Best Sy Kirby Podcasts (2025)

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Ep. 61 - Digging Digital Trenches 1:11:01

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2d ago1:11:01

1:11:01

Think your marketing problem needs more ad spend? Luke Eggebraaten argues it needs a better foundation. We dig into the exact steps excavation and utility contractors can take to get found, get picked, and get paid, without wasting cash on “magic” lead promises. Luke shares how he went from broad small-business marketing to serving the dirt world e…

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Ep. 60 - From Machines to Mentorship 44:31

9d ago44:31

44:31

Payroll panic, pricing doubts, and the pull of the machine, if you’ve ever felt that tug-of-war, you’ll feel seen here. We sit down with John to unpack how Dirt to Dollars grew from hard questions in the field into a coaching program grounded in reality, not buzzwords. He explains why context matters more than clichés, how to price for risk without…

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Ep. 59 - Big Jobs, Bigger Mistakes: What They Don’t Teach in Construction 58:05

16d ago58:05

58:05

Ever wonder why some blue-collar businesses look huge online yet struggle to keep cash in the bank? We dig into the real story behind sustainable growth with John Seaman of JC Property Professionals, how a kid raised on job sites built a company across trees, clearing, and grading, then made the tough call to walk away from custom home headaches an…

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Ep. 58 - How GCs Win With Subs 1:07:46

23d ago1:07:46

1:07:46

Tired of hard-bid chaos and the “race to the bottom” that leaves everyone exhausted and underpaid? We sit down with Dylan Ream, regional manager at ARCO, to unpack how design-build flips the incentives so subs can profit, owners get clarity, and schedules stop bleeding. Dylan’s path, engineering grad to field-heavy project engineer to design-build …

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Ep. 57 - Solving Equipment Chaos, One Part at a Time 59:15

30d ago59:15

59:15

Sam Light, owner of Lighthouse Machinery and a 25-year veteran of the heavy equipment industry, takes us behind the scenes of a market in transformation. With experience running dealerships across multiple states, Sam brings unparalleled insight into why he left the corporate world to create something that genuinely serves customers rather than sha…

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Ep. 56 - Get Heavy Machines Repaired Without Dealer Delays 1:02:14

1M ago1:02:14

1:02:14

What happens when skilled mechanics break free from the dealership model? A revolution in equipment service that's changing the construction industry. Alex Kraft spent 16 years watching the same problems plague heavy equipment service: weeks-long backlogs, poor communication, frustrated customers, and skilled technicians earning a fraction of what …

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Ep. 55 - Fixing Financial Blind Spots in Construction 57:53

1M ago57:53

57:53

Ever wondered why your profitable projects aren't reflected in your bank account? The answer lies in construction financial management, specifically, the disconnect between traditional accounting software and the unique needs of contractors. In this revealing conversation, Sy Kirby speaks with Caleb Smith, Co-Founder and President of ControlQore, a…

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Ep. 54 - Why Your Next Career Insurance Policy Should Be Manual Skills 1:05:56

2M ago1:05:56

1:05:56

The skills gap in America didn't happen by accident. It was engineered through decades of educational policies that systematically dismantled vocational training in favor of college preparation. Zachary Hanson, author of The Trade Gap and host of The Okayest Trapper Podcast, joins us to share his remarkable journey from corporate executive to skill…

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Ep. 53 - Tiered Pricing Secrets Every Blue Collar Boss Must Know 58:48

2M ago58:48

58:48

Ever feel like you're working harder than ever but your profits don't show it? You're not alone. In this eye-opening conversation, America's service coach Joe Crisara reveals the exact strategy that took him from $500,000 in debt to completely debt-free in just three years—without working more hours or finding more customers. The secret? The Pure M…

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Ep. 52 - How We Stopped Fighting About Work 43:35

2M ago43:35

43:35

Marriage and business make for a volatile mix, as Sy and Sara Kirby candidly reveal in this vulnerable exploration of conflict communication and emotional safety. After nearly a decade of working side-by-side in their blue-collar business, they've weathered storms that would sink many relationships – and emerged with hard-won wisdom about keeping b…

