So You Want To Be A Contractor‪?‬ Mike Fisher

Our guest on this episode is Nate Griffin. Nate Griffin is the owner of ExCo Design Build, a design build contractor company. Nate has been fly on the wall at construction site since he was a child. Since those humble beginnings he has evolved into a business owner and consultant.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro Nate Griffin: President of ExCo Design Build and Win Rate Consulting Coach

00:06:00 - Growing up with a front row seat to Construction

00:09:30 - Building a Business

00:12:00 - Subcontracting Everything Out and the Permission He Needed to Do It

00:21:59 - Lead Generation

00:27:00 - The Importance of Building a Strong Network and a Good Business Coach

00:32:30 - The Importance of Knowing Your Numbers in the Construction Business

00:37:35 - Rapid fire


1 resource you can’t do without
1 podcast or book you love
Best advice you’ve received
1 habit that fills you up

00:48:48 - Outro

Our guest on this episode is Corky Silva. Corky Silva is the president of Tech City Builder, a company based in San Jose, California. With over 15 years of experience in the construction industry, Corky recently made the jump into owning his own company by betting on himself.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro

00:02:30 - The origins of Tech City Builder

00:07:30 - From Corporate to Construction Company Owner

00:20:24 - Building a Company Based on Values

00:30:00 - The Reality of Being a Business Owner


The Importance of Being at the Table: A Lesson in Business
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Having a Business Partner

00:40:52 - The Importance of Research in Business

00:44:40 - Learning from Business Failure

00:47:48 - Building a Legacy

00:52:34 - Rapid fire


1 resource you can’t do without
1 podcast or book you love
Best advice you’ve received
1 habit that fills you up

01:03:23 - Outro

Our guest on this episode is Ryan Ekedal of Ekedal Concrete. As the second generation leader of a family business, Ryan brings his diverse background to the business of concrete as he works to create a destination workplace.

00:00 - Intro

00:04:30 - The Ekedal Family: A Legacy in Construction

00:15:00 - The Alpha Mentality in Business

00:18:00 - The Importance of Job Costing and Numbers for Contractors

00:29:26 - The Power of Networking in Business

00:34:29 - The Importance of Staying in Your Lane

00:37:00 - The Importance of Business Coaches and Associations for Contractors

00:41:56 - The Importance of Having a Backup Plan

00:44:58 - The Importance of Employee Recognition in Construction

0:48:22 - Rapid fire


1 resource you can’t do without
1 podcast or book you love
Best advice you’ve received
1 habit that fills you up

00:56:27 - Outro

Ever wonder what it takes to be a contractor? So You Want to be a Contractor, hosted by Mike Fisher & Marisela Arechiga, talks with industry leaders and construction company owners about their journey, how they run their businesses and their craziest stories.

Our guest on this episode is Josh Clauss, the CEO of Clauss Construction. As a large scale demolition company, Clauss has survived 3 economic downturns and they aren’t slowing down any time soon.

00:00 - Intro

0:03:42 - Inheriting a Family Business in Construction: What It's Like and How to Grow Into It

0:14:53 - The Benefits of Hiring a Demolition Company

0:19:16 - The Impact of Mom and Pop Shops on the Construction Industry

0:24:21 - The Benefits and Drawbacks of Going Non-Union for Construction Companies

0:31:26 - The Impact of Social Media on the Workforce

0:38:31 - The Importance of Hiring the Right People for Your Business

0:44:53 - The Impact of Diversification in the Construction Industry: A Case Study

0:55:06 - The Importance of Marketing for Contractors

0:57:13 - Rapid fire


1 resource you can’t do without
1 podcast or book you love
Best advice you’ve received
1 habit that fills you up

01:07:21 - Outro

Our guest on this episode is Jeff Forrest, the President and CEO of Winter Park Construction (WPC). Jeff has the tall task of bringing together different generations of the labor force together. Jeff is leading this 50 year old company with an eye on creating an experience, both for customers and employees.

00:00 - Intro

0:05:08 - the company's history and work in Central Florida

0:09:37 - The Journey of a Carpenter-turned-President.

0:14:05 - The Benefits and Detriments of Working in a Family Business

0:22:34 - Injecting Youth into an Established Business: A Conversation with Mike Rowe

0:31:14 - The WPC Brand: A Different Way of Doing Things

0:34:48 - The Importance of Customer Service in the Construction Industry

0:44:47 - The Importance of Storytelling in Business

0:54:07 - The Benefits of a Methodical Approach to Business

57:23 - Rapid fire


1 resource you can’t do without
1 podcast or book you love
Best advice you’ve received
1 habit that fills you up

01:07:24 - Outro

Our guest on this episode is Salvador Hernandez, the Founder of Pacific Breeze Landscape. Salvador brings a commitment to systems and learning to his experience in the industry. As a 9 year vet of the U.S. Navy, Salvador incorporates military values and a culture of yes to his operation.

00:00 - Intro

02:29 - What is Pacific Breeze Landscaping?


Salvador’s start in the industry
Giving client’s their dream backyard
From military service to entrepreneurship.

08:24 - Exposure to landscaping via working with dad growing up

10:18 - Military benefits and education


Government funded education through masters degree
Using that education to build a business
Learning by saying yes.

19:57 - Incorporating design


Taking community college courses
Incorporating technology into the process

25:00 - Being unafraid to learn

33:30 - Current setup


Marketing and social media
Positioning yourself to get in front of the right client
Finding your niche

43:02 - Hiring a business coach

51:04 - Looking to the future and leaving a legacy

57:06 - Rapid fire


1 resource you can’t do without
1 podcast or book you love
Best advice you’ve received
1 habit that fills you up

01:09:45 - Outro