The Critical Path Podcast

Brad Bachand
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  • Self-Improvement

The Critical Path Podcast, powered by C-Square, Big ideas start with great conversations. Hear fresh perspectives, lessons learned, and stories from those who’ve navigated the challenges of building something bigger. Each episode brings insights to help you grow your business, exceed your goals, and expand your empire. This podcast is for entrepreneurs, business owners, and ambitious thinkers who know there’s always more to learn. Whether you’re shaping your first idea, growing an established business, or figuring out your next move, these conversations offer new perspectives to help you move forward with confidence. Your next big move could start with something you hear. Join us as we ask questions, share experiences, and explore what’s possible—one conversation at a time.

Episodes

  1. Nov 1

    BUILDING A REPUTATION THAT LASTS WITH BOB CARMACK ON THE CRITICAL PATH PODCAST

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! What does it take to build a contracting business that customers still recommend decades later? Bob Carmack of Carmack’s Quality Aluminum joins The Critical Path Podcast to share lessons from 38 years in business: master one trade, protect your standards, treat your employees well, and build a reputation that keeps the phone ringing. Bob talks about growing an aluminum construction company, specializing in pool cages and screen enclosures, personally training his crews, and refusing shortcuts. He explains how a retiring contractor helped him get established, why some talented installers struggle as business owners, and what he learned from reaching burnout and taking a year off with his daughter. The conversation also takes a remarkable personal turn as Bob recounts surviving a lightning strike in 1991, his memories of emergency treatment, and the role of faith and family in his recovery. He reflects on commercial fishing, the 2010 oil spill, saving and building income-producing assets, and why he now wants more time with his wife and grandchildren. For contractors, tradespeople, and small business owners, this episode offers a candid look at craftsmanship, employee retention, customer referrals, entrepreneurship, and the meaning of success beyond work. What lesson from Bob’s story will you take into your own business? Share it in the comments, and subscribe to The Critical Path Podcast for more conversations with people building businesses and lives in the trades. 00:00 Introducing Bob Carmack and his decades in aluminum construction 01:50 His father’s advice: master one trade 05:11 Burnout, a growing crew, and two different ways to sell 07:31 Taking a year off, family time, and starting again 10:29 Keeping employees through respect, pay, and hands-on training 11:58 Quality standards and recognizing your own workmanship 13:59 Training future competitors and setting crews up to win 16:49 Hands-on training and enforcing standards against shortcuts 19:30 Word-of-mouth referrals that last decades 20:43 The day Bob was struck by lightning 23:25 Getting to the hospital and emergency treatment 25:03 Bob’s recollection of resuscitation and wanting to live 28:47 Recovery, follow-up care, and faith 32:07 Hair changes after the strike 33:56 How surviving changed his priorities 35:27 Starting his own business and believing in himself 37:20 His father’s advice and learning to listen 39:16 A hard first year and a mentor’s help 41:24 Growth, developer work, and reaching capacity 43:13 Investing in yourself without losing focus 44:37 Shrimp boats, charter fishing, and commercial grouper 48:18 The oil spill and leaving the fishing business 50:24 Taking a break and spending time with family 51:12 Returning to aluminum work through reputation and integrity 52:54 Plans for the future 55:17 His father’s saving advice and income-producing assets 57:09 Working toward freedom and enjoying life 58:16 The possibility of selling the business 59:40 Thank you and closing

