After more than a decade in business, Benjamin Johnson realized playing it safe was only going to take him so far.

Ben, owner of Forge Site Solutions, joins Luke Eggebraaten to talk about getting outside his comfort zone, building relationships with competitors, pricing work correctly, and making smarter decisions around growth.

They also dive into equipment, perfectionism, family, and why sometimes the biggest opportunities come from simply putting yourself out there.

📲 Connect with Ben & Forge Site Solutions:

Website: https://forgesitesolutions.net/

Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/benjamin-johnson-b1031a181_forgesitesolutions-propertymaintenance-activity-7459393594156593152-X3Ns/

Forge Site Solutions on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/forge-site-solutions/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgesitesolutions/

Book a free strategy call with Phaser Marketing:

https://calendly.com/d/cm59-rf4-hgq/investing-in-a-new-construction-website?month=2025-05

Or give Joe a call at (775) DIRT-BAG

Huge thanks to our sponsors:

Charlie Huff - Need a certificate of insurance? Done. Adding a new piece of equipment to the fleet? Consider it handled. Got an audit breathing down your neck? Charlie’s already on it. This is full-service insurance from people who care and understand—and it shows. Whether you’re a one-crew start-up or managing a multi-state operation, Charlie makes sure you’re covered right the first time so you can focus on growing, hiring, and hauling. Call (435) 764-4833 or visit https://trupointco.com/

Eljen - Revolutionizing Onsite Wastewater Management

Backed by decades of engineering expertise, the Eljen GSF® A42 system uses a layered approach combining geotextile fabric and a plastic core to optimize effluent treatment. This modular leachfield design increases filtration efficiency, reduces the required installation footprint, and protects soil absorption capacity for the long term. Especially effective in space-constrained or environmentally sensitive areas, it offers a reliable, sustainable upgrade to traditional septic systems.

Learn more at: eljen.com

SludgeHammer - Enhancing Septic System Performance with Advanced Microbiology

By introducing a proprietary blend of live bacteria into existing septic tanks, SludgeHammer systems biologically transform waste processing. This method restores failing leach fields, reduces sludge buildup, and supports environmentally friendly water recycling

without the need for major system overhauls. Certified for performance and scalability, the solution is ideal for homes, businesses, and larger-scale applications.

Discover the details at: sludgehammer.net

Thanks for listening!

Doug Casscles of BlackRock Excavating joins Luke Eggebraaten to reflect on 25 years since 9/11, sharing what he remembers from that day, how his community was impacted, and the incredible response that followed.

They also dive into Doug’s biggest lessons from the last few years in business, including employees, equipment, cash flow, and learning to let go of ego and emotion.

📲 Follow BlackRock Excavating:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackrockexcavatingcorp

Website: https://blackrockdigs.com/

Book a free strategy call with Phaser Marketing (775) DIRT-BAG: https://calendly.com/d/cm59-rf4-hgq/investing-in-a-new-construction-website

Huge Thanks to our sponsors:

Charlie Huff - Need a certificate of insurance? Done. Adding a new piece of equipment to the fleet? Consider it handled. Got an audit breathing down your neck? Charlie’s already on it. This is full-service insurance from people who care and understand—and it shows. Whether you’re a one-crew start-up or managing a multi-state operation, Charlie makes sure you’re covered right the first time so you can focus on growing, hiring, and hauling. Call (435) 764-4833 or visit https://trupointco.com/

Eljen - Revolutionizing Onsite Wastewater Management Backed by decades of engineering expertise, the Eljen GSF® A42 system uses a layered approach combining geotextile fabric and a plastic core to optimize effluent treatment. This modular leachfield design increases filtration efficiency, reduces the required installation footprint, and protects soil absorption capacity for the long term. Especially effective in space-constrained or environmentally sensitive areas, it offers a reliable, sustainable upgrade to traditional septic systems. Learn more at: eljen.com

SludgeHammer - Enhancing Septic System Performance with Advanced Microbiology By introducing a proprietary blend of live bacteria into existing septic tanks, SludgeHammer systems biologically transform waste processing. This method restores failing leach fields, reduces sludge buildup, and supports environmentally friendly water recycling without the need for major system overhauls. Certified for performance and scalability, the solution is ideal for homes, businesses, and larger-scale applications. Discover the details at: sludgehammer.net

Tag us on Instagram @officialdirtbagspodcast and drop a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

LETS GO!

In Episode 131 of the Dirt Bags Podcast, Luke Eggebraaten sits down with Michael King of Civil CFO to break down the biggest financial barriers construction companies face as they scale.

