OptiRTC CEO David Rubinstein joins PrimePod to unpack how a late-adopter industry is embracing digital water—from retrofitting stormwater ponds with IoT sensors + actuated valves to forecast-based, pre-event drawdowns that cut flooding, protect habitats, and save cities money. We cover Opti’s pivot from services to platform, the culture and mindfulness practices that power execution, and why people + process + tech (in that order) wins.

In this episode:

• What “smart stormwater” really is—and how CMAC prevents overflows

• Retrofitting vs. new build: why two smart ponds can replace a $2M pond

• Real outcomes: 70k+ storms managed across 20 states; neighborhoods spared in hurricanes; NYC rooftop farm fed by captured rain

• The new Stormwater Engineers’ Workbench and partner go-to-market (e.g., Oldcastle)

• Tech stack hints (Azure, modernized edge, Blazor) without the jargon

• Culture > everything: curiosity rituals, psychological safety, hiring for fit, Vistage peer networks

• Founder takeaways: under-promise/over-deliver, remove priorities (don’t just add), and lead with integrity

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Sponsored by Prime AI Partners — Streamline ops and grow revenue with AI automations. DM “growth.”

North Bay builder Eddie Blakely, owner of Chelu Construction, joins PrimePod to share how a hands-on upbringing in the trades, hard lessons in real estate, and a tech-forward toolkit shaped a client-first construction company delivering consistent results across residential and commercial projects.

We dig into:

• Early lessons (rentals, a nightmare tenant story) that sparked the business

• Values that scale: integrity, transparency, and telling clients the truth

• Team structure (PMs → foremen → crews) and clear up/down communication

• Smart equipment strategy: owning what speeds the critical path

• Lightweight tech stack that works (Connecteam, HubSpot, Jira, QuickBooks) and driving adoption

• Competing with lower bids without lowering standards—and when to walk away

• Advice for tradespeople going owner-operator: mentors, niche, and taking calculated risks

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Sponsored by Prime AI Partners. Want AI to streamline ops and grow revenue? DM “growth."

Founder Garrett Rozendaal of 5-2 Fence & Dirt joins PrimePod to share how he took a side hustle in a barn with 1950s machines and built a fast-growing fence, excavation, and landscape operation in Northern Arizona—doubling revenue year over year while keeping prices fair and quality high.

We dig into:

• Entrepreneur roots, word-of-mouth growth, and why social beat paid ads

• Running lean: used trucks vs. new machines (with service plans) and what the numbers say

• The hiring leap: paying premium operators and how that attracted A-players

• Systems that actually help: QuickBooks Online, BusyBusy, GPS timecards

• The 3:30 a.m. routine, 75+ hour weeks, and getting off the treadmill

• Hard lessons on reputation, integrity, and consistency—and how to rebuild

Takeaway: Consistency + integrity + fair pricing can scale a construction business faster than shiny tools ever will.

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Sponsored by Prime AI Partners — We help construction and home-service businesses streamline ops and grow revenue with AI automations. DM me “growth” to learn more.

In this episode of PrimePod, Breanna Wilson sits down with Beau West, owner of Montcalm Construction, to dive into the real-world journey of building and scaling a construction business. Beau shares the lessons he’s learned navigating challenges in the trades—from the risks of scaling too quickly to the importance of mastering financials and optimizing cash flow.

Listeners will hear Beau’s take on why transparency and regular communication are key to building trust with clients, how word-of-mouth continues to be one of the most powerful marketing tools, and the role of technology in streamlining project management. He also opens up about balancing flexibility in a fast-changing industry while maintaining strong relationships with both clients and architects.

Key Takeaways

• Scaling too fast without systems can lead to financial risk.

• Establishing strong operational frameworks early is essential.

• Transparency and consistent communication enhance client satisfaction.

• Word of mouth remains a cornerstone for growth in construction.

• Leveraging technology can improve efficiency and client experience.

• Building trust-based relationships fuels long-term success.

Tune in to hear Beau’s insights on what it really takes to run a construction company that not only survives—but thrives—in today’s competitive landscape.