Builders Makers Doers: The Resilience Behind American Business

Some businesses look simple from the outside.Then you hear what it actually takes to build one.Grant Stahla built Stahla Services in a niche most people would overlook: premium mobile restroom trailers, shower trailers, and temporary site support.  But the real story is not about trailers.  It is about capital pressure, sales discipline, hiring the right people, managing seasonality, using vendors well, and building a business that can keep growing without losing what makes it work.In this episode, Andy and Elliot sit down with Grant to talk through the lessons behind more than a decade of building, struggling, adjusting, and scaling.In this episode, you’ll learn:- Why a narrow niche can become a serious growth advantage- How Stahla went from brand-first marketing to a real sales system- Why the right leadership hire can expose the gap you did not know you had- How creative contracting helps manage seasonality and protect overhead- Why AI should strengthen the business without damaging the customer experienceIf you own, lead, or help run a trades business, this episode will hit home.▶ Watch the full episode and subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers.Stay Connected & Follow the Movement• Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts    • Follow Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedIn    https://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/• Grab a copy of Andy Bassett’s book    https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/bookConnect with the HostsAndy Bassett    CEO, Ellerbrock-Norris    https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu-cic-7711853/Elliot Bassett    President and Partner, Ellerbrock-Norris    https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/🌐 https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/Chapters:00:00 - Welcome to Builders, Makers, Doers    01:20 - What Stahla Services does today    03:35 - Serving job sites nationwide    04:35 - Starting the business in college    07:35 - Finding opportunity in an overlooked niche    10:25 - Early challenges and capital pressure    13:15 - The sales system they were missing    16:25 - Hiring the leader they needed    22:20 - Why people became the biggest win    26:15 - Building culture with a remote team    30:20 - Why vendors matter more than owners think    31:55 - Creative contracting and seasonal growth    33:35 - What Grant is building next    35:30 - AI infrastructure without AI slop    40:00 - Staying focused on what customers valueWe often talk about the 10 impact areas of risk within a business. Now, you can join us for a FREE Resiliency Audit. In 30 minutes, we'll comb through your business, find where you may be at risk, and deliver a detailed plan on how to address the issues. Time to stop being reactive – and commit to being proactive. Schedule your audit today.  You clearly like learning how other businesses are building resiliency. From the people the hire to their safety practices, risk management strategies, exit planning and more. Now, you can do a deep dive on YOUR business – for free. We'll dive into your business and deliver a detailed report that shows you actionable next steps and potential cost long-term savings. Sign up today at www.ellerbrock-norris.com/resiliency.

Most trades owners know people are hard to find.But the bigger issue is what happens when recruiting stays reactive.Wrong hires create turnover.Turnover hurts culture.Culture problems hit safety, continuity, growth, and long-term business value.In this episode of Builders, Makers, Doers, Andy Bassett and Elliot Bassett talk about why recruiting is not just an HR task. It is one of the most important systems inside a resilient trades business.They break down what they have seen with clients, what they have experienced inside Ellerbrock-Norris, and why the strongest companies are always building a pipeline of the right people before the need becomes urgent.In this episode, you’ll learn:- Why people are the foundation of a resilient business- How reactive recruiting creates hidden costs across the company- Why the wrong person in the wrong seat can damage culture fast- How recruiting impacts safety, continuity, key personnel planning, and exit readiness- Why employer positioning matters just as much as client positioningIf you own, lead, or help run a trades business, this episode will hit home.▶ Watch the full episode and subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers.Stay Connected & Follow the Movement• Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts• Follow Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/• Grab a copy of Andy Bassett’s bookhttps://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/bookConnect with the HostsAndy BassettCEO, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu-cic-7711853/Elliot BassettPresident and Partner, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/🌐 https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/Chapters:00:00 – Recruiting as business resiliency03:40 – Why recruiting needs a system07:20 – The best leaders always recruit10:45 – The real cost of bad hires12:50 – Moving beyond reactive hiring15:40 – Wrong person, wrong seat17:10 – How hiring impacts business risk19:40 – Defining the ideal employee22:40 – Marketing to talent, not just clients26:10 – Turning culture into a recruiting advantage28:05 – Why pre-hire systems matter31:05 – A real trades company recruiting journey We often talk about the 10 impact areas of risk within a business. Now, you can join us for a FREE Resiliency Audit. In 30 minutes, we'll comb through your business, find where you may be at risk, and deliver a detailed plan on how to address the issues. Time to stop being reactive – and commit to being proactive. Schedule your audit today.  You clearly like learning how other businesses are building resiliency. From the people the hire to their safety practices, risk management strategies, exit planning and more. Now, you can do a deep dive on YOUR business – for free. We'll dive into your business and deliver a detailed report that shows you actionable next steps and potential cost long-term savings. Sign up today at www.ellerbrock-norris.com/resiliency.

