Most construction business owners believe that doing quality work is the only marketing they need. The industry is shifting rapidly, and competitors now use digital tools to capture attention and market share before you even get a chance to bid. Marvin Joles explains why staying invisible is a risk you cannot afford to take in 2025.

You might worry that posting videos looks unprofessional or feels awkward to your peers. Silence and invisibility are far more dangerous to your long-term survival than a few early videos that lack polish. Marvin shares how he overcame the fear of judgment to build a brand that dominates his local market and secures his company's future.

Learn how visibility protects your business when Marvin reveals the harsh reality for contractors who refuse to adapt.

🔓 FEAR HACK [06:14]:

"My mentor told me, 'Keep them up there so you can see how far you've come.'"

See why your "cringy" early content is actually a valuable roadmap for your growth rather than a mistake to hide.

🤝 NETWORKING TRUTH [18:35]:

"We talk about work, the equipment and whatnot, maybe 20% of the time. But 80% of the time, we're talking about family."

Discover the real ROI of attending industry events like CONEXPO-CON/AGG and why relationships matter more than the equipment you buy.

⚔️ COMPETITIVE THREAT [29:54]:

"If you do not do this, a guy like me is going to come and pass you by."

Marvin explains why ignoring social media is no longer an option for generational businesses and how young talent can revitalize your marketing.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 – CONEXPO 2026 Kickoff and Discount Code: PODCAST20

01:12 – Marvin’s Path From Asphalt Contractor to Media Voice

03:51 – How Social Content Built a Thriving Asphalt Community

04:05 – Creating Transparent, Trust-Building Contractor Content

07:36 – Embracing Cringe and Evolving as a Creator

10:38 – How In the Mix Strengthened His Brand and Business

14:26 – Tech, AI, and Automation Transforming Asphalt Workflows

17:28 – The Rise of Creator Culture in the Trades

18:07 – Why Networking at CONEXPO Outweighs Everything Else

21:39 – What First-Time CONEXPO Attendees Don’t Realize

24:59 – Using AI to Plan the Perfect CONEXPO Experience

29:26 – The One Thing Asphalt Contractors Must Stop Doing

33:08 – Marvin’s Final Advice on Connection, Mentorship, and Growth

Thank you to our good friends over at John Deere Power Systems for sponsoring this podcast: https://www.deere.ca/en/engines-and-drivetrain/

CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026: conexpoconagg.com

CONEXPO-CON/AGG Newsletter: https://www.CONEXPOconagg.com/industry-news#sign-up

🔗 CONNECT WITH MARVIN JOLES:

• Website and Social Media: https://marvinjoles.com/

• Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/in-the-mix-with-marvin-joles/id1822864102

#InTheMix #SocialMediaMarketing #CONEXPO2026

Scaling a family business usually requires preserving tradition and maintaining the status quo. But in a high-stakes, low-trust economy, clinging to the old ways of handshake deals and unchecked hours can destroy a company rather than save it. Taylor White sits down with his father, David, to reveal the hard truths about modernizing a legacy construction firm into an eight-figure powerhouse.

The conversation gets raw as they revisit the friction of transitioning from a local operation to a modern enterprise. David explains why the era of doing business on a handshake is dead and shares the brutal reality of why he let Taylor reach a breaking point before stepping in to help.

🎯 KEY EPISODE TAKEAWAYS:

📜 TRUST EVOLUTION [09:57]:

"I never had a signed contract up to like eight years ago... Your word was your word. Then it got to the point it was like, okay, your handshake is your... that's what seals the deal. But today, yeah, it's definitely different."

See why David finally agreed to rigid documentation to protect the company in a changing market.

🔥 NECESSARY FRICTION [25:01]:

"It's part of you being pushed to the limit that you step up, and it's like, ‘Okay, well, then show me what you can do”… If it was easy, that push wouldn't have happened."

David reveals why he allowed Taylor to struggle to the point of quitting, viewing it as an essential test of leadership rather than a failure of support.

🛑 THE FAMILY HIRING MANDATE [35:03]:

"Don't bring them into the business and think from day one they're going to be working for me... They’ve got to go work somewhere else first. By that time they'll know what it's like on the other side."

