Guest: Jared Ledford

Host: Randy Chaffee

Producer / Director / Co-Host: Wes Wyatt

Episode Summary:

Jared shares his journey from Honda dealership shop foreman to co-owner of multiple building companies in Ohio, including Dayton Barnes (national metal building sales), Five Rivers Pole Barns (luxury construction), and co-host of the Steel Kings Podcast. He and Randy explore the natural progression from wood sheds to metal buildings to full construction management, emphasizing that growth requires calculated risk-taking and that staying comfortable with low-ticket, low-risk products is not an option. Jared also passionately advocates for community involvement, serving on his local park board, chamber of commerce, and soon the city council, urging listeners to step up in their communities.

Key Takeaways:

Evolve or stagnate: businesses must graduate from simple portable buildings to more complex offerings to grow.

Risk with purpose: putting your money where your mouth is and backing up what you say leads to greater satisfaction and success.

Mission-driven culture: every employee should know your mission statement inside and out—Dayton Barnes' is "sell quality buildings all the time, period."

Quality over volume: not every customer is a good fit for every product; understand limitations and match customers to the right solutions.

Give back locally: small business owners and construction workers with common sense and values are desperately needed in local community leadership.

Resources and Links:

https://www.steel-kings.com/

https://daytonbarnes.com/

https://fiveriverspolebarn.com/

https://www.buildingwins.live/

Guest: Jake Kirts

Host: Randy Chaffee

Producer / Director / Co-Host: Wes Wyatt

Episode Summary:

Jake shares Blitz Builders’ second-generation story and decades of service within the NFBA, digging into how post-frame construction has evolved from simple “pole barns” to high-end, lifestyle-driven projects—from equestrian facilities to barndominiums. He and Randy riff on why giving back to the industry matters, how supplier–builder collaboration fuels innovation, and why great sales today is less about specs and more about listening, consulting, and helping customers design the life they want inside the building.

Key Takeaways:

Service first: participating in NFBA committees and chapters lifts the whole industry and leaves a legacy.

Post-frame ≠ “just a barn”: the category now spans premium residential and commercial builds, including barndominiums.

Sell the lifestyle, not the lumber list: consultative conversations beat feature dumps and “commission breath.”

Collaboration wins: builders and suppliers co-create better products and solutions when they ask, “Why can’t we…?”

Relationships compound: manage expectations, listen deeply, and turn every customer into a long-term referral source.

Resources and Links:

https://www.sourceonemarketingllc.com/

https://www.weswyatt.com/

https://blitzbuilders.com/

Guest: Don Barden, Ph.D.

Hosts: Randy Chaffee

Producer / Director / Co-Host: Wes Wyatt

Episode Summary:

Behavioral economist Don Barden, Ph.D., explains why confidence drives economies, why ADHD can be a leadership superpower, and why female-led organizations are set to outpace the market. Drawing from his book “Here Come the Girls,” Don outlines data behind a 2028 tipping point for women in global leadership, how female leadership styles boost retention and profits, and how sales teams win by shifting from transactions to partnerships. Practical takeaways include leading with collaboration, making customers feel seen-heard-understood, and building relevance to earn a bigger share of wallet.

Timestamps:

(0:00) Third show of the day banter and pre-show was fire

(0:42) Meet Don Barden, Ph.D.

(1:42) Show open and proper name check: Randy Chaffee and Wes Wyatt

(2:09) Don joins; “Dr. Pepper” as code and audience context

(3:23) Gratitude for “Building Wins” and the trades

(5:31) Don’s background: behavioral economist focused on the future, not the past

(6:51) Optimism about the economy and why confidence matters most

(8:38) Economics reflects behavior and vice versa; “which economy?”

(9:58) Average worker is 39 and changes jobs every 3 years

(11:15) ADHD and dyslexia as leadership superpowers; one-third of CEOs note

(12:58) David vs. Goliath reframed: turn “disadvantages” into advantages

(14:26) Confidence habits, attitudes, and the glass that can be refilled

(18:54) Many workers haven’t “seen the movie” of past downturns; lead with grace

(21:26) How leaders help younger teams through negativity

(24:21) Sponsor: IBuyFromRandy.com

(25:00) Book segment: “Here Come the Girls”

(26:21) The math begins in the late 1950s; cultural mindset shifts

(29:58) Projection: women surpass men in global leadership in 2028

(30:12) Today’s level at roughly low 40s percent and rising

(31:20) Beyond the math: are women good leaders? Findings say yes

(32:11) Side-by-side businesses: female-led outproduces 3x revenue and profit

(32:29) Tenure: 3 years average vs. 6 years with female leadership; productivity rises years 4–6

(33:39) Why consumers choose female-led firms and employees stay

(34:26) Leadership key: how she engages critical thinking and the team

(35:49) Sales gold: how to sell to her — collaboration over conquest

(38:01) Friendship → Transaction → Relationship → Partnership (the pinnacle)

(41:14) Relevance beats relationship: tell the truth, grow together

(41:39) AI as “spell check”; people still buy from people

(43:18) Share of wallet expands when you’re a true partner

(44:01) How female leaders solve problems: sympathy for the problem, empathy for the person

(46:26) The “magic wand” question; 94% already know the fix

(47:49) Create teams who feel seen, heard, and understood — then empowered

(50:23) Collaboration bias: build with partners instead of conquering suppliers

(51:07) The 3 Cs behind confidence: courage, commitment, capabilities

(55:04) Exceed expectations; be creative, not competitive

(56:00) Free e-copy offer for listeners who mention the show

(57:01) Close: gratitude, action, and a celebratory “Dr. Pepper”

Key Takeaways:

Confidence moves markets. Lead with optimism and model calm, especially for teams that haven’t lived through prior downturns.

Female leadership advantages compound: longer retention, rising productivity years 4–6, and 3x revenue and profit in side-by-side comparisons.

Sell like a partner. Shift from transactions and “relationships” to partnership and relevance. Make buyers feel seen, heard, understood, and...