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Built to Last

Built to Last

Von: Levi Lawrence and Colby Jardine
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Candid conversations with entrepreneurs on life and business.

Join us as we uncover the habits, mindsets, and strategies that help organizations and people thrive for the long haul.



© 2026 Built to Last Management & Leadership Ökonomie
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  • Why Scaling Too Fast Can Hurt Your Business - Jimmy Lorway (Construction Entrepreneur)

    Why Scaling Too Fast Can Hurt Your Business - Jimmy Lorway (Construction Entrepreneur)
    Jul 9 2026
    In this episode of Built to Last, Jimmy Lorway, owner of Anvil Construction, shares the lessons that came from scaling quickly, hiring too fast, and learning what it really takes to build a sustainable business.Jimmy joins Levi and Colby for an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, leadership, cash flow, EOS implementation, military leadership, company culture, and designing a business that creates freedom instead of dependence. Whether you're just starting out or leading a growing team, this episode is full of practical insights from someone who's lived the challenges firsthand.Resources:Anvil Construction: https://anvilconstruction.ca/Iron House Pro: https://www.ironhousepro.com/ Connect on linkedin:Jimmy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmylorway/Colby - https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-jardine/Levi - https://www.linkedin.com/in/levilawrence/Books Mentioned:Traction by Gino WickmanCome Up for Air by Nick Sonnenberg00:00 – Introduction • Levi and Colby welcome Jimmy Lorway to the podcast.01:44 – Meet Jimmy Lorway • Jimmy introduces himself and Anvil Construction.02:53 – What Anvil Construction Does • Jimmy explains Anvil’s focus on building envelope and cladding work.04:16 – How Anvil Started • Jimmy shares the early origin story and how the business first took shape.06:45 – Fast Growth and Early Lessons • How Anvil grew quickly, and why some of that growth created challenges.09:30 – Systems Living in Jimmy’s Head • Jimmy talks about early systems, Excel, and the need to document processes.10:52 – Implementing EOS • Why self-implementing EOS was difficult and how bringing in an implementer changed things.13:26 – Building the Team • Jimmy shares how the team is growing and where leadership development is happening.15:47 – The Peter Principle • A discussion on promoting strong technicians into management roles.17:33 – Wrong Growth • Jimmy explains what “wrong growth” looked like and the cost of hiring out of desperation.18:01 – Cash Flow and Survival • Why cash flow was critical during Anvil’s early growth.19:31 – Accidental Entrepreneurship • Jimmy reflects on how he became a business owner without a master plan.21:08 – Freedom of Time and Location • Jimmy shares the long-term lifestyle goals behind building the business.23:38 – Lessons From the Military • How Jimmy’s military experience shaped his confidence, leadership, and systems thinking.26:55 – Clarity, Orders, and Decentralized Command • Jimmy explains how military structure applies to business leadership.28:04 – Training and Repetition • What business can learn from the military’s approach to practice and feedback.31:35 – Sharing Responsibility • Jimmy talks about moving training and development beyond himself.35:52 – How Jimmy Has Changed as a Leader • Jimmy reflects on confidence, trust, and sharing the vision more clearly.36:45 – Abundance vs. Scarcity Mindset • A conversation about looking forward, building systems, and helping the team grow.38:53 – Getting Out of the Day-to-Day • Jimmy shares what it feels like to step back from daily operations.42:03 – Moving Too Fast With Change • Jimmy talks about slowing down implementation so the team can actually understand it.45:44 – Communication Styles and DISC • Jimmy shares how personality profiles helped explain communication differences.48:38 – Giving Feedback With Trust • Why difficult feedback lands better when the relationship is strong.51:17 – Peer Groups and EO Accelerator • Jimmy shares how peer learning changed his perspective on business challenges.55:03 – Breakthrough Academy and Business Programs • Jimmy explains where he gets peer support and practical business systems.1:00:11 – Breathwork, Trail Running, and Regulation • Jimmy and Colby discuss tools for managing stress and energy.1:01:40 – Family, Growth, and Support • Jimmy reflects on personal development, homeschooling, and family alignment.1:07:49 – Bringing Family Into the Business World • Jimmy and Colby talk about EO events, spouses, and support systems.1:11:30 – The Next Chapter for Anvil • Jimmy shares the long-term vision for Anvil’s growth.1:12:07 – The Goal of 100 Installers • Jimmy explains the 2035 vision of 100 installers serving Atlantic Canada.1:13:49 – Internal Communication Challenges • Jimmy asks Levi and Colby about structuring internal communication.1:14:04 – Come Up for Air and Communication Systems • Jimmy shares what he’s learning from Nick Sonnenberg’s book.1:15:28 – Getting Off Personal Messaging Tools • Levi explains why companies need owned, intentional communication channels.1:21:00 – Moving Everything Away From Jimmy • Jimmy describes untangling the company from relying on him as the centre point.1:29:05 – Colby’s Focus on Bookkeeping • Colby shares what he’s been building inside Iron House Pro.1:...
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    2 Std.
  • Iron House Pro on Trust, and Building What’s Next - Aaron Furlong

