Blacktop Banter

After 187 episodes, Marvin Joles has made the decision to end the Blacktop Banter podcast and Success Group. In this final episode of the podcast, Marvin reflects on the journey of Blacktop Banter, discussing the reasons behind his decision, and shares insights on transitioning from the podcast, future plans, and the importance of community and structure in business. The conversation concludes wit...

In this episode of Blacktop Banter, Michael Blake from KM International discusses the ways that KMI is innovating using customer feedback and product updates. He shares the challenges and trends that he sees in the asphalt industry, the importance of quality equipment, and the KMI's plans for expansion. He shares insights on building relationships within the industry, offers advice for contractors...

In this episode of Blacktop Banter, Marvin Joles and Nick Bruhn discuss Schwarze Industries' sweepers history, the various sweeping technologies, and the importance of choosing the right sweeper for specific jobs can enhance efficiency and effectiveness in asphalt maintenance. Nick discusses the value of keeping parking lots clean for business attractiveness and the latest innovations in sweeping...

In this episode of Blacktop Banter, host Marvin Joles reflects on a transformative year in the asphalt industry. He discusses personal and professional changes, the importance of community, and the growing awareness of mental health issues within the industry. He emphasizes the value of content creation for business owners and contractors while also encouraging listeners to prioritize their mental...

In this episode of Blacktop Banter, Marvin Joles engages with Brian Sugg and Keaton Coley from Aegis Asphalt. They discuss their journey in the asphalt industry, the growth of Aegis, and the importance of team dynamics and project management. The conversation highlights the challenges faced in the industry, the significance of steady growth, and valuable advice for aspiring contractors. The episod...

In this episode of Blacktop Banter, Marvin Joles interviews Ramon Ray, a motivational speaker and entrepreneur, who shares insights from his journey from the United Nations to becoming a successful speaker and author. They discuss the importance of building relationships in business, the challenges of burnout, and strategies for managing stress. Ramon emphasizes the need for communication, plannin...

In this episode of Blacktop Banter, Marvin Joles speaks with Paul Cardis, CEO and co-founder of On3, about the intersection of technology and the construction industry. They discuss the importance of customer experience, the challenges of training and competency in construction, and innovative solutions for knowledge management. Paul shares insights on monetizing expertise and the future of constr...

In this conversation, Skyler Garman shares his journey from quitting a stable job to pursuing his passion in the asphalt maintenance industry. He discusses the challenges he faced while transitioning from a supplement store owner to the owner of ProSeal Asphalt Maintenance. Skyler emphasizes the importance of data-driven decisions, self-actualization, and the role of coaching in achieving success....

Mauro Comuzzi, president and owner at The Paving Lady, shares his journey in the asphalt industry and the growth of his business. He started in construction, worked in home building, and eventually started his own asphalt maintenance business. He acquired The Paving Lady from the original owner and grew the company to over 100 employees. Mauro discusses the challenges of working in South Florida,...

In this episode of Blacktop Banter, Marvin Joles interviews Josh Prickett, owner of Asphalt Care Services. They discuss the generational business and the origin story of Asphalt Care Services. They also talk about the challenges of working across different states and the impact of social media, particularly TikTok, on the business. Josh shares advice for contractors who are hesitant about using so...

In this episode of Black Top Banter, Marvin Joles interviews Dustin Hogate, the former executive VP at 1023 Diesel and Fleet. They discuss Dustin's journey in the trucking industry and his experience running a successful e-commerce business. They explore the process of exiting a business and how Dustin navigated the challenges he faced. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize the importance of...

Luke Eggebraaten, founder and managing partner at Phaser Marketing, discusses the importance of marketing for construction companies and how Phaser Marketing provides solutions tailored to the industry. Luke shares his journey from being a marketing director to starting his own company and focusing on the construction niche. He emphasizes the impact of marketing on construction businesses and prov...

In this episode of Blacktop Banter, Marvin interviews Kenny Roy, the owner of Royal Pavement Solutions. Kenny shares the history of his family's involvement in the asphalt industry and how he found his path within the business. He discusses the services offered by Royal Pavement Solutions and their mission to be a different, edgy, and fun paving crew. Kenny emphasizes the importance of combining a...

