What truly separates successful excavation companies from those that struggle? In this revealing episode, Sy Kirby brings his core Sy-Con team—Wes, Jesus, and Sam—into the studio for an unfiltered conversation about the realities of running a blue-collar business.
The team pulls back the curtain on their transformation from a price-driven company to one that prioritizes production rates and deadlines. "Our clients are way more concerned with the interest burning every 30 days than paying an extra 2-10% if they know the job will be done on time," shares Sy, highlighting a crucial insight that many contractors miss.
Through raw, honest dialogue, we discover how Sy-Con has navigated the treacherous waters of cash flow management—dealing with payment terms averaging over 100 days—while implementing systems that bring transparency to every level of the operation. The team discusses how their YouTube strategy has unexpectedly become a powerful business development tool, generating millions of impressions monthly and directly leading to significant projects.
Perhaps most valuable is their candid discussion about job costing and financial tracking. "You can't take a bad number out there and expect them to turn it into a good job," Sy explains, emphasizing how understanding costs at a granular level has transformed their approach to estimating and project management.
Whether you're running a small crew or managing multiple superintendents, this episode delivers practical wisdom on scheduling challenges, communicating effectively between field and office, and maintaining the resilience needed to succeed in the excavation industry. As one team member simply puts it: "Just show up, put in the effort, find the work. You'll get to where you want to go."
Ready to transform your approach to running a blue-collar business? Hit play and join the conversation that might just change how you think about your operation forever.
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More About this Episode
Building the Sy-Con Way: Lessons in Leadership, Accountability, and Blue-Collar Growth
In the trenches of excavation and utility contracting, there’s no shortcut to building something lasting. I’ve learned that lesson through hard days, tougher nights, and by leaning on the team that’s grown alongside me. At Sy-Con, we’re not just pushing dirt and laying pipe - we’re building systems, people, and a way of doing business that’s different from what most folks are used to in this industry.
This isn't about flashy gear or buzzwords. It's about real, day-in, day-out work - transparent leadership, calculated risk, and learning how to manage growth without losing your soul in the process. Whether you're a crew member, a project manager, or an owner trying to get your footing, here’s what we’ve learned that might help you move forward too.
Why Sy-Con Does It Differently
I’ve been asked plenty of times what separates Sy-Con from the hundreds of other construction companies in our space. It boils down to one thing: we give a damn. About our people, our process, and our product.
We're not hung up on being the cheapest bid on the table. We’ve made a conscious shift away from racing to the bottom on pricing and toward hitting deadlines with precision. Because in commercial construction, time is money. If our team can save a client from racking up $600,000 in interest just by finishing on time, then we’re delivering real value - and that’s worth more than undercutting the next guy by 5%.
Accountability Is Our Foundation
Over the last nine years, we’ve had some painful lessons. I used to think profit was a dirty word, something you whispered about behind closed doors. Now I know better. If you don’t know your costs, you can’t be transparent. And if you're not transparent, you’re setting your team up for failure.
We’ve had project managers come and go. We’ve been burned by letting the market dictate our pricing. We’ve taken on jobs that we never should have touched, just trying to keep the lights on.
But those days taught us something valuable: accountability at every level is non-negotiable.
Our field teams now get real-time production data. Our supers are looped in on job costing. We’re rolling out internal scheduling systems and incentive programs that align our success with theirs. When we screw up - and we have - we own it, present solutions, and learn so we don’t repeat the mistake.
Leveraging Video and Visibility to Build Trust
When we started documenting our jobs on YouTube, people said we were crazy. Why show your cards? Why put your dirt work out there for the world to pick apart?
Because transparency holds us accountable, and more importantly, it builds trust. Clients, vendors, and even prospective team members can see how we operate. They see clean trenches, OSHA compliance, and a crew that takes pride in their work. That visibility has landed us projects from developers who had no clue we were capable of running 40-ton iron. And now, they know - and call us first.
For our guys, the videos aren’t just marketing. They’re a badge of honor. Their families get to see what they do. Their work gets the recognition it deserves.
From Chaos to Systems: The Shift in Project Management
The real turning point for us came when we stopped running the business from the seat of our pants. I hired a fractional CFO. We locked down job costing. We implemented Buildertrend, created custom inspection forms with QR codes, and developed internal workflows that actually work.
I used to carry everything on my back - estimating, production, collections, you name it. That kind of hustle will burn you out. Now, I’ve learned that empowering others doesn’t mean giving up control. It means giving your team the tools to lead and the data to make smart decisions.
One of the biggest moves we made was breaking down silos between the field and the office. Our field crews now know exactly how their work impacts the financials. They input logs, track production, and follow up on punch lists using shared spreadsheets. And it’s not just data entry - it’s ownership.
Cash Flow: The Silent Killer (and How to Survive It)
In construction, you can look successful and still be drowning. We’ve had receivables stretch 100+ days. That’s not just inconvenient - it’s deadly if you’re not watching every dollar.
Now, we map out the entire year in advance. Every fixed cost, every variable, every contract. We forecast our revenue needs to cover overhead and make strategic decisions based on real numbers - not gut feelings.
If a GC doesn’t pay on time, we send the notice. If the problem continues, we file the lien. No more waiting for favors or handshakes. We’ve worked too hard to let bad actors jeopardize our people’s paychecks.
Building a Culture of Ownership
One of the biggest shifts we’ve made is giving our superintendents access to the information that used to live in the office. They now see estimated hours, material budgets, and profit margins. Not to micromanage, but to empower.
If they see a job slipping, they know why. If they spot inefficiencies, they can adjust before it’s too late. This has transformed how we operate - not just in terms of profit, but in pride. When your team understands how their day-to-day work moves the needle, they rise to the challenge.
It’s Not About the Money - It’s About the Mission
Look, I’ve chased revenue. I’ve made decisions out of fear. I’ve picked up jobs just to keep people busy. But I’ll tell you now: revenue without profit is just noise. And if you can’t track your wins, you’re setting yourself up for a slow death.
The real win is building a company that people want to be a part of. A team that believes in what we’re doing. A legacy that outlasts us.
So if you’re out there stuck in the mud - whether literally or mentally - here’s my advice:
- Show up. Put in the effort. The rest follows.
- Know your costs. Don’t guess - track every dollar.
- Invest in your team. Transparency builds loyalty.
- Celebrate the wins. Even the small ones - they stack.
- Play the long game. Don’t chase today’s money at tomorrow’s expense.
The Road Ahead
We’re almost a decade in at Sy-Con, and I’m more excited now than I’ve ever been. The market’s shifting. New opportunities are coming. But most importantly, our systems are ready - and our people are, too.
This isn't just a business. It's a mission. And if you're trying to build something real in the blue-collar world, I hope this gives you the clarity - and maybe even the courage - to push forward.
Until next time, be safe, be kind, and be humble.
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