What does real leadership look like when growth, culture, and execution all matter at the same time?

In this episode of From the Ground Up, Erick sits down with Greg McAfee, a seasoned construction industry leader, to talk about what it truly takes to build and sustain a successful company over the long haul. Greg shares lessons learned from decades in the field—lessons shaped by hiring decisions, equipment investments, leadership missteps, and moments when doing the hard thing was the only option.

This conversation goes beyond surface-level business advice. Greg breaks down how discipline, accountability, and clear expectations create teams that perform, why leaders must be willing to invest before results show up, and how consistency and execution separate companies that last from those that stall out.

You’ll hear practical insights on building strong people, making smart financial decisions, and leading with conviction—even when the path forward isn’t obvious.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why execution matters more than ideas or intentions
• How leadership decisions ripple through culture and performance
• The importance of investing in people, equipment, and systems
• How long-term thinking creates sustainable growth
• What separates effective leaders from reactive managers

Whether you’re in construction, entrepreneurship, or leadership in any industry, this episode offers grounded, real-world wisdom for anyone trying to build something meaningful—and keep it moving forward.

🎧 Tune in to hear how strong leadership and disciplined execution are built from the ground up.

#LeadershipDevelopment #ConstructionLeadership #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurMindset #CompanyCulture #ExecutionMatters #BuildSomethingThatLasts

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Watch the video show on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/yOcLNMC-7F8

Appear on the Show as an expert guest or ask a question of Erick and one of his guests:

https://fromthegroundupshow.com

Guest Links:

https://www.gregmcafee.com

What does it really take to build something that lasts? In this episode of From the Ground Up, Erick sits down with construction leader Ken Dickson for an honest, inspiring conversation about resilience, leadership, and doing the hard work when no one is watching.

Ken shares hard-earned lessons from decades in the construction industry—why execution matters more than sales, how strong teams carry companies through uncertainty, and what separates contractors who survive from those who don’t. This episode is a reminder that real success isn’t built overnight—it’s built through discipline, people, and perseverance.

Perfect for contractors, entrepreneurs, business owners, and leaders who want practical insight and motivation to keep pushing forward, even when the work gets tough.

Topics include: construction leadership, business growth, team building, risk management, and long-term success.

🎧 Build smarter. Lead better. Keep going.

#ConstructionLeadership #BusinessBuilders #ContractorLife #EntrepreneurMindset #BuildingSuccess #LeadershipLessons #FounderStories

Connect with From The Ground Up Show:

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Watch the video show on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/FESIzu8q9vo

Appear on the Show as an expert guest or ask a question of Erick and one of his guests:

https://fromthegroundupshow.com

Guest Links: https://amw-inc.com/

What does it really take to earn your place—and keep it?

In this episode of From The Ground Up Show, we explore leadership, responsibility, and the kind of work ethic that’s built under pressure, not hype. This conversation digs into what it means to create real value, become indispensable, and carry the weight that comes with building something bigger than yourself.

We talk about leadership when there are no shortcuts: being responsible for other people’s livelihoods, pushing forward when confidence runs out, and trusting discipline and faith when the path isn’t clear. This episode goes beyond hustle culture to examine the long game—why consistency beats intensity, why resilience matters more than motivation, and why true success often looks like endurance.

If you’re building a business, leading a team, or laying the foundation for a long-term legacy, this episode is a reminder that meaningful success is earned daily—from the ground up.

#FromTheGroundUpShow #BusinessPodcast #LeadershipPodcast #EntrepreneurMindset #BuildDontHype #LongTermThinking #EarnedNotGiven

Connect with From The Ground Up Show:

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Watch the video show on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/YJ5Rs16akK0

Appear on the Show as an expert guest or ask a question of Erick and one of his guests:

https://fromthegroundupshow.com

Guest Links:

https://niceelectricco.com/

What does it actually take to scale a business to $1,000,000,000 in sales in just 12 years—and sustain it?

In this episode of From the Ground Up, we sit down with Brian for a rare, behind-the-scenes conversation about rapid growth, disciplined leadership, and the systems required to operate at the highest levels of business. Brian shares how he built and lead a company that reached nine figures—and then ten—without chasing hype or shortcuts.

This episode dives into what really drives scalable success: building the right teams, understanding marketing at scale, creating accountability, and staying focused on long-term value instead of short-term wins. Brian also talks about how his perspective evolved over time, why mentorship and developing people became central to his mission, and what separates businesses that grow fast from those that grow right.

If you’re an entrepreneur, executive, or business owner who wants insight from someone who’s actually operated at the billion-dollar level—not just talked about it—this episode delivers.

Real experience. Real numbers. Real leadership. Press play and hear what it takes to build from the ground up—at scale.

#BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #ScalingABusiness #BusinessGrowth #BillionDollarBusiness #FromTheGroundUp

Connect with From The Ground Up Show:

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Watch the video show on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/DWkcJrRAvTM

Appear on the Show as an expert guest or ask a question of Erick and one of his guests:

https://fromthegroundupshow.com

Guest Links:

https://briangottlieb.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Hammer-Approach-Leadership-Performance/dp/B0DGLZ7B4B/ref=sr_1_1?crid=36DIUGZJZMMX2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.DSK2lpjypxRLSS518TGXPP9MMyLly2C0F3e3idlc9UQnWQOQJWrizF1PmwSh7hakyaDlETNFTTi2gXWMGS6Yb3IziqJ1ArDFFGZgDUeYFwyU1KATOa3xDb4VgrX_zgaWvETccxRHQVaq704dEzX1slAC5_s9VzFQNxR_a0yjBtL4eo5xT2yMdZNzQVWHbmYRxifZqPpyHuflA1IufWbNzjBZwcYgEA96uif4YJ5HybI.1SnN3LB7I6LJTZaDJHzl5sQ56UUdSMWVEFUwqEMZSf4&dib_tag=se&keywords=beyond+the+hammer&qid=1769200068&sprefix=beyond+the+hammer%2Caps%2C299&sr=8-1

What does it look like to lead a legacy American firearms company with conviction, humility, and purpose?

In this episode of From The Ground Up Show, Erick Loden interviews Adam Weatherby, Owner and CEO of Weatherby Firearms, about leadership, stewardship, and the responsibility that comes with carrying a historic family name. Adam shares how his Christian faith and years spent working in ministry shaped his leadership philosophy, decision-making, and approach to people.

They discuss maintaining quality at scale, building strong company culture, and leading with integrity in a demanding, highly visible industry. This is an honest conversation about faith, business, and what it means to lead with purpose — not ego.

Connect with From The Ground Up Show:

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Watch the video show on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/P-eO8cr7KYE

Appear on the Show as an expert guest or ask a question of Erick and one of his guests:

https://fromthegroundupshow.com

Guest Links: https://weatherby.com/

#AdamWeatherby #WeatherbyFirearms #FromTheGroundUpShow LeadershipPodcast #FaithInBusiness #ChristianLeadership #AmericanManufacturing

In this episode of From the Ground Up Show, Erick Loden sits down with Brie Reese, COO of Elite Roofing, Denver Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree, and a nationally respected coach in the roofing and construction industry.

Brie shares her powerful journey from addiction and personal struggle to executive leadership, detailing how recovery, discipline, and radical personal accountability shaped her approach to business and life. From overcoming substance abuse to helping scale one of Denver’s fastest-growing roofing companies, Brie offers a raw and honest look at what it really takes to rebuild—personally and professionally.

This conversation goes deep into leadership development, operational scaling, company culture, and the mindset required to lead teams while maintaining integrity, family balance, and long-term vision. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, contractor, or leader navigating growth and adversity, this episode delivers practical insights and hard-earned wisdom from someone who has lived it.

Connect with From The Ground Up Show:

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https://www.youtube.com/@FromTheGroundUp-k9p

https://www.facebook.com/fromthegroundupshow

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tiktok.com/@from.the.ground.u06

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Watch the video show on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/Di3tKOPyXFk

Appear on the Show as an expert guest or ask a question of Erick and one of his guests:

https://fromthegroundupshow.com

Guest Links:

https://elite-roofs.com/

https://www.theroofingacademy.com/

#FromTheGroundUpShow

#BusinessPodcast

#Leadership

#Entrepreneurship

#Construction

#AddictionRecovery

#PersonalGrowth

In this episode of From The Ground Up, Mike Riddle shares the unfiltered story of giving up his teaching career to start and construction company only to watch his construction business unravel during a market crash, navigating bankruptcy, and making the difficult decision to start over from scratch. Mike walks through the hard lessons learned, the mental toll of rebuilding after failure, and what it really takes to regain momentum when experience is the only thing you have left.

This conversation dives into resilience, risk, humility, and the long road back—offering practical insight for entrepreneurs, builders, and anyone who’s had to rebuild their life or business when the odds were stacked against them.

If you’ve ever faced loss, uncertainty, or the fear of starting over, this episode is proof that success isn’t about avoiding failure—it’s about how you rebuild from it.

#Entreprenuer #Construction #FromTheGroundUpShow #Bankrupt #SelfEmployed

Connect with From The Ground Up Show:

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Watch the video show on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/C4ea8HnaBQ0

Appear on the Show as an expert guest or ask a question of Erick and one of his guests:

https://fromthegroundupshow.com

Guest Links:

https://riddleconstruction.co/

Don’t miss the story that started it all—the journey that inspired From The Ground Up. In this episode, Dave Loden shares how he launched a new business with zero prior experience in a failing market—and turned it into a respected regional force. Along the way, he reflects on the hard lessons, pivotal decisions, and mindset shifts that made it possible. Plus, hear unforgettable stories from his time serving as a Captain in Search and Rescue that shaped his leadership and resilience when it mattered most.

#Entreprenuer #Roofing #FromTheGroundUpShow #searchandrescue #SelfEmployed

Connect with From The Ground Up Show:

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tiktok.com/@from.the.ground.u06

https://x.com/FTGUshow

Watch the video show on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/Ql_ot01_9_4

Appear on the Show as an expert guest or ask a question of Erick and one of his guests:

https://fromthegroundupshow.com