From Setbacks to Scale: The Unstoppable Entrepreneurial Journey of Brad Burns

Resilience often emerges in the face of uncertainty, shaping individuals who dare to chart their own paths. Though fraught with challenges, the entrepreneurial journey rewards those who blend adaptability with unwavering determination. It’s within this crucible of change that a leader found his stride—an unexpected pivot from commercial real estate to the construction industry sparked a story of relentless ambition. By transforming setbacks into stepping stones, he not only built a thriving business but also redefined customer service and employee loyalty. Meet Brad Burns, a visionary whose ventures span industries, embodying the essence of innovation and grit in every pursuit.

A Pivotal Turning Point

“Initially, it was the last thing I probably thought I would ever be doing, to be completely honest.” reflects an entrepreneur. That was the unexpected reality for a determined professional who started in commercial real estate finance. On his third step came a revelation: Brad juggled two kids—soon to be five—and faced a stagnant market. “So, in April that year, I got told right after my review for the quarter that everything was amazing, that I just wasn’t going to hit all my goals for the year.” This unexpected feedback marked a critical juncture for Brad.

Potential clients he was looking to onboard at his previous company that didn’t commit to that firm reached out to him, “You go somewhere, I’m going to follow you. We just really like how you handle business, who you are, and how you handle projects, and make sure that everything’s kind of great customer service-wise.”  Encouraging such a moment of transition, Brad used his strength and insight to embark on an entrepreneurial journey and inspiration. This decision marked the end of his tenure in the world of commercial real estate finance and the beginning of Wayne Contracting, where he demonstrated how transformations can be made from adversity, thereby turning challenges into opportunities.

Core Principles Driving National Growth

Brad believes maintaining high standards is necessary in today’s business world. “Sad to say, there’s a low bar these days. It’s like you show up, and you do what you say you’re going to do,” he asserts, emphasizing the importance of 2 core values: reliability and integrity. Recognizing that mistakes are inevitable, Brad advocates for accountability and proactive problem-solving. “Everybody knows that everybody will make a mistake at some point. So, you say, ‘Hey, I screwed up. Here’s somebody to fix it.’ And you fix it,” he explains, highlighting a culture of responsibility and continuous improvement.

Respect forms the cornerstone of his leadership philosophy. “Show everybody respect until they don’t deserve it, kind of a deal,” Brad states, fostering a workplace where employees feel valued and motivated. This approach builds a strong internal team and paves the way for national expansion. “We always knew we wanted to go national. Once we kind of get the ball rolling, it just made a lot of sense,” he shares, illustrating his strategic vision.

Scaling the business involved creating a reliable sub-network: “It’s building a trusted sub-network so that the guys are actually, boots-on-the-ground kind of doing the work.” With an unwavering commitment to customer service, Brad has successfully navigated the challenges of national growth while staying true to his core principles.

Leading by Example

Brad believes that strong leadership is the cornerstone of a successful company. “We’ve always done it as a company. When we started Wayne Contracting, somebody that’s upfront honest, customer service always has to be first,” he emphasizes. Brad sets a clear standard for his team by prioritizing honesty and exceptional customer service. He challenges his employees to grow and innovate, stating, “I just say we can make a run of this, and then it’s not like I push them or force them or anything like that, but I challenge them to step outside of themselves and think a little bit.” This approach fosters a culture of continuous improvement and personal development.

Furthermore, Brad advocates the importance of hands-on leadership by stating, ‘Get out there and do the work.’ By expressing his intentions of steering the company into success,  leading by example shows to his team that ‘we’re willing to do whatever it takes to be successful.’ It provides the base of commitment and high performance. This ‘layer of expectation’ ensures that employees have the frameworks into which they fit, not only in terms of the company’s expectations of them but also their own expectations of themselves in contributing to its ongoing success.

Discover more about Brad Burns and his leadership philosophy by visiting his LinkedIn.