Shows
Dirt to Docks PodcastThe Hardest Call I've Made as a New Business Owner | S1E22In today’s episode Trey breaks down the hardest situation he’s faced since acquiring Old Florida Docks.When you buy a business, you inherit the people. That can be a blessing or a challenge. In this case, it was both.This episode cover:• What happens when a long-tenured employee resents new ownership• Why talent alone isn’t enough to build a healthy team• The red flags Trey ignored for too long• The moment he knew he had to make a change• How the company actually got stronger after the decision• Lessons for anyone leading in...
2025-11-2535 min
Dirt to Docks PodcastHighly Requested Matt Cone Update | S1E21The Matt Cone life and business update we have all been waiting for.Southern Materials is on the move, Matt is balancing his personal life, and he is getting better one load at a time!
2025-11-1827 min
Dirt to Docks PodcastThe First 20: What We’ve Learned, Who We’ve Met, Where We’re Going | S1E20This episode is all about posting — why it matters today, and why it will matter even more for the next generation.The business landscape is shifting.Younger owners are building brands online instead of waiting for referrals. They’re growing faster, reaching farther, and connecting with people they would’ve never met in the “old” way of doing business.That’s why we started sharing our journey. It’s why people from all over the country have reached out, and why we’ve hit 1,700 plays across our first 20 episodes.Our favorite line from this episod...
2025-11-1136 min
Dirt to Docks PodcastBuilding Habits That Build Businesses | S1E19Running a business forces you to look in the mirror — and sometimes you don’t like what you see.This week we talk about habits. The good, the bad, and the ones that hold you back.Matt opens up about quitting drinking, and Trey shares he is creating stronger habits in his life — because as business owners, there's no room to be lazy or lead from the couch.We cover the habits that make us better leaders and better men:• Waking up early• Reading• Staying rooted in faith• Limiting social media• Being intentional with...
2025-11-0440 min
Dirt to Docks PodcastBuilding a Business One Weekend at a Time With David Harris | S1E18This week we sat down with someone we met right here on LinkedIn — an engineer from California who spends his weekdays behind a desk and his weekends running excavation jobs.He’s not just talking about starting a business someday — he’s doing it on the side, building his reputation one job at a time.We talk about balancing a full-time career with chasing something bigger, when to finally make the leap, and what it actually takes to start from scratch.🎙️ Dirt to Docks | Real stories from the trades, small business, and the people bold e...
2025-10-281h 15
Dirt to Docks PodcastShould You Even Go To College? | S1E17If we could start our careers over again… what would we do differently?Would we go to college?Would we take more risks?Would we still end up building businesses — or try to climb the ladder somewhere else first?This episode is one we both wish existed when we were 18.We talk about the decisions that actually mattered, the ones that didn’t, and what we’d tell our younger selves before taking that first big leap.
2025-10-2139 min
Dirt to Docks PodcastThis Is Why We Do It | S1E16Every business owner knows the lows — the stress, the setbacks, the sleepless nights.But today, we’re talking about the highs.The moments that make it all worth it — from closing a big sale to spotting your buddy rocking your company hat across town.This episode is a reminder that the good days always outweigh the bad ones if you’re building something that matters.Tune in to Dirt to Docks — where we talk business ownership, blue-collar pride, and finding joy in the grind.
2025-10-1438 min
Dirt to Docks PodcastInside Old Florida Docks with Zack Schmidt | S1E15Zachary Schmidt, Assistant Project Manager at Old Florida Docks, joins us for a real conversation about what it’s like working in the blue collar trades.Matt puts Trey on the spot by asking Zack what it’s like working under Trey’s leadership — and the answers show what happens when a company truly values a winning culture.We dig into construction culture, team management, and what it takes to build a strong crew in marine construction.If you’re building a team or running a trades business, this episode will hit home.
2025-10-0747 min
Dirt to Docks PodcastYoung CEO, Big Plans: Mercer Clark’s Construction Playbook | S1E14Mercer Clark is the young CEO of a thriving construction company in Columbus, Georgia.In this episode of Dirt to Docks, Trey and Matt dig into Mercer’s journey:what it was like to step into the top role,how he plans to scale the company, andwhy he loves the grind of operating every day.Whether you’re in the trades or just curious how a next-generation leader takes charge, this conversation is packed with lessons on leadership, growth, and staying passionate about the work.
2025-09-3033 min
Dirt to Docks Podcast10-Year Plan Roundtable With Skyler Warden | S1E13\We hit record with zero script and let the mics roll.Trey, Matt, and repeat guest Skyler Warden dive into a round-table on where we want our companies to be in ten years—and what it will take to get there starting now.Expect plenty of laughs, a few curveball questions, and some surprisingly practical ideas about growth, hiring, and building a business you actually want to run in 2035.Whether you’re mapping your own decade-long vision or just need some entrepreneurial banter to fire up your day, this episode delivers both.
2025-09-2350 min
Dirt to Docks PodcastLessons Learned The Hard Way | S1E12We’ve made plenty of mistakes—now we’re laying them out so you don’t have to.In this episode we talk about:• Missteps in setting prices and quoting jobs• Permitting hurdles we weren’t ready for• How to cut down crew idle time and keep production movingReal lessons learned the hard way from building and running blue-collar companies. If you’re quoting work, managing crews, or navigating permits, this one’s for you.We also took a moment to pray for Charlie Kirk’s family after the tragic news of his passing—because so...
