Why Smart Businesses Struggle to Grow - With Joe Testouri

Iron House Pro on Trust, and Building What’s Next - Aaron Furlong

In this episode, Colby and Levi sit down with Aaron Furlong, the other partner at our company Iron House Pro. We talk business, partnerships, personal growth, and the messy path that shapes how people lead. Aaron shares his journey from construction and project management, relationship-building, and helping organizations work through complex change. The conversation also explores Iron House Pro’s next big step: launching a bookkeeping service built around clarity, consistency, and human support. https://www.ironhousepro.com/ Connect with Aaron: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-furlong-72678b1b4/ Connect with Colby: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-jardine/ Connect with Levi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levilawrence/ Time Stamps 00:00 – Introduction • Colby introduces Aaron and the idea behind the episode. 00:20 – Meet Aaron Furlong • Aaron shares who he is and why he usually stays behind the scenes. 02:22 – Aaron’s Construction Background • How carpentry and project management shaped his early career. 04:56 – Learning Through Big Projects • Aaron reflects on being trusted with responsibility at a young age. 07:53 – Managing Clients and Complexity • Why building homes requires people management, material management, and client management. 09:44 – Frustration with Old Systems • Aaron talks about pushing against rigid construction processes. 11:15 – Leaving Construction • The personal and professional uncertainty after stepping away. 13:29 – Rebuilding Confidence • How campaigning, odd jobs, and reflection shaped his next move. 15:05 – Reframing Past Experience • Aaron realizes his background had more value than he gave himself credit for. 16:10 – Entering Corporate Project Work • His first experience working with a larger tech company. 17:02 – Working Differently • Aaron explains how remote work and flexibility changed his perspective. 19:00 – Meeting Colby • The coffee shop connection that helped shift Aaron’s path. 20:23 – Understanding the Work • Aaron explains how projects succeed through people, timing, and context. 21:31 – Technology, AI, and Human Work • The group discusses how technology is changing creative and project work. 24:09 – Early Responsibility in Business • Levi reflects on being trusted with major responsibility at a young age. 25:15 – Learning by Doing • Colby shares his own experience leading major work without fully understanding the weight of it. 27:03 – Who Gets Left Behind • Levi talks about nonprofits, small businesses, and organizations struggling to keep up. 28:33 – Business, Government, and Support Systems • Aaron shares his perspective on grants, government involvement, and business realities. 31:26 – False Success and Entrepreneurial Pressure • The group discusses comparison, ambition, and the pressure business owners feel. 33:05 – What Success Means Personally • Levi asks the partners to reflect on what they each want from Iron House Pro. 34:12 – Colby’s Vision for the Business • Colby talks about building a sustainable professional services company. 35:20 – Profit, Sustainability, and Succession • Aaron reflects on money, legacy, and building something that lasts. 37:41 – Chasing Lightbulb Moments • Levi shares what excites him most about the work today. 38:44 – Trust and Relationship-Based Work • Aaron explains why trust is central to community and business work. 41:07 – Learning From Other Business Owners • The value of seeing other entrepreneurs’ challenges up close. 42:32 – Building a Trusted Network • Aaron reflects on mentorship, community, and long-term relationships. 43:37 – Supporting Owner-Operators • Colby talks about helping business owners work through deeper challenges. 45:20 – Loneliness in Business • Aaron shares a personal story about feeling isolated while building. 47:53 – Partnership and Shared Values • Aaron explains what makes the Iron House Pro partnership work. 51:18 – What’s Next for Iron House Pro • The team introduces the new bookkeeping service. 52:14 – Why Bookkeeping Became the Opportunity • Colby explains the gap they kept seeing with client financials. 53:18 – The Need for Reliable Numbers • Levi explains why many businesses struggle without dependable bookkeeping. 55:30 – Simple Numbers and Better Decisions • Colby talks about learning which numbers actually matter. 55:59 – Why Boring Businesses Matter • Aaron shares why he has become excited about the boring side of business. 57:23 – Numbers Tell the Story • The group discusses margins, utilization, and financial clarity. 59:44 – Building Iron House Books • Aaron explains how bookkeeping can help prevent burnout and support better decisions. 1:02:01 – Final Thoughts • Aaron reflects on discomfort, growth, and doing meaningful work. #BuiltToLastPodcast #IronHousePro #Entrepreneurship #BusinessLeadership #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth #Partnerships #Bookkeeping

