Builders Makers Doers: The Resilience Behind American Business

Growing a trades business isn't just about finding more customers or opening another location.

If the processes underneath the business aren't working, growth can expose the problems that were already there.

Tony Wiese, CEO of B Street Collision Center, knows that firsthand.
B Street started as a single collision repair shop founded by Tony's parents in 1978. Today, the second-generation family business has grown from one shop to 15+ locations across multiple markets.

But that growth required Tony and his family to rethink how the business develops people, structures compensation, trains technicians, manages production, and expands into new locations.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN:
✅Why Tony believes you need to get your processes right before trying to scale
✅How B Street created a career path that moves young technicians through increasingly skilled positions
✅Why employees' peers play a role in advancement and promotions
✅How B Street aligns compensation so experienced technicians are motivated to develop younger employees
✅What Tony learned when the first version of B Street's team system “failed miserably”
✅Why operating existing locations and opening new ones eventually become two different businesses

For owners and operators trying to grow without losing control of the business, Tony's experience shows what it takes to build the systems and people underneath the growth.


GUEST INFORMATION
Tony Wiese
CEO, B Street Collision Center

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-wiese-0354a3228/
Website: https://bstreetcollision.com/


▶ Watch the full episode and subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers.
Stay Connected & Follow the Movement

• Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts

• Follow Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/

• Grab a copy of Andy Bassett’s book
https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/book


CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS
Andy Bassett
CEO, Ellerbrock-Norris
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu-cic-7711853/

Elliot Bassett
President and Partner, Ellerbrock-Norris
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/

🌐 https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/


CHAPTERS

00:00 — Meet Tony Wiese and B Street Collision Center
00:58 — How B Street Started as a Single Shop
05:26 — Taking Over the Family Business at 21
07:34 — Learning How to Actually Run a Business
11:50 — What Drove B Street's Growth
18:05 — The Playbook Behind Scaling the Business
23:02 — Solving the People and Training Problem
26:58 — How B Street Develops Skilled Technicians
33:58 — The First Team System Failed Miserably
39:28 — Why Tony Believes in the Trades
41:53 — How AI Is Changing B Street's Operations

We often talk about the 10 impact areas of risk within a business. Now, you can join us for a FREE Resiliency Audit. In 30 minutes, we'll comb through your business, find where you may be at risk, and deliver a detailed plan on how to address the issues. Time to stop being reactive – and commit to being proactive. Schedule your audit today. 

You clearly like learning how other businesses are building resiliency. From the people the hire to their safety practices, risk management strategies, exit planning and more. Now, you can do a deep dive on YOUR business – for free. We'll dive into your business and deliver a detailed report that shows you actionable next steps and potential cost long-term savings. Sign up today at www.ellerbrock-norris.com/resiliency.

Workers’ compensation can be one of the larger expenses in a trades business.

But your E-Mod—and the costs connected to it—aren’t completely outside your control.

In this episode of Builders, Makers, Doers, Andy Bassett and Elliot Bassett break down nine areas contractors can pay attention to if they want to better manage their E-Mod and workers’ compensation costs.

The bigger lesson is that this isn't just an insurance problem. Safety practices, hiring, injury management, payroll accuracy, claims reserves, healthcare relationships, deductible strategies, and the way your company communicates its risk can all play a role.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN

• Why a culture of working safely goes beyond having a safety manual or toolbox talks
• How recover-at-work programs can reduce the impact qualifying claims have on your E-Mod
• Why pre-employment screenings and the right healthcare providers matter before and after an injury
• How payroll classifications and claims reserves can affect workers’ compensation costs
• Why understanding reporting rules and telling your risk-management story can create additional leverage with an underwriter

This episode is for contractors and trades business owners who want to understand the levers available to them instead of treating workers’ compensation costs as something they simply have to accept.

CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS

Andy Bassett
CEO, Ellerbrock-Norris
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu-cic-7711853/

Elliot Bassett
President and Partner, Ellerbrock-Norris
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/

🌐 https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/

▶ Watch the full episode and subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers.

