In this episode of The Summit Podcast, Bob Turner sits down with contractor and business owner Dean Swanson to talk about what it really takes to grow a successful construction business.

Dean shares his journey from working in the field to running two companies, and the challenges that came with that growth—including the need to restructure, improve systems, and take control of the chaos that often comes with scaling.

This conversation covers:

The mistakes contractors make when growing too fast

Why systems and planning are critical before scaling

The importance of documentation and clear communication

How restructuring can actually strengthen your business

The mindset required to keep going when things get tough

Dean’s message is simple but powerful:

If you're a contractor, entrepreneur, or business owner trying to grow without losing control, this episode will hit home.

contractor business, construction business, small business growth, entrepreneurship, leadership, systems, business structure, scaling a business, contractor life, resilience, mindset, customer communication

What happens when growth becomes the very thing that breaks your business?

In this episode of the Summit Podcast, Bob Turner sits down with entrepreneur Justin Cady for an honest conversation about business ownership, financial missteps, management challenges, and the resilience required to rebuild after adversity.

Justin shares what it’s really like to scale a company, carry overhead and debt, make tough leadership decisions, and ultimately transition from business owner to employee in the coatings industry. This isn’t theory — it’s lived experience.

Inside this conversation:

• The difference between revenue and true profitability

If you’re a contractor, small business owner, or entrepreneur navigating growth, this episode will challenge the way you think about success, sustainability, and leadership.

Because sometimes the hardest lessons are the ones that build the strongest foundations.

In this episode of The Summit Podcast, Bob Turner sits down with Jess Novak, founder of Give Freedom Homes, to talk about what it really takes to build a business rooted in both excellence and purpose.

Jess shares her journey from working as a carpenter to leading her own remodeling company, and the leadership lessons she learned along the way. We dive into:

• The transition from tradesperson to CEO

Jess doesn’t just build homes — she builds culture, clarity, and conviction into her company. This conversation is especially valuable for contractors, remodelers, and entrepreneurs who want to grow without compromising their values.

If you're navigating leadership growth, team development, or building something meaningful in the construction space, this episode will challenge you in the right way.

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Jess Novak

In this episode of The Summit Podcast, host Bob Turner sits down with Robin Mullins of Octagon Cleaning and Restoration, a family-owned restoration company serving Maine and New Hampshire for more than 23 years.

Robin shares what it takes to build a trusted restoration business in an industry where clients are often dealing with some of the most stressful moments of their lives. From working with insurance adjusters to minimizing emotional and physical disruption during restoration projects, this conversation highlights the importance of relationships, consistency, and community involvement.

The discussion also dives into Octagon’s Ice Fishing Derby, a long-running community fundraiser that supports local charities and reinforces the company’s belief in giving back to the communities they serve.

If you’re a contractor, restoration professional, or local business owner looking to grow through trust, reputation, and service, this episode delivers real-world insight from a business that has stood the test of time.

Restoration Business

Growth is rarely quiet—and it’s almost never comfortable.

In this episode of The Summit Podcast, Bob Turner sits down with Brandy Kemp for an honest conversation about what really happens when a business owner starts stepping fully into leadership.

Brandy shares what it looks like to make necessary changes inside a company—even when those changes create resistance, discomfort, and pushback from the team. This episode dives into the emotional weight of leadership, the reality of outgrowing old systems and people, and the courage it takes to protect the vision of the business when not everyone is on board.

You’ll hear candid insights on:

Why leadership often feels lonely before it feels successful

The difference between being liked and being respected as an owner

How to identify resistance that’s holding your company back

When “holding the line” is the most important leadership move you can make

What it really means to operate as a CEO—not just a technician or manager

This is a powerful episode for business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders who know change is required—but are feeling the tension that comes with growth.

If you’re building something meaningful and finding resistance along the way, this conversation will hit home.

🎧 Listen in and decide what kind of leader your business needs you to be next.

What does it really take to walk away from a long-held identity and build something entirely new?

In this episode of the Summit Podcast, host Bob Turner sits down with Bubba Hogan, a former deputy sheriff turned entrepreneur and coach, to unpack a powerful journey of reinvention, resilience, and purpose-driven growth.

