In this episode of the Canadian Entrepreneurs Podcast, Pat interviews Nathan Weston, Owner of Straight Up Construction, a custom home builder based in Revelstoke, British Columbia.
Nathan shares his journey from entrepreneurship in the service industry, running a pizza franchise and working in hands-on trades, to eventually stepping into and scaling a construction business focused on custom home building and complex, high-skill projects. He explains how Straight Up Construction evolved from renovations into a diversified builder taking on everything from luxury homes to commercial and institutional work within a tight-knit regional market.
The conversation explores the realities of running a construction business in a small community, where relationships, reputation, and skilled trades are essential to long-term success. Nathan also shares how his past experiences shaped his approach to business leadership, financial discipline, and operational decision-making.
You’ll also learn:
- why knowing your numbers is essential to running a profitable construction business
- how to distinguish between being busy and being truly profitable
- why hiring slow and carefully is critical in small teams where every role has major impact
- how business owners can unintentionally create a “job with overhead” instead of a scalable company
- the importance of moving from working in the business to working on the business
- why strong systems and the right people matter more than personal effort alone
- how mentorship, coaching, and outside perspective can accelerate business growth
- why culture and hiring decisions have outsized impact in small businesses
- how experience in other industries can shape stronger entrepreneurial decision-making
- why long-term success comes from discipline, clarity, and building with intention
This episode is ideal for construction business owners, entrepreneurs, and operators looking for practical insights on scaling a service-based business, improving profitability, and building systems that support long-term growth.
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