    Iron House Pro on Trust, and Building What’s Next - Aaron Furlong
    Jun 19 2026
    In this episode, Colby and Levi sit down with Aaron Furlong, the other partner at our company Iron House Pro. We talk business, partnerships, personal growth, and the messy path that shapes how people lead.Aaron shares his journey from construction and project management, relationship-building, and helping organizations work through complex change. The conversation also explores Iron House Pro’s next big step: launching a bookkeeping service built around clarity, consistency, and human support.https://www.ironhousepro.com/Connect with Aaron: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-furlong-72678b1b4/Connect with Colby: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-jardine/Connect with Levi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levilawrence/Time Stamps00:00 – Introduction• Colby introduces Aaron and the idea behind the episode.00:20 – Meet Aaron Furlong• Aaron shares who he is and why he usually stays behind the scenes.02:22 – Aaron’s Construction Background• How carpentry and project management shaped his early career.04:56 – Learning Through Big Projects• Aaron reflects on being trusted with responsibility at a young age.07:53 – Managing Clients and Complexity• Why building homes requires people management, material management, and client management.09:44 – Frustration with Old Systems• Aaron talks about pushing against rigid construction processes.11:15 – Leaving Construction• The personal and professional uncertainty after stepping away.13:29 – Rebuilding Confidence• How campaigning, odd jobs, and reflection shaped his next move.15:05 – Reframing Past Experience• Aaron realizes his background had more value than he gave himself credit for.16:10 – Entering Corporate Project Work• His first experience working with a larger tech company.17:02 – Working Differently• Aaron explains how remote work and flexibility changed his perspective.19:00 – Meeting Colby• The coffee shop connection that helped shift Aaron’s path.20:23 – Understanding the Work• Aaron explains how projects succeed through people, timing, and context.21:31 – Technology, AI, and Human Work• The group discusses how technology is changing creative and project work.24:09 – Early Responsibility in Business• Levi reflects on being trusted with major responsibility at a young age.25:15 – Learning by Doing• Colby shares his own experience leading major work without fully understanding the weight of it.27:03 – Who Gets Left Behind• Levi talks about nonprofits, small businesses, and organizations struggling to keep up.28:33 – Business, Government, and Support Systems• Aaron shares his perspective on grants, government involvement, and business realities.31:26 – False Success and Entrepreneurial Pressure• The group discusses comparison, ambition, and the pressure business owners feel.33:05 – What Success Means Personally• Levi asks the partners to reflect on what they each want from Iron House Pro.34:12 – Colby’s Vision for the Business• Colby talks about building a sustainable professional services company.35:20 – Profit, Sustainability, and Succession• Aaron reflects on money, legacy, and building something that lasts.37:41 – Chasing Lightbulb Moments• Levi shares what excites him most about the work today.38:44 – Trust and Relationship-Based Work• Aaron explains why trust is central to community and business work.41:07 – Learning From Other Business Owners• The value of seeing other entrepreneurs’ challenges up close.42:32 – Building a Trusted Network• Aaron reflects on mentorship, community, and long-term relationships.43:37 – Supporting Owner-Operators• Colby talks about helping business owners work through deeper challenges.45:20 – Loneliness in Business• Aaron shares a personal story about feeling isolated while building.47:53 – Partnership and Shared Values• Aaron explains what makes the Iron House Pro partnership work.51:18 – What’s Next for Iron House Pro• The team introduces the new bookkeeping service.52:14 – Why Bookkeeping Became the Opportunity• Colby explains the gap they kept seeing with client financials.53:18 – The Need for Reliable Numbers• Levi explains why many businesses struggle without dependable bookkeeping.55:30 – Simple Numbers and Better Decisions• Colby talks about learning which numbers actually matter.55:59 – Why Boring Businesses Matter• Aaron shares why he has become excited about the boring side of business.57:23 – Numbers Tell the Story• The group discusses margins, utilization, and financial clarity.59:44 – Building Iron House Books• Aaron explains how bookkeeping can help prevent burnout and support better decisions.1:02:01 – Final Thoughts• Aaron reflects on discomfort, growth, and doing meaningful work.#BuiltToLastPodcast#IronHousePro#Entrepreneurship#BusinessLeadership#SmallBusiness#BusinessGrowth#Partnerships#Bookkeeping
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    1 Std. und 4 Min.
  • The Hard Truths of Growing a Family Business - Nick MacGregor