Stay Connected & Follow the Movement

• Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts
• Follow Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/

• Grab a copy of Andy Bassett’s book
https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/book

CHAPTERS

00:00 — 9 Ways to Take Control of Your E-Mod
01:00 — Why Your E-Mod Is Controllable
04:00 — Build a Culture of Working Safely
08:00 — Manage Claims Before Injuries Happen
10:00 — Recover-at-Work and E-Mod Impact
14:00 — Pre-Employment Screening and Injury Prevention
17:00 — Choosing the Right Healthcare Providers
20:00 — Get Classifications and Payroll Right
23:00 — Monitor Claims Reserves and Loss Runs
26:00 — Net Reporting and Deductible Strategies
29:00 — Carrier Credits and Underwriting Leverage
32:00 — Take Control of Workers’ Comp Costs

We often talk about the 10 impact areas of risk within a business. Now, you can join us for a FREE Resiliency Audit. In 30 minutes, we'll comb through your business, find where you may be at risk, and deliver a detailed plan on how to address the issues. Time to stop being reactive – and commit to being proactive. Schedule your audit today. 

You clearly like learning how other businesses are building resiliency. From the people the hire to their safety practices, risk management strategies, exit planning and more. Now, you can do a deep dive on YOUR business – for free. We'll dive into your business and deliver a detailed report that shows you actionable next steps and potential cost long-term savings. Sign up today at www.ellerbrock-norris.com/resiliency.

A construction company does not last 74 years by doing everything the same way.

Markets change. Work changes. People change. And the next generation of leaders has to be developed before the current one steps away.

In this episode of Builders, Makers, Doers, Andy Bassett talks with Doug McCune, President/Owner of Puetz Design+Build, about how the company has grown from a traditional general contractor into a diversified construction business while staying focused on the people doing the work.


IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:

• Why Puetz diversified into complementary services to protect the business from market swings
• How getting in front of students early helps build the next generation of trades professionals
• Why Puetz develops leaders who have physically done the work
• What happened when the company suddenly had $40–50 million in project volume to replace—and how the team responded
• Why Doug believes mistakes are part of growth—as long as you learn from them

If you own or lead a construction or trades business, this episode offers a practical look at building a company that can grow, adapt, develop leaders, and stay strong for the long haul.

GUEST INFORMATION

Doug McCune
President/Owner, Puetz Design+Build
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-mccune-88959b13/
Website: http://www.puetzdesignbuild.com/

ABOUT BUILDERS, MAKERS, DOERS

Builders, Makers, Doers is the podcast for owners and leaders in the skilled trades, construction, manufacturing, and industrial businesses.

Hosted by Andy Bassett, each episode focuses on practical leadership, operations, risk management, financial strategy, and business systems that help companies build stronger organizations.


CONNECT WITH THE HOST

Andy Bassett
CEO, Ellerbrock-Norris
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu-cic-7711853/

🌐 https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/


STAY CONNECTED AND FOLLOW THE MOVEMENT

• Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts

• Follow Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/

• Grab a copy of Andy Bassett’s book
https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/book


▶ If you found this conversation valuable, subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers and share this episode with another contractor or business owner who should hear it.



CHAPTERS

00:00 — Meet Doug McCune and Puetz Design+Build
04:00 — How the construction business evolved
09:03 — Why diversification makes the business stronger
14:55 — Recruiting the next generation of tradespeople
18:25 — Why leadership starts in the field
22:05 — When $40–50 million in work disappeared
26:00 — Developing experienced people into leaders
29:00 — Preparing the company for future growth
33:29 — Why good leaders learn from mistakes

We often talk about the 10 impact areas of risk within a business. Now, you can join us for a FREE Resiliency Audit. In 30 minutes, we'll comb through your business, find where you may be at risk, and deliver a detailed plan on how to address the issues. Time to stop being reactive – and commit to being proactive. Schedule your audit today. 

You clearly like learning how other businesses are building resiliency. From the people the hire to their safety practices, risk management strategies, exit planning and more. Now, you can do a deep dive on YOUR business – for free. We'll dive into your business and deliver a detailed report that shows you actionable next steps and potential cost long-term savings. Sign up today at www.ellerbrock-norris.com/resiliency.