From cash flow and bidding to profit margins, equipment, bonding, and working capital, Michael explains what contractors need to understand to grow without putting their business at risk.

If you want to build a stronger, more profitable construction business, this episode is for you.

📲 Connect with Michael:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/iammichaelking/

Book a free strategy call with Phaser Marketing:

https://calendly.com/d/cm59-rf4-hgq/investing-in-a-new-construction-website?month=2025-05

Or give Joe a call at (775) DIRT-BAG

Huge thanks to our sponsors:

Charlie Huff - Need a certificate of insurance? Done. Adding a new piece of equipment to the fleet? Consider it handled. Got an audit breathing down your neck? Charlie’s already on it. This is full-service insurance from people who care and understand—and it shows. Whether you’re a one-crew start-up or managing a multi-state operation, Charlie makes sure you’re covered right the first time so you can focus on growing, hiring, and hauling. Call (435) 764-4833 or visit https://trupointco.com/

Eljen - Revolutionizing Onsite Wastewater Management

Backed by decades of engineering expertise, the Eljen GSF® A42 system uses a layered approach combining geotextile fabric and a plastic core to optimize effluent treatment. This modular leachfield design increases filtration efficiency, reduces the required installation footprint, and protects soil absorption capacity for the long term. Especially effective in space-constrained or environmentally sensitive areas, it offers a reliable, sustainable upgrade to traditional septic systems.

Learn more at: eljen.com

SludgeHammer - Enhancing Septic System Performance with Advanced Microbiology

By introducing a proprietary blend of live bacteria into existing septic tanks, SludgeHammer systems biologically transform waste processing. This method restores failing leach fields, reduces sludge buildup, and supports environmentally friendly water recycling

without the need for major system overhauls. Certified for performance and scalability, the solution is ideal for homes, businesses, and larger-scale applications.

Discover the details at: sludgehammer.net

Thanks for listening!

Christian Schloegel started mowing lawns in fifth grade. Today he runs C+I Services LLC (C And I Services), a full-service landscape, design/build, and snow management company crushing it in Chicago’s western suburbs.

Connect with Christian:

Website: https://www.candiservicesllc.com/ Instagram: @candiservicesllc

Book a free strategy call with Phaser Marketing (775) DIRT-BAG: https://calendly.com/d/cm59-rf4-hgq/investing-in-a-new-construction-website

Huge Thanks to our sponsors:

Charlie Huff - Need a certificate of insurance? Done. Adding a new piece of equipment to the fleet? Consider it handled. Got an audit breathing down your neck? Charlie’s already on it. This is full-service insurance from people who care and understand—and it shows. Whether you’re a one-crew start-up or managing a multi-state operation, Charlie makes sure you’re covered right the first time so you can focus on growing, hiring, and hauling. Call (435) 764-4833 or visit https://trupointco.com/

Eljen - Revolutionizing Onsite Wastewater Management Backed by decades of engineering expertise, the Eljen GSF® A42 system uses a layered approach combining geotextile fabric and a plastic core to optimize effluent treatment. This modular leachfield design increases filtration efficiency, reduces the required installation footprint, and protects soil absorption capacity for the long term. Especially effective in space-constrained or environmentally sensitive areas, it offers a reliable, sustainable upgrade to traditional septic systems. Learn more at: eljen.com

SludgeHammer - Enhancing Septic System Performance with Advanced Microbiology By introducing a proprietary blend of live bacteria into existing septic tanks, SludgeHammer systems biologically transform waste processing. This method restores failing leach fields, reduces sludge buildup, and supports environmentally friendly water recycling without the need for major system overhauls. Certified for performance and scalability, the solution is ideal for homes, businesses, and larger-scale applications. Discover the details at: sludgehammer.net

Tag us on Instagram @officialdirtbagspodcast and drop a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

LETS GO!

In this bonus episode of the Dirt Bags Podcast, Joe Casey steps into the host seat while Luke is out on paternity leave and sits down with Cam Mathis from Phaser Marketing to recap Storm Field Day in Mankato, Minnesota.