In this episode, Marvin Joles interviews Joshua Mellott, an experienced senior executive in the construction industry. They explore the challenges of building and maintaining a positive company culture, the importance of humility and giving back, the value of grit and persistence, the myth of work-life balance, the constant tug of war between work and life, the true meaning of entrepreneurship, an...

In this episode, Marvin Joles interviews Conner Strauss, Senior Product Marketing Manager at BuildWitt, about people-first marketing and its importance in the construction industry. They discuss the core of marketing and the role of empathy and transparency. They touch on industry experts, professionals and companies who are often afraid or unwilling to share processes and information because they...

In this episode of Blacktop Banter, Marvin interviews Keith Kalfas, an entrepreneur and mentor. They discuss various topics related to entrepreneurship and personal growth. Keith delves into the challenges of overthinking, finding meaning in the journey, the importance of embracing vulnerability and allowing oneself to heal. He emphasizes the need for human connection and the importance of express...

In this episode of Blacktop Banter, Marvin Joles interviews Ryan Anderson, the president of Premier Seal Coating and Line Striping Incorporated. They discuss mastic and crack filling in the pavement maintenance industry and the benefits and applications of mastic, including its use in filling potholes and repairing seams. They discuss the different types of crack filler and their properties and th...

In this episode of Blacktop Banter, Marvin Joles interviews Eric Martin, an entrepreneur and social media personality in the asphalt and concrete industry who frequently uses subcontractors to execute the jobs for his customers. Eric provides tips for finding high quality subcontractors, vetting them and creating contracts. He also discusses utilizing social media for business marketing and creati...

In this episode of Blacktop Banter, Marvin interviews Lance Bradshaw, the president and CEO of SureSeal Pavement, Inc. Lance shares how SureSeal differentiates itself from competitors by offering quick turnaround times and flexibility. He emphasizes the importance of building a community within the industry and the value of mentorship. Lance also highlights the significance of family and work-life...

Scott Peper, the CEO and co-founder of Mobilization Funding, shares his journey into the construction industry and the importance of understanding the cash flow cycle and managing sources and uses of cash in your business. He defines cash flow as the amount of cash coming in and going out of a business within a specific period of time and emphasizes that even though bid sheets may show the same pr...

In this episode of Blacktop Banter, Marvin Joles interviews Erick Hernandez, the owner of E&D Premier Roofing and Solar LLC. Erick shares his personal journey of overcoming addiction and making positive changes in his life. He talks about the negative impact of drinking and drugs on his work and relationships, and how he decided to make a change. Erick emphasizes the importance of changing you...

In this episode of Blacktop Banter, Marvin Joles interviews Matt LaMarsh, a realtor in Atlanta. They discuss Matt's transition from owning a lawn care and landscaping business to becoming a real estate advisor. Matt emphasizes the importance of relationships and providing a great customer experience in both industries. He also dispels the misconception that being a realtor is easy and highlights t...

In this episode, Marvin Joles talks with Brad Williams of Structured To Grow about the challenges faced by small businesses in terms of growth and marketing. They discuss the importance of focusing on one thing and not chasing multiple opportunities simultaneously. They also highlight the need for businesses to adapt their marketing strategies to meet the changing demands of customers. The barrier...

In this episode of Blacktop Banter, Marvin Joles and Chris Tammany of Petra Paving in New Hampshire, talk about the importance of having integrity, being honest, setting clear expectations, and doing whatever it takes to make the job right for your customer. They discuss the challenges of pricing and communicating with homeowners about the extent of their asphalt problems and the costs of fixing t...

In this episode of Blacktop Banter, Marvin Joles interviews Harvie Herrington, a former professional football player, business owner, and motivational speaker. They discuss Harvey's upbringing, his journey to the NFL, and the importance of finding one's "why." Harvey shares his experiences with failure and overcoming obstacles, as well as the significance of unpacking pain and forgiveness. They al...