The COVID-19 pandemic served as the tipping point for Eric Yarbrough. He resigned from his position as a Construction Project Manager and, alongside his wife, Brittney Yarbrough, launched a contracting company.

Embarking on a new business venture at the peak of a global pandemic might not have appeared to be a wise decision. However, for Eric and Brittney, the Owners of E & B Dirt Works in Rogersville, Alabama, this decision could not have been more fitting.

The company’s early success has been propelled by an uptick in construction activity in Rogersville and the nearby Huntsville area. This is apparent when exiting Interstate 65 heading east on Highway 72 or Interstate 565 toward Huntsville. Along these routes, numerous businesses and bustling job sites dot the landscape. There is even a new Buc-ee’s convenience store situated at an interstate exit near Athens, Alabama.

Eric, now 35, was raised in the construction industry. His father owned an excavation business when Eric was young, which inspired him to eventually launch his own contracting company.

“I was previously a Project Manager at a big construction company,” Eric recalled. “I had been there for nine years, and I was getting burnt out. I was working way too much.”

When the pandemic struck in 2020, it significantly complicated Eric’s job and heightened his stress levels. Adhering to distancing requirements made it nearly impossible to carry out his day-to-day duties. It was during this challenging period that Eric and Brittney decided it was time to take the leap and establish their own company.

After what Eric describes as a slow start, business quickly picked up. His expertise in operating construction equipment and knowledge of managing construction projects proved to be the perfect combination for the company’s success.

“Having previously worked as a Project Manager proved invaluable, particularly in aspects such as bidding, managing spreadsheets, and job tracking,” Eric said. “During my time as a Project Manager, I handled a lot of civil work. Often, I initiated projects from the ground up, and I did the dirt work. Then, I would oversee the structural side until the job was complete.”

Customers hired E & B Dirt Works for land clearing services and earthmoving for new building sites. As the workload intensified, it was not long before Eric needed assistance to manage the increasing number of projects.

“I’d call my dad and ask if he could help me on a job,” Eric said. “He came and helped me, and because he’s been in this industry for 30 years, he gets a lot of calls. