.jpg)
The Contractor Commute
Welcome to the Contractor Commute, a podcast by ConGenius that you can enjoy during your drive to the job. Join us as we discuss the construction industry, small business owning, and how to be a better leader in the industry, no matter what your position is.
Episodes
62 episodes
Selling Quality Craftsmanship in a Fast and Cheap Culture with Brent Hull
In this episode, Brent Hull joins us as we dive into the impact of today’s quick-fix culture on quality craftsmanship, from the pressures of fast delivery to the challenges builders face as they navigate a "Snap and Place" society. We explore h...
•
43:45
.jpg)
Understanding Your Value as a Contractor
On today's episode of The Contractor Commute, we’re diving into a critical question: "What should I charge vs. what can I charge?" Whether you’re a new contractor figuring out your pricing strategy or a seasoned p...
•
Episode 61
•
35:32
Secrets to Building a Great Team with Brad Leavitt from AFT Construction
What sets Brad Leavitt, and AFT Construction, apart in the construction and contracting world? We dive deep into his journey—exploring how he built his business from the ground up, the valuable lessons he’s learned along the way, and ho...
•
Episode 60
•
32:58
Training the Next Generation | Interview with Dan Parish
Dan Parish is the Founder and CEO of Millworks by Design, a premier carpentry firm just outside Los Angeles.We’re excited to have Dan join us for this episode, where he’ll share how he's developed a unique approach to training the next g...
•
Episode 59
•
47:51
I’m Overwhelmed! Do I Need an Office Manager?
If you don’t know what you’re doing with your business before you hire an office manager, you’re not going to know what to do afterward. Be cautious about hiring for an ill-defined position when your processes might be what are running you dry!...
•
Episode 58
•
33:26
Building New Habits in Your Team
Creating new habits within your team demands commitment, a clear strategy, and a compelling incentive. To gain buy-in, you'll often need to effectively "sell" the benefits of these changes.In this episode, Ben and Kinsey dive into practi...
•
Episode 57
•
31:18
Are You Being Cheated?
Customers can purposefully and unknowingly take advantage of you if you let them!In this episode, Ben and Kinsey talk about the subtle ways that you frame your business to ensure you aren't being cheated whether that is how you talk abo...
•
Episode 56
•
30:25
Working With Designers Can Be Amazing or a Disaster
Designers can help elevate your work to new heights, or they can be another bump in the road.Ben and Kinsey talk about working with designers, how to foster a healthy relationship, and the pros and cons that can come with it. Like any p...
•
Episode 55
•
28:48
What to Do When Your Construction Company is Broke | Practical Steps to Take
Take the time to learn "why" your business could end up broke and take the practical lessons from this episode to ensure it doesn't happen!Ben and Kinsey cover items like invoicing on time, getting paid for the work that you do, taking ...
•
Episode 54
•
42:39
What to Do When Your Construction Company is Broke | Symptoms of Being Broke
Being broke is overwhelming, whether it's in your personal life or your business. In this episode, Ben and Kinsey talk about how to ensure you know your worth, even if your bank account is empty.This is the first part of a two-part serie...
•
Episode 53
•
35:19
What I Wish I Knew When I Started My Construction Business
Ben started his construction business after growing up in the industry. He learned quite a bit over his years running his own business and wanted to share some of the best (and worst) lessons that he has to share. This episode hope...
•
Episode 52
•
32:44
Manage Construction Projects Like a Boss | How to Be a Hero
Standing out in the construction industry means becoming a hero to both your team and your customers.In this episode, Ben and Kinsey continue our project management mini-series by exploring the critical role of effective communication an...
•
Episode 51
•
33:17
Manage Construction Projects Like a Boss | Checklists, Calendars, & Communication
Imagine a world where you’re consistently beating the schedule, you’re under budget, your team functions like a well-oiled machine. They’re efficient, they’re energized, they’re happy. You are meeting deadlines. You’re a hero to your...
•
Episode 50
•
32:33
Manage Construction Projects like a Boss | Why You Need a Process
With this episode, we're starting a new miniseries on Project Management in Construction.Today's episode covers processes and the impact they can have on you and your business. Processes can impact these four areas:-Cus...
•
27:51
$500 of Free Advice from a Small Construction Business Attorney
On this episode of The Contractor Commute, we're joined by Will Worsham to explore the essential steps in legally structuring your business for success, from startup to handling challenges. We delve into the costs involved in legal...
•
Episode 48
•
44:40
Getting Legit in Your Construction Business - LLCs and Legalities
What do you need to make sure your business is set up well? In this episode, we look at what legal steps you need to take to ensure your business's legitimacy, safety, and future!9 things you need to do:Create your...
•
Episode 47
•
30:54
The Power of Saying No
For every yes you give, in business and in life, you're saying no to something else. This episode dives into learning when and how to say no to customers, to projects, and even when to say no to your team.
•
Episode 46
•
30:05
When Should You Hire Your First Employee?
Is it time for you to hire your first employee? This episode breaks down what to do if you feel like it is time for your business to grow. We'll talk through how to define a role, hiring for projects over long-lasting purpose, and ...
•
Episode 45
•
39:19
Get Your Life Back with Shawn Van Dyke
Shawn Van Dyke is joining us for this episode of The Contractor Commute!Shawn wrote Profit First for Contractors and is a business consultant for many in the construction industry. He wants contractors to run successful businesses and l...
•
Episode 44
•
53:35
How to Get More Customers
This episode is a hands-on approach to marketing that will help you get more customers, build a brand, and establish a reliable business.Whether you are just getting started with your construction business, or you're trying to reinvigor...
•
Episode 43
•
45:12
Managing Your Worst Customers & Identifying Red Flags
Everyone who has ever worked in construction or some form of sales has stories of clients that they wish they would have avoided. In this episode, Ben and Kinsey talk about steps you can take to minimize the impact red flag clients...
•
Episode 42
•
38:41
Getting Started with Sales and Marketing
Sales and marketing for your company could become a full-time position, but it doesn't need to start out that way! In this episode, Ben and Kinsey talk about key strategies and tangible options that you can start working on today t...
•
Episode 41
•
36:54
Navigating Construction Job Estimating | Why Is It So Hard?
In this episode of The Contractor Commute, Ben gives some of the backstory behind ConGenius and how that has impacted what he wants his business to do. Estimating construction jobs is an increasingly difficult task, but it can be o...
•
Episode 40
•
38:14
Dodging Disasters and Chasing Dreams: End of Year Wrap Up
With 2023 coming to a close, Ben and Kinsey have a discussion on near-death experiences, New Year's Resolutions, and what is next for The Contractor Commute and ConGenius.Thank you for making the past three dozen+ episodes of this show ...
•
Episode 39
•
36:21
How Should Contractors Manage Their Back-office Processes?
The back office...not quite the place that many production-oriented contractors like finding themselves. It doesn't mean it isn't important and shouldn't be thought about. That's why we're here!Establishing back office processes is vita...
•
Episode 38
•
38:57