Forge Contractor Alliance Podcast

In this episode of the Forge Contractor Alliance Podcast, Kenton Friesen of Friesen Contracting and Josh Eisworth of Ridgeline Roofing and Solar sit down to unpack something every trades business struggles with but few truly dial in, training and recruiting. This is not a surface level conversation. It is a real and honest look at what it actually takes to build a team from the ground up, especially in an industry where formal training systems are almost nonexistent and most people are expected to figure it out on the job. They dig into the tension between productivity and development, the constant pull between getting the job done today and investing in someone who might make you ten times more efficient tomorrow. Josh shares recent experiences intentionally pulling new hires out of the normal crew environment to train them one on one, allowing them to fail, slow things down, and actually learn the trade. It is inefficient in the short term. Jobs take longer, mistakes cost money, and production dips. But the payoff is clear. Guys become capable, confident, and productive far faster than the traditional shadow and carry material approach. Kenton brings decades of experience into the conversation and reflects on what it means to train not just workers, but men. This goes beyond skill and into character, work ethic, and professionalism. Together, they explore why hiring experienced tradesmen often does not work the way you would expect, and why so many of the best long term team members are built from scratch. Culture, mindset, and attitude consistently outweigh experience, especially in a trade like roofing where standards vary widely from company to company. The conversation also moves into recruiting, because you cannot talk about training without talking about who you are bringing in. From the unpredictability of hiring to improving vetting systems and rethinking where to find the right people, they break down what it means to increase your odds in an industry known for high turnover. There is no perfect formula, and both Kenton and Josh admit they have been wrong many times when judging who would succeed and who would not. At its core, this episode is about playing the long game. It is about understanding that the fastest way to build a strong and reliable team often looks slower on the surface. It is about being willing to sacrifice short term output to multiply long term capacity. And it is about recognizing that the real win in this business is not just the roofs you install, but the people you build along the way. If you are a contractor trying to grow, dealing with turnover, or looking to build a stronger and more capable crew, this conversation will challenge how you think about training, recruiting, and leadership. 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 #podcast #podcasting #podcaster #podcastlife #newpodcast #youtubecreator #youtubepodcast #contentcreator #viralcontent #growonyoutube #youtubegrowth #youtubemarketing #videomarketing #contentstrategy #socialmediatips #digitalcreator #creatoreconomy #entrepreneur #entrepreneurlife #startup #businessmindset #businessgrowth #successmindset #successhabits #selfimprovement #selfgrowth #personaldevelopment #mindsetmatters #growthmindset #levelup #discipline #motivationdaily #inspirationdaily #hustlehard #workethic #stayfocused #ambition #goals #goalsetting #dreambig #takeaction #consistency #selfmastery #highperformance #peakperformance #mentality #resilience #mentalstrength #confidence #selfbelief

In this episode of Forge, Kenton sits down with Chris Wiebe to unpack a side of business most contractors avoid the numbers. From hard lessons in financial blind spots to the reality of growing too fast without control, this conversation digs into what actually drives a healthy company. They break down the difference between revenue and real profit, why operational strength matters more than hustle, and how small mistakes in pricing or planning can quietly sink a business. Chris brings a systems driven perspective from years of scaling companies, while Kenton shares real stories from the field including moments where the numbers did not lie, even when it hurt. This episode is about more than spreadsheets. It is about thinking clearly, making better decisions, and building something that actually lasts. If you are running a business, planning to grow, or just trying to figure out where your money is really going this one matters. 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

