

The Construction Leading Edge Podcast
Todd Dawalt
This podcast is dedicated to helping construction business owners eliminate chaos, maximize profit, and reclaim their freedom.
Designed for leaders who are ready to step out of the daily grind and take control of their business, The Construction Leading Edge Podcast delivers actionable strategies on systematization, time management, increasing profitability, and business growth. Whether it's stopping profit bleeds, building high-performing teams, or creating systems that allow your business to run without you, each episode will leave you with practical tools to unlock more profit, freedom, and impact.
Join Todd Dawalt every week for solo episodes packed with insights and guest interviews featuring industry experts who've mastered the art of building self-sustaining businesses. If you're ready to stop wearing so many hats and start leading your business like a visionary CEO, this podcast is for you.
Designed for leaders who are ready to step out of the daily grind and take control of their business, The Construction Leading Edge Podcast delivers actionable strategies on systematization, time management, increasing profitability, and business growth. Whether it's stopping profit bleeds, building high-performing teams, or creating systems that allow your business to run without you, each episode will leave you with practical tools to unlock more profit, freedom, and impact.
Join Todd Dawalt every week for solo episodes packed with insights and guest interviews featuring industry experts who've mastered the art of building self-sustaining businesses. If you're ready to stop wearing so many hats and start leading your business like a visionary CEO, this podcast is for you.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 12, 2021 • 1h 5min
Selling Yourself into Bankruptcy & Pacing Yourself with Kevin Oakley | E219
EPISODE 219: What you're going to hear about in this construction podcast episode with Kevin Oakley of Doyouconver.com: - How to avoid "selling yourself into bankruptcy." - Why advertising has zero momentum. - Tips on talking to your customers about problems caused by material delays and price increases. - What's happening with the Build to Rent market. - The most interesting trends Kevin is seeing with builders across the country right now. - Why now is a good time to pace yourself, no matter how badly you feel like you need to grow. - Some of the biggest mistakes many contractors are making, that you want to avoid. Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: STRUXI Labor Productivity Software - https://struxi.com 3 Questions to Help You Get Paid for Estimates - https://buildermasterclass.com/script Mastermind Group for CoConstruct Users- https://buildermasterclass.com/cogroup Schedule Your Strategy Call with Todd Dawalt - https://buildermasterclass.com/apply How to connect with Kevin Oakley: Company website: https://www.doyouconvert.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinoakley/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/koakley81

Jul 5, 2021 • 1h 9min
Moped Accidents, Why You Want an Audience & How Connor Crook is Growing Diamondback Tool Company | E218
EPISODE 218: How did a moped accident set Connor Crook up for success? Why did an attorney buy a toolbelt company, and why is having an audience such a great idea? What you'll hear about in this construction podcast episode with Connor Crook, CEO of Diamondback Tool Co.: - Why should a business create an audience, and how do you go about building that audience? - Connor's process for creating new products, and why you might want to try it. - How do you know when to say no? - Some bad jokes about being an attorney with the last name Crook, and how he ended up owning a toolbelt business. - They Diamondback is doing about helping the skilled labor shortage. - The difference between IG and LI marketing - How a moped accident changed his life and set him up for success. Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: STRUXI Labor Productivity Software - https://struxi.com 3 Questions to Help You Get Paid for Estimates - https://buildermasterclass.com/script Mastermind Group for CoConstruct Users- https://buildermasterclass.com/cogroup Schedule Your Strategy Call with Todd Dawalt - https://buildermasterclass.com/apply How to connect with Connor Crook: Diamondback Tool - https://toolbelts.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/diamondback.toolbelts/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-crook-bb82b110/

Jun 21, 2021 • 32min
Four Steps to Financial Freedom & Driving Your Cash Flow | E217
EPISODE 217: What you'll learn about in this construction podcast episode: - Four steps construction business owners need to take in order to create financial freedom. - Four situations many contractors are stuck in, that you want to avoid. - How to get in the driver's seat with your cash flow. - The difference between insights and information. - Biggest mistakes that lead to "impossibly priced" projects that have no chance of profitability. -Where to start if you have plenty of work and your jobs are profitable, but not enough money in the bank. - Why cash flow problems aren't really problems. Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: How to Drive Your Cash Flow - https://buildermasterclass.com/drive Construction Financial Masterclass - https://buildermasterclass.com/cfo

