Full Transcript for Rich Cook Explains How Integrity Scales A Construction Company

I would say custom carpentry, like you know, for we love doing woodwork and things, cabinetry, uh, really converting people's houses and giving them the top-notch quality and craftsmanship they're looking for. 00:04:41.319 --> 00:04:46.120 You know, a lot of people struggle with finding the right people or people cutting corners and whatnot. 00:04:46.199 --> 00:04:59.879 And we take a lot of pride and doing it the right way and you know, planning from the start to finish with the designers and everything to make a project be exactly what a client wants and bring it to life. 00:05:00.600 --> 00:05:13.480 So, yeah, that my my ideal is really just start to start to finish planning and doing a renovation or bringing whatever needs a client wants to their forever home exactly how they picture it with a smooth transaction. 00:05:14.199 --> 00:05:15.319 Nice, nice. 00:05:15.959 --> 00:05:21.480 Now, home remodeling can get emotional because you are inside someone's biggest investment, right? 00:05:21.720 --> 00:05:22.120 Yes. 00:05:22.439 --> 00:05:27.400 So, what have you learned about managing expectations as much as managing construction? 00:05:28.040 --> 00:05:44.600 So I've learned it really communicating and and and having a real expectation on timelines, breaking it down to the simplest form for a client because some people don't understand what goes down on the back end of things or the timing and the planning that goes into it. 00:05:44.759 --> 00:05:55.959 So I like to bring the customers in and let them experience that and really see how it how it all comes together instead of just I want this, and your expectations are oh, the next day it's gonna happen. 00:05:56.199 --> 00:05:57.160 Doesn't really work that way. 00:05:57.319 --> 00:06:04.600 So we we were really thoughtful and try to plan things out accordingly and make everybody understand and all come together on the ideas. 00:06:05.319 --> 00:06:13.800 That's that's gone a long way for helping, you know, meet the expectations and and clients understanding how what to expect. 00:06:15.639 --> 00:06:20.040 Now I know customers often fear delays and surprise costs a lot of times. 00:06:20.360 --> 00:06:27.319 So how do you think about communication and change orders so customers still trust the process when something unexpected happens? 00:06:27.720 --> 00:06:38.600 I'd I try, and you know, you can't always be perfect, but I try to be realistic and let those things that could possibly come about be up front with them and then be open. 00:06:38.680 --> 00:06:45.000 And and you know, you never know if you open up a wall and termites have gotten in there, or you know, you got a leak or something in the wall. 00:06:45.079 --> 00:06:47.240 Those are just some things you can't expect. 00:06:47.400 --> 00:06:51.319 So I I try to tell clients to just be open-minded. 00:06:51.480 --> 00:06:58.680 I try to, you know, explain that this could be this and just leave that option open so that they're not

startled when something comes about. 00:06:58.759 --> 00:07:02.439 And really, I take integrity on doing the right thing. 00:07:02.519 --> 00:07:10.199 So even if I have to take a loss or or don't make as much money on a job by doing it the right way, I still do it the right way. 00:07:10.439 --> 00:07:11.079 You know what I mean? 00:07:11.240 --> 00:07:16.680 Just because they hired they hired me to do the job the right way and they want it done the right way. 00:07:16.840 --> 00:07:24.600 So regardless if I accounted for that or not, and you know, the expenses there, we we try to make them understand everything up front. 00:07:24.680 --> 00:07:32.439 And if unforeseeable things come about, we we just we make them understand that uh we're gonna do everything we can to get that right for them. 00:07:32.759 --> 00:07:33.079 Okay. 00:07:33.319 --> 00:07:35.319 Now, how often do you see that happen? 00:07:35.959 --> 00:07:40.840 I mean, it's it's like I said, there's there's unforeseeable things when you start, especially a home remodel. 00:07:41.079 --> 00:07:42.120 So it's pretty frequent. 00:07:42.199 --> 00:07:48.360 So we always have that discussion in the contract before signing contracts and everything, that these things can happen. 00:07:48.600 --> 00:07:59.639 You know, being having the experience that I have in all the trades, it's not as frequent as as you'd expect, but there's always, you know, the unknowing that I can't predict. 00:07:59.720 --> 00:08:02.280 I don't have x-ray vision, can't see through the wall. 00:08:02.519 --> 00:08:06.920 So, you know, I really try to, you know, let them open their mind to that. 00:08:07.000 --> 00:08:10.360 And everybody's been pretty understanding from that sake. 00:08:10.759 --> 00:08:17.319 But I I'd say it's it's very not not very often that that happens because we try to tackle everything ahead of time. 00:08:18.360 --> 00:08:19.400 Okay, okay. 00:08:19.959 --> 00:08:26.439 Now, I don't know if I told you this, but we have a pretty large, you know, small entrepreneurship audience that listens to the podcast with us every week. 00:08:26.600 --> 00:08:30.840 So you'll need to be, you know, we're gonna get into now kind of the harder, harder hitting questions here. 00:08:31.000 --> 00:08:38.120 Uh, because you know, everything's not sunshine and rainbows, you know, everybody kind of wants to hear, you know, kind of the real stuff of what's going on, especially in this economic climate. 00:08:38.279 --> 00:08:43.559 So, you know, what would you say is the biggest challenge co-construct construction is dealing with right now? 00:08:44.519 --> 00:08:57.319 Honestly, I'd say the the biggest challenge is employment and having, you know, the good people that want to work and and carry our standard and craftsmanship. 