Construction Champions Podcast

Construction is changing fast and the biggest threats aren’t just interest rates. In this special edition of Construction Champions, host Ron Nussbaum sits down with Scott Cannon, CEO of BigRentz and SiteStack, to talk about the real challenges contractors face in 2025: rising costs, labor shortages, supply chain unpredictability, and consolidation from private equity. Scott explains why predictab...

Most contractors struggle with hiring and retention, but it doesn’t have to be that way. In this episode of Construction Champions, host Ron Nussbaum sits down with Paul Sanneman, founder of Contractor Staffing Source, who has worked with over 2,000 contractors in 40+ years. Paul explains why most contractors fail at hiring, the six myths that hold them back, and how AI and technology are changing...

Most developers struggle with parking ratios, excavation costs, and wasted space in new builds. But what if there was a smarter way? In this episode of Construction Champions, host Ron Nussbaum talks with Christopher Tiessen, President & CEO of Klaus Multiparking America, about mechanical parking systems and how they’re changing the way we think about space in construction. Christopher breaks...

Are you tired of working 24/7 in your construction business? Most contractors don’t have a business, they just have a stressful job. In this episode of Construction Champions, host Ron Nussbaum talks with Mike Abramowitz (Better Than Rich) about the systems every contractor needs to grow a predictable business. We cover: How to grow your construction business without burning outWhy contractors nee...

How do you go from selling furniture to building a $15 million roofing and restoration company in just a few years? In this episode of Construction Champions, host Ron Nussbaum talks with Aaron Christy, founder of Indy Roofing & Restoration, about how consistency, reviews, and relationships helped him scale into one of Indiana’s top residential roofing companies. Aaron shares how he leveraged...

Most contractors think equity is only for big companies or tech startups. But there’s a better way to keep your best people without giving away ownership, creating tax headaches, or drowning in legal fees. In this episode of Construction Champions, host Ron Nussbaum talks with Chris Buttenham, co-founder of Reins and author of Alternative Equity, about the basics of phantom equity and alternative...

Most builders settle for code, but code is just the bare minimum. In this episode of Construction Champions, host Ron Nussbaum talks with Mark Garraty, founder & CEO of Royal Texan Homes, about why responsibility, health, and legacy matter more than volume or ego in construction. From designing forever homes to planning for electrification and healthier indoor air, Mark shares why contractors...

Most contractors don’t fail because they can’t build, they fail because their business is chaos. In this episode of Construction Champions, host Ron Nussbaum sits down with Scott Beebe, founder of Business on Purpose and author of The Chaos Free Contractor. With over a decade helping contractors build purpose, people, process, and profit, Scott reveals how to replace chaos with clarity. What You’l...

Most construction projects don’t fail because of bad builders, they fail because of bad documentation and poor coordination. In this episode of Construction Champions, host Ron Nussbaum sits down with Marcy Sagal, Principal and Founder of MSA Interiors, a firm specializing in multifamily, senior housing, healthcare, and large-scale developments. With 25+ years in the industry, Marcy explains why g...

Most contractors spend their lives building America but never build financial freedom. In this episode of Construction Champions, host Ron Nussbaum sits down with Ron Beckner Navy veteran, third-generation pipefitter, and financial advisor, to expose the hard truths about money in construction that no one teaches you. If you’ve ever thought buying a $150K truck is a tax strategy… this episode is f...

In this episode of Construction Champions, we’re joined by Nicolas Breedlove, founder of PlaygroundEquipment.com, to dive into how his company scales nationally while keeping one thing non-negotiable: no callbacks. From schools and parks to general contractors and cities PlaygroundEquipment.com serves clients across the country. And they’ve built systems that make sure every job gets done right th...

Want to stop losing deals at the pricing conversation? In this episode of Construction Champions, host Ron Nussbaum talks with Christopher Scoville, Founder & CEO of IMPROVIFI, a multi-lender financing platform crafted for contractors. Chris shares how offering financing can prevent lost sales, improve approval rates, and help builders confidently close more jobs. What you'll learn: Why co...

