CONEXPO – CON/AGG Podcast: Construction Business Insights For Contractors

To see highlights from the 2023 show, go to: https://www.conexpoconagg.com/show-experience/show-highlights

Dana Wuesthoff on LinkedIn

Ep. 137: Paving the Way for Online Success with Matt Stanley

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 08:30:00 -0400

Paving the Way for Online Success with Matt Stanley

In this episode of the CONEXPO-CON/AGG podcast, host Taylor White speaks with Matt Stanley, a paving foreman, marketer for American Pavement Specialist, and founder of Raised on Blacktop about the themes of marketing, branding, and company culture in the construction industry. Stanley begins by sharing his family's history in the paving business, with three generations working for their family's company. The two then go on to discuss Raised on Blacktop, a merchandise and marketing company started by Stanley in 2020, and the success it has brought him. The family dynamic within the business is explored, with Stanley sharing how his mother instilled the importance of getting along with his brothers, which has translated into a successful working relationship.

Throughout the conversation, Matt and Taylor touch on various topics such as social media engagement, branding, and consistency in content creation. Stanley emphasizes the importance of starting small and growing organically, and how his diverse background has influenced his brand's street feel. They also discuss the significance of fostering a positive company culture, which Stanley believes has contributed to his business' success. Join these two experts in the field here today to gain valuable insights into the paving industry and learn more about the importance of branding and company culture in business growth.

Topics:

Taylor’s upcoming live podcast at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023
Stanley's family and their history in the paving business
American Pavement Specialists
Raised on Blacktop
Building a brand organically
Seeking inspiration outside of the industry
Company culture and employee retention
Fostering a positive work environment
The challenges Matt experiences in balancing work and running his brands
The importance of consistency
Matt’s vision for the future of his brands
The importance of perseverance and maintaining a positive mindset
Advice for aspiring influencers
The machines that Matt’s company will have on display at the show
Appreciating the hard work that goes into achieving big moments and taking time to enjoy them.

Quotes:

"Growing up, I get chills when I say this, because it's so important that my mom made sure that we all got along. There was no you hate your brother. It was none of that. From a young age, it was like, that's your brother. When you get older, they're going to be the only ones you could trust."

“A lot of people think we have a lot more guys than we do, but we're pretty lean and mean. We all wear a lot of hats.”

"Everybody's path to being that high number, being an influencer, is so different than everyone else's."

"I always look for inspiration outside of our industry."

"I want my brand to represent hustle. I want it to represent it could represent basketball, racing, skateboarding, but more so, going back to like, hustle, family business, getting up early, working hard."

"I think that needs to happen organically and I could see it happening in the next couple of years with both the brands, same as you."

"I don't like seeing what other people are doing so that I remain focused on my content is what's coming from my brain and not somebody else's."

"To get in the influencer brand deals game, you do kind of have to give out free work to begin with."

"But to post good content and get paid for it, it's, like, very hard to do."

"I enjoy the most getting to meet these manufacturers in person."

"Got to definitely live in the moment there and appreciate all the hard work because I'm not too good at that."

Links:

To learn more about the 2023 CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show and to register, go to: https://www.conexpoconagg.com/show-experience

American Pavement Specialists

Raised on Blacktop

Ep. 136: The Power of Networking and Relationship-Building with Dane Cotten

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 08:30:00 -0400

The Power of the Right Balance of Relationship Building vs. Profit with Dane Cotten

This week, Taylor interviews Dane Cotten, owner of DC Excavation, about a number of topics including his background, the growth of his company, and the importance of networking in the construction industry. Dane also reviews the family tradition that inspired him to start his own excavation company, his successful use of networking and relationship-building to grow his business, and the importance of these practices in the construction industry. Some major news about Taylor’s live podcast at the upcoming CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 is announced here today, and with the show less than a month away, our host strongly encourages listeners to register and participate in it.

