From Motocross to Earthmoving: Beau from BRC Dirtworks
Watch video version here: YouTube Episode 176 of the Earthworks Hub PodcastIn this episode of the Earthworks Hub LIVE Podcast, Ivan sits down with Beau from BRC Dirtworks to talk about more than 20 years in earthmoving, motocross, machinery and building a business from the ground up.Beau’s story started when he was just 20 years old. After struggling to get someone to give him an opportunity in earthmoving, he sold his motocross bikes, scraped together a deposit and bought his first machine — an old Komatsu wheel loader.From there, BRC Dirtworks grew from one machine into an earthmoving operation with excavators ranging from 3-tonners through to a 33-tonner, dozers, loaders, posi-tracks, trucks and its own concrete crushing operation.In this episode we talk about:• Starting an earthmoving business at 20• Beau’s background racing motocross• Building more than 100 motocross and supercross tracks• What actually goes into building a proper motocross track• Growing BRC Dirtworks from one loader into a substantial fleet• Why Beau has remained so loyal to Komatsu• Excavators, dozers, loaders, GPS and machine technology• Starting a concrete crushing operation almost by accident• Recycling concrete and using crushed material on BRC projects• The challenges of finding and keeping good operators• Fuel prices and the real cost of owning earthmoving machinery• Why Beau believes earthmoving rates should be higher• Whether growing a large fleet is actually worth it• Finding the right size for an earthmoving business• The stress of keeping employees and machinery working• Beau’s advice for young operators wanting to start their own business• Why building a successful earthmoving company is a long game• What’s next for Beau and BRC DirtworksOne of the biggest lessons from Beau’s story is that there isn’t one correct way to build an earthmoving business. After years of chasing growth, Beau says he’s reached a point where he enjoys the size of the operation, the machinery, the crew and still being able to do what he loves — operating machines.His advice to young contractors is simple: look at tomorrow, not just today. Play the long game, plan your next few moves and learn from people who have already done it.If you're an earthmoving contractor, operator, owner-operator or you're thinking about starting your own earthmoving business, there are plenty of lessons in this conversation.Subscribe to Earthworks Hub for more conversations with the people working across Australia's earthmoving, civil construction and mining industries.Proudly supported by Earthworks Hub partnersView all partners: https://earthworkshub.com.au/partners Explore Earthworks HubWebsite: https://earthworkshub.com.au Tools & templates: https://earthworkshub.com.au/tools-and-shop/ Join Our social platform and discussions: https://earthworkshub.com.au/community Connect with contractors and suppliers, browse the business directory, access practical templates and calculators, learn through the Earthworks Hub Academy, and join Australia's dedicated online community for the earthmoving industry.What do you think — is owning and growing an earthmoving fleet still worth it today?#EarthworksHub #Earthmoving #Excavation #Komatsu #Motocross
