So You Want To Be A Contractor?

Our guest on this episode is Nate Griffin. Nate Griffin is the owner of ExCo Design Build, a design build contractor company. Nate has been fly on the wall at construction site since he was a child. Since those humble beginnings he has evolved into a business owner and consultant.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro Nate Griffin: President of ExCo Design Build and Win Rate Consulting Coach

00:06:00 - Growing up with a front row seat to Construction

00:09:30 - Building a Business

00:12:00 - Subcontracting Everything Out and the Permission He Needed to Do It

00:21:59 - Lead Generation

00:27:00 - The Importance of Building a Strong Network and a Good Business Coach

00:32:30 - The Importance of Knowing Your Numbers in the Construction Business

00:37:35 - Rapid fire

00:48:48 - Outro

Our guest on this episode is Corky Silva. Corky Silva is the president of Tech City Builder, a company based in San Jose, California. With over 15 years of experience in the construction industry, Corky recently made the jump into owning his own company by betting on himself.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro

00:02:30 - The origins of Tech City Builder

00:07:30 - From Corporate to Construction Company Owner

00:20:24 - Building a Company Based on Values

00:30:00 - The Reality of Being a Business Owner

00:40:52 - The Importance of Research in Business

00:44:40 - Learning from Business Failure

00:47:48 - Building a Legacy

00:52:34 - Rapid fire

01:03:23 - Outro

Our guest on this episode is Ryan Ekedal of Ekedal Concrete. As the second generation leader of a family business, Ryan brings his diverse background to the business of concrete as he works to create a destination workplace.

00:00 - Intro

00:04:30 - The Ekedal Family: A Legacy in Construction

00:15:00 - The Alpha Mentality in Business

00:18:00 - The Importance of Job Costing and Numbers for Contractors

00:29:26 - The Power of Networking in Business

00:34:29 - The Importance of Staying in Your Lane

00:37:00 - The Importance of Business Coaches and Associations for Contractors

00:41:56 - The Importance of Having a Backup Plan

00:44:58 - The Importance of Employee Recognition in Construction

0:48:22 - Rapid fire

00:56:27 - Outro

Ever wonder what it takes to be a contractor? So You Want to be a Contractor, hosted by Mike Fisher & Marisela Arechiga, talks with industry leaders and construction company owners about their journey, how they run their businesses and their craziest stories.

Our guest on this episode is Josh Clauss, the CEO of Clauss Construction. As a large scale demolition company, Clauss has survived 3 economic downturns and they aren’t slowing down any time soon.

00:00 - Intro

0:03:42 - Inheriting a Family Business in Construction: What It's Like and How to Grow Into It

0:14:53 - The Benefits of Hiring a Demolition Company

0:19:16 - The Impact of Mom and Pop Shops on the Construction Industry

0:24:21 - The Benefits and Drawbacks of Going Non-Union for Construction Companies

0:31:26 - The Impact of Social Media on the Workforce

0:38:31 - The Importance of Hiring the Right People for Your Business

0:44:53 - The Impact of Diversification in the Construction Industry: A Case Study

0:55:06 - The Importance of Marketing for Contractors

0:57:13 - Rapid fire

01:07:21 - Outro

Our guest on this episode is Jeff Forrest, the President and CEO of Winter Park Construction (WPC). Jeff has the tall task of bringing together different generations of the labor force together. Jeff is leading this 50 year old company with an eye on creating an experience, both for customers and employees.

00:00 - Intro

0:05:08 - the company's history and work in Central Florida

0:09:37 - The Journey of a Carpenter-turned-President.

0:14:05 - The Benefits and Detriments of Working in a Family Business

0:22:34 - Injecting Youth into an Established Business: A Conversation with Mike Rowe

0:31:14 - The WPC Brand: A Different Way of Doing Things

0:34:48 - The Importance of Customer Service in the Construction Industry

0:44:47 - The Importance of Storytelling in Business

0:54:07 - The Benefits of a Methodical Approach to Business

57:23 - Rapid fire

01:07:24 - Outro

Our guest on this episode is Salvador Hernandez, the Founder of Pacific Breeze Landscape. Salvador brings a commitment to systems and learning to his experience in the industry. As a 9 year vet of the U.S. Navy, Salvador incorporates military values and a culture of yes to his operation.

00:00 - Intro

02:29 - What is Pacific Breeze Landscaping?

08:24 - Exposure to landscaping via working with dad growing up

10:18 - Military benefits and education

19:57 - Incorporating design

25:00 - Being unafraid to learn

33:30 - Current setup

43:02 - Hiring a business coach

51:04 - Looking to the future and leaving a legacy

57:06 - Rapid fire

01:09:45 - Outro

Our guest on this episode is Kevin Booth, the CEO of WestCor Companies. As a company that has survived many obstacles, from rapid growth to recession and back again, Kevin leads his company with a focus on service to customers and employees.

00:00 - Intro

01:51 - What does WestCor do?

08:12 - Who are the WestCor clients?

19:10 - Bad business decisions - learning from your mistakes

23:42 - How WestCor is organized

31:36 - Getting the construction industry to think on a higher level

44:09 - Becoming CEO and succession planning

50:31 - Vision for the future

01:01:50 - Rapid fire

01:07:40 - Outro

Our guest on this episode, Jose Almanza, President at GJ Signs,is pinch hitting for his partner, but hearing about his journey and drive is second to none. Jose is a serial entrepreneur who’s found his niche is electronic sign contracting.

00:00 - Intro

01:49 - Getting started

11:13 - Losing a partner and being a victim of theft

21:28 - The sales process - Growing out of state partnerships

30:10 - Why G&J signs

39:37 - Shifting to real estate

45:22 - Rapid fire

53:14 - Outro

Our guest on this episode is Mario Campirano, owner of Metro Electric Co. Mario’s life has been about beating the odds and overcoming adversity. Mario is determined not to lose and because of that he’s built a thriving business that can’t lose.

00:00 - Intro

01:49 - Getting started in electrical construction

08:18 - Working in the business and not on the business

19:51 - Marketing

27:08 - Where the grit comes from

32:24 - Understanding your business

48:55 - Making it in business

54:37 - Looking to the future

01:01:15 - Rapid fire

01:13:20 - Outro

Our guest on this episode is Nick Yahoodain. Nick came into the industry as a complete novice and as a favor to a friend to help him accounting and paperwork. Through that work, he found his passion for organization, collaboration, and building a thriving business as a general contractor.

00:00 - Intro

01:49 - Breaking into the industry

07:51 - Pros and cons of being a GC

17:33 - What Nick loves about the work

24:57 - The sales process

34:35 - Expanding offerings to design services

39:14 - Perfect vs. Not ideal clients

55:10 - Branding vs. Advertising

56:42 - Rapid fire

01:05:51 - Outro