Forge Contractor Alliance Podcast

Hiring: Finding People Who Fit Your Culture - Forge Contractor Alliance Podcast

Hiring is one of the hardest and most important responsibilities a business owner faces. In this episode of Forge, Josh, Joel, and the team dive into the realities of recruiting, hiring, and developing great people. They discuss why experienced hires don't always work out, the value of hiring for character and culture over technical skill, and how building a strong team often starts with finding people who share your values. The conversation explores everything from referrals and networking to AI-powered hiring tools, diversity in the workplace, and the challenges of scaling a company into new markets. Most importantly, they discuss why successful businesses are built on more than profit, they're built on people, community, and creating opportunities for others. Whether you're hiring your first employee or building a team of fifty, this episode offers practical insights into finding the right people and creating a culture where they can thrive. Original theme music composed and performed by Ben Smith Produced by Seth Steward Productions Co produced by Kalen Wookey Website https://forgealliance.ca/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797 X https://x.com/forge_ca @Forge_CA

Building Strong Teams: Work Ethic, Leadership - Forge Contractor Alliance Podcast

Hiring is one of the hardest parts of building a business, especially in the trades. In this episode of Forge Contractor Alliance Podcast, the crew sits down for a real conversation around hiring, leadership, work ethic, and what it actually takes to build strong teams in small business contracting. Kenton, Josh and Joel, on the Forge Alliance team dive into their personal experiences hiring in roofing, solar, and construction businesses under the $10M mark, where owners are often still directly involved in every interview, every hire, and every difficult people decision. The conversation explores everything from identifying teachable employees, building company culture, handling seasonal workers, and why mindset matters more than resumes. They also unpack the tension many contractors feel with younger generations entering the workforce, while challenging the common narrative that “young people just don’t want to work.” Instead, the episode focuses on leadership responsibility, mentorship, and the opportunity business owners have to shape young workers into future leaders through accountability, teamwork, and hard work. This episode is packed with honest stories from the jobsite, lessons learned through years of hiring mistakes and successes, and practical insight for contractors trying to build teams that actually last. If you’re a contractor, business owner, foreman, or someone responsible for building culture inside a growing company, this conversation will hit home. This is a real conversation for contractors, entrepreneurs, tradespeople, and business owners who want to build better companies, stronger teams, and healthier cultures over the long term. No corporate scripts, no surface level business talk, just practical lessons, honest experiences, and perspectives forged through years of building businesses and leading people. Original theme music composed and performed by Ben Smith Produced by Seth Steward Productions Co produced by Kalen Wookey Website https://forgealliance.ca/ [https://forgealliance.ca/] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance [https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance] Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797] X https://x.com/forge_ca [https://x.com/forge_ca] @Forge_CA

Why Most Contractors Struggle to Hire Great People - Forge Contractor Alliance Podcast

Hiring people is easy. Hiring the right people is one of the hardest things a business owner will ever learn how to do. In this episode of the Forge Contractor Alliance Podcast, the conversation goes deep into the realities of hiring, leadership, company culture, and the long term impact people have on a business. The crew unpacks the difference between simply filling a role versus intentionally building a team, and why understanding yourself as a leader is often more important than understanding the resume sitting across the table. The discussion explores how hiring changes as a company grows, from the early days of building a small tight knit crew, to scaling teams and attracting people who can complement weaknesses, strengthen culture, and help move a company forward long term. They talk openly about the lessons learned through failed hires, losing valuable employees, building trust, and the importance of aligning people with core values rather than just technical skill alone. A major focus throughout the episode is the idea that businesses are built around people, not just systems. Whether it’s hiring apprentices, office staff, experienced tradespeople, or future leaders, the conversation highlights how personality, teachability, humility, work ethic, and culture fit often matter more than what’s written on paper. The crew also dives into how company reputation, social media presence, networking, and internal referrals all play a massive role in attracting quality people in today’s market. There’s also an honest discussion around leadership growth itself. The episode touches on the reality that employees do not always stay forever, and how business owners need to learn to lead with an open hand while still creating environments people genuinely want to be part of. From mentorship and growth opportunities to creating clear expectations and defining company values, the conversation offers a grounded look into what building a strong team actually looks like behind the scenes. This is a real conversation for contractors, entrepreneurs, tradespeople, and business owners who want to build better companies, stronger teams, and healthier cultures over the long term. No corporate scripts, no surface level business talk, just practical lessons, honest experiences, and perspectives forged through years of building businesses and leading people.   Original theme music composed and performed by Ben Smith Produced by Seth Steward Productions Co produced by Kalen Wookey Website https://forgealliance.ca/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797 X https://x.com/forge_ca@Forge_CA

Automation: Why Contractors Can’t Ignore AI with Tim Joyce - Forge Contractor Alliance Podcast

What happens when entrepreneurs stop fearing AI and start learning how to use it properly? In this episode of the Forge Contractor Alliance Podcast, Josh sits down with Tim Joyce of Nooma Logic to talk about the real world impact of AI and automation in business, especially for contractors, entrepreneurs, and growing teams. From streamlining repetitive admin work to improving customer communication and giving business owners their time back, this conversation dives into the opportunities, risks, and realities of adopting AI in today’s world. The discussion covers everything from automation workflows and CRM integration to security concerns, team onboarding, productivity, and why many businesses are already falling behind by ignoring these tools. Tim also shares insight from working with companies across industries, including large organizations and First Nations development groups, while Josh opens up about Ridgeline’s own journey implementing automation into day to day operations. This episode is not about replacing people. It’s about empowering teams, reducing friction, creating better systems, and allowing people to focus on the work they are actually good at. If you’re a contractor, entrepreneur, manager, or business owner curious about AI but unsure where to start, this is a grounded and practical conversation worth listening to. Original theme music composed and performed by Ben Smith Produced by Seth Steward Productions Co produced by Kalen Wookey Website https://forgealliance.ca/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797 X https://x.com/forge_ca@Forge_CA

Clarity: Finding Your Role with Kalen Blake - Forge Contractor Alliance Podcast

In this episode of the Forge Contractor Alliance Podcast, Josh sits down with Kalen Blake, the creative behind Ridgeline’s media and a key driver of the company’s growth over the past year. Kalen shares his path from working multiple jobs at a young age, to building and scaling an e-commerce business, to running a brick-and-mortar operation that generated millions in revenue before the age of 21. From importing products across international markets to navigating the realities of ownership, this conversation breaks down what it actually takes to build something from nothing. At its core, this episode focuses on finding where you operate best and how that decision shapes everything. Josh and Kalen dig into the transition from entrepreneurship to stepping into a defined role within a team, and how clarity, structure, and the right environment can unlock a higher level of performance, creativity, and long-term growth without burnout. A major theme throughout is the role of social media in modern business. Not the polished, corporate version, but real, consistent, and human content that builds trust, drives leads, and connects you directly to your community. Kalen shares why business owners need to stop overthinking content and start showing up, even when it feels uncomfortable. This is a conversation about alignment, growth, and building something meaningful, whether you are leading from the front or creating behind the scenes. If you are a contractor, business owner, or someone trying to figure out your next move, this one will resonate. Original theme music composed and performed by Ben Smith Produced by Seth Steward Productions Co produced by Kalen Wookey Website https://forgealliance.ca/ [https://forgealliance.ca/] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance [https://www.instagram.com/forgecontractoralliance] Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575541841797] \X https://x.com/forge_ca [https://x.com/forge_ca] @Forge_CA