Constructing Greatness

Getting out of our comfort zone is a challenging, yet rewarding, decision to make. To me, it was starting a podcast and putting myself out there, interviewing tradesmen and business owners to add value. And I discovered that accepting new challenges and committing to overcoming them is a satisfying feeling, regardless of the success of our new endeavor. 

In this episode, after one year of our first episode, I want to thank our listeners for joining us on every episode, our guests for helping me build this show, and our sponsors for believing in this project. I want to express my gratitude for having the possibility of making this show and celebrate the decision to start a podcast; this journey has been a blast! 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• We are part of the exclusive club of the 1% (2:02)
• There is so much space to grow and improve (5:08)
• What was the purpose of starting this podcast (7:03)

Let's Connect!

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

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

After finishing high school, Stan Chorzelewski still didn't have a clear idea of the path he would follow, and he was already working at Acme Markets pushing carts. College seemed like the right option, so he started the Business Administration and Management course at Camden County College. Working hard and giving 100% at every position he worked in Acme, Stan made his way up to Assistant Store Director. He developed many tools that would help him a lot in the future as a Store Director, but Stan decided to make the leap of faith into the construction industry as the hands-on man he is.

Stan Chorzelewski is a Commercial Flooring Installer at American Floors, Inc, with more than 13 years of experience. He is a Certified OSHA 30 installer. 

Throughout this episode, Stan kindly shared his experiences moving from his comfort zone and starting a brand new profession after getting a managerial position. We also discussed the importance of having a positive attitude, giving 100% at any work, and delivering a quality job as the keys to success. Then, Stan shared a weird story from his time as an Assistant Store Director. Finally, we spoke about the health improvement after his profession change and his passion for teaching. 

Some Questions I Ask:

• You went through a four-year apprenticeship to become a journeyman, and then you became a foreman? (18:09)
• Let's talk about overtime. Your profession is the only union where you get double time if you work on Saturdays. Is that correct? (26:13)
• You're on your hands and knees all frickin' day. How are your knees and back after 13 years? (28:65)
• How COVID impacted you when it hit? (35:47)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Stan's background and how he got into the construction industry (4:18)
• The suspicious lady. One of Stan's stories as Assistant Store Director (13:19)
• What Stan learned from his experience at Acme and how those abilities helped him afterward (16:35)
• No day is similar to the previous one. A bit of Stan's routine (27:17)
• Positivity goes a long way. How Stan's vision over things always helped him evolve (31:07)

Resources:

• American Floors, Inc website

Connect with Stan:

• LinkedIn

Let's Connect!

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

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

Having a rough time at a terrible school and feeling he wasn't learning anything of value there, George decided he would leave his formal education aside and started roofing; he was 16. However, he would discover that roofing in Philadelphia wasn't precisely a dream job, so a couple of years later, he was pursuing a different dream. 

Fast forward a couple of years, George started his own commercial floor maintenance company with reasonable success, but what would put him in the right direction was his experience as a real estate agent. In 2006, he sold over $25 million as a realtor; he understood the business, liked it, and was good at it. That experience planted the seed; he decided to move on and stay in the industry but opt for the entrepreneurship path. 

Joining me today is George Duffield; he is the CEO and co-founder of the National Integrity Title Agency. His company created a mobile app for title insurance; it is a unique app that helps people selling a house calculate how much they are walking away with after the transfer tax. 

In this episode, George kindly shared his journey to becoming the successful entrepreneur he is today. Then, we spoke about his bulletproof mentality and how he highlights his company's service in such a competitive market. Finally, we talked about what motivated the app's creation and how it makes people's lives easier. 

Some Questions I Ask:

• You chose not to take the college route; can you talk a bit about that? (2:28)
• Could you tell our audience about your real estate experience? (7:11)
• How has social media helped you grow and to build your brand? (17:41)
• Could you talk a bit about your daily responsibilities? (20:37)
• If someone wants to get into your profession, the real estate business, what would your advice be? (28:20)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• How George realized he wasn't a "book guy" and what he decided to do about it (5:17)
• The importance of changing a team's mindset to be successful (10:03)
• What makes George's company different from the rest (11:01)
• What George and his company decided to do for other workers during the pandemic (21:26)
• What is the future looking like for George's company (24:28)

Resources:

• National Integrity Title Agency website
• National Integrity Title Agency LinkedIn
• National Integrity Title Agency Instagram
• National Integrity Title Agency YouTube
• National Integrity Title Agency Facebook

Connect with George:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• 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.

Misty Solomon always worked in sales, with incredible success everywhere she operated. For her, edible arrangements were a way of showing appreciation to her team members. Until one day, she realized those products could be better, and as a hobby, she started producing them in her house. Although Misty never thought her hobby could turn into a business, she opened her first store four years later. 

