CONEXPO – CON/AGG Podcast: Construction Business Insights For Contractors

Running a construction company might look like pure success, especially with events like CONEXPO approaching. But in this solo episode, Taylor answers your questions and gets real about the hidden, intense pressures involved: managing multiple businesses, constant travel, endless cash flow worries, and balancing family. He describes this demanding tightrope walk, familiar to many entrepreneurs, as...

Feeling burnt out by client emotions in custom home building or struggling to navigate seasonal lulls and unexpected crises? John Seaman of JC Property Professionals joins Taylor to share his incredible journey from funding dirt bike habits with side jobs, through the demanding world of custom home building, to ultimately dominating complex dirt work and site development in North Carolina. Discove...

Frustrated by the lack of skilled tradespeople? Demi Knight Clark joins Taylor today to share strategies to attract the next generation to welding and manufacturing offering fresh and frank perspectives that will give you actionable recruiting strategies. Discover how to bridge the gap between outdated perceptions and the exciting possibilities of a trades career! Demi Knight Clark, shares her ins...

Struggling with employee turnover and work-life balance? Dan and Jenna Moon from Total Excavating and Grading join Taylor today to share their journey of taking over the business and building a thriving company! Together, they reveal practical leadership and restructuring secrets to create a family-first culture.  Learn how to improve your team, skills, and find time for what really matters! Disco...

Struggling to scale your excavation business? Trey Bohannan, President of Design One Contracting the most-viewed construction podcast guest of 2024, returns to reveal the exact steps he took to go from small residential jobs to landing major commercial projects – and how you can do it too. Trey shares his unfiltered, no-BS approach to growth, including the crucial "lucky phone call" that changed e...

Frustrated with outdated manufacturing processes? Discover how engineering expert Andrew Schiller of Utah Tech University is revolutionizing how students and professionals think about design, automation, and the future of construction. Andrew reveals that engineering isn't just about calculations, you get to see real world applications of everything from start to finish. Download the FREE Step-by-...

Taylor goes solo again this week, this time to answer some of your questions, including those regarding the history of Ken White Construction, how he balances the intense demands of running it, and his commitment to family and personal well-being. Throughout the episode, Taylor explores the power of strategic time management, the importance of a supportive partner, and the long-term vision for a m...

Discover how Ken White Construction turned seemingly devastating staff departures into their biggest year yet. This episode explores the power of adapting to change, promoting from within, and taking calculated risks to achieve remarkable growth. Worried about losing key employees and the impact on your business? This episode shares how to navigate unexpected departures and rebuild a stronger team...

How This Family Business Has Thrived Over 4 Generations - With Julie Evans Sanders This week, Taylor sits down with Julie Evans Sanders, Chief of Operations at H. W. Tucker Co., and fourth-generation construction business owner, to discuss the unique challenges and rewards of leading a family-owned company in the dynamic world of construction. Julie shares her invaluable insights on bridging gener...

Matt Bachtel of Bachtel Excavating joins Taylor today to discuss his journey from one man and a truck to a thriving multi-generational business. Matt shares his conservative approach to growth, emphasizing the importance of consistent, meticulous work, and open communication with his team. He reveals the surprising risks of staying small, the challenges of balancing family life with entrepreneursh...

This week, Taylor sits down for an informative and inspiring conversation with Nic Parish, VP of Contracting and Operations at Burns Dirt Construction, and a key player in FORGE Your Path, a nonprofit dedicated to encouraging the next generation to explore careers in the trades. In this fascinating episode, Taylor and Nic dive into the importance of trades education, the challenges of running a fa...

James Simmons, Co-founder of Montana Excavation & Utilities, joins Taylor on the podcast today to share his journey from Pennsylvania to Montana and discuss the trials and triumphs of building a business in the excavation industry. From early entrepreneurial ventures as a teen mowing lawns to managing a growing excavation company, James’ story is one of resilience, determination, and smart ris...

Taylor welcomes Lynn Miller, President of Miller Earthworks, to the podcast this week to explore his remarkable journey from a rather modest start to leading a successful family-owned business. Highlighting his unique approach to excavating which involves focusing on niche projects that larger companies often overlook, Lynn discusses with Taylor the importance of fostering strong relationships wit...

