"I built all of this for you." It's the line almost every business owner tells themselves while grinding through 14-hour days and working every Saturday . But for 70% of family businesses, the dream ends when the next generation looks at the keys and says, "No thanks" .

In this episode, Craig breaks down The Legacy Lie—the hard truth that your kids don't want your truck, your tools, or your 95-degree workdays if those things are what took you away from them . We dive into the psychology of the "Stress Mirror" and why being a "stressed-out hero" is actually training your children to hate your industry .

We discuss:

• The Failure Rate: Why only 30% of businesses survive the transition to the second generation and a mere 12% make it to the third .
• Key Person Dependency: How making yourself the "Sun" of your company turns a potential inheritance into a lifetime of high blood pressure
• Time Wealth vs. Revenue: Why the next generation would rather earn $80k with freedom than $250k while being on call 24/7
• Standardizing the Struggle: Using tech like Contractor Accelerator and Fence GPT to build a system that works without you
• The Family Board of Directors: How to give your kids a seat at the table before you try to give them the keys to the shop

Stop building a cage and start building a kingdom . Your kids don't owe you a succession plan—it's your job to build a business so profitable and fun that they'd be crazy to walk away from it .

1. The Positive Talk Rule: No complaining about work in front of the family for seven days .
2. The Freedom Audit: Leave your phone at home for one full Saturday this month
3. The "Why" Talk: Ask your kids what they think you do for a living, then show them the impact, not just the effort .

Special thanks to our sponsors: FenceTrac, ZND, Brand Builders, Live Switch, Contractor Accelerator, FenceGPT, Orlando Hinge Company, J.C. Gury, and My Salesman

Tune in Live: Every Tuesday at 8:00 PM Eastern!

GO BE A GOOD HUMAN

Does this capture the "soul-hitting" energy you were looking for, or should we lean harder into the technical side of the business transition?

#LegacyLie #FamilyBusiness #BlueCollarLegacy #SuccessionPlanning #BusinessOwnerLife #WorkLifeBalance #EntrepreneurMindset #StopTheGrind #LeadNotWork #TimeWealth #FencingIndustry #ContractorLife #Tradesman #EliteFencing #BlueCollarPride #ScalableBusiness #SystemsAndProcesses #ContractorAccelerator #FenceGPT #ExitStrategy #DadLife #KingdomBuilder #FamilyFirst #BeAGoodHuman #NextGeneration

In this episode of the Fence Guy Podcast, we are joined by the "Double Trouble" duo, Kevin Pool (Charleston Fences) and Evan Gardner (Wing Tools) . Fresh off their run at the Fence Games, the guys break down how they teamed up for the very first time to tackle the wood division . Despite facing equipment hiccups and starting 22 minutes late, they managed to install 75 feet of fence in just one hour and four minutes, ultimately securing a 3rd place finish .

We dive deep into the "No-Dig" revolution, the viral moments that shook the competition, and why the right tools make all the difference when you're racing against the clock . Whether you're a solo builder or part of a crew, this episode is packed with insights on efficiency, job site grit, and industry brotherhood .

🔥 The Record Run: How the duo installed nine sections of fence in 64 minutes

🔥 Overcoming the Odds: Dealing with a 22-minute delay, a "monsoon" rain, and a tornado warning .

🔥 The Post Debate: A candid discussion on Wing Posts vs. King Plus and addressing the "misnomer" of inferior products .

🔥 Innovation & Grit: Evan Gardner shares the necessity-driven design behind Wing Tools and his "one-man method" for installations .

🔥 The $1,000 Challenge: Evan and Kevin officially put up a $1,000 wager for any Wing Tool user who can beat their installation record at the 2027 Fence Games .

🔥 Rapid Fire: From tool belt must-haves to the secret benefits of Vienna sausages on the job

Kevin Pool: charlestonfences.com

Evan Gardner: wingtools.net

Be a good human. Go out there, build something great, and don't forget to check out our sponsors for exclusive Fence Guy Podcast deals!

