In this insightful conversation, Jeff Calabro, President of SDI Services, shares his journey of scaling a construction business post-acquisition by Solv Energy. He discusses the challenges of attracting skilled workers and the need for effective leadership in navigating market fluctuations. Jeff highlights the significance of empathy in the workplace and emphasizes financial preparedness for stability. He also provides strategies to avoid burnout and sustainably grow a business without sacrificing profit or control. A must-listen for contractors seeking balance!
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volunteer_activism ADVICE
Diversify Around Your Core
Diversify offerings near your core competency to smooth seasonality without abandoning strengths.
Run finances on a 12-month cycle and prepare cash reserves for seasonal downturns.
question_answer ANECDOTE
How SDI Expanded Services
SDI expanded from drilling into mechanical and later modules to increase value and reduce risk of narrow scope.
Jeff phased the service additions to prove success and make the company more attractive to buyers.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Don't Buy Work With Thin Margins
Avoid 'buying work' by slashing margins; focus on efficiency instead of chasing top-line volume.
Prioritize bottom-line health because low-margin volume increases risk and erodes profitability.
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Steve sits down with special guest Jeff Calabro, President of SDI Services—a solar and drilling subcontractor recently acquired by Solv Energy. Jeff shares the raw truth about scaling a construction business without losing margin, control, or your mind.
From building a team that actually shows up, to pricing jobs right, to staying lean during rapid growth—this episode is packed with lessons from someone who’s been in the trenches. If you're a contractor chasing revenue but feeling the squeeze on profit, Jeff's story will hit home.
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.
This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information.
Building Margin