Many skilled operators dream of being their own boss, but the reality is a brutal mix of financial pressure, operational chaos, and personal sacrifice. In this episode, Sy Kirby of Sy-Con Excavation shares his unfiltered story of turning a trade into a thriving business.

From a name his grandfather wrote on a toy truck to building a company, a popular YouTube channel, and the Blue Collar Business Podcast, Sy reveals the raw truths about making big bets on people, kickstarting a marketing strategy at CONEXPO, and handling the crushing stress of being the CEO.

🎯 KEY EPISODE TAKEAWAYS:

🤝 The Dozer Deal: How a Two-Year Promise Unlocked a New Division [06:45]

"'You come to work for me for two years... and I'll go buy you the baddest daggum dozer on the market when it comes time.' Sure enough, two years goes by and we've got a chance of capturing an entire project together."

Sy reveals how a long-term vision and a leap of faith in a key employee unlocked a new division for his company.

💀 Beyond the Big Iron: The Brutal Reality of Business Ownership [13:07]

"I can't tell you how many Thursdays we've sat there and prayed... 'How's tomorrow going to work out?' The gear is super cool to look at... but making sure your guys' payroll is there every Friday..."

Learn all about the immense emotional and financial pressure entrepreneurs face beyond the equipment.

🚀 The Accidental Viral Video: How 15 Seconds at CONEXPO Ignited His Marketing [21:48]

"It was just a simple 15-second short, went completely viral…It definitely helped gain some traction and help the algorithm base who we are."

Sy explains how one simple video jumpstarted his marketing effort, proving you don't need a perfect strategy to get results.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Starting Sy-Con and Honoring a Family Legacy

02:01 - Building a Business Around Better Work Culture

04:32 - From Residential Work to Commercial Contracts

05:46 - Expanding Into Dirt Operations and Team Growth

08:06 - Hard Lessons from Scaling and Equipment Investments

10:13 - Turning Small Jobs into Long-Term Opportunities

12:34 - Managing Growth, Stress, and Entrepreneurial Pressure

16:23 - Systemizing Operations and Building a Stronger Team

19:35 - Launching a Marketing Strategy with CONEXPO and YouTube

26:44 - Creating the Blue Collar Business Podcast

32:40 - Advocating for Trades Over Traditional College Paths

40:00 - Why AI Makes Blue Collar Careers More Valuable Than Ever

🔗 CONNECT WITH SY KIRBY:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQQpxlyHHeY

Podcast: https://www.bluecollarbusinesspodcast.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sy-kirby-18395b2a6/

Website: https://www.syconexc.com/

Thank you to our good friends over at John Deere Power Systems for sponsoring this podcast: https://www.deere.ca/en/engines-and-drivetrain/

CONEXPO-CON/AGG Newsletter: https://www.CONEXPOconagg.com/industry-news#sign-up

#Excavation #Entrepreneurship #BlueCollarBusiness

Feeling the squeeze with rising costs and a shrinking labor pool? A lot of construction companies feel trapped, like the only way out is to just grind harder with the same old playbook. But what if the real path to growth isn't about more effort, but a totally new approach to your machines, your tech, and your people?

Brian Dietz, Co-Owner of 2024 Equipment World’s Contractor of the Year, Bob Dietz and Sons Inc., runs his business more like a Silicon Valley startup than a traditional construction firm. And guess what? It's attracting a whole new generation of talent, clearly demonstrating that if you keep ignoring these shifts, you're not just risking getting left behind. You’re risking becoming irrelevant, losing bids to leaner competitors, and failing to build a team that actually wants to stick around. This isn't just about shiny new tools. It's about a complete mindset shift.

Discover how Brian is rewriting the rules of construction and building an empire.

📈 THE PROFIT ACCELERATOR [4:47]:"We see just cleaning up our profit lines where we don't waste time or materials. So that's a huge thing."

Learn how implementing GPS technology immediately kills costly rework, saving you time and fattening your profit margins on every single job.

🚀 THE TALENT MAGNET [9:52]:"When that young guy, he's 19 years old and he's in a second dozer right next to the old guy... he's going to fall in love with that machine. He's going to feel good, he's going to go home happy to his family, and he's going to want to come back tomorrow excited to work."

