Big things are coming to our podcast! We’re gearing up for a powerful new chapter: sharper conversations, bold new voices, and no-nonsense insights crafted for construction and manufacturing leaders who want to build smarter, lead stronger, and grow with intention. This next phase will dive deeper into the challenges that define your reality—workforce shortages, mental health pressures, leadership gaps, cash flow stress, communication breakdowns, and the culture shifts reshaping how companies th...
Jun 05, 2025•2 min
Tired of pouring cash into SEO, ads, and “full-service” marketing agencies—yet seeing no proof it actually pays off? In this episode, our CEO, Scott Peper, sits down with Phil Risher, CEO & Founder of Phlash Consulting, to rip apart the cookie-cutter contractor marketing tactics that burn contractors and lay out a field-tested framework anyone can run. You’ll learn: 🔹 Phil’s three-phase roadmap for contractor marketing—and the quickest way to see where leads leak out 🔹 A tracking move that...
May 22, 2025•35 min•Ep. 106
There’s this idea in construction that if you use financing, you’re not doing well. That idea is wrong. And here is why. In new solo podcast episode, Scott Peper (CEO of Mobilization Funding) sets the record straight. Financing doesn’t make you weak—it’s a sign you’re building something real. He breaks down exactly why cash is the most important tool in your business, what happens when you grow without the right structure in place, and how to actually talk about financing to your team and your c...
May 15, 2025•15 min•Ep. 105
If you've ever felt like the bank just doesn’t get how construction works, you're not alone. Every contractor has heard it: “Great project… 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘬’𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴.” So why do the suits happily fund a developer who never swings a hammer, yet freeze the purse strings when you need upfront cash for labor and materials? In the latest episode of The Construction MF'ers podcast, Scott Peper, our CEO and Founder, welcomes Mobilization Funding’s newest teammate and Chief Credit Of...
May 08, 2025•26 min•Ep. 104
You're bidding like crazy, your team's finally gaining traction, and then... one line in the fine print knocks you out of the running: Bid bond required. In this new solo episode, Scott Peper (CEO & Founder of Mobilization Funding) breaks down exactly what a bid bond is, why you need one, and how getting one ahead of time can be the edge you didn’t even know you needed. Because here's the thing: a bid bond isn’t just a formality. It can separate you from the pack, protect your margins, and s...
May 01, 2025•15 min•Ep. 103
You want to sell your business—but not to some corporate buyer who’s going to gut your team and toss your legacy aside. What if there’s another way? In this episode, Scott Peper, our CEO and Founder, sits down with Manny Calzon, Managing Director at Ambrose Advisors, to unpack ESOPs—Employee Stock Ownership Plans—and why they’re one of the most misunderstood (but powerful) exit options for construction business owners. You’ll learn: 🔹 What an ESOP actually is—and why “selling to your employees”...
Apr 24, 2025•34 min•Ep. 102
You want a bond, but the underwriter says, “Only if you use funds control.” Now you’re thinking—does that mean I’m not qualified? In this episode, Scott Peper (our CEO and Founder) sits down with Nolen Tuttle, a former surety underwriter turned funds administrator, who explains in detail what underwriters actually look for—and how funds administration, done right, can help you stay in control instead of feeling handcuffed. You’ll learn: 🔹 The #1 red flag that kills bond approvals 🔹 Why financi...
Apr 17, 2025•52 min•Ep. 101
When that “golden ticket” moment arrives—with a contract vastly larger than anything previously undertaken—how can contractors finance the upfront costs without draining their cash flow? In this episode, we explain purchase order financing, offering clear insights specifically tailored for contractors and manufacturers. For instance, a $100K contract may require covering 70–80% in material, labor, and packaging costs before invoicing begins. This gap in the revenue cycle—from the moment a purcha...
Apr 10, 2025•16 min•Ep. 100
Are you losing top talent or missing out on lucrative contracts because your healthcare benefits aren’t competitive—or are too expensive? In the latest episode of the Construction MF’ers podcast, we sit down with Mike DeVoe, founder and CEO of Keystone Benefit Group, to unpack how government contractors can offer best-in-class benefits without breaking the bank. Whether you’re grappling with high-cost plans for a 20-person team or leveraging data analytics to manage a 100+ employee workforce, Mi...
Apr 03, 2025•15 min•Ep. 99
What do you do when a single project threatens to sink your contractor business? Rick McGill, founder and president of Rick’s Electrical, faced exactly that and he shares his stories in the new episode of The Construction MF'ers podcast. Six months into a multi-family project, payments stopped coming, communication broke down, and the job site turned toxic. Facing the possibility of a catastrophic loss, Rick made a calculated decision: to finish the project, secure payment, and protect his busin...