    BUILDING A REPUTATION THAT LASTS WITH BOB CARMACK ON THE CRITICAL PATH PODCAST

  2. Oct 26

    WHO’S PROTECTING THE CONTRACTOR? WITH LEE BURNS

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! Contractors get reviewed everywhere. Lee Burns wants them to have a voice, too. On The Critical Path Podcast, Lee joins Brad to share the story behind C-Square (Contractor Square) and why construction business owners need a place to connect, share knowledge, and review the customers they work for. From unpaid invoices and difficult clients to underbidding and the challenge of finding reliable subcontractors, Lee and Brad discuss the problems that can hold a construction business back. Lee explains how C-Square grew from real contractor experiences into a community built around one mission: connecting and protecting contractors. In this episode: • Why contractors need customer reviews, including zero-star ratings • The real stories that inspired C-Square • Why helping other contractors can make more sense than tearing them down • Pricing questions, underbidding, and sharing business knowledge • Construction calculators, community feedback, and ideas for a future GC/subcontractor marketplace • The value of skilled trades and the administrative work behind every successful project Whether you’re a general contractor, subcontractor, remodeler, or construction business owner, this conversation explores what becomes possible when contractors stop working in isolation and start helping each other. Learn more about C-Square: https://csquare.app/ LeeBurnsGames.com 00:00 Introducing Lee Burns and C-Square 00:51 Why helping people drives Lee’s work 02:58 How Lee and Brad connected and became partners 05:33 How unpaid jobs and homeowner warnings inspired C-Square 10:03 Researching the need for a contractor community 12:49 Jokes, showcasing work, finding subs, and a marketplace 14:44 The mission and Lee’s decision to lead the company 17:45 The value of contractors: turning jobsite disorder into a home 21:57 A town square for contractors and customer ratings 22:56 Brad’s unpaid $28,000 invoice and first zero-star review 26:19 Review concerns, retaliation, and positive customer reviews 28:38 Why Brad joined C-Square and chose the family business 31:13 The struggle to turn hard work into a stronger business 34:05 Why contractors stay small and compete against one another 37:28 Joining forces and building the contractor community 40:40 How customer information reduces uncertainty 43:44 Pricing questions and a possible market-rate channel 46:40 Undercutting, new contractors, and sharing what jobs really cost 48:36 Competition, scarcity, and helping other contractors 50:24 Mike Rowe, the trades shortage, and the industry’s future 53:11 Why Lee still loves hands-on construction work 54:10 Calculators, feature ideas, development costs, and feedback 56:06 The proposed GC/subcontractor job marketplace 59:10 Construction’s administrative bottlenecks 1:00:15 Regional availability, the waitlist, and rollout plans 1:01:18 The team’s strengths and childhood construction memories 1:03:14 Where to find C-Square and closing thanks #tools #socialmediamarketing #business

    WHO’S PROTECTING THE CONTRACTOR? WITH LEE BURNS

  3. Oct 16

    GREAT WORK ISN’T ENOUGH WITH ALEX SIMON ON THE CRITICAL PATH PODCAST

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! Great construction work doesn’t automatically build a profitable business. Alex Simon of Simon Remodeling and Construction joins Brad on The Critical Path Podcast to discuss what it takes to grow from a solo contractor into an owner-operator with a team. Alex shares the lessons behind his growth: hiring reliable subcontractors, pricing remodeling projects, attracting customers through social media, and understanding the real costs of running a construction company. From a $500 job that led to three whole-house remodels to a subcontractor mistake that cost him tens of thousands, he explains what worked—and what he learned the hard way. In this episode, we discuss: - Contractor pricing, markup, gross margin, and net profit - Construction marketing that builds trust and brings leads - Managing subcontractors and customer expectations - Why you shouldn’t judge a customer’s budget by appearances - Taking off the tool belt and building a business beyond your own labor If you’re a general contractor, remodeler, or construction business owner working toward your next stage of growth, this conversation offers practical lessons from someone making that transition. Website: Simonrc.com Email: asimon@simonrc.com IG: @Simon.Remodel YT: @Simon.Remodel #business #businessgrowth #businessnews Chapters: 00:00 Introducing Alex Simon 00:42 Alex’s first construction job and path into real estate 02:33 From doing every trade to using subcontractors 06:04 Moving to Florida and losing a job during COVID 09:27 House-flipping profits, the 2008 crash, and mattress sales 13:19 Cold calling and the voicemail that got callbacks 15:42 A detour into chocolate, MrBeast, and philanthropy 17:49 Why Alex wants to build and hold fourplexes 19:28 Apartment appraisals and wild property inspections 22:45 How the 2008 market shaped Alex’s investment decisions 23:29 The $500 job that led to three full remodels 25:48 Don’t prejudge a lead or a customer’s budget 27:57 Content that builds trust and ads that bring calls 31:25 Google reviews, missed appointments, and follow-up 33:34 Customer service, credibility, and construction content 36:04 Flood-driven growth and a costly subcontractor mistake 4 0:27 Trusted subs, homeowner expectations, and discounting 43:04 An after-hours customer complaint over hot water 44:09 Rating homeowners and comparing contractor pricing 46:15 Learning what other contractors charge for bathrooms 47:10 The real costs of running a construction business 48:13 Four stages of growth, markup, and net profit 51:15 What helped Alex take off the tool belt 52:29 Advertise for the projects you actually want 53:29 Physical limits and a future beyond doing the labor 54:17 Undercharging, family, and pricing every role 56:14 Choosing profitable work and moving into higher-end projects 58:17 Closing advice: visibility, reviews, and networking