Tired of hearing that young people don't want to work? This is the blueprint for creating a culture that makes them want to build a career with you. It’s that simple.

🚨 THE HARD TRUTH [19:07]:"If you're not embracing it, if you're not grabbing a hold of it, you're going to be, you're going to be left behind."

This is a direct shot across the bow for any business owner who's gotten a little too comfortable. See why falling behind on technology isn't just a risk anymore, it's a certainty.

00:00 - Winning Contractor of the Year and Business Branding02:03 Scaling Up With Bigger Projects and Equipment04:07 Leveraging GPS and Topcon Technology for Efficiency07:01 Cutting Downtime and Boosting Site Productivity10:21 Training Teams Faster With Machine Technology13:22 Future of Construction Tech, AI, and Remote Operations19:50 Keeping Growth Fun and Maintaining Clean Fleets22:15 Building a Unique Clean Heavy Equipment Fleet25:20 Managing Machinery Lifecycles and Large Projects28:57 Handling Multi-Year Jobs and Growing In-House Capabilities29:51 Expanding Into Full Site Package Services32:52 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Conexpo Appearance

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bob_dietz_and_sons_inc/?hl=en

Thank you to our good friends over at John Deere Power Systems for sponsoring this podcast: https://www.deere.ca/en/engines-and-drivetrain/

CONEXPO-CON/AGG Newsletter: https://www.CONEXPOconagg.com/industry-news#sign-up

#ConstructionTechnology #AIinConstruction #JohnDeere

🎯 Key Episode Takeaways:Chapters:🔗 Connect with Brian:

Are you juggling the relentless demands of your business while trying to keep your content fresh and impactful? Taylor goes solo once again today to share his candid experiences, navigating the complexities of delegation and the evolution of his content creation. 

What if the very things you're holding onto are stunting your progress? Embracing strategic delegation and adapting your content, especially with pivotal industry events like CONEXPO-CON/AGG on the horizon, can pave the way for significant growth and a more manageable workload.

Today’s episode offers invaluable lessons for construction professionals and business owners aiming to scale and capitalize on industry networking and learning opportunities.

🎯 The Delegation Breakthrough [02:45]:“At the end of the day, or on the weekend, or at night, is when I’d be editing most of the time. Now, that time is just not there for me.””Taylor emphasizes that delegation isn't merely about assigning tasks; it's a strategic move to free up your most valuable asset - your time - to concentrate on activities that will truly propel your business.

KEY EPISODE TAKEAWAYS:

⚡ Instant Access Advantage for CONEXPO Savings & Updates [01:06]:"And newsletter subscribers get discounts delivered straight to their inbox. Click the link in the description to sign up today, please."Taylor offers a straightforward, practical tip: subscribing to the CONEXPO-CON/AGG newsletter gives you immediate access to exclusive discounts and crucial event information.

⚠️ Overcoming the Fear of Relinquishing Control [03:21]:"It wasn’t until I was actually fully ready to quit smoking, because I knew I was ready. I could just tell, it just clicked, that I was done smoking. Same goes with this sort of stuff. Honestly, it’s the same mindset."Taylor powerfully illustrates the internal battle many entrepreneurs face when it comes to delegation, comparing it to quitting a habit.⏰

✨ CONEXPO Power Play [20:19]:"Immerse yourself within the show. Be one with the show... Like, go up to the booths, interact with the simulators, interact with the people that are standing at the booths."Taylor provides actionable advice for getting the most out of major industry events like CONEXPO. It's not just about showing up; it's about active engagement and strategic interaction to build connections and gain knowledge.🎯

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Learning to Let Go Through Delegation01:14 - Turning 30 While Balancing Business and Family02:02 - Handing Off Social Media to Focus on Growth04:36 - Struggling to Stay Consistent on YouTube05:39 - Creating Content That Reflects Business Reality06:24 - Building a Workflow for Scalable Marketing07:01 - Letting Go of the Things You’re Great At07:44 - Prioritizing Time on Pritech’s Expansion08:50 - Fake It Till You Make It - Without Lying10:12 - Long-Term Success Over One-Time Profit12:50 - When Everything Goes Wrong on Your Birthday15:21 - Why CONEXPO Is a Must-Attend Event18:48 - Building Real Relationships Through Industry Events20:14 - Taylor’s Top Tips for CONEXPO First-Timers24:36 - Bringing the Team Along for the Ride