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Ep. 51 - Designing a Future and a Legacy Together 38:36

2M ago38:36

38:36

The delicate dance between entrepreneurship and marriage takes center stage in this heartfelt conversation with Sy and Sara Kirby. The couple opens up about the challenges and triumphs of building a construction business while raising a family and nurturing their relationship. From the beginning, their different approaches were evident - Sy focused…

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Ep. 50 - Why You Should Be Winning Federal Contracts as a Small Business 57:35

3M ago57:35

57:35

Have you ever wondered if there's a more stable revenue stream waiting for your blue collar business? In this eye-opening episode, Eric Knellinger, president of US Federal Contractor Registration, reveals the largely untapped world of federal government contracts and how they can transform small businesses in the trades. Did you know that 23% of al…

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Ep. 49 - Making Time for What Truly Matters 45:11

3M ago45:11

45:11

Time—the ultimate non-renewable resource. For blue collar business owners juggling family life with entrepreneurial demands, time management isn't just a productivity hack—it's survival. In this raw and revealing second installment of our Date Night series, my wife Sara and I pull back the curtain on how we manage the constant tug-of-war between bu…

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Ep. 48 - Rebuilding Intimacy, Building Business 44:55

3M ago44:55

44:55

Sy Kirby takes a deeply personal turn in this episode, inviting his business partner and wife of 11 years, Sara, to kick off a special four-part series on the challenges of marriage in entrepreneurship. Their raw conversation offers an intimate glimpse into how blue-collar business owners can protect their most important partnership while building …

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Ep. 47 - How to Move Forward When You're Mentally and Physically Stuck 21:10

3M ago21:10

21:10

If you're tired of spinning your wheels, worn down from the same routine, or just feeling mentally buried, this episode is built for you. We’ve stitched together the best answers from multiple guests who all responded to one honest question: what do you say to the blue collar worker who’s sick of being stuck in the mud? The responses are real, hard…

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Ep. 46 - Cash Flow Clarity: Funding Big Jobs Right 53:56

4M ago53:56

53:56

The most successful construction business owners know a secret that others learn the hard way: understanding cash flow is the difference between thriving and barely surviving. In this powerful conversation with Scott Peper, CEO of Mobilization Funding, we unpack why so many blue-collar businesses show healthy profits on paper but struggle with empt…

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Ep. 45 - Your Questions Answered: Blue-Collar Business Growth and Hard Truths 28:16

4M ago28:16

28:16

This week on the Blue Collar Business Podcast, I’m bringing you something a little different—a live Q&A session straight from TikTok and YouTube. I took your real, raw questions and gave honest answers based on what I’ve lived and learned in the trenches. We hit on everything from scaling family-run excavation businesses to figuring out margins, sy…

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Ep. 44 - How to Get Paid Faster 50:11

4M ago50:11

50:11

Ever finished a job perfectly, only to wait weeks or months to actually get paid for it? For blue collar businesses, cash flow isn't just an accounting concept—it's the lifeblood that keeps crews working, equipment running, and families fed. In this revealing conversation, tech entrepreneur Joe Kaye shares how his journey from corporate boardrooms …

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Ep. 43 – Hard Bids, Bad Clients, and Better Business Models with Mark Zweig 1:02:27

4M ago1:02:27

1:02:27

Mark Zweig takes us on a remarkable journey through his multiple years in architecture, engineering, and construction, sharing candid insights about the industry that few are willing to discuss. From his early career in architecture firms to founding the Zweig Group (now in its 37th year), Mark reveals how his experience across multiple disciplines…

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Ep. 42 – Digitizing the Trades: An Aussie Tradie's Mission 1:20:57

4M ago1:20:57

1:20:57

Trade skills are vanishing with retiring workers while younger generations struggle to find mentors. Marc Webb, growing up in an Australian coal mining town with limited career options, recognized this crisis after his journey from greenkeeper to youth justice worker to operations manager. His response? UTRADIE - a revolutionary digital passport sy…

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Ep. 41 - Why Buildertrend Failed Us (and How Project Management Saved It) 1:03:54