Together, Taylor and Dane go on to discuss the benefits and challenges of using distinctive machinery to differentiate companies and attract top talent, explore how investing in machinery and technology demonstrates to potential employees that the company values their work, and how social media can be used to hire workers from all over the world. They also touch on the challenges of retaining talent, building relationships with employees to create a positive work environment, and look at the transition from residential work to commercial work in the construction industry. The importance of building relationships with general contractors, focusing on paperwork and cost tracking, and not abandoning residential work entirely are analyzed as well. Today’s episode is yet another ‘must listen’ filled with valuable insights and advice for professionals in the construction industry, and showcasing the experiences and perspectives of undisputed experts in the field.

The Finer Details of This Episode:

Taylor’s upcoming live podcast at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023
Dane Cotten, his background, and his family's long history in construction
The origin and growth of DC Excavation
Investing in machinery and technology
Some useful tools for finding and hiring new employees
Balancing growth with maintaining the company culture
The transition from residential work to commercial work in the construction industry
Building relationships with general contractors
The importance of long-term thinking and being adaptable in the industry

Quotes:

"The biggest thing is just have that cash in the bank because you're going to need that cash to make it through."
"Residentials, they pay nice. So that's why we kind of run a residential crew, and then we have a commercial crew, and our residential crew basically cash flows the business in order to be able to do the commercial stuff."
"Sometimes a relationship is worth more than the $10,000 in profit you're going to make that week."
"It's a short-sighted thinking of like, 'I could screw over this GC, and I could maybe make an extra $120,000, $150,000 on this project.' But instead, you need to think long-term."
"Used in the right application, there's just so much you don't have to do by hand now because of tilt rotators."
"Building relationships and open communication - it just helps with all of it."

Links:

To learn more about the 2023 CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show and to register, go to: https://www.conexpoconagg.com/show-experience

DC Excavation

Ep. 135: Inspiring Change in the Industry with Missy Scherber

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 09:57:53 -0400

Building Personal and Professional Success in Construction with Missy Scherber

In today’s episode, Taylor sits down with former host of the podcast and the owner of Big Machine Hustle and Scherber Roll-Offs, Missy Scherber, to discuss a number of topics, particularly the challenges of balancing work and personal life as a business owner. Throughout their conversation, the two relate to the overwhelming feeling of having to do everything, from managing multiple tasks to handling personal and professional relationships. They also focus on the importance of finding a stress-reliever that can help reduce anxiety and provide clarity of thought, noting that it is crucial for business owners to find time for themselves and prioritize their mental health in order to be effective in their day-to-day responsibilities. After all, a healthy mind leads to a successful business and personal life.

Missy goes on to recount some of the challenges faced by women, single mothers, and primary caretakers in construction, including the difficulty balancing their careers with the demands of caring for their children. She highlights the importance of considering alternative work schedules to ensure that the construction industry can tap into a more diverse workforce, and not just burn out its current employees. She also shares her experience with social media and its impact on her life and business. Despite initially feeling discouraged by online negativity, Missy eventually found her confidence again and discovered the positive impact her online presence was having on her company and others in the construction industry. Today’s episode offers that rare opportunity where the podcast’s current host gets to pick the brain of a previous host, and it results in an exchange of information and advice that you do not want to miss.

The Finer Details of This Episode:

Missy’s journey to becoming the co-owner of a construction company
Turning around a struggling dumpster company
Working with a significant other
Challenges that a growing business presents
Construction as a lifestyle that integrates into every part of life
Finding a balance between work and personal time
The challenges faced by women and primary caretakers in the construction industry
The importance of considering alternative work schedules
The difficulties of being a business owner
Finding a stress-reliever and prioritizing mental health

Quotes:

"I, like many other of my peers, went to the school of hard knocks, but here we are eight years later."

"Construction is a lifestyle, and it integrates into every part of your life."

"The important relationship is respect."

"When we both deem each other necessary, we can build this bridge and work together."

"I think I see construction, a marriage, and a family, as one."

"I'm here to just share and empower and support."