In this episode, Josh and Kenton sit down for a real, unfiltered conversation about something a lot of contractors think they understand, but most have never actually worked through what makes a business truly saleable. Speaking from their experience in Prince George, they unpack the gap between what owners believe they’ve built and what someone would actually pay for. The conversation quickly gets honest. Most small businesses are not really businesses, they are jobs built around one person. The relationships, the reputation, the decision making all sit with the owner. When that person steps away, there is often very little left. It is a tough realization, but one that almost every trades business owner will face at some point. They dig into the difference between building something around yourself versus building something that can stand on its own. A lot of companies have strong revenue and years of history, but without systems, structure, and a team that can operate without the owner, that value does not transfer. Buyers are not just looking at numbers, they are asking what happens when you are gone. Throughout the episode, they share real stories from their own market. Companies that shut down after decades. Others that were handed off and quickly fell apart. And a few that made it work through intentional succession, strong teams, and the right people stepping in. The common thread is simple. If you are not planning for an exit, you are likely planning to close, whether you realize it or not. They also touch on the bigger picture. There are more business owners than ever approaching retirement, and at the same time the world feels uncertain. Markets are shifting, economies are unpredictable, and there are more sellers than buyers in many industries. It raises an important question. If you wanted to sell tomorrow, would your business actually be ready. This episode is not about theory. It is about reality and hard conversations. Whether you plan to sell, pass it on, or just run your company for as long as you can, this is a look at what you are really building and what will be left when you step away. 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

In this follow-up episode of Forge, Josh and Kenton continue the conversation about failure, resilience, and the long road of learning that comes with building a business. After reflecting on the collapse of Kenton’s early real estate momentum in the previous episode, the discussion turns toward what came after. The years that followed were not defined by a single event, but by the slower and often more difficult process of rebuilding confidence, culture, and leadership from the inside out. Kenton shares how the internal impact of that season lingered longer than the external circumstances. Even as the company continued to operate and grow from the outside, the weight of that earlier failure shaped the way he made decisions, interacted with his team, and carried the responsibility of leadership. Josh and Kenton explore how pride, fear, and lost confidence can quietly isolate leaders at the very moment when they need their people the most. They discuss the surprising reality that many team members are often willing to rally around a struggling leader, but only if they’re allowed into the process. The conversation also turns toward the nature of risk. Entrepreneurs often celebrate bold moves and big swings, but fewer people talk openly about the emotional resilience required when those swings miss. Kenton reflects on how early success created a sense of certainty that later setbacks challenged, forcing him to develop a deeper understanding of resilience and self-awareness. Throughout the episode, the discussion moves beyond business tactics and into the mindset required to continue moving forward. Josh and Kenton talk about the difference between regret and bitterness, why honest post-mortems matter, and how leaders can learn to separate criticism of their role from criticism of their identity. They also reflect on the importance of creating environments where others can take risks without fear of catastrophic failure, whether in business, leadership, or even parenting. This episode is ultimately about growth through adversity, and the quiet maturity that develops when leaders learn to analyze failure without being defined by it. 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

In this long-distance episode of the Forge Podcast, Josh and Chris sit down nearly 800 kilometers apart and do what they’ve done for almost two decades challenge each other. What starts as a simple catch-up turns into a raw reflection on friendship, ego, business, faith, and the question that keeps surfacing in both of their lives why do we really do this? They rewind to the beginning dating roommates, early impressions, quiet competition, and the arrogance that often hides inside young entrepreneurs trying to prove themselves. Roofing didn’t sound like much of a career. Egos were big. Perspectives were narrow. But time, hardship, and business have a way of refining people. What grew out of that rough start became a deep friendship built mostly in the trenches of entrepreneurship long conversations about risk, leadership, family, pressure, and the weight of responsibility. A defining chapter in their story was the Pay It Forward build, a dream to rally contractors together to build a home for a family in need. No TV cameras. No spotlight. Just tradespeople proving they are more than a stereotype. The project took years. It tested patience, partnerships, and perseverance. It nearly fell apart more than once. But it also revealed something powerful when purpose is clear, people show up. From there, the conversation shifts into something deeper how do you take your personal why and translate it into an entire organization? How do you build a company that is not just chasing revenue but forming people? They reflect on ideas from Good to Great by Jim Collins, leadership principles popularized by Simon Sinek, and even the scale of purpose driven vision seen in entrepreneurs like Elon Musk, but bring it back down to the trades, to real crews, real payroll, and real pressure. They wrestle with uncomfortable questions. Is money enough? Why does entrepreneurship feel so lonely? Why do some teams buy into vision and others just clock in? Are we building companies or are our companies building us? This is not a polished leadership talk. It is two friends shaped by twenty years of shared experience admitting they are still figuring it out. Still evolving. Still asking why they get out of bed every morning. If you are in the trades, leading a team, building something from nothing, or quietly questioning whether the grind is worth it, this episode will feel personal. 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