Most contractors think workers' compensation only affects what they pay in insurance premiums.
The reality is, your Workers' Comp Mod can impact far more than your insurance costs. It can influence whether you're eligible to bid major projects, qualify for large job sites, and remain competitive as your business grows.

In this episode of Builders, Makers, Doers, Andy and Elliot Bassett break down Nebraska's transition from gross reporting to net reporting for workers' compensation and explain why the broader lessons apply to contractors across the country.

They discuss how Workers' Comp Mods work, why safety culture is becoming a competitive advantage, how claim frequency differs from claim severity, and why telling your company's story to insurance underwriters can directly impact long-term profitability.

Whether you're running a growing contracting business or leading an established company, this conversation provides practical strategies to better manage workers' compensation, reduce long-term costs, and position your business for future opportunities.


IN THIS EPISODE

•  Why your Workers’ Comp Mod affects more than insurance premiums
•  How your mod can determine whether you qualify for certain projects 
•  The three phases of an effective worker-safety strategy 
•  Why claim frequency can matter more than claim severity 
•  How Nebraska’s move to net reporting affects deductible strategies

ABOUT BUILDERS, MAKERS, DOERS

Builders, Makers, Doers is the podcast for owners and leaders in the skilled trades, construction, manufacturing, and industrial businesses.

Hosted by Andy and Elliot Bassett, each episode focuses on practical leadership, operations, risk management, financial strategy, and business systems that help companies build stronger organizations.

CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS

Andy Bassett
CEO, Ellerbrock-Norris
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu-cic-7711853/

Elliot Bassett
President and Partner, Ellerbrock-Norris
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/
https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/


STAY CONNECTED & FOLLOW THE MOVEMENT

Follow Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/

Learn more and grab a copy of Andy Bassett's book:
https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/book


▶ If you found this conversation valuable, subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers and share this episode with another contractor or business owner who should hear it.



CHAPTERS

00:00 – Introduction
01:00 – Why Workers' Compensation Matters More Than Ever
02:18 – How Your Workers' Comp Mod Can Affect Winning Work
05:00 – Why Smaller Contractors Should Pay Attention
08:03 – Understanding Workers' Compensation Costs
10:18 – The Three Phases of an Effective Safety Strategy
12:35 – Why Your Story Matters to Insurance Underwriters
17:18 – Nebraska's Net Reporting Change Explained
21:28 – When Deductible Strategies Make Sense
23:50 – Claim Frequency vs. Claim Severity
27:18 – Building a Safety Culture That Supports Growth
30:05 – Final Takeaways

We often talk about the 10 impact areas of risk within a business. Now, you can join us for a FREE Resiliency Audit. In 30 minutes, we'll comb through your business, find where you may be at risk, and deliver a detailed plan on how to address the issues. Time to stop being reactive – and commit to being proactive. Schedule your audit today. 

You clearly like learning how other businesses are building resiliency. From the people the hire to their safety practices, risk management strategies, exit planning and more. Now, you can do a deep dive on YOUR business – for free. We'll dive into your business and deliver a detailed report that shows you actionable next steps and potential cost long-term savings. Sign up today at www.ellerbrock-norris.com/resiliency.

Most contractors spend years trying to keep their best employees from leaving.

Scott Vogeli believes that's the wrong goal.

As the Owner of Modern Edison Electric, Scott has created a business model that intentionally develops experienced journeymen into future business owners. Instead of fearing employee turnover, he treats it as part of a long-term system for recruiting, leadership development, and sustainable growth.

In this episode of Builders, Makers, Doers, Elliot Bassett sits down with Scott to discuss the operating principles behind Modern Edison—from building a "franchise on payroll" model and creating predictable marketing systems to developing the Safe Home Method that helped transform his company from a general electrical contractor into a specialized business with a clear mission.

Whether you're an electrician, contractor, trades business owner, or entrepreneur, this conversation offers practical lessons on leadership, hiring, marketing, specialization, and building a company that can grow beyond the owner.


IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

- Why Scott intentionally prepares journeymen to become future business owners
- How the "franchise on payroll" model gives electricians ownership without ownership
- Why predictable marketing systems outperform relying only on referrals
- How specializing in electrical fire prevention helped Modern Edison grow from approximately $40K–$50K months to around $200K months
- The hiring philosophy that treats recruiting and employee turnover as a repeatable business system
- Why hiring the right assistant became one of the biggest growth accelerators in Scott's business
- How creating systems—not just hiring people—allowed Modern Edison to scale


ABOUT THE GUEST

Scott Vogeli is the Owner of Modern Edison Electric, an electrical contracting company specializing in electrical fire prevention through its Safe Home Method.

Scott also helps contractors build stronger businesses through marketing systems, operational structure, leadership development, and long-term career pathways for skilled tradespeople.

Website
https://modernedisonelectric.com/
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottvogeli/


▶ Watch the full episode and subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers for more conversations with operators, builders, and business owners.


STAY CONNECTED & FOLLOW THE MOVEMENT

Follow Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/

Learn more and grab a copy of Andy Bassett's book:
https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/book


CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS

Elliot Bassett
President and Partner, Ellerbrock-Norris
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/ 

https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/

Subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers for weekly conversations with contractors, founders, operators, and trades leaders building real businesses.



CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction
01:12 Scott's journey into the electrical trade
02:23 The service call that changed everything
05:05 Building the Safe Home Method
09:10 Why predictable marketing beats referrals
11:34 Building a predictable marketing engine
14:33 The "Franchise on Payroll" model
18:17 Why Scott trains employees to leave
21:22 Freedom through accountability and KPIs
25:00 Coaching contractors and building systems
30:30 The first hire that gave Scott his time back
33:40 The long-term vision for Modern Edison
36:00 Final thoughts

We often talk about the 10 impact areas of risk within a business. Now, you can join us for a FREE Resiliency Audit. In 30 minutes, we'll comb through your business, find where you may be at risk, and deliver a detailed plan on how to address the issues. Time to stop being reactive – and commit to being proactive. Schedule your audit today. 

You clearly like learning how other businesses are building resiliency. From the people the hire to their safety practices, risk management strategies, exit planning and more. Now, you can do a deep dive on YOUR business – for free. We'll dive into your business and deliver a detailed report that shows you actionable next steps and potential cost long-term savings. Sign up today at www.ellerbrock-norris.com/resiliency.

Most trades business owners don't struggle because they lack skill.

They struggle because they become great at the craft—but never build the systems, leadership, and business knowledge needed to grow beyond themselves.

In this episode of Builders, Makers, Doers, Andy and Elliot Bassett sit down with former NFL offensive lineman, entrepreneur, and YouTube creator John Malecki to talk about what it really takes to stop being self-employed and start building a business that scales.

John shares how he went from getting cut by NFL teams to building one of the most recognizable woodworking brands on YouTube before expanding into a successful media business, generating more than 250 million long-form views and over $5 million in revenue across content, products, sponsorships, and backend offers.

The conversation goes far beyond content creation. It's about learning faster, investing in yourself, building systems, and understanding why consistency beats perfection.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

• Why so many trades business owners stay self-employed instead of building a real business
• The coaching investment that changed John's trajectory as an entrepreneur
• Why your business problems probably aren't as unique as you think
• How being yourself builds trust long before customers ever buy
• Why reps—not perfection—are the fastest path to long-term growth

Whether you're a contractor, trades business owner, founder, or creator, this episode is packed with practical lessons you can apply immediately.

ABOUT THE GUEST

John Malecki is a former NFL offensive lineman turned entrepreneur, YouTube creator, and founder of John Malecki Media.

Over the past decade, he has built multiple YouTube channels generating more than 250 million long-form views and over $5 million in revenue through advertising, sponsorships, products, and backend offers.

Today, he helps founders build content systems that drive real business growth while continuing to educate and inspire builders, makers, and entrepreneurs through his content.

Website: https://www.johnmalecki.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-malecki-0959b424/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnMaleckiUnscrewed 

▶ Watch the full episode and subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers for more conversations with operators, builders, and business owners.

