Travis “Silkstone” Hesketh: A successful entrepreneur with an interesting background

CONEXPO – CON/AGG Podcast: Construction Business Insights For Contractors

This week, Taylor finally gets an opportunity to sit down and have a chat in person with Silkstone Group’s CEO, Travis Hesketh, a fellow entrepreneur whose journey through professional motocross and a formidable construction career epitomizes both resilience and grit. Travis details his transition from the high-speed world of motocross to the equally challenging construction industry, illustrating how his competitive spirit and lessons from the racetrack have propelled his entrepreneurial ventures. Throughout the conversation, he shares candid insights into the setbacks that shaped him, including a significant legal ordeal that resulted in prison time but ultimately redefined his approach to business and life. Together, Travis and Taylor provide a profound look into overcoming adversity as well as harnessing personal growth and strategic thinking to manage and grow a construction business with passion.

Along the way, listeners are treated to an intimate exploration of Travis's background, from his early days in motocross to establishing a thriving construction business. The discussion delves into the core attributes—such as risk-taking and vision—that link Travis’s past experiences to his current success, while also highlighting his commitment to family and integrating them into the fabric of his business. Key points covered include Travis’s strategic reasons for entrepreneurship over traditional employment, the impact of his incarceration on his personal and professional outlook, and his forward-looking plans for his business and family legacy. As you will hear, today’s episode presents a compelling testament to the power of resilience and the relentless pursuit of passion amidst life's myriad challenges, serving as a beacon of inspiration for anyone striving to overcome personal hurdles and succeed in the demanding construction industry.

Topics:

• Travis's personal and professional background
• His entrepreneurial spirit
• Travis's legal issues and incarceration and their profound impact
• His decision to start his own construction company
• Balancing the demands of business with family life
• His future aspirations for his business and the legacy he hopes to leave for his family
• The role of personal growth, spirituality, and faith in shaping Travis's life after his legal challenges.
• How Travis’s background in motocross and his personal adversities have equipped him with unique skills for managing and growing his business

Quotes:

"I've been through hell, and I'm not back yet, but in and out, it feels like all the time."

"If it was easy, everybody would be doing it."

"I've always sort of been an entrepreneur. My roots were dirt bikes, motocross."

"I obsess about whatever it is that I'm into."

"I always aspired to be like those who were doing better than me."

"I would look at a blank canvas of whether it's a forest or a field and I would have a track built in my mind."

"I've made some bad decisions, I guess, that have led me to where we're sitting, but I have no regrets."

As always, thank you to our good friends over at Komatsu for sponsoring this podcast: https://www.komatsu.com/

Links:

• Taylor White on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-white-9881a5170/?originalSubdomain=ca
• To see highlights from the 2023 show, go to: https://www.conexpoconagg.com/show-experience/show-highlights
• Komatsu: https://www.komatsu.com/
• Silkstone Group: https://www.silkstonegroup.com/