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
79 episodes
Ep. 79 - Dreamer to Builder: Turning Vision into Results
A dream without a plan is just a fantasy—but in this episode, we’ll help you turn that dream into a practical path forward. From assessing where you stand today to evaluating your support system and building a routine that fuels progress,...
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Episode 79
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40:34
Ep. 78 - Vision or Pipe Dream? Do you have the right motivations for your business?
Why did you start your business? What keeps you pushing forward—passion, purpose, or maybe just survival?In this episode, Ben and Kinsey dive into the real reasons entrepreneurs stay motivated, breaking down the good, the bad, and everyt...
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Episode 78
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40:40
Ep. 77 - Fundamentals of Communication - The Right Level of Responsiveness
How much communication is too much? Should you respond to customers immediately, or set clear office hours?In this episode, we dive into the balance between being responsive and setting boundaries. We’ll explore what quality communicatio...
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Episode 77
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37:31
Ep. 76 - Overpromising May Be Killing Your Business
What happens when you promise more than you can deliver? Or make promises without realizing it?In this episode of The Contractor Commute, we’re breaking down how overpromising can hurt your reputation, strain your team, and even cost you...
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Episode 76
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24:38
Ep. 75 - We Answer Questions from Reddit
Ben and Kinsey are trying something new in this episode!We're answering construction and business questions from Reddit. Why work in construction if Walmart pays better? Does it pay better? What projects make more money? We'...
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Episode 75
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28:31
Ep. 74 - The #1 Trait That Separates Great Builders from the Rest
What truly sets the best builders apart? It’s not just skill, experience, or pricing—it’s humility. The greatest contractors know they don’t have all the answers, and that willingness to learn, adapt, and listen is what pushes them ...
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Episode 74
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33:54
Ep. 73 - Contracts, Communication, and Client Relationships with Ally Anderson
Allyson Anderson shares her journey in construction, the challenges she's faced, and how she's making an impact in the industry. Tune in for insights, advice, and inspiration for contractors looking to grow and succeed!
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Episode 73
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52:33
Ep. 72 - The #1 Mistake in Pricing (And How to Fix It)
Many contractors make the mistake of racing to the bottom on price—but if you’re not covering your costs and making a profit, you’re not running a business—you’re just keeping busy.So, if you want to win more bids without leaving money ...
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Episode 72
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34:53
Ep. 71 - How to Get Paid
Cash flow is the lifeblood of your business—so how do you ensure you get paid on time? In this episode, we break down the key steps to prompt payment, from setting clear expectations in the presale process to invoicing with consist...
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Episode 71
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33:55
Ep. 70 - Finding Your Value: Secrets to Success Without Experience
Pricing your work can make or break your business. In this episode, we dive into the real cost of setting your rates too high—or too low. How do you price your services as a growing contractor? What’s the balance between being competitive and m...
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Episode 70
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47:20
Ep. 69 - Companies Are Limited by the Character of the Owner
The owner’s character defines the ceiling for a company’s growth, culture, and success.Trust, reputation, and respect start at the top, setting the tone for everything that follows. If you’ve ever worked for someone else, you’ve seen fir...
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Episode 69
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29:45
Ep. 68 - One Year After Taking The Leap | Wyatt with Blacktail Builders
Wyatt has been in the construction industry for years, but it wasn't until he was laid off that he started his own company to keep moving forward. A year later, we got the chance to sit down with Wyatt to talk about his leadership,...
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Episode 68
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54:39
Ep. 67 - More Jobs Doesn't Equal More Money
We’re busting the myth that “more jobs mean more money.” Accidental success may feel good, but it can’t support long-term growth. Scaling may lead to more business and revenue, but it could bring even bigger headaches. Discover why mastering a ...
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Episode 67
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27:27
Ep. 66 - Starting Your Own Construction Company 101
We're taking a look back at one of our first episodes and giving it some new life!If you are looking to start your own construction business and strike out on your own, this episode is for you.We'll cover when to consider making...
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Episode 66
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42:35
Ep. 65 - Discipline, Integrity, and Building Science with Travis Brungardt
Travis’s journey from photography to co-founding Catalyst Construction is a testament to hard work and passion for craftsmanship. As a master electrician and HVAC professional, he shares insights on balancing technical excellence with client ne...
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Episode 65
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54:24
Ep. 64 - Ask Questions Before You Make Statements
Want to seem like a genius? Start by asking great questions. In this episode, we explore how the smartest people embrace what they don’t know, use curiosity as their superpower, and break communication barriers to truly understand ...
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Episode 64
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35:53
Ep. 63 - I’m Drowning! — Managing Stress and Pressure
In this episode, we explore managing stress and how to handle being overwhelmed by assessing emotions and separating feelings from facts. Learn to identify root causes, reset your perspective, and prioritize action steps to regain ...
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Episode 63
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29:21
Ep. 62 - 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...
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Episode 62
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43:45
Ep. 61 - 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...
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Episode 61
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35:32
Ep. 60 - 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...
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Episode 60
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32:58
Ep. 59 - 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...
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Episode 59
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47:51
Ep. 58 - 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!...
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Episode 58
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33:26
Ep. 57 - 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...
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Episode 57
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31:18
Ep. 56 - 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...
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Episode 56
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30:25
Ep. 55 - 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...
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Episode 55
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28:48