The Reasonable Contractor

Episode 11: From Hustler to Business Owner — Eulyyses Urzua's Asbestos Journey

In this episode of The Reasonable Contractor podcast, host Ryan Templin interviews Eulyyses Urzua, owner of Amigos Quality Environmental in Burnsville, Minnesota. Eulyyses recounts his journey from a self-described "second chance guy" in Southern California to building a successful asbestos abatement business over the past 10 years. He shares insights on asbestos safety that most people have never heard, the brutal reality of confined space work, and what it takes to build a business when nobody wants to give you a shot. Key discussions include friable vs. non-friable asbestos, working in tunnels, learning from mistakes, staying humble, and why Minnesota gave him opportunities California never could. ---------------------------------------- TAKEAWAYS: * Asbestos fibers are invisible to the naked eye—the dust you see isn't the danger, the fibers you can't see are. * Friable asbestos crumbles easily and becomes airborne fast; non-friable materials like tile and plaster are harder to disturb but still dangerous. * Water is your best friend in asbestos work—it keeps fibers from going airborne. * Even new construction materials can contain asbestos; materials imported from certain countries still require testing regardless of age. * For residential asbestos removal, smaller local companies often deliver better results than large commercial operations because they have more varied experience. * Building a contracting business takes years of bridge-building; Eulyyses spent 10 years developing relationships with HVAC companies, remodelers, and general contractors. * Early-stage hustle meant working 6 AM to 3 AM the next day—that intensity built the reputation and client base. * Entrepreneurs often become slaves to their own business; "freedom" usually means working more hours than everyone else. * When starting out, ask for the jobs nobody wants—mastering the hard work makes the regular work feel easy. * Confined space work requires mental discipline; when panic sets in, Eulyyses learned to lay back and pray to keep himself and his crew calm. ---------------------------------------- SOUND BITES: * "I always wanted to be my own boss." * "You just become a slave of your own business." * "Give me the shittiest job. The job that nobody wants to do. I'll take that all day." * "If you do the hard stuff, I'm telling you, the regular stuff is easy." * "Sometimes when I'm in the middle of a job, I want to hire somebody to finish the job." * "When I moved to Minnesota, I thought my dad had hit the lottery or something." * "Stay humble, man." ---------------------------------------- Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Ulysses Urzua 01:21 Ulysses' Journey into Asbestos Removal 04:03 Understanding Asbestos and Its Dangers 10:35 The Business of Asbestos Removal 12:58 Challenges in the Asbestos Industry 20:37 Working in Confined Spaces 25:54 The Importance of Humility in Business 32:30 Encouraging the Next Generation in Trades ---------------------------------------- Keywords/Tags: Amigos Quality Environmental, asbestos abatement, asbestos removal, friable asbestos, Burnsville Minnesota, Twin Cities contractors, confined space work, second chance employment, trades career, small business growth, Minnesota construction, environmental remediation, contractor podcast, entrepreneurship, business challenges

Episode 10: 50 Jobs at a Time - Scott Corbin on Scaling Corbin's LLC

In this episode of The Reasonable Contractor podcast, host Ryan Templin interviews Scott Corbin, owner of Corbin's LLC, a multi-trade contracting company running 40-50 jobs simultaneously. Scott shares his raw journey from substance abuse and starting with nothing to building a family of companies including excavation, painting/drywall, and tree services. He discusses the brutal reality of his first year bringing in $280K but walking away with only $70K, why he views his role as "firefighter and babysitter," and the mindset shifts required to scale. Key discussions include building a family culture, learning through expensive mistakes, and why finding your purpose before chasing money is essential. ---------------------------------------- TAKEAWAYS * Working 17-hour days and bringing in $280K meant nothing when profit after taxes was only $70K - revenue is vanity, profit is sanity * "Find the reason before you make the money" - if money is your source of happiness, you'll never have enough * The apostrophe in "Corbin's LLC" is intentional: everyone in the company is family and has a voice * Five big jobs per year make the real money; the team keeps the lights on the rest of the time * Losing money on a complex project (zip-up drainage system) was paid training - refusing to do it again would waste that investment * Surround yourself with people doing what you want to do; you become who you spend time with * The 18-22 age group is showing up hungry and ready to work; the 25-35 range is the hardest to find quality help * Reaching out for help is the biggest lesson in business - making something on something beats zero on nothing * Legacy matters more than cashing out - Minnesota Rusco's collapse shows what happens when you lose control of your vision * College isn't wrong, trades aren't wrong - it depends on whether you want a 9-to-5 or to build something with no ceiling ---------------------------------------- SOUND BITES * "Find the reason before you make the money. Because if that's the reason why you're happy, there will be no end to the happiness. You will never be happy." * "There's always better on making something on something than zero on nothing." * "I started with nothing. Absolutely nothing. I woke up in Minnesota in a treatment center going, how did I get here? That's when I started." * "Pick up that shovel. Sweep the shop. If I could go back to doing stuff like that, I would pick it every day of the week." ---------------------------------------- CHAPTERS/TIMESTAMPS 00:00 — Introduction and Scale of Corbin's LLC 01:30 — Early Years: Custom Woodworking at 15 03:30 — College, Substances, and Hitting Bottom 05:30 — Treatment and Starting Over with Nothing 07:00 — The $10,000 Challenge from His Wife 09:00 — Working 17-Hour Days: $280K Revenue, $70K Profit 12:00 — Building the Corbin's Family Culture 15:00 — Expanding: Excavation, Painting, Tree Service 18:00 — "Firefighter and Babysitter" - The Owner's Role 21:00 — The Zip-Up System: Paying for Training Through Mistakes 25:00 — Relationships Over Revenue: How Big Jobs Get Won 28:00 — Montana Log Home Project 30:00 — Minnesota Rusco Collapse: Legacy and Cashing Out 35:00 — Find the Reason Before You Make the Money 38:00 — Advice for the Trades: Who Should Join 42:00 — The 18-22 Year Olds Are Showing Up Hungry 45:00 — Moral Shift in America and Encouragement 48:00 — AI Tools and CRM Integration (Otter AI) 50:00 — Wrap-Up ---------------------------------------- KEYWORDS/TAGS Corbin's LLC, general contractor, residential remodeling, Minnesota contractor, scaling a contracting business, contractor mindset, substance abuse recovery, family business culture, trades career, contractor podcast, Twin Cities contractor, legacy business, contractor advice