Sometimes the biggest chapters in your life start in the most ordinary places. This episode goes all the way back to a random moment in a Walmart parking lot, when Josh was still in high school, pushing carts, with no real plan for what came next. That one conversation turned into a job, then long days on rooftops, brutal winter projects, and years of learning what hard work actually looks like. Josh and Kenton reflect on those early seasons, hiring green kids, surviving sketchy roofs, freezing out-of-town jobs, and the kind of shared suffering that quietly builds brotherhood. They talk honestly about leadership, motivation, grit, and why mindset matters more than talent. It’s a real conversation about: - Growing up through hard work. - Learning resilience the painful way. - Building teams that actually care about each other. - Why money isn’t the main motivator. - How momentum is created and destroyed. - And what it means to walk through hard things together. This one isn’t polished or scripted. It’s raw stories, lessons learned the hard way, and a reminder that some of the most meaningful growth happens when you show up, embrace the suck, and refuse to quit. 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) / X

Winter is usually the slow season in roofing. Fewer crews, quieter phones, time to breathe and reflect. But this January feels different. In this episode, we talk about what it looks like when years of groundwork finally start to show up in real ways producing revenue in what’s historically been our slowest month, watching a second market gain traction, and realizing that growth often arrives quietly before it feels obvious. We unpack the realities of expanding into a new market: how it truly feels like starting a business from scratch, the trust gap you have to earn, and why the first few locations are often the hardest. We reflect on lessons learned from the International Roofing Expo in Las Vegas, from new technologies and CRM systems to leadership-focused seminars that had nothing to do with shingles and everything to do with people. The conversation moves deep into personal development: books that have shaped our leadership, why reading without applying is a trap, and how true growth requires sacrifice, focus, and humility. We talk about organizational clarity, values that actually get lived out, and the challenge of communicating vision all the way down the ladder. We also zoom out beyond business into marriage, family, and relationships. How personal growth can be jarring for the people closest to you. Why trust, sacrifice, and intentional investment matter at home just as much as they do at work. And why leadership that only focuses inward eventually collapses. At the core of this episode is a simple but demanding idea: real success isn’t built by chasing more it’s built by growing deeper. As leaders, as partners, and as 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) / X

In this episode, the Forge team welcomes Chris into the conversation for the first time. Chris steps in by sharing an unfinished, vulnerable moment from his leadership journey, reflecting on one of the most difficult decisions he’s faced: stepping away from a business partnership. Chris opens up about how, overtime, he became convinced that staying would limit not only his own growth, but the growth of his partners as well. What he intended as an invitation to discern the future together was communicated poorly and received as a declaration that he was leaving. That gap exposed immaturity in his communication and leadership, creating confusion and emotional strain for everyone involved. Rather than rushing the decision, the partners took time to process it together. Each ultimately received their own confirmation that the separation was both right and timely. For Chris, one of the clearest indicators that the decision was rooted in faith rather than ego was the unity he experienced at home. His wife was fully on board, bringing peace to what could have been a deeply divisive season. The conversation expands into the unique weight of leadership transitions when you’re not just changing jobs, but stepping away from something you helped build. Partnerships carry shared history, equity, identity, and responsibility. Even when growth is the goal, letting go can feel like tearing something apart without certainty of how it will land. The Forge group reflects on how real growth often requires disruption. Entrepreneurs tend to grow through pressure, and while Chris can now see things he would handle differently, he trusted that the challenge itself would force growth for everyone involved. Central to that trust was his decision to fully release control, removing his influence so others could step into leadership without his shadow. The Forge Team acknowledges how nearly impossible it is to communicate a partnership separation without triggering emotion. From both sides of similar experiences, the hosts note how easily insecurity, self-doubt, and fear can overpower even the most thoughtful intentions. The episode closes not with bitterness, but gratitude. Despite imperfect communication and real tension, Chris expresses thankfulness for where relationships stand today, recognizing that clarity, healing, and growth often only come after the hardest decisions are made. 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) / X