 Most trades owners think insurance is the safety net.It is not.Insurance can help you survive a bad event. It does not make your business resilient.  In this solo episode, Andy and Elliot break down the difference between being insured and actually building a business that can take a hit, keep running, protect profit, and hold its value over time.In this episode, you’ll learn:✅ Why insurance should be treated as catastrophic protection, not the whole strategy✅ How one injury can quietly impact safety, retention, workflow, and future profit✅ Why shopping the market is usually the wrong move when costs rise✅ How weak continuity planning can kill a business even when the insurance works✅ Why de-risking your company can directly increase business valueIf you own, lead, or help run a trades business, this episode will hit home.▶ Watch the full episode and subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers.Stay Connected & Follow the Movement• Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts• Follow Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/• Grab a copy of Andy Bassett’s bookhttps://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/bookConnect with the Hosts:Andy BassettCEO, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu-cic-7711853/Elliot BassettPresident and Partner, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/🌐 https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/Chapters:00:00 The core question00:30 Resilient vs. insured03:00 Why owners default to price07:05 Insurance helps you survive10:15 Why shopping the market fails14:20 When one injury hits everything17:50 Key people and retention risk23:25 Hidden costs owners miss26:15 Insurance worked, business failed28:45 De-risking increases business value31:30 How to start building resilience We often talk about the 10 impact areas of risk within a business. Now, you can join us for a FREE Resiliency Audit. In 30 minutes, we'll comb through your business, find where you may be at risk, and deliver a detailed plan on how to address the issues. Time to stop being reactive – and commit to being proactive. Schedule your audit today.  You clearly like learning how other businesses are building resiliency. From the people the hire to their safety practices, risk management strategies, exit planning and more. Now, you can do a deep dive on YOUR business – for free. We'll dive into your business and deliver a detailed report that shows you actionable next steps and potential cost long-term savings. Sign up today at www.ellerbrock-norris.com/resiliency.

Most contractors still think about risk management as a cost.A policy.A renewal.A box to check.That is the wrong lens.In this episode of Builders, Makers, Doers, Andy and Elliot replay a webinar focused on a better way to think about risk management in a trades business. Not as an insurance conversation, but as a business strategy that protects profit, reduces stress, and helps owners build a stronger company over time.In this episode, you’ll learn:✅ Why risk management should be treated as a profit strategy, not just an insurance decision✅ How one issue can quietly hit payroll, operations, insurance costs, and margin at the same time✅ Why safety, benefits, and business continuity decisions have a much bigger financial impact than most owners realize✅ How customer concentration, leadership blind spots, and poor transition planning create risk that insurance alone cannot solve✅ What Andy and Elliot mean when they talk about building a more resilient businessIf you own, lead, or help run a trades business, this episode will give you a sharper lens on risk, profit, and long-term business value.▶ Watch the full episode and subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers.Stay Connected & Follow the Movement• Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts• Follow Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/• Grab a copy of Andy Bassett’s bookhttps://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/bookConnect with the HostsAndy BassettCEO, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu-cic-7711853/Elliot BassettPresident and Partner, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/🌐 https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/Chapters:00:00 – Welcome to Builders, Makers, Doers02:00 – Risk management should protect profit06:50 – The real resiliency problem09:45 – Why insurance is not enough12:15 – How risk hits multiple expenses19:20 – The 10 impact areas of risk26:05 – How EMOD impacts profit29:35 – Health insurance cost control33:10 – Customer concentration and continuity risk35:30 – Exit planning and business transition40:05 – Hidden leadership blind spots42:30 – Prioritize, evaluate, implement 

