Jimmy Talks Construction

James Starbuck

Jimmy Talks Construction is an Australian construction podcast focused on real conversations with builders, contractors, tradies, and business owners across the construction industry. Each episode dives into construction business growth, civil construction, earthmoving, excavation, leadership on site, hiring subcontractors, scaling trade businesses, and the real challenges of running a construction company in Australia. From infrastructure projects and heavy machinery to cash flow, management, and lessons learned the hard way, this podcast shares honest insights from people building successful construction businesses from the ground up.

  1. Kapitol Group Founder Andrew Deveson: From $0 to $1.5B Builder in 8 Years

    1d ago

    Kapitol Group Founder Andrew Deveson: From $0 to $1.5B Builder in 8 Years

    In this episode of Jimmy Talks Construction, Jimmy sits down with Andrew Deveson, co-founder and director of Kapitol Group, for one of the biggest conversations we’ve had on the podcast. Andrew shares the full story behind Kapitol Group’s rise — from starting with zero employees, zero revenue, and putting everything on the line, to building one of Australia’s most talked-about construction companies with 550 full-time staff and a projected $1.5 billion in turnover. This conversation goes deep into what actually separates high-performing construction businesses from the rest: customer obsession, losing tenders the right way, managing variations, fixing productivity, dealing with COVID and inflation, controlling waste, building better systems, using data properly, and why AI could completely change the future of construction. Andrew also breaks down the early days of Kapitol, their first $160,000 job, the discipline required to survive during the construction inflation period, why training became mandatory across the business, and why productivity may be the biggest challenge facing the entire industry. This is a must-watch for builders, subcontractors, construction business owners, project managers, engineers, developers, and anyone interested in how a construction company can scale fast without losing sight of quality, culture and execution. Connect with Andrew: 🌐 Website: https://www.kapitol.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kapitolconstruction/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kapitol-groupau/posts/?feedView=all 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-deveson-a76995147/ 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUJjjId5sDGMdo-h3jceq8g Connect with Jimmy: 🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/ Sponsorships + Guest Enquiries: louis@lj-media.com Send in Business Problems: jimmytalksconstruction@gmail.com

    1h 18m
  2. From $600 to 18 Machines: Rhys Cooper’s Story | Cooper Civil

    Jun 23

    From $600 to 18 Machines: Rhys Cooper’s Story | Cooper Civil

    In Episode 52 of Jimmy Talks Construction, Jimmy sits down with Rhys Cooper, Managing Director of Cooper Civil, a southeast Queensland civil excavation business known for GPS excavation, Cat Next Gen gear, late-model machines and high-quality operators. Rhys shares his story from growing up in New Zealand, working in forestry, travelling across Australia operating machinery, spending years in the mines, and eventually starting Cooper Civil with almost nothing behind him. From buying his first excavator to growing into a fleet of machines, Rhys opens up about the highs, lows, pressure and reality of building a civil construction business. This episode gets into the real side of excavation and plant hire: wet hire versus contract work, GPS systems, tilt rotators, Cat gear, pricing pressure, operator quality, tough markets, the Queensland pipeline, and why growing bigger does not always mean making more money. Jimmy and Rhys also talk honestly about success, reputation, mental health, vulnerability in construction, working with good clients, and what young operators need to understand if they want to build a proper career in the industry. If you are in civil construction, excavation, plant hire, GPS machine control, earthmoving, or you are trying to grow a construction business, this episode is packed with real-world lessons. Connect with Rhys: 🌐 Website: https://www.coopercivil.com.au/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coopercivil/?hl=en 💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rhys-cooper-688430164?originalSubdomain=au 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coopercivil.com.au/ Connect with Jimmy: 🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/ Sponsorships + Guest Enquiries: louis@lj-media.com Send in Business Problems: jimmytalksconstruction@gmail.com