Book a free strategy call with Phaser Marketing : https://calendly.com/d/cm59-rf4-hgq/investing-in-a-new-construction-website?month=2025-05

Or give Joe a call at (775) DIRT-BAG

Huge Thanks to our sponsors:

Charlie Huff - Need a certificate of insurance? Done. Adding a new piece of equipment to the fleet? Consider it handled. Got an audit breathing down your neck? Charlie’s already on it. This is full-service insurance from people who care and understand—and it shows. Whether you’re a one-crew start-up or managing a multi-state operation, Charlie makes sure you’re covered right the first time so you can focus on growing, hiring, and hauling. Call (435) 764-4833 or visit https://trupointco.com/

Eljen - Revolutionizing Onsite Wastewater Management Backed by decades of engineering expertise, the Eljen GSF® A42 system uses a layered approach combining geotextile fabric and a plastic core to optimize effluent treatment. This modular leachfield design increases filtration efficiency, reduces the required installation footprint, and protects soil absorption capacity for the long term. Especially effective in space-constrained or environmentally sensitive areas, it offers a reliable, sustainable upgrade to traditional septic systems. Learn more at: eljen.com

SludgeHammer - Enhancing Septic System Performance with Advanced Microbiology By introducing a proprietary blend of live bacteria into existing septic tanks, SludgeHammer systems biologically transform waste processing. This method restores failing leach fields, reduces sludge buildup, and supports environmentally friendly water recycling without the need for major system overhauls. Certified for performance and scalability, the solution is ideal for homes, businesses, and larger-scale applications.

Discover the details at: sludgehammer.net

Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Luke sits down with Bryce Harem of BTG Services. Bryce and his team provide professional coaching and training for contractors and leaders in the construction industry while running their own multi-million-dollar asphalt and concrete business. Check out BTG Services on Facebook for more.

BTG Services: https://www.facebook.com/people/BTG-Services/61585996206524/

Book a free strategy call with Phaser Marketing :

https://calendly.com/d/cm59-rf4-hgq/investing-in-a-new-construction-website?month=2025-05

Or give Joe a call at (775) DIRT-BAG

Huge Thanks to our sponsors:

Charlie Huff - Need a certificate of insurance? Done. Adding a new piece of equipment to the fleet? Consider it handled. Got an audit breathing down your neck? Charlie’s already on it. This is full-service insurance from people who care and understand—and it shows. Whether you’re a one-crew start-up or managing a multi-state operation, Charlie makes sure you’re covered right the first time so you can focus on growing, hiring, and hauling. Call (435) 764-4833 or visit https://trupointco.com/

Eljen - Revolutionizing Onsite Wastewater Management

Backed by decades of engineering expertise, the Eljen GSF® A42 system uses a layered approach combining geotextile fabric and a plastic core to optimize effluent treatment. This modular leachfield design increases filtration efficiency, reduces the required installation footprint, and protects soil absorption capacity for the long term. Especially effective in space-constrained or environmentally sensitive areas, it offers a reliable, sustainable upgrade to traditional septic systems.

Learn more at: eljen.com

SludgeHammer - Enhancing Septic System Performance with Advanced Microbiology

By introducing a proprietary blend of live bacteria into existing septic tanks, SludgeHammer systems biologically transform waste processing. This method restores failing leach fields, reduces sludge buildup, and supports environmentally friendly water recycling

without the need for major system overhauls. Certified for performance and scalability, the solution is ideal for homes, businesses, and larger-scale applications.

Discover the details at: sludgehammer.net

Thanks for listening!

#128: Don't Take No for an Answer- DK Excavating

James Stiksma from Canadian Septic is stepping in as guest host while Luke is home with his newborn! And he brought a great one. Kevin Cox runs DK Excavating out of Ontario and has been featured on HGTV with Mike Holmes three times. But the real story here is what he went through to still be standing. In 2022 Kevin was diagnosed with a rare form of melanoma. A nine and a half hour surgery rebuilt his face using tissue from his own arm and thigh. He thought he had it beat. It came back. By early 2023 he was down to 155 pounds with a tumor the size of a baseball on his face. Canadian doctors wanted to do the same surgery again. His wife said no. She found an experimental dendritic cell treatment in Mexico. Kevin scraped together $85,000 USD, laid off his crew, and flew to Mexico. By September of 2023 he had a clean scan. Kevin's perseverance through all of it is nothing short of incredible.

