Jimmy Talks Construction

In Episode 52 of Jimmy Talks Construction, Jimmy sits down with Rhys Cooper, Managing Director of Cooper Civil, a southeast Queensland civil excavation business known for GPS excavation, Cat Next Gen gear, late-model machines and high-quality operators.Rhys shares his story from growing up in New Zealand, working in forestry, travelling across Australia operating machinery, spending years in the mines, and eventually starting Cooper Civil with almost nothing behind him. From buying his first excavator to growing into a fleet of machines, Rhys opens up about the highs, lows, pressure and reality of building a civil construction business.This episode gets into the real side of excavation and plant hire: wet hire versus contract work, GPS systems, tilt rotators, Cat gear, pricing pressure, operator quality, tough markets, the Queensland pipeline, and why growing bigger does not always mean making more money.Jimmy and Rhys also talk honestly about success, reputation, mental health, vulnerability in construction, working with good clients, and what young operators need to understand if they want to build a proper career in the industry.If you are in civil construction, excavation, plant hire, GPS machine control, earthmoving, or you are trying to grow a construction business, this episode is packed with real-world lessons.Connect with Rhys:🌐 Website: https://www.coopercivil.com.au/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coopercivil/?hl=en💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rhys-cooper-688430164?originalSubdomain=au📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coopercivil.com.au/Connect with Jimmy:🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/ Sponsorships + Guest Enquiries: louis@lj-media.comSend in Business Problems: jimmytalksconstruction@gmail.com

In Episode 50 of Jimmy Talks Construction, Jimmy sits down with Joel Griffs from Heidi Build for a brutally honest conversation about carpentry, construction business, insurance work, and why scaling isn’t always the answer.Joel shares how Heidi Build has carved out its place by taking on custom carpentry, structural steel, excavation, concreting and insurance repair work, rather than following the usual online advice to “niche down” or remove yourself from the business. The conversation covers the reality of running a trade business in Australia, why margins are getting tighter, how equipment costs have changed, and why simply answering the phone and doing what you say you’ll do is still one of the strongest business models in construction.Joel also opens up about losing more than $1 million after COVID through fixed-price building contracts, price escalations, labour shortages and cash flow pressure. He explains how he rebuilt from the ground up, starting with a $180 insurance job, and why cost control, reputation and long-term relationships matter more than ego, awards or Instagram-perfect projects.This episode also dives into Japanese carpentry, craftsmanship, old-school building skills, apprenticeships, motorsport, property investing, and the difference between looking successful online and actually running a profitable construction business.If you’re a builder, carpenter, subcontractor, tradie, construction business owner or anyone trying to grow a business in the Australian construction industry, this episode is packed with real-world lessons.Connect with Joel:🌐 Website: https://www.heidibuild.com.au/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joel_heidibuild/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heidibuild/Connect with Jimmy:🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/Sponsorships + Guest Enquiries: louis@lj-media.comSend in Business Problems: jimmytalksconstruction@gmail.com

In Episode 48 of Jimmy Talks Construction, Jimmy sits down with the three directors of Arrow Civil to talk about starting a new civil construction company in Melbourne, leaving a major contractor the right way, building a business with integrity, and backing yourself in a tough market.A great episode for anyone in civil construction, earthmoving, subdivisions, infrastructure, project management, estimating, subcontracting or anyone thinking about starting their own construction business.Connect with Arrow Civil:🌐 Website: https://arrow-civil.com.au/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arrow-civil/?originalSubdomain=au💼 Nash: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nash-conhyedoss-17a7ba37/ 💼 Jesse: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-deas-0850b7166/ 💼 Stelo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stelios-gunella-370834356/ Connect with Jimmy:🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/ Sponsorships + Guest Enquiries: louis@lj-media.comSend in Business Problems: jimmytalksconstruction@gmail.com

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/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feed4wardapp/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Feed4Ward/💼 LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/emmanuel-al-jinavo-68658a17bConnect with Jimmy:🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/

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.