Thank you to our good friends over at John Deere Power Systems for sponsoring this podcast: https://www.deere.ca/en/engines-and-drivetrain/

CONEXPO-CON/AGG Newsletter: https://www.CONEXPOconagg.com/industry-news#sign-up

#CONEXPO-CON/AGG #DelegationSkills #ContentMarketing

Running a specialized construction business, particularly in sectors like excavation and septic services, is fraught with unique hurdles. Many dedicated owners find themselves struggling to cut through the competitive noise, establish a truly memorable brand, or skillfully navigate the complex interplay of business growth, intense competition, and sound financial strategy. It's easy to feel like just another undifferentiated truck on the road. 

But what if there was a way to transform these common industry challenges into distinct, powerful advantages?

Today, Taylor is joined by Dervin Witmer, the visionary behind Dig-it Excavating and Pump That Septic. Dervin candidly reveals how a combination of strategic, memorable branding, a savvy and modern approach to digital marketing, and a series of bold, calculated business moves allowed him to significantly stand out from the crowd, command premium pricing, and ultimately build a highly reputable and consistently thriving company.

🎯 KEY EPISODE INSIGHTS:

🚀 ELEVATION STRATEGY [15:40]:"That really sells people on our brand. So, that kind of helps eliminate the bottom-feeder type people... 'Oh, you’re two thousand dollars more than the other guy.' Fine. Hire him. I do not care. I’m not looking to work for you."Dervin explains how investing in brand and transparency allows them to attract quality clients and confidently avoid price wars, a key desire for many business owners looking to build a premium service.

🛠️ FOUNDATIONAL ADVICE [18:35]:"So, I say to the guy getting into it, take everything you can get when you start, but do a very good job. Be consistent. Don’t cut corners... Just make yourself known as the quality guy or the responsive guy, the guy that answers his phone."Dervin offers straightforward, actionable advice for anyone starting or looking to build a reputation in the construction trades.

🚨 REALITY CHECK [32:38]:"Man, if you don’t like high overhead and if you don’t like debt, don’t get into it."Dervin lays bare the financial realities of running a capital-intensive construction business and why a stomach for significant financial commitment is non-negotiable if you want to grow and sustain

CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Intro: CONEXPO-CON/AGG & Guest Dervin Witmer

1:39 - Building the "Dig-it" & "Pump That Septic" Brands

2:50 - Dervin's Entrepreneurial Journey to Excavation

5:54 - Integrating Family into the Business

09:52 - Crafting a Professional Image in Septic Services

12:45 - Strategies for Standing Out & Attracting Quality Clients

14:50 - The Viability of Starting a Septic Business

17:26 - Niche Specialization vs. Diversification

20:43 - Future Growth

23:22 - Equipment Insights: Excavators & Technology

24:15 - Navigating Seasonal Work & Competition

28:13 - The Realities of Specialized Operations

32:38 - Financial Realities

36:03 - The Parts vs. Payments Dilemma in Equipment Ownership

37:30 - Looking Ahead to CONEXPO 2026

🔗 CONNECT WITH DERVIN WITMER / DIG-IT EXCAVATING & PUMP THAT SEPTIC:

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

Website: Dig-itexcavating.com

Facebook: facebook.com/Dig.It.Excavating

Website: pumpthatseptic.com

Instagram: @digitexcavating

Thank you to our good friends over at John Deere Power Systems for sponsoring this podcast: https://www.deere.ca/en/engines-and-drivetrain/

CONEXPO-CON/AGG Newsletter: https://www.CONEXPOconagg.com/industry-news#sign-up

#Excavation #SepticServices #Branding

Feeling the pressure of wearing all the hats in your growing business? It’s a common battle, but what if the key to unlocking serious growth was learning to let go and trust others? This episode is for you.

Learn how Trent Harris, owner of Blue Collar Contractors Oklahoma Earthwork and Demolition, transformed his business by embracing delegation and strategic risk when he reveals his journey from a solo operator to leading a growing team. You'll discover how he navigates the complexities of scaling, managing multiple ventures, and the mindset required to push through challenges.