2025-09-1645 min
Dirt to Docks PodcastFamily Business, Florida Citrus, And Adapting To The Market With Ben Carson | S1E11Ben Carson of Chemical Dynamics joins Dirt to Docks to share what it’s really like stepping into the family business. From the pride of carrying on a legacy to the pressure of adapting when Florida’s citrus industry started to decline, Ben talks about the tough pivots, the lessons he’s learned, and the future of agriculture in Florida.Whether you’re part of a family business, thinking about succession, or just interested in how industries adapt to big changes, this conversation is packed with insights you can take back to your own work.
2025-09-0935 min
Dirt to Docks PodcastHouse Hacking, Real Estate, And Laundromats With Skyler Warden | S1E10This week on Dirt to Docks, Trey and Matt sit down with Skyler Warden for one of the wildest conversations we’ve had yet. We cover everything from house hacking and real estate investing to laundromats and all the crazy opportunities in between. Skyler brings a mix of energy, insight, and nonstop humor that kept us laughing the entire episode. If you’re into creative ways to build wealth, hilarious stories, and a behind-the-scenes look at the hustle, this episode is for you.
2025-09-0239 min
Dirt to Docks PodcastBalancing Business And Marriage | S1E9This one’s different.For the first time on Dirt to Docks, Trey sits down with his wife, Mallie, to talk about what it’s really like being married to an entrepreneur. From the stress of acquiring a company in their first year of marriage, to late nights, missed dinners, and big risks that come with business ownership — Mallie shares her side of the story.You’ll hear:What it feels like living with the highs and lows of entrepreneurshipHow she handled the pressure of buying a business so early in marri...
2025-08-2615 min
Dirt to Docks PodcastGrowing Our Companies: Is It Time? | S1E8In this episode of Dirt to Docks, Trey and Matt sit down to talk through where their companies stand today and the big question every business owner faces: is it time to grow?They share their honest thoughts on what “the next level” could look like, why many entrepreneurs decide not to scale, and how to recognize the sweet spot where your business is profitable and sustainable.If you’ve ever wrestled with growth—when to push and when to hold—this episode is for you.
2025-08-1926 min
Dirt to Docks PodcastHow To Buy A Business Part 2 | S1E7Part 2 – Finding, Talking, and ClosingIn this episode, I’m breaking down the next stage of the small business acquisition journey — building a pipeline, having the right conversations, and getting the deal across the finish line.We’ll cover:How to consistently source businesses for sale (even the ones not listed publicly)The best ways to approach sellers so they’ll open upLessons from my own calls — including the unexpected places opportunity hidesWhat really happens from LOI to closing dayWhether you’re actively searc...
2025-08-1322 min
Dirt to Docks PodcastHow To Buy A Business Part 1 | S1E6If I woke up tomorrow and decided I was going to buy a business, here’s exactly how I’d do it.In this episode, Trey walks through the small business acquisition process — blending what he actually did with what he’d do differently now. From figuring out what size business you can afford, to building a daily search routine, to turning “bad” seller calls into hidden opportunities, this is a step-by-step look at how to go from zero to owning your own company.Whether you’re actively searching for a business or just curious about the proc...
2025-08-1221 min
Dirt to Docks PodcastHeard It Through The Grapevine | S1E5In this episode, Trey and Matt dig into how they think about marketing their blue-collar businesses. Spoiler alert: it’s not all Facebook ads and yard signs (these do work well though).They talk about the power of word of mouth, why doing great work is marketing, and how reputation gets built on the jobsite.Whether you're in marine construction, mining, or mowing lawns, this one’s a reminder that the best way to get your next job is to crush the one you’re on.
2025-08-0526 min
Dirt to Docks PodcastDon't Be Like Us! | S1E4Everyone loves to talk about the freedom, the money, and the excitement of owning a business. But here’s what they don’t tell you: it’s hard, it’s messy, and most of the time… it doesn’t feel like freedom.In this episode, we break down the side of entrepreneurship no one really talks about—burnout, pressure, hiring struggles, cash flow chaos, and the weight of making every decision.This isn’t to scare anyone off—it’s to keep it real. Because if you’re going to start or buy a business, you need to know what...
2025-07-2921 min
Dirt to Docks PodcastWhy Dirt? (ft. Kelsey) | S1E3In this episode, Matt Cone shares the winding path that led him to where he is today—owning a materials company and selling dirt for a living.From growing up around construction to flipping homes, Matt talks about the unexpected twists his career has taken—and how each step led him closer to owning his own business.Joining him is his girlfriend, Kelsey Woychowski, who shares her perspective on what it’s been like to adapt to the highs, lows, and unpredictability of entrepreneurship.Whether you’re already in the trades or thinking about ju...
2025-07-2519 min
Dirt to Docks PodcastWhy Docks? (ft. My Wife) | S1E2In this episode, Trey shares his unexpected journey from a finance career to owning a dock-building company—with zero construction experience.We talk through the jobs he took, why he chose them, and how they helped (and didn’t help) when it came time to acquire a business.Joining the conversation is Trey’s wife, Mallie Lomel, who gives her honest take on what it was like navigating the highs, lows, and stress of buying a company—during their first year of marriage.This one’s a mix of backstory, business, and real-life behind the...
2025-07-1717 min
Dirt to Docks PodcastWho Are These Guys? | S1E1In this first episode of Dirt to Docks, hosts Matt Cone and Trey Lomel introduce themselves—two guys in their 20s who bought blue collar companies and are figuring out how to run and grow them in real time.They share why they’re launching the podcast, what listeners can expect, and how their paths—one in the dirt world of mining and materials, the other in marine construction—led to unexpected ownership and constant learning.It’s raw, honest, and just the beginning of what they hope will be a relatable, useful, and occasionally ridiculous...
2025-07-1023 min