The #2 Septic Podcast

Ashley Christian

In the septic industry, what people don’t see is exactly what makes or breaks your bottom line. Beyond the tanks and the trenches lies the business strategies, technical mastery, and hard-won lessons that transform a standard installation into a legacy-building enterprise. The #2 Septic Podcast showcases the faces and expertise driving the industry. Hosted by Ashley Christian, we bridge the gap between technical skill and the business grit required to turn a service call into a scalable success. Whether you’re looking to build trust with your community or uncover the industry secrets your competitors are keeping to themselves, this is your blueprint for septic success.

Episodes

  1. 24/12/2025

    How to STOP Hiring Worthless Workers | Bill Vaughan FnD Piers

    In this episode, Ashley Christian sits down with Bill Vaughan, co-owner of FnD Piers (Fast and Dependable) and co-author of Next Day Helicals. Bill shares his 13-year journey from a 100% drilling-focused contractor to a manufacturing and engineering powerhouse where 80% of revenue now comes from helical products. We dive deep into the "moment of discovery" that saved his business from the struggle of commodity drilling and explore his unconventional, high-accountability philosophy on hiring and training a team that actually adds value to your bottom line. Key Takeaways: The Helical Pivot: Bill explains how moving from traditional casing and straight shaft piers to helicals allowed them to complete jobs in two days that previously took a month, even in poor weather or soil conditions. Escaping the "Race to the Bottom": Why straight shaft drilling is often a commodity with low margins, and how specialized technical expertise like manufacturing your own product can create a massive competitive advantage. The Reality of Partnership: A candid look at the "iron sharpens iron" relationship between Bill and his co-owner, Norman, and how their differing strengths—the "cattle prod" and the "cup of coffee"—drive the business forward. Hiring with Discernment: Bill shares his "non-HR friendly" but practical signs of a worthless worker versus a "quality human" who is simply down on their luck, and why you should never bring someone else's unhealthiness into your organization. The Power of Video Training: How FnD Piers used graphic safety videos (including "squishing a guy's finger off") to virtually eliminate job site accidents. Notable Quotes: "Running a business is like chewing on glass and walking into the abyss at the same time." "If a man can't take care of himself, he can't take care of anybody else." "Nothing's going to teach you to ride the bull like riding the bull."

    53 min

About

In the septic industry, what people don’t see is exactly what makes or breaks your bottom line. Beyond the tanks and the trenches lies the business strategies, technical mastery, and hard-won lessons that transform a standard installation into a legacy-building enterprise. The #2 Septic Podcast showcases the faces and expertise driving the industry. Hosted by Ashley Christian, we bridge the gap between technical skill and the business grit required to turn a service call into a scalable success. Whether you’re looking to build trust with your community or uncover the industry secrets your competitors are keeping to themselves, this is your blueprint for septic success.