🎯 BIGGEST TAKEAWAY [22:57]:"My biggest fear is to be saying the same stuff today in five years from now…Let's do our research and make the best, most educated decision we can and then dive in. Let's go."This raw honesty about combating stagnation is a powerful reminder for anyone hesitant to make bold moves.

OTHER KEY TAKEAWAYS:

💡 FRAMEWORK REVEAL [07:54]:The Delegation Shift during Rain Delays:• Rain forces multiple job scheduling.• This necessitates trusting the team.• Owner focuses on lining up future work, not just current execution."I think God's kind of forcing my hand a little bit and being like, 'Hey, delegate, let them handle it, you know, trust them and do what you're supposed to do.'"Watch this part to see how uncontrollable factors can actually become catalysts for better business practices and increased production through delegation.

🔑 BREAKTHROUGH MOMENT [15:21]:Tired of being the bottleneck in your own company, trying to do everything yourself?"I was king of kicking someone out of a machine nicely, but like, 'Hey man, let me, let me hop in there real quick.' And then it ended up with me paying someone to watch me do all the work for a lot longer than I'm going to say out loud."Trent reveals his painful but necessary transition to true delegation and the freedom it's starting to unlock.

📈 SUCCESS BLUEPRINT [43:37]:From a push mower to a fleet of heavy equipment and multiple business ventures:"I want to do this until one of my guys gets paid by whoever takes this over to throw dirt on top of me when I'm gone. I mean, that's, I want to get it as big as I can, and I, I would love to see it continue after."Trent breaks down his long-term vision and the relentless drive to build a lasting legacy. 

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - CONEXPO 2026 Preview

00:50 - Introducing Trent Harris

02:40 - Building a Dirt Business While Balancing Family and Firefighting

04:46 - Growth Through Risk, Learning, and Networking

08:33 - Delegating Work and Trusting the Team

11:47 - Overcoming Micromanagement and Shifting to Leadership

16:02 - Building Systems, Teams, and Communication for Scale

21:15 - Managing Overhead, Profitability, and Equipment Strategy

29:43 - Balancing Commercial vs. Residential Projects for Cash Flow

34:00 - Investing in GPS Technology to Increase Efficiency

43:11 - Long-Term Vision: Passive Income, Legacy, and Work-Life Balance

48:10 - CONEXPO Community, Networking, and Future Panel Ideas

🔗 CONNECT WITH TRENT HARRIS / BLUE COLLAR CONTRACTORS:

TikTok: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trent-harris-542a6b282/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trent-harris-542a6b282/

Thank you to our good friends over at John Deere Power Systems for sponsoring this podcast: https://www.deere.ca/en/engines-and-drivetrain/\

CONEXPO-CON/AGG Newsletter: https://www.CONEXPOconagg.com/industry-news#sign-up

#BlueCollarContractors #ScalingBusiness #WorkEthic

Many equipment operators dream of starting their own excavation business, but often face big hurdles, like financial risk, the fear of past failures, and the heavy responsibility of safety on every job. Zach Taylor, a union operator who’s also building his own company, Melania Corporation, is tackling these challenges directly, driven by tough lessons from previous ventures and a powerful desire to prevent senseless tragedies in the trenches. 

Today, Zach shares the nitty gritty of balancing a union job with his growing side business, the candid reasons behind his push for #TrenchSafetyTuesday, and the mindset it takes to get back up after a setback. He gets into the importance of knowing your worth, the hard calls on what jobs to take, and the crucial need for real talk about the dangers that still exist in our industry, particularly in excavation.

Download the FREE Step-by-Step Guide to Recruiting & Retaining the Best Workers: https://www.CONEXPOconagg.com/recruit

🎯 BIGGEST TAKEAWAY [0:29:17]: "You see this guy down there, like, looking up, holding the shovel, smiling. And they said five minutes later he was dead. And it just really pissed me off."Zach's raw emotion here highlights the preventable tragedies that fuel his commitment to trench safety.

KEY EPISODE TAKEAWAYS:

✨ ENTREPRENEURIAL FIRE IGNITED [0:1:25]:"I was at a Trimble Dimensions in the fall and Dane from DC Excavation told me, and not so many colorful words that I should just go do it. So here we are."Sometimes it takes that outside push. Zach talks about that moment of deciding to go for it, moving past the fear and taking control of his future.