Links:

To learn more about the 2023 CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show and to register, go to: https://www.conexpoconagg.com/show-experience

T.Scherber Construction Homepage

T.Scherber on YouTube

T.Scherber’s Instagram

Missy’s Instagram

Ep. 134: Global Operator Challenge Finalist John Schiedeck Joins the Podcast!

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 08:30:00 -0400

Living the Owner-Operator Life with John Schiedeck

Joining Taylor on this episode is the world’s best operator (in our opinion) and CEO of Schiedeck Construction, John Schiedeck. John’s been in the construction industry for almost seventeen years and has worked as an owner-operator for the last six. He opens the episode with an overview of his history in the job, from growing up around the industry to racking up the hours with his blade before finally striking out on his own (with help from his wife!). Then, he speaks about some of the challenges involved in being an owner-operator and what sets him apart from his competitors, including his perfectionist tendencies and willingness to take calculated risks. And John also discusses some of the other machinery he owns and the projects he’s currently working on, including some “pretty oddball stuff” for Elon Musk’s companies.

Next, Taylor asks about John’s success in operator challenges, with a new bout coming up on the first day of CONEXPO. John admits that he didn’t initially want to sign up but was convinced by scores of messages from his social media followers, only to find that his years of experience had given him the skills to win, before sharing some stories of how he developed those skills. He and Taylor then discuss whether being born into the industry and having it in your blood makes you a better operator, as well as their pride in passing their skills down to their kids. John then gives his opinion on GPS and technology on the job site, including his experience with Trimble, how GPS is a valuable tool in the hands of a skilled operator, and the changes he’s seen in technology over his career. And finally, John closes the show by sharing what he’s looking forward to at the CONEXPO show coming up in March, including the chance to get a look at the new technology and machinery being showcased.

The Finer Details of This Episode:

The challenges of being an owner-operator
Working large-scale, big-name jobs
Operator challenges and having skill in your blood
The benefits of GPS and technology on the job site
What John’s looking forward to at CONEXPO

Quotes:

“I was in the seat, couldn’t even sit in it, just reaching the pedals standing against the seat. And I knew that’s what I wanted to do from day one. You know, when you’re a kid, everyone asked you, ‘What do you want to do when you grow up?’ and my three answers were drive trains, fly planes, and drive tractors.”

“I actually do a lot of work for some of Elon Musk’s companies that are here. I picked some of that up. They keep me pretty busy doing oddball stuff. We did a big turn lane for off one of the main highways out here for one of their facilities because they’re blocking all the traffic with their deliveries coming in.”

“When you start getting down to the nitty-gritty, you’ve got to have that blade on the ground and know, hey, there’s still quite a bit of cut over here. And then know where your fields are at, and just driving around is the only way to figure that out.”

“Everything at CONEXPO is just amazing. If you have any kind of interest in this industry, it's really awesome to check out.”

Links:

To learn more about the 2023 CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show and to register, go to: https://www.conexpoconagg.com/show-experience

Schiedeck Construction Inc.

Ep. 133: Building a Rock-Solid Business and Reputation with Ryan Goodfellow

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 08:30:00 -0400

Building a Rock-Solid Business and Reputation with Ryan Goodfellow

In this episode of the CONEXPO-CON/AGG podcast, Ryan Goodfellow from Rock Structures joins Taylor to share his background in the heavy equipment industry, including his experience with the CONEXPO show, starting his own business, and the challenges and lessons he has learned along the way. Throughout the episode, Goodfellow emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurship, hard work, and learning from mistakes in order to succeed in the business world.

Ryan goes on to discuss the evolution of his business, how he got into unique projects such as rock walls and Armstrong walls, as well as the importance of building a strong reputation and the role that reputation plays in attracting new business. [p’He also shares his approach to leadership and team management, including the importance of setting high standards for his employees and maintaining a positive company culture. Goodfellow also discusses the role that technology and efficiency play in his business, including the different types of equipment he uses and how they help him and his team work more efficiently. In drawing the episode to a close, Taylor’s very special guest highlights the importance of being upbeat and maintaining good relationships with employees, and he shares some strategies for handling conflicts and maintaining good communication on the job site.

