The Construction Leading Edge Podcast

Todd Dawalt

The Construction Leading Edge is a one stop shop for contracting professionals who want to be more effective entrepreneurs and leaders. Business owners, managers, project executives, project managers, and field leaders will all benefit from the interviews, resources, tools, and tips offered.

  1. 4D AGO

    Secrets to Building a Multi-Generational Construction Business to $20M

    EPISODE 369: Is your construction business stuck in chaos? How do you build a thriving multi-generational construction business? Join us as we uncover the secrets to creating a self-managing construction business that thrives for generations. In this week’s episode, I sit down with Rocky Rhodes, co-owner of Dusty Rhodes Homes–a Kansas City-based custom home builder operating for nearly 60 years. Rocky shares his journey from chaos to clarity, breaking down the strategies that helped his family business stand the test of time. Today, you’ll discover: How trust and defined roles sustain family-run businesses The game-changing power of paid estimates Insights from the 2008 financial crisis that shaped Rocky’s CEO mindset The role of systems and processes in building a construction company that runs without you Whether you’re managing a legacy business or starting fresh, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways to help you scale sustainably. Tune in now to learn more!   Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet Rocky Rhodes of Dusty Rhodes Homes (02:03) Key to building a multi-generational business (04:58) Creating a high-trust environment in construction (09:17) Lessons from the 2008 financial crisis (11:53) Insights on the 2025 economy and housing market (15:22) Transitioning to paid estimates for better clients (20:14) Freeing time through better systems and a CEO mindset (28:04) Financial impact of reducing inefficiencies (38:26) Benefits of joining the CEO Alliance (42:36) Rocky’s business and personal goals for 2025 (49:38) Rapid-fire questions (53:41)   Additional Resources: - Download our FREE Strategic Planning Guide HERE - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with The Construction Leading Edge team HERE  - Learn how to make your business run without you HERE - Check out Dusty Rhodes Homes for more information HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

    1h 2m
  2. 12/30/2024

    How to Hire and Retain A-Players for Your Construction Business w/ Isaac Barlow & Derrik Shakespear | E368

    EPISODE 368: What if hiring the right people could solve most of your construction business problems? This week, Isaac Barlow, founder and former CEO of Busybusy, and Derrik Shakespear, chief revenue officer of Busybusy, reveal how construction business owners can attract and retain top talent. They unpack what makes an A-player thrive, why a flat culture can outperform traditional operational hierarchies, and practical methods to avoid bad hires. Packed with real-world examples and insights, this episode is a must-listen for construction leaders seeking to build their dream team that drives freedom, impact, and profitability. Ready to hire only the best? Tune in now!   Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet Isaac Barlow and Derrik Shakespear (01:52) What is a flat culture? (08:01) The importance of extreme ownership (12:49) Why do owners hire people two levels below them? (17:47)  What A-players look for in an organization (24:14)  The value of tracking and rewarding employee performance (28:35) How to prevent bad hires (36:58) The six-word hiring framework (43:55) Episode wrap-up (46:44)   Additional Resources: - Download our FREE Strategic Planning Guide HERE - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE  - Check out Busybusy and get your 14-day free trial HERE - Visit Tech Ridge for more information HERE   -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

    51 min
  3. Pre-Construction Secrets That Built a $250M Business with Wes Palmisano | E367

    12/23/2024

    Pre-Construction Secrets That Built a $250M Business with Wes Palmisano | E367

    EPISODE 367: Is chaos keeping you from scaling your construction business? In this episode, I’m joined by Wes Palmisano, founder of WJ Palmisano Construction, who scaled his company to $250M and 250 employees by fostering innovation and streamlining operations. Wes shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting with his family’s construction legacy to creating it into a complex, multi-faceted business. From leveraging a “Renegade” mentality to rethinking pre-construction planning and building trust with trade partners, this episode is packed with actionable insights for contractors and construction business owners looking to scale without the chaos. Ready to take your business to the next level? Let’s jump right in!   Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Wes Palmisano’s construction journey (01:16) Tackling construction’s biggest problems (04:55) Barriers to construction innovation (07:29) What is a master builder? (12:00) Internal vs. external trade partners (14:52) Building trust with trade partners (21:38) Why preconstruction is crucial (23:35) Scaling a business with systems and processes (32:38) The guardrail approach explained (38:15) Scaling advice for construction business owners (41:01) Rapid-fire questions with Wes (46:39) Episode wrap-up (49:52)   Additional Resources: - Download our FREE Strategic Planning Guide HERE - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE    Connect with Wes: - Follow Wes on LinkedIn HERE - Check out WJ Palmisano Construction HERE   -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

