Episode Overview

Podcast: Dirt Talk by BuildWitt
Host: Aaron Witt
Episode: Dirt Talk Q&A — DT 396
Date: December 4, 2025

This solo Q&A episode features BuildWitt founder Aaron Witt candidly answering listener questions sourced from Instagram about entrepreneurship, brand-building, the future of mining, the construction industry's people challenge, personal routines, business fears, artificial intelligence, and BuildWitt's vision for the future. Aaron maintains his trademark blend of humility, intensity, and dry humor, offering practical wisdom for the Dirt World and beyond.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Advice to Your 20-Year-Old Self About Starting a Business

[00:10–05:26]

• Aaron wouldn’t advise doing it differently: “I’m really glad I made the mistakes I did when I did. Because in your 20s everything is not nearly as expensive as it is later in life.” (01:51)
• The critical thing is to get started and keep moving forward, not to overthink or get stuck in planning.
  • “In business the biggest hang up I see people run into is that they just don’t get going. And that’s the whole game—get going and then stay going.” (02:59)
• He tries to not dwell on regret; mistakes are essential and relatively cheap early on.
• Survival and perseverance over decades is the path to significance.

2. What Does BuildWitt Actually Do?

[05:26–06:24]

• BuildWitt’s mission: “build the dirt world’s next generation.”
• Their core business is:
  • Training/Development: BuildWitt Improve platform for daily training — used by 300 civil construction companies.
  • Events: The annual Ariat Dirt World Summit, focused on leadership development.
• Aaron sees his role as mostly brand-building and spreading the message globally.

3. How Do You Build and Monetize Your Brand?

[06:24–17:09]

• Aaron started in 2017, influenced by Andy Frisella’s emphasis on branding.
• Early days: exposure led to paid photo/video jobs as others saw his work online.
• Growth: From content creation to a brand trusted by all industry layers (execs down to field workers and recruits). This trust is a “moat” for the company.
• Revenue streams:
  • Primary: Recurring software subscriptions (BuildWitt Improve)
  • Events: Ariat Dirt World Summit
  • YouTube content revenue (5–$20k/month), asset licensing, speaking fees
• Brand deals are rare; authenticity is key:
  • “I don’t like having to talk about products I don’t use… Caterpillar hasn’t given me a dime.” (08:01)
  • Ariat is the exception because he used their boots before any business relationship.
• Success secret: ruthless consistency—posting content every day since 2017.
  • “What I do have that most people don’t… is consistency. I can be maddeningly consistent.” (13:59)
  • Value creation is at the core: “You have to entertain, inspire, educate.” (14:39)
• The media side is approaching cost-neutral; future is about scaling software.

4. Will All Mines Go Autonomous in the Future?

[17:09–22:35]

• Aaron has visited autonomous mines in iron ore, coal, and oil sands—impressed, but sees limits.
• Technology is efficient, doesn’t eliminate jobs (workforce moves to new roles).
• Not universal: “Absolutely not. I do not at all believe it will even be close to 50%… in a very long time.” (20:05)
• Barriers: cost, mine lifespan, mine design, capital, slow adoption.
• Advice: focus on building personal productivity, leadership, and communication regardless—these skills transcend automation.

5. Bucket List Places to Visit

[22:35–29:29]

• Top choice: Antarctica—fascinated by the heavy equipment supporting research bases.
• Wants to engage with the U.S. military’s infrastructure work, large jobs worldwide (Africa, China, Russia, Europe, South America).
• Notes challenges of politics (geopolitical, corporate, and internal): “The politics… is really tough to navigate.” (26:26)
• Frustrations with legal/PR blocking use of content after effort and expense.
• The bigger the brand’s influence, the easier these barriers will be.