🤝 Thank You to Our Sponsors:

🔥 Brand Builders - https://www.gobrandbuilders.com

🔥 Contractor Accelerator - 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH WITH CODE: FGF

🔥 FenceGPT - 10% OFF WITH CODE: FGF - www.fencegpt.com

🔥 Fencetrac Fence System - https://www.fencetrac.com

🔥 J.C. Gury - 5% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER WHEN YOU MENTION FENCE GUY FRIDAY OVER THE PHONE

🔥 LiveSwitch - https://join.liveswitch.com/FenceGuyPodcast.com

🔥 MySalesman - https://mysalesman.com

In this straight-talking bonus episode, Craig dives deep into a dark corner of the business world: the culture of the lie. From inflated revenue numbers to "ghost" crews that don't exist, we explore why business owners feel the need to become professional storytellers and what that interest-bearing loan on your reputation is actually costing you.

We're breaking down:

💸 The "Status Hunt": Why our brains are wired to crave status and how that translates into empty bank accounts despite "record" years.

🧠 The Biological Burden: Why lying is actually hard work for your brain and how it's making you less effective at running your actual business.

🤝 The Team Impact: How lying to your crew—about quality, profits, or growth—kills culture and drives away your "A-Players".

🧱 The "Fake It Til You Make It" Trap: Why pretending to be a $5M company when you're struggling at $1M locks you in a box of your own ego and prevents you from getting the help you actually need.

Stop changing the lights and start changing the person. It's time to get back to the real, messy, honest work that builds something of value.

🤝 Thank You to Our Sponsors:

🔥 Brand Builders - https://www.gobrandbuilders.com

🔥 Contractor Accelerator - 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH WITH CODE: FGF

🔥 FenceGPT - 10% OFF WITH CODE: FGF - www.fencegpt.com

🔥 Fencetrac Fence System - https://www.fencetrac.com

🔥 J.C. Gury - 5% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER WHEN YOU MENTION FENCE GUY FRIDAY OVER THE PHONE

🔥 LiveSwitch - https://join.liveswitch.com/FenceGuyP ...

🔥 MySalesman - https://mysalesman.com

#WhyLie #FenceFam #BusinessEthics #FakeItTillYouMakeIt #ContractorLife #FenceGuyFriday #BusinessTruth #SmallBusinessTips #IntegrityInBusiness #EntrepreneurMindset

In this episode of the Fence Guy Podcast, we're crossing the border into Canada to sit down with Ryan Leslie, the powerhouse behind Vinyl Guys Fence and Deck and Elite Fence Academy. Ryan has spent 20 years in the trenches, moving from a "technician" working 80 hours a week to a CEO running a highly profitable, tech-forward operation.

We dive deep into the Real Stories of job site chaos and the Real Expert advice you need to stop trading your sanity for a paycheck.

• The "Admin Before Crew" Rule: Why hiring an office admin is the key to scaling and why most contractors have it backwards.
• Dynamic Pricing: Why being "booked out 12 weeks" is actually a sign you need to raise your prices and stop working for break-even money.
• Selling Without Site Visits: How Ryan closed $50,000 in deals in a single day without leaving his office by building trust through a solid process.
• The Switch to Subcontractors: Why Ryan is moving away from the employee model to find better predictability and protect his labor budgets.
• The "Anchor" Strategy: Using rapid communication (the 5-minute lead response) to set the standard and dominate your local market.

• Favorite Material: Vinyl (The "No-Dig" way)
• Must-Read Book: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
• The Biggest Red Flag: Customers who say, "I could do this myself, I just don't have the time."

"Don't be Sarah—know your numbers." Whether you're doing $100k or $1M+, this episode is a masterclass in shifting your mindset from installer to owner.

• Instagram: @officialryanleslie

Check out our Sponsors:

🔥 Brand Builders - https://www.gobrandbuilders.com

🔥 Contractor Accelerator - 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH WITH CODE: FGF

🔥 FenceGPT - 10% OFF WITH CODE: FGF - www.fencegpt.com

🔥 Fencetrac Fence System - https://www.fencetrac.com

🔥 J.C. Gury - 5% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER WHEN YOU MENTION FENCE GUY FRIDAY OVER THE PHONE 🔥 LiveSwitch - https://join.liveswitch.com/FenceGuyPodcast

🔥 MySalesman - https://mysalesman.com

#FenceGuyPodcast #RyanLeslie #FenceFam #Trades #SmallBusiness #BlueCollar #RealStoriesRealExperts

Ever get ghosted after sending a quote, only to find out the customer went with the "cheap guy"? It's not them—it's your anchor.

