Ep. 133: Building a Rock-Solid Business and Reputation with Ryan Goodfellow

CONEXPO – CON/AGG Podcast: Construction Business Insights For Contractors

Building a Rock-Solid Business and Reputation with Ryan Goodfellow

In this episode of the CONEXPO-CON/AGG podcast, Ryan Goodfellow from Rock Structures joins Taylor to share his background in the heavy equipment industry, including his experience with the CONEXPO show, starting his own business, and the challenges and lessons he has learned along the way. Throughout the episode, Goodfellow emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurship, hard work, and learning from mistakes in order to succeed in the business world.

Ryan goes on to discuss the evolution of his business, how he got into unique projects such as rock walls and Armstrong walls, as well as the importance of building a strong reputation and the role that reputation plays in attracting new business. [p’He also shares his approach to leadership and team management, including the importance of setting high standards for his employees and maintaining a positive company culture. Goodfellow also discusses the role that technology and efficiency play in his business, including the different types of equipment he uses and how they help him and his team work more efficiently. In drawing the episode to a close, Taylor’s very special guest highlights the importance of being upbeat and maintaining good relationships with employees, and he shares some strategies for handling conflicts and maintaining good communication on the job site.

The Finer Details of This Episode:

• Ryan’s father and his transportation business
• Ryan’s history with CONEXPO
• The story of how he started and built his own business, Rock Structures
• Mistakes made and lessons learned
• The importance of taking risks and learning from mistakes
• The evolution of Ryan’s business to the work it does now
• Building a good reputation
• Responding to market conditions
• The role that technology plays in his business
• Managing his team and maintaining a positive company culture
• The challenges of managing a team in the construction industry
• Strategies for maintaining a positive company culture
• The role that transparency and open communication play in his team management strategy
• The roles that Ryan and his wife assume within their business

Quotes:

"I was the young, dumb, punk kid, and I was okay being that way because, you know, we're all young and dumb and punks at one point in life."

"So I went out on my own. So that was back in 97. So I was 21, almost 22 when I started. So I was pretty young, and, man, I had the world by its tail, you know."

"I think one of the biggest things that I've learned is that you're not going to learn anything if you're not making mistakes."

"The good contractors will remain and stay busy because there's always going to be something for them to do."

"Our niche is pretty much basement digs, backfills, and then all the rock work that goes along with the house."

"We got pretty big and then the economy tanked and we slowed right down and we got rid of a lot of people and we went back to just being small again."

"And it's one of those things where, like, if you're on the clock, you're doing something."

"Something is better than nothing."

"I'm getting to where I don't like to run a hoe anymore because I'm pulled in so many different directions that I don't have time if I get into a machine, it's one of those things that I don't have time, and so it's not good for my customer."

Links:

Taylor White on LinkedIn

To learn more about the 2023 CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show and to register, go to: https://www.conexpoconagg.com/show-experience

Komatsu Homepage

Rock Structures