Most people talk about starting a business like it begins with a polished plan.A lot of times, it does not.It starts with a problem.A market gap.A few people willing to bet on an idea.And a founder figuring it out in real time.That is what makes this conversation with Dalton Daeges so relevant.Dalton did not come from the concrete world with some perfect roadmap.He was looking at business acquisition opportunities, trying to understand where the real opportunity was, and ended up building Concrete Delivered from the ground up after recognizing a gap in the Omaha market.What followed was everything most people never see from the outside:The financing conversations.The rough business plan.The barrier to entry.The people challenges.The scheduling chaos.The reinvestment decisions.And the pressure of building something real while still working a day job.Andy and Elliot sit down with Dalton to talk through what it actually looks like to build a trades business when the timing is not perfect, the resources are limited, and the risk is real.They unpack the role of partnerships, why more capital matters, how leadership changes when you are not physically there every day, and why some of the smartest growth decisions are the ones that make a business more resilient, not just bigger.They also get into one of the biggest realities owners run into once a business starts moving:Starting the business is one challenge.Keeping people aligned is another.Building something that can operate and grow without breaking every week is something else entirely.If you are trying to build a trades business, buy one, scale one, or just make better decisions with less guesswork, this episode will hit home.▶ Watch the full episode and subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers.Stay Connected & Follow the Movement• Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts• Follow Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/• Grab a copy of Andy Bassett’s bookhttps://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/bookConnect with the HostsAndy BassettCEO, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu-cic-7711853/Elliot BassettPresident and Partner, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/🌐 https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/Chapters:00:00 – Welcome to Builders, Makers, Doers03:35 – The idea that led to Concrete Delivered07:00 – Building the business plan from scratch11:05 – Running the company with a day job15:15 – Why none of the owners took a salary17:10 – Buying a second business to stabilize growth21:30 – The hardest part: people and operations27:40 – The woodburn boiler story31:30 – The bigger vision beyond one company37:15 – The buy-or-build threat from a larger company41:20 – Dalton’s best advice for future owners44:15 – Final thoughts

Most trades business owners think they have a leads problem.A lot of times, they do not.They have a systems problem.A leadership problem.A capacity problem.A business that still depends too much on them.That is what makes this conversation with Mike Andes so relevant.Mike built Augusta Lawn Care from a single operation into more than 200 franchise locations. But the real value in this episode is not just the growth story. It is how clearly he explains what actually keeps a business stuck.Andy and Elliot sit down with Mike to talk through the difference between demand and real operational readiness. They unpack what a system actually is, why simplicity matters, how to identify the true constraint inside a business, and why leadership is often the issue long before owners want to admit it.They also get into one of the biggest growth shifts a trades owner has to make:Doing the work is one skill.Teaching the work is another.Leading leaders is something else entirely.If you are trying to grow a trades business without creating more chaos, more bottlenecks, and more dependence on yourself, this episode will hit home.▶ Watch the full episode and subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers.Stay Connected & Follow the Movement• Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts• Follow Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/• Grab a copy of Andy Bassett’s bookhttps://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/bookConnect with the HostsAndy BassettCEO, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu-cic-7711853/Elliot BassettPresident and Partner, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/🌐 https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/

America does not just have a labor problem.  It has a capacity problem.In this episode of Builders, Makers, Doers, Andy and Elliot sit down with Kory Anderson, founder of Anderson Brands, to talk about what it really takes to preserve American manufacturing, rebuild the skilled trades pipeline, and create businesses that last. Kory explains that Anderson Brands is built around two core missions: strengthening American manufacturing through foundry operations, and filling the pipeline of young men entering the skilled trades through Iron Warrior and Iron Warrior Academy.This isn’t just a conversation about foundries.It’s a conversation about stewardship.Kory lays out a mission that feels bigger than one company. He talks about why foundries still matter, why America cannot afford to lose more industrial capacity, and why the labor shortage is deeper than most people think. He makes the case that the country did not just lose workers. It lost exposure, mentorship, and belief in the trades over time.This is what you’ll discover:• Why preserving foundries matters far beyond manufacturing• What is really driving the skilled trades pipeline crisis• The decision that led Kory to buy Dakota Foundry• Why systems are the first move in any turnaround• How character can outperform experience in hiring• Why AI is increasing demand for the trades• Why the trades do not have an opportunity problem, but a branding problemAbout Kory Anderson:Kory Anderson is the founder of Anderson Brands, the company behind Dakota Foundry, Muncie Castings, Anderson Industries, Iron Warrior, and Iron Warrior Academy. He is on a mission to strengthen American manufacturing and help bring the next generation into the skilled trades.If you are an owner, operator, builder, or manufacturer trying to protect what matters and build something that lasts, this conversation will hit home.▶ Watch the full episode and subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers.Stay Connected & Follow the Movement• Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts• Follow Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/• Grab a copy of Andy Bassett’s bookhttps://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/bookConnect with the HostsAndy BassettCEO, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu-cic-7711853/Elliot Bassett, President and Partner, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/🌐 https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/