    1h 1m
  3. The Construction Margin Trap Killing Builders | Garath Vella

    Jun 16

    The Construction Margin Trap Killing Builders | Garath Vella

    In Episode 51 of Jimmy Talks Construction, Jimmy sits down with Garath Vella from Lorden Vella to talk about the real business of building: margins, risk, hiring, subbies, COVID, cash flow, and what it actually takes to start and grow a construction company in Melbourne. Garath shares his path from plumbing, site supervision and project management into co-founding Lorden Vella during one of the most unstable periods the construction industry has seen. He opens up about starting with no work lined up, navigating COVID, dealing with shut-down businesses, and building a company from the ground up. This episode digs into why builders take on work at low or even negative margins, how subcontractor pricing changed after COVID, why relationships matter more than contracts alone, and why culture, communication and good people can make or break a construction business. They also cover hiring in construction, why resumes don’t always tell the full story, the difference between site-based and tertiary-trained project managers, education and childcare projects, apartment work, government work, and the pressure builders face when the market gets tight. If you’re a builder, subcontractor, project manager, site manager, developer, apprentice, or anyone trying to understand the commercial construction industry, this episode is packed with honest lessons from inside the game. Connect with Garath: 🌐 Website: https://lordenvella.com.au/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lordenvella/?hl=en 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lordenvella/?originalSubdomain=au Connect with Jimmy: 🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/ Sponsorships + Guest Enquiries: louis@lj-media.com Send in Business Problems: jimmytalksconstruction@gmail.com

    1h 19m
  4. Carpentry, Cash Flow & Rebuilding After Losing $1M | Joel Griffs from Heidi Build

    Jun 9

    Carpentry, Cash Flow & Rebuilding After Losing $1M | Joel Griffs from Heidi Build

    In Episode 50 of Jimmy Talks Construction, Jimmy sits down with Joel Griffs from Heidi Build for a brutally honest conversation about carpentry, construction business, insurance work, and why scaling isn’t always the answer. Joel shares how Heidi Build has carved out its place by taking on custom carpentry, structural steel, excavation, concreting and insurance repair work, rather than following the usual online advice to “niche down” or remove yourself from the business. The conversation covers the reality of running a trade business in Australia, why margins are getting tighter, how equipment costs have changed, and why simply answering the phone and doing what you say you’ll do is still one of the strongest business models in construction. Joel also opens up about losing more than $1 million after COVID through fixed-price building contracts, price escalations, labour shortages and cash flow pressure. He explains how he rebuilt from the ground up, starting with a $180 insurance job, and why cost control, reputation and long-term relationships matter more than ego, awards or Instagram-perfect projects. This episode also dives into Japanese carpentry, craftsmanship, old-school building skills, apprenticeships, motorsport, property investing, and the difference between looking successful online and actually running a profitable construction business. If you’re a builder, carpenter, subcontractor, tradie, construction business owner or anyone trying to grow a business in the Australian construction industry, this episode is packed with real-world lessons. Connect with Joel: 🌐 Website: https://www.heidibuild.com.au/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joel_heidibuild/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heidibuild/ Connect with Jimmy: 🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/ Sponsorships + Guest Enquiries: louis@lj-media.com Send in Business Problems: jimmytalksconstruction@gmail.com

    1h 10m
  5. Mitchell Stokoe (Founder of Slimline Excavations) | Jimmy Talks Construction

    Jun 2

    Mitchell Stokoe (Founder of Slimline Excavations) | Jimmy Talks Construction

    Jimmy sits down with Mitch from Slimline Excavations to talk about leaving underground coal mining, buying a 1.7T digger and building an excavation business. They cover coal mining, subdivisions, mountain bike trail projects, helicopters in construction, training operators, hiring the right crew, pricing mistakes, business mentors and why you cannot be half-in when running a construction company. Sponsorships + Guest Enquiries: louis@lj-media.com Send in Business Problems: jimmytalksconstruction@gmail.com Connect with Mitch: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slimline_excavations/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/slimlineexcavatins/ Connect with Jimmy: 🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/