Joining me today is Misty Solomon; she is the Owner & Head Chocolatier at Devour Desserts. Misty worked as Mentor and Team Leader at Tastefully Simple for over ten years, where she recruited and led a sales team that generated over $10 million in sales. She worked as Regional Sales Director at ViSalus, and Regional Sales Advisor at B-Safe, Inc. Today, Devour Desserts has two different locations, Mantua, NJ, and Aston, PA. 

In this episode, we talked about Misty's journey into the sales industry and how that experience helped her build her successful business. We went through her unique and funny approach in her social media and how she uses humor to leverage her online presence and generate revenue. She kindly shared the story of a customer called Freda and how she turned a negative review into profit. 

Some Questions I Ask:

• Do you want to talk about how you got to Tastefully Simple and your career path leading to where you are? (2:57)
• In 2015, you started Devour Desserts, but you were already doing it in your home kitchen. Correct? (6:03)
• Did you have any business partners? How did you manage to start Devour Desserts? (7:19)
• Where do you think you're going? You recently open up your second store but, do you see more stores down the road? (20:59)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• The story of how Devour Desserts started as a hobby (6:11)
• Follow your gut. How Misty decided to open a second store (13:55)
• How Misty uses social media to engage with her audience in a funny, particular way (17:05)
• A bit about Misty's passion for constructing and being in constant growth (25:43)

Resources:

• Devour Desserts website
• Devour Desserts Instagram
• Devour Desserts Facebook
• Devour Desserts Twitter

Connect with Misty:

• LinkedIn

Let's Connect!

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

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

Leaving the corporate world and turning a lifetime passion into a business sounds like a dream come true for most of us. Although there is no doubt that working in what we are passionate about is an ideal situation, our today's guest, Chuck Garrity, believes it is not about dreaming but about planning. Creating a business out of a passion takes work, long nights of planning, lots of research, and getting ready to face countless challenges along the way. 

Joining me today is Chuck Garrity, founder, and CEO of Death of the Fox Brewing Company, the first and only brewery and coffee house in New Jersey. Chuck is also an avid reader and passionate about history. After working in the healthcare industry for over 20 years, Chuck decided to invest in himself and start his own brewery. After experiencing burnout working for big companies, Chuck realized that he didn't want that corporate life where, according to him, you get married to the company. That life wasn't for him.

In this episode, we talked about Chuck's journey in the corporate world and why he decided to pivot into an entrepreneurial adventure. He kindly shared his experiences learning the secrets of brewery working side-by-side with a specialist - as he said, the only way to learn something. We also talked about the challenges he faced to establish his business in New Jersey and how he prepared himself and the company to deal with the pandemic.

Some Questions I Ask:

• When did you become passionate about making beer? (8:16)
• Can you talk a bit about your very innovative branding, embracing the local Revolutionary War history of the region, and where that idea came from? (13:39)
• Could you share a bit more on the political and regulatory challenges that you experienced in this process of creating what you have today? (19:10)
• Are you looking to open a second location in the future? (40:47)
• If someone wants to get into something they're passionate about, whether it's a brewery, whether it's construction, get out of the corporate world, what would your advice be? (46:31)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• What led Chuck to make the decision to leave the corporate world (6:50)
• The brewing Yoda. How Chuck learned everything he knows about the brewery (12:46)
• Consistency is the key. What every brewer should be worried about (16:03)
• Something people can make a tattoo of. The challenging path of creating a logo (19:45)
• Setting boundaries to take care of ourselves. What Chuck had to learn as a CEO of his own company (48:50)

Resources:

• Death of the Fox Brewing Company website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter

Connect with Chuck:

• LinkedIn

Let's Connect!

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

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

Even after graduating from college as a physical education teacher and coaching high school kids for over 12 years, Kris Wilson's entrepreneurial spirit was more substantial than his pleasure in teaching. He found in the family agriculture endeavor a place to flourish his entrepreneurial mindset, first infusing technology to it, and now as a co-owner of Growtopia Farms LLC. 

Joining me today is Kris Wilson, an entrepreneur, a friend, and a neighbor. Kris worked as a wrestling, baseball, and soccer coach at Pennsville Memorial High School for over a decade. He also worked in network marketing, where he acquired the habit of constantly bettering himself, reading a lot, and getting comfortable being uncomfortable. 

In this episode, we talked about Kris' transition from teaching to the entrepreneurial world. He kindly shared the process of becoming co-owner of the agricultural family business and the teachings he gives his children about being entrepreneurs themselves. We also talked about the current situation on college debts for kids, predatory lending, and the lack of exposure to trade and vocational schools. 