Most businesses don’t stay stuck because they lack ambition.They stay stuck because they try to serve everyone, carry everything themselves, and delay the changes growth actually requires.In this episode of Builders, Makers, Doers, Andy and Cameron sit down with Natasha Broxton, CEO and founder of Select Auto Parts and Sales in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.This isn’t just a story about auto parts. It’s about focus.Natasha didn’t step into an easy business.  She built her company in a tough, old-school industry where speed, trust, relationships, and operational discipline matter every day.What makes this conversation so strong is that Natasha sees the business clearly.  She talks about the shift from working in the business to leading it.Why visibility creates credibility.Why every owner should know who their preferred customer is.And why “marketing to everyone” usually costs more than it returns.This is what you’ll discover:• Why founder growth starts with letting go of doing everything yourself• How clarity around your preferred customer changes the economics of the business• Why visibility creates trust, partnerships, and new opportunities• The real cost of broad, unfocused marketing• How Natasha built loyalty with repair shops and body shops• Why lifelong learners adapt faster than legacy operators• How AI can solve real operating problems, not just create noise• Why systems can open doors for people without decades of industry experience• Why modernizing an old-school business starts with mindset firstNatasha also shares a lesson a lot of owners learn the hard way:  The businesses that grow usually get clearer before they get bigger.If you’re an owner, operator, or builder trying to modernize your business while protecting what makes it work, this conversation will hit home.And it’s practical.▶ Watch the full episode and subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers.Stay Connected & Follow the Movement• Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts• Follow Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/• Grab a copy of Andy Bassett’s bookhttps://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/bookConnect with the HostsAndy BassettCEO, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu-cic-7711853/Cameron CarlowChief Marketing Officer | Brand Builder, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ccarlow/🌐 https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/

Most trades businesses do not get into trouble because they lack skill.They get into trouble because they chase work they should not take.In this episode of Builders, Makers, Doers, Andy and Elliot sit down with Chris Tyrrell, owner of Chris’s Garage Doors in Denver, Colorado.This is not just about garage doors.It is about discipline.Chris did not build his business by trying to be everything to everyone.He learned the hard way what happens when you take on work outside your lane.He underbid a job.Got into work he should not have taken.And came out of it with a lesson a lot of owners learn too late:Not every dollar is the right dollar.But this conversation goes deeper than operations.It gets into ethics.Pricing.Community impact.Culture.And the tension every owner feels when they are trying to build a real business without losing themselves in the process.This is what you’ll discover:• Why early growth can create problems if you chase the wrong jobs• The hard lesson Chris learned from underbidding commercial work• Why ethical pricing is more complicated than most customers realize• The difference between charging for time and charging for expertise• Why doing the right thing does not always scale the fastest• How Chris measures success by impact, not just income• Why giving back can become part of a company’s operating system• How community involvement can strengthen team culture and loyalty• Why grassroots networking still works for trades businesses• Why purpose is a stronger foundation than passion in businessChris also shares a perspective more owners need to hear:Doing the right thing matters.But that does not mean it always wins on a spreadsheet.This episode is not about feel-good business advice.It is about building a company with clarity.It is about knowing what kind of work you should take.What kind of leader you want to be.And what success actually means when you are the one carrying the weight of the business.If you are an owner, operator, or builder trying to grow without drifting away from your values, this conversation will feel honest.And useful.🎧 Watch the full episode and subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers.Stay Connected & Follow the Movement• Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts• Follow Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/• Grab a copy of Andy Bassett’s book → https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/bookConnect with the HostsAndy Bassett, CEO, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu-cic-7711853/Elliot Bassett, President and Partner, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/🌐 https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/

Most trades don’t disappear because they lack history.They disappear because they can’t adapt.In this episode of Builders, Makers, Doers, Andy and Elliot sit down with John Cox, founder of Quercus Cooperage in High Falls, New York — one of the last traditional barrel makers in America.This isn’t about whiskey.It’s about survival.John didn’t inherit a booming industry.He stepped into a dying one.After 28 years in high-end custom interiors, burnout forced a reset.An article about a national barrel shortage sparked a question:What if a nearly vanished craft could be rebuilt — differently?Not industrial.Not automated.Not optimized for volume.But for precision.For niche.For control.Today, his cooperage produces custom barrels, tanks, culinary vessels, and cedar hot tubs — serving clients around the world.But the most important lesson wasn’t about craftsmanship.It was about business discipline.This is what you’ll discover:• Why being great at your craft doesn’t mean you’re ready to run a business• The hidden danger of mentally spending revenue before it lands• How nimbleness protects small businesses during market shocks• The real tension between control and delegation in precision trades• Why marketing discipline determines whether revenue stays steady• How tariffs, supply chains, and geopolitics hit small operators first• Why dying trades struggle to attract young talent• The difference between scaling volume and protecting margin• How staying niche can be more powerful than going bigJohn also shares something every owner understands but rarely says out loud:When sales dip, it’s usually because you stopped wearing your marketing hat.This episode isn’t about nostalgia.It’s about resilience.It’s about choosing systems over ego.And it’s about building a business strong enough to adapt when the market shifts under your feet.If you’re an owner, operator, or builder trying to protect your craft while growing your company, this conversation will feel honest.And practical.▶ Watch the full episode and subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers.Stay Connected & Follow the Movement• Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts• Follow Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/• Grab a copy of Andy Bassett’s bookhttps://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/bookConnect with the Hosts:Andy BassettCEO, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu-cic-7711853/Elliot BassettPresident and Partner, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/🌐 https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/

