Constructing Greatness

Despite going after a degree in Communications following solid advice from his father, our guest, Chris Condon, knew he belonged to the Construction Industry. Following his passion, he transitioned from Marketing Coordinator to Lead Superintendent, to Project Manager, to Sr. Construction Manager. Today, 20 years of experience later, he is a Senior Vice President of Development, Construction & Operations. 

"Get a job that doesn't require working outside in the winter."

In this episode, Chris Condon, Senior Vice President of Development, Construction & Operations at 

Coretrust Capital Partners shares his story of passion for the trades. We delve into his childhood, growing up and playing at construction sites, and waiting anxiously for the summer to come, so he would spend the entire day with his father framing houses and roofing. 

We also talk about his decision to pursue a career in Construction and his transition from the communications realm. He shares valuable advice on making decisions based on our passions, the importance of being open to opportunities, and more. 

Some Questions I Ask:

• Did you know what you wanted to do or what you wanted to be when you graduated high school? (4:06)
• How did the opportunity of working at Coretrust Capital Partners present itself? (20:37)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• About Chris' first job as a Marketing Coordinator (6:30)
• Chris' first encounter with a Construction Industry's old-school guy (9:23)
• From Senior Project Manager to Executive Director at Brandywine Realty Trust (17:59)
• The luckiest guy I'll ever meet (20:39)
• Never stop following your passion (32:41)

Resources:

• Coretrust Capital Partners, LLC website

Connect with Chris:

• LinkedIn
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 610-635-8643

Let's Connect!

• LinkedIn
• Instagram 
• Twitter
• MPC Builders - Website
• MPC Builders - Facebook

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you love what you do, your job will never feel like work, and as if that wasn't enough, you'll never have a bad day. 

Meet Jeff Francesconi, President at Capital Concrete, a man in love with the trades since day one, who, in every concrete pouring, feels the same excitement he felt in his first one almost 20 years ago. 

In this episode, we dive into Jeff's journey in the trades, from his start in the 90s, when having a steady job was reason enough to feel lucky, to his decision to start his own thing in 2004. Jeff shares how he felt while beginning Capital Concrete, what he focused on to assemble his team, and how he evolved as a business owner. 

Plus, we talk about his passions outside of work, what advice he would give to young people interested in joining the industry, and more. 

Some Questions I Ask:

• Did you always know that you were leaning toward construction? (1:46)
• In 2004 you established Capital Concrete. Could you talk about your emotions and mindset that year doing your own thing? (9:50)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• About Jeff's decision to leave college and join the trades (2:31)
• How different it was to work in the construction industry in the 90s (4:59)
• The lessons learned in almost 20 years as a business owner (12:24)
• Jeff's advice to those thinking about joining the trades (19:12)

Resources:

• Capital Concrete website

Connect with Jeff

• LinkedIn

Let's Connect!

• LinkedIn
• Instagram 
• Twitter
• MPC Builders - Website
• MPC Builders - Facebook

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Would you know when is the right time to start your own thing? 

In today's episode, Ron Ormsby, Founder of BellCo Demolition, joins us to talk about his journey in the trades. After a lifelong experience in the construction industry, Ron saw an opportunity where everyone else saw a crisis and decided to rely on his expertise to start his own business. 

Throughout our conversation, Ron talks about his early days in the trades in his teen years, the opportunity of running a company he got when he was 20 years old, and how he became an ironworker at 23. We also talk about how he got into demolition, why he's so passionate about it, what helped him start his own demolition company, and how those days were before his business saw daylight. 

Some Questions I Ask:

• Could you talk a bit about how you got into the construction industry? (2:48)
• COVID has opened up an opportunity for you, and you took that chance. How do you feel after two years of starting your own company? (6:37)
• When did you start investing in equipment for your company? (12:27)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• About Ron's background and how he developed his passion for the trades (3:01)
• The biggest lessons running a company has taught Ron so far (6:51)
• Why demolition is so appealing for Ron (9:39)
• How challenging it was to start his own company (11:46)
• A bit about Ron's life out of work (15:27)
• What do you need to create your own company in the construction industry (16:29)

Resources:

• BellCo Demolition website
• BellCo Demolition Phone: +1 856-484-4017
• BellCo Demolition Facebook
• BellCo Demolition Email: [email protected]

Let's Connect!

