Podcast Summary: "Everyone Thinks We’re Killing It" and Jet-Setting (BuildWitt Update #22) — DT 381

Podcast: Dirt Talk by BuildWitt
Host: Aaron Witt
Date: October 13, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Aaron Witt, founder of BuildWitt, offers a candid, behind-the-scenes update on what’s really happening at the company. While it may appear externally that BuildWitt is “killing it,” Aaron pulls back the curtain to share the real pressures, challenges, and messy realities of running and growing a business in the construction and mining space. He also addresses perceptions of his frequent global travel, clarifies the business value and funding behind those trips, and reflects on the importance of building enduring relationships and a unique industry knowledge base.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reality vs. Perception of Success

[01:55]

• Aaron references a leadership team call, where Randy Blunt remarked:

  “Everyone thinks we’re killing it.”

• BuildWitt appears very successful — hundreds of software customers, a recognized brand, a world-class event, and significant reach ("tens of millions of people worldwide"). Aaron even recounts being recognized unexpectedly in Australian airports.
• However, Aaron stresses that outward appearances are misleading. The company still faces serious challenges, mistakes, and internal struggles that aren’t visible from the outside.

Quote:

“I wish I could write about all the fucked up monkey business going on at this business... I have understood why you keep some issues in business private until they've passed.”
— Aaron Witt, [04:00]

• He explains the importance of keeping personnel issues private and emphasizes the complexity of running a people-centered business.

2. The Ever-Present Challenges of Leadership and Business

[05:25]

• Aaron discusses the pressures he's facing:
  • Financial strains
  • Team and people management
  • Sales and product challenges
  • Exhausting event and travel schedules

Quote:

“I don't think I've ever actually thought even about quitting as much as I have this year, ... But I've thought about just it. The pressure has not let up.”
— Aaron Witt, [06:20]

• Despite the burdens, he makes it clear he isn’t complaining and reiterates that the discomfort is an indicator of growth and doing meaningful work.
• He encourages realism about business: if someone projects unending positivity and total control, “stay away from those people” — because “that’s dog shit and everybody knows it.” [07:40]

3. The Dirt World Summit & Servant Leadership

[10:30]

• Aaron highlights the upcoming Ariat Dirt World Summit (November 5-7, Dallas, TX), with top-tier speakers like Jesse Cole, James Clear, Kim Scott, Mark Miller, and Tim Grover.
• Emphasizes the event as a gathering for hungry leaders truly seeking growth, not just a routine industry event.

4. Perceptions Around Aaron's Global Travel

[13:00]

• Some industry peers and investors reportedly think Aaron is “balling out worldwide, ignoring the business like a shitty father.”
  • He acknowledges he hasn’t transparently explained why and how he travels.
• The reality:
  • Most travel expenses are covered by media licensing, YouTube ad revenue ($20k last month), and speaking fees.
  • The travel is "cost neutral" and actually generates income for the business.

Quote:

“Not only does it not have a cost impact to the business, but it builds our business by creating the warmest leads possible for software and the dirt world.”
— Aaron Witt, [14:55]

• The relationships he’s built through travels directly support the company’s growth and credibility.

5. Building Brand and Knowledge Base

[15:30]

• Brand and trust weren’t built overnight — they were developed over years of on-the-road engagement and content creation.
• Travel provides Aaron with first-hand insight into the global industry, which makes BuildWitt uniquely positioned with a knowledge base unmatched elsewhere.

Quote:

“No one else in the world has the data set, the knowledge base I have now because of the travel I've done, it's made me a far better leader, far better communicator, far better human.”
— Aaron Witt, [19:25]

• He admits part of the travel is personal passion:

  “I have this insatiable desire to go see the industry, to meet the people of the industry and to experience it firsthand, not just across the United States, but worldwide.” [20:20]

• Even when visiting famous sights (like Petra, Jordan), his core motivation remains experiencing and learning from the industry.

6. Strategic Value & Structure

[22:30]

• Randy Blunt’s leadership enables Aaron to focus on external brand-building — their unique “moat” competitors can’t replicate.
• BuildWitt’s organic online reach now surpasses the industry's biggest brands, all without paid advertising.
• Long-term, Aaron believes this brand and network advantage will translate into major scaling.

7. Responsibility, Sponsorships, and Closing Thoughts

[26:40]

• BuildWitt has avoided conventional “influencer” deals, maintaining Ariat as its only sponsor — chosen for authentic alignment only.
• There's a virtuous cycle between Aaron’s travels, content, team development, and industry service — each reinforcing the other.

Quote:

“I drive the business, make it easier for the team, help the industry grow, which then drives what I do. Around and around it goes.”
— Aaron Witt, [28:30]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Illusions of Success:

  “If anybody tells you they're just good, which is all of LinkedIn ... stay away from those people ... that is complete nonsense.” – Aaron Witt, [07:40]

• On The Value of Discomfort:

  “I've never been more grateful for the discomfort that I, the organization, our team is feeling right now. Because ... that is an indication that we are going in the right direction.” – Aaron Witt, [09:55]

• On His Global Brand Building:

  “I can sit here and justify it all day long with like legitimate business reasons because I have to now. ... But it's really just down to a gut feeling at the end of the day.” – Aaron Witt, [21:45]

• On the Future:

  "While our business is smaller than theirs today, one day it won't be, and not just because of our brand and our reach, but, boy, is that the grease that really keeps the gears going." – Aaron Witt, [24:55]

Important Segments (with Timestamps)

• 00:12: Introduction and weekly context
• 01:55: Randy Blunt’s quote and perception vs. reality discussion
• 05:25: The hardest year and leadership pressures
• 07:40: Realism about business challenges
• 10:30: Ariat Dirt World Summit details
• 13:00: Addressing perceptions about Aaron’s travel
• 14:55: How travel funds itself and benefits the business
• 19:25: The unique knowledge base and why travel matters
• 22:30: Business structure and strategic advantages
• 26:40: Only one sponsor and maintaining brand authenticity
• 28:30: Virtuous cycle between brand, business, and industry service

Tone and Language

Aaron’s tone is straightforward, transparent, sometimes blunt, and always authentic. He uses direct, relatable language, humor, and personal anecdotes, offering listeners a real sense of the stakes, struggles, and satisfactions of working in and serving “the Dirt World.” The episode is equal parts business update, leadership confession, and motivational reflection.

Summary for New Listeners

If you haven’t listened, this episode is a revealing look into the less glamorous realities of entrepreneurial leadership in the construction industry. Aaron Witt shatters the illusion of perpetual success, shares the business case and personal drive behind his globe-trotting, and illustrates the immense value of genuine industry relationships and hands-on engagement. You’ll walk away with a deeper appreciation for the messy, difficult journey of building something meaningful in a complex, foundational industry.