    58 min
  6. Nash, Stelo, and Jesse (Arrow Civil) | Jimmy Talks Construction

    May 26

    Nash, Stelo, and Jesse (Arrow Civil) | Jimmy Talks Construction

    In Episode 48 of Jimmy Talks Construction, Jimmy sits down with the three directors of Arrow Civil to talk about starting a new civil construction company in Melbourne, leaving a major contractor the right way, building a business with integrity, and backing yourself in a tough market. A great episode for anyone in civil construction, earthmoving, subdivisions, infrastructure, project management, estimating, subcontracting or anyone thinking about starting their own construction business. Connect with Arrow Civil: 🌐 Website: https://arrow-civil.com.au/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arrow-civil/?originalSubdomain=au 💼 Nash: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nash-conhyedoss-17a7ba37/ 💼 Jesse: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-deas-0850b7166/ 💼 Stelo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stelios-gunella-370834356/ Connect with Jimmy: 🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/ Sponsorships + Guest Enquiries: louis@lj-media.com Send in Business Problems: jimmytalksconstruction@gmail.com

    1h 8m
  7. Daniel Alizzi (Operations Manager at Complex Facade Install) | Jimmy Talks Construction

    May 19

    Daniel Alizzi (Operations Manager at Complex Facade Install) | Jimmy Talks Construction

    In Episode 47 of Jimmy Talks Construction, James Starbuck sits down with Daniel from Complex Facade to talk high-rise construction, facade installation, scaling a subcontracting business, labour productivity, and the brutal reality of growing from apprentice to operations manager in the tier one construction space. This episode dives into Daniel’s journey from being the boss’s son and a self-described ordinary apprentice, to becoming Operations Manager inside a serious construction business. The conversation covers the pressure of installing glass hundreds of metres in the air, the evolution of prefab facade systems, importing windows from China, labour productivity, rework, site systems, and the brutal lessons that come with growing a construction company. Jimmy and Daniel also unpack one of the biggest challenges in construction business: scaling without losing standards. From family and friends on the tools, to managing 50–100 workers, to knowing your numbers, this episode is packed with practical insight for builders, subcontractors, tradesmen, project managers, and anyone trying to grow a construction business properly. If you are interested in construction business, high-rise construction, facade installation, subcontractor growth, construction leadership, labour productivity, or the reality of running a trades business, this episode is well worth a listen. Daniel’s Podcast | Behind The Facade: https://www.youtube.com/@BehindTheFacadeShow Connect with Daniel: 🌐 Website: https://www.complexfacade.com.au/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complexfacadeinstallptyltd/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-alizzi-867595376/ Connect with Jimmy: 🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/ Sponsorships + Guest Enquiries: louis@lj-media.com Send in Business Problems: jimmytalksconstruction@gmail.com

    1h 11m
  8. Emmanuel Al-Jinavo (Founder of Feed4Ward) | Jimmy Talks Construction

    May 12

    Emmanuel Al-Jinavo (Founder of Feed4Ward) | Jimmy Talks Construction

    James Starbuck sits down with Emmanuel Al-Jinavo, founder of Feed4Ward, for a raw construction business conversation about tradies, subcontractors, cash flow, unpaid invoices, and bad clients in the Australian construction industry. Emmanuel shares his journey from running a plumbing business to building Feed4Ward, a platform designed to help tradesmen review clients, avoid serial non-payers, and protect small trade businesses from cash flow pressure. This construction podcast episode covers late payments, debt collection, 45, 60 and 90-day payment terms, the reality of running a trade business, subcontractor stress, business growth, client relationships, and why getting paid on time is one of the biggest challenges in construction. Connect with Manny: 🌐 Website: https://www.feed4ward.com.au/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feed4wardapp/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Feed4Ward/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/emmanuel-al-jinavo-68658a17b Connect with Jimmy: 🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/

    1 hr
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About

Jimmy Talks Construction is an Australian construction podcast focused on real conversations with builders, contractors, tradies, and business owners across the construction industry. Each episode dives into construction business growth, civil construction, earthmoving, excavation, leadership on site, hiring subcontractors, scaling trade businesses, and the real challenges of running a construction company in Australia. From infrastructure projects and heavy machinery to cash flow, management, and lessons learned the hard way, this podcast shares honest insights from people building successful construction businesses from the ground up.

Information

  • Creator
    James Starbuck
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    59
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © James Starbuck 2025
  • Show Website
    Jimmy Talks Construction

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