Most small businesses don’t fail because they lack talent.They fail because they scale faster than their discipline.In this episode of Builders, Makers, Doers, Andy and Elliot sit down with Haden Polseno-Hensley, co-founder of Red Rooster Coffee in Floyd, Virginia, to talk about what it really takes to build something that lasts.This isn’t about coffee.It’s about restraint.Haden didn’t come from the beverage industry.He came from construction.From the National Park Service.From graduate school.From 184 square feet and a six-pound electric roaster.He and his wife started with a simple question:What if we did this at the highest possible level?Not fast.Not loud.Not for attention.But for quality.Fifteen years later, they roast 350,000–400,000 pounds of specialty coffee a year.And the most important lesson wasn’t about growth.It was about slowing down.This is what you’ll discover:• Why most “overnight success” stories are really 5–7 year grinds• The tension between mission-driven leadership and financial reality• How working harder than necessary can quietly damage your life• Why constraints create discipline — and discipline creates durability• What small-town operators understand about reputation that big brands don’t• How culture evolves as your team grows beyond the founding core• Why solving one real problem is better than chasing 10 shiny opportunities• How producer debt cycles mirror the hidden fragility in many businesses• Why going slower can actually accelerate long-term growthHaden also shares something most founders only admit years later:He said yes to everything.And it cost him more time than it should have.This episode isn’t about scaling fast.It’s about building something strong enough to withstand time, scrutiny, and growth without breaking.If you’re an owner, operator, or builder trying to grow without losing yourself in the process, this conversation will feel familiar.And grounding.▶ Watch the full episode and subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers.Stay Connected & Follow the Movement• Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts• Follow Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/• Grab a copy of Andy Bassett’s bookhttps://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/bookConnect with the HostsAndy BassettCEO, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu-cic-7711853/Elliot BassettPresident and Partner, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/🌐 https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/

Most trades companies don’t fail because they lack work.They fail because they cut corners early.In this episode of Builders, Makers, Doers, Andy and Elliot sit down with Aaron Johnson, Vice President and Partner at Xtreme Heating & Cooling, to talk about what actually builds a durable trades business.This isn’t about HVAC equipment.It’s about foundations.Aaron grew up in the industry.Five years old, riding service calls with his dad.He watched a company grow from a licensed side gig into a 45-person operation.Not through hype.Not through aggressive marketing.Not through upsell tactics.Through discipline.Through reputation.Through training.Through doing it right when no one was watching.This is what you’ll discover:• Why starting “the right way” protects your business long before you scale• How reinvesting early beats lifestyle inflation every time• Why 80% referral business is a signal of operational discipline• The difference between hiring technicians and building craftsmen• Why training takes 4–5 years — and why that matters• How communication failures destroy trust faster than bad pricing• What the aging trades workforce means for the next decade• How AI can increase efficiency without replacing real skillAaron also addresses something most contractors won’t say out loud:The industry has a trust problem.And the only way to fix it is through consistency, education, and reputation built one job at a time.This episode isn’t about growth hacks.It’s about building a trades company that can survive scrutiny, labor shortages, and economic cycles.If you own or plan to own a construction, HVAC, plumbing, or specialty trades business, this conversation will feel familiar.And necessary.▶ Watch the full episode and subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers.Stay Connected & Follow the Movement• Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts• Follow Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/• Grab a copy of Andy Bassett’s book https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/bookConnect with the HostsAndy BassettCEO, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu-cic-7711853/Elliot BassettPresident and Partner, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/🌐 https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/

