The Construction Life

Dimitri and Manny had this crazy idea, let’s do shows about health, fitness, nutrition and let’s warp up the conversations around age groups.

Part One –20–29-year-olds. #FitnessFridays with Dimitri Giankoulas

Listen to these packed 1-hour shows discussing so much about living a happy, healthier life. Let’s begin, the conversation begins with finding a mentor, your circle of friends and your family will determine what kind of person you become for the rest of your life. Of course, we discuss the 20 somethings digital mind set on food, ordering food, not eating healthy and it all stems from lack of knowledge that most 20’s don’t even know protein, carbs and fats.

A lot of people live in reactive states, they use the excuse they don’t have enough time to meal prep, they don’t have enough time to exercise, they use excuses. With this age group they have so many resources for information but along with that comes so much misinformation. Dimitri breaks down the body types and the key exercises and actions each body type should focus on. Dimitri shares the EPOC system, Exercise Post Oxygen Consumption.

Dimitri discusses food and what 20-year olds should be eating and what they should be staying away from. Getting into and sticking with exercise and meal plans has always fall to your “why” honestly ask yourself why do you want this? That will lead to your goals and if you understand the mindset the why and the gaols are easy and achievable. The 3 A’s of accountability, you need to Acknowledge can you do this by yourself? You need to Advance, what’s my next step? You need to take Action. Most people don’t do this.

Shared and Discussed Links

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25344.Get_Out_of_My_Life_but_First_Could_You_Drive_Me_Cheryl_to_the_Mall_

Check out his app on Apple and Android

What an amazing show full of truth, pain, fitness, health, exercises and more, I thank you so much Dimitri for sharing so much on your life for our construction lives, educating our listeners on everything to do with your body, mind, and soul. Thank you. Find him on IG @puremotivationalfitness and @dimitrigiankoulas and contact him for your next exercise booking at [email protected] and his website is www.puremotivationalfitness.com and find his YouTube channel at Pure Motivational Fitness where he shows you key details to live a happy, healthy construction life.

Want to reach out to Manny, text him on his mobile, 416 433-5737 and or email him at [email protected] or [email protected] Please let him know who you are and then ask away.

TCL has and always will be about giving back to the construction industry.

Reach out to Joe and Trevor at the following info. www.venturesxcanada.ca find them on Social Media @venturesxoakville reach them at 289 644-2393 and email [email protected]

Open the show with a little talk about the Superbowl and the new Rams logo. Coming from a family full or ironworkers Chris wasn’t interested in that craft, he fell in love with carpentry, building projects in high school trade classes. Chris shares the best thing his previous employer ever taught him; this is a major construction lesson worth listening too. His next story will tug at the heart, thank you Chris for sharing. Of course, we must talk about tools and his line up, as you expect, Chris is a trim carpenter, so you already know what he’s hauling.

Quoting is very simple for Chris, and he can do a full walk through in less than 45 mins, that’s windows, doors, baseboard, anything else are considered extras and priced as per. Chris learned the business from small mom and pop shops, old school ladies and gents and those relationships will last a long time and most importantly those types of people in this business never consider any new tradesperson as competition, they welcome the new trades into the community.

We get talking about pricing, jigs, breakdown of trim details, jack mitres and so much more. Site conditions, delivery of material, climatizing of material, out of plumb walls, and so much more. Chris shares a story about a new build that’s 15 years old, that’s correct, new build that’s 15 years old. He is installing solid walnut doors that have been on site for 15 years. Manny shares where his dislike for the classic Toronto step bevel trim profile came from, very interesting story.

The ongoing mdf/poplar debate continues, and Christ shares a great story while Manny finally reveals the true reason why he dislikes mdf. Towards the end of the show Carlito shares a fun and interesting story that involves the stage production of The Lion King. We wrap up the show discussing the future and retirement and saving for that day you finally hang the tool belt.

Shared and Discussed Link

https://www.angeloselectric.com

https://ossingtonhomes.ca

https://www.avenue-marble-restoration.com

https://www.kncrowder.com

https://www.aconcordcarpenter.com/cutting-a-jack-miter.html

https://www.instagram.com/vissahomesmarkham/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/marescarpentry/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/vgroupinc/?hl=en

Thank you so much Chris for being on the show and sharing so much insight into the art of finish carpentry and more. Reach out to Chris at his email [email protected] and on IG @treasured_trim

Want to reach out to Manny, text him on his mobile, 416 433-5737 and or email him at [email protected] or [email protected] Please let him know who you are and then ask away.

