FTGUS Condensed · The heart of the conversation in about 20 minutes
About this condensed conversation
Before Richie Zook could lead a Pennsylvania concrete company from Idaho, he had to hand off work he was used to doing himself. Richie explains how he entered a new trade, helped buy Keystone Gun-Krete with seller financing, and brought in an accountant and attorney to evaluate the opportunity. His biggest fear was losing the people who made the business work. He shares why the…
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Before Richie Zook could lead a Pennsylvania concrete company from Idaho, he had to hand off work he was used to doing himself.
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Richie explains how he entered a new trade, helped buy Keystone Gun-Krete with seller financing, and brought in an accountant and attorney to evaluate the opportunity. His biggest fear was losing the people who made the business work.
He shares why the company grew around good people, how turned-away work helps him judge equipment demand, and why a $1.2 million pump can become a purchase driven by pride. He also describes testing remote work before the move and handing field responsibilities to a young leader who later became a partner. The conversation closes with costly mistakes, backing employees when customers are wrong, and the advice to be known for who you are, not what you do.
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GUEST & RESOURCES
Richie Zook and Keystone Gun-Krete
https://www.keystonegun-krete.com/
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MacArthur Company
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Real stories. Hard lessons. Stronger foundations. From The Ground Up Show delivers honest business and leadership conversations and practical lessons for owners, operators, tradespeople, entrepreneurs, and leaders building something that lasts—with hearts, hands, and hustle.
Hosted by Erick Loden, a former commercial roofing company owner and business advisor. From 2014 to 2025, he owned and ran his roofing company, growing annual revenue more than eightfold and operating profit nearly fifteenfold before completing a successful internal sale.
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