Struggling to find and keep the right people? In this episode of Construction Champions, host Ron Nussbaum sits down with Mike Matalone, founder of XP3 Talent, to break down why most contractors hire the wrong way… and what to do instead. With decades of experience helping businesses build top-tier teams, Mike reveals how to stop wasting time on bad hires and start building a team that actually dr...

What does it take to last 30+ years in construction and still be thriving? In this episode of Construction Champions, host Ron Nussbaum sits down with general contractor Stacie Stewart, who built her career from mortgage lending to fix-and-flips, land development, and full-scale subdivisions. Now, she’s training the next generation of builders and she’s not holding anything back. ✅ Why relationsh...

Most construction software isn’t built for the people who actually use it. In this episode of Construction Champions, host Ron Nussbaum sits down with Pam Duffy, mechanical engineer and founder of Powerhouse Consulting Group, to break down why technology in the construction world so often fails and what needs to change. Pam shares her journey from engineering to leadership and consulting, and how...

Most construction companies waste money on marketing, but it doesn’t have to be that way. In this episode of Construction Champions, host Ron Nussbaum sits down with Paige Wiese, founder of Tree Ring Digital, to talk about how contractors can actually make marketing work. From busted SEO promises to misunderstood branding, Paige breaks down the real reasons marketing doesn’t work for most contract...

The SEO game is changing, fast. In this episode of Construction Champions, Ron Nussbaum sits down with Bob Clark, founder of Contractors Partner, a digital marketing agency that specializes in helping contractors rank #1, get leads, and build a brand that wins. Bob shares what’s actually happening in search today, from Google’s new AI overviews to why content and branding are more important than e...

What happens when a Navy submarine officer becomes a general contractor… and then a business coach? In this episode of Construction Champions, host Ron Nussbaum sits down with Dave Rossberg to talk about the real battlefield in construction, not just bidding, building, or margins, but customer service. Dave shares his wild journey from nuclear subs to startup chaos to government contracting and fi...

In the construction industry, most companies focus on tools, timelines, and tasks, but what about service? In this episode of Construction Champions, host Ron Nussbaum talks with Stephen Wiles, President of Redbox+ Dumpsters, about how exceptional customer service is the real advantage in a crowded market. From answering every call to cleaning up job sites, Stephen shares what it takes to create a...

Kevin Hill has built and sold multiple home service businesses and now helps others lead better as a master advisor with CEO Warrior. In this episode, he unpacks why most “accountability problems” are actually leadership problems, how ego kills your culture, and why asking about someone’s why will unlock more growth than any bonus ever could. If you’ve ever wondered why your team won’t step up or...

Ann McNeill is one of the first Black female contractors in Florida and after 45 years in the game, she’s not slowing down. In this episode, Ann breaks down the five businesses every contractor is actually running, why most of us never learn to make our money make money, and how niching down is the secret to wealth in construction. She’s built multiple companies, worked on billion-dollar programs,...

What if your construction business could be your legacy and your brand was the reason it lasted? Christene Marie, fourth-generation tradeswoman and founder of multiple marketing companies, joins the show to explain why most construction businesses don’t invest in branding: it’s not a money problem, it’s a self-worth problem. She breaks down how personal mindset, values, and leadership shape how a...

Monika Zasada has spent over 25 years inside the construction industry, on every side of the table. She’s been a GC, client, and owner’s rep, and now she’s on a mission to fix the broken process behind nearly every construction project. In this episode, Monika shares how misaligned expectations, competitive bidding, and poor communication lead to chaos and how her “project curator” method turns co...

Brian Seymour, founder of Springdale Custom Builders in Charlotte, reveals how his team delivers 10/10 results by running tighter job sites, setting clearer expectations, and building a vertically integrated operation. From keeping subs happy to handing off his first project as a PM, Brian breaks down what it really takes to scale your construction business the right way. If you’ve ever wondered h...

Recruiting in construction doesn't have to be a never-ending battle. Ryan Hogan, Navy veteran and serial entrepreneur, breaks down the real reason most hiring fails and what to do differently. From EOS-powered systems to poaching top talent the right way, this episode will flip your mindset on what’s possible in recruiting. Whether you’re stuck thinking “there are no good people” or you’ve bee...