🔑 LESSON LEARNED THE HARD WAY [0:13:57]:"I was less calculated and more excited to move up to that next job...than really taking a step back and looking at it as a business owner and saying, ‘This is where we're at and this is the lane that we need to stay in.’"Zach shares how past excitement almost led to overextension, emphasizing the critical need to understand your company's real capacity and value.

⚠️ THE UNVARNISHED TRUTH ON RISK [0:29:35]:"How many times is this going to happen before, like, we do something about it? ...if you stop killing the ones you have, first of all, that's a good place to start, right?"A direct hit on the industry's all too common blind spots with trench safety. Ignoring these dangers isn't just negligent; it's costing lives.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Building a Side Hustle in Excavation

02:16 - From Childhood Obsession to Career

03:35 - Challenges of Urban Excavation

05:02 - Balancing Work, Family, and Growth

07:40 - Overcoming Fear and Taking the Leap

11:50 - Hard Lessons from Early Business Mistakes

14:14 - Smarter Risk Management for Contractors

17:26 - When Business Partnerships Fall Apart

21:39 - Fatherhood and Flexible Scheduling

25:15 - Naming the Company After His Daughter

28:43 - Starting Trench Safety Tuesday

31:30 - Using Social Media to Drive Safety Awareness

36:08 - Innovations in Trench Safety Tech

38:34 - A Vision for National Safety Training

🔗 CONNECT WITH ZACH TAYLOR:• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_taylorthings/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-taylor-55391533/

Thank you to our good friends over at John Deere Power Systems for sponsoring this podcast: https://www.deere.ca/en/engines-and-drivetrain/

#TrenchSafetyTuesday #OperatorLife #SafetyFirst

Running a family construction business presents unique challenges, especially in demanding fields like concrete and excavation where attracting reliable talent is tough. Many companies struggle to blend tradition with the need for new technology and approaches to keep up. But Amanda Kurt, VP and Managing Partner at Kurk Inc., reveals how they've not only survived but thrived, expanding services and crews by tackling these issues head on. Therefore, learning from their experience offers a blueprint for building a resilient, profitable construction business that values both its people and its bottom line.

Discover how Amanda navigates the complexities of managing a growing concrete and excavation workforce, integrating technology like GPS and total stations, and maintaining crucial boundaries in a family run operation. She shares the realities of the job, the strategies for finding young talent in a tight labor market, and the mindset needed for sustainable growth in today's construction world.

Download the FREE Step-by-Step Guide to Recruiting & Retaining the Best Workers: https://www.CONEXPOconagg.com/recruit

🎯 BIGGEST TAKEAWAY [11:57]: "We don't shy away that it's physical and it's muddy because the worst thing I want is you to, you know, have this rosy picture of it and you show up and then you don't show up the next day."

Hear Amanda discuss the crucial importance of transparency when hiring for physically demanding roles.

KEY EPISODE TAKEAWAYS:

⚠️ LABOR REALITY CHECK [05:06]:"I mean, you have to keep feeding those concrete crews with younger people because it's just physically demanding."Face the tough truth: Concrete's physical toll means constantly finding new, younger talent is essential for long-term crewing. Ignoring this leads to burnout and shortages. Must-watch segment 👀

💡 PRECISION TECH PLAYBOOK [17:12]:"In concrete, we don't really use gps. We use a total station... because a lot of the concrete we're doing, we either need to be more accurate than GPS can give us... We use total station for everything on the concrete side and then we use GPS on the excavation side."Learn why choosing the right technology matters.

📈 SCALING FOR BIG WINS [21:11]:"We contracted... an eight building development... and it was just the amount of work. We couldn't do it with two crews. So we kind of remanned."See how securing a massive project forced Kurk Inc. to scale up by adding a new foundation crew, turning a capacity challenge into a major growth catalyst. Game-changing insight 🎯

CHAPTERS:00:00 - Amanda Kurt & Kurk Inc.02:52 - Business Evolution: Adding Excavation04:54 - Concrete Work: Physical Demands & Labor06:30 - Hiring Strategy & Mapping Career Paths08:30 - Tech Adoption: GPS vs. Total Station Use12:57 - Family Business: Working with Dad & Boundaries18:17 - Operations: Equipment Fleet & Crew Structure20:41 - Market Conditions & Scaling Up25:09 - Future Plans: Smart, Profitable Growth28:29 - Legacy, Next Gen & Work-Life Balance