Episode 09: Winning Jobs by Just Answering the Phone - Jake Iskierka of 10K Construction

In this episode of The Reasonable Contractor podcast, host Ryan Templin interviews Jake Iskierka, President of 10K Construction in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. Jake recounts his journey from HVAC trade school at Hennepin Tech to co-founding a full-service general contracting company during COVID. He shares insights on customer service philosophy, insurance industry changes, building company culture, and why the competition makes it easy to win by simply answering the phone. Key discussions include the Randy Shaver Foundation partnership, navigating Minnesota's insurance regulation changes, and advice for the next generation considering trades. TAKEAWAYS: * Never telling customers "no" builds loyalty—even for problems outside your wheelhouse, tap your network to solve it. * Answering the phone fast wins jobs; most competitors don't even call back when homeowners reach out to 6-7 companies. * Minnesota insurance policies are changing significantly—deductibles shifting from flat rates to percentage of home value, and roofs over 10 years may only get actual cash value instead of full replacement cost. * Profit matters more than revenue; you can sell $10M at 10% profit or $5M at higher margins and come out ahead. * A real person answering phones beats AI automation—customers need the "warm and fuzzies" from that first contact. * White glove service and turnkey processes keep quality consistent as the company grows. * Building a business isn't easy—it takes long nights, family sacrifice, and learning from mistakes. * Owner-operators in skilled trades (electricians, HVAC, plumbers, concrete, masonry) can make hundreds of thousands per year. * 10K Construction supports team members who want to eventually start their own companies—they see themselves as a stepping stone. SOUND BITES: * "Our competition really makes it easy sometimes to win because they don't even show up." * "No one else will care as much as you." * "We're a customer first company." * "Why not you? What do you want to be when you grow up? Well, why not you?" * "There's a shit ton of money to be made in construction." (Ryan) CHAPTERS/TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Introduction and Jake's Background 01:17 – From HVAC Trade School to Construction 02:10 – What 10K Construction Does 02:42 – The "Never Say No" Philosophy 04:09 – Randy Shaver Foundation Partnership 06:13 – How the Partnership Came Together 09:04 – Winning Jobs by Answering the Phone 11:23 – Building the 10K Team and Culture 12:14 – Why Real People Beat AI for Customer Contact 13:47 – Minnesota Insurance Changes Explained 17:55 – Understanding Your Coverage vs. Premium 19:52 – Business Goals and Hiring Plans 21:43 – Growing at the Right Pace 23:27 – Profit vs. Revenue Mindset 25:20 – Work-Life Balance in Construction 28:11 – Challenges: Learning Your Way Isn't the Only Way 30:40 – Hiring for 2026: Two Project Managers 31:53 – Advice for the Next Generation 35:08 – Opportunities in the Trades 35:40 – Wrap-up Keywords/Tags: 10K Construction, general contractor, insurance restoration, Coon Rapids, Twin Cities contractor, Randy Shaver Foundation, customer service, hiring, trades careers, Minnesota insurance, exterior remodeling, hail damage, insurance claims, construction business, skilled trades