Watch as David breaks down the non-negotiable requirement for any family member joining the business.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 – CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 and Discount Code: PODCAST30

01:27 – Aggressive Leadership vs. Fear of Failure

03:51 – Generational Mindsets on Failure, Ego, and Risk

04:43 – Staying Profitable in a Recession Through Branding

06:03 – The One Lesson David Would Tell His Younger Self

07:02 – How Marketing Evolved From Yellow Pages to Social Media

08:54 – Why Documentation Protects Contractors Today

10:29 – Work Ethic Shifts: Old-School Grit vs. Modern Balance

15:50 – Scaling the Business Through Structure and Systems

17:54 – Navigating Conflict and Partnership in a Family Business

20:53 – The Hardest Moment Working Together and What It Taught Them

25:27 – How Family Values Shape Culture and Employee Support

27:30 – Blurred Lines Between Work and Family in a Family Business

30:34 – Defining Legacy in a Third-Generation Company

34:57 – Advice for Anyone Bringing Family Into Their Business

Thank you to our good friends over at John Deere Power Systems for sponsoring this podcast: https://www.deere.ca/en/engines-and-drivetrain/

CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026: conexpoconagg.com

CONEXPO-CON/AGG Newsletter: https://www.CONEXPOconagg.com/industry-news#sign-up

NEW at CONEXPO-CON/AGG! Hands-on maintenance training with industry-leading manufacturers, for those that want to:

✅ Reduce Downtime ✅Increase Equipment Reliability ✅Maximize ROI ✅Improve Efficiency

Learn more & register here, space is...

Are you playing it safe in your business? Taylor challenges the conventional wisdom of saying "no" to opportunities that seem too big or too risky, revealing the game-winning mindset that separates stagnant businesses from those experiencing explosive growth.

Many entrepreneurs believe caution is key, carefully avoiding projects that stretch their capabilities. But what if that hesitation is the very thing keeping you from your next breakthrough? Taylor breaks down a real-life case study where he took on a commercial job his team was completely unprepared for. The lessons learned from that single decision to say "yes" transformed his company's trajectory and can reshape your approach to risk and opportunity. Don't miss the powerful insights on how to push your team, build unwavering client trust, and master the art of being a leader who drives action.

⛔ THE COMFORT ZONE TRAP [01:40]:

"I had a friend… he's like, ‘I wouldn't go. I don't need to go. I don't see the value in going.’"

This common mindset of seeing opportunity as an obligation is a trap. Learn why turning down new experiences and connections out of comfort is the biggest risk you can take for your career growth.

🔑 THE DELEGATION DILEMMA [13:32]:

"Most importantly, I need to understand how the business makes money before I can delegate and hand it off."

This is the critical mistake entrepreneurs make when trying to scale. Before you hand off the reins, discover the one thing you must master to avoid losing control and profitability, a lesson Taylor learned the hard way.

⚡ THE RESPONSE HACK [15:50]:

"You know how many times answering an email late at night actually sped up a process?"

Struggling with project delays caused by slow responses? Taylor shares a counter-intuitive communication hack that gets you to the top of the inbox and accelerates your project timeline by working outside of normal hours.

00:00 - CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026: Discount Code & Details

01:15 - The Success Mindset

02:28 - Case Study: The "Too Big" Commercial Job

05:06 - The Power of 'Yes'

07:52 - Dealing with ‘Slowness’

10:01 - Pushing Your Team

13:19 - Learning Important Business Lessons

15:30 - Finding People Who Drive Growth

16:33 - Client Trust: The Key to Construction Management

19:38 - The Utility Expo

20:17 - CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 Hype: Let's Connect in Vegas

Thank you to our good friends over at John Deere Power Systems for sponsoring this podcast: https://www.deere.ca/en/engines-and-drivetrain/

CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026: conexpoconagg.com

CONEXPO-CON/AGG Newsletter: https://www.CONEXPOconagg.com/industry-news#sign-up

#BusinessMindset #Construction #Entrepreneurship #Leadership

https://www.conexpoconagg.com/attend-the-show/registration-and-pricing?utm_source=audio&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcast-30