So You Want To Be A Contractor?

Our guest on this episode is Nate Griffin. Nate Griffin is the owner of ExCo Design Build, a design build contractor company. Nate has been fly on the wall at construction site since he was a child. Since those humble beginnings he has evolved into a business owner and consultant. Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro Nate Griffin: President of ExCo Design Build and Win Rate Consulting Coach 00:06:00 - Growing up with a front row seat to Construction 00:09:30 - Building a Business 00:12:00 - Subcontracting Everything Out and the Permission He Needed to Do It 00:21:59 - Lead Generation 00:27:00 - The Importance of Building a Strong Network and a Good Business Coach 00:32:30 - The Importance of Knowing Your Numbers in the Construction Business 00:37:35 - Rapid fire 1 resource you can’t do without 1 podcast or book you love Best advice you’ve received 1 habit that fills you up 00:48:48 - Outro

Our guest on this episode is Corky Silva. Corky Silva is the president of Tech City Builder, a company based in San Jose, California. With over 15 years of experience in the construction industry, Corky recently made the jump into owning his own company by betting on himself. Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:30 - The origins of Tech City Builder 00:07:30 - From Corporate to Construction Company Owner 00:20:24 - Building a Company Based on Values 00:30:00 - The Reality of Being a Business Owner The Importance of Being at the Table: A Lesson in Business The Advantages and Disadvantages of Having a Business Partner 00:40:52 - The Importance of Research in Business 00:44:40 - Learning from Business Failure 00:47:48 - Building a Legacy 00:52:34 - Rapid fire 1 resource you can’t do without 1 podcast or book you love Best advice you’ve received 1 habit that fills you up 01:03:23 - Outro

Our guest on this episode is Ryan Ekedal of Ekedal Concrete. As the second generation leader of a family business, Ryan brings his diverse background to the business of concrete as he works to create a destination workplace. 00:00 - Intro 00:04:30 - The Ekedal Family: A Legacy in Construction 00:15:00 - The Alpha Mentality in Business 00:18:00 - The Importance of Job Costing and Numbers for Contractors 00:29:26 - The Power of Networking in Business 00:34:29 - The Importance of Staying in Your Lane 00:37:00 - The Importance of Business Coaches and Associations for Contractors 00:41:56 - The Importance of Having a Backup Plan 00:44:58 - The Importance of Employee Recognition in Construction 0:48:22 - Rapid fire 1 resource you can’t do without 1 podcast or book you love Best advice you’ve received 1 habit that fills you up 00:56:27 - Outro

Ever wonder what it takes to be a contractor? So You Want to be a Contractor, hosted by Mike Fisher & Marisela Arechiga, talks with industry leaders and construction company owners about their journey, how they run their businesses and their craziest stories. Our guest on this episode is Josh Clauss, the CEO of Clauss Construction. As a large scale demolition company, Clauss has survived 3 economic downturns and they aren’t slowing down any time soon. 00:00 - Intro 0:03:42 - Inheriting a Family Business in Construction: What It's Like and How to Grow Into It 0:14:53 - The Benefits of Hiring a Demolition Company 0:19:16 - The Impact of Mom and Pop Shops on the Construction Industry 0:24:21 - The Benefits and Drawbacks of Going Non-Union for Construction Companies 0:31:26 - The Impact of Social Media on the Workforce 0:38:31 - The Importance of Hiring the Right People for Your Business 0:44:53 - The Impact of Diversification in the Construction Industry: A Case Study 0:55:06 - The Importance of Marketing for Contractors 0:57:13 - Rapid fire 1 resource you can’t do without 1 podcast or book you love Best advice you’ve received 1 habit that fills you up 01:07:21 - Outro

Our guest on this episode is Jeff Forrest, the President and CEO of Winter Park Construction (WPC). Jeff has the tall task of bringing together different generations of the labor force together. Jeff is leading this 50 year old company with an eye on creating an experience, both for customers and employees. 00:00 - Intro 0:05:08 - the company's history and work in Central Florida 0:09:37 - The Journey of a Carpenter-turned-President. 0:14:05 - The Benefits and Detriments of Working in a Family Business 0:22:34 - Injecting Youth into an Established Business: A Conversation with Mike Rowe 0:31:14 - The WPC Brand: A Different Way of Doing Things 0:34:48 - The Importance of Customer Service in the Construction Industry 0:44:47 - The Importance of Storytelling in Business 0:54:07 - The Benefits of a Methodical Approach to Business 57:23 - Rapid fire 1 resource you can’t do without 1 podcast or book you love Best advice you’ve received 1 habit that fills you up 01:07:24 - Outro

