Blue Collar Business Podcast

Sy Kirby
  • 4.7 (18)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Welcome to the Blue Collar Business Podcast with Sy Kirby. Dive deep into the world of hands-on entrepreneurship and the gritty side of making things happen. Join us for actionable tips on scaling your blue-collar business, managing teams, and staying ahead in an ever-evolving market. We'll also discuss the latest industry trends and innovations that could impact your bottom line. If you're passionate about the blue-collar world and eager to learn from those who've thrived in it, this podcast is a must-listen. Stay tuned for engaging conversations and real-world advice that can take your blue-collar business to new heights.

  1. 3D AGO

    Ep. 62 – Visibility Wins: Make the Invisible, Visible

    Hard work shouldn’t feel like guesswork. Sy sits down with Zach Estes, founder of Lean Dirt, to unpack a simple, battle-tested way to run civil construction with less chaos and more clarity. We get straight into the 2-3-4 framework, two systems, three actions, four routines, that turns hidden information into visible standards and transforms accountability from a speech into a system. We start by reframing value vs waste and why civil construction is real value creation, then zoom into the tools that make teams faster: a single home for project information, a clean action system that leaders actually use, and “success statements” that define outcomes for every role. Zach shows how to rate performance green, yellow, or red without micromanaging, how to write standards people can follow, and how daily logs close the loop with estimating so bids reflect real production, not wishful numbers. Sy shares field-tested wins and misses, from switching software to the cost of a gas line strike, and how transparency with crews creates buy-in when margins are thin. We also explore practical tech that pays off immediately. A basic to‑do app beats a notebook for capture, organization, and review. AI becomes a pocket coach for routes, checklists, calculations, and training scripts. And “mise en place” applies to project data as much as tools: everything in its place, accessible in one spot. The thread running through it all is purpose: clarify why you wake up, put it where you’ll see it, and then make the plan, the numbers, and the tasks just as visible. That’s how you move from firefighting to forward motion. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a teammate, and leave a quick review so more builders find it. Got a question or a guest you want on the mic? Drop us a note at bluecollarbusinesspodcast.com and let’s tackle it together. Blue Collar Performance MarketingClick the link above for a free marketing audit with insights to boost your blue collar business!ThumbtackStop spending all your time searching for weak leads. Book your personalized strategy session today!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Follow and stay connected: Website: bluecollarbusinesspodcast.com YouTube: youtube.com/@BlueCollarBusinessPodcast Instagram: @bluecollarbusinesspodcast TikTok: @bluecollarbusinesspod Facebook: Blue Collar Business Podcast LinkedIn: Blue Collar Business Podcast Never miss an update—follow, subscribe, and join the conversation!

    1h 3m

  2. OCT 29

    Ep. 61 - Digging Digital Trenches

    Think your marketing problem needs more ad spend? Luke Eggebraaten argues it needs a better foundation. We dig into the exact steps excavation and utility contractors can take to get found, get picked, and get paid, without wasting cash on “magic” lead promises. Luke shares how he went from broad small-business marketing to serving the dirt world exclusively, why that focus matters, and how his team helps crews build a digital presence that matches the quality of their work in the ground. We walk through the essentials: claim and optimize your Google Business Profile, build clear service pages that answer real questions, and make reviews a habit after every job. Then tie it together with short, authentic posts across Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and, don’t skip this, your Google Business updates. You’ll learn how Google evaluates authority, relevancy, and user experience in an AI-first world, and why strong content beats keyword tricks every time. Luke also tackles the biggest money pit he sees: paid ads without an operational or digital base. His rule of thumb is simple: build the fire, then add fuel. This conversation goes beyond lead flow. We show how the same funnel that wins jobs also attracts better people: awareness of your culture, consideration on a clean careers page, conversion with a quick application. When you keep marketing during busy seasons, you flatten peaks and valleys and gain leverage to choose better clients and projects. Along the way, we swap practical tactics for consistent posting, talk through partner red flags, and share mindset tools, priorities, gratitude, and patience that keep owners from burning out. If you’re ready to replace guesswork with a grounded plan, hit play and take notes. Then subscribe, leave a review, and share this with a contractor who needs a real marketing reset. ThumbtackStop spending all your time searching for weak leads. Book your personalized strategy session today!Blue Collar Performance MarketingClick the link above for a free marketing audit with insights to boost your blue collar business!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Follow and stay connected: Website: bluecollarbusinesspodcast.com YouTube: youtube.com/@BlueCollarBusinessPodcast Instagram: @bluecollarbusinesspodcast TikTok: @bluecollarbusinesspod Facebook: Blue Collar Business Podcast LinkedIn: Blue Collar Business Podcast Never miss an update—follow, subscribe, and join the conversation!