6. Most Common Struggle for Earth-Moving Companies

[29:29–37:31]

• People/workforce: “This one’s going to come at no surprise. And it is going to be people.” (29:41)
• Generational, globalization, and cultural shifts have deepened the disconnect with construction’s traditional values.
• Old mindset: just get the job done, at any expense.
• Today: Needs have changed—companies suffer from outdated people systems, lack of intentional leadership development.
• The solution: control what you can—storytelling, communication, investing in people, continuous improvement.
  • “Until companies acknowledge that their way of doing business might be outdated… nothing’s going to get better.” (33:30)
• A rallying call to transform, not complain: “A rising tide lifts all ships… The industry has overcome far bigger challenges in the past…” (36:04)

7. Personal Routines—First Thing Done Every Day

[37:31–42:35]

• Wake up early (often ~4:20am), immediately get out of bed.
• Exercise right away: “Non-negotiable every morning… Out of 365 days, that might be five [I miss].” (39:00)
• Protein, make bed, post on social, healthy breakfast.
• End of day: Bible reading, 10 pages of a book, journal a page, language practice, BuildWitt Improve video.
• Emphasis: daily routine provides forward momentum and resilience.

8. Scariest Moment of Your Career

[42:35–47:44]

• Main fear: nearly running the company out of money, several times.
  • “Because it’s way bigger than you... other people and their livelihood are counting on you. And that sucks.” (43:27)
• Led to anxiety and shame.
• This year, learned to “submit to the process” and let go of what’s out of his control.
  • “Things have always taken care of themselves… by just doing my best… whatever happens past my best, out of my control.” (44:52)
• Challenges are table stakes in business; it’s supposed to be hard.

9. Is AI Taking Jobs in Construction?

[47:44–51:48]

• Yes, AI will take/change some jobs, but he focuses on what he can control: adding human value.
  • “All I have control over is the value I am creating.” (48:08)
• Doubling down on skills unlikely to be replaced—speaking, writing, critical thinking, creativity, communication.
  • “Build my human skills… leadership, communication… that will only become more and more valuable…” (50:20)
• Advice: don’t stress about the uncontrollables; become indispensable by creating value.

10. Five-Year Plan

[51:48–58:25]

• Two worlds:
  • Big picture: Change the world, improve industry and country for future generations. “It’s either I am going to change the world for the better… or I will die trying. That’s it.” (52:56)
  • Today/fundamentals: Focus on building a strong business today, caring for customers, team, and product.
  • Essential to balance visionary and practical work.
    • “I have to spend a majority of my time in the today building a great business and great business model because that is what will enable our ability to create the future.” (57:20)
• Concrete goal: become a great software business serving the frontline and the field every day.
  • “World domination. Become a great software business serving the frontline, the field, the craft. Every day by making them better, by improving them.” (58:04)
• Encourages questions and involvement through BuildWitt initiatives and events.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Get going and then stay going… that’s it.” – Aaron Witt (02:59)
• “I can be maddeningly consistent… I have posted every day since 2017.” (13:59)
• “Absolutely not. I do not at all believe [autonomous mining] will even be close to 50%… in a very long time.” (20:05)
• “People… that is where everybody will win or lose, future state.” (36:59)
• “Non-negotiable every morning… exercise right away.” (39:00)
• “It's supposed to be hard. That’s the game, brother.” (46:27)
• “Build my human skills… that will only become more and more valuable.” (50:20)
• “It's either I am going to change the world for the better… or I will die trying.” (52:56)
• “I love thinking big because why not? … Funny enough, they usually do happen.” (57:52)

Key Timestamps

• [01:32] – Starting a business in your 20s: Advice to younger self
• [05:26] – What BuildWitt does, core mission and products
• [06:24] – Building and monetizing a brand
• [13:59] – The power of consistency
• [17:20] – Autonomous mining: realistic future outlook
• [22:54] – Bucket list places—Antarctica and more
• [29:41] – Biggest challenge for earth-moving companies: People
• [37:43] – Aaron’s daily routines for success
• [42:44] – Scariest career moment: near bankruptcy
• [47:46] – Will AI take construction jobs?
• [52:00] – The five-year plan: big vision + daily discipline
• [58:04] – Summary of BuildWitt’s future goals

Final Thoughts

Aaron delivers transparent, hard-earned business insights and industry commentary, striking a balance between realism and ceaseless optimism. Listeners walk away with practical advice: focus on consistency, add value daily, invest in people, and be open to change—while keeping big dreams front and center. As Aaron says, “It is supposed to be hard… I wouldn’t want it any other way.”