Mar 27, 2025•45 min•Ep. 98
What does it 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 take to keep a family business thriving for generations? In this episode of The Construction MF’ers, Scott Peper sits down with Ruger Kerstiens, President of Kerstiens Companies, to break down the real challenges and wins of leading a third-generation construction and real estate business. From running concrete crews at 14 to learning hard lessons in real estate investments, Ruger's path has been anything but automatic. Now, he’s strategically growing the business, vert...
Mar 20, 2025•49 min•Ep. 97
A bad construction contract isn’t just a headache—it can wreck your cash flow, lock you into risky commitments, and leave you exposed when things go wrong. In this solo episode of Construction MF’ers, Scott Peper breaks down the three critical contract elements every subcontractor needs to review before signing. These simple steps can be the difference between a profitable job and a financial disaster. 🔹𝗛𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 – Learn why standard contracts aren’t always...
Mar 13, 2025•11 min•Ep. 96
Ever find yourself scrolling through LinkedIn and wondering how some contractors just seem to “get it” on social media? In this episode of The Construction MF'ers, our CEO and Founder Scott Peper sits down with Jonathan Cor—an experienced construction content creator and marketing strategist—to discuss what it really takes to make social media work for your business. Jonathan shares his personal journey, starting from when he was stuck with heavy, text-only posts and a modest 30K yearly impressi...
Mar 06, 2025•45 min•Ep. 95
Are hidden fees and misaligned cash flow turning your “savings” loan into a money pit? Are you sure that a low APR is saving you money? Taking a large lump sum upfront—even with a low advertised APR—may force you to pay interest on money you aren’t using immediately, creating an opportunity cost that erodes your bottom line. This Construction MFers podcast episode explores how a seemingly attractive construction loan can come with hidden costs that end up draining your cash flow. Tune in to find...
Feb 27, 2025•22 min•Ep. 94
Are your construction profits disappearing despite winning bids at 20% margins? Do you know what your projects are actually costing you? In this episode of The Construction MF'ers podcast, Scott Peper, our CEO and Founder, sits down with Lisa Robles and Stacie Gaffrey, CPAs from Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund, to reveal why most contractors are missing critical financial insights that determine success or failure. This episode is more than catching fraud in your construction business (though t...
Feb 20, 2025•44 min•Ep. 93
When rapid growth hits your construction business, cash flow challenges can quickly derail even your best-laid plans. In this episode of The Construction MF’ers podcast, Scott Peper, our CEO and Founder, shares in-depth strategies to tackle the unique cash flow challenges of scaling projects—whether it’s organic growth or the sudden surge of multiple projects starting at once. In this episode, you’ll learn: 🔹𝗣𝗶𝗻𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗚𝗮𝗽𝘀: Discover how our free Project Cash F...
Feb 13, 2025•17 min•Ep. 92
Thinking about growing or selling your marine construction business? Or maybe you’re just curious about how to navigate the challenges of the construction industry? In this episode of The Construction MF’ers podcast, Scott Peper, CEO and Founder of Mobilization Funding, sits down with Trey Lomel, a marine construction entrepreneur who shares his incredible journey of buying, growing, and innovating in the marine construction space. Trey’s story isn’t some polished TED Talk. He’s lived the chaos:...
Feb 06, 2025•45 min•Ep. 91
Landing that big construction contract is supposed to feel like a win, but what happens when your cash is locked up in other projects? In this week’s Construction MF’ers podcast, we share the full story of a subcontractor who finally secured the client they’d been pursuing for years, only to face an all-too-common challenge: How do you start a project when your resources are already stretched thin? Here’s what we unpack: 🔹 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗵 ...
Jan 30, 2025•13 min•Ep. 90
Federal construction is a different beast. With strict compliance requirements, short lead times, and high stakes, success requires more than technical know-how—it demands exceptional planning, execution, and leadership. In this episode of The Construction MF’ers podcast, Scott Peper, our CEO and Founder, sits down with Scott Arias, CEO of ACE Consulting, to explore how federal contractors can excel in this high-pressure space and why these lessons are critical for every construction business. W...
Jan 23, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 89
Many construction business owners struggle to grow, not because they can’t make tough decisions, but because they lack the clear, organized information needed to make those decisions effectively. In the latest episode of Construction MF’ers podcast, Scott Peper, our CEO and Founder, breaks down how to move from chaos to clarity by setting up systems, gathering the right data, and leveraging expert support. With examples from real construction businesses and stories, he explores how even overwhel...