    1h 11m

  3. OCT 22

    Ep. 60 - From Machines to Mentorship

    Payroll panic, pricing doubts, and the pull of the machine, if you’ve ever felt that tug-of-war, you’ll feel seen here. We sit down with John to unpack how Dirt to Dollars grew from hard questions in the field into a coaching program grounded in reality, not buzzwords. He explains why context matters more than clichés, how to price for risk without flinching, and the simple shifts that move a crew from chaos to consistent wins. We get specific about the owner’s turning point: stepping out of the cab to lead with clarity. John’s skydiving story nails the instinct we all fight, grabbing the “pilot’s chair” when the real job is to jump. We walk through what working on the business actually looks like: forecasting pipeline, tightening service mix, compressing geography, coaching foremen on plan-first execution, and measuring jobs with honest cost data. You’ll hear a standout success story from Gabe, who dropped maintenance, specialized in hardscape, focused on density, and grew average ticket to $25–30K by aligning operations with strategy. We also pull back the curtain on scaling media. With a dedicated content lead, John built a system for filming, editing, posting, and analyzing what actually sticks. It’s not vanity; it’s a growth engine for SEO, hiring, lead quality, and community trust. And when the world broke after Hurricane Helene, that community fueled service over profit, fuel runs, radios, no power, and months of grit helping neighbors rebuild. A year later, the impact is still visible, and the lesson is clear: healthy businesses can say yes when it counts most. If you’re stuck in the mud, mentally, financially, operationally, this conversation gives you a practical path out: narrow your services, price with courage, empower your people, and commit to consistent action. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs it, and drop a comment with the one move you’ll make this week. Your team and your future self will thank you. ThumbtackStop spending all your time searching for weak leads. Book your personalized strategy session today!Blue Collar Performance MarketingClick the link above for a free marketing audit with insights to boost your blue collar business!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Follow and stay connected: Website: bluecollarbusinesspodcast.com YouTube: youtube.com/@BlueCollarBusinessPodcast Instagram: @bluecollarbusinesspodcast TikTok: @bluecollarbusinesspod Facebook: Blue Collar Business Podcast LinkedIn: Blue Collar Business Podcast Never miss an update—follow, subscribe, and join the conversation!

    45 min

  4. OCT 15

    Ep. 59 - Big Jobs, Bigger Mistakes: What They Don’t Teach in Construction

    Ever wonder why some blue-collar businesses look huge online yet struggle to keep cash in the bank? We dig into the real story behind sustainable growth with John Seaman of JC Property Professionals, how a kid raised on job sites built a company across trees, clearing, and grading, then made the tough call to walk away from custom home headaches and lean into dirt work where the math made sense. Along the way, we unpack the gear debate that quietly bankrupts operators: new machines with warranty and loaners vs. old iron and unpredictable downtime. John explains the hidden costs of diagnostics, idle crews, and client trust, and why protecting production is the most profitable decision you can make. We get tactical on residential psychology and boundary-setting. Clear contracts, explicit notes, and pre-wired clauses for HOAs, stoppages, and changes prevent “death by favors.” John shares the exact mindset he gives his crews to stop scope creep at the first ask and keep control of the job. We contrast residential and commercial with honesty: engineers can freeze a project and make you look bad, while residential puts you face-to-face with the decision maker. The key is picking a lane that fits your temperament, team, and margins, then ignoring the vanity pressure to chase “big job” optics. If you’re tired of pricing by gut and reconciling losses at month’s end, this conversation shows how to job cost in real time, close the loop between estimating and field performance, and build SOPs that protect profit. We also cover the go/no-go matrix for filtering red-flag clients, why quality finishes are your strongest referral engine, and how to think about lead gen only after you truly know your overhead. No fluff, just the unfiltered playbook for uptime, scope control, and margins that stack. If this helps your business, follow the show, share it with a crew leader who needs the nudge, and leave a quick review so we can reach more blue-collar owners who want results, not buzzwords. ThumbtackStop spending all your time searching for weak leads. Book your personalized strategy session today!Blue Collar Performance MarketingClick the link above for a free marketing audit with insights to boost your blue collar business!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Follow and stay connected: Website: bluecollarbusinesspodcast.com YouTube: youtube.com/@BlueCollarBusinessPodcast Instagram: @bluecollarbusinesspodcast TikTok: @bluecollarbusinesspod Facebook: Blue Collar Business Podcast LinkedIn: Blue Collar Business Podcast Never miss an update—follow, subscribe, and join the conversation!