STAY CONNECTED & FOLLOW THE MOVEMENT

Follow Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/

Learn more and grab a copy of Andy Bassett's book:

https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/book

CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS

Andy Bassett

CEO, Ellerbrock-Norris

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu-cic-7711853/ 

Elliot Bassett

President and Partner, Ellerbrock-Norris

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/ 

https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/

Subscribe for more conversations with founders, operators, and trades leaders building real businesses.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

01:00 John's Journey from the NFL to Entrepreneurship

04:02 Starting a Business with No Roadmap

08:31 Why Great Tradespeople Stay Self-Employed

09:34 The $511 Coaching Investment

11:36 Learning Faster Through Community

12:37 Business Is Like Watching Game Film

15:22 Why People Buy You Before They Buy Your Product

19:17 Be Yourself on Camera

22:02 Why Reps Matter More Than Perfection

27:52 You Don't Need Greatness Early

31:16 Betting Big on the Next Stage

36:08 What's Next for John Malecki

39:43 You Can't Lose If You Don't Quit

We often talk about the 10 impact areas of risk within a business. Now, you can join us for a FREE Resiliency Audit. In 30 minutes, we'll comb through your business, find where you may be at risk, and deliver a detailed plan on how to address the issues. Time to stop being reactive – and commit to being proactive. Schedule your audit today. 

You clearly like learning how other businesses are building resiliency. From the people the hire to their safety practices, risk management strategies, exit planning and more. Now, you can do a deep dive on YOUR business – for free. We'll dive into your business and deliver a detailed report that shows you actionable next steps and potential cost long-term savings. Sign up today at www.ellerbrock-norris.com/resiliency.

What does it take to go from operating heavy equipment to owning the company?

Steven A. Koch II never chased promotions. He started at PSC Construction as a heavy equipment operator and earned new opportunities by consistently creating value, helping the people around him, and doing great work every day. Years later, he purchased the very company where he started and now serves as its President and Chief Executive Officer.

In this episode of Builders, Makers, Doers, Elliot Bassett sits down with Steven to discuss leadership, business ownership, company culture, workforce development, and what it really takes to build a construction company that people are proud to be part of.

Whether you're leading a crew, growing a construction business, or thinking about buying a company someday, this conversation offers practical lessons from someone who's lived every step of the journey.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN

• Why earning trust creates more opportunities than chasing promotions.
• How Steven went from heavy equipment operator to business owner and CEO.
• Why surrounding yourself with the right advisors is essential when buying a business.
• Why the best compliment an employee can give an owner is bringing their friends and family to work with them.
• Why teaching, communication, and trust are the foundation of effective leadership.

ABOUT THE GUEST

Steven A. Koch II is the President and Chief Executive Officer of PSC Construction, Inc., a Nebraska-based heavy civil contractor specializing in site preparation, underground utilities, excavation, and industrial construction throughout the Midwest.

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-a-koch-ii-67b95916/

Website

https://psccompanies.com/

WATCH MORE BUILDERS, MAKERS, DOERS

▶ Subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers for more conversations with operators, builders, business owners, and industry leaders.

STAY CONNECTED AND FOLLOW THE MOVEMENT

Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/

Website

https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/

CONNECT WITH THE HOST

Elliot Bassett

President & Partner, Ellerbrock-Norris

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/

CHAPTERS

00:00 Welcome and introduction

00:01 Steven's background in construction

00:05 From heavy equipment operator to leadership

00:08 Learning to lead people instead of equipment

00:12 Running operations at PSC Construction

00:14 Buying the company

00:20 Growing the Business

00:21 Building a people-first culture

00:23 Developing future leaders

00:25 A memorable construction project

00:27 The biggest challenges in construction

00:29 Why Steven loves the construction industry

00:30 The future of the skilled trades

00:32 Closing thoughts

We often talk about the 10 impact areas of risk within a business. Now, you can join us for a FREE Resiliency Audit. In 30 minutes, we'll comb through your business, find where you may be at risk, and deliver a detailed plan on how to address the issues. Time to stop being reactive – and commit to being proactive. Schedule your audit today. 

You clearly like learning how other businesses are building resiliency. From the people the hire to their safety practices, risk management strategies, exit planning and more. Now, you can do a deep dive on YOUR business – for free. We'll dive into your business and deliver a detailed report that shows you actionable next steps and potential cost long-term savings. Sign up today at www.ellerbrock-norris.com/resiliency.