📲 Connect with Kevin:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dkexcavating/

Website: https://www.dkexcavating.com/

Huge thanks to our sponsors:

Charlie Huff - Need a certificate of insurance? Done. Adding a new piece of equipment to the fleet? Consider it handled. Got an audit breathing down your neck? Charlie's already on it. This is full-service insurance from people who care and understand and it shows. Whether you're a one-crew start-up or managing a multi-state operation, Charlie makes sure you're covered right the first time so you can focus on growing, hiring, and hauling. Call (435) 764-4833 or visit https://trupointco.com/

Eljen - Revolutionizing Onsite Wastewater Management. Backed by decades of engineering expertise, the Eljen GSF® A42 system uses a layered approach combining geotextile fabric and a plastic core to optimize effluent treatment. This modular leachfield design increases filtration efficiency, reduces the required installation footprint, and protects soil absorption capacity for the long term. Especially effective in space-constrained or environmentally sensitive areas, it offers a reliable, sustainable upgrade to traditional septic systems. Learn more at: http://eljen.com

SludgeHammer - Enhancing Septic System Performance with Advanced Microbiology. By introducing a proprietary blend of live bacteria into existing septic tanks, SludgeHammer systems biologically transform waste processing. This method restores failing leach fields, reduces sludge buildup, and supports environmentally friendly water recycling without the need for major system overhauls. Certified for performance and scalability, the solution is ideal for homes, businesses, and larger-scale applications. Discover the details at: http://sludgehammer.net

Book a free strategy call with Phaser Marketing (775) DIRT-BAG: https://calendly.com/d/cm59-rf4-hgq/investing-in-a-new-construction-website?month=2025-05

🎙️ Tag us on Instagram @officialdirtbagspodcast and drop a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. LETS GO!

Episode #127: Dirtbikes and Dozers | Cole Morse

Cole Morse taught himself to run equipment on a dirt bike track his dad built him out of 96 free loads of clay. Today he runs M&M Earthwurx, the More Dirt YouTube channel, and More Dirt Pro, a mentorship app helping blue collar guys across the country build something real. In this one Cole gets raw about starting with nothing, buying a foreclosure to fund his business, raising autistic twins, walking off a job site and eating $4,000 in profit, and why purpose matters more to him than money ever will. God first. Family second. Work third. This one is worth every minute.

📲 Connect with Cole:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/more.dirt/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Morse359

More Dirt Pro: https://www.moredirtpro.com/event/bulldozer-class?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnrdNz_mcCUC0foFYQBuKzIOEdlF0nF1DjbGtAE_21RkC_93knK6lBZ5BXcY8_aem_97fw2_KenWiRPiHhbvUiOg

Huge thanks to our sponsors:

Charlie Huff - Need a certificate of insurance? Done. Adding a new piece of equipment to the fleet? Consider it handled. Got an audit breathing down your neck? Charlie's already on it. This is full-service insurance from people who care and understand and it shows. Whether you're a one-crew start-up or managing a multi-state operation, Charlie makes sure you're covered right the first time so you can focus on growing, hiring, and hauling. Call (435) 764-4833 or visit https://trupointco.com/

Eljen - Revolutionizing Onsite Wastewater Management. Backed by decades of engineering expertise, the Eljen GSF® A42 system uses a layered approach combining geotextile fabric and a plastic core to optimize effluent treatment. This modular leachfield design increases filtration efficiency, reduces the required installation footprint, and protects soil absorption capacity for the long term. Especially effective in space-constrained or environmentally sensitive areas, it offers a reliable, sustainable upgrade to traditional septic systems. Learn more at: http://eljen.com

SludgeHammer - Enhancing Septic System Performance with Advanced Microbiology. By introducing a proprietary blend of live bacteria into existing septic tanks, SludgeHammer systems biologically transform waste processing. This method restores failing leach fields, reduces sludge buildup, and supports environmentally friendly water recycling without the need for major system overhauls. Certified for performance and scalability, the solution is ideal for homes, businesses, and larger-scale applications. Discover the details at: http://sludgehammer.net

Book a free strategy call with Phaser Marketing (775) DIRT-BAG: https://calendly.com/d/cm59-rf4-hgq/investing-in-a-new-construction-website?month=2025-05 🎙️ Tag us on Instagram @officialdirtbagspodcast and drop a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. LET'S GO!

Last time Brad from Teach Me Dirt joined us for the Estimating 101 episode, it became the most requested webinar we've ever done. So we brought him back to go deeper. Recorded live from our Dirt Bags University webinar on July 1st, hosts Luke and Joe Casey sit down with Brad to build a real site-work estimate line by line and show you exactly where the money hides.

This one is hands-on. Brad walks a live takeoff and breaks down how to price demolition the right way, why hauling and disposal can be a profit center instead of a cost, and how owning your own land to store and recycle material puts money back in your pocket. We get into erosion control and construction entrances, grading, hauling by the hour, and how to take skills you already have and turn them into higher-margin work. Brad also breaks down the post-job analysis and data habits that sharpen every future bid.