    58 min

  5. OCT 8

    Ep. 58 - How GCs Win With Subs

    Tired of hard-bid chaos and the “race to the bottom” that leaves everyone exhausted and underpaid? We sit down with Dylan Ream, regional manager at ARCO, to unpack how design-build flips the incentives so subs can profit, owners get clarity, and schedules stop bleeding. Dylan’s path, engineering grad to field-heavy project engineer to design-build PM, reveals why real-world problem solving beats perfect paper and how continuity from kickoff to closeout (“cradle to key”) saves owners from painful handoffs. We pull back the curtain on performance-based specs, true value engineering, and the simple shift that speeds decisions: call the installer first. When a switchgear delay threatened a delivery by eight months, the team tapped the electrician for solutions, checked code, and brought the engineer options instead of open-ended problems. That solution-first mindset runs throughout the conversation—subs are treated as experts, not line items. We also talk culture you can feel on site: core values that stick, superintendents empowered to enforce safety with anyone, and ongoing training that keeps PMs and supers aligned when markets get choppy. Dylan shares the 83‑day downtown build that shaped his leadership and the question that changes everything in a crunch: “What do you need?” We get candid about go/no-go discipline, choosing owners who value collaboration, and guiding design early to avoid deep utilities, long lead traps, and spec dead-ends. For the tradesperson who’s curious but burnt out, there’s practical encouragement: ask better whys, learn across disciplines, and don’t be afraid of a smart leap, your best work may be on the other side of a different delivery model. If this conversation helps you think differently about teaming with GCs, share it with a crew mate, hit follow, and leave a quick review so more builders can find it. Got a story where field knowledge saved a job? Tell us, we might feature it next. ThumbtackStop spending all your time searching for weak leads. Book your personalized strategy session today!Blue Collar Performance MarketingClick the link above for a free marketing audit with insights to boost your blue collar business!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Follow and stay connected: Website: bluecollarbusinesspodcast.com YouTube: youtube.com/@BlueCollarBusinessPodcast Instagram: @bluecollarbusinesspodcast TikTok: @bluecollarbusinesspod Facebook: Blue Collar Business Podcast LinkedIn: Blue Collar Business Podcast Never miss an update—follow, subscribe, and join the conversation!

    1h 8m

  6. OCT 1

    Ep. 57 - Solving Equipment Chaos, One Part at a Time

    Sam Light, owner of Lighthouse Machinery and a 25-year veteran of the heavy equipment industry, takes us behind the scenes of a market in transformation. With experience running dealerships across multiple states, Sam brings unparalleled insight into why he left the corporate world to create something that genuinely serves customers rather than shareholders. The conversation reveals how the construction equipment industry has fundamentally changed over the last two decades. Experienced professionals with deep parts and equipment knowledge are retiring, while dealership networks increasingly departmentalize, preventing essential cross-training. When COVID hit, these structural weaknesses were catastrophically exposed, creating an opportunity for Sam to build a business addressing these gaps. What makes Lighthouse Machinery truly unique is its approach to the parts business, creating a comprehensive database of parts availability across the continental US and becoming a crucial resource for the very dealerships they might appear to compete with. Sam shares how 60-70% of their parts business comes from dealers themselves, who often lack the experience or resources to source aftermarket solutions. The discussion takes a fascinating turn when Sam details how restrictive dealership territories and proprietary diagnostic software are effectively holding equipment owners hostage. With service rates hitting $200/hour for often untrained technicians, the industry is ripe for disruption. Sam explains how recent tariff increases, sometimes jumping from 35% to over 100% overnight, are adding another layer of complexity to equipment procurement. Whether you're managing a construction fleet, working within the dealership network, or simply fascinated by the mechanics of a changing industry, this episode provides a masterclass in identifying systemic problems and creating innovative solutions. Sam's parting wisdom for blue-collar workers feeling stuck will leave you inspired to push beyond artificial limitations. ThumbtackStop spending all your time searching for weak leads. Book your personalized strategy session today!Blue Collar Performance MarketingClick the link above for a free marketing audit with insights to boost your blue collar business!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Follow and stay connected: Website: bluecollarbusinesspodcast.com YouTube: youtube.com/@BlueCollarBusinessPodcast Instagram: @bluecollarbusinesspodcast TikTok: @bluecollarbusinesspod Facebook: Blue Collar Business Podcast LinkedIn: Blue Collar Business Podcast Never miss an update—follow, subscribe, and join the conversation!

