This week, Ryan sits down with Joel Dykes, founder of Blue Dog Builds, a renovation company making its mark in Carleton Place with a reputation for clean, client-focused work.
Joel shares his journey from barbering to building, the leap of faith in leaving a steady job to start his own business, and the lessons he’s learned about sales, systems, and self-belief along the way.
They dive into:
Why bathrooms were the natural launch point for Blue Dog Builds 🛁
The importance of branding, insurance, and bookkeeping from day one
How Facebook groups are today’s version of word-of-mouth marketing
Balancing the thrill and fear of being fully responsible for your own sales pipeline
The mindset shift needed when going from tradesperson to business owner
If you’re in the trades and thinking about striking out on your own, this episode is packed with hard-won insights and candid advice.