Best Sy Kirby Podcasts (2025)

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

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2h 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

6d 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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Taylor's Construction Parent Life Hacks 25:04

8d ago25:04

25:04

Frustrated with the relentless demands of the construction industry eating into your family time? As a dad and business owner in the trades, Taylor today pulls back the curtain on the tough realities and incredible rewards of balancing a thriving career with intentional fatherhood. Many parents in demanding industries face the challenge of unpredic…

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

13d 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

21d 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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CONEXPO-CON/AGG: A First Timer's Guide To Success 47:33

23d ago47:33

47:33

Preparing for a massive trade show like CONEXPO-CON/AGG can feel like a monumental task. With millions of square feet and thousands of exhibitors, it's easy to get lost in the noise, but simply showing up without a plan is a surefire way to miss the game-changing connections and technologies that could redefine your business. Today’s episode featur…

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

28d 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

1M 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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D2 Contracting's Growth Secrets Revealed with Dylan Mercier 35:41

1M ago35:41

35:41

Ever wonder what it really takes to build a multi-seven-figure construction company from the ground up? Many who dream of launching their own business encounter a landscape filled with immense risk, financial pressure, and operational chaos. The path from skilled operator to successful owner is rarely a straight line. But what if you could learn th…

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

1M 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

2M 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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What It's Really Like Being a Powerline Technician — With Aaron LeBlanc 38:39

2M ago38:39

38:39

What is a lineman's life really like during a storm? While the 7,200 volts are dangerous, the greatest threat is far more surprising. 21-year veteran power line technician Aaron LeBlanc (from the YouTube channel Bobsdecline) pulls back the curtain on this high-stakes trade, revealing why public perception of storm recovery is often wrong. Ever wond…

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

2M 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

2M 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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Blue Collar Business Secrets with Sy Kirby 41:47

2M ago41:47

41:47

Many skilled operators dream of being their own boss, but the reality is a brutal mix of financial pressure, operational chaos, and personal sacrifice. In this episode, Sy Kirby of Sy-Con Excavation shares his unfiltered story of turning a trade into a thriving business. From a name his grandfather wrote on a toy truck to building a company, a popu…

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

2M 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

3M 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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Leveling Up Your Construction Game with Brian Dietz 33:13

3M ago33:13

33:13

Feeling the squeeze with rising costs and a shrinking labor pool? A lot of construction companies feel trapped, like the only way out is to just grind harder with the same old playbook. But what if the real path to growth isn't about more effort, but a totally new approach to your machines, your tech, and your people? Brian Dietz, Co-Owner of 2024 …

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

3M 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

3M 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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Growth, Delegation, and Why CONEXPO-CON/AGG Matters 25:43

3M ago25:43

25:43

Are you juggling the relentless demands of your business while trying to keep your content fresh and impactful? Taylor goes solo once again today to share his candid experiences, navigating the complexities of delegation and the evolution of his content creation. What if the very things you're holding onto are stunting your progress? Embracing stra…

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

3M 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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Building a Business With Honesty and Transparency Featuring Dervin Witmer 38:08

4M ago38:08

38:08

Running a specialized construction business, particularly in sectors like excavation and septic services, is fraught with unique hurdles. Many dedicated owners find themselves struggling to cut through the competitive noise, establish a truly memorable brand, or skillfully navigate the complex interplay of business growth, intense competition, and …

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

4M 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

4M 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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Buy Back Your Time For Business Growth with Trent Harris 53:43

4M ago53:43

53:43

Feeling the pressure of wearing all the hats in your growing business? It’s a common battle, but what if the key to unlocking serious growth was learning to let go and trust others? This episode is for you. Learn how Trent Harris, owner of Blue Collar Contractors Oklahoma Earthwork and Demolition, transformed his business by embracing delegation an…

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

4M 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

4M 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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From Union Operator to Business Owner: Overcoming Fear & Past Failures with Zach Taylor 39:54

4M ago39:54

39:54

Many equipment operators dream of starting their own excavation business, but often face big hurdles, like financial risk, the fear of past failures, and the heavy responsibility of safety on every job. Zach Taylor, a union operator who’s also building his own company, Melania Corporation, is tackling these challenges directly, driven by tough less…

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

5M 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

5M 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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Heavy Work, Smart Business: The Kurk Inc. Story 31:10

5M ago31:10

31:10

Running a family construction business presents unique challenges, especially in demanding fields like concrete and excavation where attracting reliable talent is tough. Many companies struggle to blend tradition with the need for new technology and approaches to keep up. But Amanda Kurt, VP and Managing Partner at Kurk Inc., reveals how they've no…

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

5M 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

5M 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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Taylor Talks Burnout, Hiring, and Finding Your ‘Why 26:08

5M ago26:08

26:08

Running a construction company might look like pure success, especially with events like CONEXPO approaching. But in this solo episode, Taylor answers your questions and gets real about the hidden, intense pressures involved: managing multiple businesses, constant travel, endless cash flow worries, and balancing family. He describes this demanding …

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

6M 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

6M 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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Dominate the Dirt Business Like John Seaman 48:17

6M ago48:17

48:17

Feeling burnt out by client emotions in custom home building or struggling to navigate seasonal lulls and unexpected crises? John Seaman of JC Property Professionals joins Taylor to share his incredible journey from funding dirt bike habits with side jobs, through the demanding world of custom home building, to ultimately dominating complex dirt wo…

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

6M 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

6M 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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The Future of Welding and How to Be a Part of It with Demi Knight Clark 38:42

6M ago38:42

38:42

Frustrated by the lack of skilled tradespeople? Demi Knight Clark joins Taylor today to share strategies to attract the next generation to welding and manufacturing offering fresh and frank perspectives that will give you actionable recruiting strategies. Discover how to bridge the gap between outdated perceptions and the exciting possibilities of …

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

7M 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

7M 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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How To Create A Positive Construction Company Culture with Dan and Jenna Moon 33:55

7M ago33:55

33:55

Struggling with employee turnover and work-life balance? Dan and Jenna Moon from Total Excavating and Grading join Taylor today to share their journey of taking over the business and building a thriving company! Together, they reveal practical leadership and restructuring secrets to create a family-first culture. Learn how to improve your team, ski…

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

7M 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

7M 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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Trey Bohannan on Mentorship & Legacy 40:57

7M ago40:57

40:57

Struggling to scale your excavation business? Trey Bohannan, President of Design One Contracting the most-viewed construction podcast guest of 2024, returns to reveal the exact steps he took to go from small residential jobs to landing major commercial projects – and how you can do it too. Trey shares his unfiltered, no-BS approach to growth, inclu…

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

7M 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

8M 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 …