TCL has and always will be about giving back to the construction industry.

Kim opens the show with a great assumption about contractors, he thinks we make loads of money, why do we need a sales trainer? This show will have a lot of questions for you as a business owner to ask yourself, prepare the notepad.

· Why do you do your business?

· How do you build a structure for your business?

· Plan and prepare to sell your business one day.

· Understanding the Buyers / Sellers Dance.

· Don’t try to sell yourself and your service.

· Don’t sell the person, they will back away.

· Go in with the intension of not getting the work.

· Go into meetings realizing you don’t need the business.

· How much time should your initial meeting be?

· Qualify or disqualify that potential client over a first phone call.

· Are you renovating to sell or is this your forever home?

· Scheduling meetings make sure everyone is there and there is an agenda, also known as an upfront contract type of meeting

· Try to avoid buyer’s remorse

· Any confrontational situation, take a time out and walk away, interrupt the pattern

· Plan and prepare for your business to expand

· Find a good business coach and sales coach

· When you present your estimate, give it and be quiet, let the client absorb it and you be quiet.

When you finally get a chance to sit down and figure out your selling process, never come to the realization that you “Wing it”. That is the worst thing you can do and unfortunately that is what most businesses do. Your price is your price and when the clients question your price, your profit, your business, don’t defend it, just present it, and stay quiet. Kim wraps things up by explaining, when you as a business owner make the leap to redesign your business, things will get worse before they get better, why it that? You must assess what’s wrong and you must change those faults that way you can get to a better business.

Thank you so much Kim for being on the show and sharing so much insight into the art of sales in business and more. Reach out to Kim at www.kimpiller.sandler.com his email [email protected] and on IG @kim_piller

Want to reach out to Manny, text him on his mobile, 416 433-5737 and or email him at [email protected] or [email protected] Please let him know who you are and then ask away.

Find Carlito @theconstructionliferenos and reach out to him at [email protected]

TCL has and always will be about giving back to the construction industry.

Reach out to Joe and Trevor at the following info. www.venturesxcanada.ca find them on Social Media @venturesxoakville reach them at 289 644-2393 and email [email protected]

Alex has had an interesting last decade, studying music, working for lawn care and other sealing companies, hustling and learning, and even considering getting into electrical. 5 years ago, he had a vison of Seal It and has made it what it is now and growing well. He has his crews and is currently searching for more employees if anyone is interested.

Alex takes great pride in learning about the proper sealers and applications through speaking to his suppliers and reps and testing these products on actual products. Alex dives deep into the sealing of asphalt, discussing the different types of asphalt and different types of sealers and he doesn’t use big box products that are latex based, he prefers solvent based proper products. Alex also discusses all the products he works with for all his pavers and natural stone applications and always about doing test samples for the client to get a better idea of the finished look.

Towards the end of the show, we discuss Alex’s passion for music and to never give it up. All tradespeople should look to other passions in life, if that be art, charities, anything, by giving yourself to other interests it will only make you more passionate about construction.

Shared and Discussed Links

https://unilock.com

https://techniseal.com/en_ca/

https://prodrop.ca

https://www.dyna.ca/index.php/en/

https://www.instagram.com/paver_king/

Thank you so much Alex for being on the show and sharing so much insight into the sealing business and more. Reach out to Alex at www.sealitpropertyservices.com his email [email protected] and on IG @sealit4u

Want to reach out to Manny, text him on his mobile, 416 433-5737 and or email him at [email protected] or [email protected] Please let him know who you are and then ask away.

TCL has and always will be about giving back to the construction industry.

Reach out to Joe and Trevor at the following info. www.venturesxcanada.ca find them on Social Media @venturesxoakville reach them at 289 644-2393 and email [email protected]

Anthony Caputo from The Caputo Group and Michelle Farrugia are back after nearly two years to discuss the real estate and mortgage markets. This is one show for the books, it was all business from the very beginning, and they share so much incredible insight into what is really going on today, what we learned two years ago and what to plan for tomorrow. We even shift gears and discuss crypto, nft’s and the metaverse. You want to listen to show, take notes and prepare to be educated.

Toronto just surpassed Vancouver, two years ago the average sale in Toronto was just over 800K, today it is just over 1 million and signs are only indicating this is going up. The government needs to streamline the permit process so we as builders can start and complete projects faster, permits are a huge stumbling block for clients. Things have gotten to the point where you have to pair up with someone in the purchase of a home to meet all the financial requirements, get a co-signer, it’s time to get creative and not to worry about the what if things don’t work out, sell the property and now you will be eligible to purchase on your own, bottom line, start.