Our guest on this episode is Salvador Hernandez, the Founder of Pacific Breeze Landscape. Salvador brings a commitment to systems and learning to his experience in the industry. As a 9 year vet of the U.S. Navy, Salvador incorporates military values and a culture of yes to his operation. 00:00 - Intro 02:29 - What is Pacific Breeze Landscaping? Salvador’s start in the industry Giving client’s their dream backyard From military service to entrepreneurship. 08:24 - Exposure to landscaping via working with dad growing up 10:18 - Military benefits and education Government funded education through masters degree Using that education to build a business Learning by saying yes. 19:57 - Incorporating design Taking community college courses Incorporating technology into the process 25:00 - Being unafraid to learn 33:30 - Current setup Marketing and social media Positioning yourself to get in front of the right client Finding your niche 43:02 - Hiring a business coach 51:04 - Looking to the future and leaving a legacy 57:06 - Rapid fire 1 resource you can’t do without 1 podcast or book you love Best advice you’ve received 1 habit that fills you up 01:09:45 - Outro

Our guest on this episode is Kevin Booth, the CEO of WestCor Companies. As a company that has survived many obstacles, from rapid growth to recession and back again, Kevin leads his company with a focus on service to customers and employees. 00:00 - Intro 01:51 - What does WestCor do? Kevin’s origin story Coming from hospitality Rapid growth then dealing with the recession 08:12 - Who are the WestCor clients? Lessons learned during recession Scaling back 19:10 - Bad business decisions - learning from your mistakes 23:42 - How WestCor is organized Hiring good people Judging the bottom 5% Retention - Creating culture Connecting field and office employees 31:36 - Getting the construction industry to think on a higher level Construction industry is the service industry Retaining customers by taking care of customers Customers who fit your culture 44:09 - Becoming CEO and succession planning 50:31 - Vision for the future 01:01:50 - Rapid fire 1 resource you can’t do without 1 podcast or book you love Best advice you’ve received 1 habit that fills you up 01:07:40 - Outro

Our guest on this episode, Jose Almanza, President at GJ Signs,is pinch hitting for his partner, but hearing about his journey and drive is second to none. Jose is a serial entrepreneur who’s found his niche is electronic sign contracting. 00:00 - Intro 01:49 - Getting started Electrical sign contracting Buying into the business after owning a convenience store Jose’s personal journey from immigrant to entrepreneur 11:13 - Losing a partner and being a victim of theft Bouncing back The need for insurance and finding the right partnerships Exponential growth 21:28 - The sales process - Growing out of state partnerships 30:10 - Why G&J signs Changing your focus as a business owner Patience in business Maintaining relationships 39:37 - Shifting to real estate Entrepreneurial spirit Defining success Planning for retirement 45:22 - Rapid fire 1 resource you can’t do without 1 podcast or book you love Best advice you’ve received 1 habit that fills you up 53:14 - Outro

Our guest on this episode is Mario Campirano, owner of Metro Electric Co. Mario’s life has been about beating the odds and overcoming adversity. Mario is determined not to lose and because of that he’s built a thriving business that can’t lose. 00:00 - Intro 01:49 - Getting started in electrical construction Working both commercial and residential for the money Learning valuable lessons Pivoting during the recession 08:18 - Working in the business and not on the business Bankruptcy writeoff Bouncing back Going back to residential 19:51 - Marketing Building culture Guerilla marketing Closing business 27:08 - Where the grit comes from Rough upbringing Serving the community 32:24 - Understanding your business 48:55 - Making it in business Learning to listen Setting your offer Training and building staff 54:37 - Looking to the future 01:01:15 - Rapid fire 1 resource you can’t do without 1 podcast or book you love Best advice you’ve received 1 habit that fills you up 01:13:20 - Outro

Our guest on this episode is Nick Yahoodain. Nick came into the industry as a complete novice and as a favor to a friend to help him accounting and paperwork. Through that work, he found his passion for organization, collaboration, and building a thriving business as a general contractor. 00:00 - Intro 01:49 - Breaking into the industry Partnering with a friend just for admin duties Slowly learning the trade and taking over the business 07:51 - Pros and cons of being a GC Advantage of being a jack of all trades Managing subcontractors 17:33 - What Nick loves about the work Growing via word of mouth 24:57 - The sales process Pricing and itemizing bids Being willing to walk away 34:35 - Expanding offerings to design services 39:14 - Perfect vs. Not ideal clients Expectation setting Industry reputation 55:10 - Branding vs. Advertising 56:42 - Rapid fire 1 resource you can’t do without 1 podcast or book you love Best advice you’ve received 1 habit that fills you up 01:05:51 - Outro

