Episode
292
Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:44:00 +0000
Many construction business owners spend decades paying rent.
Every month, money leaves the company and goes toward somebody else's mortgage.
In this episode of the Profit Toolbelt Podcast, Dominic Rubino speaks with entrepreneur and real estate investor Ken Wimberly about a different approach.
Instead of renting forever, what would it look like to own the building your business operates from?
The conversation goes far beyond real estate. It touches on wealth building, mentorship, mindset, and creating a lasting legacy.
Ken believes many business owners miss a huge opportunity.
When you lease a building, you're paying for a place to operate.
When you own a building, you're building equity at the same time.
One strategy discussed in the episode is purchasing a building larger than your current needs.
For example:
Their rent helps offset your mortgage payments while you build equity.
One of Ken's first recommendations is simple.
Talk to lenders.
Before looking at buildings, understand:
Many contractors assume ownership is out of reach.
Often, they simply haven't had the conversation yet.
The episode highlights SBA-backed lending programs that can reduce the amount of cash needed to purchase a building.
Instead of needing 20-30% down, some programs allow significantly lower down payments for owner-occupied properties.
For many contractors, this can dramatically change what's possible.
One of the most valuable ideas from the episode is this:
Every real estate deal has a story.
Sometimes owners are retiring.
Sometimes investors are tired of managing vacancies.
Sometimes buildings have repair issues that scare away buyers.
For contractors, those problems can become opportunities.
A roofer sees a roofing issue differently than an office worker.
An electrician sees value where others see risk.
A foundation contractor may spot an undervalued property others avoid.
Your trade knowledge can become a competitive advantage.
Ken shares a story about his business partner.
The relationship started with a simple conversation while trying to win a landscaping contract.
The homeowner didn't become a customer.
Instead, he became a mentor.
That mentor helped him buy his first property and start a journey that eventually led to dozens of investments.
The lesson is simple:
Success often comes from proximity.
Who are you learning from?
Who are you spending time with?
Who is helping you think bigger?
A major theme throughout the interview is mindset.
Ken and Dominic discuss the importance of surrounding yourself with people who talk about opportunities, investing, growth, and building wealth.
That's where concepts like the Reticular Activation System (RAS) come into play.
Once you start paying attention to opportunities, you begin seeing them everywhere.
Just like buying a new truck and suddenly noticing the same truck all over town.
Many contractors focus entirely on growing revenue.
That's important.
But eventually, every owner needs to ask:
What happens when I want to step away?
Real estate can provide:
You may sell the operating company one day while keeping ownership of the land and building.
That creates income long after you've stopped running jobs.
The conversation finishes with something unexpected.
Ken shares his passion project called Legacy of Love.
For nearly two decades, he has journaled life lessons, memories, milestones, and experiences for his children.
Those journals eventually inspired an app designed to help parents preserve memories and messages for future generations.
It's a powerful reminder that while businesses matter, family is still the most important investment we make.
If you've ever wondered whether owning your building could make sense for your construction business, this episode is worth your time.
The path starts with simple steps:
Because building wealth isn't just about growing revenue.
It's about creating assets that continue working long after you've finished the job.
More about Ken Wimberly: Linkedin | Company LinkedIn | Website
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Instagram: @ProfitToolbelt_
Facebook: Profit Toolbelt
Youtube: @profittoolbelt4527
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