    54 min
  4. From $0 to $200M: The Ultimate Construction Business Guide with Torrey Hawkins | E366

    12/16/2024

    From $0 to $200M: The Ultimate Construction Business Guide with Torrey Hawkins | E366

    EPISODE 366: Want to scale your construction business without the chaos? Torrey Hawkins, President of Angler Construction, LLC, shares how he managed to scale his construction business to $200 million in annual revenue. In this week's episode of The Construction Leading Edge podcast, I sit down with Torrey to talk about... the biggest challenges in growing a business to $200 million per year the systems and processes that propelled his business to success how to lead a construction team through uncertain times what his day looks like as a 9-figure business owner And a whole lot more! Whether you’re looking to systematize your construction business or tackle the next phase of growth, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Don’t miss Torrey’s tips on team building, forecasting, and staying resilient through challenges. Let's jump right in!   Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet Torrey Hawkins of Angler Construction (01:55) How Torrey started his construction business (03:03) What does the business look like now? (04:28) Biggest challenges during the growth (10:33) Transitioning from in-business to on-business leadership (15:28) Tips for recruiting and hiring top-quality talent (18:43) Importance of systems and processes for scalability (22:23) What does being a visionary leader mean? (29:27) How Torrey spends his time as a 9-figure business owner (35:48) Keeping your team moving forward during a crisis (37:12) Practical ways to share and implement a company vision (42:14) The burning-the-ship mentality (49:23) Managing the double-edged sword of being a visionary (52:22) Episode wrap-up (57:59)   Additional Resources: - Download our FREE Strategic Planning Guide HERE - Schedule a FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE  - Connect with Torrey HERE - Check out Angler Construction HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

    1h 2m
  5. 10x Is Easier Than 2x | E365

    12/09/2024

    10x Is Easier Than 2x | E365

    EPISODE 365: Scaling your construction business isn’t about working harder; it’s about working smarter. In this episode of The Construction Leading Edge podcast, I sit down with Leyah Hostetter, Director of Customer Success, and Monish Khadye, Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) coach, to unpack the transformative strategies from the best-selling book 10x Is Easier Than 2x. Today, you’ll learn why setting massive goals simplifies execution and how focusing on 20% of your high-value activities can revolutionize your construction business. Here you’ll discover: How to implement paid estimates Let go of low-value tasks Embrace an abundance mindset If you’re ready to 10x your business without working longer hours, this episode is for you. Let’s dive in!   Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) A brief background on the book (01:51) Why is 10x easier than 2x (03:18) Understanding the 10x vs. 2x framework (11:27) Eliminating the 80% to focus on the 20% (17:05) A real-world example of focusing on value (25:09) The mindset behind “how to 10x” (35:32) Owning your unique ability to create abundance (36:22) Adapting the gap vs. gain mentality (40:11) The power of practicing gratitude (44:14) How the victim mentality creates scarcity (48:25) You get to choose the story you tell yourself (55:49) How to implement what you’ve just learned (59:00) Episode wrap-up (1:06:58)   Additional Resources: - Join our FREE Training on How to Get Paid For Estimates HERE - Join our FREE Get Out of Your Construction Business Masterclass HERE  - Hear our client success stories HERE - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE    Books Mentioned: - 10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan with Dr. Benjamin Hardy - The Obstacle Is The New Way by Ryan Holiday -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

    1h 12m
  6. Why More Sales Won’t Save Your Business from Chaos with Cole West | E364