Jordan Chivers runs WL Chivers Plumbing - a 17-man Melbourne maintenance and emergency plumbing business that turns up in under an hour, 365 days a year.From a 14-year-old operating a Takeuchi TB108 to running one of Melbourne's go-to emergency plumbing outfits, Jordan has been on the tools since before he was out of Year 9. In this episode, Jimmy sits down with him - Managing Director of WL Chivers Plumbing - to talk about the reality of running a reactive, no-BS trade business: being raised by his old-school maintenance plumber dad Wayne, talking his way into an excavator at fourteen, digging sewers before he had a driver's licence, and how a handshake operation turned into a team doing 150–200 jobs a week for the RACV Emergency Home Assist program.It's a wide-ranging, operator-to-operator chat about the trade shortage, the fuel crisis, the PVC pipe shortage hitting the whole industry, and why the phone will always dictate the day.What we cover:• The trade shortage — how Melbourne went from graduating 1,000 plumbers a year to 200–300• Why young tradies are choosing lollipop sticks on government infrastructure over apprenticeships• The fuel crisis, the PVC shortage, and the ripple effect through construction• Politicians, payroll tax, fuel excise and the Victorian business environment• Compliance, the "TikTok Inspector," and the new Building Plumbing Commission• Women in construction — pink trucks, pink excavators, and female managers• Why neither Jimmy nor Jordan has a written business plan• Showing up: the Australia Day call for a $1.5M job• Why AI will never install a toilet — and why trades are the most future-proof career goingIf you got something out of this one, drop a review — five stars, three thumbs up, whatever your platform lets you leave. It genuinely helps the show get in front of more tradies and operators.Subscribe for a new episode every week.Connect with Jordan:🌐 Website: https://chiversplumbing.com.au/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chivers.plumbing/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plumbcast.au/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wlchiversplumbing/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-chivers-51a71395/Connect with Jimmy:🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/

Episode 41 of Jimmy Talks Construction features Illan Samuel, Managing Director of Samuel Property Group, breaking down the reality of property development in today’s market.From running multi-residential projects worth hundreds of millions to navigating rising costs, delays, and financing challenges, Illan shares what it actually takes to survive — and grow — in the development game.This episode dives into the real pressures developers face, including interest rates, construction escalation, red tape, and why time is the biggest cost in any project.The conversation covers:Why development is harder now than everThe reality of cost blowouts and delaysHow developers manage risk and cash flowThe importance of hiring the right peopleWhy most people shouldn’t become developersLessons from scaling to $100M–$300M projectsIf you’re in construction, property, or business, this is a raw and honest look at how large-scale developments actually get done.Listen if you want real-world insights into: construction management, demolition, recycling, infrastructure projects, subcontractor relationships, and scaling a construction business.Connect with Illan:🌐 Website: https://www.samuel.com.au/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samuel.property/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/illan_samuel/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samuelproperty/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/samuel-property-pty-ltd/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/illansamuel/Connect with Jimmy:🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/

In Episode 39 of Jimmy Talks Construction, Jimmy sits down with Jake Gorry, founder and director of Proline Group — one of Australia’s fastest-growing cladding and façade contractors.Jake shares his journey from starting as a young carpenter working with his dad, to building a multi-division business delivering large-scale commercial cladding projects across Melbourne.The conversation dives deep into how Proline identified an opportunity in architectural metal cladding, mastered a niche skillset, and scaled from small residential jobs into working with Tier 1 builders on major projects.Jake breaks down the realities of building a construction business from the ground up — from cash flow challenges and early mistakes, to hiring, culture, and managing rapid growth across multiple sites and teams.Jimmy and Jake also discuss:How Proline grew from small jobs into major commercial projectsThe importance of cash flow and getting paid fastWhy culture is everything when scaling a construction businessThe risks and rewards of backing yourself in businessLessons from hiring, firing, and working with friends and familyWhy delivering bad news quickly builds long-term trustThe transition from on-the-tools to running a large operationHow systems, training, and leadership drive sustainable growthThis episode is packed with insights for contractors, business owners, and anyone looking to scale within the construction industry.Connect with Jake:🌐 Website: https://www.prolinemetalcladding.com.au/📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BehindTheFacadeShow📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prolinegroupau📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prolinemetalcladding/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/proline-aus/Connect with Jimmy:🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/

