This week on the Blue Collar Business Podcast, I’m bringing you something a little different—a live Q&A session straight from TikTok and YouTube. I took your real, raw questions and gave honest answers based on what I’ve lived and learned in the trenches. We hit on everything from scaling family-run excavation businesses to figuring out margins, systems, and when it’s time to get out of the machine and into the office.

If you’re maxed out on labor but still hungry to grow, I break down how to lean on inside accounting, use your P&Ls to make smart calls, and build training systems that let you step back without losing control. We also get into bidding commercial jobs, navigating that jump from residential, and using tools like PlanSwift to help you compete and win in this space.

I opened up about some of the tough stuff too—like communicating with your spouse when the business grind starts to weigh on your home life. It's not easy, but if you’re building something that matters, those conversations matter just as much as any estimate or invoice.

This episode is packed with the kind of blue-collar business advice I wish I had years ago. It’s gritty, it’s real, and it’s all about helping you find clarity in the chaos. If you missed the live, here’s your shot to catch up—and if you’ve got questions of your own, send ‘em in at bluecollarbusinesspodcast.com.

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Ever finished a job perfectly, only to wait weeks or months to actually get paid for it? For blue collar businesses, cash flow isn't just an accounting concept—it's the lifeblood that keeps crews working, equipment running, and families fed.

In this revealing conversation, tech entrepreneur Joe Kaye shares how his journey from corporate boardrooms to blue collar solutions began when he nearly purchased a trades business himself. During due diligence, he discovered a universal pain point across the $657 billion trades industry: inefficient invoicing processes creating cash flow nightmares. This revelation sparked the creation of Procured, a veteran-built mobile invoicing platform specifically designed for smaller trades businesses.

What makes this discussion particularly valuable is Joe's recognition that existing software solutions have failed the trades. "The smaller businesses have been forgotten," he explains, as most platforms are prohibitively expensive and needlessly complex. Procured takes a different approach—simple mobile workflows that let field teams create professional invoices on-site, integrated with QuickBooks, without exposing sensitive financial information.

The episode also explores the demographic shifts transforming the trades, with retiring baby boomers creating both challenges and opportunities. We're witnessing private equity firms actively purchasing plumbing, HVAC, and other trades businesses, consolidating them into larger entities—a trend that underscores the long-term value and stability of these essential services. As Joe notes, "Robots aren't coming to replace plumbers or fix septic tanks anytime soon."

Whether you're an established contractor struggling with administrative bottlenecks or a growing trades business looking to scale operations efficiently, this conversation offers practical insights on using technology appropriately to solve real-world problems. As Joe reminds us, success ultimately comes down to personal initiative: "Make it a great day or don't. The choice is yours."

Ready to transform how your business handles payments? Reach out to Joseph at joseph@procured.us to learn how Procured can help your business invoice faster and get paid sooner.

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Mark Zweig takes us on a remarkable journey through his multiple years in architecture, engineering, and construction, sharing candid insights about the industry that few are willing to discuss.

From his early career in architecture firms to founding the Zweig Group (now in its 37th year), Mark reveals how his experience across multiple disciplines gave him unique perspective on the construction ecosystem. The conversation delves into his transition to design-build contracting and property development in Northwest Arkansas, where his team revolutionized downtown Fayetteville through high-quality renovations.

Perhaps most valuable are Mark's practical strategies for building a sustainable contracting business. He emphasizes maintaining an in-house carpentry crew as the backbone of operations, paying them consistently regardless of weather conditions, and developing strong relationships with reliable subcontractors. His approach to subcontractor management is refreshingly straightforward: avoid hard dollar bidding and pay immediately upon receiving invoices.

The discussion tackles the challenging relationship between clients, contractors, and engineers that plagues the industry. As Mark explains, "Developers hate soft costs" and "they think all contractors are criminals" – perceptions that create unnecessary friction on projects. He offers advice for navigating these challenges, stressing the importance of reaching a point where contractors can be selective about their clients.

Looking forward, Mark shares his thoughts on the growth potential of Northwest Arkansas while addressing challenges like infrastructure limitations and anti-development sentiment. He closes with an optimistic outlook for skilled trades, asserting that, unlike many white-collar professions, trade skills cannot be replaced by AI and offer both financial and personal satisfaction.

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