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.

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.

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.

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.

In this episode, we're joined by the incredible Melissa Petersmann, also known as the Diesel Queen, to talk about her journey in the male dominated diesel industry. From growing up around logging equipment to finding her passion at WyoTech and working at John Deere, Melissa shares the highs, challenges, and motivations that have shaped her career. 💪✨
Tune in to hear about her drive to succeed, breaking stereotypes, and how she turned her love for mechanics into a successful career!

On this episode of Building the Groundwork, we sit down with Austin Conti, CEO and co-founder of Tenna, to discuss his journey from growing up in a 5th generation family construction business to revolutionizing fleet management with Tenna’s software. From cranes to trench boxes, Tenna helps contractors streamline their operations through innovative IoT integrations. Tune in to hear how Austin’s entrepreneurial drive, mixed with his family’s legacy, shaped Tenna’s path to success!

We’re thrilled to welcome Luke Powers, the co-founder and CEO of Gearflow. Luke shares the story behind Gearflow’s evolution from a parts marketplace to a comprehensive parts procurement platform that's shaking up the heavy equipment industry.