Owner–operator Cory Byron of Vancity Electric shares how a small electrical contractor can grow to a highly systemized $2M business without chaos. We cover building a tech stack that fits the trades, creating checklists that people actually use, making culture a system, using Jobber to close cracks, and knowing when to hire experts for SEO, bookkeeping, and AI automations.

Cory also explains why he prefers hands-on coaching, how he maps client and job data flow, and the two moves he wishes he made on day one. Simple, practical, and built for blue collar leaders.

You’ll learn:

• The “one lever a year” approach to steady growth.
• How to turn dropped balls into new processes.
• Why culture must be systematized like production.
• Where to outsource vs. DIY so you can focus on $10k/hour work.
• A simple Jobber form that saves time and prevents rework.
• How to measure SEO like a line item, not a gamble.
• The value of a coach who gets into your tools, not just on your Zoom.

10 Takeaways With Timestamps

1. 00:46 - Set the target first: “$2M, highly systemized” beats “biggest for the sake of it.”
2. 01:43 - Reviews drive local demand: Vancity Electric dominates Google reviews by focusing on service.
3. 03:46 - One lever per year: Pick SEO, hiring, or branding and go deep for 12 months.
4. 04:30 - Culture is a system: Trades work is a people business. Build certainty for your team.
5. 05:05 - No systems hurts everyone: Owners, employees, clients, and families feel the pain.
6. 06:33 - Implementation beats knowledge: Many know the answer. Few install it. Be an implementer.
7. 07:36 - Hands-on coaching wins: A coach who logs into your Jobber can solve real problems.
8. 10:15 - Fix cracks fast: If something falls through, design a small process today.
9. 11:25 - Automate the paperwork: Turn an inspection into an insurance-ready Jobber form.
10. 12:03 - Hire experts for ROI: Bookkeeping and SEO pay off when tracked like a budget line.

Connect With Cory:

Website: https://vancityelectric.ca/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-byron-vancity-electric/

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2025 was a year of big changes, and bigger breakthroughs, for the trades. In this special end-of-year episode of Titans of the Trades, host Ryan Englin reflects on the milestones, from launching the Choice Framework to redefining what it means to be an employer of choice.

Ryan shares honest lessons learned, a powerful look at disengagement and its hidden cost to your business, and a vision for 2026 that challenges leaders to build stronger teams and more sustainable companies.

If you’re ready to step into the new year with clarity, leadership, and momentum, this is your roadmap.

Key Takeaways & Time Stamps

• 02:10 - Why “Always Improve” is more than a Core Value. It’s a mindset for every construction leader.
• 06:25 - The story behind Episode 100 and how the Choice Framework was born.
• 10:40 - What it really means to be the employer of choice in your market.
• 15:30 - The shift in the trades: how AI is redefining the value of “doing” over “knowing.”

Connect With Ryan:

Website: https://corematters.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanenglin/

Titans of the Trades: https://www.linkedin.com/company/titans-of-the-trades/

Episode 100: https://corematters.com/podcast/becoming-the-employer-everyone-wants/

Support Titans of the Trades:

If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.

What does it take to scale a business from $3 million to $75 million? And what lessons can construction leaders take from that journey?

In this episode of Titans of the Trades, Ryan Englin sits down with Eric Watkins, President of Abstrakt Marketing. Eric started as an unpaid intern and climbed his way to the top, helping lead massive growth along the way. Together, Ryan and Eric dive into why recruiting is marketing, how outbound sales applies directly to hiring in the trades, and why culture can make or break a growing construction company.

Whether you’re running five trucks or fifty, this conversation will give you practical insights on growth, leadership, and building a sustainable business.

Key Takeaways

• (02:00) How Eric went from unpaid intern to President of a $75M marketing company.
• (03:50) Why so many trades business owners struggle with the shift from tradesman to business leader.
• (05:10) The top three books every construction business owner should read.
• (09:40) Outbound sales explained and why most people get it wrong.
• (12:00) How outbound marketing mirrors recruiting in construction.
• (19:30) What scaling from $3M to $75M taught Eric about company culture.
• (22:00) The one hiring mistake leaders must avoid when growing fast.
• (26:55) Battling burnout as a business leader and how to keep your passion alive.
• (31:00) How to connect with Eric and access his free consultation offer.

Connect With Eric:

Website: https://www.abstraktmg.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-watkins-amg/

Support Titans of the Trades:

If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.