Blue Collar Business Podcast

Welcome to the Blue Collar Business Podcast with Sy Kirby. Dive deep into the world of hands-on entrepreneurship and the gritty side of making things happen. Join us for actionable tips on scaling your blue-collar business, managing teams, and staying ahead in an ever-evolving market. We'll also discuss the latest industry trends and innovations that could impact your bottom line. If you're passionate about the blue-collar world and eager to learn from those who've thrived in it, this podcast is a must-listen. Stay tuned for engaging conversations and real-world advice that can take your blue-collar business to new heights.

Blue Collar Business Podcast is a business podcast hosted by Sy Kirby, with 104 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Sy Kirby hosts Blue Collar Business Podcast, a business show with 104 episodes published.

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  Episode #108

  Ep. 108 - Vacuum Trucks: The Shift in Utility Digging with JC Spalding

  Sep 23, 20261h 5mS1

  A single utility strike can bankrupt a project before lunch. JC Spalding, owner of 502 Equipment, explains why hydro excavation is rapidly replacing manual spot digging across the nation. Leaving traditional methods behind requires serious capital, but failing to adapt exposes contractors to catastrophic liability. JC breaks down the true cost of operating vacuum trucks compared to the financial ruin of hitting an undocumented main. He unpacks the necessary shift in safety protocols and how equipping operators with the correct accessories minimizes downtime on high-value machinery. For utility contractors weighing the transition to hydro excavation, this conversation outlines the exact operational considerations to make the leap. Subscribe and share this episode with your field supervisors. What is the most expensive subsurface surprise your crew has encountered? Support the show Check out our Sponsors: PayDirt Support: paydirtsupport.com Trainual: trainual.com/bluecollar Bolster Built: bolsterbuilt.com Nextiva: nextiva.com Tune in to the Blue Collar Business Podcast with Sy Kirby for the rawest, most relevant stories behind building a successful business in the trades. New episodes drop every Wednesday at 5 am CST—put your boots on and get ready to level up. Follow and stay connected: Website: bluecollarbusinesspodcast.com YouTube: youtube.com/@BlueCollarBusinessPodcast Instagram: @bluecollarbusinesspodcast TikTok: @bluecollarbusinesspod Facebook: B...

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  Episode #107

  Ep. 107 - Track Your Data: Stop Leaving Profit Behind with Alec Pestov from vSite

  Sep 16, 20261h 11mS1

  Unseen utility lines and bad data quietly drain civil construction margins. Alec Pestov, founder of vGIS, explains how 3D site scanning instantly protects your bottom line. Many contractors run complex excavation projects on messy spreadsheets. We map out a unified operational system built specifically for the underground space. You will learn how to use standard iPads to capture open trench scans, document foreign crossings, and convert field redlines into billable quantities. When engineers challenge your pay apps, having time-stamped visual data ends the argument fast. For utility operators fighting over change orders, this provides a blueprint to back up your billing with indisputable proof. Subscribe and share this conversation with a project manager needing better field tracking. What is the most expensive site condition you failed to properly document? Let us know in the comments. Support the show Check out our Sponsors: PayDirt Support: paydirtsupport.com Trainual: trainual.com/bluecollar Bolster Built: bolsterbuilt.com Nextiva: nextiva.com Tune in to the Blue Collar Business Podcast with Sy Kirby for the rawest, most relevant stories behind building a successful business in the trades. New episodes drop every Wednesday at 5 am CST—put your boots on and get ready to level up. Follow and stay connected: Website: bluecollarbusinesspodcast.com YouTube: youtube.com/@BlueCollarBusinessPodcast Instagram: @bluecollarbusinesspodcast TikTok: @bluecollarbusinesspod Facebook: B...