5M ago1:03:54

1:03:54

Ever felt trapped in the endless cycle of gathering more work than you can handle, scrambling to complete it, then desperately seeking more jobs to stay afloat? Sy Kirby calls this the "hamster wheel of death" for blue collar entrepreneurs—and it's exactly where he found himself before implementing proper systems and processes at Sy-Con. In this re…

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Ep. 40 - Ditching Corporate America to Build a Landscaping Empire 47:24

5M ago47:24

47:24

What happens when your body knows what your mind won't admit? For Matt Keller, it took chest-tightening panic attacks in his corporate office to recognize he was on the wrong path entirely. Despite managing a $250 million budget at Walmart by age 26, something was deeply wrong. "I used to sit at Sam's home office, looking out the window, thinking i…

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Ep. 39 - The Plumbing Pioneer's Playbook 45:41

5M ago45:41

45:41

Turning a $5.50 per hour job into a six-crew plumbing empire doesn't happen overnight. Jerry Houy's 20-year journey building Jerry's Plumbing reveals what's truly possible when determination meets opportunity in the skilled trades. Jerry's story begins like many in construction - hating his daily grind as a "pack mule" carrying shingles until a plu…

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Ep. 38 - How to Thrive When You’re Tired of the Blue Collar Rut 18:37

5M ago18:37

18:37

In this special compilation episode, Sy brings together powerful insights from past guests, each answering the same crucial question: "What advice do you have for a blue-collar worker who’s sick of being stuck in the mud?" Whether that frustration is physical, emotional, or mental, this episode delivers straight talk and practical wisdom from voice…

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Ep. 37 - How to Handle Honest Questions from Your Team 1:17:58

6M ago1:17:58

1:17:58

What truly separates successful excavation companies from those that struggle? In this revealing episode, Sy Kirby brings his core Sy-Con team—Wes, Jesus, and Sam—into the studio for an unfiltered conversation about the realities of running a blue-collar business. The team pulls back the curtain on their transformation from a price-driven company t…

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Ep. 36 - Performance Pay in Construction: Boost Culture and Profits 53:10

6M ago53:10

53:10

What if your workers treated every dollar of your labor budget as if it were their own money? In this eye-opening conversation, Michael Fortinberry, co-founder and president of Protiv, reveals the fundamental flaw in how blue-collar businesses compensate their workforce – and how to fix it. The contradiction is startling: contractors bid jobs based…

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Ep. 35 - Buying a GC Company at 30: What They Don’t Tell You 52:21

6M ago52:21

52:21

What happens when an architecture graduate decides he'd rather build buildings than design them? For Trent Hanna, President of SSI Northwest Arkansas, this realization launched a journey through construction superintendency and project management before culminating in the purchase of a 50-year-old general contracting company. Trent's story is a mas…

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Ep. 34 - When Content Became My Most Valuable Tool: Why I Started a Podcast 33:31

6M ago33:31

33:31

Ever wondered if marketing your blue-collar business is worth the investment? In this candid solo episode, Sy Kirby pulls back the curtain on how creating the Blue Collar Business Podcast transformed his excavation company in ways he never anticipated. Nine years into running SyCon Excavation, Sy found himself facing the same challenges many trades…

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Ep. 33 - The Hidden Challenges of Excavation Growth 1:10:47

7M ago1:10:47

1:10:47

What happens when a business owner with 22,500 TikTok followers who started pushing a mower across the street meets a podcast host who's been through the excavation industry's highest highs and lowest lows? Pure, unfiltered wisdom that every blue-collar contractor needs to hear. Trent Harris of Blue Collar Contractors pulls back the curtain on his …

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Ep. 32 - Dirt to Dollars: Excavating Success with Clay Hudspeth 43:34

7M ago43:34

43:34

Clay Hudspeth of HudX Excavation takes us on a journey through his entrepreneurial evolution, sharing the wisdom gained from over 25 years in the blue-collar world. After building a successful landscaping business with multiple crews, Clay completely restructured his approach with his excavation company, focusing on quality over quantity and implem…

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Ep. 31 - Turning Your Side Hustle into a Thriving Business: Bear Iron Works 45:43