Some Questions I Ask:

• Your entrepreneurial spirit brought you back to your family business, which was farming. Correct? (2:49)
• Growtopia Farms is the first farm in New Jersey to actively use a spray scouting drone, which uses fewer pesticides than conventional equipment and provides real-time growing data from its high-tech camera system. Right? (11:56)
• Talk a bit about what you learn from working in network marketing and how that's helped you with where you are today. (14:25)
• What is, in your vision, what college fails to teach kids? (19:42)
• The stigma around the trades and vocational schools, why do you think it still exists? (27:52)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Not always being bigger is the best option. Sometimes in business is better to be small and efficient (8:52)
• The perks of technology in modern agriculture. Drones and robotics (13:31)
• The colossal investment college represents and kids being sure about their passions at age 18 (21:16)
• Kris' opinion about trade and vocational schools' stigma (28:01)
• What industries are growing and which ones will see substantial growth in the following years (29:51)

Resources:

• Growtopia Farms LLC Facebook

Let's Connect!

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

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

The construction business is a dynamic and heterogeneous space where many different disciplines and complementary activities work together. For instance, precision and imagination work together to solve various challenges; no two days are the same. And in contrast with many other industries, where an empty inbox or the end of a commercial relationship signalizes the conclusion of a project, in the construction business, a successful project is a building that will be there forever. 

In this episode, I have a fantastic conversation with Brian Emmons, Development Manager at Southern Land Company. He is involved in one of Philadelphia's largest projects, The Laurel Rittenhouse Square. Brian's father, a Vietnam veteran, trying to make ends meet in the '70s, got a second job as a Union carpenter, and that was Brian's first contact with the construction industry. His passion for animals took him to start Pre-vet school, but his disgust for chemistry made him change course. Brian holds a BS in Building Construction Management from Purdue University. 

Brian kindly shared his journey in the construction business. He talked about how the pandemic affected the industry and what he loves most about the industry. We also talked about why he picked the construction business and how he transitioned from being a construction guy to a development guy. 

Some Questions I Ask:

• How's the Laurel project going? Is it on schedule? (8:12)
• Why construction? What led you to go on that path? (14:02)
• What do you love most about the industry? (19:42)
• When The Laurel is done, does Southern Land already have the next project? (23:02)
• If someone wants to get into construction, what would your advice be for them on how to do so? (25:05)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• There no trivial tasks. The benefits of working on every position (3:06)
• How the pandemic hit Brian's projects (8:14)
• Driving scrapers, loaders, and Bobcats at 17 (16:05)
• The creative part of the business (19:45)
• The many different aspects of the industry (25:39)

Resources:

• Southern Land Company Website
• The Laurel Rittenhouse Square

Connect with Brian:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter

Let's Connect!

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

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

Deciding what career to pursue after finishing highschool might be one of the most challenging, and in some cases defining decisions in early adulthood. The norm is going to College and pursue a career in the corporate world or becoming a professional in medicine, law, or engineering. For entrepreneurial souls, that is not always the best path. However, even after 10 or 15 years in a corporation, with school debts, a mortgage, and maybe kids, leaving the 9 to 5 universe to chase our dreams will be challenging but not impossible. 

Joining me is Erika Gonzalez, Founder of From Dusk Till Dog, Podcast Host, Certified Dog Trainer, and Behaviour Consultant. She has a BS in Science in Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication from West Virginia University and had some experience in the corporate world working as Content Coordinator and Acquisitions Editor. While working full time, Erika graduated with honors in CATCH Canine Trainers Academy, also becoming Mentor Trainer of the Institution. She is a Certified Canine Enrichment Technician, a Fear Free Certified Training Professional, and Licensed Pet Dog Ambassador Instructor and Assessor of The Pet Professional Guild. 

In this episode, we had a fantastic conversation about Erika's passion, training dogs. She spoke about leaving her corporate job to pursue her passion, why she made it, and the lessons she took from it. Erika explained what makes her different from the rest of the dog trainers, kindly sharing a few pro-tips on how to teach our dogs properly. We talked about how the pandemic affected Erika's business, the advantages of positive reinforcement to train our dogs, the issues caused by the dog training industry being unregulated, and much more. 

