My guest on this episode is Mitch Whitson with California Filtration Specialists and Whitson Contracting & Management. Mitch has carved out a unique spot in the marketplace as both a generalist and a specialist. Because of the unique challenges of weather and rain in Southern California, there is a growing need for contractors who also have expertise and experience in water filtration and treatment.

00:00 - Intro - Getting started in the industry

07:29 - Current operational specialty

15:30 - Taking ownership of the full project

● Storm water and general construction

19:32 - What lead to specializing in storm water treatment

● Capitalizing on California waste legislation

● Using a proof of concept case study from the east coast

29:26 - Getting acceptance and combating competition

36:47 - Building relevancy in the market, in the midst of climate change and dealing with water shortages

42:52 - Looking to the future

● Gaining market share

● Don’t say no

● Finding good talent

48:17 - Marketing and social media

● How to get in touch with Mitchel

59:30 - Outro

My guest on this episode is Sondra Friestad. As a project manager at CSI Construction, Sondra has made significant moves throughout her career to go from the back off to being one of few women in the field. Through mentorship, teamwork, and self-education, Sondra hopes to see more women choose construction as a viable career path.

00:00 - Intro

01:43 - Going from the back office of real estate to being in the field

03:48 - Overcoming the intimidation factor in a male-dominated industry.

● Finding a mentor to help you through.

● Women in Construction peer groups

09:51 - Current day to day role

● Role with Women in Construction

● Role with CSI

13:57 - How a background as a real estate developer helps her as a project manager today.

17:21 - Eclectic Muse

22:20 - Teamwork

29:19 - The future of Women in Construction

33:54 - Outro

My guest on this episode is Evan Richardson. As president of Reaume Richardson, Evan is working to build a company that is so well known for its quality work and customer service, that they one day usurp the need for bidding on jobs. Reaume Richardson takes a customer experience approach to commercial contracting and never loses sight of the big picture in the midst of the minutiae.

00:00 - Intro

01:07 - How Evan got started in the construction industry

06:07 - The effectiveness of higher education for the construction industry

16:07 - Using subcontractors

20:00 - The challenges of running a construction company

24:36 - Generating new business via word of mouth

33:04 - Implementing technology to the benefit of their company and overcoming technology’s hurdles.

44:48 - The future of Reaume Richardson

49:19 - Outro

My guest on this episode is Sean Bright of New Era Electric. Sean and his team are finding creative ways to replenish the pool of electrical workers while being optimistic about the future of the industry with the growing opportunities surrounding renewable energy sources.

00:00 - Intro

01:13 - Sean’s background and how we got into construction and contracting

04:13 - Seizing the opportunity to pivot to electrical contracting

12:08 - Finding the right people with the right qualifications

16:39 - Recruitment and offering more than money.

22:53 - Knowing your worth as a company

33:06 - Taking pride in your job and your work.

42:12 - Outro

My guest on this episode is Marisela Arechiga of New Generation Home Improvements. New Generation Home Improvements is a thriving residential construction company that prides itself on providing value. Marisela and her husband Mario are bringing commercial professionalism to residential construction and redefining the customer experience with every job they take.

00:00 - Intro

01:27 - What lead Marisela to where she and her husband are today.

08:15 - Marisela and Mario’s individual specialties

14:10 - Finding new business opportunities

16:28 - Embracing social media for promotion and setting yourself a part.

22:36 - Self-performing vs. subcontractors

29:13 - Bringing hospitality and care into construction management

36:51 - Being featured on HGTV

41:40 - Outro

My guest on this episode is Pete Fowler of Fowler Construction. Pete is a data nerd who has transitioned his construction expertise into consultant work. Pete Fowler’s aim is to simplify the complex aspects of construction management; operationally, technically, and relationally.

00:00 - Intro

01:25 - Pete's story - how he got in the industry and what drew him to construction

08:48 - His mother’s influence on his career

15:56 -The benefits of college in his career and moving from labor to consultancy

18:18 - The day-to-day objectives of Fowler Construction.

27:39 - Using a proprietary information system for file organization in a field crowded with information.

29:44 - Recruitment

35:43 - Focusing on content marketing

48:14 - The future of Pete Fowler Construction

55:41 - Outro

My guest on this episode is Bill Mann of GB Group INC. As President of GB Group, Bill is at the helm of stewarding the next generation of HOA construction executives. Bill is an expert at embracing change, learning from the next generation, and leading large organizations through environments filled with transition.

00:00 - Intro

00:51 - Bill’s background and history with GB Group

08:40 - Embracing technology

10:56 -The industry of HOA Construction and marketing to a niche audience.

19:23 - The choice of performing the work in-house, or using subcontractors

29:24 - The future of GB Group.

34:58 - Utilizing social media

40:48 - Outro

My guest on this episode is Jesse Anderson of Advanced Conservation Management. Jesse is carving out a unique business model throughout southern California. His background in sales is making him a wealth of knowledge as the middleman in a growing industry.

00:00 - Intro

00:56 - Jesse’s road to conversation management

08:11 - Jesse’s startup process

15:44 - Dealing with competition

22:33 - The process of bringing value to municipalities, manufacturers, and distributors.

31:51 - Potential for expansion due to a growing trend on conservation

39:57 - The future of ACM

47:35 - Marketing and creating brand recognition for Advanced Conservation Management

53:07 - Outro

My guest on this episode is Tim Perryman of Perryman Painting. Tim keeps a clear delineation between lead generation and branding when it comes to marketing and that philosophy has lead to immediate growth.

00:00 - Intro

02:12 - Tim Perryman’s backstory and the makeup of Perryman Painting

04:43 - Building an infrastructure for more growth

12:37 - What pushed Tim to go out on his own

16:22 - Utilizing social media marketing for lead generation

20:40 - Branding vs. Lead Generation

30:01 - Cultivating multiple disciplines and streams of income

33:40 - Hiring, training, and finding the right people

42:40 - What does the future look like?

49:39 - Outro

My guest on this episode is Mike Hannig. After having his career derailed by 9/11 and an economic downturn, this former tech executive has built a thriving company with a niche in backyard studio (especially suiting the work from home generation). Mike is building his customer service focused company into a family business and is planning for the future.

00:00 - Intro

01:38 - Mike Hannig’s background and his journey from tech to working with his hands

08:55 - Starting a relationship with Studio Shed and developing a niche

13:37 - Staffing and dealing with recruitment challenges.

26:03 - Growing pains of becoming a family business.

30:40 - What does the future look like?

32:10 - Customer service and communication

38:57 - Outro