Most contractors think safety problems happen because they don't have enough policies.

Jesse Phillips sees a different problem.

The companies that struggle most often aren't missing safety programs.

They have safety programs nobody follows.

In this episode of Builders, Makers, Doers, Elliot Bassett sits down with Jesse Phillips, Director of Safety at Ellerbrock-Norris, to discuss what actually creates safer jobsites, stronger accountability, and better business outcomes.

The conversation goes beyond OSHA, PPE, and compliance requirements and gets to the real issue: operational discipline.

If your company has policies on paper but struggles with execution in the field, this episode will hit close to home.


IN THIS EPISODE

• Why paperwork creates false confidence
• The leadership mistake most safety programs make
• What data centers are forcing contractors to learn
• Why experienced crews become the highest-risk crews
• The hidden cost behind preventable incidents
• The accountability gap hiding inside most safety programs

WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR 

• Contractors
• Construction company owners
• Trade business operators
• Project managers
• Field leaders
• Safety professionals
• Operations leaders

GUEST INFORMATION

Jesse Phillips, CHST
Director of Safety
Ellerbrock-Norris
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-phillips-chst-755672265/ 
Website: https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/

▶ Watch the full episode and subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers for more conversations with operators, builders, and business owners.

Stay Connected & Follow the Movement

Follow Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/


Grab a copy of Andy Bassett’s book
https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/book


CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS

Andy Bassett
CEO, Ellerbrock-Norris
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu-cic-7711853/ 

Elliot Bassett
President and Partner, Ellerbrock-Norris
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/ 


https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/ 




CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Jesse Phillips and Safety Leadership
01:34 How Construction Safety Has Changed
02:32 Why Safety Programs Fail Without Enforcement
04:14 The Data Center Effect on Construction Safety
07:22 Documentation Doesn't Create Accountability
11:07 What Jesse Looks For on Every Jobsite
13:00 The Real Danger of Complacency
14:05 Why Corrective Actions Matter
17:11 Safety Culture Takes Time to Build
20:18 What Contractors Get Wrong About OSHA
27:40 The Wildest Safety Stories Jesse Has Seen
30:16 Final Lessons for Contractors

We often talk about the 10 impact areas of risk within a business. Now, you can join us for a FREE Resiliency Audit. In 30 minutes, we'll comb through your business, find where you may be at risk, and deliver a detailed plan on how to address the issues. Time to stop being reactive – and commit to being proactive. Schedule your audit today. 

You clearly like learning how other businesses are building resiliency. From the people the hire to their safety practices, risk management strategies, exit planning and more. Now, you can do a deep dive on YOUR business – for free. We'll dive into your business and deliver a detailed report that shows you actionable next steps and potential cost long-term savings. Sign up today at www.ellerbrock-norris.com/resiliency.

Most business owners already know hiring is difficult.

What fewer people realize is how deep the skilled labor pipeline problem actually goes.

In this episode of Builders, Makers, Doers, Andy and Elliot Bassett sit down with Bo Jones — Founder and CEO of Tru-Built Construction and founder of CareerPathway.com — to talk about the future of the trades, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and why students are disconnected from real career opportunities long before graduation.

Bo shares how Tru-Built Construction grew from small remodeling jobs during college into large commercial and multifamily projects, what surviving the 2008 housing crash taught him, and why he built CareerPathway.com after seeing firsthand how broken the workforce connection gap had become.

This episode covers:

• Why the skilled trades labor shortage keeps getting worse
• The reality of entrepreneurship during economic downturns
• Why students are struggling to find career direction
• How AI may shift interest back toward blue-collar industries
• What construction companies are facing with labor and permitting today

Guest Information:

Bo Jones
Founder / CEO, Tru-Built Construction and CareerPathway.com

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bo-jones/

Websites:
https://tru-built.net/
https://www.careerpathway.com/

▶ Watch the full episode and subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers for more conversations with operators, builders, and business owners.