The Finer Details of This Episode:

Ryan’s father and his transportation business
Ryan’s history with CONEXPO
The story of how he started and built his own business, Rock Structures
Mistakes made and lessons learned
The importance of taking risks and learning from mistakes
The evolution of Ryan’s business to the work it does now
Building a good reputation
Responding to market conditions
The role that technology plays in his business
Managing his team and maintaining a positive company culture
The challenges of managing a team in the construction industry
Strategies for maintaining a positive company culture
The role that transparency and open communication play in his team management strategy
The roles that Ryan and his wife assume within their business

Quotes:

"I was the young, dumb, punk kid, and I was okay being that way because, you know, we're all young and dumb and punks at one point in life."

"So I went out on my own. So that was back in 97. So I was 21, almost 22 when I started. So I was pretty young, and, man, I had the world by its tail, you know."

"I think one of the biggest things that I've learned is that you're not going to learn anything if you're not making mistakes."

"The good contractors will remain and stay busy because there's always going to be something for them to do."

"Our niche is pretty much basement digs, backfills, and then all the rock work that goes along with the house."

"We got pretty big and then the economy tanked and we slowed right down and we got rid of a lot of people and we went back to just being small again."

"And it's one of those things where, like, if you're on the clock, you're doing something."

"Something is better than nothing."

"I'm getting to where I don't like to run a hoe anymore because I'm pulled in so many different directions that I don't have time if I get into a machine, it's one of those things that I don't have time, and so it's not good for my customer."

Links:

To learn more about the 2023 CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show and to register, go to: https://www.conexpoconagg.com/show-experience

Rock Structures

Ep. 132: Setting Your Construction Business Apart from the Rest with Jimmy Starbuck

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 08:30:00 -0400

Setting Your Construction Business Apart from the Rest with Jimmy Starbuck

Taylor’s guest today is Jimmy Starbuck, owner of Starbuck Excavation and a familiar face on social media. Jimmy dives right into his work with mass grading and trucking, talking through the services his company offers and the details of running his business. He then shares how he got where he is today, from learning to drive machines in the family company, to going into business for himself at nineteen, to carving out his place as a leader and organizer. He and Taylor also discuss why smart guys don’t always come out on top, the importance of being a hard worker, and why neither of them is an “office guy.”

Next, Jimmy discusses the chaos that comes with his job, from waiting for 50,000 meters of mud to dry out, to pre-Christmas emergency calls, and the Boxing Day job he’s got lined up this year. Taylor then asks Jimmy about his experiences at CONEXPO, and Jimmy highlights its importance for keeping up to date with new products and building relationships with brands and colleagues. He then switches gears to discuss the current challenges in doing business and reminds us that people have gone through such crises before and survived and that by doing a good job, spending money wisely, and employing good people, your business can be fairly recession-proof. And finally, he and Taylor discuss the impact of fuel shortages, and Jimmy gives his opinion on why DEF isn’t fit for purpose.

The Finer Details of This Episode:

Mass grading and trucking
Working harder, not smarter
Why Jimmy’s not an office guy
Relationship-building at CONEXPO
Fuel shortages and why DEF isn’t fit for purpose

Quotes:

“It’s the same worldwide, there’s no availability of parts, there’s no availability of drivers, fuel’s expensive, AdBlue’s ridiculous, and then you just run through all of these issues. But it’s the same everywhere—you pay the boys well, you pay on time, you give consistent and constant work… slowly, but surely, they come.”

“At the end of the day, if you’re not working hard, and you’re still lying in bed and watching cartoons on a Saturday morning, the person who might not be as intelligent or might not understand as much or might not have the training or the whatever you might say, they’re gonna overtake you and leave you for dead.”

