Jimmy Talks Construction

Episode 41 of Jimmy Talks Construction features Illan Samuel, Managing Director of Samuel Property Group, breaking down the reality of property development in today’s market.
From running multi-residential projects worth hundreds of millions to navigating rising costs, delays, and financing challenges, Illan shares what it actually takes to survive — and grow — in the development game.
This episode dives into the real pressures developers face, including interest rates, construction escalation, red tape, and why time is the biggest cost in any project.
The conversation covers:
Why development is harder now than ever
The reality of cost blowouts and delays
How developers manage risk and cash flow
The importance of hiring the right people
Why most people shouldn’t become developers
Lessons from scaling to $100M–$300M projects

If you’re in construction, property, or business, this is a raw and honest look at how large-scale developments actually get done.
Listen if you want real-world insights into: construction management, demolition, recycling, infrastructure projects, subcontractor relationships, and scaling a construction business.

Connect with Illan:
🌐 Website: https://www.samuel.com.au/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samuel.property/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/illan_samuel/
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samuelproperty/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/samuel-property-pty-ltd/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/illansamuel/

Connect with Jimmy:
🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au
📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/

In Episode 40 of Jimmy Talks Construction, Jimmy sits down with Jesse Campbell, Construction Manager at City Circle — one of Australia’s largest demolition and recycling companies.
This episode dives deep into the reality of modern construction, from the shift away from traditional builders to project management-driven companies, through to the challenges of scaling large infrastructure projects across Victoria and Australia.
Jesse shares insights from over 20 years in the industry, including his transition from tier-one building into demolition, and how City Circle has scaled to process nearly 2 million tonnes of concrete annually through demolition, recycling, and material reuse.
The conversation covers:
Why the construction industry has become more transactional
The biggest mistakes in construction management today
How large-scale demolition projects are actually delivered
The pressure of major infrastructure projects and unrealistic timelines
Why businesses can grow fast but still underperform
The real role of middle management in construction companies
How collaboration between subcontractors can improve outcomes
If you’re in construction, civil, earthmoving, or running a contracting business, this episode gives a raw and honest look at what’s really happening on-site and behind the scenes.
Listen if you want real-world insights into: construction management, demolition, recycling, infrastructure projects, subcontractor relationships, and scaling a construction business.

Connect with Jesse:
🌐 Website: https://www.citycirclegroup.com.au/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citycirclegroup/
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycirclegroup/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-campbell-a302398a/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-circle-group/?originalSubdomain=au

Connect with Jimmy:
🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au
📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/

In Episode 39 of Jimmy Talks Construction, Jimmy sits down with Jake Gorry, founder and director of Proline Group — one of Australia’s fastest-growing cladding and façade contractors.
Jake shares his journey from starting as a young carpenter working with his dad, to building a multi-division business delivering large-scale commercial cladding projects across Melbourne.
The conversation dives deep into how Proline identified an opportunity in architectural metal cladding, mastered a niche skillset, and scaled from small residential jobs into working with Tier 1 builders on major projects.
Jake breaks down the realities of building a construction business from the ground up — from cash flow challenges and early mistakes, to hiring, culture, and managing rapid growth across multiple sites and teams.

Jimmy and Jake also discuss:
How Proline grew from small jobs into major commercial projects
The importance of cash flow and getting paid fast
Why culture is everything when scaling a construction business
The risks and rewards of backing yourself in business
Lessons from hiring, firing, and working with friends and family
Why delivering bad news quickly builds long-term trust
The transition from on-the-tools to running a large operation
How systems, training, and leadership drive sustainable growth
This episode is packed with insights for contractors, business owners, and anyone looking to scale within the construction industry.

Connect with Jake:
🌐 Website: https://www.prolinemetalcladding.com.au/
📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BehindTheFacadeShow
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prolinegroupau
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prolinemetalcladding/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/proline-aus/

Connect with Jimmy:
🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au
📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/

In Episode 38 of Jimmy Talks Construction, Jimmy sits down with Shane Coleman, founder of Coleman Earth Industries and a former top-tier mining excavator operator.
Shane shares his journey growing up in North Queensland, learning to operate machinery from a young age, and eventually working his way through Australia’s mining industry operating some of the largest excavators in the world.
The conversation dives deep into the mindset required to become an elite digger operator, the importance of work ethic on mine sites, and how performance and reputation follow you throughout the industry.
Shane explains how he walked away from a high-paying mining job to start his own excavation business, buying a 30-ton excavator and beginning the difficult process of finding work from scratch. From cold messaging companies on LinkedIn to door knocking civil contractors, he shares the realities of starting an earthmoving business with no guaranteed work.

Jimmy and Shane also discuss:
What separates elite operators from average ones
The techniques used to maximise production on large mining excavators
Why work ethic is the most valuable currency in the industry
The transition from employee to business owner
The realities of building a reputation in construction and civil contracting
Why some operators move over 100,000 tonnes in a single shift

This episode is packed with insights for anyone working in mining, civil construction, or looking to start their own earthmoving business.

Connect with Shane:
🌐 Website: https://colemanearth.com.au/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coleman_earth/
💼 LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/shane-coleman-376219103

Connect with Jimmy:
🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au
📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/

In the grand finale of Dirty Business, live and recorded during Conexpo week in Las Vegas, Jimmy Starbuck sits down with David Nicoll, CEO of SANY America, to discuss the future of construction equipment, global manufacturing, and the rapidly evolving heavy equipment market.
David shares his journey through nearly three decades at Caterpillar before joining SANY and leading the company’s expansion in North America. The conversation dives into the challenges of breaking into established equipment markets, building strong dealer networks, and delivering reliable machines and support to contractors.
Recorded during ConExpo in Las Vegas, the discussion also explores SANY’s growing presence in the United States, the introduction of new machines, and the company’s long-term strategy to compete with established industry brands.
Jimmy and David also talk about global supply chains, tariffs, infrastructure investment, and how emerging technologies such as AI, telematics, and automation are shaping the future of construction equipment.
Topics include:
David Nicoll’s career at Caterpillar and transition to SANY
SANY’s expansion in North America
Manufacturing equipment in the United States
ConExpo and new machine launches
Dealer networks and product support
Tariffs and global supply chains
AI and new technology in construction equipment
The future of infrastructure and heavy equipment markets

Connect with David:
🌐 Website: https://www.sanyamerica.com/
📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sanyamerica7669
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanyamerica/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-e-nicoll/

Connect with Jimmy:
🌐 Website: https://starbuckgroup.com.au
📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTalksConstruction
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbuckexcavation
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbuckexcavation
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-starbuck-13336546/

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