In this quick bonus episode, Craig dives into the psychology of Anchoring Bias. If you aren't the one setting the first price in the customer's head, you're letting a low-baller with a rusted truck define your worth.

What's inside:

• The Bracket Move: How to drop a price range on the first call to weed out bad leads.

• Stop Being a Commodity: Why showing the "friction" (like jackhammering through rock) builds actual authority.

• Revenue vs. Sanity: Why scaling is about better margins, not just more crews.

Stop burning gas just to be compared to the cheapest guy in town. Fix your anchor, fix your process, and go be a good human.

🤝 Thank You to Our Sponsors:

🔥 Brand Builders - https://www.gobrandbuilders.com

🔥 Contractor Accelerator - 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH WITH CODE: FGF

🔥 FenceGPT - 10% OFF WITH CODE: FGF - www.fencegpt.com

🔥 Fencetrac Fence System - https://www.fencetrac.com

🔥 J.C. Gury - 5% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER WHEN YOU MENTION FENCE GUY FRIDAY OVER THE PHONE

🔥 LiveSwitch - https://join.liveswitch.com/FenceGuyP ...

🔥 MySalesman - https://mysalesman.com

In this episode of Fence Guy Podcast, we sit down with Jeremy Brummels, VP of Sales for Nice North America . With over 30 years in the industry—starting as an installer in a service van to managing gate, door, and radio technology—Jeremy shares the "pro sales culture" every fence company needs to move from surviving to thriving

We dive deep into why a good salesperson is a "better listener than a talker" and how to stop being an "order taker" who leaves money on the table . Jeremy also breaks down the "Speed to Lead" philosophy and why the first five minutes of a lead can dictate the entire direction of the sale .

In this episode, we discuss:

• The First 5 Minutes: Why those initial moments determine the direction of the sale and help you decide if a client needs a quick transaction or a long-term relationship.
• Solving Problems vs. Price: How to stop being afraid of the "big number" by focusing on value and solving the customer's true pain points
• Bringing Automation In-House: Why many contractors are missing out on revenue by subbing out gate operators and why the technical side isn't as "hard" as you think .
• The Reality of Gate Safety: A serious look at UL 325 and the legal and financial risks of bypassing safety devices with resistors .
• Scaling Your Business: How to step back from the day-to-day "have-to's" to focus on the investments and shifts needed to reach the $5M–$8M revenue range

If you're in the fence industry, this is one you don't want to miss.

🤝 Thank You to Our Sponsors:

🔥 Brand Builders - https://www.gobrandbuilders.com

🔥 Contractor Accelerator - 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH WITH CODE: FGF

🔥 FenceGPT - 10% OFF WITH CODE: FGF - www.fencegpt.com

🔥 Fencetrac Fence System - https://www.fencetrac.com

🔥 J.C. Gury - 5% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER WHEN YOU MENTION FENCE GUY FRIDAY OVER THE PHONE

🔥 LiveSwitch - https://join.liveswitch.com/FenceGuyP ...

🔥 MySalesman - https://mysalesman.com

Bonus Episode: Why You Feel "Stuck" (And How to Wake Up)

In this special bonus episode, we're slowing things down to talk about that quiet, "fine-but-off" feeling many of us hit but don't know how to explain. Have you ever felt like you're doing everything you're supposed to do—working, staying busy, handling responsibilities—yet you aren't actually moving forward?

The Challenge for This Week: Where in your life right now are you repeating instead of progressing?

#FenceGuyPodcast #BonusEpisode #Mindset #PersonalGrowth #BreakingRoutine #MentalHealth #Motivation2026

In this episode of the Fence Guy Podcast, we sit down with Matt Chiaradonna as he brings serious value on what it really takes to grow and lead in the fence industry.

From running a successful fence company to building Elite Technique and helping shape the next generation through AFA Foreman Training, Matt shares real-world insights on leadership, scaling your business, and what's actually working right now.

