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Built to Last

Built to Last

By: Levi Lawrence and Colby Jardine
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Candid conversations with entrepreneurs on life and business.

Join us as we uncover the habits, mindsets, and strategies that help organizations and people thrive for the long haul.



© 2026 Built to Last Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Iron House Pro on Trust, and Building What’s Next - Aaron Furlong

    Iron House Pro on Trust, and Building What’s Next - Aaron Furlong
    Jun 19 2026
    In this episode, Colby and Levi sit down with Aaron Furlong, the other partner at our company Iron House Pro. We talk business, partnerships, personal growth, and the messy path that shapes how people lead.Aaron shares his journey from construction and project management, relationship-building, and helping organizations work through complex change. The conversation also explores Iron House Pro’s next big step: launching a bookkeeping service built around clarity, consistency, and human support.https://www.ironhousepro.com/Connect with Aaron: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-furlong-72678b1b4/Connect with Colby: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-jardine/Connect with Levi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levilawrence/Time Stamps00:00 – Introduction• Colby introduces Aaron and the idea behind the episode.00:20 – Meet Aaron Furlong• Aaron shares who he is and why he usually stays behind the scenes.02:22 – Aaron’s Construction Background• How carpentry and project management shaped his early career.04:56 – Learning Through Big Projects• Aaron reflects on being trusted with responsibility at a young age.07:53 – Managing Clients and Complexity• Why building homes requires people management, material management, and client management.09:44 – Frustration with Old Systems• Aaron talks about pushing against rigid construction processes.11:15 – Leaving Construction• The personal and professional uncertainty after stepping away.13:29 – Rebuilding Confidence• How campaigning, odd jobs, and reflection shaped his next move.15:05 – Reframing Past Experience• Aaron realizes his background had more value than he gave himself credit for.16:10 – Entering Corporate Project Work• His first experience working with a larger tech company.17:02 – Working Differently• Aaron explains how remote work and flexibility changed his perspective.19:00 – Meeting Colby• The coffee shop connection that helped shift Aaron’s path.20:23 – Understanding the Work• Aaron explains how projects succeed through people, timing, and context.21:31 – Technology, AI, and Human Work• The group discusses how technology is changing creative and project work.24:09 – Early Responsibility in Business• Levi reflects on being trusted with major responsibility at a young age.25:15 – Learning by Doing• Colby shares his own experience leading major work without fully understanding the weight of it.27:03 – Who Gets Left Behind• Levi talks about nonprofits, small businesses, and organizations struggling to keep up.28:33 – Business, Government, and Support Systems• Aaron shares his perspective on grants, government involvement, and business realities.31:26 – False Success and Entrepreneurial Pressure• The group discusses comparison, ambition, and the pressure business owners feel.33:05 – What Success Means Personally• Levi asks the partners to reflect on what they each want from Iron House Pro.34:12 – Colby’s Vision for the Business• Colby talks about building a sustainable professional services company.35:20 – Profit, Sustainability, and Succession• Aaron reflects on money, legacy, and building something that lasts.37:41 – Chasing Lightbulb Moments• Levi shares what excites him most about the work today.38:44 – Trust and Relationship-Based Work• Aaron explains why trust is central to community and business work.41:07 – Learning From Other Business Owners• The value of seeing other entrepreneurs’ challenges up close.42:32 – Building a Trusted Network• Aaron reflects on mentorship, community, and long-term relationships.43:37 – Supporting Owner-Operators• Colby talks about helping business owners work through deeper challenges.45:20 – Loneliness in Business• Aaron shares a personal story about feeling isolated while building.47:53 – Partnership and Shared Values• Aaron explains what makes the Iron House Pro partnership work.51:18 – What’s Next for Iron House Pro• The team introduces the new bookkeeping service.52:14 – Why Bookkeeping Became the Opportunity• Colby explains the gap they kept seeing with client financials.53:18 – The Need for Reliable Numbers• Levi explains why many businesses struggle without dependable bookkeeping.55:30 – Simple Numbers and Better Decisions• Colby talks about learning which numbers actually matter.55:59 – Why Boring Businesses Matter• Aaron shares why he has become excited about the boring side of business.57:23 – Numbers Tell the Story• The group discusses margins, utilization, and financial clarity.59:44 – Building Iron House Books• Aaron explains how bookkeeping can help prevent burnout and support better decisions.1:02:01 – Final Thoughts• Aaron reflects on discomfort, growth, and doing meaningful work.#BuiltToLastPodcast#IronHousePro#Entrepreneurship#BusinessLeadership#SmallBusiness#BusinessGrowth#Partnerships#Bookkeeping
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • The Hard Truths of Growing a Family Business - Nick MacGregor

