Our guest on this episode is Randy Fornoff of MTS Painting. Randy’s success in the industry can be directly related to his commitment to community. As the head of MTS, Randy has placed a priority on building community with staff, clients, and the larger entrepreneurial community and that priority has paid dividends.

00:00 - Intro

01:23 - How Rob got started in the industry

08:04 - Learning the trade without formal training

19:20 - Qualifying customers

27:39 - The ideal customer

40:59 - Surviving when everyone is undercutting you

48:06 - Serving the community

55:10 - Marketing

01:03:43 - Rapid fire

01:15:05 - Outro

Our guest on this episode is Rob Brinzer. As the owner of Trident Electric, Rob is building his company from the top down with principles gathered from his years of services as a Navy Seal in the military. His no excuses approach entrepreneurship has made Trident a powerhouse in a very short period of time.

00:00 - Intro

01:51 - Rob’s entrance into the electrical service industry

07:26 - Using leadership skills from his time in the military and finding his footing after service

13:36 - What Trident Electric does and who they serve

20:25 - Why did Rob strike out on his own - capatalizing on gaps in the industry

30:02 - Establishing processes and culture

37:28 - Vetting clients and pricing work

52:03 - Rapid fire

01:03:39 - Outro

Our guest on this episode is Omar Ramirez. Omar makes money from manure. While dealing with shit, Omar’s company, Aligned Digesters, is anything but. Aligned Digesters is solving a problem that will improve the world and Omar is building a company built on collaboration, strong relationships, and a commitment to teamwork.

00:00 - Intro

03:11 - What Aligned Digesters is and does

09:40 - The pulse & why of the business

● What makes Omar’s job difficult

● Regulations and cost of materials

15:19 - The strategy for creating profitability

20:52 - People Management and Operations

● All hands on deck

● Building a culture of team players

● Leading by example

29:33 - What makes Omar excited about the work

38:18 - The biggest challenge in the construction industry right now.

● Handling not-to-exceed contracts

● Building relationships with customers and suppliers

● Holding subcontractors accountable as an extension of your business

49:36 - Rapid fire

● 1 resource you can’t do without

● 1 podcast or book you’ve read

● Best advice you’ve received

● 1 habit that fills you up

59:02 - What does the future look like

01:02:47 - Outro

Our guest on this episode is Alexia Cooper. As the owner of Bell Solar & Electrical, Alexia has built a dynamic team of leaders and team members who care about the work and the mission of changing the world through solar. Since taking over the company from a contractor who had been in the business for decades, Alexia has transformed the culture into one that puts people at the center of everything they do. Don't miss her talking about their work in Nepal with GivePower!

00:00 - Intro

00:39 - New Cohost

02:07 - How Alexia got into the industry

07:34 - People first leadership

15:25 - What makes the job hard and tackling challenges

23:33 - Changing leadership and culture

35:54 - The challenges of a culture shifting to solar

44:56 - Rapid fire business questions

53:39 - Vision for the future

56:50 - Outro

My guest on this episode is Alex Rodriguez. He’s the owner of Bay Cities Construction and is laser focused on building his brand and company through a strategic focus on marketing and content creation. Alex is well versed in how to find the right clients and getting them to engage. Having been in the business for nearly 2 decades, Alex is an open book on how to survive the roughest times as a business owner.

00:00 - Intro

01:29 - How Alex got into the industry

05:08 - Focusing on marketing and content creation

13:05 - How to find the right leads and choose the right customers

22:15 - How to survive an economic downturn

25:49 - Developing a content strategy

49:01 - Creating reasons and differentiators that get you hired

54:41 - The future - Expansion for the purpose of stability

01:01:08 - Advice for young contractors

01:13:07 - Working yourself out of being an employee of your business.

01:24:09 - Outro

My guest on this episode is Clayton Rodrigues. He’s the owner of Zothex Flooring and is passionate champion for customer service, sales, and self improvement. Clayton’s secret to success is his ability to push employees past their comfort zone of success and into a new baseline of potential.

00:00 - Intro

01:17 - How Clayton got started.

● Coming to the US from Brazil

● Pushing for more

● Learning to accept help

10:06 - Training people to help you grow

● Hiring people you can trust

● Creating a foundation of customer service

17:32 - Marketing your services

20:41 - Finding labor and using subcontractors

● Creating a labor force that cares about the customers and the business

27:44 - Expansion - Making decisions on when and where to expand

38:21 - Pushing past your limit

● Zothex Academy

51:26 - Naming Zothex

57:53 - Outro

Website:  https://zothexflooring.com/

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

https://www.instagram.com/zothexcommercial/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Zothex916/

https://www.facebook.com/Zothex-Flooring-Cabinets-More-Elk-Grove-103250832296827

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zothex-flooring-inc/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clayton-rodrigues-8381a8162/

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/ZothexFlooring

My guest on this episode is Keenan Garcia, a virtual solar consultant out of Dallas, TX. He has built his brand by building partnerships in the industry and with people throughout other industries.

00:00 -  Intro

00:54 - How Keenan got started in virtual solar

08:16 - Building partnerships vs. Buying leads

17:54 - What made you go out on your own

20:29 - Leveraging Social Media

22:29 - Closing solar deals by way of selling roofs and vice versa

29:55 - The future for Keenan and Roofers sell solar

37:36 - Getting in touch with Keenan

40:46 - Outro

My guest on this episode is Natassia Melendrez-Knutson of Project Support Services. Natassia had a non-traditional entrance into the construction industry, but that hasn’t stopped her from staking her claim in the industry and finding her niche. From jumping into business during a recession to changing the way we hire, Natassia is bucking expectations at every turn.

00:00 -  Intro

01:20 - How Natassia got started

06:51 - Proving your worth when you don’t have a traditional path

13:59 - Making people pay more for consulting services

16:37 - Adding new services and staying ahead of the market

20:12 - Hiring

30:02 - Working with contractors

34:33 - Marketing - Branding and making things exciting

44:38 - Building more than just schools

49:54 - Outro

My guest on this episode is Chris Dyck of August Roofing and Solar. While Chris isn’t breaking new ground in how roofs are installed or in the solar industry, August Roofing is redefining professionalism in the construction industry. That creed isn’t only reserved for customers but also for employees and has set August roofing apart from many of its competitors.

00:00 -  Intro

00:51 - Getting started in the industry

05:23 - Jumping into business without any formal training.

12:15 - Generating business

21:34 - Getting into solar

27:57 - Social Media Marketing

37:46 - Hiring and recruitment

47:40 - The future of August Roofing and Solar.

50:5 - Outro

My guest on this episode is Bob Biederman of Groundswell Management. Groundswell has carved out a unique place in the construction industry by connecting realtors with contractors and being the missing link in reference to code, regulation, and permitting.

00:00 -  Intro

00:46 - Getting started in the industry

04:23 - What is Groundswell doing now

12:53 - What prompted the focus on codes and regulations and recognizing your own unique skills.

17:17 - Breaking into real estate

29:37 - Marketing your unique service

34:46 - The future of Groundswell

44:19 - Outro