Brian Jessop: From Hand-Digging Foundations to Leading an Excavation Empire

In this episode of the Nailed It Podcast, we sit down with Brian Jessop, one of the founding members of Wind River Excavation, to hear how he turned back-breaking labor into a thriving business. It all started when Brian’s dad gave him an ultimatum: get a job or start digging. With nothing but a shovel and determination, Brian dug out the front of his family’s house by hand—an experience that sparked a lifelong passion for dirt work.

From teaching himself to operate heavy machinery in a neighbor’s backyard to quitting his job on the spot and launching Wind River with nothing but a rented backhoe, Brian shares the sink-or-swim moments that defined his career. Today, he oversees a team of 28, runs over 100 pieces of equipment, and continues to build some of the most challenging projects in high-end residential construction.

Brian also dives into the realities of the trades industry, including the growing labor shortage, the importance of building a trustworthy team, and why cutting corners in construction always costs more in the end.

Whether you're in construction, running a business, or just love a good underdog story, this episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom, practical advice, and plenty of inspiration.

🎙️ Listen now and hear how Brian Jessop truly nailed it!