“Inflation, recession, price-changing, material shortages, you name it, people have dealt with it in one way or another for the entire time that businesses have been around. There was a banker with his head in his hands a thousand years ago, saying the Crusades are screwing up my accounting, you know?”

“I do not want AdBlue. “Don’t isolate it when it’s purging. Make sure the tank’s full. Don’t use the old drum, only buy new drums. Make sure you clean the dirt out. And again, make sure the wind’s blowing from the west, and there’s a rainbow, and then a unicorn runs past, and then you can shill it.” It’s too much of a sensitive product to be used in the environment that we have. It’s not fit for purpose.”

Links:

To learn more about the 2023 CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show and to register, go to: https://www.conexpoconagg.com/show-experience

Ep. 131: Next Generation of the Construction Workforce is Here

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 08:30:00 -0400

Advocating for Everybody in Construction with Alexandra Smith

On today’s episode of CONEXPO, Taylor is joined by Alexandra Smith, aka Al the Little Operator, who runs equipment, installs septic systems, and shares Taylor’s love of wastewater treatment. Alexandra kicks off the episode by discussing what her job involves as a newly self-employed worker, her ambitions to learn septic design, and her background growing up in the construction industry. She and Taylor also get into some of the specifics of septic systems and the importance of standing your ground and maintaining your integrity rather than taking shortcuts just to maximize profit.

Next, Taylor asks Alexandra where she sees herself going in the industry, and she explains that she has a decision to make in the future about returning and taking over the family business. However, she says that her main priority is to stay in the field without getting sucked into the six-days-a-week, twelve-hours-a-day pressure that many industry workers fall prey to. She also wants to use her social media presence to encourage healthier lifestyles and a return to focusing on what’s important in life, inside and outside the job. Alexandra then discusses what it’s like for women in construction, how she tries to let girls know there’s space for normal girls in the industry, and how she avoids scrutiny as a woman by keeping her content focused on her work. She also shares some of the equipment she loves to work with (and some she doesn’t!) and how a shared love of equipment is a huge part of her relationship with her dad. And finally, Alexandra tells us what she’ll be speaking about at CONEXPO before closing the episode by emphasizing that while it’s important for her to advocate for women in the industry, she also wants to make life better for everybody in construction by encouraging new ways of conducting and organizing business, so people have more freedom.

The Finer Details of This Episode:

Alexandra’s background
The specifics of septics
Dealing with difficult homeowners
Ensuring perfection and maintaining integrity
Setting up for a better future
Being a woman in construction and on social media
Alexandra’s favorite equipment
What Alexandra will be speaking about at CONEXPO
Advocating for everybody in the industry

Quotes:

“I like the process. I like knowing that this is what I’ve got to do, in and out. I enjoy the labor and the machine work combination.”

“What happened to doing work because it makes you happy and being okay with making plenty but not overkilling?”

“I’m not the type of person where I’m a tomboy, but I’m not really girly, either. I’m kind of all these things, and I’m trying to balance them into one person and to make sure that I can put out a good example and an accurate representation of who I am. And just let girls know, they can just be a normal girl in the construction industry.”

“I couldn’t imagine my life not running equipment and not working with my dad. It’s great, I’m really lucky.”

“We definitely got to try some new ways of conducting business and expectations for workers and try to find ways that maybe we can organize business, so people have more freedom, and it still runs effectively, if that makes sense.”

Links:

Al The Little Operator on Instagram

Alexandra Smith on LinkedIn

To learn more about the 2023 CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show and to register, go to: https://www.conexpoconagg.com/show-experience

Ep. 130: Getting Ahead of the Trends in Construction with Luke Payne and Luke Eggebraaten

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 03:30:00 -0400

Taylor welcomes Luke Eggebraaten and Luke Payne, both successful business owners within the construction industry. Luke E is the Founder & Managing Partner of Phaser Marketing, which is a digital marketing agency for construction companies. Luke P, on the other hand, is the owner of the construction businesses: Black Iron Dirt & Demolition & Western Excavation LLC. They both share a passion for the “dirt world,” and they work and grow together with every mutual project.

