Storms don’t just hit mountains—they hit companies. We sat down with Ryan Ducker, CEO of Ducker Land Management in Western North Carolina, to explore how a contractor that repairs landslides, builds engineered retaining walls, and crafts complex hardscapes built a culture that runs toward the storm and comes out stronger. Ryan’s operating system is simple and demanding: hire hungry, humble, and smart people; resolve problems immediately; and keep the wheelhouse staffed with leaders who can steady the ship when conditions change fast.

We get practical about money and growth. Ryan shares the early mistakes of buying shiny equipment too soon, why renting strategically protects cash flow, and how clear positioning—hardscape, slope stabilization, and concrete, not mowing or mulch—attracts the right jobs. He opens up about marketing that fits their terrain, from geofencing target areas to refining a website that signals “heavy hardscape and landslide repair” at a glance. Underneath the tactics is a people-first strategy: build a business that grows employees from unskilled to skilled to operator to foreman, and clients will feel the difference on every job walk.

Purpose sits at the center. Ryan credits his faith for keeping the focus on service, character, and long-term decisions that outlast any contract. He admits balance is hard, so he uses a monthly “balance wheel” and invites his wife to grade family time, then schedules it like mission-critical work. Expect candid advice for owners: don’t try to pay your way out of culture problems, coach fast, remove bad fits when needed, and give your best leaders real authority so they carry the weight with you. We also preview what’s next: a dedicated large-project crew, a tighter org chart, and smarter media that meets ideal clients where they are.

If you care about building teams that can handle tough sites, tougher markets, and the toughest conversations, this conversation will sharpen your playbook. Listen, share with a fellow builder or founder, and leave a review to tell us your biggest takeaway.

Guest Info:

duckerlandco@gmail.com

www.duckerlandco.com

Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/

All the best!
Bill

Thanks for listening. Please hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review, and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/

All the best!

Bill