    The Hard Truths of Growing a Family Business - Nick MacGregor
    Jun 4 2026

    In this episode of Built to Last, Colby and Levi sit down with Nick MacGregor, General Manager of McGregor’s Industrial Group.

    Nick shares a grounded look at what it takes to lead a traditional, hands-on business through growth, succession, technology adoption, and changing market realities.

    https://www.ironhousepro.com

    00:00 – Introduction
    • Levi and Colby introduce the episode and how they connected with Nick.

    02:03 – Meet Nick MacGregor
    • Nick introduces himself and McGregor’s Industrial Group.

    03:18 – Growing Up in the Family Business
    • Nick shares early memories of sweeping floors and helping around the shop.

    06:40 – Transitioning Leadership Across Generations
    • Nick talks about his father’s semi-retirement and the human side of succession.

    12:22 – What Changes in the Top Seat
    • Nick reflects on the surprises of becoming general manager.

    14:19 – What McGregor’s Industrial Group Does
    • Nick explains the company’s four main business units.

    16:31 – Bringing Technology Into a Traditional Business
    • The group discusses how digital change started inside the company.

    21:56 – Building Custom Software and Learning the Hard Way
    • Nick shares the story of trying to build an operations management system.

    24:58 – Why ERP Projects Are So Difficult
    • Nick explains why larger software implementations require serious time, money, and support.

    28:25 – Payroll, CRM, and Other Technology Lessons
    • Nick shares more examples of software challenges and lessons learned.

    30:39 – Why Iteration Matters
    • Nick explains why tools rarely work perfectly on day one.

    32:51 – Training and Leadership Development
    • Nick talks about courses, industry associations, and learning in smaller chunks.

    35:25 – Building Culture Across Four Generations
    • Nick discusses culture, visibility, and staying connected to employees.

    37:20 – Making Hard Strategic Decisions
    • Nick shares the decision to exit a major market that no longer made sense.

    41:35 – Opportunities in the Maritimes
    • Nick explains why he is optimistic about regional industrial growth.

    43:59 – Staying Hands-On With Customers
    • Nick talks about the “get it done” attitude and helping customers directly.

    48:30 – Getting Stronger Before Growing Again
    • Nick explains the choice to strengthen the foundation of the business.

    50:52 – Letting People Fail and Learn
    • Nick shares why mistakes are part of skill development.

    52:31 – Hiring and Retaining Skilled Trades
    • Nick talks about apprenticeship pathways, retention, and the labour market.

    55:44 – Advice for Emerging Leaders
    • Nick shares the value of hard work, ownership, and passion.

    58:41 – Family, Work, and Raising Kids
    • Nick talks about family life, support, and the realities of balancing responsibilities.

    1:04:06 – AI Adoption and Automation
    • Nick shares how his view on AI has changed and where automation may help.

    1:07:45 – Finding Better Ways to Work
    • Nick reflects on manual labour, burnout, and rethinking old processes.

    #BuiltToLastPodcast #FamilyBusiness #BusinessLeadership #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessGrowth #DigitalAdoption #SkilledTrades
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    1 Std. und 10 Min.
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