Welcome to the Pave It Forward Podcast, where Kevin Gray, owner and operator of Pave It Forward Asphalt, and Phil Metzger, owner of Mirror Marketing, join forces to empower leaders in the paving industry. With a combined experience of over 15 years in asphalt paving and a deep understanding of digital marketing and market research, Kevin and Phil are dedicated to helping contractors run their businesses more efficiently, connect with their ideal customers, and make a positive impact on their communities through meaningful work.
In each episode, Kevin and Phil dive into the challenges faced by paving industry professionals and provide actionable solutions and innovative ideas to help listeners transform their day-to-day operations, culture, and branding for the better. They share their expertise and insights to help you visualize the changes you can make in your business and guide you through the process of implementing lasting improvements that will lead you closer to your goals.
From exploring cutting-edge marketing strategies to discussing best practices in asphalt paving, the Pave It Forward Podcast covers a wide range of topics designed to help you stay ahead of the curve in today’s competitive landscape. Kevin and Phil’s passion for the industry and their commitment to making a difference shine through in every episode, as they inspire listeners to embrace innovation, cultivate strong relationships, and pave the way for success.
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran in the paving industry or just starting out, the Pave It Forward Podcast is your go-to resource for expert advice, practical tips, and the motivation you need to take your business to the next level. Tune in today and join Kevin and Phil on a journey to revolutionize the paving industry, one podcast at a time!
Season 3 Kickoff: Intentional Hiring, Crew Culture, and the Oil Price Surge Hitting Paving Contractors
It's been a few months since we sat down to record, and a lot has changed. In this episode, Kevin and Phil kick off Season 3 of the Pave It Forward Podcast with a real look at how the company rebuilt its crew heading into 2026 — from switching to Google Ads recruiting over Indeed and Facebook, to pre-screening candidates instead of just getting warm bodies in the door.
Kevin walks through the first three weeks of the season, why he chose not to bring back certain guys, and how training new team members with minimal paving experience is actually resetting the culture in a positive way. The crew playbook and formal orientation they built over the off-season are already making a difference in camaraderie and communication.
Then we get into the numbers every contractor needs to hear: asphalt index prices jumped nearly $100/ton in a single month, diesel doubled over the winter, and if you're not adjusting your bids and adding pricing clauses to your contracts, you're working for free. We break down how PIF is handling it and what to watch for.
Episode Length: 46 minutes of season kickoff strategy, hiring reality checks, and margin-saving advice.
Visit the Pave It Forward YouTube channel for more episodes.
3 Mar 2026
Becoming a client's favorite contractor: How to Dominate Commercial Paving
What does it take to become a property manager's absolute FAVORITE subcontractor? In this episode, Kevin breaks down a massive week of commercial paving success, including a 500-ton shopping center project in Prospect, Kentucky, and reveals the exact systems that transformed a new client relationship into a long-term partnership.
🔥 KEY TAKEAWAYS: - The customer experience process that made one facility owner declare "you're our new favorite contractor" after just one project - Why showing up when you say, executing exactly to plan, and maintaining clear communication separates you from every other trade - Strategic truck purchasing decisions: when ROI, tax advantages, and operational control align - How to break into the commercial property management market and build recession-resistant relationships - The brand-building power of matching equipment, professional facilities, and consistent execution
💡 This episode covers real numbers: 500-ton projects, six-figure invoices, and quarter-million-dollar truck investments that position your paving company for sustainable growth.
👍 LIKE this video if you found value!🔔 SUBSCRIBE and hit the notification bell for regular asphalt industry insights!
3 Mar 2026
AI Assistants & Seasonal Paving Strategy
Episode 50 dives deep into the strategic decisions that define our paving season and explores how AI assistants can transform business operations.
We're talking about the balance between maintaining quality standards and managing a stacked workload, plus how artificial intelligence is changing the game for contractors.
Pave It Forward has moved into a new office location, and we're exploring the tools and strategies that keep our business running smoothly.
KEY TOPICS COVERED:
• 🤖 AI Phone Assistants in Business Operations• 📊 Managing End-of-Season, High-Volume Workload• 🏠 End-of-Season Residential vs. Commercial Applications• 💡 Strategic Seasonal Planning - Why "risking it" on small jobs can damage your reputation
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:Whether you're a contractor looking to scale operations, a facility manager trying to understand paving timelines, or a business owner interested in AI solutions, this episode breaks down how professional paving companies manage seasonal peaks without sacrificing quality, and how AI assistants can enhance your business efficiency.
📱 Follow Pave It Forward:• Subscribe for episodes on asphalt paving, business strategy, and industry insights• Like and comment to let us know what topics you want to hear about• Hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode• Share this with anyone in the paving, construction, or facilities management space
#paveitforward #asphaltpaving #constructionbusiness #pavingcontractor
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WANT TO WORK WITH PAVE IT FORWARD?If you're in Kentucky or Southern Indiana and need professional asphalt paving, seal coating, or parking lot maintenance services, contact us today:🌐 www.paveitforwardllc.com
Thanks for watching! Your support helps us continue creating content about the real business of asphalt paving.
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