In this episode of the Forge Contractor Podcast, the conversation turns into a direct and honest debrief of the Ridgeline Roofing and Solar AGM, and why it marked a real turning point for the company. Coming right off the pruning discussion, Josh and Kenton walk through what made this AGM different. Not just inspiring, but actually useful. After years of learning the hard way, they reflect on the discipline of building a real agenda, facilitating for outcomes, and setting clear expectations. The result was a meeting that created alignment, momentum, and ownership instead of fatigue. A major part of the conversation centers on the value of outside perspective. Bringing in an external chair through Forge removed internal politics, kept the meeting focused, and allowed hard questions to be asked and answered. Josh and Kenton explore why this kind of structure matters, and why AGM facilitation may be one of the most practical services Forge can offer contractors. The episode digs into what separates a good meeting from a productive one: action, accountability, and follow-through. They share the concrete outcomes that came out of the AGM, from early budgeting work and procedures to clearly defined ownership and stewardship agreements. No one was dragged into responsibility. People stepped into it. They also talk candidly about where the meeting exposed gaps. When tough questions were asked, the lack of clear metrics and ownership became obvious. Marketing spend without clear ROI, shared responsibilities without clear owners, and the need for better tracking and better information in the room. That naturally leads into a deeper discussion on North Star metrics. Josh and Kenton unpack why revenue alone isn’t enough, why volume can hide unhealthy businesses, and why they’re leaning toward value per square as a clearer signal of financial health. They wrestle with how to honor cultural wins without masking financial reality, landing on a practical balance between financial clarity and cultural celebration. A clear theme emerges for 2026: stewardship. Stewarding finances, operations, assets, and people with intention. One story in particular highlights what stewardship looks like in practice, resisting the urge to force solutions and instead allowing ownership, learning, and leadership to develop. The episode closes by returning to Ridgeline’s core identity: brotherhood. Building young men, work ethic, and fortitude through the trades. Josh and Kenton reflect on the tension between investing in people and maintaining financial health, and why both are required to build something that lasts. This is a grounded, practical conversation about leadership, accountability, and what it really looks like to run a healthy company. 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) / X

In this episode of the Forge Contractor Podcast, the conversation turns toward success, trust, and the deeper motivations that shape how leaders show up at work and in life. Josh and Kenton reflect on what it actually means to build something meaningful, not just profitable, and how trust inside a team can either fuel momentum or quietly erode it. They explore how trust inside a team can either accelerate growth or quietly drain energy, and why shared vision is one of the most powerful forces in any organization. Josh reflects on a recent staff Christmas party and the reality of turnover, growth, and leadership responsibility over the past year, while Kenton speaks to the importance of teamwork and mutual buy-in at every level of a business. The conversation also looks back on the journey of the podcast itself. Josh and Kenton share why Forge exists, the kind of conversations they hope to create, and how listener feedback has shaped the show into something both thought-provoking and enjoyable. They discuss the value of content that is life-giving, honest, and rooted in real experience rather than surface-level advice. Faith naturally weaves its way into the discussion. While Forge isn’t positioned as a Christian podcast, Josh and Kenton are open about how faith informs their leadership, decision-making, and approach to generosity. They talk about giving without expectation, vulnerability in leadership, and the responsibility to support community, especially during the Christmas season. This episode is a reflection on growth, hard work, generosity, and the deeper purpose behind building something that lasts. If this conversation resonates with you, share it with someone who would appreciate it and help grow the Forge community. 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) / X

