Podcast Guests

Mike and Brian are joined by Anthony Graves, President of Graves Construction. Coming from a construction family growing up, it only made sense to build log cabins during the summers while in college in Northern California. That love for building and a degree in Construction Management led him to managing large capital projects as a Construction Manager and then, in 2015, setting out on his own with his wife Jasmine to start Graves Construction. Listening to the episode, you’ll see and hear Jasmine’s and his methodic approach to starting the business in 2015 and how they cleared $5 million in their first year! Now with a goal, just 6 years later, of $50 million in annual revenue, Graves Construction is still intentionally and methodically making those same moves they made to hit the ground running in 2015.

Mike and Brian are joined by Rick Fisher, Senior Superintendent of Robins & Morton. If you’ve listened to the show in any capacity, you’ve probably heard Mike mention this ethereal uncle out in Florida that builds hospitals and other ginormous capital projects. Today, you’re in for a special treat because we finally have him as a guest on the show! Rick runs huge jobs, including a current hospital project in Miami to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars. But, you’ll see and hear very quickly, his management style and how they get these projects done, and even more importantly, his love for his people and his concern for their well-being – especially their safety on the job. Check out his story of the iron worker and his wife around the 26:30 section of the episode… the example is so simple, it’s brilliant. In fact, check out the whole episode. It’s so chalk full of stories and wisdom, you’ll want to put this one on repeat.

Mike and Brian are joined by Jeff Colton, President of Jensen Landscape – A Monarch Company. Jeff grew up working in the family landscaping business that quickly grew to be one of the largest in California. With his prior experience at Valley Crest running the Northern California operations and after the company sold in 2016, he was recruited to lead Jensen Landscape as President – one of the largest landscaping companies in Northern California. With a measured method of controlled growth, they’ve adopted the famous coach Marv Levy’s way of thinking – “Plan your work, work your plan” and that will lead to success.

Mike and Brian are joined by Charlie Evans, President of California Rock Crushers. Starting as a kid working for his dad’s company, Charlie and his brother were the default rock crushers simply because his dad hated it! That small task became a company and an obsession in 2000 and now with 12 different plants, and revolutionizing the industry by bringing rock crushing to the jobsite, not only are they more efficient, but they’re actually helping the environment. In fact, you could say they’re crushing it! Sorry… we couldn’t resist. But seriously, check out Charlie’s episode and learn how hard work, faith, and integrity changed the course of Charlie’s business!

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!