    The Hard Truths of Growing a Family Business - Nick MacGregor
    Jun 4 2026

    In this episode of Built to Last, Colby and Levi sit down with Nick MacGregor, General Manager of McGregor’s Industrial Group.

    Nick shares a grounded look at what it takes to lead a traditional, hands-on business through growth, succession, technology adoption, and changing market realities.

    https://www.ironhousepro.com

    00:00 – Introduction
    • Levi and Colby introduce the episode and how they connected with Nick.

    02:03 – Meet Nick MacGregor
    • Nick introduces himself and McGregor’s Industrial Group.

    03:18 – Growing Up in the Family Business
    • Nick shares early memories of sweeping floors and helping around the shop.

    06:40 – Transitioning Leadership Across Generations
    • Nick talks about his father’s semi-retirement and the human side of succession.

    12:22 – What Changes in the Top Seat
    • Nick reflects on the surprises of becoming general manager.

    14:19 – What McGregor’s Industrial Group Does
    • Nick explains the company’s four main business units.

    16:31 – Bringing Technology Into a Traditional Business
    • The group discusses how digital change started inside the company.

    21:56 – Building Custom Software and Learning the Hard Way
    • Nick shares the story of trying to build an operations management system.

    24:58 – Why ERP Projects Are So Difficult
    • Nick explains why larger software implementations require serious time, money, and support.

    28:25 – Payroll, CRM, and Other Technology Lessons
    • Nick shares more examples of software challenges and lessons learned.

    30:39 – Why Iteration Matters
    • Nick explains why tools rarely work perfectly on day one.

    32:51 – Training and Leadership Development
    • Nick talks about courses, industry associations, and learning in smaller chunks.

    35:25 – Building Culture Across Four Generations
    • Nick discusses culture, visibility, and staying connected to employees.

    37:20 – Making Hard Strategic Decisions
    • Nick shares the decision to exit a major market that no longer made sense.

    41:35 – Opportunities in the Maritimes
    • Nick explains why he is optimistic about regional industrial growth.

    43:59 – Staying Hands-On With Customers
    • Nick talks about the “get it done” attitude and helping customers directly.

    48:30 – Getting Stronger Before Growing Again
    • Nick explains the choice to strengthen the foundation of the business.

    50:52 – Letting People Fail and Learn
    • Nick shares why mistakes are part of skill development.

    52:31 – Hiring and Retaining Skilled Trades
    • Nick talks about apprenticeship pathways, retention, and the labour market.

    55:44 – Advice for Emerging Leaders
    • Nick shares the value of hard work, ownership, and passion.

    58:41 – Family, Work, and Raising Kids
    • Nick talks about family life, support, and the realities of balancing responsibilities.

    1:04:06 – AI Adoption and Automation
    • Nick shares how his view on AI has changed and where automation may help.

    1:07:45 – Finding Better Ways to Work
    • Nick reflects on manual labour, burnout, and rethinking old processes.