• LinkedIn
• Instagram 
• Twitter
• MPC Builders - Website
• MPC Builders - Facebook

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Being medically discharged from the Marine Corps certainly felt like one of life's curve balls for our guest, Mike Ward. Still, his calling for public service wouldn't be silenced by that; it'll just remain dormant for a time. Following his father and grandfather's steps, he'd become a Union electrician, which years became a critical piece for developing his career as a first responder.  

Meet Mike Ward, New Jersey State Police's brand new Sergeant First Class, former Hazardous Materials Specialist, Task Force Officer at the ATF, and Electrical Aspects of Fire Investigation Instructor at the National Fire Academy. 

In this episode, Mike shares his journey from the Army to the trades and then back to public service. We talk about his experiences as a first responder, the pros and cons of such a taxing activity, and his drive to prioritize passion over profit. 

We also delve into Mike's hobbies, his unique philosophy of dealing with life's curve balls, and much more. 

Some Questions I Ask:

• How you got into the Union and became an electrical journeyman? (3:07)
• In August of 2012, you became an instructor for the ATF on explosive safe handling and disposal. Could you talk a bit about that? (7:12)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• About Mike's decision to work in the trades (4:13)
• How is it like being a first responder when tragedies hit (10:12)
• The benefits of setting the bar as high as we can (13:39)
• Some of Mike's passions and hobbies (17:48)
• Why putting passion before profit always pays off (20:29)

Connect with Mike:

• LinkedIn

Let's Connect!

• LinkedIn
• Instagram 
• Twitter
• MPC Builders - Website
• MPC Builders - Facebook

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Although it's hard to associate tattoed, long-haired, rough construction workers with people who pay attention to their emotions, that is one of the crucial points our guest, Ed DeAngelis, focused on to secure his success. He understood that those workers' emotions (even if they weren't ready to admit it) could and would interfere with their ability to be their best version at work. That is why his company, EDA Contractors, invests lots of its resources in training his workers on leadership and emotional intelligence.

Ed DeAngelis is the CEO of EDA Contractors and one of the industry's most innovative and influential minds. When Ed started EDA Contractors, they were roofing contractors exclusively, but his creative personality turned the company into a complete exterior envelope contractor and an industry leader.

In this episode, we learn more about Ed and his upbringing, why he decided to go to college, his first steps in the construction industry, and why he decided to get into roofing. We delve into the nuts and bolts of Ed's approach to business and leadership, which led EDA Contractors to rank three years in a row in the top 5 of the Top Workplace in Philadelphia, a recognition given by the Philadelphia Inquirer.

In addition, we chat about Ed's passions outside of work, his best advice for the youth interested in joining the trades, and much more.

Some Questions I Ask:

As a kid, before college, were you a creative kid? And where did you see yourself taking your career? (5:03)

After you graduated, what got you into the roofing business? (9:10)

How do you manage the pieces of construction you're not responsible for in a job? You know, glazing systems, curtain walls, storefronts (17:09)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Ed talks about what rocketed his entrepreneurial spirit during his childhood (6:09)

Ed explains his company's 10 years warranty policy (12:13)

Ed dives into the importance of emotional intelligence in his approach to leadership (22:09)

Ed and Nicholas discuss the importance of encouraging and preparing employees to become independent and start their own thing if they want to (26:46)

Ed describes what it means for him to be successful and what he is aiming to do as a company leader in the following years (36:15)

Ed shares valuable insights and advice for young people interested in developing a career in the trades (41:40)

EDA Contractors Inc. Resources:

website

Instagram

Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn

Connect with Ed:

LinkedIn

Let's Connect!

LinkedIn

Instagram 

Twitter

MPC Builders - Website

MPC Builders - Facebook

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Although most people think that things like luck or destiny are the ones behind new business opportunities or partnerships, these things are a byproduct of our openness to meeting new people and putting ourselves out there consistently. 

