Blue Collar Business Podcast
Welcome to the Blue Collar Business Podcast with Sy Kirby. Dive deep into the world of hands-on entrepreneurship and the gritty side of making things happen. Join us for actionable tips on scaling your blue-collar business, managing teams, and staying ahead in an ever-evolving market. We'll also discuss the latest industry trends and innovations that could impact your bottom line. If you're passionate about the blue-collar world and eager to learn from those who've thrived in it, this podcast is a must-listen. Stay tuned for engaging conversations and real-world advice that can take your blue-collar business to new heights.
Episodes
34 episodes
Ep. 34 - When Content Became My Most Valuable Tool: Why I Started a Podcast
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 anti...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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33:31
Ep. 33 - The Hidden Challenges of Excavation Growth
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 bl...
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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1:10:47
Ep. 32 - Dirt to Dollars: Excavating Success with Clay Hudspeth
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 comp...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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43:34
Ep. 31 - Turning Your Side Hustle into a Thriving Business: Bear Iron Works
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 enter...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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45:43
Ep. 30 - Finding Your Next Job Just Got Easier
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 happe...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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44:33
Ep. 29 - Reclaim Your Time and Grow Your Business
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, h...
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1:13:06
Ep. 28 - Unlocking Billions in Government Contracts
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 disco...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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59:22
Ep. 27 - Bridging the Contractor-Architect Gap
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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49:52
Ep. 26 - From Classroom to Career: Starting Trades Education Early
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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59:40
Ep. 25 - Training the Next Generation of Blue-Collar Workers
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 traini...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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1:15:53
Ep. 24 - Mastering Cash Flow in Blue Collar Business
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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57:19
Ep. 23 - The Trey Bo Dirt Story: From Lawnmowers to Millions
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 pr...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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1:07:53
Ep. 22 - Tech Meets Tough: Fixing Blue Collar Communication
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 ladder...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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1:14:48
Ep. 21 - Dirty Job, Big Payoff: Inside the Septic Scene
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 municipa...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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43:38
Ep. 20 - From Work Trucks to Workforce: Buying Smart & Hiring Right
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 acqui...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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1:17:35
Ep. 19 - How to Build a Landscaping Business That Thrives in Any Season
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,...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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1:05:42
Ep. 18 - Handyman to Entrepreneur: Building Trust & Referrals
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 di...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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1:15:15
Ep. 17 - Building Bridges: Enhancing Blue-Collar and White-Collar Connections
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 op...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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1:11:50
Ep. 16 - Boost Construction Outcomes: Aviation Engineering Strategies
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 pr...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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49:05
Ep. 15 - Concrete Costs & Labor: A Subcontractor's Guide to Success
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 dem...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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51:17
Ep. 14 - Trade School vs. On-the-Job Training: Building a Successful Construction Career
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 indus...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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1:29:47
Ep. 13 - Constructing a Life: Immigration & Entrepreneurship
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,...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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1:10:59
Ep. 12 - The Key to Financial Success
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 relationsh...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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1:03:23
Ep. 11 - Act Like a Boss: How to Transition from Worker to Owner
Unlock the secrets to building a resilient blue-collar business as I, Sy Kirby, chat with Nick Peters, an authority in construction insurance and bonding with over 30 years of experience. This episode promises insights that could transform your...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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1:15:01
Ep. 10 - Construction Profits Exposed: Secrets From a Pro
Unlock the secrets of running a profitable construction business with the latest episode of the Blue Collar Business Podcast, where industry insights meet practical application. Our guest, Heath from Sy-Con Excavation and Utilities, shines a li...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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1:16:00