    #BuiltToLastPodcast #FamilyBusiness #BusinessLeadership #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessGrowth #DigitalAdoption #SkilledTrades
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • The Relationship-First Approach to Building Businesses - With Gord Erickson

    The Relationship-First Approach to Building Businesses - With Gord Erickson
    May 21 2026
    Gord Erickson joins the podcast to share the story behind building multiple businesses across hospitality, real estate, entertainment, tourism, tequila, and more — all while staying deeply focused on people, community, and culture.The conversation dives into partnerships, leadership, Disney-inspired hospitality principles, entrepreneurial risk, business failures, scaling teams, and what Gord has learned after decades of building and rebuilding businesses. From buying a struggling bar in his twenties to running a hotel in Mexico and launching a tequila brand, this episode is full of honest insights for entrepreneurs and business leaders trying to build something meaningful.Connect With Gord: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gord-erickson-89a25ba4/Connect With Colby: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-jardine/Connect With Levi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levilawrence/https://www.ironhousepro.com/ 00:00 – Introduction• Levi introduces Gord Erickson and the unexpected connection that led to the conversation.00:59 – Gord Erickson’s Background• Gord shares his entrepreneurial journey and how business started early in life.02:13 – Managing 30 Companies• Gord explains the scale of his businesses and how partnerships evolved over time.03:50 – From Bartending to Starting a Band• How a chance meeting led to a decades-long music career.07:40 – Buying His First Bar• Gord shares how he unexpectedly entered the hospitality business.08:40 – The Liquor Store Opportunity• A regulatory change creates a major business opportunity.11:01 – Hospitality, Leadership & People• Why Gord believes connecting people is his real strength.12:25 – Why Passion Alone Isn’t Enough• The dangers of ignoring business fundamentals.14:09 – Building Businesses Through Partnerships• Gord explains how strategic partnerships helped him scale.17:07 – Becoming a Landlord & Developer• A financing conversation unexpectedly changed Gord’s business trajectory.22:21 – Building an Internal Team• How Gord evolved from a small office setup into a larger operational structure.25:38 – Meeting Tim & Operational Growth• Gord explains why bringing in operations leadership changed everything.31:27 – Discovering the Disney Philosophy• The Disney book and training program that reshaped the company culture.35:19 – Lessons from Disney Training• Hospitality, intentional experiences, and building memorable customer interactions.39:07 – Creating a Training Culture• How internal leadership training became part of the company DNA.41:20 – Recognition, Team Culture & Hospitality• Why employee recognition matters more than most businesses realize.43:07 – The Meaning Behind “Sueño”• The story behind the company’s rebrand and focus on dreaming bigger.46:43 – Hospitality Principles Beyond Restaurants• Applying hospitality thinking to every type of business.50:21 – Why Business Is About People First• Gord shares his core philosophy on leadership and entrepreneurship.53:07 – Opening the Books to Team Leaders• Transparency, accountability, and teaching financial literacy inside the business.54:20 – Work-Life Balance & Entrepreneurship• The realities of long hours, sacrifice, and eventually building support systems.56:55 – Buying a Hotel in Mexico• Gord shares the story behind purchasing and renovating a hotel in Mexico.59:20 – Navigating Business Challenges in Mexico• Corruption, permits, culture differences, and learning hard lessons abroad.1:03:56 – Opening a Hotel During COVID• Gord reflects on launching the hotel just as the world shut down.1:05:21 – Running Hospitality on the Ground Level Again• Returning to hands-on operations and rediscovering respect for hospitality teams.1:06:08 – Selling the Hotel• Gord opens up about the emotional process of exiting a dream project.1:11:01 – The Tequila Business & Agave Farming• How a farming opportunity evolved into a tequila brand.1:13:11 – Different Types of Entrepreneurs• Gord explains the different “boxes” entrepreneurs operate within.1:17:58 – The Future of Sueño• What’s next after selling the hotel and stepping back from operations.1:21:13 – Building Brands Through Storytelling• Why story, authenticity, and people matter more than products alone.1:27:48 – Entrepreneurship, Community & Momentum• The impact of surrounding yourself with aligned people.1:44:20 – Advice for Entrepreneurs• Gord shares lessons on action, systems, and learning through experience.1:49:16 – Final Thoughts on Leadership & Community• Why people and relationships remain at the center of everything.#Entrepreneurship #BusinessLeadership #Hospitality #SmallBusiness #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurLife #BuiltToLastPodcast
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    1 hr and 51 mins
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