Those are some lessons I've learned during the pandemic, like creating meaningful connections, being surrounded by like-minded people, keeping a curious mind, and always being willing to learn.

Today, in our 50th episode together, I take a moment to reflect on how far we've gone with this podcast, the wonderful people I've been fortunate enough to meet, and the growth opportunities those experiences represented for me from a personal and professional standpoint. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• About some of the changes the pandemic produced on me (2:12)
• How I met Kyle Depiesse and the journey we started almost at the same time (4:16)
• About my experiences at Lambeau Field and how they've changed me (6:55)
• The importance of developing meaningful connections and keeping an avid student's mindset (10:22)

Resources:

• Book: Kyle Depiesse - Guys' Trip: How to Refocus on What Matters Most

Let's Connect!

• LinkedIn
• Instagram 
• Twitter
• MPC Builders - Website
• MPC Builders - Facebook

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adaptability is the first thing people think necessary to run a successful third-generation family business. Undoubtedly, the firm's capacity to absorb and adjust procedures and techniques to the fast-paced advance of technology is detrimental, but it's not all of it. 

In this episode, David Oliver joins us to reveal how making culture a priority served the family business hundreds of times more than any tech improvement. 

David is the President of Oliver Fire Protection & Security, the largest commercial fire protection provider in the metropolitan Philadelphia area. The business started in 1957 and experienced consistent growth thanks to a deeply rooted policy of delivering quality service and creating excellent customer experiences. 

Throughout our conversation, we delve into David's journey in the industry, his experiences at Dartmouth College, where he got his engineering degree, and his decision to go to night school to get an MBA in business while working full-time at Oliver FP&S. 

We also talk about the company's values and culture, their outstanding results by making culture a priority, and David's approach to change and to expand the family business. 

Some Questions I Ask:

• When you were a kid, did you always know you wanted to get into construction or engineering? (2:37)
• Could you talk about the importance of culture in your business? (13:14)
• Could you share your thoughts on the advantages of working in the trades? (20:39)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• About David's first steps in Oliver FP&S (5:02)
• David talks about the process of becoming the president of Oliver FP&S (6:47)
• David explains how prioritizing culture served the company throughout the years (14:26)
• David describes the company's approach to change (16:08)
• David shares tips and advice for young people on how to join the trades (28:10)

Resources:

• Oliver Fire Protection & Security website

Connect with David:

• LinkedIn
• Email: [email protected]

Let's Connect!

• LinkedIn
• Instagram 
• Twitter
• MPC Builders - Website
• MPC Builders - Facebook

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Dan Paulson joins us to talk about his path in the construction industry, his relationship with the school and formal education, and his first steps in the trades, literally, from the ground up. 

After high school, Dan quickly realized the school wasn't a place for him, at least not at that time. Then he started working in the trades, but his drive to constantly challenge and improve himself led him to finish school and become a mechanical engineer while working full time. 

He is the Owner of Commercial Doors, Frames & Hardware; he has over 25 years of experience in commercial building construction, working for projects in every industry and ranging up to $500M.

In this episode, we go through Dan's fantastic career in the industry and his passion for not only changing the landscape and the skyline but also for changing people's lives with his work. We delve into the more challenging parts of Dan's journey, having faced losing his money, savings, and job at once. 

We also discuss why he decided to go back to school, his favorite parts of the industry, and what it can provide, and he shares his thoughts on the importance of guidance and counseling for young kids thinking of their future. 

Some Questions I Ask:

• You went to Drexel University. Did you finish school? (2:26)
• How did you and your wife get into Commercial Doors, Frames, and Hardware? (11:13)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Dan talks about his first steps in the trades (2:44)
• Dan describes his experiences growing up in the industry and learning about new businesses (4:15)
• Dan talks about some of the toughest challenges he faced as a builder (6:03)
• A new beginning. Dan talks about his decision to buy an existing business and the many moving parts of the process (11:42)
• Dan reflects on the importance of guidance and shares advice for young people thinking of building their careers in the trades (17:48)

Resources:

• Commercial Doors, Frames & Hardware website

Connect with Dan:

• LinkedIn

Let's Connect!

