Titans of the Trades | Straight-Talk for Scaling Your Construction Business

Ryan Englin
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If you run a construction business and want to scale without burning out or selling out, this is your show. Host Ryan Englin brings you straight-talk episodes packed with real-world tactics, whether it’s a solo deep dive, a conversation with an industry expert, or lessons from the field. No fluff. No theory. Just one solid takeaway every time. Ryan is the CEO of Core Matters, best-selling author of Hire Better People Faster, and creator of the Core Fit Hiring System - a proven framework used by construction companies across the country to build reliable, high-performing teams.

  1. From Truck to Franchise by Building Leaders

    4D AGO

    From Truck to Franchise by Building Leaders

    Plumber. Owner. Franchisor. Brand president. Matt O’Rourke walks us through how he went from a service truck in Metro Detroit to leading Z Plumberz across multiple locations. We dig into the mindset shifts that helped him get out of the field, the systems he built to scale, and why the industry needs to rethink recruiting and training. If you want to build leaders, hire better, and grow a durable business, this episode will get you moving. What you’ll learn: How to “trap” yourself into working on the business.The right way to promote top technicians into leadership.A simple rule for when to add your next truck.Why construction leadership depends on in-house apprenticeship.Marketing moves that beat the yellow pages mindset.How to attract Gen Z with training, mentoring, and modern channels.A practical path to franchising, systems, and culture.Takeaways With Timestamps 00:00 — From plumber to franchisor: Matt’s vision and why thinking bigger changed his career.01:41 — Forced out of the truck: how early hiring “trapped” him into working on the business.02:39 — The franchise spark: a golf course talk with a franchise attorney that shifted his model.03:06 — Always be recruiting: why he spends 30–60 minutes a day finding future leaders.05:38 — Ditch lazy marketing: missing the yellow pages pushed him toward real community building.06:34 — The two-hour rule: if you can’t dispatch in two hours, it is time to add a plumber or a truck.14:19 — Training gaps: why national standards lag, and what he built in-house to fix it.15:54 — Private-sector apprenticeship: why every construction business must own this.20:41 — The first domino: early mornings, time blocks, ride-alongs, and “trust, but verify.”21:39 — Culture beats chaos: lead by example so decisions get made without you.Connect With Matt: Website: https://www.zplumberz.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-o-rourke-a835459/ Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.

    33 min
  2. Construction Leadership That Puts Families First

    FEB 4

    Construction Leadership That Puts Families First

    What does it take to build a 90-person steel erection team that actually wants to come to work? In this episode, Ryan Englin sits down with Scott Sappington, CEO of Pro Steel Erectors, to unpack the construction leadership practices behind three decades of steady growth in Arizona.  Scott shares how a $500 start and two credit cards turned into thousands of projects, why his crews rarely travel, and how firm core values shape daily field decisions. You’ll hear real examples of foreman training, safety standards that actually stick, and a “work to live” policy that keeps families first.  If you lead a construction company and want better retention, stronger foremen, and a people-first culture, this one’s for you. Takeaways 03:39 - Why Scott caps growth to stay local and keep crews home with their families.04:46 - Inside the culture: monthly training and a new foreman program led by Scott.07:33 - Core values at work.09:04 - Hard talks without losing people: the simple way Scott equips leaders.10:00 - Policy by participation: foremen help set the rules they follow.13:42 - The “$5,000 rule”: why Scott lets leaders test ideas and learn fast.16:27 - Treat them like family: how listening builds real loyalty.20:51 - “We work to live”: scheduling limits that protect work-life balance.23:57 - When employees become competitors and why Scott cheers them on.Connect With Scott: Website: https://prosteelerectors.net/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-sappington-4972ab42/ Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.

    30 min
  3. From Craftsman to Franchise Founder

    JAN 28

    From Craftsman to Franchise Founder

    In this episode of Titans of the Trades, Ryan Englin sits down with Caleb Roth, Founder & CEO of Restorative Industries and the soon-to-launch Stain & Seal Experts franchise. Caleb walks you through the real-world journey of scaling a blue-collar service business, integrating products, and systematizing operations so the business no longer needs you. If you’re a trades leader asking, “How do I make my business run without me?” this is your roadmap. You’ll hear: Why Caleb moved from staining fences on weekends to creating his own stain formula.How he reverse-engineered his service into a teachable, repeatable system.The core values that guide hiring, accountability, and culture.What he’s learned about margins, finances, and leadership along the way.The emotional challenge many founders face when stepping back and how to overcome it.Listen in and take notes. This episode is packed with lessons you can apply immediately in your construction or trade business. Takeaways with Time Stamps 2:10 – Caleb’s origin story: starting a side staining business from a fencing background.6:15 – Why he pivoted to making his own stains and how that opened doors.9:30 – The mindset behind vertical integration and controlling quality.13:50 – From six core values down to three. Discovering what truly drives culture.17:45 – How focusing on “values, not behaviors” changed accountability.21:20 – What “Stain & Seal University” is and why it’s more than a conference.22:50 - A surprising lesson many contractors don’t recognize: margin matters.29:00 - The emotional cost when your business no longer needs you and how to navigate it.32:00 – The role of long-term planning when scaling beyond your “do-er” self.Connect With Caleb: Website: https://restorativeindustries.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caleb-roth-00450757/ Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.

