Blue Collar Business Podcast

Join us as we welcome Eric Hill and Amanda Rhodes from Fay-Ark Lawn Company to the Blue Collar Business Podcast, where they share their remarkable journey in the landscaping industry. Eric, who started his business as a high school side hustle, reveals how he turned it into a multi-million dollar enterprise with 16 employees, overcoming initial skepticism from family. Amanda's fresh perspecti...

Join us as we promise a journey from the ground up, where Wade Decker of Decker Home Solutions shares his transformative experience of turning a humble handyman project into a flourishing enterprise. Explore the importance of consistency and discipline over sheer motivation, as Wade elaborates on his 20-year friendship with our host, reflecting on shared business wisdom and the significant role of...

What if you could transform your blue-collar business into a digital powerhouse? Join us on the Blue Collar Business Podcast as we sit with digital marketing innovator Eric Howerton, founder of WhyteSpider, to uncover the secrets of bridging operational gaps and adopting an owner's mindset. From the evolution of his journey in magazine publishing to leading the digital marketing frontier, Eri...

Chris Maestri from Garver Engineering shares his journey in aviation engineering, a field filled with both challenges and rewarding opportunities. As one of Arkansas Business's 20 in their 20s in 2022, Chris discusses his role in significant projects like the XNA taxiway reconstruction and emphasizes the urgency of attracting younger talent to address the skilled labor shortage. You'll a...

Get ready to unlock the secrets of the concrete industry with our guest, Bobby, an experienced subcontractor who has spent years mastering the art of concrete construction. Discover the nuances of working in this challenging field, from the demanding schedules and unpredictable weather conditions to the intricacies of cast-in-place versus precast concrete. Bobby brings his expertise in specialized...

Reconnecting with my longtime friend and inspection supervisor, Ben Sarratt, promises a blend of personal stories and valuable insights into navigating the blue-collar business world. Our conversation provides a retrospective on our early industry days and how those experiences sculpted our careers, highlighting essential communication strategies for newcomers. As fathers, we reflect on how parent...

Andrew Deeter, the mastermind behind Deeter Construction, joins us to unravel the profound impact that relationships can have on the construction industry. From his beginnings working with his father-in-law to launching his own company in 2010, Andrew shares how he navigated unexpected roles and challenges. The episode is packed with insights into the crucial role that mental health plays in entre...

How do you secure financial stability and growth in the blue-collar industry? Our guest, James Lipsett, an account manager at Ritchie Bros, shares insights on the significance of clean financial records and the art of building robust relationships with financial partners. We promise you'll gain a deeper understanding of how strategic financial planning and adaptability can fuel success, even...

Unlock the secrets to building a resilient blue-collar business as I, Sy Kirby, chat with Nick Peters, an authority in construction insurance and bonding with over 30 years of experience. This episode promises insights that could transform your approach to entrepreneurship, particularly in industries like excavation, utilities, HVAC, or electrical contracting. Learn from Nick's extensive know...

Unlock the secrets of running a profitable construction business with the latest episode of the Blue Collar Business Podcast, where industry insights meet practical application. Our guest, Heath from Sy-Con Excavation and Utilities, shines a light on the transformative power of organized equipment management and data-driven decision-making. His previous experience at RiggsCat provides a rich backd...

Unlock the secrets to navigating the equipment industry with the wisdom of Tim Hooper, our seasoned branch manager guest, who shares his invaluable insights from years at Stribling Equipment and Power Equipment. Discover how to negotiate deals that favor your business and why building strong dealership relationships often trumps brand loyalty. Through Tim's guidance, learn how my partner Sara...

Discover how to redefine your approach to equipment rental as we sit down with Daniel Long, the general manager at EquipmentShare in Springdale, Arkansas. Daniel has been a key figure in my journey, offering insights that have reshaped how I view the rental equipment space in blue-collar businesses. From enhancing equipment efficiency to navigating the challenges of inflation, fuel costs, and labo...

Unlock the secrets of accurate construction estimating with Ben Brunni, owner of Paydirt Earthworks Support Systems, as he lends his expertise on the Blue Collar Business Podcast. Discover how his unique approach to estimating can transform your projects, especially if you're a small to mid-sized contractor without a full-time estimator. Ben walks us through the meticulous process of analyzin...

Join us on the Blue Collar Business Podcast as we explore the future of digital marketing for blue-collar businesses with media enthusiast Will Anderson. Discover how we've shattered industry stigmas by authentically capturing the gritty reality of job sites, despite facing resistance to cameras. We've achieved extraordinary milestones, such as 25 million impressions and more than 20,000...

Curious about what it takes to build a thriving blue-collar excavating business? Join us as we sit down with Austin Staebler from Staebler Excavating, who shares his incredible journey from buying a used dump truck to managing a successful enterprise focused on residential and commercial septic systems. Learn the strategic differences between operating in Michigan versus the Southeastern United St...

What if the key to a successful business lies in mastering the art of adaptability and trust? Join us as we sit down with Dylan Cecil, the very first employee at Sy-Con Excavation and Utilities, to uncover his extraordinary journey from dodging traffic on his first day to becoming an indispensable part of our team. Dylan's story offers a unique perspective on the trials and triumphs that come...

What if your childhood fascination turned into a lifelong career that shapes the future of energy? Join us on the Blue Collar Business Podcast as we sit down with RJ Burr, president of Panex, to uncover his extraordinary journey in the oil and gas industry. From his family's generational legacy to the pivotal moment his company was acquired by Marathon Oil, RJ's story is a compelling mix...

How do you maintain a thriving business and a happy family life when your spouse is also your business partner? On this special episode of the Blue Collar Business Podcast, I sit down with my incredible wife, Sara Kirby, the CFO of Sy-Con, to discuss the trials and triumphs of running our construction company together. From the initial decision to break away from traditional work environments to b...

Ever wondered how technological advancements are revolutionizing civil engineering and project management? Join us on the Blue Collar Business Podcast as we host Daniel Ellis, the Senior Vice President of the Civil Division at Crafton Tull. With decades of experience and a wealth of knowledge, Daniel offers an in-depth look at managing large-scale civil development projects, especially in the Pinn...