Some Questions I Ask:

• I believe it's essential for people to know the certifications you have. Could you talk a bit about that? (7:22)
• How you're different than other trainers who don't use a science-based approach? (13:49)
• How has COVID impacted your business? (30:53)
• You touched on Patreon; I don't know much about it. Could you share a bit of it? (35:13)
• If you were to share with someone how to get into your industry or just get into something they're passionate about, what steps could they take? (47:57)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Going from the best dog mom to the best dog trainer (4:27)
• What is the importance of being a certified dog trainer (8:14)
• Nurturing, guiding, and rewarding training bring best results in the long term (17:41)
• Dogs' brain capacity is more significant than most people think (21:03)
• Making appointments with ourselves to give us permission to rest (46:53)

Resources:

• From Dusk Till Dog Website
• From Dusk Till Dog TikTok
• From Dusk Till Dog Instagram
• From Dusk Till Dog Facebook
• From Dusk Till Dog Patreon
• From Dusk Till Dog YouTube
• From Dusk Till Dog Twitter
• From Dusk Till Dog Pinterest
• The Dog Training Audio Experience Podcast

Connect with Erika:

• LinkedIn

Let's Connect!

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

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

The pandemic and the way people responded to it affected some industries diminishing their production and sales and increasing the demand in others, leading to insane price escalation. The fluctuation of prices, both abrupt and unpredictable, put salespeople and contractors on the spot, making selling extremely hard, and complicating their delivery dates. As there is little people inside the industry can do about it, the best tactic is to try and relax and do the best possible with what is available. 

Today's guest is Sean Henderson, Outside Sales Representative at Bell Supply. We had a great chat about his decision to become part of the construction industry and his experience at Williamson College of the Trades, the market's changing situation in pandemic and post-pandemic times, and what he believes is the industry's dilemma right now. 

Sean kindly shared his advice for young people interested in joining the construction industry and the projects he is involved in. We also talked about the admission process to Williamson, what students should expect from attending its courses, and described his experience during his graduation in Structural Coatings Technology.

Some Questions I Ask:

• Why did you decide to take the Williamson College of the Trades path? (1:49)
• Let's talk about the industry dilemma that we're going through right now. (9:29)
• When do you see the increase in prices stopping? (12:17)
• What are you working on currently? I would love you to talk about the big projects that you're supplying right now. (15:38)
• If someone were to ask that they want to get into construction, what would your advice be? (18:05)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Sean's first experience in the industry (4:08)
• The process of getting into Williamson (7:15)
• Two sectors having significant demand and experiencing crazy price increase (9:39)
• Some of Sean's promising projects (15:46)
• The benefits of a Technical Trade School (18:16)

Resources:

• Bell Supply website

Connect with Sean:

• LinkedIn

Let's Connect!

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

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

There is a shortage of skilled trades reported by several entities. The number of construction workers retiring every year is bigger than the number of apprentices joining the industry. Why is this happening? Some would say that is because, in the past, injuries were more common, and people losing limbs or even dying was a part of it. And that's something today's parents grew up seeing and don't want for their kids. Others suggest that the shortage is a symptom of social pressure and the idea that without a college degree, no one can succeed. Reality shows that today, worker's safety is a number one priority, and a college degree is not always the only answer. 

Today, I chat with the inspiring Shannon Tymosko, Electrical Apprentice (IBEW Local 105), and Proud Ambassador with KickAss Careers. She is passionate about learning and overcoming new challenges. As a KickAss ambassador, Shannon enjoys educating people, helping them develop new abilities, and thrive in an alternative pathway career in the construction industry. She is a certified Level 1 Machinist and a 309A Construction & Maintenance, Electrician Level 1 from the Mohawk College. She has an Advance Diploma in Child and Youth Work from Humber College. 

Shannon shared her inspiring and educational story about her journey of getting into a skilled trade and her evolution in the industry so far. We also talked about her feelings around being a woman in an industry where men are predominant. She kindly spoke about her role as a KickAss ambassador and the mental and physical benefits from working on manual jobs. Shannon gave away some tips for those interested in getting into the construction industry and explained the importance of gaining experience to reach confidence. 

Some Questions I Ask:

• You took the traditional college path, right? And you spent about 10, 11 years in the workforce before the trade. Do you want to talk a little bit about that? (2:00)
• You started as a machinist first, correct? (6:32)
• You talk about mental and physical health. I'd like you to talk a little bit about how skilled trades can help in that regard. (8:54)
• You also mentioned confidence. Can you talk about how being in trades increased your confidence? (10:36)
• You are an ambassador for KickAss careers. And it appears that you have a nickname, Lady Voltz. Is that correct? (14:46)
• What are you working on now? (20:01)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Shannon's first steps into skill trades (2:31)
• The importance of physical exercising, not only for our bodies but for our minds (9:31)
• Where does confidence come from (11:41)
• Skilled trades can bring real success and they are for everyone. (15:36)
• People in skilled trades go to school and get paid for it. (22:37)
• Work ethics, willingness to learn, and integrity can't be trained, and they have massive value in the industry (30:08)

Resources:

• KickAss Careers website

Connect with Shannon:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Let's Connect!

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

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