Episode 08: Aspiring Dentist to Master Plumber - 25 Years of American Plumbing

In this episode of The Reasonable Contractor podcast, host Ryan Templin interviews Jason Schmidt, owner of American Plumbing in Burnsville, Minnesota. Jason shares his unexpected journey from aspiring dentist to master plumber, including failing his journeyman test three times and taking over the family business after his father's death in 1999. They discuss the transition from remodeling to service work, honest pricing that undercuts big companies by 50%, and the business systems that create efficiency. Jason explains why the plumber shortage drives premium pricing, and the personal transformations (becoming morning people, lifestyle changes) that support business success. The conversation concludes with direct advice for the next generation: skip expensive trade school, pursue apprenticeships, and build recession-proof careers without student debt. Takeaways: * Jason never intended to become a plumber, initially planning to study dentistry at University of Minnesota * He failed his journeyman test three times by margins as small as 0.08% before passing * Big plumbing companies charge $3,000-$4,000 for water heaters Jason installs for $2,000 * The plumber shortage creates supply-demand economics that drive premium pricing across the industry * Jason transitioned from remodeling to service work primarily for job happiness and satisfaction * Field Pulse digital management costs $99/month per user and streamlines scheduling and invoicing * QuickBooks automation eliminated year-end bookkeeping panic and auto-categorizes all business expenses * Press tool technology reduced basement bathroom plumbing from 8 hours (copper) to 2 hours (PEX) * Both Jason and Ryan became morning people after years of reprogramming late-night habits * AI cannot replace skilled trades - it won't unplug toilets or repair frozen pipes * Apprenticeships offer good pay from day one with no student debt Sound Bites: * "I never thought I'd be a plumber." * "Your plumbing license is a license to steal." * "I just wasn't happy doing it." * "What would take me eight hours in copper, I'm home at lunch." * "AI is not gonna unplug a toilet." * "You're gonna make good money right out of the gate." * "This is the first year I'm ready. I'm just waiting for January 1st." * "Slow learners who don't quit." Chapters: * 00:00 - Introduction to American Plumbing * 01:08 - Jason's Journey: From Dentistry Dreams to Plumbing Reality * 02:38 - Failing the Journeyman Test Three Times * 06:59 - Taking Over After His Father's Death (1999) * 11:24 - The "License to Steal" and Big Company Pricing * 12:18 - Choosing Service Work Over Remodeling for Happiness * 15:01 - Real Numbers: $2,000 vs $4,000 Water Heater Pricing * 18:33 - The Plumber Shortage and Market Economics * 20:06 - Field Pulse: $99/Month Digital Management System 21:30 - QuickBooks Automation: Eliminating Year-End Panic * 23:00 - Inventory Management and Shop Efficiency * 26:36 - Copper vs PEX: From 8 Hours to 2 Hours * 27:56 - Becoming Morning People: Breaking Late-Night Habits * 30:05 - Slow Learners Who Don't Quit Build What They're Proud Of * 34:25 - Advice for Next Generation: Apprenticeships Beat Trade School Keywords: plumbing business, journeyman plumber, master plumber, American Plumbing, apprenticeship, trade career, business systems, Minnesota contractor, Burnsville plumber, water heater pricing, morning routine

Episode 07: Michael Fafinski on Building Gutter Galaxy - Communication, Craftsmanship & Zero Hassle

In this episode of The Reasonable Contractor podcast, host Ryan Templin interviews Michael Fafinski, founder of Gutter Galaxy. Michael recounts his entrepreneurial start from lawn mowing at 16 to building a gutter business in college. He shares insights on systems, SOPs, marketing challenges, Google Business Profiles, and why young people should consider trades. Key discussions include scaling through subcontracting, rebranding strategies, and implementing EOS Traction for business operations. Takeaways: * Michael started his entrepreneurial journey at 16 with lawn mowing. * Subcontracting allowed for scaling without direct field work. * Communication, craftsmanship, and hassle-free service differentiate Gutter Galaxy. * Rebranding to Gutter Galaxy targeted direct-to-homeowner expansion. * Google My Business is essential for local SEO and lead generation. * Consistency in reviews and posts boosts GMB rankings. * Implementing EOS Traction helps organize vision and operations. * Young people should consider trades over college for better ROI. * Jump into business to learn; balance systems with action. * Annual strategic reviews provide clarity for growth. SOUND BITES: * "I started lawn mowing at 16." * "I want to be the go-to gutter guy." * "Jump in and start doing it!" * "My favorite SOP is how to create an SOP." * "We need more young people in trades." CHAPTERS/TIMESTAMPS * 00:00 Introduction and Entrepreneurial Family Background * 01:27 First Business Ventures: Lawn Mowing * 02:59 Learning Management and Subcontracting * 04:25 Launching Gutter Business in College * 05:23 Balancing College Life and Business * 07:56 Systems and Vetting Crews * 08:48 Rebranding to Gutter Galaxy * 09:01 Fox and Friends Appearance * 10:17 Iterating Through Challenges * 11:19 Favorite SOP: Creating SOPs * 11:49 What Differentiates Gutter Galaxy * 12:47 Annual Strategic Review * 14:56 Marketing Challenges and Shifts * 18:22 Google Ads vs. SEO * 19:09 Power of Google My Business * 21:37 Consistency in Reviews and Posts * 22:26 Geotagging and Keywords * 23:23 AI Tools and Building for Contractors * 25:04 Navigating GMB Suspensions * 26:10 Multiple GMB Strategies * 29:30 Current Business Challenges * 30:46 Implementing EOS Traction * 31:51 Advice for Next Generation in Trades * 35:58 Plugs and Contact Info Keywords/Tags: Gutter Galaxy, entrepreneurship, trades, marketing, business systems, Google My Business, construction industry, young entrepreneurs, performance metrics, rebranding, SOPs, KPIs, lead generation, subcontractors, EOS Traction