Bubba shares what it was like to leave law enforcement after years of service, navigate adversity, and redefine success on his own terms. From overcoming setbacks and identity shifts to building a business rooted in freedom, impact, and community, this conversation is honest, relatable, and deeply inspiring.

You’ll hear insights on:

Transitioning from law enforcement to entrepreneurship

Navigating major identity shifts and personal adversity

Why community and connection are essential for long-term success

Creating work-life balance without losing your edge

Using humor, perspective, and service to positively impact others

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or someone standing at the edge of your next chapter, this episode will challenge you to think bigger about what’s possible — in business and in life.

🎧 Listen in and find YOUR Edge.

In this episode of The Summit Podcast, Bob Turner sits down with longtime friend, fellow Rozenberg Group coach, and seasoned contractor Richard Nordheim, owner of Enhanced Renovations in North Carolina and founder of Casper East Screens.

Richard shares his unfiltered journey through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship — from running a successful business, losing everything during the 2007 housing crash, filing bankruptcy, and rebuilding from the ground up. We dive deep into what it really takes to stop being the bottleneck, let go of control, and build a business that can run without you living in the day-to-day chaos.

This conversation covers:

Rebuilding after failure and financial hardship

Why community and coaching accelerate growth

Letting go of control without losing standards

Why sales roleplay makes contractors uncomfortable — and why it works

Scaling Enhanced Renovations beyond the owner-operator model

Launching Casper East Screens and creating new opportunity through a simple product

Leadership, mindset, and giving yourself permission to grow

If you’re a contractor, remodeler, or business owner who feels stuck inside your own business, this episode will challenge you, encourage you, and remind you that growth starts with getting out of your own way.

What happens when two former high school teammates reconnect after 38 years? In this in-person episode of The Summit Podcast, host Bob Turner sits down with his longtime friend Paul Rumo, whom he hadn’t seen since Paul graduated in 1987. What unfolds is a powerful, wide-ranging conversation about life, service, fatherhood, sales, leadership, and choosing positivity in a noisy world. Paul shares his journey from serving in the U.S. Navy, to raising a family, to his desire to launch a podcast dedicated to the veteran community. Together, Bob and Paul explore what it really means to help others without expectation, how strong relationships drive success in sales and life, and why clarity and communication matter more than ever in today’s AI-driven world. This episode is packed with real-life wisdom, timeless sales principles, and reminders that the best things in life often come full circle.

🎯 Whether you’re a business owner, sales professional, veteran, or someone focused on personal growth — this conversation will hit home.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Reuniting After 38 Years

05:00 – Life After High School: Navy & Family

08:43 – Positivity, Service & Perspective

13:40 – Sales, Relationships & Trust

25:20 – Handling Objections & Customer Engagement

34:49 – Podcasting, Veterans & Final Reflections

💬 Key Takeaways “If I do for others, it will come back to me.” “You never leave a meeting without clarity on next steps.” “The game begins when you get that first objection.” “Life’s about choices — and I choose the positive route.” “You can start a podcast with zero dollars. Just start.” “At the end of the day, I want my kids to say I was a great father.”

🔥 Sound Bites “Doing for others what no one else is willing to.” “The game begins when you get that first objection.” “Life’s about choices — and you clearly choose the positive route.”

Summit Podcast, Bob Turner, Paul Rumo, life lessons, Navy veteran, personal growth, sales mindset, objection handling, relationship building, leadership development, veteran community, positivity, podcasting journey, AI and communication, fatherhood, service mindset

#SummitPodcast #BobTurner #PaulRumo #LifeLessons #VeteranMindset #LeadershipDevelopment #SalesMindset #PersonalGrowth #RelationshipBuilding #Fatherhood #ServiceBeforeSelf #PodcastLife #MindsetMatters #BusinessAndLife

In this episode of The Summit Podcast, host Bob Turner sits down with Clayton Graba, founder of Kaeru, to unpack one of the biggest silent killers in contractor businesses: poor communication and inconsistent follow-up. Clayton shares real-world insights from his journey as a former contractor turned consultant, explaining how automation, AI, and intentional systems can radically improve lead management, customer experience, and time freedom for service-based business owners. If you’re a contractor or service business owner feeling overwhelmed, missing leads, or stuck reacting instead of scaling—this conversation will hit home. In this episode, we cover: Why most contractors don’t have a lead problem—they have a follow-up problem How automation saves time without losing the human touch Using AI to streamline communication and data tracking Tracking leads, conversions, and true customer acquisition cost The emotional toll of entrepreneurship (and how isolation sneaks in) Balancing growth, family, and long-term legacy Why intentional consistency beats intensity every time