Tune into this episode to hear all about this perfectly complementary partnership. What started out as a close friendship grew to become a strong partnership. And as both Luke E and Luke P say, the goal has always been to grow together, bring people together, and play off each other’s weaknesses. With so many successful years in the field, they’re now committed to sharing their wealth of knowledge with the construction world. In this episode, they share a lot of golden tips for construction companies looking to expand their online presence and build a bulletproof business so if you’re one of them, make sure you join Luke E, Luke P, and Taylor for this enlightening conversation.

Topics:

The beginning of a beautiful partnership
Niching down and becoming an industry expert
Deciding when to purchase new equipment
Improving cash flow
Careers in construction
The importance of a digital presence
Building a sustainable and strong business

Quotes:

“It's one of those business partnerships where we kind of just set the money aside, and we say, ‘Okay, let's get to work.’ Everything is like we're growing together.”
“Your website is your gatekeeper. If someone wants to know more about you, they're going to Google you. And the more powerful you are on that site, I feel like it establishes more of the trust.”
“People are hungry to learn, they're willing to pay for it, and we're seeing that firsthand.”
“If you want to work, construction is a great industry to go into because you have to work to make it happen.”
“It's a lot about the technology, and it's a lot about what's new because, again, with the construction industry, you have to adapt to survive.”
“Bad times do come, and bad times do happen. So how can we try and set you up best to pivot or to make the most out of these situations?”

Links:

To learn more about the 2023 CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show and to register, go to: https://www.conexpoconagg.com/show-experience

Ep. 129: Building a Construction Empire Grounded in Community with Jeff Cavanagh

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 03:30:00 -0400

Taylor welcomes construction veteran and legend, Jeff Cavanagh, to the podcast to talk about the history of his family firm, Thomas Cavanagh Construction, the importance of building vibrant communities, and investing and trusting in the right people. The pair open the episode by discussing Cavanagh’s company history and familiarity with vertical integration. Since the late 20th century, the firm has done nothing but grow, and Jeff owes a lot of that success to his tough team that runs 1200 people deep. Since his father let him join the family business, Jeff has dutifully taken the time to hire and invest in the right people, and according to him, that’s made all the difference in the company’s success.

Not only does Thomas Cavanagh Construction strive to develop vibrant communities around Ottawa at large, but they also aim to foster the same positive atmosphere within their organization. After all, taking care of Cavanagh employees is paramount to the company’s success. Given that Jeff and his family have been in the game for decades, Taylor and Jeff spend the remainder of the episode reminiscing on early land development lessons, market recessions, how they prepared for them, and the future of Jeff’s ever-expanding business. Filled with wisdom informed by extensive experience, Jeff truly has so much to offer listeners here today - you don’t want to miss this one!

Topics:

Cavanagh Construction’s history of vertical integration
Building vibrant communities
The importance of delegation
Investing in the right products and people
Taking care of Cavanagh employees
Early land development mistakes
Preparing for residential market recessions
The future of Cavanagh Construction

Quotes:

“We do all things construction. We do home building. We're into land development– building houses. We backfill houses, dig basins. We have aggregates, pits, and quarries, asphalt, and all types of heavy equipment.”
“Lots of times, you know, you see things going wrong. But lots of times you see things going right, so there's more right than wrong.”
“So that's building vibrant communities; it's more than just the community itself. We're building a community inside of Cavanagh construction.”
“I found that I was becoming too much of a micromanager for the size of our business. And we were able to empower the people that work for us, in particular the bosses in that sector.”
“So we tried to buy what was best in class. Because we were using the product and basically wearing it out, fixing it and wearing it out, then selling it. So we didn't want to work on junk anymore.”
“When we're building you a house, when you move into that house, there's good value in that product. When we develop a lot, we do it efficiently so that when we are able to sell that lot, it’s good value for the consumer. So, if you can provide good value for what they're buying, they'll come back and buy some more.”