    36 min
  4. How 300,000+ Entrepreneurs Got Their Weekends Back

    JAN 21

    How 300,000+ Entrepreneurs Got Their Weekends Back

    Feeling like there’s never enough time in your day? Still running your construction or service business with sticky notes, spreadsheets, and endless phone tag? In this episode of Titans of the Trades, host Ryan Englin sits down with Sam Pillar, CEO of Jobber, a software platform that’s helping over 300,000 home service pros grow and reclaim their time. From that first customer with a lawnmower hanging out the trunk to managing over 10,000 jobs booked through AI receptionists, Jobber is making massive waves in the field service industry. Listen in as Sam shares: The early days of Jobber and the big problem they set out to solve.How AI, automation, and modern tools are changing the game for blue-collar entrepreneurs.The #1 barrier to growth for trades businesses and how to fix it.Why investing in leadership skills matters as much as investing in tools.The emotional toll of “letting go” when your business starts running without you.If you’re a construction or trades leader looking to grow your business without burning out, this episode is a must-listen. Takeaways with Time Stamps 1:30 - Why a small electrical contractor sparked the idea for Jobber.3:15 - The harsh truth: big software companies weren’t built for small business.5:45 – Jobber’s new AI-powered features that help small teams scale faster.7:50 - Real impact: 200,000+ AI receptionist conversations, 10,000+ jobs booked.8:50 – The biggest barrier to growth for small contracting businesses.13:30 – A lawnmower in the trunk to 7 trucks: the $MM story Jobber helped build.16:50 - You don’t have to sacrifice family for business success.20:10 – What happens when the business depends on people you don’t trust yet.24:20 – The mindset shift: From “no one can do it like me” to “they can do it better.”27:30 – Where to find Jobber’s free tools, business graders, and industry insights.Connect With Sam: Website: https://www.getjobber.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sampillar/ Jobber Tools: https://www.getjobber.com/free-tools/ Jobber Blueprint: https://www.getjobber.com/blueprint/ Jobber Home Service Community: https://community.getjobber.com/ Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.

    31 min
  5. Revolutionizing Construction Estimating with AI

    JAN 14

    Revolutionizing Construction Estimating with AI

    If you’ve ever lost a bid, missed a spec, or wished you could clone your best estimator, this episode is for you. In this episode of Titans of the Trades, host Ryan Englin interviews Patrick E. Murphy, Founder & CEO at Togal.AI. Raised in one of Florida’s largest construction companies and a former U.S. Congressman, Patrick brings a fresh perspective to construction’s most persistent challenge: the time-consuming, error-prone estimating process. Now he’s built Togal.AI, a cutting-edge platform that uses AI to automate takeoffs, spot missed scope items, and support junior estimators in bidding more work, more accurately and faster than ever before. In this episode, you’ll learn: What sparked the idea for Togal and why Patrick left politics for construction tech.Why takeoffs are the biggest overhead cost in pre-construction.How AI is helping small contractors compete with the big guys.What AI in construction will look like in 5 years and why it’s closer than you think.Why the next generation of estimators is excited to work with AI (and how to recruit them).Plus, don’t miss Patrick’s exclusive 20% discount offer for Titans of the Trades listeners! Takeaways with Time Stamps 1:05 - Patrick’s journey from family construction to politics and back to construction tech.5:00 - The moment Patrick realized estimating was the biggest cost in pre-con.7:15 - What Togal.AI does: instant, AI-powered takeoffs with 97%+ accuracy.9:20 – Why estimators aren’t going away, but AI makes them more valuable.10:40 - How a small painting contractor used Togal to grow 40%.11:50 – The “Total Chat” feature that saved a painter $250,000 on one job.14:45 - Estimators can now auto-build material assemblies with one click.18:30 – Patrick’s 5-year prediction: full project plans generated from a single prompt.21:00 - Why AI is making estimating attractive to younger generations again.Connect With Patrick: Website: https://www.togal.ai/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-e-murphy-79318832b/ Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.

