Building the Groundwork: Presented by Heave

What happens when the one technician who knows everything retires? On this episode of Building the Groundwork: Presented by Heave, Alex sits down with Jessica Begley, COO and co-founder of FieldMind, to talk about building AI that equips technicians instead of replacing them.

FieldMind answers only from verified OEM manuals and a company's own know-how, never the open internet. Its hands-free assistant, Scout, talks techs through diagnostics while their hands are in the equipment. Jessica explains how FieldMind captures tribal knowledge from veteran techs by recording their calls instead of asking them to write manuals, and how she wins over technicians who are skeptical of new tools.

They also dig into the labor gap in the trades, why HVAC was FieldMind's first market, and the real costs and rewards of building a company.

In this episode:

- Why AI should equip technicians, not replace them

- Capturing tribal knowledge before your experts retire

- How Scout supports techs hands-free in the field

- Winning over technicians who resist new tools

- The labor gap in the trades, and life as a founder

In this episode of Building the Groundwork, we sit down with Eric Woodcock, Equipment Manager at Tucker Paving, to break down what it really takes to manage a modern construction fleet.

Eric shares his journey from turning wrenches as a technician to overseeing hundreds of pieces of equipment, and the mindset shift that comes with it. We dive into the realities of fleet management, from dealing with downtime and massive repair costs to building relationships with dealers and leveraging technology like Tenna and Samsara.

This conversation is packed with insights on leadership, problem-solving, and the hidden challenges behind keeping jobs moving. Whether you’re in construction, operations, or just love understanding how things work at scale, this episode gives you a real look behind the scenes.

In this episode, Tyler Robertson and Melissa Petersmann get blunt about the technician shortage—what’s caused it, what hasn’t worked, and what actually might. From influencer-led storytelling and stigma around “blue collar” work, to technician leverage, pay, and burnout, they break down the real-world dynamics inside shops. Plus: why mobile techs are surging, why small operators struggle to run the business side, and how AI-driven remote diagnostics could reshape the entire service ecosystem.

On this episode of Building The Groundwork, we sit down with Jay Lucas, president at Reputable Recruiting to talk about challenges in the industry and what goes into finding the perfect candidates.

In this episode of Building the Groundwork, we sit down with Bryan Peters, founder of Advance Trac Equipment, to talk about starting a heavy equipment company from scratch during the pandemic, the early grind of rentals and logistics, and how he carved out a niche in a competitive Texas market. Bryan shares the real story—from pressure-washing machines with his kids to building a trusted brand focused on service, fleet management, and relationships.We dive deep into:

• Starting a rental business in 2020 with 5 machines and a gooseneck trailer
• Differentiating through fleet consulting and management
• The role of relationships in equipment sales and rentals
• Lessons learned from early mistakes and overanalyzing
• His thoughts on technology, AI, and the future of construction
• What makes an ideal customer (and how not to be that vendor)

Whether you're in heavy equipment, construction tech, or just love a good founder story, this one’s for you.👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment if you got value from the episode!#HeavyEquipment #ConstructionPodcast #Entrepreneurship #FleetManagement #Heave #BuildingTheGroundwork

In this episode of Building the Groundwork, Alex sits down with two longtime friends and heavy hitters in the equipment and finance world: Clem Cazalot, Founder & CEO of Machinery Partner, and John Pfister, Founder & CEO of Mazo Capital. We dive into their entrepreneurial journeys, the *why* behind their companies, and what it takes to build in the heavy equipment space—from financing challenges to distribution complexities. Plus, how tech is (slowly) transforming the dirt world, the importance of people-first leadership, and lessons learned the hard way. This is our first podcast with multiple guests—will it be a new format or a one-time thing? You tell us.🛠️ Topics Covered:- The founding stories behind Machinery Partner and Mazo Capital - How to scale in a complex, high-ticket B2B industry - What *not* to do when building your team - Equipment-as-a-service, industry consolidation, and the future of heavy equipment - Why contractors still want to *own* their gear - Honest takes on leadership, hiring, and staying sane as a founder💥 Whether you’re in construction, equipment, or just love real stories about business building—this one’s for you.📍 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if this convo hits home.#HeavyEquipment #ConstructionTech #Entrepreneurship #MachineryPartner #MazoCapital #Heave #Leadership #StartupJourney

In this special episode of Building the Groundwork, we sit down with Marvin Joles, owner of Wiscote and Dubuque Asphalt Maintenance, and the voice behind the Blacktop Banter podcast.  @blacktopbanter  Marvin shares his inspiring journey from starting his business in rural Wisconsin to becoming a nationally recognized speaker and thought leader in the asphalt industry. We explore:🛠️ Navigating hair loss with humor and confidence🛠️ The evolution of his asphalt business and how social media transformed his brand🛠️ Balancing life, leadership, and lessons learned in a competitive industry🛠️ The future of tech, AI, and remote machinery in constructionMarvin's candid stories and practical advice offer insights for anyone passionate about entrepreneurship, marketing, and embracing challenges.📢 Don’t miss this chance to learn from one of the asphalt industry’s most influential voices. Hit that like button, subscribe, and join the conversation below! #BuildingTheGroundwork #BlacktopBanner #AsphaltIndustry #entrepreneurship #leadership #paving #construction

In this episode of Building the Groundwork, Jennifer Albright, Founder of Spenright Consulting, delves deep into the challenges and opportunities dealerships face in today's competitive landscape. From handling tens of thousands of invoices to optimizing procurement and parts inventory, Jennifer shares her expertise on operational efficiency and cost-saving strategies that make a real difference.She also discusses the labor shortage in the industry, offering insight into how dealerships can rethink recruitment and leadership development to secure a strong, sustainable workforce.Tune in to learn about key improvements that can drive dealerships toward greater success—and hear Jennifer's unique perspective on why leadership, beyond just sales, is critical for long-term growth.#DealershipEfficiency #ProcurementOptimization #LeadershipDevelopment #LaborShortage #TechInBusiness #AIInDealerships #PartsInventoryManagement

On this episode of Building the Groundwork, I sit down with Mets Kramer, the CEO and founder of Visibility, to talk about how he’s shaking up the dealership industry with innovative tools and cutting-edge ideas.

Mets didn’t just stumble into this—his background in product support and service gave him a front-row seat to the problems dealers face every day. Instead of waiting for someone else to fix them, he decided to build the solution himself.

We’re diving into what it really means to create a 'digital dealership,' why so many companies are still stuck with outdated systems, and how using data the right way can completely transform how you run your business. Mets also gives us a sneak peek into how AI is solving real problems, like automating service reports and making rental management faster and smarter.If you’re into startups, tech, or just love a great founder story about turning pain points into products, this episode is for you. Metz breaks down how he’s growing Visibility, balancing custom requests from dealers, and keeping his team focused on innovation. Don’t miss this one—it’s packed with insights and real-world lessons for anyone building or scaling a business.Be sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE - Every listen and share helps spread stories like these throughout our industry.

https://www.heaveapp.com/

In this episode of Building the Groundwork, we sit down with Joe Hutchinson, (instagram.com/hutchinsonconstructionllc/) founder of Hutchinson Construction, to explore his journey from serving in the Navy to leading one of the most respected civil contracting firms in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.