Titans of the Trades | Straight-Talk for Scaling Your Construction Business

Summary In this episode, Ryan Englin interviews Ira Singer, the Founder of Mosaic Construction, a nationally recognized general contractor. They discuss the importance of building relationships with trade partners and subcontractors in the construction industry.  Ira emphasizes the need for intentional relationship-building and highlights the value of good behavior, communication, and professional...

Summary In this episode of Titans of the Trades, host Ryan Englin sits down with Levi Torres, the President of High 5 Plumbing, to dive into the innovative approach of his plumbing company. Levi breaks down the stereotypes in the trade industry and shares how High 5 Plumbing sets itself apart by focusing on cleanliness, communication, and a positive work environment.  From transforming their busin...

Summary Jonathan Porter-Whistman, CEO of PerceptionPredict, discusses the big mistake people make in hiring and the need to slow down and carefully consider the hiring process. He emphasizes the importance of understanding why and how to hire, as well as the impact of poor hiring decisions on company culture and credibility.  Porter-Whistman suggests that hiring should be approached as a half-mill...

Summary Richard Hart, the founder of Hart's Plumbing and Heating, shares his insights on finding and developing good people in the service industry. He shatters the myth that there are no good people out there and emphasizes the importance of the people in a business.  Richard discusses the training and education programs at Hart's Academy and the company's commitment to providing h...

Summary In this conversation, Ryan Englin interviews Michael Fortinberry, the CEO and Founder of Protiv, a software platform that helps motivate and incentivize performance from hourly workers. They discuss the myth of hourly pay and the challenges of motivating blue-collar workers.  Michael explains how linking incentives to performance can create motivation, engagement, and enthusiasm among hour...

In this conversation, Timothy Wingate and Ryan Englin discuss the power of integrating technology into financial and accounting processes in the construction industry. Timothy debunks the myth that doing things the same way is always the best way and emphasizes the importance of finding more efficient methods.  Timothy explains how his company, G + F Business and Financial Consulting, helps constr...

Summary Cameron Sides, VP of Sales at Acquire ROI, discusses the myth of needing more applicants and the importance of optimizing ad spend using data. He explains how programmatic job advertising can expand job ad exposure to niche job boards and improve ad performance.  Cameron emphasizes the significance of good job ad content and the impact of budget allocation on cost per apply. He also highli...

Summary In today's episode, we had the privilege of hosting Mike Kaeding, CEO of Norhart, who shared his transformative approach to disrupting the construction space. Mike's company is driving a 20-30% reduction in construction costs with a vision to achieve 50% reduction.  By integrating all trades under one roof and implementing revolutionary techniques like the assembly line, they&apo...

Summary Bryce Wuori, the founder and CEO of Pavewise, discusses the impact of technology on the construction industry. He dispels the myth that construction will never change and highlights the importance of embracing new ways of doing things.  Bryce shares his personal journey in the industry and how it led to the creation of Pavewise. The conversation explores the communication challenges in con...

Summary In this conversation, Jeff Wald debunks the myth that AI and robotics will take away a significant number of jobs in the coming years. He explains that throughout history, similar fears have arisen with the introduction of new technologies, but the impact on jobs has been gradual and limited to repetitive, high-volume tasks. He uses the example of the ATM to illustrate how automation does...

Summary In this conversation, Ryan Englin and Tom Marino discuss the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in finding work-life harmony and growing their businesses. They debunk the myth that entrepreneurs have to do it all themselves and emphasize the importance of delegating tasks to a competent team.  Tom highlights the need for systems and processes to ensure consistent quality and efficiency. He...

Summary In this conversation, Keith Ingels discusses the importance of continuous improvement in business and dispels the myth that it requires massive leaps. He emphasizes the value of taking small, manageable steps every day and setting realistic goals.  Keith also highlights the importance of visualizing processes, involving fresh eyes, and empowering employees to identify and solve problems. H...