There is a whole new digital landscape happening right now, young entrepreneurs are doing the meta, the crypto and it’s the new stock market but people need to understand these gains that people are sharing are feeding into the class division that social media has already created and continues to feed. Check your social media ego at the door and stay focused.

People are overbuying, overspending, it’s human nature to want instant gratification and that is hurting your financial health and wealth. You must stop your instincts to want “it” now and focus on the planning, the prepping and understand your goals, your realistic goals and forget keeping up with the social media joneses, delay your gratification. Anthony shares, if you’re young and thinking about moving out of mom and pop, don’t, save up money, buy a rental property and build equity. Michelle shares, get a co-sign over adding more to the down payment, that co-sign is way more valuable. Yes banks and B lenders are checking your digital footprint, they are googling you, they are looking for those skeletons and they will find them.

Thank You so much Anthony and Michelle for joining the show two years later and sharing so much more great insight about properties, real estate, loans, mortgages and more. Find them at @thecaputogroup.realestate www.thecaputogroup.ca [email protected] 416 938-7771 and find Michelle @mlfarrugia and @cognitive.capital and www.cognitivecapital.ca 647 355-1823

Want to reach out to Manny, text him on his mobile, 416 433-5737 and or email him at [email protected] or [email protected] Please let him know who you are and then ask away.

TCL has and always will be about giving back to the construction industry.

Reach out to Joe and Trevor at the following info. www.venturesxcanada.ca find them on Social Media @venturesxoakville reach them at 289 644-2393 and email [email protected]

Larry literally began by being thrown right into the pool with no swimming lessons, working for his dad and brother, they gave him a caulking gun and a tube of silicon and told him to caulk the shower, never did it before, was never shown how to do it and once completed his work was complimented and that was the beginning. Soon after that he’s asked to grout, no training, no instructions, you will figure it out is what his brother said. He did a great job and then was given the job, Grout Bitch, for a year, just grouting.

Larry shares a typical story about the “Jeremy’s” out there, how they get paid and then disappear and reappear once they need more money. Being a tradesperson is a lot like being a professional athlete, what sets the two apart? The discipline. Larry and Manny discuss the health of our tradespeople and ignoring the signs from your body, take care of the one and only body tool. Larry has always delt with being the new guy, meeting clients that question his skill level, he has always held his own and presented his knowledge and his skill set to the point that new clients feel confident with him.

After working for his dad for so long and handling his scope, plus paperwork, scheduling and so much more of the business, Larry felt he needed a vacation, but his dad wouldn’t allow that because it became a question, well who will handle all these extra things? This was the beginning of the end of working with family and going on his own. After 6 months of traveling and avoiding getting back into the business and work, Larry was offered a 10,000 square foot project and he took it over his dad, besides, his dad didn’t want the job. That job cemented Larry’s new business and mindset, but it created tension between him and his dad and Larry shares the great Portuguese saying his dad compared it too, in English and in Portuguese, about a bakery.

Larry shares a great saying when he decided to pick up and move to another city and start all over, “you can’t google experience”. Followed by cold calling and more cold calling and more cold calling and he didn’t stop until he got the chance to prove himself. That’s how you google experience. Larry hustled, he worked for someone, made a mistake on that first job, owned the mistake and carried on but this employer didn’t have enough work for Larry, around the same time another GC was asking if Larry would work for them, Larry was a upstanding tradesperson and made sure that his current employer was well aware of what was going on. Eventually Larry left the first employer and began working for the new GC and that was the very beginning of Key Tile Co and he has never needed to look back.

Shared and Discussed Links

https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/recreation-of-a-200-year-old-french-villa-pj-vj~169471

http://lindenconstruction.ca

https://www.dezeen.com/2017/03/16/oiio-imagines-big-bend-skyscraper-new-york-longest-building-in-the-world/

Thank you so much Larry for being on the show, making the time while visiting the Toronto area and sharing so much insight into the tiling trade and more. Reach out to Larry at www.keytile.ca his email [email protected] and on IG and FaceBook @keytileco and @keysurfaces

TCL has and always will be about giving back to the construction industry.

We have a new segment to share on the show, Building Books where we share a book that we have read and our listeners should consider reading, on today’s show we discuss Think and Grow Rich, Little Red Hen, Richest Man in Babylon, and today’s feature book is The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse. Please consider expanding your reading, it will only help you and your business.