    59 min

  7. SEP 24

    Ep. 56 - Get Heavy Machines Repaired Without Dealer Delays

    What happens when skilled mechanics break free from the dealership model? A revolution in equipment service that's changing the construction industry. Alex Kraft spent 16 years watching the same problems plague heavy equipment service: weeks-long backlogs, poor communication, frustrated customers, and skilled technicians earning a fraction of what dealerships bill for their labor. Instead of accepting the status quo, he created Heave, an on-demand platform connecting equipment owners directly with skilled technicians. The brilliance of Heave lies in its simplicity. When your excavator or dozer breaks down, you upload photos and details to the app. Available technicians in your area respond with their rates, experience, and estimated arrival times. You choose who comes based on reviews, expertise, and pricing. No more calling dealerships repeatedly for updates; you communicate directly with the person who'll fix your machine. What truly sets Heave apart is its impact on technicians' livelihoods. While dealers typically pay mechanics $25-28/hour while billing customers $200+, Heave's independent technicians set their own rates and keep most of what they earn. Many are on track to make over $200,000 annually, creating a career path that could help solve the skilled trades shortage. Since launching in 2020, Heave has expanded to serve customers in over 30 states, fixed more than 100 equipment brands, and recently secured $7 million in Series A funding. Their success proves that when you solve a real problem in the blue-collar world, growth follows. Ready to stop waiting weeks for equipment repairs? Download the Heave app or visit heaveapp.com today and experience what the future of heavy equipment service looks like. ThumbtackStop spending all your time searching for weak leads. Book your personalized strategy session today!Blue Collar Performance MarketingClick the link above for a free marketing audit with insights to boost your blue collar business!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Follow and stay connected: Website: bluecollarbusinesspodcast.com YouTube: youtube.com/@BlueCollarBusinessPodcast Instagram: @bluecollarbusinesspodcast TikTok: @bluecollarbusinesspod Facebook: Blue Collar Business Podcast LinkedIn: Blue Collar Business Podcast Never miss an update—follow, subscribe, and join the conversation!

    1h 2m

  8. SEP 17

    Ep. 55 - Fixing Financial Blind Spots in Construction

    Ever wondered why your profitable projects aren't reflected in your bank account? The answer lies in construction financial management, specifically, the disconnect between traditional accounting software and the unique needs of contractors. In this revealing conversation, Sy Kirby speaks with Caleb Smith, Co-Founder and President of ControlQore, about the financial visibility gap plaguing blue-collar businesses. Caleb, whose team combines construction experience with software expertise, explains how their platform was born from frustration with QuickBooks and the cumbersome patchwork of spreadsheets contractors typically rely on. "We were hitting this wall of challenge around having visibility and control over our project financials," Smith shares, describing the pain point that drove ControlQore's creation. The solution? A comprehensive financial platform built specifically for contractors that connects every transaction to specific projects and cost codes. What sets ControlQore apart isn't just the software itself, but their approach to implementation. Unlike other platforms that provide minimal onboarding and then leave users to figure things out, ControlQore's CEO personally oversees customer implementation. This hands-on approach helps contractors overcome the typical hurdles of adopting new technology while running daily operations. The most compelling takeaway comes when discussing real-time job costing. As Sy points out, knowing you're losing money on manholes at installation #2 rather than #20 can be the difference between salvaging profitability and watching margins disappear. This visibility allows contractors to make corrections while there's still time to impact outcomes. Whether you're a general contractor managing multiple trades or a specialty subcontractor focused on a specific craft, ControlQore offers adaptability without sacrificing power. The result? Owners report gaining back 20+ hours weekly while increasing net profit, time, and money that can be reinvested in growth or simply enjoying the fruits of your labor. ThumbtackStop spending all your time searching for weak leads. Book your personalized strategy session today!Blue Collar Performance MarketingClick the link above for a free marketing audit with insights to boost your blue collar business!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Follow and stay connected: Website: bluecollarbusinesspodcast.com YouTube: youtube.com/@BlueCollarBusinessPodcast Instagram: @bluecollarbusinesspodcast TikTok: @bluecollarbusinesspod Facebook: Blue Collar Business Podcast LinkedIn: Blue Collar Business Podcast Never miss an update—follow, subscribe, and join the conversation!

    58 min
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4.7
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Blue Collar Business Podcast with Sy Kirby. Dive deep into the world of hands-on entrepreneurship and the gritty side of making things happen. Join us for actionable tips on scaling your blue-collar business, managing teams, and staying ahead in an ever-evolving market. We'll also discuss the latest industry trends and innovations that could impact your bottom line. If you're passionate about the blue-collar world and eager to learn from those who've thrived in it, this podcast is a must-listen. Stay tuned for engaging conversations and real-world advice that can take your blue-collar business to new heights.

Information

  • Creator
    Sy Kirby
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    62
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Blue Collar Business Podcast
  • Show Website
    Blue Collar Business Podcast

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