00:08:57.559 --> 00:09:01.879 I think that's the biggest thing probably with any business is finding the right employees. 00:09:01.959 --> 00:09:11.879 And like for me, it was putting the hammer down and having other people run the business for me, like delegating my time where I'm not on site every day. 00:09:11.959 --> 00:09:20.359 And that that was the hardest thing for me, is because I meet with these clients and they know the expectation or I know their expectations and what I bring to the table. 00:09:20.439 --> 00:09:27.479 It's trusting your workers and building a good team to see that through for your clients. 00:09:27.719 --> 00:09:32.679 So that was the toughest thing, is it just setting, stepping back and putting the tool belt down. 00:09:32.839 --> 00:09:40.359 And then on on hindsight, another thing with that is, you know, I always thought running a bit a construction business was swinging a hammer. 00:09:40.439 --> 00:09:40.839 It's not. 00:09:40.919 --> 00:09:47.319 You really gotta, you know, it's estimating insurance, you know, subcontractors, scheduling. 00:09:47.479 --> 00:09:53.399 A lot more comes into it that you, you know, you don't realize when you're first starting it out, and when I did when I was younger. 00:09:53.559 --> 00:09:58.359 So those are the hurdles that I had to, you know, work through to get where I'm at. 00:09:58.439 --> 00:10:04.039 But I would say my number one thing is, you know, finding the right people to help you run the business. 00:10:04.279 --> 00:10:05.159 Yeah, yeah. 00:10:05.399 --> 00:10:07.319 And people don't realize how big that is, right? 00:10:07.399 --> 00:10:08.439 I I hear that a lot. 00:10:08.519 --> 00:10:12.039 That uh now do you think that's just uh is it a time thing? 00:10:12.120 --> 00:10:13.399 Is it a generation thing? 00:10:13.559 --> 00:10:15.799 What do you think is the issue with finding good employees right now? 00:10:16.039 --> 00:10:18.120 I think it's uh a little bit of both. 00:10:18.279 --> 00:10:22.839 I I definitely, I'd hate to say it, the generation now, it's a lot more tech savvy. 00:10:22.919 --> 00:10:32.120 So people are more prone to being on phones and you know, with AI and everything now, jobs are a little easier and being behind a computer at our desk. 00:10:32.279 --> 00:10:39.479 There's not many, at least for my trade, that want to be hands-on, you know, in the field doing manual labor. 00:10:39.559 --> 00:10:49.079 And I feel like that's kind of where we we've kind of blown up and we got we're like a little niche there because not many people want to do it anymore. 00:10:49.239 --> 00:10:56.759 And we do the quality old school craftsman style of you know, craftsmanship and whatnot, and not many people want to do that anymore. 00:10:56.919 --> 00:11:04.199 So I I think it's it has to do with the generation and how times are changing, like with the technology and what and whatnot. 00:11:04.599 --> 00:11:05.159 Yeah, yeah. 00:11:05.239 --> 00:11:06.519 No, I I totally agree. 00:11:06.599 --> 00:11:13.799 And and then not only that, like you said, but I think everybody and everybody wants to be a TikToker or YouTuber, exactly, streamer or

something like that. 00:11:13.879 --> 00:11:15.239 You know, not everybody's gonna make it from there. 00:11:15.719 --> 00:11:18.919 There's only like a select few spots for everybody to to do that. 00:11:19.000 --> 00:11:22.599 But uh, it seems like all the kids now they want to, you know, you ask them what they want to do when they're kids. 00:11:22.679 --> 00:11:23.719 Like, because I got some nephews. 00:11:23.799 --> 00:11:27.159 I don't have any kids myself, but I got some nephews, and I ask them, hey, what do you want to be when you grow up? 00:11:27.239 --> 00:11:31.159 You know, I used to say when I was a kid, doctor, basketball player, or something like that. 00:11:31.559 --> 00:11:35.559 These kids nowadays, oh, I want to be a streamer, I want to be a TikToker, I want to be a YouTuber. 00:11:35.719 --> 00:11:39.079 It's like, no, that's gotta have some realistic goals. 00:11:39.719 --> 00:11:41.319 Not everybody's gonna be able to do that. 00:11:41.639 --> 00:11:44.439 There's only so many spots, so you gotta have a realistic goal. 00:11:44.599 --> 00:11:48.279 You know, you can you can actually go to school and become a police officer. 00:11:48.359 --> 00:11:50.759 You can actually go to school and become a tradesman. 00:11:50.919 --> 00:11:52.199 Those are things you can actually do. 00:11:52.359 --> 00:11:56.439 And I'm not saying you can't be a TikTok or YouTuber, but it's just a lot, it's a lot harder. 00:11:56.919 --> 00:11:57.399 Exactly. 00:11:57.639 --> 00:11:58.439 Exactly. 00:11:58.679 --> 00:11:59.639 Yeah, I agree. 00:12:00.439 --> 00:12:01.479 You say you're a big sports guy. 00:12:01.559 --> 00:12:02.359 What's your sports team? 00:12:02.919 --> 00:12:05.000 Oh man, let's not get started on that. 00:12:05.159 --> 00:12:07.559 I'm a big time Raiders fan, unfortunately. 00:12:07.719 --> 00:12:13.239 Oh hopefully, hopefully we got some we we've been saying we're rebuilding every year. 00:12:13.319 --> 00:12:19.159 Hopefully, uh we see that through with our our new quarterback we got, but I don't get hot hopes. 00:12:19.719 --> 00:12:20.759 Yeah, Mendoza. 00:12:20.839 --> 00:12:22.519 I mean, he looks, you know, he looks all right, you know. 00:12:22.679 --> 00:12:23.559 He does, he does. 00:12:23.639 --> 00:12:28.519 I think he's gonna be all right, but we got still got some growing pain, growing pains to get over. 00:12:28.599 --> 00:12:33.399 I think a couple years from now we might be all right, but uh yeah, not much to cheer for there. 00:12:33.479 --> 00:12:40.679 And then, you know, I got my son being a Raiders fan now, and he hasn't got to really cheer for much, so I feel bad for him on that. 00:12:41.399 --> 00:12:53.399 But we're big Crosby fans, so he uh he's all about his Max Crosby got jerseys and everything, so yeah, our Raiders haven't given me much pleasure the last over the last decade. 00:12:53.639 --> 00:12:55.639 Yeah, at least he got Crosby though. 00:12:55.719 --> 00:12:58.199 I mean, you know, I was scared that he was gonna get traded there for a while. 00:12:58.439 --> 00:13:03.639 Well, he did, and then he just fell back in our lap, so you know, some things happened for a reason. 00:13:03.959 --> 00:13:06.439 Yeah, yeah, because they tried to trade him when they was it to the Ravens? 00:13:06.519 --> 00:13:07.079 Was it yeah? 00:13:07.159 --> 00:13:07.799 The Ravens, yeah. 00:13:07.879 --> 00:13:11.959 They had him, and I guess he failed a physical, and then they they sent him back. 00:13:12.039 --> 00:13:13.559 So hey, we're happy to have him. 00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:14.519 Don't get me wrong. 00:13:14.759 --> 00:13:16.759 Yeah, probably the best player on the team overall. 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:17.879 For sure, for sure. 00:13:18.120 --> 00:13:18.359 100%. 00:13:19.399 --> 00:13:19.959 Yeah, yeah. 00:13:20.199 --> 00:13:21.559 But yeah, kind of getting back into this. 00:13:21.639 --> 00:13:28.439 What you know, what is what have you noticed is kind of the recurring frustration that takes more of your time or energy than it should when running your business. 00:13:28.839 --> 00:13:30.599 Honestly, man, all the back end work. 00:13:30.679 --> 00:13:39.319 I guess it goes back to me wanting to be more hands-on with everything, but uh I I've learned over the last two year or two that like I'm wearing too many hats. 00:13:39.399 --> 00:13:49.239 So the frustration is like just all the billing, all the keeping up with the insurances, you know, scheduling and all that. 00:13:49.399 --> 00:13:59.639 So, you know, like I say, delegating time and like really uh hiring like assistants and whatnot to step in to do these roles, those would be the been the big biggest frustrations for me. 00:14:00.519 --> 00:14:05.799 Now, about how many hours a week are you personally running the business or working on the business right now, would you say? 00:14:06.039 --> 00:14:11.559 Um, I would say I mean easily 40 hours a week, if not more. 00:14:11.799 --> 00:14:16.120 Just because I like I said, I I run multiple at least four or five jobs a week. 00:14:16.199 --> 00:14:24.759 So I'm, you know, constantly meeting with clients, my project managers, you know, doing the back end stuff, you know, the invoicing and all that. 00:14:24.839 --> 00:14:34.599 So I still treat it as like a 40, 40-hour a week job, you know, but I do have my freedom to where, you know, I can pull off and be with my kids and do those things. 00:14:34.759 --> 00:14:45.719 That was that was that was my big reasoning on starting the business was, you know, I I I didn't grow up with a father figure around and I wanted to be everything to my kids. 00:14:45.959 --> 00:14:47.639 My father wasn't, you know. 00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:53.719 So to give the financial freedom and time, that's kind of why I started the business. 00:14:53.799 --> 00:14:54.439 Yeah. 00:14:54.919 --> 00:15:03.239 So I still have that freedom, but I still try to treat it like a for 30 to 40 hour week because my employee, your

employees are only as good as you treat them. 00:15:03.319 --> 00:15:10.519 And I set high expectations for them and I try to let them know that like I'm not asking you to do anything more than I wouldn't do, you know. 00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:17.479 So being out there, being hands-on and showing these guys like this is the right way, just just showing a work ethic, you know. 00:15:17.639 --> 00:15:22.279 I feel like that's a big thing for you know a lot of companies, especially in the construction industry. 00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:25.000 Yeah, no, I definitely agree with you on that. 00:15:25.239 --> 00:15:35.959 Now, you know, and I kind of want you to be a little bit, you know, you gotta be a little bit transparent, a little bit vulnerable here, but you know, because this is kind of a good question to ask, but it's kind of one of those where you're looking from the outside in, right? 00:15:36.519 --> 00:15:39.239 So, you know, how many employees do you have working for you right now? 00:15:39.399 --> 00:15:43.000 Uh I have six in-house employees currently working for me now. 00:15:43.559 --> 00:15:44.919 Six employees, okay. 00:15:45.239 --> 00:15:51.719 So, you know, let's kind of let's kind of say that we kind of hypothetically sat down with some of your some of your employees, right? 00:15:51.799 --> 00:15:59.479 And we did an anonymous type of survey and we asked them straight up, you know, hey, what do you believe is, you know, Rich's greatest strength as a leader? 00:15:59.799 --> 00:16:01.000 What do you think they would say? 00:16:01.799 --> 00:16:03.159 I'm a leader of men. 00:16:03.399 --> 00:16:06.839 I I treat everybody fairly and evenly. 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:19.479 I don't I don't underestimate any of them, and I think they would truthfully say I'm a leader of men, and that's why they staying behind me and and and do the quality work and work as hard as I do. 00:16:20.599 --> 00:16:21.639 Okay, okay. 00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:28.439 Now getting into that a little bit more, kind of, you know, I know because then I know what your employees think of you is different than what you actually think. 00:16:28.599 --> 00:16:31.639 Then what do you think is your greatest strength as a business owner? 00:16:32.679 --> 00:16:34.199 Is it the same or does it change? 00:16:34.599 --> 00:16:47.399 I mean, it was it's the same, but I I just think just being genuine and you know, as a business owner, just being a big thing is like communication and how you present yourself. 00:16:47.719 --> 00:16:53.000 And I just I carry a high standard on, you know, I don't do a lot of marketing within the business. 00:16:53.079 --> 00:17:00.279 I a lot of it's word of mouth, so I try to grow customer relationships and that's what keeps our business thriving. 00:17:00.759 --> 00:17:05.079 So I think that communication thing is a big thing for me that I take a lot of pride in. 00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:06.599 Okay, okay. 00:17:06.839 --> 00:17:09.079 Now we're gonna go

to the other end of that spectrum, right? 00:17:09.160 --> 00:17:17.559 Let's say if we sat down with your employees and and asked them, you know, what's one leadership or business skill that Rich still needs to try to improve on right now? 00:17:17.799 --> 00:17:19.720 What do you think we would hear from them then? 00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:22.680 That's a good question. 00:17:23.319 --> 00:17:24.039 Nobody's perfect. 00:17:24.519 --> 00:17:26.120 Yeah, yeah, nobody's perfect. 00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:40.279 I'd say, you know, everybody would say a little bit more on like maybe management side of things because we have so much going on at one time, it's kind of hard to oversee everything. 00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:49.400 So I do kind of put a little more on my project manager's, you know, plate to kind of run the jobs a little more smoothly. 00:17:49.640 --> 00:18:00.279 But I mean, I honestly, like, like I said, nobody's perfect, but I feel like I do a very good job of accommodating and being realistic, and the expectations aren't too much for these guys to handle. 00:18:00.360 --> 00:18:04.759 So, you know, I'd really I'd like to know what that answer would be for my guys, truthfully. 00:18:06.039 --> 00:18:07.320 Yeah, no, that's always good. 00:18:07.400 --> 00:18:10.200 It's always like, it's like, man, what what what do you think about, you know? 00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:13.000 Because, you know, there's I'm sure they're always thinking about something. 00:18:13.080 --> 00:18:14.039 I mean, that's just how it is. 00:18:14.120 --> 00:18:15.320 Nobody's perfect, like you said. 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:20.519 So so, you know, kind of walk me through your handoff from estimate to production. 00:18:20.840 --> 00:18:25.320 Where have you had to create systems so jobs do not live only in your head? 00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:33.799 So I actually have so I work uh so a lot of mine, I do a lot of kitchen and bath designing and stuff. 00:18:33.880 --> 00:18:39.799 So I have a design team with some of the vendors that I work with and purchase cabinetry or my trim work through. 00:18:39.960 --> 00:18:43.880 So I, you know, from the estimate side, I get an estimate together. 00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:55.160 I have my clients, I'll pass it over to my team that will draw the through 2D renderings for them so that they can get a visual of things before the project even starts or change anything. 00:18:55.320 --> 00:19:00.519 And then from there, you know, I put it in my assistant's lap to communicate. 00:19:00.840 --> 00:19:19.560 We have a text system uh House Paul Pro that they will send out text messages to clients, you know, when when our scheduled date is to be there with the plans, and every day with that system, we upload pictures into it, and our clients can get real feedback. 00:19:19.720 --> 00:19:25.000 Say if they're not living in the house at the time and they want progress pictures, they get the progress pictures to there. 00:19:25.080 --> 00:19:27.400 So it

helps keep everything, each job. 00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:30.039 Like I said, I run you know multiple jobs weekly. 00:19:30.120 --> 00:19:33.560 It helps keep everything organized in that aspect. 00:19:33.880 --> 00:19:35.640 Okay, good deal, good deal. 00:19:35.880 --> 00:19:39.720 Now let's kind of, you know, where do most of your customers come from right now? 00:19:39.880 --> 00:19:42.519 Is it from word of mouth, Google, you know, online ads? 00:19:43.640 --> 00:19:45.560 Majority of it is is word of mouth. 00:19:45.640 --> 00:19:54.279 That's why I say we we we take a lot of pride in our craftsmanship and making, you know, solid um connections with people in the areas. 00:19:54.519 --> 00:20:01.160 We've we've I worked with a lot of realtors, I work with interior designers because we do the high-end trim work. 00:20:01.640 --> 00:20:04.279 And then, you know, like I said, the word of mouth. 00:20:04.360 --> 00:20:14.600 Like I do have, you know, a website and we upload uh Instagram and Facebook weekly, but there's not many ads we we s we go on. 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:30.680 It's really like the realtors, designers, you know, we got some local builders around the area that we we work for that, you know, when some of their recent clients or something need a need a renovation or a remodel because they don't, because the market's in a crazy position right now with interest rates. 00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:32.920 They don't want to buy a new house, they want to remodel. 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:40.360 So they'll send them, you know, my way to you know, uh help them plan that project out and see that through. 00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:42.360 But a lot of it is word of mouth. 00:20:42.680 --> 00:20:43.000 Yeah. 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:44.200 Okay, okay. 00:20:44.440 --> 00:20:46.680 Now let's get into your competitors a little bit here. 00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:49.720 You know, let's let's say if I'm talking with a couple of different places, right? 00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:54.519 I'm talking with Carlos over here, and I'm talking with Jonathan over at this other company. 00:20:54.759 --> 00:20:59.880 Why would uh why would someone want to choose your organization instead of the alternatives available to that? 00:21:00.200 --> 00:21:09.240 I would say because we are very thorough, we we we communicate well, you always have a point of contact, whether it's me or one of my project managers. 00:21:09.480 --> 00:21:17.960 We give you real up-to-date progression and updates on your project with the app that I was just speaking about. 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:20.279 We have a design team. 00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:25.160 We've we've been in the industry for years, we're we're well spoken for. 00:21:26.120 --> 00:21:30.279 And I'd say that sets us apart because of the integrity as well. 00:21:31.320 --> 00:21:34.920 We just we've we take a lot of pride in doing things the right way. 00:21:35.080 --> 00:21:49.880 And like I said earlier, whether if it costs us a little bit more on the back end, it uh it's better to do it right the right way now because it takes a while to build your reputation, but it takes one one bad mistake to ruin it. 00:21:50.200 --> 00:21:52.440 Yeah, no, yeah, no doubt about that. 00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:57.480 Now, you know, what is your biggest, you know, tell us about the team kind of supporting you today. 00:21:57.560 --> 00:22:03.720 You said you have uh six other employees, kind of you know, what what pieces and who are the key people and what responsibilities do they own? 00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:07.160 So the key guys, I've got, well, it's it's pretty cool. 00:22:07.240 --> 00:22:08.200 My brother works for me. 00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:11.320 He's one of my my lead guys, he's one of the project managers. 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:13.720 So that alone has been awesome. 00:22:13.880 --> 00:22:23.160 He, you know, he he runs jobs, he coordinates with my subcontractors, keeps them on schedule, just kind of keeps my jobs running smooth. 00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:26.440 My fiance works in office to help with the schedule. 00:22:26.840 --> 00:22:32.279 Scheduling, keep everything organized, does some of the billing, helps with estimating and whatnot. 00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:35.560 Another employee is Chad, he's been my lead guy. 00:22:35.720 --> 00:22:40.039 He he he actually got on with me the month after I started my business. 00:22:40.200 --> 00:22:42.279 And he, I mean, he's been amazing. 00:22:42.360 --> 00:22:44.440 He he's another project manager. 00:22:44.600 --> 00:22:54.519 So he kind of does a lot of things that Trevor does, helps, you know, keep keep the project moving around along on schedule, coordinating the subcontractors and whatnot. 00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:56.600 And then, you know, I've got Aaron. 00:22:56.680 --> 00:22:58.440 He's been with me for Aaron Cheeks. 00:22:58.600 --> 00:23:01.080 He's been with me for going on four years now. 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:05.960 And he's another one of my lead guys that, you know, helps helps run the job smoothly. 00:23:06.120 --> 00:23:11.960 So those are the three top project managers and my fiance that help keep everything flowing. 00:23:12.360 --> 00:23:13.160 Nice, nice. 00:23:13.320 --> 00:23:14.440 That's awesome. 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:18.120 Now, uh, and now we're gonna go ahead and head into what's called the this or that round. 00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:20.680 Uh, so how this works is I'm gonna give you this or that. 00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:24.039 And I want you to choose one of them and then kind of give me the reason why you chose it. 00:23:24.120 --> 00:23:29.720 It's kind of kind of a breakaway from all the business talk here to get somebody into your personal personal life a little bit. 00:23:30.120 --> 00:23:30.759 All right. 00:23:31.480 --> 00:23:34.360 So, mountains or beach and why? 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.400 Beach. 00:23:35.799 --> 00:23:38.120 I've I've always lived in the beach area. 00:23:38.200 --> 00:23:44.200 There's

nothing better than going and chilling on a beach on a nice hot day, having a nice drink, you know. 00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:47.960 I used to like skin boarding and and surfing a little bit. 00:23:48.120 --> 00:23:49.799 Can't beat a beach day. 00:23:50.440 --> 00:23:50.759 Okay. 00:23:51.320 --> 00:23:52.759 Early bird or not out? 00:23:53.640 --> 00:23:54.920 I'm an early bird. 00:23:55.080 --> 00:23:56.200 I'm an early bird. 00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:58.200 Feel like the early bird gets the worm. 00:23:58.360 --> 00:23:59.400 I was the first one up. 00:23:59.480 --> 00:24:05.240 I I tackle half of my on my task before some people wake up every morning. 00:24:05.320 --> 00:24:09.160 So I just feel like I'm ahead of the head of the curve every morning, every day. 00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:09.799 Okay. 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:12.519 Cook at home or eat out? 00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:14.120 Ooh, ooh. 00:24:14.360 --> 00:24:15.960 I'm a I'm an eat out guy. 00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:17.000 I'm not a great cook. 00:24:17.160 --> 00:24:21.480 My fiance is a is an amazing cook, but we're on the go so much. 00:24:21.640 --> 00:24:27.160 And with two kids and our work schedules and whatnot, I'm a more uh eat out type of guy. 00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:29.480 Yeah, I got too much going on right now. 00:24:30.360 --> 00:24:31.960 Spend it or saving? 00:24:32.600 --> 00:24:33.320 Saving. 00:24:33.480 --> 00:24:34.680 I'm big on saving. 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:36.279 I always like to have a fallback. 00:24:36.360 --> 00:24:40.200 You never know what can happen, so I always like to have a reserve there. 00:24:40.840 --> 00:24:41.240 Nice. 00:24:41.400 --> 00:24:41.880 I like that. 00:24:41.960 --> 00:24:42.840 I agree. 00:24:43.480 --> 00:24:44.840 Netflix or YouTube? 00:24:46.680 --> 00:24:48.120 I'm a Netflix guy. 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:49.720 Now, my son would hate me saying that. 00:24:49.799 --> 00:24:52.039 He's all about YouTube, but I I go Netflix. 00:24:52.120 --> 00:24:54.360 I like to get into documentaries and shows. 00:24:54.600 --> 00:24:57.400 And so yeah, I definitely go Netflix on that one. 00:24:58.039 --> 00:24:59.240 Okay, okay. 00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:02.680 Have a personal chef or a high or a housekeeper? 00:25:04.680 --> 00:25:05.799 Personal chef. 00:25:06.039 --> 00:25:06.680 Personal chef. 00:25:06.840 --> 00:25:10.759 Like I said, I don't cook, so if I could have somebody cooking for me, I could eat at home more. 00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:14.279 He's like, I wouldn't go out so much if I had somebody cook it for me. 00:25:15.480 --> 00:25:17.000 That's basically what you're paying out for, right? 00:25:17.080 --> 00:25:18.039 You pay for somebody to cook it for. 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:18.440 Yeah. 00:25:20.519 --> 00:25:22.840 Dream home or dream vacation? 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:25.880 Dream home. 00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:26.920 Dream home. 00:25:27.080 --> 00:25:27.560 Yeah. 00:25:27.799 --> 00:25:32.360 Just because you can always go on a vacation and you plan if you save enough. 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:35.240 Now dream home is a once in a lifetime thing. 00:25:35.560 --> 00:25:35.799 Yeah. 00:25:36.600 --> 00:25:37.320 That's very true. 00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:38.680 Very, very true. 00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:42.120 Would you like to, let's see how I can put this. 00:25:42.360 --> 00:25:49.320 Would you rather live a would you rather have dinner with your future self or relive a great day from your past? 00:25:52.600 --> 00:25:54.200 I would say future self. 00:25:54.600 --> 00:25:55.480 Future self. 00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:59.080 Future self is probably gonna be a little more knowledgeable than I am now. 00:25:59.160 --> 00:26:01.560 I've probably learned a lot from that from that person. 00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:04.519 So yeah, I'd I'd go with future self. 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:06.759 Okay, okay. 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:10.920 And uh give up your phone for a month or give up TV for a year? 00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:16.600 Give up phone for a month. 00:26:16.840 --> 00:26:20.759 You know, my phone never stops, so it would be nice to have a breather from that. 00:26:20.840 --> 00:26:26.920 And the distraction from scrolling on social media and all that would be nice. 00:26:27.320 --> 00:26:29.080 Yeah, I agree. 00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:32.039 Unlimited money or unlimited vacation time? 00:26:32.920 --> 00:26:36.039 Unlimited money, because then you can do all the vacations you want. 00:26:36.680 --> 00:26:39.080 Yeah, that's I mean, that's pretty easy. 00:26:39.400 --> 00:26:42.920 Would you rather hire for experience or hire for attitude? 00:26:43.160 --> 00:26:44.200 It's always a good one. 00:26:44.360 --> 00:26:45.640 Ooh, that's a good one. 00:26:45.799 --> 00:26:47.000 That's a good one. 00:26:49.640 --> 00:26:58.200 Ooh, you know, experience is always great, but I feel like a good attitude, I can I I'm a very coachable person, and if you have a good attitude, you'd be willing to learn. 00:26:58.279 --> 00:27:02.120 And you know, that I feel like that trait would go a lot a long way. 00:27:03.640 --> 00:27:09.560 Yeah, and and plus if I can't, if I don't, if I can't stand working with you, then it's not gonna work out. 00:27:09.640 --> 00:27:10.840 Yeah, it's not gonna work out. 00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:21.720 So I I I brought on people with experience, and some people just, you know, I have a certain way about going about things, and they have certain ways, and sometimes we just don't click, it doesn't work out sometimes, you know. 00:27:21.960 --> 00:27:22.920 Yep, yeah, yep. 00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:30.840 And then yeah, I've been in that too, where you just you, you know, they're very good at what they do, they're amazing at what they do, but then I I have to stand on pins and needles when I go talk to you. 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:34.440 Exactly because you know, you got this attitude or you got this, you know, whatever. 00:27:34.759 --> 00:27:49.400 I feel like I'm coming at you wrong by telling you a

different way to do something, and it's you know, so yeah, I I definitely attitude would be a big one because I feel like if you have a good attitude, you'd be willing to learn, you'd be coachable, and and and we would we'd be able to get you the experience as needed. 00:27:49.640 --> 00:27:50.279 Yeah. 00:27:50.600 --> 00:27:52.600 Grow fast or grow steady? 00:27:53.320 --> 00:27:54.759 I'm a grow steady guy. 00:27:54.840 --> 00:28:02.840 You don't want to grow too fast because you know, if you don't have the right infrastructure for five jobs, then you definitely won't for 15. 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:10.600 So I think grow steady, grow a good structure and foundation, and that that's the that's the key to a successful business. 00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:12.519 Yeah, totally agree. 00:28:13.400 --> 00:28:15.560 Take the risk or play it safe? 00:28:16.360 --> 00:28:17.960 I'm a I'm a risk guy. 00:28:18.039 --> 00:28:19.320 I'm a I'm a risk guy. 00:28:19.640 --> 00:28:21.000 You gotta risk it for the biscuit. 00:28:21.080 --> 00:28:22.279 You never know unless you try. 00:28:22.360 --> 00:28:30.039 You know, I I I am conservative, I play play, play ball safely, but I probably wouldn't be in the position I'm at now if I didn't take a risk. 00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:36.360 So let's see here, and work from home or work from the office? 00:28:40.840 --> 00:28:44.279 I'd have to say office because too many distractions at home. 00:28:44.680 --> 00:28:46.360 Office is a busy work together. 00:28:48.279 --> 00:28:51.560 And build a huge company or build one that runs without you? 00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:53.240 That's the last one. 00:28:56.120 --> 00:28:58.920 Build one that ha, that's a tough one. 00:28:59.240 --> 00:29:04.120 I like to be hands-on, but I would say build one that runs without me. 00:29:04.360 --> 00:29:04.600 Okay. 00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:06.840 And why do you and why would you choose that? 00:29:07.320 --> 00:29:14.759 Because if you can build a successful business that doesn't require all your attention, you have more free time or other opportunities to start another business. 00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:22.039 So yeah, I I I'd and more more freedom with my family, uh I'd say. 00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:22.680 Yeah. 00:29:23.560 --> 00:29:24.360 Yeah, that's true. 00:29:24.519 --> 00:29:25.000 That's true. 00:29:25.160 --> 00:29:29.480 And that and those are times that you that you definitely want, you know, because you can't get those days back, right? 00:29:29.640 --> 00:29:29.880 Exactly. 00:29:30.120 --> 00:29:33.400 I don't think I don't think anybody ever said on their deathbed, hey man, I wish I worked a lot more. 00:29:34.279 --> 00:29:34.680 Exactly. 00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:35.240 Exactly. 00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:41.000 They always say they always, it's always, you know, I wish I spent more time with this person or spent more time with this person, so on and so forth. 00:29:41.160 --> 00:29:42.039 So yeah, man. 00:29:42.120 --> 00:29:43.880 So all right, I appreciate that, this or that. 00:29:44.039 --> 00:29:46.279 So, you know, a couple last things here, you know. 00:29:46.440 --> 00:29:53.400 So what would you say kind of is your, you know, limits growth more for a contractor like Cochon right now? 00:29:53.560 --> 00:30:01.000 You know, would it be qualified labor, lead quality, estimating quality, uh capacity, cash flow, or project management? 00:30:01.320 --> 00:30:09.160 I would say, hmm, I would say uh more skilled labor, honestly. 00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:11.320 And then you said something about estimating. 00:30:11.400 --> 00:30:32.840 That's another big one that I've been really trying to get into because a lot of my time is getting consumed into you know meeting with clients and doing that end of things, where I've I've actually been looking into trying to hire somebody for that position because it would take it would give me like back to the delegate your time, you know, delegating time to where I could handle other things. 00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:41.320 So those would be the two main for me would be you know skilled laborers and finding somebody that could help estimate estimates. 00:30:41.640 --> 00:30:43.000 Okay, okay. 00:30:43.640 --> 00:30:44.039 All right. 00:30:44.200 --> 00:30:46.279 So what's next for uh CoCon construction? 00:30:46.360 --> 00:30:48.759 What should people be excited about coming up in the near future? 00:30:49.080 --> 00:30:50.600 So what's next for us? 00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:55.960 I think I said it earlier in our conversation that you know I just got my class A building license. 00:30:56.039 --> 00:31:01.480 So we've kind of been just doing our custom carpentry and you know, remodels and whatnot. 00:31:01.560 --> 00:31:06.519 But now that I've got my builder's license, we're gonna be building new homes within the next year or two. 00:31:06.680 --> 00:31:18.120 And then, you know, I'm slowly gonna start getting into the development side of things so we can kind of develop whole, you know, new communities and whatnot, and then then do the new construction as well. 00:31:18.360 --> 00:31:22.519 So that's uh the next next three three or five year plan for us. 00:31:23.240 --> 00:31:25.240 Okay, good deal, good deal. 00:31:25.560 --> 00:31:38.600 And uh, and and with this, you know, I you know, I kind of need you to be as candid and as honest as you can, but let's say if you know, if a business owner, small entrepreneurs listening to the podcast episode with you today, like I said, we have a pretty good sized audience of entrepreneurs that listen. 00:31:38.759 --> 00:31:43.320 You know, let's say we're having an entrepreneur that's listening today and they're just feeling stuck or overwhelmed. 00:31:43.480 --> 00:31:45.400 2026 has just not been their year. 00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:52.360 They unfortunately had to lay one of their best techs off because, you know, these, you know, cost of labor is just too much, or cost of materials is just too much.

00:31:52.600 --> 00:31:56.120 What's a piece of advice you'd give to that small entrepreneur today? 00:31:56.519 --> 00:32:01.880 I would say, you know, it it'll all come back around. 00:32:02.039 --> 00:32:02.759 Stay patient. 00:32:02.920 --> 00:32:06.519 Not uh, you know, not everything's perfect at the at the same time. 00:32:06.600 --> 00:32:09.000 You know those are growing pains within a business. 00:32:09.240 --> 00:32:18.600 Stay consistent to your values and how you want or your vision for your company, and everything will fall into place as long as you stay consistent. 00:32:19.880 --> 00:32:21.160 Okay, okay. 00:32:21.560 --> 00:32:24.759 And we're recording this around you know the end of August here. 00:32:24.920 --> 00:32:29.240 So, you know, this next question here would put us at about Thanksgiving, roughly. 00:32:29.400 --> 00:32:36.200 So, you know, if there was one meaningful thing you could change in the next 90 days or by Thanksgiving, what would it be and why? 00:32:36.440 --> 00:32:39.799 What would what would be one thing you would change about by the business in the next 90 days? 00:32:40.440 --> 00:32:42.519 What I would change about the business. 00:32:44.680 --> 00:32:45.799 Man, I love the business. 00:32:45.880 --> 00:32:47.400 What I would change though? 00:32:47.560 --> 00:32:48.840 That's a tough question. 00:32:49.720 --> 00:32:50.039 Really? 00:32:50.120 --> 00:32:52.519 That's a uh I don't really have a great answer for that. 00:32:52.600 --> 00:32:54.920 I kind of like what we what we got going on here. 00:32:55.160 --> 00:33:01.480 Like I say, I just want to I'd like to see just steady growth and consistency on how we've been operating. 00:33:01.960 --> 00:33:05.080 I don't see much, uh I I don't want to change much, honestly. 00:33:05.480 --> 00:33:06.440 I don't want to change much. 00:33:06.680 --> 00:33:06.840 Okay. 00:33:07.240 --> 00:33:13.880 So, you know, as far as like you know, no, no hypothetical one, there's really nothing you would you would change at all. 00:33:14.680 --> 00:33:15.960 First time we've gotten that. 00:33:17.720 --> 00:33:21.320 I mean not honestly, no. 00:33:21.480 --> 00:33:24.920 I mean, I don't I don't not nothing that rings like like really sets out to me. 00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:31.560 Like I like I said, I've got a family uh ran business and we're we're doing very well and heading in the right direction. 00:33:31.799 --> 00:33:40.440 And you know, the only thing that I would possibly change is I don't I honestly I don't have an answer for that. 00:33:40.759 --> 00:33:42.200 Because I think we're doing well. 00:33:42.519 --> 00:33:43.000 Yeah, yeah. 00:33:43.080 --> 00:33:45.240 Now now kind of get into what you talked about earlier, right? 00:33:45.320 --> 00:33:48.680 You say quote, one of the big things was you know, finding good employees a lot of time. 00:33:48.840 --> 00:33:53.000 Would you would you you know maybe hire maybe maybe if like the perfect candidate came on your lap. 00:33:53.400 --> 00:33:55.000 Yeah, well, yeah, in that aspect, yeah. 00:33:55.080 --> 00:34:03.640 So I guess yeah, what I would change is you know, finding, you know, more employees to help, you know, with my vision to help help build the company more. 00:34:03.720 --> 00:34:09.320 You know, I want to see growth, but like, you know, I I'd like to see change in that aspect of things. 00:34:09.480 --> 00:34:19.799 But yeah, I I'd say the employment, getting the right employees, people in position for my vision and how we want to see this in the next couple of years would be the biggest thing. 00:34:20.039 --> 00:34:20.360 Okay. 00:34:20.679 --> 00:34:21.639 Gotcha, gotcha. 00:34:21.799 --> 00:34:22.920 All right, perfect, man. 00:34:23.079 --> 00:34:23.400 All right. 00:34:23.480 --> 00:34:28.679 Well, Rich, thank you so much for joining us and sharing your behind-the-scenes story of building KOCON construction. 00:34:28.840 --> 00:34:36.039 Uh, to everyone listening, be sure to connect with Rich and follow Epic Entrepreneurs for more conversations with the people building businesses and communities every day. 00:34:36.279 --> 00:34:39.319 So, Rich, before we go ahead and sign off, man, any final words for the audience? 00:34:39.559 --> 00:34:41.079 Oh, thanks for having me, man. 00:34:41.159 --> 00:34:43.719 Um, and uh, any entrepreneurs, man, don't give up. 00:34:43.799 --> 00:34:45.559 It's never gonna be perfect to start off. 00:34:45.639 --> 00:34:47.000 Don't wait till it's perfect. 00:34:47.159 --> 00:34:49.480 Just take the risk and see where it takes you. 00:34:49.719 --> 00:34:51.000 Yeah, no, he's definitely right. 00:34:51.159 --> 00:34:54.679 So, yeah, appreciate your your your well words, your wise words here. 00:34:54.759 --> 00:34:59.639 And yeah, everybody, this is Cliff McCray with Action Coach Business Growth Partners, and we'll see you next time. 00:34:59.879 --> 00:35:00.359 Thank you.