25-year-old GC Behzad of Aria Build is our guest, moved to Canada when he was 11 years old, didn’t know any English and is family had plenty of struggles and hardship. At his parent’s request Behzad studied Electrical Engineering, graduated but didn’t follow a career in it, construction was calling him. His construction career began by doing little odd jobs here and there, installing a dishwasher, cleaning up job sites, work he found through Kiji, that gave him the confidence to begin to do smaller projects. Of course, he learned the hard way and lost money on those earlier jobs, join the construction club.

Behzad began working with his brother and that worked for a few years while he was still finishing up his education. Eventually where Behzad wanted to take the business didn’t line up with his brothers plan so they parted ways and he began Aria Build all on his own. One of the key things that Behzad shares, when he got started and made a mistake, he would document that mistake in a journal, and he continues to write in that journal and he learns from his mistakes and never makes them again.

It's refreshing to hear such a young tradesperson who has struggled, learned from their mistakes and has improved and built a solid business and continues to improve with each new project. Keep up the awesomeness brother. At the end of the show Behzad shares his other passion, he has a 53-foot-long yacht and rents it out, find him at www.torontoboatrentals.net @torontoboatrentals

Shared and Discussed Links

@itiletoronto5379

Thank you so much Behzad for being on the show and sharing so much insight into very young career and more. Reach out to Behzad at www.ariabuild.ca his email [email protected] and on IG and FaceBook @ariabuild

Want to reach out to Manny, text him on his mobile, 416 433-5737 and or email him at [email protected] or [email protected] Please let him know who you are and then ask away.

Find Carlito @theconstructionliferenos and reach out to him at [email protected]

TCL has and always will be about giving back to the construction industry.

Reach out to Joe and Trevor at the following info. www.venturesxcanada.ca find them on Social Media @venturesxoakville reach them at 289 644-2393 and email [email protected]

Let’s get right into home automation and integration with Dennis from AVAS and Concepts, it all began with Dennis taking broken speakers out of the back trash of a local stereo shop, that led to him fixing the speakers and getting a job at the store. From there, Dennis was offered a job at Rogers Cable with the sub-contractor Trinity Cable. It was a great opportunity for Dennis, able to be one on one with homeowners, learning how to communication with clients and solving problems.

Dennis always wants to be the first one at the beginning of the project, there are way too many things to consider after most of the work has been performed. We discuss all kinds of electronics and how to proceed with all of this tech. WiFi access points, understanding the home and working around radiant floors, so many building details can affect the installation of home integration. Working with Control 4 Dennis discusses how to assemble all the apps into one app and full integrated on your smart phone. We discuss picture quality, should you stream, hard drive or buy blue ray and 4K? Multi room audio and video. So many conversations.

Regarding EMF

Electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) are invisible areas of energy, often referred to as Radiation, that are associated with the use of electrical power and various forms of natural and man-made lighting. ... Ionizing: high-level radiation which has the potential for cellular and DNA damage.

What is a Faraday cage used for?

A Faraday cage is used as a protective shield against the electromagnetic radiation coming from the external environment, or it prevents electromagnetic energy radiated from the internal components from escaping the cage. These protective shields are used in different kinds of electronic and electrical equipment.

Shared and Discussed Links

https://www.control4.com

https://www.healthline.com/health/shungite

https://www.sony.ca/en/electronics/tv/t/televisions

https://www.platinumtools.com/products/punchdown/tools/xpress-jack-punchdown-tool-xpressjack/

Thank you so much Dennis for being on the show and sharing so much insight into the home integration industry. Reach out to Dennis at www.avasandconcepts.com his email [email protected] and on IG avasconceptsinc

Want to reach out to Manny, text him on his mobile, 416 433-5737 and or email him at [email protected] or [email protected] Please let him know who you are and then ask away.

TCL has and always will be about giving back to the construction industry.

Reach out to Joe and Trevor at the following info. www.venturesxcanada.ca find them on Social Media @venturesxoakville reach them at 289 644-2393 and email [email protected]

What a show! Are you easily offended by the truth about construction, then this show is for you because you need to be woken up about the realties in construction and Frank, Joey and Jay say it as it is and TCL welcomes everything said on this show.

Huge shout out to JD Hellinger of @hellingerconstruction he reached out asking me to do more shows about safety, and I will be doing more. He recently had a jobsite accident; a split second can change your life. We want to wish him the best, we wish him a lot of hope to recover and your fellow tradebrothers and tradesisters are here to support you brother, all the best JD.

