Fervent Four

Did you know that only 4% of businesses ever cross the annual million dollar revenue mark? The Fervent Four is a weekly show, every Thursday at 11am, dedicated to sharing insights into growing a world class business no matter the climate.

From Recession to Record Growth: Leading Construction with Grit

E331 • Oct 17, 2026 • 49 mins

Marcia Hudgens shares how she took over Diggers United at 60, carried forward her husband’s legacy, and helped grow the company in a male-dominated industry. The conversation covers rebuilding after the recession, learning business the hard way, and why an MBA only goes so far without real-world experience. It also gets into consulting, work-life balance, Hampton Roads projects, and the operational changes behind tripling revenue, from hiring and training to equipment ownership and safety culture.

Key Points

Business knowledge matters, but real growth comes from learning the specifics of your industry and adapting to what actually works on the ground.
Strong leadership can come from changing old habits, investing in people, and building systems that improve safety, equipment use, and accountability.
A company can survive major disruption and still grow when it stays disciplined, keeps the right team in place, and refuses to shut down too soon.

Speakers

Marsha Hudgins

Guest • 89%

Tim Ryan

Host • 7%

Zack Miller

Host • 4%

Chapters

0:00	Marcia Hudgens takes over the business and the origins of Diggers United
3:47	Rebuilding after recession: shifting from general contracting to site work
5:42	The importance of business knowledge in keeping the company going
7:54	Early entrepreneurial lessons: launching a retail store with an MBA and no capital
10:49	The value and limits of an MBA for real-world business success
14:47	Transitioning from physical therapy to healthcare consulting and learning business language
18:16	Starting a consulting practice, work-life balance, and managing multiple businesses
20:52	Taking over at 60: honoring her husband’s legacy and facing pressure
22:03	Leading in a male-dominated industry and tripling the company’s income
24:37	Hampton Roads footprint, government work, and growth around Craney Island
26:35	Project opportunities and challenges in Craney Island and Lambert’s Point
27:35	Staying local versus expansion: lessons from work in other regions
29:03	Engineering solutions for tough job sites in Hampton Roads
31:16	Tripling revenue: changes in hiring, training, and winter workforce management
33:48	Equipment strategy and the importance of machinery ownership
36:21	Surviving close calls, COVID, and a $44 million project
37:29	Strengthening leadership and bringing more women into construction and STEM
40:15	Meeting cadence, training, and building a strong safety culture
42:44	Executive meetings, collaboration, and managing complex regional projects
47:03	Life outside work: travel, restaurants, and living in Hampton Roads and abroad

Transcript

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