In this episode of the Forge Contractor Alliance, Josh and Kenton open round two with a conversation about a leadership principle that is rarely talked about but deeply shapes teams, families, and culture: honor. Not the vague, ceremonial version most people imagine, but the real, practical posture of how we treat those above us, beside us, and under our care. The conversation begins with a vivid story from Kenton’s time in Caracas, where two street tough brothers raised in hard circumstances showed unwavering honor toward their mother. That contrast sparks a deeper question: what actually is honor? And how is it different from trust, respect, leadership, or integrity? In business, we talk endlessly about vision, values, trust, and culture, yet almost never about honor, even though Scripture places massive weight on it: “Honor your father and mother… so that it may go well with you.” They explore why honor is such a rare topic in leadership circles, how it influences both personal and organizational health, and why it might be a missing pillar in modern business. Josh and Kenton unpack how honor shows up not just in big gestures but in small, consistent behaviors, how we greet people, how we disagree, how we give credit, and how we speak about those who have invested in us. They dig into the way culture reveals honor through action more than words, and how many high performing teams unintentionally reward results even when behavior is dishonoring. They talk about how dishonor can quietly erode trust, fracture alignment, and create ceilings on growth long before performance metrics show it. Throughout the episode, they wrestle with defining honor in a modern context, what it looks like in families, in leadership, on job sites, and in boardrooms. They explore why honor is not weakness or blind loyalty, but strength expressed through humility, gratitude, and disciplined speech. They discuss how reintroducing honor can reshape team dynamics, reduce friction, and create environments where people can thrive. Josh and Kenton also share practical steps for building a culture of honor: defining what honor means for your household or organization, practicing daily honoring behaviors, calling out good actions by name, and auditing whether your culture rewards character as much as it rewards output. This episode is a grounded, challenging, and transformational look at what honor really is and why recovering it may be one of the most important leadership decisions you can make in the years ahead. 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) / X

Welcome to the Foraged Contractor Podcast — real talk for builders, tradesmen, and business owners shaping a life that matters as much as the work they do. We’re not just chasing growth; we’re redefining success through purpose, integrity, and the relationships that last longer than any project. In this episode of the Foraged Contractor Podcast, we dig into what success really looks like and why trust sits at the center of every healthy team, family, or company. Josh opens the conversation with a powerful reminder: when everyone is rowing in the same direction, aligned in vision and commitment, the energy in the room changes. Work becomes smoother. Leadership becomes easier. Growth becomes inevitable. But without trust, even simple tasks feel heavy. Today’s guest is someone who helped shape that reality from the inside out. John isn’t just a business partner, he’s practically family. Their story goes back to childhood car rides, parents who grew up together, and a friendship that turned into one of Ridgeline’s longest standing and most meaningful partnerships. John shares his unexpected journey into the trades, how he left a fast climbing corporate career that looked successful on paper but left him completely drained. What started as a summer job on the roof became the doorway to a new life. He talks honestly about the physical shock of roofing, the respect he gained for the craft, and how one coffee meeting he thought was a farewell turned into an offer that changed his entire direction. This episode dives into the real stuff behind building something meaningful: trust, vision, taking risks, listening to the tension in your own life, and having the courage to pivot when the path you’re on isn’t the one you actually want. You’ll hear about the value of character over resumes, the lessons the trades teach you quickly, and why John ultimately found more purpose and more peace working with his hands and helping build a company grounded in integrity. Whether you’re in construction, sales, leadership, or simply trying to figure out your next move, this episode will give you clarity, honesty, and encouragement you didn’t know you needed. If you enjoy it, hit like, subscribe, and share it with someone who is wrestling with their own career crossroads. No fluff. No filters. Just straight talk about what it takes to build a business and a life that actually mean something. 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) / X

Welcome to the Foraged Contractor Podcast — real talk for builders, tradesmen, and business owners shaping a life that matters as much as the work they do. We’re not just chasing growth; we’re redefining success through purpose, integrity, and the relationships that last longer than any project. In this episode, Kenton sits down with longtime friend Jeff Burkinshaw — engineer, author, and creator of the YouTube channel Gridlessness, to explore what it truly means to live intentionally, build balance, and find freedom beyond the 9–5. Jeff opens up about how a serious back injury became a turning point in his life, leading him to write Gridlessness: Finding Freedom Off Grid using text-to-speech while recovering in a hammock. What began as a physical setback evolved into a story of reflection, resilience, and a deeper understanding of purpose. Together, Kenton and Jeff discuss the transition from engineering to homesteading, the mindset behind living “gridlessly,” and the balance between autonomy and connection. They dive into how modern technology, from solar power to internet acces, enables self-sufficient living without disconnecting from the world. The conversation also touches on the realities of balancing business ownership, creative work, and family time, while finding peace in the slower rhythms of off-grid life. Far from rejecting modern life, Jeff’s story celebrates how technology, community, and self-discipline can support real independence. Honest, funny, and deeply relatable, this episode reminds us that success isn’t defined by what you earn, but by how you live. No fluff. No filters. Just straight talk about what it takes to build a business and a life that actually mean something. 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) / X