In the grand finale of Dirty Business, live and recorded during Conexpo week in Las Vegas, Jimmy Starbuck sits down with David Nicoll, CEO of SANY America, to discuss the future of construction equipment, global manufacturing, and the rapidly evolving heavy equipment market.David shares his journey through nearly three decades at Caterpillar before joining SANY and leading the company’s expansion in North America. The conversation dives into the challenges of breaking into established equipment markets, building strong dealer networks, and delivering reliable machines and support to contractors.Recorded during ConExpo in Las Vegas, the discussion also explores SANY’s growing presence in the United States, the introduction of new machines, and the company’s long-term strategy to compete with established industry brands.Jimmy and David also talk about global supply chains, tariffs, infrastructure investment, and how emerging technologies such as AI, telematics, and automation are shaping the future of construction equipment.Topics include:David Nicoll’s career at Caterpillar and transition to SANYSANY’s expansion in North AmericaManufacturing equipment in the United StatesConExpo and new machine launchesDealer networks and product supportTariffs and global supply chainsAI and new technology in construction equipmentThe future of infrastructure and heavy equipment marketsConnect with David:🌐 Website: https://www.sanyamerica.com/📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sanyamerica7669📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanyamerica/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-e-nicoll/Connect with Jimmy:🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/ Subscribe for the full Vegas series.

Dirty Business continues in Las Vegas with another construction industry roundtable hosted by Jimmy Starbuck.In Episode 3, Jimmy sits down with:Stephanie Dailey (@stephaniebuildsit) Dane Cotten (@dcexcavation) Caleb Auman (@aumanlandscapellc) Sean Coghlan (@shamrockseanj)Powered by SANY (https://www.instagram.com/sanyoceania/)Powered by Each guest brings a unique perspective from across residential construction, landscaping, and excavation. From building luxury homes and outdoor living spaces to running excavation companies, the panel discusses what it actually takes to operate successful contracting businesses while also building a presence online.Filmed during CONEXPO week in Las Vegas, the conversation dives into the reality of balancing multiple roles as modern contractors — running companies, building teams, managing projects, and increasingly creating content that represents the industry to the outside world.Topics discussed in this episode include:• The reality of running construction businesses while creating content • Social media and its impact on the construction industry • Legitimacy and credibility in the age of construction influencers • Growing contracting businesses and managing teams • Attracting the next generation into the tradesDirty Business brings together influential voices across construction for honest conversations about the challenges, opportunities, and future of the industry.No scripts. No corporate spin. Just real discussions from people building businesses every day.Connect with Jimmy:🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/ Subscribe for the full Vegas series.

Dirty Business, powered by SANY, launches in Las Vegas with a powerhouse construction roundtable with: Aaron Witt – https://www.instagram.com/aaronwitt/ Amy Underwood – https://www.instagram.com/the_digger_girl/ Ryan Goodfellow – https://www.instagram.com/rockstructures/ Brian Dietz – https://www.instagram.com/bob_dietz_and_sons_inc/Powered by SANY (https://www.instagram.com/sanyoceania/)Releasing through CONEXPO week, this episode dives into the real impact of social media, leadership, growth, and building modern construction companies in today’s market.In this episode, we discuss:• How social media transformed our construction businesses • The difference between personal brand and company brand • The dark side of online exposure (and what people don’t see) • Growing too fast vs growing right • Leadership, delegation, and hiring better people than yourself • Market conditions across the US, UK, and Australia • Why people — not equipment — are the future of construction • Charging properly for transport, mobilisation, and overhead • Family businesses and balancing work with lifeFrom underground diamond mines in Canada to $60M homes in Utah, this conversation covers what’s really happening inside the construction industry.This is not a scripted panel.This is Dirty Business.If you’re a contractor, operator, business owner, or industry leader — this episode is for you.Connect with Jimmy:🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/ Subscribe for the full Vegas series.