Most construction companies don’t break because the work is hard.They break because leadership pressure compounds faster than the business is prepared to handle it.In this episode of Builders, Makers, Doers, Andy and Elliot sit down with Tony Fucinaro, Managing Principal at MCL Construction, for a grounded conversation about what actually sustains a construction company as it grows.Tony didn’t come up through a traditional construction path.He started in the restaurant industry. High pressure. Tight margins. Real people problems.That background shaped how he thinks about leadership, relationships, and decision-making under stress and why MCL chose a different path as it scaled from a small firm to nearly 300 employees.This is not a project management episode.It’s a leadership and ownership episode.For construction, manufacturing, and specialty trades owners, this conversation goes deeper than job sites and schedules.It’s about:• Why relationship-first leadership outlasts low-bid thinking• How critical thinking prevents small problems from becoming existential ones• Why scaling gets harder when people become the real constraint• The difference between authority and responsibility in leadership• What owners must change as the business grows beyond themTony shares real lessons from decades inside MCL, including moments when the old way of doing construction simply stopped working and what had to change to protect the team, the culture, and the future of the business.This episode explores:Why most construction problems are thinking problems, not technical onesHow slowing down early creates speed laterWhy leadership failures often show up as labor burnoutHow owners quietly become the bottleneck without realizing itWhat it really means to build a company that lasts beyond one generationThis episode isn’t about buildings.It’s about building a business that can survive pressure, complexity, and time.If you own or plan to own a trades business, this conversation will hit close to home.🎧 Watch the full episode and subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers.Stay Connected & Follow the Movement• Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts• Follow Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/• Grab a copy of Andy Bassett’s book https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/bookConnect with the HostsAndy Bassett CEO, Ellerbrock-Norris https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu-cic-7711853/Elliot Bassett President and Partner, Ellerbrock-Norris https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/🌐 https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/

Most businesses don’t struggle because the work isn’t good.They struggle because ownership quietly becomes heavier than anyone expects.In this episode of Builders, Makers, Doers, Andy and Elliot sit down with Chuck Wiethop, founder of Design Eight Studios, for a grounded, no-BS conversation about what it really takes to build and sustain a trades business over decades.This is not a signage episode.It’s an ownership episode.Chuck shares what 30 years in the trades teaches you about leadership, labor, profit protection, and the long-term consequences of the decisions owners make when pressure is high.From starting with zero industry experience to building one of the most diverse sign and graphics operations in the Midwest, Chuck walks through the moments that shaped how he leads today.Not the wins.The weight.This conversation explores what ownership actually demands when you’re responsible for people, margins, timelines, and reputation all at once.You’ll hear how Chuck:• Started a company without industry experience and learned by making mistakes• Discovered the reality behind “being your own boss”• Navigated labor shortages and the responsibility of keeping people working• Learned how saying yes too often quietly destroys profit• Lost money on purpose to build long-term capability• Built resilience through systems, not hustle• Earned trust by standing behind work when it would have been easier to walk away• Balanced growth, capacity, and reputation over three decadesThis episode is about responsibility, discipline, and long-term thinking.Because resilience isn’t motivation.It’s structure.And it’s built long before the pressure shows up.If you own — or plan to own — a trades, manufacturing, or operations-driven business, this conversation will hit close to home.🎧 Watch the full episode and subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers.Stay Connected & Follow the Movement• Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts• Follow Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/• Grab a copy of Andy Bassett’s book → https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/bookConnect with the HostsAndy Bassett, CEO, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu-cic-7711853/Elliot Bassett, President and Partner, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/🌐 https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/

Most businesses don’t break because the product is bad.They break because ownership decisions collide with people, partners, and pressure.In this episode of Builders, Makers, Doers, Andy and Elliot sit down on site with Zac Triemert, founder of Brickway Brewery and Distillery, for a raw conversation about what happens when everything you build gets taken away — and you decide to build again anyway.This is not a craft beer episode.It’s a resilience episode.Zach shares the full story of growing Nebraska’s largest brewery, giving away equity too early, and being escorted out of his own company — overnight. What followed wasn’t a comeback tour. It was a hard reset.Cash flow pressure.Starting over from scratch.Making decisions differently the second time.This conversation explores what ownership really demands when the market shifts, competition explodes, and the rules change mid-game.You’ll hear how Zach:• Lost control of the business he founded• Rebuilt with tighter ownership and clearer guardrails• Navigated an industry that went from 800 to 10,000 competitors• Adapted as customers started drinking less, not more• Managed years of cash tied up in inventory he couldn’t sell yet• Shifted focus to survive saturation and market contraction• Built a team that stayed through uncertainty and pressureThis episode is about patience, discipline, and long-term thinking.Because resilience isn’t grit.It’s structure.And it’s built before things fall apart.If you own — or plan to own — a trades, manufacturing, or operations-driven business, this conversation will hit close to home.🎧 Watch the full episode and subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers.Stay Connected & Follow the Movement• Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts• Follow Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/• Grab a copy of Andy Bassett’s book → https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/bookConnect with the HostsAndy Bassett, CEO, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu-cic-7711853/Elliot Bassett, President and Partner, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/🌐 https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/