Jun 14, 2021 • 59min
Insider Tips on How to Lock in Lumber Prices with Kyle Little | E216
EPISODE 216: Kyle Little is the COO of Sherwood Lumber, one of the largest lumber distributors in the US. What you're doing to get out of this construction podcast episode: - What's going on behind the scenes of skyrocketing lumber prices...that most people don't know? - How the fallout from 2008 connects to what's going on now. - Is this the new norm with lumber prices? - Is there a bubble coming? - What does the supply chain working itself out look like? - How can developer or contractor lock in price for a project in a year? - Transitioning leadership to a new generation - What does the future of the lumber prices look like from Kyle's perspective? - What is Sherwood Lumber doing to help address the problem with lumber prices? Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: STRUXI Labor Productivity Software - https://struxi.com Apparatus Bookkeeping Service - https://goapparatus.com Construction Financial Masterclass - https://buildermasterclass.com/cfo How to connect with Kyle Little: Company website - https://sherwoodlumber.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-little-71547837/

Jun 7, 2021 • 1h 7min
The CEO Role, Leadership Transitions & DNA Statements with Angie Simon | E215
EPISODE 215: What you'll hear about in this construction podcast episode: - 3 DNA statements at Western Allied. - Keys to successful transition of leadership from one generation to the next. - One of Angie's favorite failures, and what she learned about rolling out a new process. - One thing that surprised her about being CEO, and her top priorities in that role. - Unconscious biases. - Angie's advice to young women who want to move into senior leadership. - The difference between diversity and inclusion. - A summer camp she's running to get young people into the trades. - Why helping your competitors get better is good for you. How to connect with Angie Simon: Company website - www.westernallied.com SMACNA - www.smacna.org Let's Talk Shop Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-shop/id1462173868 Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: STRUXI Labor Productivity Software - https://struxi.com Apparatus Bookkeeping Service - https://goapparatus.com Construction Financial Masterclass - https://buildermasterclass.com/cfo

May 31, 2021 • 1h 9min
Behind the Scenes of Crazy Lumber Prices and How The Supply Chain is Being Disrupted with Mike Wisnefski | E214
EPISODE 214: Mike is the CEO of MaterialsXchange, the digital marketplace to buy and sell wood products, bringing e-commerce efficiency to the process. What you'll hear about in this construction podcast episode: -What's going on behind the scenes of skyrocketing lumber prices...that most people don't know? - How John Deere was going to wreck the economy. - The difference between a supply web and supply chain. - Where's all the money going? - What does the future of the lumber prices look like from Mike's perspective? - Difference between a supply web and a supply chain. - Mike explains what he means when he said, "When there's this much money laying around, someone's going to come pick it up." - Democratization of the market, and what it means. Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: STRUXI Labor Productivity Software - https://struxi.com Apparatus Bookkeeping Service - https://goapparatus.com Construction Financial Masterclass - https://buildermasterclass.com/cfo How to connect with Mike Wisnefski: Company website - www.materialsxchange.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-wisnefski-6b32b57/

May 24, 2021 • 57min
Autopsy Accounting, Process vs. Labor Constraints & Creating Demand with Margaret Whelan | E213
EPISODE 213: What you'll hear about in this construction podcast episode: - Why Margaret Whelan says we have a process constraint, not a labor constraint. - What's going on with the build to rent product. - How to be a thought leader. - Creating demand vs. adding to supply. - The builders who are disrupting housing. - The best career advice Margaret received. - Why some of the biggest homebuilders aren't really homebuilders. - Why successful builders build every house twice -The biggest risk to the homebuilding industry right now? - What are some things going on at the macro level of the housing industry Margaret is most interested in? -The biggest opportunities builders should prepare to jump on over the next few years. - Autopsy accounting - What you need to do if you want to sell your business. How to connect with Margaret Whelan: Company website - https://www.whelanadvisoryllc.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/whelanmargaret Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: STRUXI Labor Productivity Software - https://struxi.com Apparatus Bookkeeping Service - https://goapparatus.com Construction Financial Masterclass - https://buildermasterclass.com/cfo

