So You Want To Be A Contractor?

So You Want To Be A Contractor?

By Mike FisherBusinessEntrepreneurship
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So You Want To Be A Contractor? episodes

  • Permission to Succeed and Grow #43 Nate Griffin

    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

    • 1 resource you can’t do without
    • 1 podcast or book you love
    • Best advice you’ve received
    • 1 habit that fills you up

      • 00:48:48 - Outro

      50 min
    • Betting on Yourself #42 Corky Silva

      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

      • The Importance of Being at the Table: A Lesson in Business
      • The Advantages and Disadvantages of Having a Business Partner

        • 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

        • 1 resource you can’t do without
        • 1 podcast or book you love
        • Best advice you’ve received
        • 1 habit that fills you up

          • 01:03:23 - Outro

          1 hr 4 min
        • Creating a Destination Workplace #41 Ryan Ekedal

          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

          • 1 resource you can’t do without
          • 1 podcast or book you love
          • Best advice you’ve received
          • 1 habit that fills you up

            • 00:56:27 - Outro

            57 min
          • Turning a Small Family Business Into a Lasting Legacy #40 Josh Clauss

            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

            • 1 resource you can’t do without
            • 1 podcast or book you love
            • Best advice you’ve received
            • 1 habit that fills you up

              • 01:07:21 - Outro

              1 hr 8 min
            • Providing An Experience Unlike Other Contractors #39 Jeff Forrest

              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

              • 1 resource you can’t do without
              • 1 podcast or book you love
              • Best advice you’ve received
              • 1 habit that fills you up

                • 01:07:24 - Outro

                1 hr 8 min
              • From The Military To Entrepreneurship; Always Learning - Salvador Hernandez #38

                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?

                • Salvador’s start in the industry
                • Giving client’s their dream backyard
                • From military service to entrepreneurship.

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

                  10:18 - Military benefits and education

                  • Government funded education through masters degree
                  • Using that education to build a business
                  • Learning by saying yes.

                    • 19:57 - Incorporating design

                    • Taking community college courses
                    • Incorporating technology into the process

                      • 25:00 - Being unafraid to learn

                      33:30 - Current setup

                      • Marketing and social media
                      • Positioning yourself to get in front of the right client
                      • Finding your niche

                        • 43:02 - Hiring a business coach

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

                        57:06 - Rapid fire

                        • 1 resource you can’t do without
                        • 1 podcast or book you love
                        • Best advice you’ve received
                        • 1 habit that fills you up

                          • 01:09:45 - Outro

                          1 hr 11 min
                        • How to Survive a Recessions And Why Succession Planning Is Important #37 - Kevin Booth

                          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?

                          • Kevin’s origin story
                          • Coming from hospitality
                          • Rapid growth then dealing with the recession

                            • 08:12 - Who are the WestCor clients?

                            • Lessons learned during recession
                            • Scaling back

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

                              23:42 - How WestCor is organized

                              • Hiring good people
                              • Judging the bottom 5%
                              • Retention - Creating culture
                              • Connecting field and office employees

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

                                • Construction industry is the service industry
                                • Retaining customers by taking care of customers
                                • Customers who fit your culture

                                  • 44:09 - Becoming CEO and succession planning

                                  50:31 - Vision for the future

                                  01:01:50 - Rapid fire

                                  • 1 resource you can’t do without
                                  • 1 podcast or book you love
                                  • Best advice you’ve received
                                  • 1 habit that fills you up

                                    • 01:07:40 - Outro

                                    1 hr 8 min
                                  • How A Serial Entrepreneur Ended Up Owning A Commercial Sign Company - #36 - Jose Almanza

                                    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

                                    • Electrical sign contracting
                                    • Buying into the business after owning a convenience store
                                    • Jose’s personal journey from immigrant to entrepreneur

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

                                      • Bouncing back
                                      • The need for insurance and finding the right partnerships
                                      • Exponential growth

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

                                        30:10 - Why G&J signs

                                        • Changing your focus as a business owner
                                        • Patience in business
                                        • Maintaining relationships

                                          • 39:37 - Shifting to real estate

                                          • Entrepreneurial spirit
                                          • Defining success
                                          • Planning for retirement

                                            • 45:22 - Rapid fire

                                            • 1 resource you can’t do without
                                            • 1 podcast or book you love
                                            • Best advice you’ve received
                                            • 1 habit that fills you up

                                              • 53:14 - Outro

                                              54 min
                                            • #35 - Mario Campirano

                                              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

                                              • Working both commercial and residential for the money
                                              • Learning valuable lessons
                                              • Pivoting during the recession

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

                                                • Bankruptcy writeoff
                                                • Bouncing back
                                                • Going back to residential

                                                  • 19:51 - Marketing

                                                  • Building culture
                                                  • Guerilla marketing
                                                  • Closing business

                                                    • 27:08 - Where the grit comes from

                                                    • Rough upbringing
                                                    • Serving the community

                                                      • 32:24 - Understanding your business

                                                      48:55 - Making it in business

                                                      • Learning to listen
                                                      • Setting your offer
                                                      • Training and building staff

                                                        • 54:37 - Looking to the future

                                                        01:01:15 - Rapid fire

                                                        • 1 resource you can’t do without
                                                        • 1 podcast or book you love
                                                        • Best advice you’ve received
                                                        • 1 habit that fills you up

                                                          • 01:13:20 - Outro

                                                          1 hr 14 min
                                                        • #34 - Nick Yahoodain

                                                          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

                                                          • Partnering with a friend just for admin duties
                                                          • Slowly learning the trade and taking over the business

                                                            • 07:51 - Pros and cons of being a GC

                                                            • Advantage of being a jack of all trades
                                                            • Managing subcontractors

                                                              • 17:33 - What Nick loves about the work

                                                              • Growing via word of mouth

                                                                • 24:57 - The sales process

                                                                • Pricing and itemizing bids
                                                                • Being willing to walk away

                                                                  • 34:35 - Expanding offerings to design services

                                                                  39:14 - Perfect vs. Not ideal clients

                                                                  • Expectation setting
                                                                  • Industry reputation

                                                                    • 55:10 - Branding vs. Advertising

                                                                    56:42 - Rapid fire

                                                                    • 1 resource you can’t do without
                                                                    • 1 podcast or book you love
                                                                    • Best advice you’ve received
                                                                    • 1 habit that fills you up

                                                                      • 01:05:51 - Outro

                                                                      1 hr 7 min

                                                                    About So You Want To Be A Contractor?

                                                                    From the publisher's feed

                                                                    From the books to the boots..we discuss everything it takes to be a contractor with today's top industry professionals.