{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"EP 297. How to Grow and Protect Your Business with Surety Bonds","description":"In this episode, I sit down with Gary Eastman, attorney, entrepreneur, and founder of Axcess Surety and SwiftBonds, to break down one of the most misunderstood\u2014and overlooked\u2014topics in the construction industry: surety bonds.   Gary holds both a JD and an MBA, spent more than 17 years serving as General Counsel for national and international companies, including Fortune 500 organizations, and has helped more than 20,000 clients secure bonding on projects with a combined value exceeding $1 billion. His experience sits at the intersection of law, construction, finance, and risk management, giving him a unique perspective on how contractors can grow while protecting their businesses.   We dive into the three types of bonds every contractor should understand, how bid bonds protect project owners from unrealistic bids, and why many contractors leave significant opportunities on the table simply because they don't understand the bonding process. Gary also explains the 3% pricing rule, how contractors can build bond costs into their estimates, and why increasing bond capacity can open the door to larger projects, less competition, and stronger profit margins.   We also discuss how contractors can identify bonded project opportunities, research competitors through public records and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, and position themselves for commercial and government work that many competitors avoid because of the additional requirements.   Throughout the conversation, Gary shares practical insights on risk management, business growth, and why the contractors willing to master the details are often the ones who gain the greatest competitive advantage.   If you're a roofing contractor or construction business owner looking to move beyond competing on price, pursue larger projects, and better understand how bonding can accelerate your growth, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can apply immediately. ","author_name":"The Start Build Grow Show: A Roofing Contractor Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/startbuildgrowshow.libsyn.com\/website","html":"