the right way Examining your profit margin and leaning into your niche  Being well-read and applying those lessons from great leaders Finding a mentor to be candid with Investing in your people

Justin Ozinga is president of Ozinga, a fourth-generation family business best known for its red and white striped concrete mixer trucks. While involved in the company since a young teen, Justin moved up the ranks and was recently appointed as president of all of Ozinga operations, including ready mix concrete, aggregates and cement. Ozinga has more than 2,000 employees, primarily in operations in the Midwest and Florida. Justin and host Missy Scherber discuss strategic growth, making a positive impact on communities and leadership. They also cover: Passing on a company legacy to a 5th generation Retaining your company culture and values as you grow Infusing Amazon-style customer engagement technology in your business Being less transactional and more personal Investing in yourself and finding mentors

Herb R. Sargent is the president and CEO of Sargent Corporation, an infrastructure construction firm based in Stillwater, Maine.  Founded by his grandfather Herb E. Sargent in 1926 with a used dump truck and a strong work ethic as his assets, the company now has hundreds of employees owners working in New England and the mid-Atlantic regions. Herb and host Missy Scherber dig into workforce development, the advantages of employee stock ownership plans and the importance of investing in the well-being and prosperity of your people. They also discuss: Buying back the family business Being intentional about training your workforce and creating career paths Hiring managers that allow you to focus on the bigger picture Leading through difficult situations  

The youngest Black woman to receive California’s CSLB (A) General Engineering license, Jennifer Todd, serves as LMS General Contractors Founder and President. Jennifer heads the company’s management team and is responsible for developing & executing LMS’s strategic growth. Jennifer is a strong advocate for job creation and employee development. Her Greener Tomorrow apprenticeship program is geared toward the advancement of unemployed and underemployed people of color, and she is a recognized speaker and top professional in the industry. Jennifer and host Missy Scherber take a deeper dive into her thoughts on workforce development and diversity in the construction industry. They discuss: Tackling every roll from estimating to ownership Managing profit and organic growth Being intentional about your workforce development Taking as situational approach to supporting and training your team Having critical conversations about bias, barriers, and representation

Brian Hess, founder and president of The Pavement Group and Top Contractor School is shaking things up when it comes to sales, marketing and client relations in the asphalt and concrete paving industry. At The Pavement Group, Brian’s team takes a data-driven approach to solving customer problems and maintaining the highest level of service. He’s taken what he’s learned and helps other contractors build more successful businesses through Top Contractor School – a training, coaching and community platform for industry newcomers and veterans alike.  In this episode of CONEXPO-CON/AGG Radio, Brian and host Missy Scherber discuss how training and development is fundamental to business success, as well as building an innovation mindset to see the opportunity everywhere. They also cover:  Moving from Corporate America to construction Turning your business into a sales and marketing engine Attracting like-minded people as employees, customers and mentors Creating a structured training plan to produce predictable results Overcoming doubt and the naysayers

Mikel Bowman has been a life coach, pastor, mentor, and culture guru. He has devoted his life to helping others realize their true potential. In this episode Mikel and host Missy Scherber dig into leading with joy and humility, as well as building a culture based on honesty, ethics and respect. Mikel's straightforward approach to everyday problems will help organizations of all sizes usher a great work environment for those in blue collar professions. They discuss: A career switch from counseling to construction Driving greatness out of your staff and creating clear lines of accountability Making culture in a priority in an industry with limited good examples of it Bringing professionalism to the jobsite and making marginalized groups feel safe and comfortable Building bridges between the office and the field through proactive communication Being honest and fair in your recruiting process Taking personal responsibility to grow in your role

Based in Irwin, Pennsylvania, Brex Enterprises is a WBE certified pipeline maintenance and services company founded in 2012 by Alicia Brentzel and her husband AJ. Alicia joins host Missy Scherber to talk about business growing pains and how leaning into your core values and unique strengths can help accelerate growth and build stronger teams.  They also discuss: Going from AJ working solo and living in a camper to managing 40 employees Putting processes in place to improve your efficiency and profitability The importance of modeling your culture every day Making critical conversations with employees a priority Navigating your roles as both business partners and spouses Helping your employees achieve their full-potential and providing growth opportunities Getting over imposter syndrome and being honest with where you are right now

While Priestly Demolition is in the business of tearing things down, the crew’s first job onsite is hunting for treasure. Salvage and sustainability has always been a cornerstone of the business for Vic Priestly, the company’s founder.  Today, the King City, Ontario-based company has grown into one of the largest demolition contractors in Canada, under the leadership of Vic’s son Ryan Priestly. The company has a staff of about 300 people and a fleet that includes around 100 excavators.  Notably, the company is the focus of the History Channel Canada’s original-series Salvage Kings, and they’re bring the spectator sport of demolition to the masses on national television.    Ryan joins host Missy Scherber to discuss: Advancing the science of safe demolition Showcasing careers in construction to the next generation Creating a culture of safety and incentivizing it  Learning from the generation that came before you Using technology for fleet management and operational efficiencies Leading with happiness and confidence

Mary Katherine Harbin caught the attention of the industry when she established the nation’s first all-female paving crew. The area manager and equal employment opportunity officer for Tennessee-based, Maymead Inc., has worked her way up the ranks and built a successful career in construction. As a nationally-recognized speaker on workforce development, Harbin joins host Missy Scherber to share expertise on mentoring employees, mitigating bias and discrimination and taking a progressive approach to hiring. They also discuss: Building your confidence as a leader Creating unity among the office and the field Breaking down barriers between your crew members Advice for women in construction

Growing up, Matt Stanley and his three brothers were "raised on blacktop", working alongside their parents from the time they could hold a shovel at their Danbury, Connecticut-based paving business, American Pavement Specialists. Since then, the small company has grown into a big name in the paving world, starting their own clothing brand and sponsoring NASCAR driver Spencer Boyd.  Matt runs everything from field operations to marketing, and he shares how building strong relationships with your family, crew and OEMs helps maximize your quality of work and success.  Matt joins host Missy Scherber to discuss: - Making working with your family cool again - Training employees from the ground up  - Instilling pride and values in your crew - Improving relationships with OEMs and dealers through top-notch marketing - Tips for honing your brand identity on social media

You may know him on Instagram as “Technology Sandbox” --- and Britton Lawson’s day-to-day job is just that ---- working with current and emerging construction technologies from grade control to telematics to bring efficiency to the jobsite. As director of construction technology at Veit & Company, Britton is the internal technology champion. He helps the organization get the best technology return on investment and evolve their processes for the future. Britton joins host Missy Scherber to discuss the current and future state of construction tech. They also cover: Moving from 2D to 3D grade control Advice for implementing new technology Troubleshooting technology problems Communicating about technology with your field team Highlights from CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020

Under Stacey Tompkins’ leadership, Tompkins Excavating out of Putnam County, New York has grown from a lawn mowing service provider to a woman-owned and family-operated, full-service commercial and residential excavation and landscape construction company. When she’s not dealing with dirt, she’s an active volunteer and mentor in her community and has been honored with numerous business and leadership awards.  Stacey and host Missy Scherber discuss: - Investing in machine control technology - Developing a strong corporate culture - Increasing revenue 8x in six years - Balancing family and business   Stacey will be participating in an influencer panel discussion and meetup taking place on Wednesday, March 11, as well as an executive leadership panel taking place on Friday, March 13 at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020.