Jimmy Talks Construction

Daniel Alizzi (Operations Manager at Complex Facade Install) | Jimmy Talks Construction

In Episode 47 of Jimmy Talks Construction, James Starbuck sits down with Daniel from Complex Facade to talk high-rise construction, facade installation, scaling a subcontracting business, labour productivity, and the brutal reality of growing from apprentice to operations manager in the tier one construction space. This episode dives into Daniel’s journey from being the boss’s son and a self-described ordinary apprentice, to becoming Operations Manager inside a serious construction business. The conversation covers the pressure of installing glass hundreds of metres in the air, the evolution of prefab facade systems, importing windows from China, labour productivity, rework, site systems, and the brutal lessons that come with growing a construction company. Jimmy and Daniel also unpack one of the biggest challenges in construction business: scaling without losing standards. From family and friends on the tools, to managing 50–100 workers, to knowing your numbers, this episode is packed with practical insight for builders, subcontractors, tradesmen, project managers, and anyone trying to grow a construction business properly. If you are interested in construction business, high-rise construction, facade installation, subcontractor growth, construction leadership, labour productivity, or the reality of running a trades business, this episode is well worth a listen. Daniel’s Podcast | Behind The Facade: https://www.youtube.com/@BehindTheFacadeShow [https://www.youtube.com/@BehindTheFacadeShow] Connect with Daniel: 🌐 Website: https://www.complexfacade.com.au/ [https://www.complexfacade.com.au/] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complexfacadeinstallptyltd/ [https://www.instagram.com/complexfacadeinstallptyltd/] 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-alizzi-867595376/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-alizzi-867595376/] Connect with Jimmy: 🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au [https://starbuckgroup.com.au] 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction [https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation [https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation] 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation [https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation] 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/] Sponsorships + Guest Enquiries: louis@lj-media.com [louis@lj-media.com] Send in Business Problems: jimmytalksconstruction@gmail.com [jimmytalksconstruction@gmail.com]

Emmanuel Al-Jinavo (Founder of Feed4Ward) | Jimmy Talks Construction

James Starbuck sits down with Emmanuel Al-Jinavo, founder of Feed4Ward, for a raw construction business conversation about tradies, subcontractors, cash flow, unpaid invoices, and bad clients in the Australian construction industry. Emmanuel shares his journey from running a plumbing business to building Feed4Ward, a platform designed to help tradesmen review clients, avoid serial non-payers, and protect small trade businesses from cash flow pressure. This construction podcast episode covers late payments, debt collection, 45, 60 and 90-day payment terms, the reality of running a trade business, subcontractor stress, business growth, client relationships, and why getting paid on time is one of the biggest challenges in construction. Connect with Manny: 🌐 Website: https://www.feed4ward.com.au/ [https://www.feed4ward.com.au/] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feed4wardapp/ [https://www.instagram.com/feed4wardapp/] 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Feed4Ward/ [https://www.facebook.com/Feed4Ward/] 💼 LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/emmanuel-al-jinavo-68658a17b [https://au.linkedin.com/in/emmanuel-al-jinavo-68658a17b] Connect with Jimmy: 🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au [https://starbuckgroup.com.au] 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction [https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation [https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation] 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation [https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation] 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/]

Brian Hayden: World’s Best Operator? | Dirty Business Bonus Episode

Dirty Business Bonus Episode, live from Las Vegas. In this special bonus episode, we sit down with Brian Hayden, winner of the CAT Global Operator Challenge, to talk all things operating, heavy equipment, and what it takes to compete at the highest level. Brian breaks down how he got started in the industry from a young age, growing up in the family business at Hayden Excavating in Maine, before working his way through the local dealer event, the regional competition, and finally the global finals in Vegas. The conversation covers: How Brian got into operating What the CAT Global Operator Challenge actually involves The machines used in the competition, including excavators, loaders, and dozers The pressure of timed events, penalties, and precision Using GPS and grade control technology in the challenge Residential excavation work in Maine Machine versatility, operator skill, and what separates great operators from average ones If you’re into construction, excavation, earthmoving, heavy equipment, Caterpillar machines, operator stories, and real industry conversations, this is a fun short episode you’ll want to watch. Links: Watch the CAT Global Operator Challenge: https://www.cat.com/en_AU/campaigns/event/operator-challenge.html [https://www.cat.com/en_AU/campaigns/event/operator-challenge.html] Follow Brian Hayden: https://www.instagram.com/brian_h01/ [https://www.instagram.com/brian_h01/] Connect with Jimmy: 🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au [https://starbuckgroup.com.au] 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction [https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation [https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation] 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation [https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation] 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/]

Toby Bowman (Director of C&N Plumbing Services) | Jimmy Talks Construction

In Episode 45 of Jimmy Talks Construction, James Starbuck sits down with Toby, Managing Director of C&N Plumbing Services, a South Australian commercial plumbing contractor celebrating 10 years in business. Toby shares his journey from apprentice plumber to commercial plumbing business owner, including the hard lessons learned through domestic plumbing, commercial projects, remote work, civil drainage, tendering mistakes, cash flow pressure and growing a team. This episode gets into the real issues construction business owners face every day — unpaid variations, “you’ll get paid when we get paid,” pipe shortages, labour challenges, culture, leadership, and the mental weight of being the person everyone looks to for answers. Jimmy and Toby also discuss why C&N Plumbing Services moved further into design and construct work, the problem with consultants and delayed approvals, and why lived experience matters more than theory when it comes to running a trade business. A must-listen for plumbers, builders, subcontractors, civil contractors, apprentices and anyone trying to grow a construction business in Australia.

Melbourne Chippy Chick - Steph Apostolides (Founder of Trady Lady Hire) | Jimmy Talks Construction

In this episode of Jimmy Talks Construction, James Starbuck sits down with Steph Apostolides (Melbourne Chippy Chick) — carpenter, content creator, and founder of Trady Lady Hire. Steph shares her journey from working with her dad on-site to becoming one of the most recognised female tradies in Australia. The conversation dives into the realities of working in construction, the challenges women face on-site, and why initiatives like Trady Lady Hire are reshaping the industry. They also break down: * The truth about trade school vs real on-site experience * Why most “qualified” operators aren’t actually skilled * The rise of female tradies in Australia * Workplace culture, equality, and what actually needs to change * Hiring issues in construction (and why honesty matters) * The fuel crisis and its impact on contractors * Building a business and brand in the construction industry Steph also explains how Trady Lady Hire connects homeowners with qualified female tradies - solving a major gap in the market. If you’re in construction, thinking about getting into the trades, or running a business in the industry — this episode is packed with real, unfiltered insights. Be sure to leave a 5 star review! Connect with Stef: 🌐 Website: www.tradieladyhire.com.au [http://www.tradieladyhire.com.au] www.tradieladyclub.au [http://www.tradieladyclub.au] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melbournechippychick/ [https://www.instagram.com/melbournechippychick/] https://www.instagram.com/tradie.lady.club/ [https://www.instagram.com/tradie.lady.club/] https://www.instagram.com/tradieladyhire/ [https://www.instagram.com/tradieladyhire/] 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melbournechippychick/ [https://www.facebook.com/melbournechippychick/] 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@melbournechippychick [https://www.youtube.com/@melbournechippychick] Connect with Jimmy: 🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au [https://starbuckgroup.com.au] 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction [https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation [https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation] 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation [https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation] 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/]