Jan 16, 2025•21 min•Ep. 88
Hiring a CPA might tick the tax box, but it’s far from enough to secure your business’s future. In this week’s Construction MF’ers podcast, Scott Peper dives deep with Jeremy Johnson, CPA, into why small businesses need more than basic bookkeeping to truly thrive. They unpack how shifting from reactive to proactive financial management can set you up for growth, resilience, and long-term success. Jeremy brings fresh, actionable insights to the table, such as: 🔹𝗗𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸-𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮...
Jan 09, 2025•37 min•Ep. 87
What does it really take to stay alive and grow over the long haul in business? In this new episode of The Construction MF’ers podcast, Scott Peper, CEO and Founder of Mobilization Funding, reveals how twelve years of hard-earned mistakes became the best teacher—shaping his approach to financing, integrity, and consistent growth. If business lessons learned through pain, stress, and a few near-disasters sound familiar, this episode offers a clear roadmap to skip some of the toughest pitfalls. He...
Jan 02, 2025•29 min•Ep. 86
Launching any startup is tough. Launching a plant-based cheese startup brand is even tougher. Losing a two-year retail contract after just four months in business—and taking a $300K hit on unsold inventory—can feel like a knockout blow and can derail any business. In this episode of The Construction MF’ers podcast, Scott Peper sits down with Never Better Foods founder Doug Kantner to talk about the challenges and strategies of launching Never Better Foods, who dissects how his plant-based cheese...
Dec 26, 2024•35 min•Ep. 85
Focusing on price alone in construction bidding might seem like a quick way to win more work, but it can quickly erode your margins, stunt your growth, and jeopardize your ability to perform. In the new episode of The Construction MF’ers Podcast, Scott Peper, our CEO and Founder, explores this all-too-common practice and breaks down why underbidding is one of the biggest threats to your contracting business—and how shifting your focus to performance, costs, and cash flow can turn things around. ...
Dec 19, 2024•17 min•Ep. 84
What if safety wasn’t just a compliance checkbox but a true competitive advantage in construction? In Episode 83 of the Construction MF’ers podcast, Scott Peper is joined by David Cook, President of Safety Solutions & Supply, to explore the real impact of safety and OSHA compliance in the construction industry. With over three decades of experience and a company he founded in the wake of the 2009 recession, David shares hard-won insights into creating systems that not only keep teams safe bu...
Dec 12, 2024•37 min•Ep. 83
Starting a construction business is hard. Keeping it running after the first year is even harder. In the new solo episode of The Construction MF’ers Podcast, Scott Peper, CEO and Founder of Mobilization Funding, breaks down real cash flow challenges contractors daily face—and how to solve them before they derail your projects. Scott shares lessons learned from working with thousands of contractors and from his own experiences, including: 🔹 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘁 𝗔𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆...
Dec 05, 2024•18 min•Ep. 82
What does it take to save $500k on a $2M construction project—and avoid cash flow disasters? In this episode of The Construction MF’ers podcast, Scott Peper, our CEO and Founder, interviews Gene Vandi, our VP of Business Development and long time team member. Starting his career in sales internships, Gene quickly realized the importance of providing real solutions to critical business challenges. Now, with years of experience working directly with contractors, he specializes in simplifying compl...
Nov 28, 2024•33 min•Ep. 81
Turning the spotlight on skilled trades reveals opportunities many people never hear about—and that’s exactly the focus of this Construction MF'ers Podcast episode! Join our CEO and Founder, Scott Peper, as he speaks with Stacey Holsinger, Founder of Steel Toe Communications and Chat CTE. Stacey is leading the charge to attract young, diverse talent into construction by sharing real stories and transparent insights about the benefits, salaries, and career paths in skilled trades. This episode ar...
Nov 21, 2024•51 min•Ep. 80
From balancing cash flow to dealing with every setback that could delay or derail a project, resilience is the name of the construction game. In the 79th podcast episode, Scott Peper sits down with Ryan Blankers and Eric Diaz, founders of Cattlemen Construction, who share hard-won insights from their dual roles as contractors and consultants—true Construction MF’ers who know the ins and outs of managing high-stakes projects. Starting with a $500 million development and moving to their own compan...
Nov 14, 2024•42 min•Ep. 79
Starting and scaling a business isn’t all success stories and smooth sailing—it’s filled with tough choices, setbacks, and the real-life challenges most entrepreneurs face. In this episode of The Construction MF'ers podcast, Scott Peper, our CEO and Founder, sits down with Todd Schweitzer, an accomplished entrepreneur with a track record of building and selling multiple companies. Together, they go beyond the wins, diving into the decisions, failures, and personal sacrifices that define real bus...
Nov 07, 2024•44 min•Ep. 78