In this episode of Jimmy Talks Construction, Jimmy sits down with Corey Tomkins from Ideal Group Australia (Brisbane) to break down what it really takes to scale a contracting business without losing your mind, your margins, or your family time.Corey runs a carpentry contracting business working with Tier 1 and Tier 2 builders across Southeast Queensland, with around 26 staff. He shares the full story — starting his apprenticeship with his old man, learning painful business lessons early (ATO debt, unpaid super, and old-school realities), then building his own company through the chaos of COVID and the pressure of growth.This episode dives into the real stuff construction business owners deal with:Pivoting during COVID from renovations to contractingScaling aggressively (to ~16 guys fast), then nearly burning outThe personal load behind business stress (family, cancer diagnosis, marriage, first child)The late payment reality and “45 days end of month” terms that crush contractorsBuilding systems and admin support so the business isn’t held together by the ownerManaging risk as jobs get bigger (scope, responsibility, and decision-making)Leadership lessons: letting go of control and empowering people to do their jobEmployee entitlement, labour shortages, and what the next generation needs to understandIf you’re a contractor, builder, carpenter, business owner, or you’re trying to scale beyond a small crew, this one is full of lessons on growth, cash flow, leadership, and staying in the game long enough to win.Connect with Corey:🌐 Website: https://idealgroupaustralia.com/📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnsiteInsightPodcast📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ideal_aus/?hl=en💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ideal-group-3b3a67182/ Connect with Jimmy:🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/ Buy CONEXPO 2026 Tickets NOW, and don’t miss my small business workshop on the Friday!https://www.conexpoconagg.com/attend-the-show/registration-and-pricingUse code STARBUCK20 to save 20% (valid through to March 2).

In this episode of Jimmy Talks Construction, Jimmy sits down with Jeremy Trengove, founder of Dirt Cartel, to unpack what it actually looks like to go out on your own in earthmoving — when you buy a machine first and worry about work later.Jeremy shares the real story behind buying a 36-ton excavator with no confirmed contracts, having a major job pulled at the last minute, and making thousands of phone calls just to keep the machine working. From mining to civil, wet hire vs dry hire, equipment finance panic, and the brutal learning curve of hiring your first operator — nothing is sugar-coated.This episode dives into the realities most operators don’t talk about:Buying big gear before you’re “ready” — and the debt pressure that comes with itLosing work after contracts get undercut by bigger playersThe mental stress of repayments when the phone stops ringingWhy versatility (wet hire, dry hire, regional work) keeps small operators aliveMining vs civil: freedom, lifestyle, and why Jeremy walked awayThe truth about Chinese machines vs Tier 1 brands (and what actually matters)Why effort, attitude, and adaptability matter more than machine colourHiring operators, site politics, and how one bad fit can lose you a jobIf you’re an excavator owner-operator, earthmoving contractor, civil operator, mining operator thinking about going solo, or anyone considering buying machinery, this episode is a must-watch. It’s an honest look at risk, resilience, and backing yourself when there’s no safety net.If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share. These conversations only happen because operators are willing to speak honestly about the hard parts of the job.Connect with Jeremy:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedirtcartel/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeremy.trengove/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-trengove-99ba10318/Connect with Jimmy:🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/ Buy CONEXPO 2026 Tickets NOW, and don’t miss my small business workshop on the Friday!https://www.conexpoconagg.com/attend-the-show/registration-and-pricingUse code STARBUCK20 to save 20% at checkout.Valid through to March 2nd