Most trades businesses do not fail because they lack work.They fail because growth outruns people, systems, safety, and discipline.In this episode of Builders, Makers, Doers, Andy and Elliot sit down with leaders from a fast-growing excavation company to talk about the side of growth most contractors never slow down enough to confront.Not hype.Not vanity revenue.Real decisions that protect the business.This conversation goes deep into what happens after acquisition, rapid headcount growth, and higher-risk work enters the picture.More jobs do not automatically mean a better company.Sometimes they expose everything that was barely holding together.This episode is about restraint, discipline, and leadership under pressure.You will hear how this team:• Grew headcount from under 100 to nearly 300• Improved safety while scaling operations• Walked away from good work because resources were not ready• Evaluated risk before bidding, not after losing money• Discovered that back-office capacity can quietly cap growth• Learned that hiring is still the biggest constraint in the tradesThis is not an excavation episode.It is a leadership episode.For contractors, builders, and specialty trades owners, this conversation applies whether you run five people or five hundred.In this episode, we unpack:✅ Why saying no can be the most profitable decision you make✅ How safety culture shows up before leadership speeches do✅ What disciplined risk evaluation actually looks like before bidding✅ Why growth breaks support teams before it breaks crews✅ How labor challenges force smarter work selection✅ Why resilience is built long before the job goes sidewaysThis episode is about growth with guardrails.Because scaling without discipline does not build value.It builds exposure.🎧 Watch the full episode and subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers.Stay Connected & Follow the Movement• Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts• Follow Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/• Grab a copy of Andy Bassett’s book → https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/bookConnect with the HostsAndy Bassett, CEO, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu-cic-7711853/Elliot Bassett, President and Partner, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/🌐 https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/

Most trades businesses don’t fail because the work isn’t there.They fail because the pressure shows up faster than the cash, systems, and leadership are ready to absorb it.In this episode of Builders, Makers, Doers, Andy and Elliot sit down with Matt Christopherson, founder of a multi-entity plumbing and mechanical operation, to unpack the part of trades ownership most people never talk about.The early years.The leverage.The nights where one bad job can erase everything.This isn’t a polished success story.It’s a real conversation about what it takes to survive the moments that quietly break most trades businesses before they ever get the chance to scale.Matt started with nothing.Digging ditches.Six dollars an hour.No safety net.What followed were years of cash flow pressure, reinvesting every dollar back into the business, and learning hard lessons the only way trades owners ever do — the expensive way.In this episode, we talk about what ownership actually feels like when:→ The bank owns everything→ Cash flow is tight even when revenue is growing→ One job bid wrong can put the entire company at risk→ Labor problems aren’t really labor problems — they’re leadership problems→ Taking care of people becomes the difference between survival and collapseFor construction, mechanical, and specialty trades owners, this conversation goes far beyond plumbing.It’s about what happens when responsibility, risk, and reality collide.In Episode 4, we unpack:✅ What no one prepares you for when you start a trades business✅ Why cash flow — not profit — is the real killer early on✅ The job that nearly ended the company and the lesson it taught✅ Why reinvesting beats paying yourself too early✅ How leadership decisions quietly shape labor retention✅ Why taking care of your people is a profit protection strategyThis episode isn’t about plumbing.It’s about ownership under pressure.If you own — or plan to own — a trades business, this is a conversation you need to hear before the pressure finds you.🎧 Watch the full episode and subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers.🔗 Stay Connected & Follow the Movement• Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts• Follow Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/• Grab a copy of Andy Bassett’s book → https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/bookConnect with the HostsAndy Bassett, CPCU, CIC — CEO, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu-cic-7711853/Elliot Bassett, AIP, CPCU — President & Partner, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/🌐 https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/

Most businesses don’t fail because they lack opportunity.They fail because volatility hits faster than their systems can respond.In this episode of Builders, Makers, Doers, Andy and Elliot sit down with Zach Lubeck, CEO of Quality Pork International, to unpack what it really takes to build a resilient, specialized manufacturing business in a world defined by labor shortages, global trade risk, and razor-thin margins.This isn’t a conversation about pork.It’s about what happens when you operate in an industry where:→ You can’t pause production→ You can’t control geopolitics→ And mistakes don’t get a second chancePerishable products force brutal clarity.You either make the right decisions early — or you pay for them later.For construction, manufacturing, and specialty trades owners, this episode goes far beyond food production.In Episode 4, we unpack:✅ Why narrowing your focus creates durability✅ How turning craft work into systems protects profit✅ Why “cheap” is the most expensive strategy✅ How labor and skilled trades shortages threaten the future✅ What uncontrollable risk teaches disciplined ownersIf you own — or plan to own — a trades, manufacturing, or operations-driven business, this is a conversation you need to hear.🎧 Watch the full episode and subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers.🔗 Stay Connected & Follow the Movement• Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts• Follow Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/• Grab a copy of Andy Bassett’s book → https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/bookConnect with the Hosts:Andy Bassett, CPCU, CIC — CEO, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu-cic-7711853/Elliot Bassett, AIP, CPCU — President & Partner, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/🌐 https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/