Summary In this conversation, Ryan Englin and Jeff Davis discuss the myths and misconceptions surrounding field service jobs. They highlight the value and opportunities available in these roles and emphasize the importance of employer branding and employee referrals in attracting quality candidates. Additionally, Jeff touches on the role of technology in facilitating the hiring process.    Takeawa...

Summary David Giannetto, CEO of WorkWave, discusses the importance of technology in overcoming industry challenges and achieving business goals. He highlights the need for service providers to embrace technology to generate new customers, improve communication, and streamline operations.  David emphasizes the role of technology in moving money quickly and efficiently through a company, as well as...

Summary In this conversation, Scott Bohannon from CEO Warrior discusses common myths and misconceptions in business. He emphasizes the importance of practical application and tactical strategies in addition to mindset.  The conversation covers topics such as time management, focusing on strengths, learning from failures, and the role of technology in business growth. Scott also provides insights i...

Your host, Ryan Englin, talks with the Founder and President of Rival Digital, Eric Thomas. Eric explored the concept of recruiting as a form of marketing, but targeted towards a different audience. Eric, with his deep expertise in marketing for the skilled trades, shed light on the effectiveness of simple strategies that are often overlooked or dismissed. The principles of marketing don't ju...

Your host, Ryan Englin, talks with the Founder of ELF Solutions, Erin Thorp. Erin’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Starting as an army officer, she transitioned into the commercial world, where she became part of a legendary banking culture at Texas Commerce, which later became Chase Bank of Texas. Her experiences there, particularly the bank's 64 consecutive quarters of earnings grow...

In this episode, we welcome back the CEO of the largest plumbing company in California, John Akhoian to dive into the pervasive myth of a talent shortage. John tells us that there is actually an abundance of capable individuals seeking dynamic companies. He argues that suitable candidates are plentiful but require intentional recruitment. With his business, Rooter Hero, he explains that their inno...

In this episode, I welcome the author of The Career Toolkit, Mark Herschberg, an expert in leadership and career development. We talk about the myths surrounding soft skills, challenging the notion that they are innate talents rather than learned abilities. Mark says  assuming these skills can't be taught isn’t correct. He provides practical advice for business leaders seeking to promote grow...

What truly holds business leaders back? Darren Virassammy, Co-Founder of 34 Strong, joins me in this episode to talk about strategies that meet the unique needs of your workforce. Darren advocates for a strengths-based approach to human development, guiding leaders in understanding their employees and unleashing their best potential. Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightf...

Dustin Stelzer joins me in this episode to address the pressing need to transform how we train the next generation of technicians. Faced with a growing labor shortage, he discusses strategies to make trades more appealing to future generations. From dispelling stereotypes to showcasing the financial rewards, Dustin emphasizes the multifaceted approach required to inspire a new wave of talent. Supp...

This is the passionate conversation I had with Bryan Clayton, where we unraveled the myths that shackle entrepreneurs in their pursuit of business growth and success. He highlights a key distinction between hard work and difficult work, emphasizing that it's not just about the hustle and the grinding but about strategic thinking and problem-solving. Support Titans of the Trades: If you found...

As trade businesses seek continuous improvement and innovation, renowned author and expert Mark Graban is my guest this week to explore the common myths that hinder business growth. In this episode, Mark will pull back the curtain on data issues you might be dealing with, as well as provide us with a better approach to building a positive culture for your team. Support Titans of the Trades: If you...

What strategies have you found effective in recruiting and retaining talent in the trades? If you’re struggling to answer that, then you’ll have to tune into this episode with Wayne Gibson from RIDDLEBERGER BROTHERS, INC (RBI). He shares his successful strategies in recruiting and retaining talent and the critical task of investing in your people. Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this ep...

I had a fascinating conversation with Tersh Blissett, founder of Service Business Mastery, about how automation and AI are transforming the HVAC industry. As someone running a fully remote HVAC company, Tersh has implemented automation to improve communication and engagement with his team. Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a revi...