May 17, 2021 • 1h 20min
Business Turnarounds & Becoming an Accidental TV Star with Ward Schraeder | E212
EPISODE 212: Ward Schraeder is a venture capitalist who has done bankruptcy turnarounds on 30+ businesses. He's a real estate developer and most recently, host of the HGTV show Bargain Mansions Here's what you're going to get out of this construction podcast episode: - Common factors among 30+ businesses in bankruptcy he was tasked with turning around. - The one reason that led him to shut down more businesses than anything else. - How he analyzes a business venture right off the bat. - How he accidentally became a TV personality. - Failure might be a myth. - What he's learned from working with people in the TV business. - Most common mistakes he sees contractors making. How to connect with Ward Schraeder: Website - https://wardschraeder.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wardschraeder/ Vaya Space Rocket Company - https://www.vayaspace.com/ Brookfield Assisted Living in Arkansas - www.brookfieldseniors.com Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: GoSite: Take Control of Customer Reviews - https://www.gosite.com/podcast Approval: Get Paid Faster Based on Project Milestones - https://www.withapproval.com Construction Financial Masterclass: Master the financial side of the business - https://buildermasterclass.com/cfo 3 Questions to Help You Get Paid for Estimates: https://buildermasterclass.com/script

May 7, 2021 • 1h 18min
Relationship Mining, Coopetition & Leadership Mistakes to Avoid with Russ Little | E211
EPISODE 211: Here's what you're going to get out of this construction podcast episode with Russ Little, of Jones Lang LaSalle: - Why "Coopetition" is better than competition. - How and why to get started with "relationship mining." - One common mistake to avoid when you start working with a new client... or change jobs. - Some changes Russ would suggest to contractors who want to be more successful. - The most challenging aspects of working inside large client organizations. - One particularly difficult employee Russ managed the most difficult situation he caused for Russ. - How an apparent failure turned out to be a setup for later success. - Red flags that tell you it's time to have a talk with an employee. Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: GoSite: Take Control of Customer Reviews - https://www.gosite.com/podcast Approval: Get Paid Faster Based on Project Milestones - https://www.withapproval.com Construction Financial Masterclass: Master the financial side of the business - https://buildermasterclass.com/cfo 3 Questions to Help You Get Paid for Estimates: https://buildermasterclass.com/script How to connect with Russ Little: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-little-1a60b44/ Company website: www.us.jll.com

May 3, 2021 • 1h
Ignoring Your Competition, Marketing to Architects & The GC's Role with Justin Bride | E210
EPISODE 210: Here's what you're going to get out of this construction podcast episode with Justin Bride of Ascent Contracting: - The difference between commercial and residential construction, and what each can learn from the other. - The importance of preconstruction in the residential construction industry. What happens when it's NOT done well? - How to market to architects and build relationships with them. - How Justin and his team get referrals from clients. - One specific red flag Justin looks for when talking to prospects. - One thing he focuses on showing homeowners and architects, so he can ignore his competition. - One key to a successful project that is often overlooked. - What Justin believes the role of the general contractor to be, which might surprise you. - A couple of things he feels like his company has cracked the code on. Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: GoSite: Take Control of Customer Reviews - https://www.gosite.com/podcast Approval: Get Paid Faster Based on Project Milestones - https://www.withapproval.com Construction Financial Masterclass: Master the financial side of the business - https://buildermasterclass.com/cfo 3 Questions to Help You Get Paid for Estimates: https://buildermasterclass.com/script How to connect with Justin Bride: Company website - www.ascentcontractinginc.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ascentcontractinginc/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ascentcontracting