Our guest on this episode is Randy Fornoff of MTS Painting. Randy’s success in the industry can be directly related to his commitment to community. As the head of MTS, Randy has placed a priority on building community with staff, clients, and the larger entrepreneurial community and that priority has paid dividends. 00:00 - Intro 01:23 - How Rob got started in the industry From Buffalo to Arizona My Three Sons Painting Building a family business 08:04 - Learning the trade without formal training Focusing on your net profitability Learning spreadsheets Digital estimating 19:20 - Qualifying customers Free estimates and raising rates 27:39 - The ideal customer What makes a good client What makes a bad client Customer profiling with DISC profile 40:59 - Surviving when everyone is undercutting you PCA Being a part of a business community 48:06 - Serving the community Training and employing ex-cons 55:10 - Marketing Treating customers well Paintaversary 01:03:43 - Rapid fire 1 resource you can’t do without 1 podcast or book you love Best advice you’ve received 1 habit that fills you up 01:15:05 - Outro

Our guest on this episode is Rob Brinzer. As the owner of Trident Electric, Rob is building his company from the top down with principles gathered from his years of services as a Navy Seal in the military. His no excuses approach entrepreneurship has made Trident a powerhouse in a very short period of time. 00:00 - Intro 01:51 - Rob’s entrance into the electrical service industry Navy Seal background 13 years at GE 07:26 - Using leadership skills from his time in the military and finding his footing after service 13:36 - What Trident Electric does and who they serve Managing rapid growth 20:25 - Why did Rob strike out on his own - capatalizing on gaps in the industry 30:02 - Establishing processes and culture 37:28 - Vetting clients and pricing work Utilizing a CRM for communication Quick quotes Managing customer expectation 52:03 - Rapid fire 1 resource you can’t do without 1 podcast or book you love Best advice you’ve received 1 habit that fills you up 01:03:39 - Outro

Our guest on this episode is Omar Ramirez. Omar makes money from manure. While dealing with shit, Omar’s company, Aligned Digesters, is anything but. Aligned Digesters is solving a problem that will improve the world and Omar is building a company built on collaboration, strong relationships, and a commitment to teamwork. 00:00 - Intro 03:11 - What Aligned Digesters is and does 09:40 - The pulse & why of the business ● What makes Omar’s job difficult ● Regulations and cost of materials 15:19 - The strategy for creating profitability 20:52 - People Management and Operations ● All hands on deck ● Building a culture of team players ● Leading by example 29:33 - What makes Omar excited about the work 38:18 - The biggest challenge in the construction industry right now. ● Handling not-to-exceed contracts ● Building relationships with customers and suppliers ● Holding subcontractors accountable as an extension of your business 49:36 - Rapid fire ● 1 resource you can’t do without ● 1 podcast or book you’ve read ● Best advice you’ve received ● 1 habit that fills you up 59:02 - What does the future look like 01:02:47 - Outro

Our guest on this episode is Alexia Cooper. As the owner of Bell Solar & Electrical, Alexia has built a dynamic team of leaders and team members who care about the work and the mission of changing the world through solar. Since taking over the company from a contractor who had been in the business for decades, Alexia has transformed the culture into one that puts people at the center of everything they do. Don't miss her talking about their work in Nepal with GivePower! 00:00 - Intro 00:39 - New Cohost 02:07 - How Alexia got into the industry Dreaming big as a woman in the construction industry College vs. on the job training 07:34 - People first leadership Finding culture fits and teaching skills Transparency and integrity Impacting the world 15:25 - What makes the job hard and tackling challenges Finding and keeping the right clients Lead generation Controlling sales and installation 23:33 - Changing leadership and culture Retaining talent through culture and training The “why” is important and translating it from top to bottom 35:54 - The challenges of a culture shifting to solar Educating customers and marketing Storytelling and branding 44:56 - Rapid fire business questions 53:39 - Vision for the future 56:50 - Outro