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  Episode #106

  Ep. 106 - People Problems: Fixing Your True Bottleneck with Mike Matalone

  Sep 9, 20261h 2mS1

  Your biggest cash flow issues are just people problems in disguise. Mike Matalone unpacks why contractors consistently fail at hiring and retaining skilled labor. Stop hunting for natural-born leaders. Operational growth comes from establishing non-negotiable core values and transforming average recruits into high-performers through strict accountability. We break down exact interview tactics needed to weed out uncoachable candidates. Instead of letting high turnover erode profit margins, you must define specific job KPIs before posting an ad. Aligning personal goals with company targets turns you from a babysitter into a true business owner. For operators trapped in the daily grind of managing chaotic crews, this conversation provides a clear roadmap to build an autonomous team. Subscribe and share this episode with a fellow contractor battling high turnover. What test do you use during interviews to determine if a candidate is truly coachable? Support the show Check out our Sponsors: PayDirt Support: paydirtsupport.com Trainual: trainual.com/bluecollar Bolster Built: bolsterbuilt.com Tune in to the Blue Collar Business Podcast with Sy Kirby for the rawest, most relevant stories behind building a successful business in the trades. New episodes drop every Wednesday at 5 am CST—put your boots on and get ready to level up. Follow and stay connected: Website: bluecollarbusinesspodcast.com YouTube: youtube.com/@BlueCollarBusinessPodcast Instagram: @bluecollarbusinesspodcast TikTok: @bluecollarbusinesspod Facebook: Blue Collar Business Podcast LinkedIn: ...

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  Episode #105

  Ep. 105 - Real Dirt Training: Building an Education Network with More Dirt Pro

  Sep 2, 20261h 14mS1

  The industry complains about a lack of skilled operators instead of actually training them. Cole Morse and the More Dirt Pro team break down how they launched an interactive app and hands-on dozer school to solve this gap. We review the logistics of bringing complete beginners into the seat to safely cut slopes and hit hubs. Relying purely on machine control creates vulnerable crews, so we explain why learning to pull grade freehand beats staring at a rover when the satellites drop out. Securing corporate backing and dealing with heavy equipment overhead takes serious conviction. For dirt contractors frustrated by green hands breaking iron, this conversation delivers actionable methods to structure entry-level training. Please subscribe and share this specific episode with an earthmoving peer. Are you pushing new operators to master manual grade checking before introducing cab monitors? Support the show Check out our Sponsors: PayDirt Support: paydirtsupport.com Trainual: trainual.com/bluecollar Bolster Built: bolsterbuilt.com Tune in to the Blue Collar Business Podcast with Sy Kirby for the rawest, most relevant stories behind building a successful business in the trades. New episodes drop every Wednesday at 5 am CST—put your boots on and get ready to level up. Follow and stay connected: Website: bluecollarbusinesspodcast.com YouTube: youtube.com/@BlueCollarBusinessPodcast Instagram: @bluecollarbusinesspodcast TikTok: @bluecollarbusinesspod Facebook: Blue Collar Business Podcast LinkedIn: ...

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  Episode #104

  Ep. 104 - Staying Small: Beating the Trap of Endless Growth with Ron Bylo

  Aug 26, 202659 minS1

  Chasing endless growth can slowly drain the life out of a business owner. Too many contractors are burning themselves out trying to feed a massive payroll instead of doing the actual work they love. Ron Bylo of Bylo Acres joins the show to share his deliberate choice to step back from managing crews and build a highly profitable solo residential excavation company. We sit down to unpack the exact framework behind his success in the residential dirt world. We get into establishing bracketed pricing, mastering true job costing to absorb the blow of a broken mulcher tooth, and handling steep terrain drainage issues in the Ozarks. Ron operates with a unique philosophy that your business is simply a tool to support your family's freedom, which completely changes how you approach marketing and filtering client leads. Managing a team and acquiring fleet assets brings a heavy burden of scheduling, maintenance headaches, and continuous phone calls that pull you right out of the cab. You will walk away from this conversation with a method for pricing your daily operating costs, tactics for using simple social media stories to build local trust, and the mindset shift required to walk away from a bad project. If you care about taking control of your schedule, locking in your job costs, and building a highly loyal customer base, you’ll get a lot from this. Please subscribe to the channel and share this episode with a fellow contractor who might be stuck carrying too much weight on their shoulders. What is the single biggest hidden expense that caught you off guard when you priced your first few jobs? Support the show Check out our Sponsors: PayDirt Support: paydirtsupport.com Trainual: trainual.com/bluecollar Bolster Built: bolsterbuilt.com Tune in to the Blue Collar Business Podcast with Sy Kirby for the rawest, most relevant stories behind building a successful business in the trades. New episodes drop every Wednesday at 5 am CST—put your boots on and get ready to level up. Follow and stay connected: Website: bluecollarbusinesspodcast.com YouTube: youtube.com/@BlueCollarBusinessPodcast Instagram: @bluecollarbusinesspodcast TikTok: @bluecollarbusinesspod Facebook: Blue Collar Business Podcast LinkedIn: ...

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