Stay Connected & Follow the Movement

Follow Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/ellerbrock-norris/ 

Grab a copy of Andy Bassett’s book

https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/book 

Connect with the Hosts:

Andy Bassett

CEO, Ellerbrock-Norris

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu/ 

Elliot Bassett

President and Partner, Ellerbrock-Norris

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu/ 

🌐 https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/ 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
00:01 How Tru-Built Construction Started
00:02 From College Side Jobs to Commercial Construction
00:04 Becoming an Entrepreneur by Accident
00:06 Surviving the 2008 Housing Crash
00:07 Why the Trades Labor Shortage Is Getting Worse
00:10 The Reality of Business Ownership
00:14 Why CareerPathway.com Was Created
00:17 Building a Career Discovery Platform
00:20 Connecting Students With Real Opportunities
00:24 AI and the Future of Skilled Trades
00:27 Growing CareerPathway.com Across the Country
00:32 Construction Growth, Housing, and Permitting
00:36 Why the Trades Are Losing Young People

We often talk about the 10 impact areas of risk within a business. Now, you can join us for a FREE Resiliency Audit. In 30 minutes, we'll comb through your business, find where you may be at risk, and deliver a detailed plan on how to address the issues. Time to stop being reactive – and commit to being proactive. Schedule your audit today. 

You clearly like learning how other businesses are building resiliency. From the people the hire to their safety practices, risk management strategies, exit planning and more. Now, you can do a deep dive on YOUR business – for free. We'll dive into your business and deliver a detailed report that shows you actionable next steps and potential cost long-term savings. Sign up today at www.ellerbrock-norris.com/resiliency.

Most business owners were taught the same formula:

Revenue minus expenses equals profit.

Mike Michalowicz believes that formula is one of the biggest reasons entrepreneurs stay stuck financially.

In this episode of Builders, Makers, Doers, Andy Bassett and Elliot Bassett sit down with Mike Michalowicz to talk about profit protection, owner psychology, operational discipline, and why so many businesses work hard without actually building financial resiliency.

This conversation matters because a lot of trades businesses are generating revenue while still operating too close to the edge. Mike explains why profit cannot be treated as whatever is left over, and how taking profit first forces owners to confront pricing problems, overspending, weak marketing, and operational inefficiencies before they become bigger risks.

In this episode:

• Why “Revenue - Expenses = Profit” creates behavioral problems for owners
• How Profit First exposes what is actually broken inside a business
• Why ordinary trades businesses often have the biggest opportunity to stand out
• What ambitious employees are really looking for from leadership
• How customer experience can outperform expensive marketing

Guest:

Mike Michalowicz
Co-Founder, Entrepreneur
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemichalowicz/
https://mikemichalowicz.com/

▶ Subscribe for more conversations with builders, makers, and doers solving real business problems in construction, manufacturing, and the skilled trades.

Stay Connected & Follow the Movement

• Follow Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/
• Grab a copy of Andy Bassett’s book
https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/book

Connect with the Hosts

Andy Bassett
CEO, Ellerbrock-Norris
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu-cic-7711853/

Elliot Bassett
President and Partner, Ellerbrock-Norris
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/
🌐 https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/

Chapters:

00:00 — Why So Many Entrepreneurs Stay Financially Stuck
02:35 — The Problem With the Traditional Profit Formula
04:05 — Profit First Exposes What’s Actually Broken
07:30 — Can Profit First Still Support Growth?
10:40 — Why Employees Do Not Care About Your Revenue Goal
16:35 — Open Books and Quarterly Profit Distributions
18:30 — The Truth About Ambitious Employees
22:00 — The HVAC Company That Replaced Ads With Experience
24:00 — Why Ordinary Businesses Have the Biggest Opportunity

We often talk about the 10 impact areas of risk within a business. Now, you can join us for a FREE Resiliency Audit. In 30 minutes, we'll comb through your business, find where you may be at risk, and deliver a detailed plan on how to address the issues. Time to stop being reactive – and commit to being proactive. Schedule your audit today. 

You clearly like learning how other businesses are building resiliency. From the people the hire to their safety practices, risk management strategies, exit planning and more. Now, you can do a deep dive on YOUR business – for free. We'll dive into your business and deliver a detailed report that shows you actionable next steps and potential cost long-term savings. Sign up today at www.ellerbrock-norris.com/resiliency.