We wrap with live chat Q&A and a HUGE giveaway for the crew who showed up. If you estimate, bid, or you're trying to break into dirt work, this one pays for itself.

📲 Connect with Brad / Teach Me Dirt:

https://linktr.ee/teachmedirt

Huge Thanks to our sponsors for all of their support AND the incredible giveaway prizes:

Charlie Huff - Need a certificate of insurance? Done. Adding a new piece of equipment to the fleet? Consider it handled. Got an audit breathing down your neck? Charlie's already on it. This is full-service insurance from people who care and understand and it shows. Whether you're a one-crew start-up or managing a multi-state operation, Charlie makes sure you're covered right the first time so you can focus on growing, hiring, and hauling. Call (435) 764-4833 or visit https://trupointco.com/

Eljen - Revolutionizing Onsite Wastewater Management. Backed by decades of engineering expertise, the Eljen GSF® A42 system uses a layered approach combining geotextile fabric and a plastic core to optimize effluent treatment. This modular leachfield design increases filtration efficiency, reduces the required installation footprint, and protects soil absorption capacity for the long term. Especially effective in space-constrained or environmentally sensitive areas, it offers a reliable, sustainable upgrade to traditional septic systems. Learn more at: http://eljen.com

SludgeHammer - Enhancing Septic System Performance with Advanced Microbiology. By introducing a proprietary blend of live bacteria into existing septic tanks, SludgeHammer systems biologically transform waste processing. This method restores failing leach fields, reduces sludge buildup, and supports environmentally friendly water recycling without the need for major system overhauls. Certified for performance and scalability, the solution is ideal for homes, businesses, and larger-scale applications. Discover the details at: http://sludgehammer.net

Book a free strategy call with Phaser Marketing (775) DIRT-BAG: https://calendly.com/d/cm59-rf4-hgq/investing-in-a-new-construction-website?month=2025-05

🎙️ Tag us on Instagram @officialdirtbagspodcast and drop a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. LETS GO!

1,500 days ago Jordan Smith sat down on the Phaser Friday podcast as a guy building something cool. Today he's lost 200 pounds, sold a company to Boss Snowplow, launched Storm Equipment, started a docuseries that's become the most viewed snow media ever created, and is scaling multiple companies simultaneously. In this episode Jordan gets raw about all of it. The ego trip that cost him everything he built, the doctor's visit that changed his life, how 75 Hard rewired his brain, selling VSI to Boss Snowplow, and building Storm from the ground up with purpose at the center of everything. We also get into fatherhood, work life integration, shiny object syndrome vs real innovation, and what it actually means to be the product of your last 1,000 days. This one hits different. Don't skip it.

📲 Connect with Jordan: Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/jordansmith9922

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-smith-bb997173

Huge Thanks to our sponsors:

Charlie Huff - Need a certificate of insurance? Done. Adding a new piece of equipment to the fleet? Consider it handled. Got an audit breathing down your neck? Charlie's already on it. This is full-service insurance from people who care and understand and it shows. Whether you're a one-crew start-up or managing a multi-state operation, Charlie makes sure you're covered right the first time so you can focus on growing, hiring, and hauling. Call (435) 764-4833 or visit https://trupointco.com/

Eljen - Revolutionizing Onsite Wastewater Management. Backed by decades of engineering expertise, the Eljen GSF® A42 system uses a layered approach combining geotextile fabric and a plastic core to optimize effluent treatment. This modular leachfield design increases filtration efficiency, reduces the required installation footprint, and protects soil absorption capacity for the long term. Especially effective in space-constrained or environmentally sensitive areas, it offers a reliable, sustainable upgrade to traditional septic systems. Learn more at: http://eljen.com

SludgeHammer - Enhancing Septic System Performance with Advanced Microbiology. By introducing a proprietary blend of live bacteria into existing septic tanks, SludgeHammer systems biologically transform waste processing. This method restores failing leach fields, reduces sludge buildup, and supports environmentally friendly water recycling without the need for major system overhauls. Certified for performance and scalability, the solution is ideal for homes, businesses, and larger-scale applications. Discover the details at: http://sludgehammer.net

Book a free strategy call with Phaser Marketing (775) DIRT-BAG: https://calendly.com/d/cm59-rf4-hgq/investing-in-a-new-construction-website?month=2025-05 🎙️ Tag us on Instagram @officialdirtbagspodcast and drop a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. LETS GO!