We dive into:

• What separates good fence companies from great ones
• The mindset shift from installer to business owner
• Building strong crews and leadership from within
• Lessons from organizing major industry events
• The future of fencing, AI, and technology (including FenceGPT integration)
• Mistakes, growing pains, and what Matt would do differently

Whether you're just getting started or looking to level up your operation, this episode is packed with practical takeaways you can apply immediately.

If you're in the fence industry, this is one you don't want to miss.

👉 Learn more about Elite Technique: https://getelitetechnique.com

🤝 Thank You to Our Sponsors:

🔥 Brand Builders - https://www.gobrandbuilders.com

🔥 Contractor Accelerator - 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH WITH CODE: FGF

🔥 FenceGPT - 10% OFF WITH CODE: FGF www.fencegpt.com

🔥 Fencetrac Fence System - https://www.fencetrac.com

🔥 J.C. Gury - 5% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER WHEN YOU MENTION FENCE GUY FRIDAY OVER THE PHONE

🔥 LiveSwitch - https://join.liveswitch.com/FenceGuyPodcast

🔥 MySalesman - https://mysalesman.com

#FenceGuyPodcast #FenceIndustry #FencingBusiness #ContractorLife #SmallBusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #FenceContractor #BlueCollar #TradeLife #ConstructionLife #BusinessGrowth #AIinConstruction #FenceGPT #EliteTechnique #AFA #AmericanFenceAssociation #WorkSmarter #ScalingBusiness #HomeImprovement

In this episode of Fence Guy Friday, we sit down with Matt "Motivational" Munson — and this one goes DEEP.

Matt shares his journey from a rough upbringing and time in prison… to becoming a successful fence company owner building a thriving business from the ground up — with ZERO experience in the industry.

We talk about:

• How he accidentally got 50% ownership in a fence company
• Turning $68K into $380K in ONE year
• The mistakes that almost cost them everything
• Why most fence companies stay stuck competing on price
• How mindset, gratitude, and discipline changed his life
• The real difference between price vs value in this industry

This isn't just a fence podcast — this is a real conversation about life, business, and what it takes to change your future.

If you're in the trades, running a business, or just need some motivation… this episode is for you.

👇 Drop a comment and let us know your biggest takeaway!

🤝 Thank You to Our Sponsors:

🏗️ Brand Builders - https://www.gobrandbuilders.com

🚀 Contractor Accelerator - 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH WITH CODE: FGF

🤖 FenceGPT - 10% OFF WITH CODE: FGF www.fencegpt.com

🧱 Fencetrac Fence System - https://www.fencetrac.com

🔩 J.C. Gury - 5% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER WHEN YOU MENTION FENCE GUY FRIDAY OVER THE PHONE

📡 LiveSwitch - https://join.liveswitch.com/FenceGuyPodcast

🔥 MySalesman - https://mysalesman.com/

🚪 Orlando Hinge Company - 10% OFF WITH CODE: FGF

🚧 ZND Temporary Fence Solution

These companies are helping push the fencing industry forward. We appreciate their continued support of Fence Guy Podcast!

#FenceGuyPodcast #FenceBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Motivation #ContractorLife #SmallBusiness #TradesLife #FenceIndustry

There's a conversation in your life right now that you already know you need to have… and you're avoiding it.

Not because you don't know what to say… but because you know exactly how it's going to feel.

In this solo episode, Craig breaks down something that shows up in every area of life — business, relationships, friendships, and even the conversations we avoid having with ourselves.

Why do we put things off that we know need to be addressed? Why does avoiding it feel easier in the moment… but create bigger problems later? And what actually happens when you finally decide to face it?

This isn't about motivation. This is about reality.

If you've ever felt tension in a situation, knew something needed to be said, and kept pushing it off… this episode is going to hit.

Huge thanks to the companies that support the Fence Guy Podcast and help move the industry forward.

FenceTrac https://www.fencetrac.com

Brand Builders https://www.gobrandbuilders.com/

Contractor Accelerator https://www.contractoraccelerator.com

Orlando Hinge Company https://swanhinge.com/

LiveSwitch https://www.liveswitch.com

ZND https://www.znd.com

J.C. Gury Company https://www.jcgury.com

FenceGPT https://www.fencegpt.com

mySalesman https://www.mysalesman.com