My guest on this episode is Alex Rodriguez. He’s the owner of Bay Cities Construction and is laser focused on building his brand and company through a strategic focus on marketing and content creation. Alex is well versed in how to find the right clients and getting them to engage. Having been in the business for nearly 2 decades, Alex is an open book on how to survive the roughest times as a business owner. 00:00 - Intro 01:29 - How Alex got into the industry Surviving during the great recession Taking digital marketing classes and working with Hubspot 05:08 - Focusing on marketing and content creation 13:05 - How to find the right leads and choose the right customers Accepting what you’re worth Not allowing people to waste your time. 22:15 - How to survive an economic downturn 25:49 - Developing a content strategy Building useful, relevant, and consistent content Targeting a micro-niche 49:01 - Creating reasons and differentiators that get you hired Are you solving the problems your customers are having 54:41 - The future - Expansion for the purpose of stability 01:01:08 - Advice for young contractors Run your business in a profitable manner Understand all of your expenses in order to know what to charge Getting hired for something other than your quote 01:13:07 - Working yourself out of being an employee of your business. 01:24:09 - Outro

My guest on this episode is Clayton Rodrigues. He’s the owner of Zothex Flooring and is passionate champion for customer service, sales, and self improvement. Clayton’s secret to success is his ability to push employees past their comfort zone of success and into a new baseline of potential. 00:00 - Intro 01:17 - How Clayton got started. ● Coming to the US from Brazil ● Pushing for more ● Learning to accept help 10:06 - Training people to help you grow ● Hiring people you can trust ● Creating a foundation of customer service 17:32 - Marketing your services 20:41 - Finding labor and using subcontractors ● Creating a labor force that cares about the customers and the business 27:44 - Expansion - Making decisions on when and where to expand 38:21 - Pushing past your limit ● Zothex Academy 51:26 - Naming Zothex 57:53 - Outro Website:  https://zothexflooring.com/ Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/zothex/ https://www.instagram.com/zothexcommercial/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Zothex916/ https://www.facebook.com/Zothex-Flooring-Cabinets-More-Elk-Grove-103250832296827 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zothex-flooring-inc/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/clayton-rodrigues-8381a8162/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/ZothexFlooring

My guest on this episode is Keenan Garcia, a virtual solar consultant out of Dallas, TX. He has built his brand by building partnerships in the industry and with people throughout other industries. 00:00 -  Intro 00:54 - How Keenan got started in virtual solar Starting in sales Expanding into training and teaching roofing companies about solar 08:16 - Building partnerships vs. Buying leads Building through referrals 17:54 - What made you go out on your own 20:29 - Leveraging Social Media 22:29 - Closing solar deals by way of selling roofs and vice versa 29:55 - The future for Keenan and Roofers sell solar Renewable energy - vehicles Building nationwide relationships BNI 37:36 - Getting in touch with Keenan 40:46 - Outro

My guest on this episode is Natassia Melendrez-Knutson of Project Support Services. Natassia had a non-traditional entrance into the construction industry, but that hasn’t stopped her from staking her claim in the industry and finding her niche. From jumping into business during a recession to changing the way we hire, Natassia is bucking expectations at every turn. 00:00 -  Intro 01:20 - How Natassia got started Non-traditional entrance into the construction industry Starting during a recession 06:51 - Proving your worth when you don’t have a traditional path Passionate, obsessive, knowing your stuff Opening Doors and Breaking into school districts 13:59 - Making people pay more for consulting services 16:37 - Adding new services and staying ahead of the market Staying focused and disciplined 20:12 - Hiring 30:02 - Working with contractors 34:33 - Marketing - Branding and making things exciting 44:38 - Building more than just schools 49:54 - Outro

My guest on this episode is Chris Dyck of August Roofing and Solar. While Chris isn’t breaking new ground in how roofs are installed or in the solar industry, August Roofing is redefining professionalism in the construction industry. That creed isn’t only reserved for customers but also for employees and has set August roofing apart from many of its competitors. 00:00 -  Intro 00:51 - Getting started in the industry Being recruited out of high school. Moving from employee to employer 05:23 - Jumping into business without any formal training. Where the August Roofing name comes from Focusing on professionalism 12:15 - Generating business Hustling Referrals 21:34 - Getting into solar 27:57 - Social Media Marketing 37:46 - Hiring and recruitment Roofer Development Program Hiring roofers with no experience 47:40 - The future of August Roofing and Solar. 50:5 - Outro

My guest on this episode is Bob Biederman of Groundswell Management. Groundswell has carved out a unique place in the construction industry by connecting realtors with contractors and being the missing link in reference to code, regulation, and permitting. 00:00 -  Intro 00:46 - Getting started in the industry Being born into a DIY family Finding a construction job in high school Moving out west to find your own path 04:23 - What is Groundswell doing now The regulatory side of construction Working in between real estate and construction 12:53 - What prompted the focus on codes and regulations and recognizing your own unique skills. 17:17 - Breaking into real estate 29:37 - Marketing your unique service 34:46 - The future of Groundswell Competition in the industry 44:19 - Outro