Summary

In this episode, Adrian and Arlun share the journey of building Burnaby Blacktop from a small seal coating operation to one of Vancouver's top paving companies. They discuss strategies for growth, maintaining quality, investing in equipment, and fostering a strong company culture.

Takeaways

Business growth and scaling strategies

Importance of equipment investment

Building a strong company culture

Customer satisfaction and reputation management

Leadership and decision-making in a growing company.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Adrian and Arlun's Journey

01:08 Starting Burnaby Blacktop from Scratch in 2010

02:17 Early Challenges and Self-Teaching in Paving

04:08 Growth Through Small Jobs and Word of Mouth

05:29 Bringing Arlun into the Business

07:24 Reaching the $1 Million Milestone

09:09 From Hardship to Success: Key Turning Points

10:32 Adapting and Learning from Industry Leaders

12:37 Building a Company Culture and Giving Back

13:22 Core Principles: Customer First and Quality Work

14:12 Rapid Growth and Expanding Crew Capacity

17:55 Organizing Multiple Crews and Operations

18:55 Importance of Equipment and Technology

21:44 Managing Growth Pains and Quality Control

27:39 Leadership Roles and Delegation

30:24 Building Systems and Processes for Scale

34:50 Evolving as Leaders and Company Vision

38:49 What Sets Successful Scaling Companies Apart

41:36 The Role of Online Presence and Marketing

45:39 Recognition and Awards in the Industry

47:23 Memorable Challenges and Chaos Moments

49:23 Favorite Equipment and Tools

50:01 Longest Work Days and Competitive Spirit

52:28 Risk-Taking and Decision-Making

53:12 Long-Term Vision for Burnaby Blacktop