How To Overcome Growing Pains and Build a Thriving Concrete Business
Karen Keyes is the President and Owner of The Art of Concrete LLC, a Denver concrete company renowned for its expertise in exterior decorative concrete. Karen has deeply entrenched roots in concrete, from learning the creative side of the industry at her family’s business to holding leadership roles across industry verticals, including business development, marketing, and consultancy. Karen is LEED BD + C AP certified and holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership from the University of Denver. A thought leader in her field, she writes for various industry publications, including Concrete Decor, and has authored the book Designing with Concrete.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- Karen Keyes discusses the intricacies of the decorative concrete industry
- Growing pains and talent acquisition in the concrete decoration industry
- How can decorative concrete contractors balance work and life?
- Karen highlights the drawbacks of working in Colorado’s weather conditions
- The importance of having an effective system for tracking and managing projects
- What are the benefits of growing a crew from within?
- Leveraging training programs to boost confidence and leadership skills for supervisors
In this episode…
Every ambitious leader has growth goals, but is your business prepared to handle growing pains? While business growth is positive, how do you balance being committed to your vision and making the necessary changes to scale your company?
Karen Keyes is a seasoned decorative concrete expert who’s created a niche for herself in decorative concrete, distinguishing her career on the philosophy that “concrete is a medium that can bridge the gaps in design and harmonize with its surroundings.” However, running a rapidly growing decorative concrete company comes with challenges. Her company has doubled in size from last year and is experiencing “growing pains.” According to Karen, business owners wear many hats and navigate the challenges of finding talent, particularly in project management and industry knowledge. In addition, a growing company can put added stress on managers and teams.
Join Chad Gill in this installment of This Is Concrete as he welcomes Karen Keyes, the President and Owner of The Art of Concrete LLC. Karen discusses the intricacies of the decorative concrete industry and how to overcome growing pains while building a thriving business. She highlights the importance of work-life balance for concrete finishers, the benefits of growing a crew from within, and how to price intricate projects.
Resources Mentioned in this episode
- Concreate
- Chad Gill on LinkedIn
- Laminin Coaching
- Global Polishing Solutions
- Karen Keyes on LinkedIn
- The Art of Concrete LLC
- Designing with Concrete by Karen Keyes
Sponsor for this episode
Laminin Coaching:
This episode is brought to you by Laminin Coach.
As a business owner in the construction industry, you know how overwhelming it can be to manage all the demands and responsibilities that come your way. We can help you streamline your business strategy and implementation, so you can focus on what you do best.
From hiring assistants and estimators to setting up CRM and project management tools, we provide customized solutions that fit the specific needs of your business.
Visit laminincoach.com to learn more.
Global Polishing Solutions:
This episode is also sponsored by Global Polishing Solutions.
GPS is an industrial, commercial concrete polishing, floor coating, and covering company with an ISNetworld Membership. Our mission hinges upon the blending of technology, environmental servitude, and community action. GPS is capable of handling intricate projects, from warehouses and data centers to retail and commercial spaces.
We firmly believe in prioritizing safety, quality, and client contentment while providing durable floor systems.
To learn more about our range of services, visit globalpolishingsolutions.com.