🔗 CONNECT WITH AMANDA KURT & KURK INC.:• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-kurt/• Website: https://kurkwisconsin.com/

Thank you to our good friends over at John Deere Power Systems for sponsoring this podcast: https://www.deere.ca/en/engines-and-drivetrain/

#ConstructionBusiness #FamilyBusiness #ConcreteContractor

Running a construction company might look like pure success, especially with events like CONEXPO approaching. But in this solo episode, Taylor answers your questions and gets real about the hidden, intense pressures involved: managing multiple businesses, constant travel, endless cash flow worries, and balancing family. He describes this demanding tightrope walk, familiar to many entrepreneurs, as being filled with anxiety and burnout risk, impacting both business and personal health.

Handling this pressure, building a strong team, and maintaining drive are crucial for survival in the construction world. Taylor shares his unfiltered battles with "copious amounts of stress" and offers practical strategies for attracting young talent and fostering a resilient company culture, emphasizing how grit and knowing your core 'why' are essential anchors.

🚨 Heads up! CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 is less than a year away (March 3-7)! Mark your calendars. Tickets go on sale in August. Be sure to sign up for the newsletter for updates and discounts: https://www.conexpoconagg.com/subscribe 

🎯 KEY EPISODE TAKEAWAYS:

🛑 Warning Signs [2:19]

"I feel like lately, what has been going on is just copious amounts of stress... Alcohol is definitely not something to help with... I find that alcohol just kind of heightens my anxiety and heightens the stress with business."

The intense pressure and very real anxiety of entrepreneurship often go unspoken and can take a physical toll; quick fixes or common coping mechanisms might actually make things worse. Taylor candidly discusses his struggles and the pitfalls of ignoring stress.

🧭 Your North Star [12:27]

"You have to remind yourself of the ‘why’. And that's what ChatGPT was ultimately telling me this morning... 'Remember that you told me this is your why, Taylor. Now, really think about that every morning when you wake up. Like, why am I doing this?'"

When faced with the inevitable sacrifices and high stress of building a business, understanding and constantly revisiting your fundamental reason 'why' provides essential resilience and motivation. Taylor reveals how crucial this clarity is.

🛠️ Building Your Path [21:04]

"To me, hard work out-trumps talent every single day... if you truly want to make more, start doing more."

In the construction trades and beyond, demonstrating proactive effort, taking ownership, and consistently putting in the hard work are far more impactful for career growth and earning potential than just having talent or waiting to be told what to do.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - CONEXPO Countdown

01:55 - Listener Questions: Stress, Growth, and Hiring

02:29 - Managing Stress as a Business Owner

04:43 - Reviving a Failing Business While Juggling Two Companies

05:52 - Health, Habits, and Burnout

07:25 - Balancing Family Life and Entrepreneurial Sacrifice

10:53 - Why Your ‘Why’ Matters

13:20 - Hiring Young Talent Through Social Media

16:05 - Career Growth: Promote From Within

20:41 - The Value of Hard Work and Attitude

22:28 - Handling Toxic Employees and Culture Building

25:14 - Final Thoughts on Stress, Sacrifice, Optimism, and CONEXPO

🔗 CONNECT WITH TAYLOR WHITE / KEN WHITE CONSTRUCTION:

#ConstructionBusiness #Entrepreneurship #CONEXPO

Feeling burnt out by client emotions in custom home building or struggling to navigate seasonal lulls and unexpected crises? John Seaman of JC Property Professionals joins Taylor to share his incredible journey from funding dirt bike habits with side jobs, through the demanding world of custom home building, to ultimately dominating complex dirt work and site development in North Carolina. Discover how he pivoted his business, built resilience, and learned to thrive by tackling the jobs others couldn't. 

Learn John's strategies for managing difficult projects on extreme terrain, diversifying revenue streams through strategic real estate development, and maintaining a strong company culture amidst high-stress situations. He offers a raw, firsthand account of leading his team through the chaos and devastation following Hurricane Helene – tackling logistical nightmares, unique billing challenges (insurance vs. private pay vs. FEMA), and the very human side of disaster recovery. Plus, gain crucial insights into the power of building your personal brand alongside your business brand in the trades. 