    12/02/2024

    Why More Sales Won’t Save Your Business from Chaos with Cole West | E364

    EPISODE 364: Does your construction business feel like chaos on steroids? Join us in this week’s episode as we interview Cole West, the integrator at Matchless Concrete Construction, as he shares his journey from retail management to construction and how he embraced planning and clarity to transform operations. Learn how his company overcame inefficiencies caused by rapid growth, how they were able to save $40,000/month in rental costs, and how they empowered employees by simplifying job descriptions into actionable goals. Whether you’re a seasoned contractor or just starting out, this episode is packed with insights that can elevate your construction business to new heights! Let’s dive in!   Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet Cole West (02:52) Difference between construction and corporate world (05:42) Attracting corporate talents to small business (07:35) The problem with rapid growing without systems (09:59)  Ripple effects when there’s chaos (15:23) Does construction have to be chaotic? (18:22)  Importance of simplifying job descriptions (20:04) The CEO Schedule and Revenue Maximizer (27:07) What does the business look like now? (29:43) Cole’s powerful scripted question (32:53) Biggest impact of having systems in place (37:16)  Last piece of advice (43:26) What’s next for Matchless Concrete? (48:11) Episode wrap-up (49:17)   Additional Resources: - Join our FREE Get Out of Your Construction Business Masterclass HERE  - Watch our FREE online training: How to Finally Scale Your Construction Business by Unlocking the Secret Profit Phase of Every Project  HERE - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE    Connect with Matchless Concrete Construction: - Visit Matchless Concrete Construction’s website for more information HERE  - Follow them on Facebook HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

    53 min
  7. 11/25/2024

    5 Steps to Creating a Foolproof Customer Acquisition System for Builders with Spencer Powell

    EPISODE 363: Is your construction business relying too heavily on referrals? It’s time to rethink your marketing strategy. In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Spencer Powell, founder of Builder Funnel, where we discuss in-depth on how to create a customer acquisition system that attracts the right customers consistently. Spencer reveals the risks of depending solely on word-of-mouth marketing, the power of targeted marketing, how to craft messaging that truly resonates with potential clients, and how to design a marketing strategy that converts. From defining a niche to measuring ROI, this episode is packed with actionable advice for builders looking to skyrocket their marketing strategies. Let’s jump right in!   Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet Spencer Powell from Builder Funnel (02:58) Why relying on referrals makes you vulnerable (04:17) Defining your ideal client (07:04)  The importance of niching down and how to do it (11:54) Building a customer acquisition system (23:05) Crafting a message that resonates with your desired clients (27:54) Content marketing vs. paid advertisements (40:04) Maximizing lifetime customer value (53:05) How to track your marketing efforts (55:12) Keep up with Spencer (57:59)   Additional Resources: - Watch episode 318 with Spencer HERE - Join our FREE Get Out of Your Construction Business Masterclass HERE - Watch our FREE online training: How to Finally Scale Your Construction Business by Unlocking the Secret Profit Phase of Every Project  HERE - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE    Connect with Spencer: - Grab a free copy of Spencer’s book, The Remodeler Marketing Blueprint, by emailing him at spowell@builderfunnel.com with “Todd” in the subject line. - Visit Builder Funnel for more information HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

    1h 3m
  8. Pitfalls to Avoid When Scaling a Construction Business | E362

    11/18/2024

    Pitfalls to Avoid When Scaling a Construction Business | E362

    EPISODE 362: Has your construction business been doing great lately and now you’re thinking about scaling up? Before you make any moves, you need to hear this. In this week’s episode, we’re joined by our Construction Leading Edge team, Leyah Hostetter and Monish Khadye, to dive into the common pitfalls of scaling a construction business. We break down why chaos is a choice, how the “Just Enough to Start” (JETS) trap can hurt your reputation and profits, and why the DIY approach simply doesn’t work. Plus, we reveal why systems are essential even for small companies, the risks of building a business around people, and more. If you’re a construction business owner looking to scale with a strong foundation, this episode is exactly what you need. Let’s jump right in!   Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Pitfall of ramping up marketing without operational support (02:55) Why the “Just Enough to Start” (JETS) is a costly fallacy (10:09) The problem with a DIY approach to your business (24:08) Systems are essential even for small companies (30:35)  Chaos as a self-correcting phenomenon (36:13) Why you shouldn’t design your business around people (38:34) Episode wrap-up (47:08)   Additional Resources: - Watch our FREE online training: How to Finally Scale Your Construction Business by Unlocking the Secret Profit Phase of Every Project  HERE - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE  -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

    51 min
    4.8
    out of 5
    257 Ratings

    About

    The Construction Leading Edge is a one stop shop for contracting professionals who want to be more effective entrepreneurs and leaders. Business owners, managers, project executives, project managers, and field leaders will all benefit from the interviews, resources, tools, and tips offered.

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