Jared Ledford
Guest: Jared Ledford
Host: Randy Chaffee
Producer / Director / Co-Host: Wes Wyatt
Episode Summary:
Jared shares his journey from Honda dealership shop foreman to co-owner of multiple building companies in Ohio, including Dayton Barnes (national metal building sales), Five Rivers Pole Barns (luxury construction), and co-host of the Steel Kings Podcast. He and Randy explore the natural progression from wood sheds to metal buildings to full construction management, emphasizing that growth requires calculated risk-taking and that staying comfortable with low-ticket, low-risk products is not an option. Jared also passionately advocates for community involvement, serving on his local park board, chamber of commerce, and soon the city council, urging listeners to step up in their communities.
Key Takeaways:
Evolve or stagnate: businesses must graduate from simple portable buildings to more complex offerings to grow.
Risk with purpose: putting your money where your mouth is and backing up what you say leads to greater satisfaction and success.
Mission-driven culture: every employee should know your mission statement inside and out—Dayton Barnes' is "sell quality buildings all the time, period."
Quality over volume: not every customer is a good fit for every product; understand limitations and match customers to the right solutions.
Give back locally: small business owners and construction workers with common sense and values are desperately needed in local community leadership.
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