Let’s begin, 45 years of construction experience, let that sink in, 1977 is when it all began, Frank is a very young 59, will soon be 60 and he credits his kids and the young trades for giving him his second wind, he’s back at it and loves it. He’s going to share so much on this show, you don’t want to miss everything he has to offer. Joey at a very young age, 7, would go to work with his Dad and learn how to do things properly. Jay was taught by his Dad, a few years older than Frank, Jay was brought into the mix by a negative situation where Jay was the saving grace and the 3 of them never looked back. It has been a while since we have done a tile show and what better tradespeople than the 3 gentlemen on the show today.

Having a show with different generations of trades allows us to discuss how things are today, how they were yesterday and what to expect in the future and everyone here is brutally honest. First up! Cleanliness!! They can’t express how important staying clean, working clean, keeping the site clean, your tools clean, your tiles clean, everything clean, that is the number one lesson for any tradesperson especially tile setter. We discuss clips and a lot of interesting points are brought up. Finally, we discuss how important pails are and how so many younger trades will just throw pails out without a construction care in the world, Frank goes as far as labeling his pails, the year he got it, yes, the year and a small “F” somewhere nobody can see and he even goes further and uses wine pails, the ones with the lip so it’s easier to pull apart.

You will never look at pencils the same way after this show, thank you Frank and I will try this. Frank should be teaching millennial happiness courses and change the industry mindset one trade at a time. There is so much you just must listen to this whole show several times. Stick around for the 12 questions of construction because you do not want to miss the replies on this one.

Share and Discussed Links

https://backwoodscigars.com/age-gating/

https://www.dannyswineandbeer.com/products/plastic-fermenting-pail-with-lid

https://ima.ca

Thank you so much Frank, Joey and Jay for taking the time this Saturday morning to speak with me and sharing your stories, your drive, your passion, never loose it brothers, we wish you all the best and hope to speak to you soon, you guys have to return to the show and continue this conversation. Reach out to them for your next project or for any questions at www.dlusstile.com email [email protected] and on IG @dlussotile and @mcmtile and can’t forget Franks page @ciccioaporta for an honest view on everything.

TCL has and always will be about giving back to the construction industry.

Please rate and review our show on your fav podcast channel.

Huge thank you to all the listeners, messages of support, questions about construction, the network this show has been building as we head closer and closer to our 300th show event, watch for it in August and this years Labor Day is something you don’t want to miss, Carlito and Manny has some big ideas. Please leave a rating and a review on iTunes and you can now leave a star rating on Spotify. Thank You

On with the show. Most of this show discusses employees versus subtrades.

Something different, Phil saw an opportunity and he went full force into it and that one move made his business jump to 56 projects in 2021, congrats guys and the work is insane. With most of the world taking crazy pills Phil had a great idea to get his new business going after so many clients pulled out and took the deposits back, his idea worked and the new Heavy Duty Homes was off. 2020 Phil and his team was able to do 8-10 projects, 2021 he brought in 57 projects and these were not small projects, being hungry requires a huge dining table.

How did he do all this? He stopped doing the sub trades and started working with employees, he created divisions to his business of all the key essential trades, hardwood, painting, drywall, tile and many others, this one shift in the business allowed him to take control of his projects and deliver for his clients.

Phil pays Manny a huge compliment by saying he based his new business format off of Hardcore Renos, and Respect The Next Trade, much respect Phil, thank you very much.

The referrals is how Heavy Duty Homes continues to be successful, they take great pride and they make sure that the client is always happy, always happy. When they get contacted by past clients about inviting the crew over for a BBQ that speaks volumes, well done gentlemen. Phil is finally off the tools and it feels weird to him, his tool is his keyboard, he’s still adapting but he understands that it has to be this way, every contractor knows that day is coming and you need to prepare for it.

Heavy Duty Homes is still learning and as Phil shares, every day is a learning day. They are taking what they went through last year, applying it to this year, anticipating another 57 projects for this year and we wish them all the best and all the well-deserved success.

Share and Discussed Links

https://www.coconstruct.com

https://fastfence.ca

And yes Trustable is a word.

Thank you so much Phil and Philip for taking the time to speak with us and sharing your stories, your drive, your passion, never loose it brothers, we wish you all the best and hope to speak to you soon. Reach out to them for your next project or for any questions at www.heavydutyhomes.com email [email protected] and on IG @heavydutyhomesinc

Want to reach out to Manny, text him on his mobile, 416 433-5737 and or email him at [email protected] or [email protected] Please let him know who you are and then ask away.

Find Carlito @theconstructionliferenos and reach out to him at [email protected]

TCL has and always will be about giving back to the construction industry.