Contents
From Shovels to Strategy: How MR Roads Scaled from a One-Man Show to Industry Disruptor
From laying asphalt by hand to being featured in Forbes Australia, James Rolfe’s journey is the kind of trade business success story that inspires—and teaches. In this episode of The Site Shed, host Matt Jones sits down with James, Co-CEO of MR Roads, to unpack the growth, grit, and game-changing moves that helped take a small asphalt crew into large-scale government projects and national recognition.
Whether you’re running a trade business or just dreaming about scaling one, this episode is packed with raw, relatable insights.
From One Truck to Major Tenders
Lessons in Scaling a Trade Business
One of the biggest takeaways from James’ story is that you can’t scale without structure and people. But not just any people.
Instead of recycling old industry habits, MR Roads built a strong culture from scratch by training green employees—young, hungry workers who could be molded into team players.
We call them the new asphalt generation
- Promoting from within
- Training based on culture fit, not just skillset
- Creating clear roles and ownership in the company org chart
- Hiring based on drive and character, not just CVs
Key Takeaways
- Don’t wear every hat: Know your strengths and hire for your weaknesses.
- Culture matters more than resumes: Green workers trained in-house often outperform seasoned hires.
- Systems before scale: From HR to payroll to operations, infrastructure is everything.
- Your team is your brand: When staff celebrate wins like they’re their own, you’ve nailed your culture.
What’s Next?
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