The Hard Truths of Growing a Family Business - Nick MacGregor

In this episode of Built to Last, Colby and Levi sit down with Nick MacGregor, General Manager of McGregor’s Industrial Group. Nick shares a grounded look at what it takes to lead a traditional, hands-on business through growth, succession, technology adoption, and changing market realities.  https://www.ironhousepro.com 00:00 – Introduction • Levi and Colby introduce the episode and how they connected with Nick. 02:03 – Meet Nick MacGregor • Nick introduces himself and McGregor’s Industrial Group. 03:18 – Growing Up in the Family Business • Nick shares early memories of sweeping floors and helping around the shop. 06:40 – Transitioning Leadership Across Generations • Nick talks about his father’s semi-retirement and the human side of succession. 12:22 – What Changes in the Top Seat • Nick reflects on the surprises of becoming general manager. 14:19 – What McGregor’s Industrial Group Does • Nick explains the company’s four main business units. 16:31 – Bringing Technology Into a Traditional Business • The group discusses how digital change started inside the company. 21:56 – Building Custom Software and Learning the Hard Way • Nick shares the story of trying to build an operations management system. 24:58 – Why ERP Projects Are So Difficult • Nick explains why larger software implementations require serious time, money, and support. 28:25 – Payroll, CRM, and Other Technology Lessons • Nick shares more examples of software challenges and lessons learned. 30:39 – Why Iteration Matters • Nick explains why tools rarely work perfectly on day one. 32:51 – Training and Leadership Development • Nick talks about courses, industry associations, and learning in smaller chunks. 35:25 – Building Culture Across Four Generations • Nick discusses culture, visibility, and staying connected to employees. 37:20 – Making Hard Strategic Decisions • Nick shares the decision to exit a major market that no longer made sense. 41:35 – Opportunities in the Maritimes • Nick explains why he is optimistic about regional industrial growth. 43:59 – Staying Hands-On With Customers • Nick talks about the “get it done” attitude and helping customers directly. 48:30 – Getting Stronger Before Growing Again • Nick explains the choice to strengthen the foundation of the business. 50:52 – Letting People Fail and Learn • Nick shares why mistakes are part of skill development. 52:31 – Hiring and Retaining Skilled Trades • Nick talks about apprenticeship pathways, retention, and the labour market. 55:44 – Advice for Emerging Leaders • Nick shares the value of hard work, ownership, and passion. 58:41 – Family, Work, and Raising Kids • Nick talks about family life, support, and the realities of balancing responsibilities. 1:04:06 – AI Adoption and Automation • Nick shares how his view on AI has changed and where automation may help. 1:07:45 – Finding Better Ways to Work • Nick reflects on manual labour, burnout, and rethinking old processes. #BuiltToLastPodcast #FamilyBusiness #BusinessLeadership #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessGrowth #DigitalAdoption #SkilledTrades