    33 min
  6. Scaling to $2M With Checklists that Actually Work

    JAN 7

    Scaling to $2M With Checklists that Actually Work

    Owner–operator Cory Byron of Vancity Electric shares how a small electrical contractor can grow to a highly systemized $2M business without chaos. We cover building a tech stack that fits the trades, creating checklists that people actually use, making culture a system, using Jobber to close cracks, and knowing when to hire experts for SEO, bookkeeping, and AI automations.  Cory also explains why he prefers hands-on coaching, how he maps client and job data flow, and the two moves he wishes he made on day one. Simple, practical, and built for blue collar leaders. You’ll learn: The “one lever a year” approach to steady growth.How to turn dropped balls into new processes.Why culture must be systematized like production.Where to outsource vs. DIY so you can focus on $10k/hour work.A simple Jobber form that saves time and prevents rework.How to measure SEO like a line item, not a gamble.The value of a coach who gets into your tools, not just on your Zoom.10 Takeaways With Timestamps 00:46 - Set the target first: “$2M, highly systemized” beats “biggest for the sake of it.”01:43 - Reviews drive local demand: Vancity Electric dominates Google reviews by focusing on service.03:46 - One lever per year: Pick SEO, hiring, or branding and go deep for 12 months.04:30 - Culture is a system: Trades work is a people business. Build certainty for your team.05:05 - No systems hurts everyone: Owners, employees, clients, and families feel the pain. 06:33 - Implementation beats knowledge: Many know the answer. Few install it. Be an implementer.07:36 - Hands-on coaching wins: A coach who logs into your Jobber can solve real problems.10:15 - Fix cracks fast: If something falls through, design a small process today.11:25 - Automate the paperwork: Turn an inspection into an insurance-ready Jobber form.12:03 - Hire experts for ROI: Bookkeeping and SEO pay off when tracked like a budget line.Connect With Cory: Website: https://vancityelectric.ca/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-byron-vancity-electric/  Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.

    22 min
  7. The Year in Review: Lessons from 2025 and What’s Next for the Trades

    12/17/2025

    The Year in Review: Lessons from 2025 and What’s Next for the Trades

    2025 was a year of big changes, and bigger breakthroughs, for the trades. In this special end-of-year episode of Titans of the Trades, host Ryan Englin reflects on the milestones, from launching the Choice Framework to redefining what it means to be an employer of choice. Ryan shares honest lessons learned, a powerful look at disengagement and its hidden cost to your business, and a vision for 2026 that challenges leaders to build stronger teams and more sustainable companies. If you’re ready to step into the new year with clarity, leadership, and momentum, this is your roadmap. Key Takeaways & Time Stamps 02:10 - Why “Always Improve” is more than a Core Value. It’s a mindset for every construction leader.06:25 - The story behind Episode 100 and how the Choice Framework was born.10:40 - What it really means to be the employer of choice in your market.15:30 - The shift in the trades: how AI is redefining the value of “doing” over “knowing.”Connect With Ryan: Website: https://corematters.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanenglin/ Titans of the Trades: https://www.linkedin.com/company/titans-of-the-trades/ Episode 100: https://corematters.com/podcast/becoming-the-employer-everyone-wants/  Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.

    18 min
  8. From Unpaid Intern to President

    12/10/2025

    From Unpaid Intern to President

    What does it take to scale a business from $3 million to $75 million? And what lessons can construction leaders take from that journey? In this episode of Titans of the Trades, Ryan Englin sits down with Eric Watkins, President of Abstrakt Marketing. Eric started as an unpaid intern and climbed his way to the top, helping lead massive growth along the way. Together, Ryan and Eric dive into why recruiting is marketing, how outbound sales applies directly to hiring in the trades, and why culture can make or break a growing construction company. Whether you’re running five trucks or fifty, this conversation will give you practical insights on growth, leadership, and building a sustainable business. Key Takeaways (02:00) How Eric went from unpaid intern to President of a $75M marketing company.(03:50) Why so many trades business owners struggle with the shift from tradesman to business leader.(05:10) The top three books every construction business owner should read.(09:40) Outbound sales explained and why most people get it wrong.(12:00) How outbound marketing mirrors recruiting in construction.(19:30) What scaling from $3M to $75M taught Eric about company culture.(22:00) The one hiring mistake leaders must avoid when growing fast.(26:55) Battling burnout as a business leader and how to keep your passion alive.(31:00) How to connect with Eric and access his free consultation offer.Connect With Eric: Website: https://www.abstraktmg.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-watkins-amg/ Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.

    34 min
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About

If you run a construction business and want to scale without burning out or selling out, this is your show. Host Ryan Englin brings you straight-talk episodes packed with real-world tactics, whether it’s a solo deep dive, a conversation with an industry expert, or lessons from the field. No fluff. No theory. Just one solid takeaway every time. Ryan is the CEO of Core Matters, best-selling author of Hire Better People Faster, and creator of the Core Fit Hiring System - a proven framework used by construction companies across the country to build reliable, high-performing teams.

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