Most trades businesses don’t break because the work is hard.They break because the pressure compounds faster than the company is prepared to handle.In this episode of Builders, Makers, Doers, Andy and Elliot sit down with Michael McKeone, owner of Daedalus Construction, to unpack what nearly 50 years in concrete teaches you about resiliency, leadership, and sustainable growth in the trades.Concrete is unforgiving.Once the trucks are rolling, time is already running out.That reality forces a level of preparation, leadership discipline, and decision-making that most businesses never develop — until it’s too late.For construction, manufacturing, and specialty trades owners, this conversation goes far beyond concrete.It’s about:→ When not growing is the smartest move→ Why preparation beats toughness every time→ How leadership failures show up as labor burnout→ Why owners become the bottleneck without realizing it→ What it actually takes to build a business that lasts decadesIn Episode 3, we unpack:✅ Why “growth at all costs” nearly collapses trades companies✅ How slowing down can increase long-term profitability✅ Why preparation is a leadership responsibility — not a crew problem✅ How owner involvement quietly limits scale and resilience✅ What it really means to step back without losing controlThis episode isn’t about concrete.It’s about building a company that can survive pressure, complexity, and time.If you own — or plan to own — a trades business, this is a conversation you can’t afford to ignore.🎧 Watch the full episode and subscribe to Builders, Makers, Doers.🔗 Stay Connected & Follow the Movement• Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts• Follow Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/• Grab a copy of Andy Bassett’s book → https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/bookConnect with the Hosts:Andy Bassett, CPCU, CIC — CEO, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu-cic-7711853/Elliot Bassett, AIP, CPCU — President & Partner, Ellerbrock-Norrishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/🌐 https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/

Most trades owners don’t fail because they make bad decisions.They fail because they delay the right ones.In this episode of Builders, Makers, Doers, Andy and Elliot tackle one of the most avoided — and most expensive — realities in the trades:What actually happens to a business when the owner eventually steps away.For many construction, manufacturing, and specialty trades owners, the business isn’t just what they do.It’s who they are.It holds their relationships, their people, and often 80% or more of their personal wealth.That’s why exit and perpetuation planning isn’t a retirement conversation.It’s a profit-protection conversation.In Episode 2, we unpack:✅ Why waiting too long destroys leverage and value✅ How internal and family transitions break down without runway✅ Why private equity often becomes the default — not the preference✅ The emotional identity challenges owners face when letting go✅ How founder-held relationships quietly become valuation riskThis episode is not about selling a business tomorrow.It’s about thinking clearly long before decisions are forced.If you own a trades business — or plan to someday — this conversation matters more than you think.____________Watch the full interview now and subscribe.🔗 Stay Connected & Follow the Movement:🎧 Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube📲 Follow the Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/📘 Grab a copy of Andy's book: https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/bookConnect with the Hosts:Andy Bassett, CPCU, CIC, CEO at Ellerbrock-Norris:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu-cic-7711853/Elliot Bassett, AIP, CPCU, President and Partner at Ellerbrock-Norris:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/

If you own a business in construction, manufacturing, or the specialty trades, you already know this truth:Every decision carries weight.Not just financial weight.But responsibility for your people.Your family.And the future of what you’re building.That’s why we launched Builders, Makers, Doers.This weekly podcast exists to talk about the conversations trades owners are already having — but rarely get to talk through out loud.In this launch episode, Andy and Elliot explain:✅ Why trades ownership is fundamentally different from most businesses✅ Why resiliency isn’t built during a crisis — it’s built years before one✅ How unseen decisions at the “ground level” shape outcomes later✅ Why stories matter more than theory when it comes to leadership✅ What this show will cover every single week moving forwardYou’ll also hear a real-world story that illustrates how long-term thinking and intentional decision-making can change outcomes in seconds.  That story isn’t the point of the episode — it’s proof of the philosophy behind the show.This is not an insurance podcast.This is not a motivational podcast.This is a practical, real-world conversation for people building real companies.____________👉 Watch the full interview now and subscribe.🔗 Stay Connected & Follow the Movement:🎧 Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube📲 Follow the Builders, Makers, Doers on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/ellerbrock-norris/🧠 Connect with the Hosts:Andy Bassett, CPCU, CIC, CEO at Ellerbrock-Norris:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-bassett-cpcu-cic-7711853/Elliot Bassett, AIP, CPCU, President and Partner at Ellerbrock-Norris:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/____________New episodes drop every week.If you’re a builder, maker, or doer — this show is for you.