The Relationship-First Approach to Building Businesses - With Gord Erickson

Gord Erickson joins the podcast to share the story behind building multiple businesses across hospitality, real estate, entertainment, tourism, tequila, and more — all while staying deeply focused on people, community, and culture. The conversation dives into partnerships, leadership, Disney-inspired hospitality principles, entrepreneurial risk, business failures, scaling teams, and what Gord has learned after decades of building and rebuilding businesses. From buying a struggling bar in his twenties to running a hotel in Mexico and launching a tequila brand, this episode is full of honest insights for entrepreneurs and business leaders trying to build something meaningful. Connect With Gord: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gord-erickson-89a25ba4/ Connect With Colby: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-jardine/ Connect With Levi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levilawrence/ https://www.ironhousepro.com/   00:00 – Introduction • Levi introduces Gord Erickson and the unexpected connection that led to the conversation. 00:59 – Gord Erickson’s Background • Gord shares his entrepreneurial journey and how business started early in life. 02:13 – Managing 30 Companies • Gord explains the scale of his businesses and how partnerships evolved over time. 03:50 – From Bartending to Starting a Band • How a chance meeting led to a decades-long music career. 07:40 – Buying His First Bar • Gord shares how he unexpectedly entered the hospitality business. 08:40 – The Liquor Store Opportunity • A regulatory change creates a major business opportunity. 11:01 – Hospitality, Leadership & People • Why Gord believes connecting people is his real strength. 12:25 – Why Passion Alone Isn’t Enough • The dangers of ignoring business fundamentals. 14:09 – Building Businesses Through Partnerships • Gord explains how strategic partnerships helped him scale. 17:07 – Becoming a Landlord & Developer • A financing conversation unexpectedly changed Gord’s business trajectory. 22:21 – Building an Internal Team • How Gord evolved from a small office setup into a larger operational structure. 25:38 – Meeting Tim & Operational Growth • Gord explains why bringing in operations leadership changed everything. 31:27 – Discovering the Disney Philosophy • The Disney book and training program that reshaped the company culture. 35:19 – Lessons from Disney Training • Hospitality, intentional experiences, and building memorable customer interactions. 39:07 – Creating a Training Culture • How internal leadership training became part of the company DNA. 41:20 – Recognition, Team Culture & Hospitality • Why employee recognition matters more than most businesses realize. 43:07 – The Meaning Behind “Sueño” • The story behind the company’s rebrand and focus on dreaming bigger. 46:43 – Hospitality Principles Beyond Restaurants • Applying hospitality thinking to every type of business. 50:21 – Why Business Is About People First • Gord shares his core philosophy on leadership and entrepreneurship. 53:07 – Opening the Books to Team Leaders • Transparency, accountability, and teaching financial literacy inside the business. 54:20 – Work-Life Balance & Entrepreneurship • The realities of long hours, sacrifice, and eventually building support systems. 56:55 – Buying a Hotel in Mexico • Gord shares the story behind purchasing and renovating a hotel in Mexico. 59:20 – Navigating Business Challenges in Mexico • Corruption, permits, culture differences, and learning hard lessons abroad. 1:03:56 – Opening a Hotel During COVID • Gord reflects on launching the hotel just as the world shut down. 1:05:21 – Running Hospitality on the Ground Level Again • Returning to hands-on operations and rediscovering respect for hospitality teams. 1:06:08 – Selling the Hotel • Gord opens up about the emotional process of exiting a dream project. 1:11:01 – The Tequila Business & Agave Farming • How a farming opportunity evolved into a tequila brand. 1:13:11 – Different Types of Entrepreneurs • Gord explains the different “boxes” entrepreneurs operate within. 1:17:58 – The Future of Sueño • What’s next after selling the hotel and stepping back from operations. 1:21:13 – Building Brands Through Storytelling • Why story, authenticity, and people matter more than products alone. 1:27:48 – Entrepreneurship, Community & Momentum • The impact of surrounding yourself with aligned people. 1:44:20 – Advice for Entrepreneurs • Gord shares lessons on action, systems, and learning through experience. 1:49:16 – Final Thoughts on Leadership & Community • Why people and relationships remain at the center of everything. #Entrepreneurship #BusinessLeadership #Hospitality #SmallBusiness #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurLife #BuiltToLastPodcast

Ownership vs Entrepreneurship: What Actually Builds a Business – Martin Balcome

In this episode of Built to Last, Colby and Levi sit down with Martin Balcome for a thoughtful conversation on entrepreneurship, leadership, personal growth, and the work it takes to build a life that feels intentional. Martin shares his path from growing up in a family business to becoming a multi-company operator, and reflects on the difference between being a strong operator and truly becoming an entrepreneur. The conversation explores coaching, mindset, fitness, leadership, firmware from childhood, and why learning to think clearly may be one of the most valuable skills a business owner can build. Links & Resources: Connect with Martin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-balcome/ Bridgewater Talent Integration: https://bridgewaterti.com/ Books Mentioned * Swimming with the Sharks * Good to Great  * Great by Choice  * Who Not How  * 10x Is Easier Than 2x  * The Gap and the Gain  * Double Double  * The Goal TIMESTAMPS: 0:13 Introduction 2:41 Meet Martin Balcome 5:05 How Martin Learned Outside of School 8:06 The Ivey QuantumShift Program 9:23 Early Influences and Mindset from School 10:35 Learning to Change Leadership Style 13:08 When He Started Seeing Himself as an Entrepreneur 16:23 The Difference Between Operator and Entrepreneur 17:43 Building a Life Beyond Business 20:49 Personal Standards and Performance 21:44 Making Time for Family and Community 23:26 Taking Breaks and Avoiding Burnout 25:01 Wanting to Experience More Than Just Work 26:21 Growth Through EO (Entrepreneurs’ Organization) 28:09 Thinking Long-Term in Business and Life 29:08 Ego, Leadership, and Letting Go 30:19 Why Coaching Became Important 31:23 How He Found His First Coach 34:43 Navigating Major Business Setbacks 36:13 Investing in Personal Health and Discipline 38:03 What Good Coaching Actually Looks Like 38:35 The Impact of Short Attention Spans 40:26 Creating Space to Think Clearly 41:48 Meditation and Self-Awareness 43:37 Learning to Think More Critically 44:33 Why Preparation Makes Decisions Faster 47:22 Thinking Out Loud vs Slowing Down 49:08 The Reality of Hard Work in Business 50:46 Why He Sought New Environments to Grow 52:43 What He’s Focused on Right Now 53:23 Learning and Applying AI in Business 54:31 Buying and Growing a New Company (Bridgewater TI) 57:06 Generating Leads and Closing Long Sales Cycles 1:00:13 Ownership vs Entrepreneurship 1:01:08 Deciding Where to Invest Time and Money 1:02:36 Taking Action Before You Feel Ready 1:03:37 Books and Learning That Stick 1:08:54 Why Long-Form Reading Matters 1:10:49 Using AI as a Thinking Tool 1:13:20 Challenges of Adopting AI Across a Team 1:18:06 Why Change Takes Longer Than Expected 1:19:32 Different Types of Business Builders 1:22:09 What He’s Most Proud Of 1:23:46 Building a Home with Intentional Design 1:26:30 What’s Next 1:28:36 Community, Impact, and Perspective 1:30:55 Managing Stress and Mental Load 1:33:16 Focusing on What Actually Matters 1:37:38 Enjoying the Work 1:39:36 Long-Term Effort Behind Success 1:40:34 Closing Thoughts

