Hard Hat to CEO with Chris Gilman

What do you do when the business you built nearly breaks you and puts your family through hell? In this honest and personal episode, Chris G shares how getting seriously sick forced him to face the problems he’d been ignoring in both his business and life. From waking up in a hospital far from home to realizing no one knew how to run things without him, he learned the hard way that something had t...

Is your business growing, but the numbers are getting harder to keep up with? In this episode, Chris G talks with CFO Ken LaCroix about when it might be time to bring in some help. Ken explains what a CFO really does, what numbers you should be paying attention to and how often to look at them. They also cover simple ways to track profit, how to spot red flags early, and why focusing on the right...

What if your next home or the ones you build could be safer, easier to build, and way cheaper to heat and cool? In this episode, Chris G chats with Ben Snuffer and Dustin Jensen from Monolith about a building method most people haven’t heard of yet: Insulated Concrete Forms. They explain how their system, made from tough polyurethane, helps save money, speeds up construction, and stands up to thin...

What if all those long days on the job site could actually help you build real wealth? In this episode of Hard Hat to CEO, Chris G chats with Cody Stegeman, a former contractor from Minnesota who’s now making a living through real estate. Cody shares how he went from swinging a hammer to flipping homes and owning rentals that bring in steady income. They talk real numbers, real stories, and what i...

Do you feel like your business owns you instead of the other way around? In this episode of Hard Hat to CEO, we get real about what it means to work nonstop and still feel behind. If you're grinding through 60+ hour weeks, it's time to change that, without slowing down your growth. You’ll hear a story about juggling farm life and office deadlines that sparked a major shift in how to run a business...

What if a hoodie could help someone feel calm enough to enjoy lunch with friends? In this episode of Hard Hat to CEO, Chris G chats with Julia DeNey, a former special ed teacher who started a clothing brand for people with sensory needs. Her clothes are designed with features such as sound-blocking hoods, magnetic closures, and built-in fidgets to help children and adults on the autism spectrum fe...

Why do we grab our phones the second we hear a ding? In this episode, Chris G talks about how those little notifications are messing with our focus, kind of like Pavlov’s dog. He shares how phones and apps are built to keep us hooked, and how that habit could be costing you time, money, and peace of mind. Chris offers simple ways to take back control, like turning on Do Not Disturb, setting bounda...

What really makes someone a leader, and how do you know if you're showing up as one? In this episode of Hard Hat to CEO, Chris G chats with Andy Neillie, founder of Neillie Leadership Group, about the difference between just managing and truly leading. Andy shares how a bad boss on a construction site inspired him to help others lead better. He talks through the Four Leadership Necessities that he...

Are you tired and unmotivated even when you're not working long hours? The real reason for burnout might surprise you: it’s not how much you work, but whether that work fits who you are. In this episode, Chris shares a personal story about chasing a goal that looked exciting but ultimately didn’t align with his vision for freedom and flexibility. Through trial, reflection, and some missed opportun...

Ever wonder what it really takes to build a business that doesn't need you running it every single day? In this episode, Chris G chats with David Forster, a Missouri local who went from growing up on a cattle farm to starting, growing, and selling multiple businesses with his wife, including a landscaping company and a bike shop. David opens up about what worked, what didn’t, and why stepping back...

Is your team missing deadlines, feeling worn out, or just not getting things right? It might not be their fault, and it could be something you're doing (or not doing). In this episode, Chris G. opens up about mistakes he's made as a leader, especially around hiring and communication. He talks honestly about how rushing to hire, not training people well, and keeping too much in your head can hurt y...

What if building wealth started with how you think, not just what you buy? In this episode, Chris G sits down with Jacopo Iasiello, an Italian-born entrepreneur who went from running a jewelry business to investing in real estate across the U.S. He shares how Rich Dad Poor Dad changed his path at 22, the smart ways he flips properties and finds land before it rises in value, and why his daily rout...

What do you do when someone you counted on just disappears and suddenly, it’s all on you? In this episode of Hard Hat to CEO, our host shares a real, no-filter story about a contractor who walked off the job halfway through a project, and the tough lessons that followed. It’s a look at leadership when things don’t go as planned, when your ego takes a hit, emotions run high, and you still have to s...

