Men In Labor

The Community Builder

Howard Wheeler is a community builder. He is the president of Chris-Tel Construction and not only builds structures he builds community. Howard is dedicated to the Lee County (Ft. Myers) area of Florida and has been there for generations. I've known Howard for over 20 years through my construction school and we talk about some of the major events that have shaped Florida including Hurricane Ian that affected his area. We also discuss leaving your area to find greener pastures vs staying in one spot. How to help the next generation of leaders in the construction industry is also important to him and he talks about his internship programs and how he hires. Don't think this pod is not entertaining, the amount of information Howard offers is staggering but he's jovial and a great personality that knows how to have fun. If you're a beginning entrepreneur or a seasoned business man this pod will not only be insightful but also entertaining for you.

The Man with the Vision

Mike Padgett is a successful custom home builder that I met in the 90s at a stand up comedy show. He is the owner of Vision Group and they are doing well according to Mike's K1. Mike is also driving a Cadillac V now but there were times when the V wasn't around. We talk about the great recession of 2008 of course, since all contractors have trauma from that era. Listen how Mike got into the business selling homes with his father and uncle and how he was so successful early on that they told him to slow down. Another great episode with insight from another 30+ year construction veteran.

The Boutique Builder

Mark Baldwin Construction Design is in a sweet spot. Mark is a boutique builder that stays close to the beautiful county of Sarasota when it comes to work. He doesn't have to or want to veer too far to make a living in one of the most sought after coastal communities in the US. We talk about how he acquires customers, the permit systems, his parents 70s DIY business that made it on TV back in the day and much more. His professors at college told him he could make hundreds of thousands of dollars if he stayed in construction for 10 years but he was already doing that while he was taking courses. And as always we keep this very entertaining.

Jeff Eslinger EM Custom Homes

On this week's pod Carmen talks with longtime friend, high school baseball announcer partner and custom home builder Jeff Eslinger. Jeff and Carmen talk about the millennials in construction, the teasing and b busting of new guys and how the older boomers dish out a beating when it comes to talking with each other. Florida born and raised native Jeff also discusses how he got into construction and his respect for those who got him in the biz. Southern talk and politeness and how other cultures compare is also discussed. Jeff also talks about becoming friends with customers and what is required when your selling pickles out of cart or custom homes.

Toilet Talk with Randy Mask Plumbing

So much toilet talk in this one folks. Briggs, Eljay, Toto sounds like characters in the Wiz of Oz but its just some of the favorite brands you love to own in your bathroom. Randy Mask is a longtime friend and plumbing contractor that has been around the Sarasota, FL area for decades. He discusses with me how he got into the plumbing game and the state of the youth work ethic today. Randy use to make toilet runs back in the day during the great toilet shortages up north. He has toured the factories of the greatest thrones on earth and made it through the recession of '08. Jetting and Re-piping are the new businesses for Randy and he gets into that seldom discussed podcast discussion. There is a tense moment at the end where he challenges Carmen on what Green Building is but they still end up friends when the pod is over.

Men In Labor with Jeff Charlotte Debut Episode

This is our first episode of Men In Labor with special guest General Contractor Jeff Charlotte from J.E. Charlotte out of Sarasota Florida. Because of our success entertaining contractors in our Construction Comedy School and the thousands of construction related stand up comedy shows I've done for the industry we are broadening into podcast for the blue collar man. In this episode Jeff and I talk about how me met, his entry into becoming a GC, working with his father and construction in Florida plus much more. As always we keep it entertaining so you can dig and listen and be happy.