Jeremy Bennet: Why Consistency Beats Talent Every Time

Jeremy Bennett joins Colby and Levi for a wide-ranging conversation on mindset, resilience, and what it really takes to build something from nothing. From losing his speaking career overnight during lockdowns to building a full-time podcast, Jeremy shares the messy, behind-the-scenes reality of figuring it out as you go. The conversation goes deeper into anxiety, vulnerability, and the power of consistency—along with practical insights on launching before you're ready, learning through failure, and why mindset ultimately drives everything from personal growth to business success. Jeremy’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremycbennett/?skipRedirect=true Books / Resources mentioned * The Power of Now — Eckhart Tolle * Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself — Dr. Joe Dispenza * Gaia (spirituality-focused streaming platform)  Timestamps 00:01 – Introduction  • Introducing guest Jeremy Bennett 00:53 – Jeremy’s Background  • From speaker to full-time podcaster 02:57 – Starting a Podcast During Lockdowns  • Losing income and pivoting  03:56 – The Power of Consistency  • Why he committed to 100 episodes before evaluating 05:27 – Becoming a Professional Speaker  • Early journey and learning through experience 09:38 – Sharing His Personal Story  • How vulnerability changed his career 11:06 – The Reality of Building a Speaking Business  • Financial uncertainty and learning the hard way 13:51 – Learning Through Failure  • Why messy experience builds resilience 15:01 – Building in Public  • The role of consistency and feedback 16:09 – Launching Before You're Ready  • Why waiting holds people back 17:54 – The Role of Vulnerability  • Building trust through experiences 18:24 – A Defining Moment  • The story that changed his willingness to share 23:30 – The Impact of Sharing Your Story  • Why vulnerability can help others 27:58 – Understanding Mindset  • The difference between conscious and subconscious thinking 28:08 – Thoughts and Reality  • How the brain responds to thoughts 34:52 – “Worry is a Prayer”  • The impact of negative thinking 36:02 – Mindset vs Information  • Why knowledge alone doesn’t create change 38:41 – Mental Health and Personal Growth  • Real-life examples from the hosts 45:47 – Subconscious Mind and Behavior  • Why habits are hard to change 49:08 – Books That Changed His Thinking  • Key influences on mindset and growth 52:30 – Meditation and Mental Clarity  • Practical approaches to improving focus 56:09 – Why Mindset Should Be Taught Early  • Gaps in traditional education 58:35 – The Power of Words  • How language shapes thinking 1:00:39 – Organizational Culture vs Mindset  • Applying mindset principles to business 1:09:25 – Building a Podcast System  • How Jeremy runs his show efficiently 1:13:49 – Monetization Strategy  • Partnerships and growth approach 1:16:40 – Doing Everything Solo  • Systems that reduced workload over time 1:19:08 – Short vs Long Form Content  • Trade-offs in podcast formats 1:23:25 – The Impact of Stories  • How one moment can change everything 1:24:13 – Final Advice: Just Launch  • Why action matters most 1:27:36 – Closing Thoughts  • Reflections on growth and future plans