Podcast Guests

Mike and Brian are joined by Shawna Alvarado and Rob Fischer of O’Donnell Plastering, Inc. Both coming from construction prior to joining O’Donnell Plastering, they highlight the history of the company, starting with Shawna’s parents as the founders to the generational shift with technology – and how it helps and presents new challenges daily. Not to mention, working in a specialty trade like plastering, how they’re teeming with business – booked out until 2022! Huge thanks to both Shawna and Rob for joing us on the show!

Mike and Brian are joined by Allen Hahn, COO of UVETS and President and Founder of the Apache Warrior Foundation. It’s no secret that Mike and Brian highly respect the military and those that have served, and this one’s a special one with Allen – a retired Lieutenant Colonel with the United States Army who flew the AH-64 Apache helicopter for close to 25 years. And while we speak on the business of contracting for the first half, we get into the deeper and more fulfilling part of the discussion with the mission of the Apache Warrior Foundation. Their mission: “To support the AH-64 Attack Helicopter community by giving Honor to our brotherhood forged in blood, Heal ourselves and our families and Educate the public of the skill sacrifice that keeps our country free.” We’re going to say it again… this one’s a special one. Enjoy!

Mike and Brian are joined by David Hopkins, CEO of PrimeCo. Starting out working for his dad, a carpenter by trade, he eventually added plumbing, remediation, painting, and waterproofing to his tool belt (no pun intended) while working out in the field. Now, the CEO of PrimeCo, a painting contractor, he and his COO, Josh, have created new systems to increase productivity and establish transparency with the goal of being as accurate as possible in the bidding process and in how they manage their skilled laborers out in the field. As a result, they’ve been able to increase their bottom line, make more money, and keep their employees doing what they’re actually skilled at doing. Huge shoutout to David for joining us!

Mike and Brian are joined by Farrel Stevins, CEO of TIS Construction Services, Inc. Starting out as a young man selling tax shelters, Farrel made a hard turn and went to work for a large construction company. A few years later in 1987, after being used and abused, and working more hours without any increase in pay, he made the decision to start TIS. A self-proclaimed “kind workaholic”, Farrel created TIS with a clear vision of a company that would give employees the confidence to have a voice and a place to call home with very low turnover. Now 34 years later, TIS is a mainstay in the commercial space.

Mike and Brian are joined by Tony Molnar, President of M3 Mechanical. Tony came from the Financial Services industry to join his dad’s HVAC company in 2000 with his brother. Looking back over the last 20 years, they’ve averaged 20% year-over-year steady growth and that’s attributed to their intentionality on marketing and growth. What’s even crazier… they’ve been able to sustain that growth without a website, outbound sales, and social media until now with their new website launching and making calculated steps into the social media world! But, they’re known for their work and their name precedes them wherever they go. Integrity, character, and careful and purposeful moves have propelled them to where they’re at today.

Mike and Brian are joined by Aaron Gianni of Larratt Bros. Plumbing and Plunjr. Aaron comes from a long line of entrepreneurs and while that business owner spirit has come in handy as of late – graduating from high school and being one of the few in his circle to not go to college and pursue bio-tech was pretty embarrassing for him. Now the proud owner of Larratt Bros. Plumbing – a $15 million dollar company (originally $1.5 million when he took over) and Plunjr – an app that gets the residential customer connected directly with a licensed plumber to handle the easier plumbing to-do’s, they’re actively and intentionally growing exponentially year-over-year. Perhaps some of his bio-tech buddies should come to work for him!

Mike and Brian are joined by Johnny Panjarjian, Owner of Vinyl Pro Fence. Johnny started out in corporate America before quickly realizing he wanted to start his own company. His brother-in-law pointed him in the direction of a large vinyl fencing company in Orange County, California and Johnny went to work for them. Super honest and upfront, he told them his plans to start his own vinyl fencing company in a different demographic and his goal to learn all he could in a short amount of time there. His honesty paid off and now runs his own fencing company with a new exclusive partnership with Home Depot in San Diego! Checkered with amazing stories in between, you’ll definitely enjoy Johnny’s story!

Mike and Brian are joined by Mark Pitman, President and Owner of California Waters. Mark’s entry into contracting was on the business side and not as a family member of a contractor. He owned a few laundromats in Los Angeles and, with his business partner, found that California Waters was up for sale. They quickly acquired the company and, in their first year (2009), brought in $600,000 in revenue. In 2019, $14 million! You’ll hear Mark’s visionary approach to growing the business and the very intentional steps they’ve created to find talent, foster their culture, and train their staff the California Waters way. If you’re looking to grow intentionally and be forward thinking in your growth, this is for sure your episode.

Mike and Brian are joined by Jenna and Vince Free, COO and President/CEO respectively of FREEZ Construction. Version 2.0 of our conversation with Vince with the addition of his wife and partner, and let’s be honest, the brains of the operation! This episode covers not only some of what was discussed in Episode 22, but also goes into Jenna’s history and her unique perspective on the beginning of FREEZ Construction, their meteoric rise (already at 198% year over year for 2021 and it’s January!), and some fun banter. With all of that going on, she’s getting her Marriage and Family Therapist license… like we said, the brains behind the operation! Huge thanks to Jenna and Vince for joining us again… and for the swag and Tequila!