Survive The Recession And Build A 7 Figure Construction Business
Survive The Recession And Build A 7 Figure Construction Business
What motivates you to keep pushing for growth and improvement in your business?
I always strive to do better and to exceed expectations for my customers and myself. I enjoy seeing projects come together and witnessing customers' reactions when the result is better than they imagined.
I also want to see my staff grow, and for that to happen, the company has to grow. We're always working on better communication, better leadership, and better quality—always striving to improve. As I get older, I know retirement and succession are coming, so I want to build something that I can eventually pass on—whether to family, my staff, or even sell outright for a comfortable retirement.
How can business owners choose the right clients and projects?
A big lesson for me is not trusting your instincts and ending up with the wrong client or project. Sometimes it's because the market is slow or because a client offers a high-value project that seems hard to turn down. But if there’s something telling you it’s not a good fit, you need to listen to that instinct.
It's crucial to qualify your clients and projects to ensure they’re a good fit for both you and your team. I've taken on projects in the past when I knew deep down that they weren’t right for us, and it never worked out well. Now, it doesn’t matter how tempting the offer is—if it’s not a good fit, I won’t proceed.
It’s like they say: "Hire slow, fire fast." I apply the same idea to clients. If it’s not a good fit for your company, don’t do it.
What should a business owner do if a project is not going well?
Another principle I use is: if you start something, finish it. Whether the project is going well or badly, there is always a sense of accomplishment in completing it. If it’s not going well, finish it as quickly as possible and move on to the next great customer and project. But no matter what, finish what you start. To me, that’s very important.
What are the benefits of joining networking groups for business owners?
The first thing I have to mention is marrying my wife. She is my support, my right-hand woman, and keeps me moving forward. She's incredibly intelligent, and I couldn’t do this without her.
The second key decision was joining networking groups. College or trade school never really prepares you to run a business. They give you the basics, but until you've lived it, you're not truly ready. I joined my first networking group about six or seven years ago, and I wish I'd done it sooner. It was a huge help—not only getting feedback from other business owners but also sharing experiences and finding people to relate to.
In college or working for a company, you always have someone to fall back on. You have mentors. But once you go into business for yourself, that support vanishes. Networking groups gave me a space where I could share issues, victories, and ideas. It’s been incredibly valuable to have people who understand what you’re going through and can help you grow. Joining a networking group is a game changer—I highly recommend it.
Some of these networking groups can be pricey. But looking back, after being part of one, there's no way I would run a business without being in a networking group. It's a no-brainer. It’s essential for good business health.
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.*
