The Hard Truths of Growing a Family Business - Nick MacGregor

In this episode of Built to Last, Colby and Levi sit down with Nick MacGregor, General Manager of McGregor’s Industrial Group.Nick shares a grounded look at what it takes to lead a traditional, hands-on business through growth, succession, technology adoption, and changing market realities. https://www.ironhousepro.com00:00 – Introduction• Levi and Colby introduce the episode and how they connected with Nick.02:03 – Meet Nick MacGregor• Nick introduces himself and McGregor’s Industrial Group.03:18 – Growing Up in the Family Business• Nick shares early memories of sweeping floors and helping around the shop.06:40 – Transitioning Leadership Across Generations• Nick talks about his father’s semi-retirement and the human side of succession.12:22 – What Changes in the Top Seat• Nick reflects on the surprises of becoming general manager.14:19 – What McGregor’s Industrial Group Does• Nick explains the company’s four main business units.16:31 – Bringing Technology Into a Traditional Business• The group discusses how digital change started inside the company.21:56 – Building Custom Software and Learning the Hard Way• Nick shares the story of trying to build an operations management system.24:58 – Why ERP Projects Are So Difficult• Nick explains why larger software implementations require serious time, money, and support.28:25 – Payroll, CRM, and Other Technology Lessons• Nick shares more examples of software challenges and lessons learned.30:39 – Why Iteration Matters• Nick explains why tools rarely work perfectly on day one.32:51 – Training and Leadership Development• Nick talks about courses, industry associations, and learning in smaller chunks.35:25 – Building Culture Across Four Generations• Nick discusses culture, visibility, and staying connected to employees.37:20 – Making Hard Strategic Decisions• Nick shares the decision to exit a major market that no longer made sense.41:35 – Opportunities in the Maritimes• Nick explains why he is optimistic about regional industrial growth.43:59 – Staying Hands-On With Customers• Nick talks about the “get it done” attitude and helping customers directly.48:30 – Getting Stronger Before Growing Again• Nick explains the choice to strengthen the foundation of the business.50:52 – Letting People Fail and Learn• Nick shares why mistakes are part of skill development.52:31 – Hiring and Retaining Skilled Trades• Nick talks about apprenticeship pathways, retention, and the labour market.55:44 – Advice for Emerging Leaders• Nick shares the value of hard work, ownership, and passion.58:41 – Family, Work, and Raising Kids• Nick talks about family life, support, and the realities of balancing responsibilities.1:04:06 – AI Adoption and Automation• Nick shares how his view on AI has changed and where automation may help.1:07:45 – Finding Better Ways to Work• Nick reflects on manual labour, burnout, and rethinking old processes.#BuiltToLastPodcast #FamilyBusiness #BusinessLeadership #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessGrowth #DigitalAdoption #SkilledTrades