7M ago45:43

45:43

The remarkable journey of Bear Iron Works exemplifies how practical innovation solves real-world construction challenges. Father-son team Mike and Roggen Frick transformed what began as a side hustle into a thriving American manufacturing enterprise by identifying crucial equipment gaps in the construction industry. Mike's extensive background in c…

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Ep. 30 - Finding Your Next Job Just Got Easier 44:33

7M ago44:33

44:33

The blue collar industries are experiencing a critical communication breakdown that's been misinterpreted as a skilled worker shortage. Brent Flavin, co-founder of BoomNation, joins the Blue Collar Business Podcast to reveal what's really happening behind the headlines and how technology is finally catching up to the needs of tradespeople. Traditio…

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Ep. 29 - Reclaim Your Time and Grow Your Business 1:13:06

8M ago1:13:06

1:13:06

When you've mastered your craft but your business owns your life, something's deeply wrong. Richard Walsh knows this firsthand – from digging trenches at $5/hour to building (and losing) a successful landscaping company during the 2008 crash, his journey reveals truths every blue-collar entrepreneur needs to hear. The moment that changed everything…

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Ep. 28 - Unlocking Billions in Government Contracts 59:22

8M ago59:22

59:22

The world of government contracting remains largely hidden from most blue collar businesses, yet it represents billions in untapped opportunities waiting to be claimed. In this eye-opening conversation with Melinda Colon of Fortis OBM, we discover how tradespeople and contractors can access this lucrative market with less paperwork than buying a ho…

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Ep. 27 - Bridging the Contractor-Architect Gap 49:52

8M ago49:52

49:52

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Lance Cayko, the co-founder of F9 Productions and host of the Inside the Firm podcast, as he shares his transformative journey from a farm upbringing to a flourishing career in architecture. Lance's personal narrative reveals how early lessons in construction and clashing personalities with his father l…

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Ep. 26 - From Classroom to Career: Starting Trades Education Early 59:40

8M ago59:40

59:40

Explore the transformative power of career and technical education (CTE) with Rodney Ellis, the visionary workforce training director at Springdale School District. Discover how Rodney and Chad Burkett are reshaping the educational landscape by embedding practical, skill-building courses into the curriculum as early as fourth grade. From robotics t…

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Ep. 25 - Training the Next Generation of Blue-Collar Workers 1:15:53

8M ago1:15:53

1:15:53

Unlock the doors to the world of blue-collar education as we spotlight the remarkable Chad Burkett and his transformative work in Springdale, Arkansas. Chad joins us to share the vital role of programs like heavy equipment operation, CDL training, and welding in shaping future industry leaders, thanks in part to partnerships with giants like Caterp…

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Ep. 24 - Mastering Cash Flow in Blue Collar Business 57:19

9M ago57:19

57:19

Uncover financial strategies that can transform your blue-collar business with insights from Lauren Furtado, the Unconventional CFO. Lauren joins us to break down barriers and challenge traditional CPA norms, making financial concepts like cash flow management and forecasting more accessible to entrepreneurs who might feel overwhelmed. Learn how a …

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Ep. 23 - The Trey Bo Dirt Story: From Lawnmowers to Millions 1:07:53

9M ago1:07:53

1:07:53

Ever wonder how a lawn-mowing gig can lead to TikTok fame and a thriving business? Trey Bo and Big Trey from Trey Bo Dirt share their incredible journey from neighborhood landscapers to social media sensations with over 125,000 followers. We promise you'll gain insights into the blue-collar hustle, filled with humor and real-world experiences. Tune…

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Ep. 22 - Tech Meets Tough: Fixing Blue Collar Communication 1:14:48

9M ago1:14:48

1:14:48

James Hatfield, the Chief Revenue Officer of LiveSwitch, takes us on an inspiring journey from the world of painting businesses to the cutting-edge realm of technology. James shares his incredible transition from working on scaffolds and ladders to becoming a leader in tech, offering insights and humorous tales from his days managing painting and p…

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Ep. 21 - Dirty Job, Big Payoff: Inside the Septic Scene 43:38

