339. From Startup to High-Profile Projects w/ John Derham

John Derham, owner of KC Fab, shares his journey of starting a fabrication business and the challenges he faces in scaling and expanding. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity and transparency in his social media presence and how it has helped him connect with his audience. John discusses the growth of his business, the types of projects they undertake, and the need for more space to accommodate their increasing workload. He also talks about the costs and challenges of running a business, including hiring and managing employees, dealing with customer expectations, and the impact of scheduling on project timelines. In this conversation, John Derham and Jason discuss their experiences in the welding and fabrication industry. They talk about the challenges of running a business, dealing with unreliable employees, and the importance of letting go of pet peeves. They also touch on the growth of their companies, the importance of hiring smart and trustworthy employees, and the need for continuous learning and improvement. John shares his journey from starting his own welding business with minimal equipment to expanding and taking on high-profile projects. They also discuss the AISC certification process and the importance of proper documentation and quality control in the fabrication industry.     Follow John on Instagram @KConlyFab   Arc Junkies Podcast: Instagram: @Arcjunkiespodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@arcjunkiespodcast9253 Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-becker-45407b72?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BKipEwR3uQXCmCjaEfNzo6w%3D%3D Arc Junkies Website: https://arcjunkies.com Arc junkies Merch: https://shop.threadmob.com/arcjunkie/shop/home Underground Metal Works: https://www.underground-metalworks.com/   Friends of the Show: Outlaw Leather LLC Outlawleather.com Instagram: @outlawleatherusa Use ARCJUNKIES for 15% off all in-stock leather goods SendCutSend Instagram: @SendCutSend Save 15% off Online: https://sendcutsend.com/arcjunkies/   Everlast Welders Instagram: @everlastwelders  YouTube: Everlast Welders         Online: https://bit.ly/37xJstI Use Codeword ARCJUNKIES at checkout to get upgraded to a free Nova Foot Pedal and TIG Torch with the purchase of any machine that comes with a stock foot pedal and TIG Torch. ISOTUNES: Instagram: @isotunesaudio Online: https://shop.isotunes.com/arcjunkies10.  Use ARCJUNKIES10 at checkout and save $10 on your purchase