    GREAT WORK ISN’T ENOUGH WITH ALEX SIMON ON THE CRITICAL PATH PODCAST

  4. Oct 16

    Inside look on growing a construction business with Arturo Lopez

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! Want to grow your construction business, win more repeat customers, and build a reliable subcontractor team? In this episode of The Critical Path Podcast, Brad from Home Love Construction sits down with Arturo Lopez of Remart Construction to discuss contractor business growth, client communication, referrals, and running a remodeling company. From civil engineering in Venezuela to building a family construction business in Orlando, Arturo shares how trust and responsiveness keep homeowners coming back. Brad and Arturo compare employees vs. subcontractors, discuss job costs and pricing, and explain why choosing the right crew matters more than rushing a project. This conversation is for general contractors, remodeling contractors, construction company owners, and small business owners who want to improve customer retention, strengthen contractor sales, understand their numbers, and build a business that lasts. You'll also hear about networking through pickleball and padel, AI and contractor software, custom homebuilding, HVAC and moisture control, and their views on construction labor shortages and future opportunities. Subscribe to The Critical Path Podcast for conversations about construction business management, entrepreneurship, and growing a contractor business. What's your biggest challenge right now: finding reliable subcontractors, winning clients, or protecting your profit? Tell us in the comments. CHAPTERS 00:00 Meet Arturo Lopez of Remart Construction 02:25 From Civil Engineering to Starting a Construction Business 05:28 Managing People, Clients and Expectations 06:54 Why Construction Expertise Builds Customer Confidence 09:47 How Communication Wins Repeat Customers 12:13 Building a Brand and a Family Legacy 14:29 Why Arturo Moved from Venezuela to the United States 16:10 Life Outside Work and Reconnecting with Angela 17:48 Pickleball and Padel: Networking for Referrals 19:36 Employees vs. Subcontractors: Costs, Quality and Profit 25:13 Managing Subcontractors and Choosing the Right Crew 28:15 The Vision for Custom Homes 29:21 HVAC, Humidity and Moisture Control in Florida 33:09 AI and Software for Construction Business Owners 34:44 Construction Labor Shortages and Future Opportunities 38:37 Advice for New Contractors: Know Your Numbers and Sell 40:04 Investing in Growth and Overcoming Fear #podcast #construction #homeimprovement

    Inside look on growing a construction business with Arturo Lopez

  5. Oct 6

    From $12 an Hour to $17 Million in Construction Sales | Evan Friend

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! From earning $12 an hour at a bait shop to closing millions in construction sales—Evan Friend shares how he built his career, what happened when he walked away, and why he returned. In this episode of the Critical Path Podcast, Brad sits down with Evan, who leads sales and marketing at Home Love Construction, for an honest conversation about learning the construction industry, building referral relationships, and turning individual success into a stronger team. They discuss the costly lessons of starting a business, how owners can bring back a top performer, and their expansion into dumpster rentals through Dumpzilla. Whether you’re a contractor growing your company, a homeowner curious about the people behind your project, or a future homebuyer considering renovations, this episode offers a look inside the business side of construction. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in construction or business? Share it in the comments, and subscribe for more conversations with people in the industry. CHAPTERS 00:00 Meet Evan Friend of Home Love Construction 01:04 What Did Evan Do Before Construction? 02:50 DoorDash, College, and Making Ends Meet 04:44 Landing a $12-an-Hour Bait Shop Job 07:18 Learning to Help Customers When You’re New 08:44 Fishing Stories and the Half-Inch Circle Hook 10:44 How Brad and Evan First Connected 12:00 Finding a Career After College 13:35 The Construction Sales Interview That Went Wrong 16:55 Taking the Job—and Almost Giving Up 19:00 Committing to Construction Sales 20:26 How Did He Earn More While Working Less? 21:34 Building Relationships That Bring Referrals 23:44 Why Leave a Successful Construction Career? 24:40 Giving Back: Donating $200,000 at 24 25:22 Leaving the Job—and Money on the Table 26:58 Starting a Business With a Three-Month Runway 28:28 The Cost of Launching a Bottled Water Brand 29:47 Getting Into Stores and Facing Family Responsibilities 31:40 Chasing Investors and Knowing When to Stop 33:18 Finding His Way Back to Construction 34:10 Salesperson vs. Sales Manager: What Changes? 35:12 Passing Successful Sales Methods to the Team 37:40 Bringing a Top Performer Back to Your Company 40:44 Sharing Your Knowledge Before Moving On 41:13 Why Start a Dumpster Business? 43:47 Buying Into a Supplier and Finding an Anchor Client 44:54 Making the Deal and Growing Dumpzilla 46:32 What Makes a Dumpster Business Scalable? 47:16 Custom Construction vs. a Repeatable Service 47:54 How Much Does It Cost to Start? 48:28 Repeat Customers and the Headache of Switching 49:24 Final Thoughts #Business #Sales #podcast #businessowner

  • 5 Episodes

About

The Critical Path Podcast, powered by C-Square, Big ideas start with great conversations. Hear fresh perspectives, lessons learned, and stories from those who’ve navigated the challenges of building something bigger. Each episode brings insights to help you grow your business, exceed your goals, and expand your empire. This podcast is for entrepreneurs, business owners, and ambitious thinkers who know there’s always more to learn. Whether you’re shaping your first idea, growing an established business, or figuring out your next move, these conversations offer new perspectives to help you move forward with confidence. Your next big move could start with something you hear. Join us as we ask questions, share experiences, and explore what’s possible—one conversation at a time.

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