9M ago43:38

43:38

What if your backyard held the key to sustainable wastewater management? Join me for an insightful conversation with Joe Reed of White River Environmental, where we unravel the intricacies of septic systems that operate as miniaturized municipal sewer treatments for rural homes. Joe takes us through his inspiring journey from shadowing his father i…

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Ep. 20 - From Work Trucks to Workforce: Buying Smart & Hiring Right 1:17:35

10M ago1:17:35

1:17:35

Rusty Alexander, CEO and President of Integrity Automotive, shares his inspiring journey from serving on US Navy submarines to leading a successful automotive business. Discover how his military background shapes his unique strategies for acquiring and maintaining work trucks, and his commitment to high standards. Rusty reveals his insights on purc…

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Ep. 19 - How to Build a Landscaping Business That Thrives in Any Season 1:05:42

10M ago1:05:42

1:05:42

Join us as we welcome Eric Hill and Amanda Rhodes from Fay-Ark Lawn Company to the Blue Collar Business Podcast, where they share their remarkable journey in the landscaping industry. Eric, who started his business as a high school side hustle, reveals how he turned it into a multi-million dollar enterprise with 16 employees, overcoming initial ske…

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Ep. 18 - Handyman to Entrepreneur: Building Trust & Referrals 1:15:15

10M ago1:15:15

1:15:15

Join us as we promise a journey from the ground up, where Wade Decker of Decker Home Solutions shares his transformative experience of turning a humble handyman project into a flourishing enterprise. Explore the importance of consistency and discipline over sheer motivation, as Wade elaborates on his 20-year friendship with our host, reflecting on …

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Ep. 17 - Building Bridges: Enhancing Blue-Collar and White-Collar Connections 1:11:50

10M ago1:11:50

1:11:50

What if you could transform your blue-collar business into a digital powerhouse? Join us on the Blue Collar Business Podcast as we sit with digital marketing innovator Eric Howerton, founder of WhyteSpider, to uncover the secrets of bridging operational gaps and adopting an owner's mindset. From the evolution of his journey in magazine publishing t…

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Ep. 16 - Boost Construction Outcomes: Aviation Engineering Strategies 49:05

11M ago49:05

49:05

Chris Maestri from Garver Engineering shares his journey in aviation engineering, a field filled with both challenges and rewarding opportunities. As one of Arkansas Business's 20 in their 20s in 2022, Chris discusses his role in significant projects like the XNA taxiway reconstruction and emphasizes the urgency of attracting younger talent to addr…

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Ep. 15 - Concrete Costs & Labor: A Subcontractor's Guide to Success 51:17

11M ago51:17

51:17

Get ready to unlock the secrets of the concrete industry with our guest, Bobby, an experienced subcontractor who has spent years mastering the art of concrete construction. Discover the nuances of working in this challenging field, from the demanding schedules and unpredictable weather conditions to the intricacies of cast-in-place versus precast c…

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Ep. 14 - Trade School vs. On-the-Job Training: Building a Successful Construction Career 1:29:47

11M ago1:29:47

1:29:47

Reconnecting with my longtime friend and inspection supervisor, Ben Sarratt, promises a blend of personal stories and valuable insights into navigating the blue-collar business world. Our conversation provides a retrospective on our early industry days and how those experiences sculpted our careers, highlighting essential communication strategies f…

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Ep. 13 - Constructing a Life: Immigration & Entrepreneurship 1:10:59

11M ago1:10:59

1:10:59

Andrew Deeter, the mastermind behind Deeter Construction, joins us to unravel the profound impact that relationships can have on the construction industry. From his beginnings working with his father-in-law to launching his own company in 2010, Andrew shares how he navigated unexpected roles and challenges. The episode is packed with insights into …

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Ep. 12 - The Key to Financial Success 1:03:23

11M ago1:03:23

1:03:23

How do you secure financial stability and growth in the blue-collar industry? Our guest, James Lipsett, an account manager at Ritchie Bros, shares insights on the significance of clean financial records and the art of building robust relationships with financial partners. We promise you'll gain a deeper understanding of how strategic financial plan…