• LinkedIn
• Instagram 
• Twitter
• MPC Builders - Website
• MPC Builders - Facebook

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kristen Pucci joins us today to talk about nurturing and following the entrepreneurship spirit, trusting the process, and the magical power of believing in ourselves. 

Kristen is the founder and CEO of KRAE Consulting, a company created to assist successful AEC Industry business owners who don't have time to promote their companies and increase their presence on social media. Passionate for marketing, sales, and research, Kristen found her place on earth in her senior year, when she had to develop a marketing plan for Kinsley Construction.

In this episode, Kristen talks about her upbringing and early passion for entrepreneurship and the construction industry. We delve into her relationship with corporate America and how she discovered she wasn't built for that life. 

Kristen explains the need for consulting in the AEC Industry, their services at KRAE Consulting, and the power of connections. We also talk about Kristen's relationship with Rae Ripple, the fantastic story of how they met, and how Kristen became Rae's agent. 

Some Questions I Ask:

• Both your parents are engineers, mechanical engineers, correct? (3:04)
• You actually were looking at psychology in College, right? And then you switched over to marketing and business. Could you talk a bit about that? (6:31)
• There's a quote in your bio: "Rub some dirt in it" What does that mean to you? (20:56)
•  How did you become an agent of Rae Ripple? (33:25)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• About how Kristen transitioned from Psychology to Marketing (7:01)
• The moment Kristen realized she wasn't a corporate girl and didn't do well with micromanaging (15:26)
• Kristen talks about her relationship with her family and why she considers herself the black sheep (22:13)
• Kristen describes her relationship with LinkedIn (30:06)
• Kristen shares a bit of what they're involved in at KRAE Consulting at the moment (39:01)
• Kristen talks about the possibilities we can build for ourselves once we realize we can achieve almost anything we put our minds into (45:02)

Resources:

• KRAE Consulting website
• Book: Robert Green - The 48 Laws of Power

Connect with Kristen:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Let's Connect!

• LinkedIn
• Instagram 
• Twitter
• MPC Builders - Website
• MPC Builders - Facebook

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Soon in his life, our guest, Andre Golsorkhi, found out he wasn't made to follow a traditional career path would demand. He had an entrepreneurial spirit, always eager to learn, solve specific problems, and discover new ways of doing things. 

Andre Golsorkhi is the Founder and President of Sidecar, a company leader in e-commerce marketing technology, recently acquired by Quartile. Before Sidecar, Andre founded MediLync, Omeda, and Snipi, three different startups with different destinies and multiple valuable lessons to develop Andre's career. 

Andre takes us on a fantastic trip around his career in this episode, from the software he developed inspired by his father's job to the later backlashes to his success with Sidecar. We delve into how important it was for Andre to count on his family's support and how his tendency to do things his own way helped him become a successful "multipreneur." 

We also talk about the effort and commitment it takes to create a successful company, which is never represented in news headlines, and the importance of niching down to achieve success. In the end, Andre shares invaluable advice for young people interested in becoming entrepreneurs.

Some Questions I Ask:

• When you started college, did you have any inclination to be an entrepreneur? (7:59)
• You started MediLync, and some years after, Omeda, could you talk a bit about that? (10:17)
• You were recently acquired by Quartile. Talk a bit about the process of that acquisition and how that transition has been for you (30:35)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• About Andre's experiences at college and how and why he decided to stop his academic formation (2:59)
• MediLync, the software that would start everything for Andre (4:03)
• Andre talks about the challenges of growing an agency (13:58)
• Some of the lessons Andre got from his not so successful endeavors (21:40)
• Andre talks about how it was for him the acquisition process (34:18)
• Andre shares his thoughts on the entrepreneurial journey and what young folks should focus on if they want to go through it (53:18)

Resources:

• Quartile website

Connect with Andre:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter

Let's Connect!

• LinkedIn
• Instagram 
• Twitter
• MPC Builders - Website
• MPC Builders - Facebook

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.