Sitting down for a chat with Taylor today is none other than Bret Barnhart, President of Barnhart Excavating in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Bret shares his incredible journey, from humble beginnings working with his father and grandfather to growing his company into a thriving business that handles both municipal and commercial projects. Together, he and Taylor discuss Bret’s family legacy, his hands-on expe...

Michael Melicia, the founder and CEO of Coastal Paving and Excavating, joins Taylor this week to share his remarkable journey from starting a business with just $500 to leading a thriving civil engineering and construction company. Along the way, Michael and Taylor explore the challenges of starting a business at a young age and how Michael navigated these obstacles with determination and resilien...

Taylor welcomes the truly amazing Matt DiBara, a fourth-generation mason and the founder of The Contractor Consultants to the podcast today. At just 31 years old, Matt has transformed the recruitment landscape for contractors, offering a fresh approach to an industry rich in tradition. With over 100 years of family history in the masonry business, Matt's story reflects a blend of dedication, innov...

Joining Taylor for a truly inspiring conversation today is Mike Simon, Founder of Dirt Perfect, an excavating business in southern Indiana built upon the rock solid foundation of commitment to family, community, and helping others. A lifelong tradesman turned YouTube star known for his hands-on approach and construction expertise, Mike shares his fascinating journey from the field to social media...

Brian Hess, the dynamic owner of The Pavement Group, Top Contractor School, and One Key Media, takes time out of his incredibly busy schedule to join Taylor on the podcast today to discuss his remarkable journey from construction to becoming a tech-savvy entrepreneur. Emphasizing the importance of creating a strong company culture and balancing family life with business, Brian’s insights on authen...

Taylor is joined today by the dynamic duo of James O'Connell and Joey De Athe who run Soil Cycle, a subsidiary of Contour Group, that was established in 2020 to provide additional support to Contour’s earthworks division by delivering cost-effective services for the disposal of excess soil. Known for brilliantly transforming the landscape of soil management, our guests discuss the intriguing world...

Director of Aggregate Operations at Wm. D. Scepaniak, Inc., and fellow third-generation entrepreneur, John Scepaniak joins Taylor on the podcast today to explore the dynamic world of family-run businesses and a whole lot more. Sharing his firsthand experiences in managing the complexities of mining and road construction operations, John sheds light on the challenges of contract aggregate processin...

This week, Taylor finally gets an opportunity to sit down and have a chat in person with Silkstone Group’s CEO, Travis Hesketh, a fellow entrepreneur whose journey through professional motocross and a formidable construction career epitomizes both resilience and grit. Travis details his transition from the high-speed world of motocross to the equally challenging construction industry, illustrating...

With apologies to all his other guests, Taylor welcomes “probably the smartest person” he’s “ever had the chance to interview” to the podcast - the mastermind behind Trunk Tools, Dr. Sarah Buchner. Among her many achievements, Sarah is a Stanford MBA Graduate, holds a PhD in Civil Systems Engineering and Data Science, has been named a Forbes ‘30 Under 30’ honoree, and is, most proudly of all, a ca...

Luke Payne, President of Western Excavation, returns to the podcast today to join Taylor for a candid exploration of the intricacies of entrepreneurship, resilience, and work-life harmony. Their discussion, filled with personal anecdotes and professional advice, touches on the importance of a supportive family foundation, the concept of a "zero-fail mentality" for business success, and the evolvin...

The legendary “Dozer Dave” Turin, a stalwart of gold mining from the acclaimed series Gold Rush and the brain behind America's Backyard Gold , joins Taylor here today to share his journey from civil engineering to becoming a venerated figure in both television and gold mining. This episode delves into the heart of gold mining, touching on the historical significance, the personal narratives intert...

In today’s exclusive episode, Taylor takes center stage, embarking on a solo journey filled with invaluable insights gleaned from questions sourced directly from the CONEXPO-CON/AGG Instagram community. Delving into the heart of the construction industry's challenges, Taylor fearlessly addresses topics such as cash flow struggles, the significance of hard work in entrepreneurial endeavors, and the...