Links:

Taylor White on LinkedIn
Cavanagh Construction Homepage
To learn more about the 2023 CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show and to register, go to: https://www.conexpoconagg.com/show-experience

Ep. 128: Managing the Stress of Construction with Ryan Priestly

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 03:30:00 -0400

Joining Taylor White on the podcast this week is Ryan Priestly, President of Priestly Demolition, who you may know from the show Salvage Kings on the History Channel. Ryan kicks off the episode by discussing the scope of Priestly Demolition’s work, from bringing down power plants to bridge demolitions to asbestos abatement - taking on projects both big and small along the way. He shares his background as a second-generation industry member, having taken over the business from his father fifteen years ago, and how he’s worked to hone his workers’ skills and create a harmonious team who work together effectively. He also discusses Salvage Kings, the impact the show had on his business, the challenges involved in making it, and why Priestly won’t be returning for its third season.

Next, Taylor and Ryan delve into some of the big issues facing the industry right now, including the impact of inflation and the likelihood of an economic course correction. They also chat about stress relief and how to achieve a work/life balance and maintain your well-being in an industry that doesn’t always make it easy to sit back and appreciate your achievements. Taylor then asks Ryan to share some of his most memorable “Oh, man” projects, the ones that caused the biggest headaches, and Ryan describes some of the unique and challenging projects he’s been involved in over the years along with the lessons he learned from them. And finally, Ryan closes the show by sharing what’s up next for him and the business, including some ambitious plans for growth and bringing on the next generation of Priestly Demolition employees, including his son and nephews.

Topics:

Inheriting the family business
The impact of Salvage Kings
Inflation and its impact on the industry
Ryan’s most memorable “Oh, man” project
What’s next for Ryan and Priestly Demolition

Quotes:

“I guess the biggest issue for them, it’s just not their specialty, it’s just not their skill set. So at the same token, it’s not really something they want to put a whole lot of time and energy into. Whereas we thrive on it, we want to come up with a plan that’s going to work for everyone, and we want to come up with a plan that’s going to make it efficient and safe and get done on time.”

“The question with inflation that really, as a business owner, is like, what’s the number? Is it 3%? Is it 8%? Is it 5%? Is it 22%? Is it 13%? And, you know, I just feel like there’s a real disconnect on what’s happening, percentage-wise.”

“Not a lot makes sense right now, and I think there’s got to be some kind of correction coming just with real estate and priced-up fuel and inflation. But I don’t think it’s going to be huge. I don’t think the correction is going to be 50% or anything like that.”

“As far as facing challenges on a daily basis, the contracting business is pretty out there for that, as far as I’m concerned. It’s just a very challenging job day in and day out. It’s the amount of hills you’ve got to climb on a given day.”

“I learned that you need to have a goal. At least then, we’re all going in the same direction. You don’t want to lose complete touch with reality. It’s great to have a goal and stuff like that, but at the end of the day, if it’s not in the cards, it’s not in the cards.”

“It's just nice to see that people are enjoying their time here and that people are making a career out of Priestly, which is super awesome.”

Links:

Priestly Demolition Inc

To learn more about the 2023 CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show and to register, go to: https://www.conexpoconagg.com/show-experience

Ep. 127: Talking the State of Construction with Nick Drew

Mon, 12 Sep 2022 03:30:00 -0400

On this very special second episode of the podcast, Taylor welcomes Nick Drew, the man behind the infamous 'Digger Man Blog’, to talk about his early start in construction, his late blooming blogging skills, the realities of the construction industry, and, of course, CONEXPO. Nick opens up the episode by fondly remembering his childhood and the days he used to spend with his father at his job working on construction sites. It wasn’t until he was much older and more seasoned in the construction industry, however, that Drew got his start in his true calling, construction journalism.