What if the thing you’ve always seen as your biggest limitation is actually your secret strength? In this episode of Hard Hat to CEO, Chris G sits down with Prima Jope, the Ugandan entrepreneur behind the “Tiny Power Brand” movement, who shares how she left a high-paying engineering job to build a purpose-driven business from the ground up with no connections, limited resources, and a whole lot of...

Are you saying yes to every job just to keep the wheels turning even when you know it’s going to be a headache? In this episode, Chris G talks honestly about why turning down the wrong work can actually move your business forward faster. He shares why profit matters more than just staying busy, how to spot those clients who are more trouble than they’re worth, and why listening to your gut usually...

In this episode of Hard Hat to CEO, Chris G talks with branding expert Brady Dahmer about the “blind spots” that quietly ruin projects, like one costly mistake that led to a $7,000 reprint. Brady shares real-life lessons on why clear communication, solid documentation, and asking the right questions can save you time, money, and client trust. With over 25 years of experience, his insights are valu...

What’s keeping you from finally pushing past that $500,000 mark in your contracting business? In this episode, Chris G talks about the real reasons growth stalls. He dives into the reasons why some contractors stay stuck and why others take off once they start trusting the right people, raising their prices, and getting clear on their numbers. He shares stories that hit close to home, simple tips...

In this episode of Hard Hat to CEO, Chris G talks with Ryan Twomey, co-founder of TR Capital Partners, about how he went from a corporate finance job to owning over 500 rental units and why he shifted from being a landlord to investing in larger real estate deals through syndication. They break down what syndication is, how everyday professionals can get involved, and why it's a favorite strategy...

Ever feel wiped out by lunchtime, even though you haven’t done anything that intense? You might be dealing with decision fatigue, and you're definitely not alone. In this episode, Chris breaks down why it’s not about being lazy or unmotivated. It’s all those little choices piling up and draining your mental energy. He shares real-life, practical ways to take back control of your day, like building...

In this episode, Chris G. sits down with Ronnie Teja as he gets real about his journey, both personal and professional. He talks about how cutting out alcohol and bringing more structure into his life helped him lose over 100 pounds and gave him the energy to grow his business threefold. Ronnie shares what he’s learned about the importance of sleep, willpower, and dreaming big, and how those thing...

In this episode of Hard Hat to CEO, Chris G. talks honestly about a struggle a lot of contractors know too well: making decent sales but still feeling like there’s never enough cash. He shares real stories and down-to-earth advice on figuring out where your money’s going, from job costs and overhead to all those sneaky expenses like tools, repairs, and downtime. He also touches on how unreliable c...

In this episode, Chris G sits down with Brandon Barnum, author of Raving Referrals and CEO of HOA.com, to talk about easy ways to grow your business through referrals. Brandon shares a simple 3-step method: set the stage, listen for the right moment, and ask for the referral without it feeling pushy. They also talk about how small gestures, like giving a $2 bill, can leave a big impression, and ho...

In today’s episode, Chris G talks straight about the slow seasons in contracting. Whether it’s the rainy weeks, the quiet months, or the times when work just dries up. He shares how shutting off ads when things were busy eventually came back to bite him. Now, he’s all about staying visible and using the downtime wisely. Whether it’s flipping a house, cleaning up the shop, cross-training the crew,...

In this episode, Chris chats with Boo Maddox, a real estate agent and leadership coach from Utah who grew up in the home building world. Boo shares down-to-earth advice for how agents and contractors can work better together focusing on trust, doing good work, and giving referrals instead of shady deals. He talks about the tough housing market, with high interest rates and low inventory, but stron...

In this episode, Chris shares five straightforward ways to boost productivity on your job site. Drawing from real-world experiences, including a game-changing visit to a competitor’s site, Chris explains how small improvements, like proper delegation, clear expectations, and focused quality control, can lead to big efficiency gains. It’s not just about working faster, it’s about working smarter, h...