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Ep 685. Stop Leaving Money on the Table: The Truth About Pricing, Self-Respect, and Profit

⏱️ 39:39 🎤 Caleb Auman, Brittany Auman
AUDIO EPISODE
Ep 685. Stop Leaving Money on the Table: The Truth About Pricing, Self-Respect, and Profit
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Chapters

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  • 0:00
    Welcome to Kid Contractor
    Caleb and Britney Auman welcome listeners from CONEXPO 2026, highlighting their sponsors and upcoming events.
  • 1:06
    Business Impact on Personality
    Caleb discusses how business forced him to become more outgoing and social, overcoming his naturally reserved personality for survival.
  • 1:45
    Self-Respect and Pricing
    Caleb reflects on his early struggles with self-respect, leading to underpricing his services, and how this contrasts with Britney's current selling confidence.
  • 2:27
    Fears of Growth & Risk
    Britney expresses fears and stresses associated with scaling their business, transitioning to larger projects, and the increased financial responsibility.
  • 3:02
    Decision-Making in Business
    Caleb and Britney discuss their contrasting approaches to financial decisions and new ventures, emphasizing the importance of decisive action in business.
  • 4:33
    Young Entrepreneurs & Tech
    They highlight the innovation of young contractors embracing technology like GPS grading, which gives them a competitive edge.
  • 5:26
    Systems vs. Hard Work
    Britney explains that working harder doesn't solve inherent business problems; effective systems, not just revenue, are crucial for sustainable growth.
  • 6:16
    Mechanization & Efficiency
    Caleb explains how heavy mechanization, like using ditch witches and excavators, significantly boosts their production and revenue per employee.
  • 6:55
    Value of Mentorship
    Britney shares how mentors like Mark Bradley and other industry leaders help shape their company by guiding them to find their own answers.
  • 8:10
    New Equipment & Tech
    Caleb describes new Steelwrist attachments for loaders and excavators, including a material screening bucket, showcasing ongoing innovation in the industry.

Speakers

C
Caleb Auman
Host
B
Brittany Auman
Host

Key Takeaways

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Develop self-respect to charge appropriately for your services; underpricing undermines your value and profit margins.

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Embrace being outgoing and social for business growth; networking and client interaction are vital for securing work.

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Overcome fears associated with business growth by strategically transitioning to new project types, even when it feels risky.

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Prioritize decisive decision-making; lingering on choices like rebranding or equipment purchases can be costly in lost time and opportunities.

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Invest in mechanization and advanced technology (e.g., GPS grading, specialized attachments) to significantly boost crew efficiency and production per employee, even for small teams.

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Focus on building robust internal systems (e.g., estimating, HR, financial management) rather than just working harder; strong systems are the foundation for sustainable growth.

✦

Seek mentorship from experienced professionals in your industry; their guidance can provide confidence and help you find solutions to your business challenges.

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