👉 Learn more about Clayton and Kaeru here: https://www.kaerucx.com

👉 Watch more episodes of The Summit Podcast for contractors, leaders, and entrepreneurs. ⏱️

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Communication in Business

01:17 Understanding Automation and Its Importance

03:23 The Follow-Up Process: Keeping Clients Engaged

05:57 Diverse Communication Channels for Client Engagement

07:05 Leveraging AI for Enhanced Client Management

08:36 Identifying Ideal Clients and Their Needs

10:06 The Importance of Data Tracking in Business

11:08 Success Stories: Transforming Marketing Strategies

14:00 Clayton's Journey: From Contractor to Consultant

16:29 The Impact of Technology on Business Efficiency

18:58 Navigating the Contractor Landscape

20:06 The Importance of Lead Management

22:27 Understanding Customer Acquisition Costs

24:03 Overcoming Common Objections

25:54 Balancing Work and Family Life

27:41 Finding Your Edge 30:40 Legacy and Impact

32:19 Intentional Consistency for Success

contractor automation contractor AI tools lead follow up for contractors service business automation contractor marketing systems AI for service businesses contractor lead management home service business growth time management for contractors customer experience automation business systems for contractors Summit Podcast Bob Turner

#ContractorBusiness #AutomationForContractors #AIForBusiness #LeadManagement #ServiceBusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurMindset #SummitPodcast

What does it really take to build a construction business—and keep it from costing you your family, your health, or your peace of mind? In this episode of The Summit Podcast, I sit down with Dave Davis, a construction entrepreneur out of Denver, for a raw, honest conversation about what entrepreneurship actually demands. Dave didn’t choose construction because it was glamorous—he chose it out of necessity. What followed was years of hustle, pressure, and hard-earned lessons that forced him to confront his mindset, leadership habits, and definition of success. We talk about: The mindset shifts required to survive and grow as a contractor Why asking for help is a strength—not a weakness The role community and coaching play in long-term success How business pressure spills into family and personal relationships What productivity, fulfillment, and success really look like heading into 2026 This episode is for contractors, entrepreneurs, and business owners who feel the weight of responsibility and know something has to change—but aren’t sure where to start.

👇 Watch the full episode and let me know in the comments: What does success look like for you right now?

⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Meet Dave Davis & His Construction Journey

02:06 – Entering Construction Out of Necessity

05:28 – The Mindset Shifts That Changed Everything

09:40 – Why Asking for Help Is a Power Move

12:17 – Recent Wins & Breaking Limiting Beliefs

15:08 – The Hidden Cost of Pushing Too Hard

17:33 – Family Feedback & Personal Wake-Up Calls

21:12 – Navigating Relationships as a Business Owner

23:28 – Emotional Awareness & Leadership Growth

25:58 – Trust, Vulnerability, and Community

28:42 – Setting Clear Goals for 2026

31:59 – Redefining Success Beyond Money

34:26 – Identifying Your Unique Edge

35:42 – The Strength in Asking for Help (Final Takeaway)

🎯 Key Takeaways Dave’s construction career began as survival—and became a proving ground for growth Entrepreneurship requires constant internal upgrades, not just better systems Hustle without support leads to burnout—community changes everything Success isn’t just revenue; it’s sustainability, clarity, and fulfillment Family feedback can reveal blind spots no KPI ever will Growth accelerates when you stop trying to do everything alone

🎧 Power Quotes “I want to be a better man.” “It’s okay to ask for help.” “You can’t keep it up forever.” 🔍 Keywords construction business contractor mindset construction entrepreneurship business coaching for contractors entrepreneur mindset leadership growth contractor burnout personal development for business owners building a sustainable business contractor success stories

#TheSummitPodcast #ConstructionEntrepreneur #ContractorMindset #BusinessLeadership #EntrepreneurLife #ConstructionBusiness #PersonalGrowth #CoachingForContractors #EntrepreneurJourney #BuildingSuccess