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Concrete LogicAuthor: Seth Tandett
What is the most used manmade material on Earth? You guessed it concrete. In each episode of Concrete Logic, we will explore one concrete-related topic with the help of industry professionals that are shaping the future of the trade. Well talk with suppliers, contractors, architects, engineers, specialists, and even some proponents of competing materials about their views of concrete and their vision of its future. Language: en-us Genres: Education, Technology Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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EP #140: Building the #1 Concrete Contractor in America: Grit, Growth & 50+ Years of Lessons
Episode 140
Thursday, 27 November, 2025
Everyone in the concrete world knows the Baker name, but very few know the real story. This episode finally gets it on record. Dan Baker walks through how the company started with three brothers, $500, and a truck that needed a hill to start — and how it grew into ENR’s #1 concrete contractor in America. Dan lays out the moves, the mistakes, the risks, and the mindset shifts required to grow from residential slabs to major industrial, stadiums, and billion-dollar work. If you're trying to scale a concrete company, this episode is a roadmap. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN What allowed Baker to jump from residential flatwork to commercial and industrial work The key moment that changed the company’s trajectory forever Why the first stadium project lost seven figures — and what Dan did next When to hire someone smarter than you (and why you may have to pay them more than yourself) Why Dan says contractors must “either know or should have known” when things go wrong How to build a reputation that actually carries you into bigger work CHAPTERS 00:00 – Why this is the most requested interview in show history 01:24 – The real origins of Baker Concrete in 1968 09:59 – Learning concrete the hard way (and the right way) 17:40 – The A-frame job that changed everything 23:27 – Turner hands Baker the total-package blueprint 26:50 – What it truly takes to “cross over” in this industry 37:25 – Losing a million dollars on a stadium — and still going after the Bengals 42:50 – Becoming (and staying) #1 48:11 – Dan explains the “Amish Marines” mindset 50:17 – People. Honor. Grit. Baker’s core in one sentence. GUEST INFO Dan Baker Founder, Baker Concrete Construction Bio: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/guests/daniel-l-baker/ Company: Baker Construction Enterprises Website: https://www.bakerconstruction.com SUPPORT THE PODCAST If you learned something from this conversation — consider donating. It keeps the show independent and education-first: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/support/ PODCAST PARTNERS INTELLIGENT CONCRETE Want advanced concrete training, petrography education, mix-design science, and materials research? Visit Intelligent Concrete at: www.concretelogicpodcast.com/intelligent-concrete CONCRETE LOGIC ACADEMY Early access to episodes, PDH courses, technical deep-dives, and a place to sharpen your concrete knowledge: https://www.concretelogicacademy.com KUIU KUIU gear link (first orders get 15% off): www.concretelogicpodcast.com/KUIU CREDITS Produced by: Jodi Tandett & Concrete Logic Media Music by: Mike Dunton — https://www.mdunton.com CONNECT WITH US Host: Seth Tandett LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethtandett/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@concretelogicpodcast Website: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com Like, subscribe, comment, and share the show. Let’s keep it concrete.