In 2008, Drew got his big break and hasn’t looked back since. As an illustrious construction blogger, he now gets approached to travel the world and report on the newest machinery, construction news, and conventions, like CONEXPO, which Taylor and Nick are both looking forward to. They go on to explain how special the convention is, noting that nowhere else can you find so many leaders and friends in the field that put you in contact with new machinery and communities. And in the wake of the COVID-19 construction boom with new developments popping up overnight and product demand rapidly increasing, that’s now more important than ever.

Episode overview:

Drew’s early start in construction
Tilt rotator technology
Shifting the narrative around construction work
Journalism in the construction industry
Drew’s blogging career
The future of diesel alternatives
North American and European machinery
The COVID-19 construction boom

Quotes:

“We need to show people that necessarily wouldn't want to be exposed or work in the construction, blue collar industry– show them what it's like, and show them how it can be. I think a part of that is also a lot of businesses and construction companies need to make it a place that these young people want to come and work for.”

”At the time, there wasn't anyone else doing it.”

“Yeah, well, you know, the blog, by its nature, is a host of various topics. I don't try to focus on anything special in particular, you know, I like to keep it very interesting.”

“There's a lot of interesting people there and machinery and technology. And it's a really good place for people to showcase that. But also, I feel like just putting a face to people as well.”

“You'll meet industry leaders and friends. And you're also going to build new relationships in the community. And you'll find the equipment, services, and people within your construction field.”

Links:

Digger Man Blog on Twitter

Digger Man Blog on Instagram

To learn more about the 2023 CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show and to register, go to: https://www.conexpoconagg.com/show-experience

Ep. 126: Prepping for the Future of Construction with Scott Colclough of Pushysix

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 03:30:00 -0400

On this highly anticipated episode of the podcast, Taylor White takes on the hosting duties and is joined by his very special guest, Scott Colclough. The pair talk about Colclough’s life, his business, his experiences with CONEXPO-CON/AGG, and the upcoming 2023 show. Upon getting his start in construction as an operator in Alberta, Scott acquainted himself with all of the skills, tools, and techniques that he could. Now after years and years in the industry, Colclough has taken to social media under the username @pushysix to teach people about construction and inspire others. He’s always felt that he had a purpose larger than himself, and unlike most people, Scott practices what he preaches.

He loves helping others, noting that CONEXPO-CON/AGG is a perfect place to do so and agreeing with Taylor that it’s the best trade show worldwide. They love meeting colleagues from the other side of the globe, but it’s also nice to see friendly faces from the town over. And for Colclough, that’s what it’s all about: people. Authenticity and caring for others is absolutely paramount to him. And with the advent of social media that’s now easier than ever. Scott’s been online for quite a bit now, and he’s seen how online construction content has evolved. TikTok now encourages users to create bite-sized videos instead of the longer form ones that he’s used to. And while that makes jobs like Colclough’s a little harder, he’s still just as passionate about producing content and sharing it with others - something that, thankfully, he plans on continuing to do for a long time to come.

Episode overview:

Scott’s varied construction experience
Making moves for the future of the industry
CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023
Coming up in Alberta’s heavy construction scene
Authenticity and caring for others
Changes in construction content

Quotes:

“So, I've just always been trying to find a way to help teach people about construction and inspire people, like yourself”

“I'm just trying to pass down knowledge.”

“You know how to operate on a construction site and you also know how to do the multimedia side of it. That is such a niche that I think people don't understand.”

“I think what's so cool about a CONEXPO is that you realize how much of a small world it is when you go down there and you see somebody from one town over.”

“It's like all the cool stuff that you see on people's Instagram but in person.”

“What happens is I have ideas. I work towards it. If it fails, I pick the next one. It's just this constant moving ahead trying to succeed at things and build.”

“So, yes, we used to make sick edits with tons of production time going into it. Now they've changed everything to compete with TikTok so it's all now the short base stuff.”

“It's really hard to teach people or connect with people with a short little clip.”

“Yeah, that's what we are, rough and tough blue collar, right? So, going from that to electric with no noise. I don't know. It kind of kills the whole vibe for the thing.”

Links: