Episoder
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Welcome back to the Crushing It In Construction Podcast!
For Episode 112, we’re sitting down with Kane Keefe, the visionary Managing Director behind Alliance Building Construction.
Based in Toowoomba but operating across Queensland, Kane took the unconventional path - launching during COVID’s toughest months, then systematically purchasing complementary businesses like a 30-year-old earthworks company rather than chasing traditional tenders.
He reflects on this bold journey, sharing how buying competitors became his secret to unlocking 8 figure scale, why vertical integration beats the race-to-the-bottom tender cycle, and how everything changes when you transition from employee to owner with real skin in the game.
Let’s dive in.
Connect with Kane Keefe:
Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kane-keefe-3ba53368/
Website: https://alliancebc.com.au/
Connect with Jordan Skinner:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanaskinner/
Website: https://moonshotmedia.com.au/
Do you have an influential personal brand? Take the quiz to find out:
http://www.constructingaleader.com/quiz
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Welcome back to the Crushing It In Construction Podcast!
This week, we’re sitting down with Brodie Haughton, Managing Director of Solidity, a company that’s redefining foundation engineering with screw piling.
Now, screw piling might sound like a niche dark art (because it is), but Brodie’s taken this overlooked corner of construction and turned it into a multi-million-dollar business. And he did it by creating demand, not just fighting for scraps in an existing market.
This is a masterclass for business owners who want to spot and dominate a niche, bootstrap like a madman, survive cash flow nightmares, and use vertical integration to lock out competitors.
If you’ve ever thought, "There’s no room left to innovate in construction," this episode will prove you wrong. Let’s dive in!
Connect with Brodie Haughton:
Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brodie-houghton-86909984/
Website: https://www.solidity.com.au/
Connect with Jordan Skinner:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanaskinner/
Website: https://moonshotmedia.com.au/
Do you have an influential personal brand? Take the quiz to find out:
http://www.constructingaleader.com/quiz
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Manglende episoder?
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Welcome Back to the Crushing It In Construction Podcast.
This week, we chatted with James Rutledge, the gritty founder of Rutledge Drilling - a family owned and operated geotechnical drilling and stabilisation company.
From dodging cyclones to rebuilding after floods, James knows what it takes to stabilize both crumbling hillsides and a growing business. He shares his unorthodox journey from Army vet to underground miner to high-risk license trainer and why he finally decided to stop making money for someone else.
Ever wondered how to turn a niche trade into an industry contender? Curious what happens when you mix family dynamics with heavy machinery? Or just want to hear why “some people have to piss on the electric fence to learn”? Strap in! This one’s packed with hard-won wisdom.
Connect with James Rutledge:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/red_dog_group/
Website: https://www.rutledgedrilling.au/
Connect with Jordan Skinner:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanaskinner/
Website: https://moonshotmedia.com.au/
Do you have an influential personal brand? Take the quiz to find out:
http://www.constructingaleader.com/quiz
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Welcome back to the Crushing It In Construction Podcast.
This week, we’re sitting down with James Elliott, owner of Red Dog Group and a UK-born builder who traded drizzle for Queensland downpours (and somehow still came out on top).
James has strong opinions about our industry, and he’s not sugar coating them: Builders are tired of being the scapegoat for every delay and price hike, overregulation is choking growth, and if we don’t start making trades appealing again, we’re in serious trouble.
From battling another year of biblical rain to flipping the script on sales (hint: stop selling services, start selling products), this episode digs into why 2025 might be the toughest year yet for builders.
And if you thought post-COVID chaos was behind us? Think again. James breaks down why the ripple effects,material costs, labor shortages, and red tape are still hitting hard.
Ready for some straight talk? Let’s go!
Connect with James Elliott:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/red_dog_group/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-elliott-99252334/
Connect with Jordan Skinner:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanaskinner/
Website: https://moonshotmedia.com.au/
Do you have an influential personal brand? Take the quiz to find out:
http://www.constructingaleader.com/quiz
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Welcome back to the Crushing It In Construction Podcast.
This week’s guest is Brendan Nielsen, the founder of JC Engineers.
Brendan’s not your typical engineer. He’s spent years getting his boots dirty on site and knows firsthand that there’s a big difference between what’s drawn on paper and what actually works in the real world. In this episode, he shares how he went from working in the industry to backing himself and starting JC Engineers, a business built on solving real problems with the right people around him.
We get into how studying engineering didn’t exactly prepare him for what came next, what finally pushed him to take the leap, and why he’s more focused on building something solid than chasing wild growth. Brendan also gets real about what it’s like to run a business, the early frustrations, and why a degree doesn’t always mean you’ve got it sorted on site.
If you’ve ever felt like experience beats theory or you're someone who wants to hear the honest side of building something from scratch, this one’s worth a listen.
Let’s get into it with Brendan!
Connect with Brendan Nielsen:
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendan-nielsen-59013a46/
Website: https://www.jcengineers.com.au/
Connect with Jordan Skinner:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanaskinner/
Website: https://moonshotmedia.com.au/
Do you have an influential personal brand? Take the quiz to find out:
http://www.constructingaleader.com/quiz
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Welcome back to the Crushing It In Construction Podcast.
Joining us today is Joseph Wainwright, the founder of Wainwright Facades, a successful cladding company based in Canberra. Joseph’s journey is one of hustle, persistence, and overcoming challenges that many in the industry can relate to.
From leaving school at 16 and working odd jobs in the UK, to navigating the ups and downs of starting a business from scratch, Joseph opens up about the reality of building a company in today’s market. He talks about the tough moments: chasing leads that never panned out, dealing with slow-moving jobs, and the challenges of the tendering process.
Joseph also shares a game-changing moment when he lost nearly $864,000 overnight, but instead of giving up, he kept going, proving that grit and perseverance are at the core of success in the construction world.
Let’s dive in!
Connect with Joseph Wainwright:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-wainwright-6b999368/
Website:https://www.wainwrightfacades.com/
Connect with Jordan Skinner:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanaskinner/
Website: https://moonshotmedia.com.au/
Do you have an influential personal brand? Take the quiz to find out:
http://www.constructingaleader.com/quiz
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Welcome back to the Crushing It In Construction Podcast.
You know that moment in business where everything’s ticking along nicely, and instead of finally relaxing, your brain goes, Cool cool cool… But what now?
In this episode, Jordan catches up with Anthony Braile, the Managing Director of Combined Demolition, and they get real about his wild ride from being a chippy on the tools to running a successful demolition company. They chat about how he spotted a gap in the industry, built something with real heart, and what it feels like when the business doesn’t need you in the day-to-day anymore… but you’re still trying to figure out how to stay fired up and fulfilled.
They also talk about the harsh truths of working as an employee — the lies and broken promises, and the impact of bad bosses. It’s a wake-up call for anyone who’s ever felt stuck in a job or leadership role that just doesn’t align.
It’s honest, a bit gritty, and it’s packed with gems for anyone leading a team, dealing with burnout, or just wondering what the hell the next chapter looks like.
Connect with Anthony Braile:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-braile-85901b140/
Website: https://www.combineddemolition.com/
Connect with Jordan Skinner:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanaskinner/
Website: https://moonshotmedia.com.au/
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Welcome back to the Crushing It In Construction Podcast.
Starting a construction business at just 21 is no small feat especially in an industry known for its challenges and curveballs.
In this episode, I sit down with Ethan Chittick, Founder of B&E Built and Commercial Carpentry. We chat about what it was really like getting his business off the ground at such a young age and the lessons he's learned along the way.
We dive into the highs and lows of running a construction company, including how Ethan decides which clients are the right fit (spoiler: it’s not just about the money). He shares why aligning values with clients has become such a big focus for him and how that can make or break a project.
So if you're in the trades, thinking about starting your own business, or just curious about how someone makes it work in this industry- this episode is packed with good stuff. Definitely give it a listen!
Connect with Ethan Chittick:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethan-chittick-a22460191/
Website: https://bebuiltpl.com/
Connect with Jordan Skinner:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanaskinner/
Website: https://moonshotmedia.com.au/
Are you as influential in the construction industry as you think? Take the quiz to find out:
http://www.constructingaleader.com/quiz
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Welcome back to the Crushing It In Construction Podcast.
Building something great requires a strong foundation-whether it’s a skyscraper, a business, or even a podcast. Just like in construction, where every beam and bolt serves a purpose, the right tools and insights can shape the industry’s future.
But what happens when the technology meant to help builders becomes more of a hindrance than a solution?
Today, we’re talking with Tyler Campbell, a former steel detailer, co-host of the Construction Brothers Podcast, and the mind behind Field Proof. After seeing firsthand how many construction professionals struggled with technology that wasn’t working for them, Tyler set out to create Field Proof to address these challenges. We’ll dive into the evolving world of construction tech and explore how we can make it work for the people who need it most.
Connect with Tyler Campbell:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerscottcampbell/
Website: https://www.fieldproof.io/
Connect with Jordan Skinner:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanaskinner/
Website: https://moonshotmedia.com.au/
PERSONAL BRAND QUIZ:
Are you as influential in the construction industry as you think? Take the quiz to find out: http://www.constructingaleader.com/quiz -
Welcome back to the Crushing It In Construction Podcast.
Are you a subcontractor who's lost in an endless list of manual tasks and processes?This week sees Daniel Ouliaris step into the chair - he's a former concreter and now Founder/CEO of Neo Intelligence.
Neo came about when Daniel and his brothers chose to reinvest money from their successful concreting business into designing software that solves all of their biggest pain points.
And it turned out they weren't alone - subbies all over Australia are reaping the rewards. He takes us through how the company came to be, what they're solving, and why he believes a broken industry is a chance to rebuild from the ground up.
Let's get started.
CONTACT DETAILS
Daniel Ouliaris
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/daniel-ouliaris
Website: https://neointelligence.com.au/
Jordan Skinner
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-skinner-685439178/
Website: https://moonshotmedia.com.au/
Are you as influential in the construction industry as you think? Take the quiz to find out:
http://www.constructingaleader.com/quiz -
Welcome back to the Crushing It In Construction Podcast.
This week's guest is none other than Peter Bottero, Founder/Director of Tensile Design & Construct.
Tensile have a unique niche within the industry. They specialise in structural cables, rods and tensioned mesh - transforming interiors, decorating facades and implementing cutting edge urban green roofing to help cool our cities.
He reflects on how he found his niche, laughing about business mishaps and lessons learnt, and why he's got a thing or two to say about uni grads ending up in management fresh from their degree.
Peter's a great laugh and there's plenty to learn here. Let's get started!
CONTACT DETAILS
Peter Bottero
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/peter-bottero-88b27550
Website: https://www.tensile.com.au/
Jordan Skinner
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-skinner-685439178/
Website: https://moonshotmedia.com.au/
Are you as influential in the construction industry as you think? Take the quiz to find out:
http://www.constructingaleader.com/quiz -
Welcome back to the Crushing It In Construction Podcast.
And a warm welcome to Jeremy Dyer, Managing Director of Total Fitouts.Jeremy takes us through the unique way his business operates - sharing how the franchising model works perfectly for fitouts, and provides a heap of benefits to everyone involved.
As he says, business is all about relationships. Whether that's getting your face out there on buses and sponsoring sports teams, getting a recommendation from a happy client, or shaking hands on the golf course, Jeremy shares his tricks and tips for growing your business sustainably, on your terms!
Let's get started.
CONTACT DETAILS
Jeremy Dyer
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-dyer-63171228
Website: https://www.totalfitouts.com.au/
Jordan Skinner
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-skinner-685439178/
Website: https://moonshotmedia.com.au/
Are you as influential in the construction industry as you think? Take the quiz to find out:
http://www.constructingaleader.com/quiz -
Welcome back to the Crushing It In Construction Podcast.
It's our 100th episode! Who better to join us to mark our first century than Director of DBG Projects, Brett Marris.Brett has a few stories from his time in business, and he shares candidly on his upbringing, his route into the industry, and some of the hardships he's faced along the way.
With DBG Projects now putting a difficult COVID era behind them, they're setting the sights on the future - doubling down on their strengths and maintaining great relationships with subbies and fellow businesses.
Let's dive in.
CONTACT DETAILS
Brett Marris
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/brett-marris-4163467a
Website: https://www.dbgprojects.com.au/
Jordan Skinner
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-skinner-685439178/
Website: https://moonshotmedia.com.au/
Are you as influential in the construction industry as you think? Take the quiz to find out:
http://www.constructingaleader.com/quiz -
Welcome back to the Crushing It In Construction Podcast.
Joining to talk us through life as Founder and Managing Director of Perth-based Classic Contractors, is Mark Stewart.Mark has issues with our industry, and he isn't afraid to spell it out: we need to get rid of retention, get our teams working in the office together, and promote the importance of connection.
Sharing how CC are handling things differently, this episode dives back into the post-COVID aftermath - proving just how much we are still feeling the effects of lockdown to this day.
For Mark it's all about community, connection and respect - that's how we move forward as an industry. Sounds pretty good, right?
Let's get started.
CONTACT DETAILS
Mark Stewart
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/markstewartcc
Website: https://www.classiccontractors.com.au/
Jordan Skinner
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-skinner-685439178/
Website: https://moonshotmedia.com.au/
Are you as influential in the construction industry as you think? Take the quiz to find out:
http://www.constructingaleader.com/quiz -
Welcome back to the Crushing It In Construction Podcast.
Want to know what an intrapreneur is? Or how to score $13 million revenue in your first year?
It’s time to meet Daniel Mikus, co-founder and co-CEO of asphalt experts MR Roads in Queensland.
Daniel doesn’t beat around the bush - he wants to see the company listed on the ASX in the next three to five years. Right now - it’s all about growth, investors, and awards.
Recently selected in the Forbes “40 Under 40”, Daniel brings a get-it-done attitude to everything he does, and it’s showing in the company’s success.
Time to learn a thing or two!
CONTACT DETAILS
Daniel Mikus
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/daniel-mikus-40885436
Website: https://mr-roads.com.au/
Jordan Skinner
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-skinner-685439178/
Website: https://moonshotmedia.com.au/
Are you as influential in the construction industry as you think? Take the quiz to find out:
http://www.constructingaleader.com/quiz -
Welcome back to the Crushing It In Construction Podcast.
It's time to learn from a Managing Director with some stories to tell about growing a company from the ground up. This week's guest is Garreth Higgins, from Offaly Civil in Queensland.
Recounting his route into the industry, he shares how a few too many beers one night led to landing Offaly's first contract the next day, how he incorporated the business on a laptop and how the business has grown from strength to strength.
Garreth also talks candidly about a cashflow situation that could have spelled the end for the company. But they're still here - and all the stronger for it.
This is a great episode to uncover some tips for staying on top of cashflow, planning ahead, and keeping the business growing.
CONTACT DETAILS
Garreth Higgins
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/garreth-higgins-38235a50
Website: https://offalycivil.com/
Jordan Skinner
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-skinner-685439178/
Website: https://moonshotmedia.com.au/
Are you as influential in the construction industry as you think? Take the quiz to find out:
http://www.constructingaleader.com/quiz -
Welcome back to the Crushing It In Construction Podcast.
It's time to face a brutal fact: nearly 3400 construction industry businesses have gone bust in the last 18 months.Here to share his blueprint for keeping your business afloat in an increasingly difficult economic environment is Director and Head of Operations at Haddarco, Abdullah Haddara.
Founded as a one-man operation by Haddara Snr. back in 1965, the business gained a new lease of life when brothers Abdullah and Mohammed took it on twenty years ago.
Abdullah shares how they learned to delegate responsibility as they scaled, why you need to manage your cashflow, and how business survival ultimately comes down to adaptability and mindset.
Time to get the notebooks out.
CONTACT DETAILS
Abdullah Haddara
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/abdullah-haddara-5592337b
Website: https://haddarco.com.au/
Jordan Skinner
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-skinner-685439178/
Website: https://moonshotmedia.com.au/
Are you as influential in the construction industry as you think? Take the quiz to find out:
http://www.constructingaleader.com/quiz -
Welcome back to the Crushing It In Construction Podcast.
It's time for a masterclass from residential building business coach Mick Hawes, of Builders Business Blackbelt.
He takes us through how he found his niche, and reveals how he helps great builders get better at being entrepreneurs.
Revealing exercises and processes that he uses at his in-person training days, Mick brings some brilliant strategies for fixing mistakes, enhancing the ambition of your vision and being a builder that people want to come back to.
Let's get started.
CONTACT DETAILS
Mick Hawes
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/mickhawes
Website: https://buildersbusinessblackbelt.com.au/
Jordan Skinner
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-skinner-685439178/
Website: https://moonshotmedia.com.au/
Are you as influential in the construction industry as you think? Take the quiz to find out:
http://www.constructingaleader.com/quiz -
Welcome back to the Crushing It In Construction Podcast.
Joining the discussion this week is hydraulic engineer and Managing Director of Sparks+Partners Consulting Engineers, Leon Dimino.
Leon takes us through his rise to the top, touching on his time as Woolies youngest ever grocery manager, a terrible week on the tools as a concreter with his dad (he hung up his shovel), and his decision to become an engineer.
But the story didn't end there, as Leon had his sights set on bigger things - eventually buying out founder Garey Sparks from his business Sparks+Partners in 2014.
He talks us through how he revitalised a reputable company struggling to modernise, the way the company uses 'themes' for the year, why he doesn't want to be the smartest person in the room, and some of his tactics for diffusing angry phone calls...
Let's get started.
CONTACT DETAILS
Leon Dimino
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/leondimino
Website: https://sparksandpartners.com.au/
Jordan Skinner
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-skinner-685439178/
Website: https://moonshotmedia.com.au/
Are you as influential in the construction industry as you think? Take the quiz to find out:
http://www.constructingaleader.com/quiz -
Welcome back to the Crushing It In Construction Podcast.
And welcome to 2025, as we rapidly approach 100 episodes...
Kicking us off in the New Year is Logan Mullaney, Group CEO of the rapidly rising concrete innovators InQuik - the second Mullaney to sit in the hotseat after Logan's brother Ben back in episode #33!
Logan shares his fascinating journey - from high school drop-out, to getting his builder's license at just 20 years old, travelling the world, working with his dad and brothers, and finding himself now in Colorado representing InQuik as they grow into the international market.
He shares some lessons from the road, recounts the formation story of InQuik, and looks back at an unusual, but inspiring route into the business management big leagues.
Let's dive in.
CONTACT DETAILS
Logan Mullaney
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/logan-mullaney-105652138
Website: https://inquikgroup.com/australia/
Jordan Skinner
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-skinner-685439178/
Website: https://moonshotmedia.com.au/
Are you as influential in the construction industry as you think? Take the quiz to find out:
http://www.constructingaleader.com/quiz - Vis mere
