So You Want To Be A Contractor?

By Mike Fisher

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

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FAQs about So You Want To Be A Contractor?:

How many episodes does So You Want To Be A Contractor? have?

The podcast currently has 44 episodes available.

So You Want To Be A Contractor? episodes:

December 06, 2022Permission 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
...more
50min
November 29, 2022Betting 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
...more
1h 4min
November 23, 2022Creating 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
...more
57min
November 16, 2022Turning 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
...more
1h 8min
November 09, 2022Providing 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
...more
1h 8min
November 03, 2022From 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
...more
1h 11min
October 25, 2022How 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
...more
1h 8min
October 18, 2022How 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
...more
54min
October 11, 2022#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
...more
1h 14min
October 04, 2022#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
...more
1h 7min

FAQs about So You Want To Be A Contractor?:

How many episodes does So You Want To Be A Contractor? have?

The podcast currently has 44 episodes available.