🚨 Heads up! CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 is less than a year away (March 3-7)! Mark your calendars. Tickets go on sale in August. Be sure to sign up for the newsletter for updates and discounts: https://www.conexpoconagg.com/subscribe 

🎯 BIGGEST TAKEAWAY [1:00:03]: 

"There is a difference between building a business brand and building a personal brand... no matter what you do and decide to do in business, the personal brand follows you everywhere. You know, I believe that people buy from people, not a business." 

⚠️ WAKE-UP CALL [53:58]: 

Relying on government contracts post-disaster? Think again. 

"The county is going to tell you you're going to get paid when we get paid... storm happened in September. I know lots and lots and lots of guys who haven't been paid a dollar yet... That's why we weren't interested in using our resources to go and do the stuff that FEMA would have essentially be paying for and not know if or when we're ever going to get paid back." 

✨ HIDDEN ADVANTAGE [57:48]: 

Leverage your core business to build your own assets. 

"I had this experience and I gained all this knowledge on how to do this development and I thought, man, this is stupid for me to keep putting all this money in everybody else's pocket. I'm just going to do this for myself... I get to use the dirt guys to go in and develop that site and then I get to use my construction guys to come in and build the homes." 

💡 LEADERSHIP LESSON [1:03:33]: 

Stay grounded, even as you climb. 

"You have to wear multiple hats, but you can't have such a big head that your head won't fit back in the other hat... I grew up working right beside my dad doing whatever we could do, you know, and that's who I am." 

🔗 CONNECT WITH JOHN: 

Frustrated by the lack of skilled tradespeople? Demi Knight Clark joins Taylor today to share strategies to attract the next generation to welding and manufacturing offering fresh and frank perspectives that will give you actionable recruiting strategies.

Discover how to bridge the gap between outdated perceptions and the exciting possibilities of a trades career! Demi Knight Clark, shares her insights into attracting diverse talent pools and creating a modern, appealing image for the industry. Learn how to tap into untapped demographics, challenge conventional recruiting methods, and build a pipeline that ensures a thriving future for the trades. Her experience growing up with a ‘Rosie the Riveter’ as a grandmother, mixed with her technology background give her a unique perspective on the industry.

Download the FREE Step-by-Step Guide to Recruiting & Retaining the Best Workers: https://www.conexpoconagg.com/recruit

🎯 BIGGEST TAKEAWAY [0:1:44]:

"Let's stop talking about saying, ‘Oh, we need more trades.” Okay, how are you going to get it? Are you talking to 12 to 16 year olds that are pre-guidance counselors? Because if you're not, you need a strategy and then also to your career transitioners to get those butts in seats that you're looking for now."

⚠️ WAKE-UP CALL [0:13:33]:

Struggling to find diverse candidates?

"When the topic came up of like, ‘Hey, we want to see more women,’ it's like, ‘Well, where are you going? You're going to programs that have 29 out of 30 white males in that program. The one woman is getting fought over.’"

Discover the untapped talent pools you're overlooking and start building a truly diverse workforce.

✨ HIDDEN ADVANTAGE [0:15:26]:

Ready to modernize your recruiting strategy?

"Right now in the US, these manufacturers, go support women's sports...you have a female audience that has a penchant to doing DIY work, wanting to learn, use their hands, do outdoorsy work and skills because they're sporty."

See exactly why women's sports is a growing market you should target your marketing towards.

💡 LEADERSHIP LESSON [0:24:03]:

Want to be a better leader?

"You get in there and you be the ‘got it girl’ or the ‘got it guy’."

Follow these steps to see growth in your leadership and management.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Welding to the Moon: Introducing Demi Knight

01:59 - The Future of Welding: Recruiting the Next Generation

06:50 - She Built This City: Empowering Young Builders

08:32 - Recruiting Women vs. Recruiting Gen Z in Trades

12:21 - Where to Find Future Welders and Trade Workers

16:27 - Making Blue-Collar Careers More Attractive

21:06 - Creating Inclusive Work Environments in Construction

26:53 - Leadership Development: The Key to Workforce Growth

30:14 - How to Engage and Retain Young Workers

33:50 - Training for the Future: Fast-Track Welding Programs

35:09 - The Pride of Building: Why Blue-Collar Work Matters

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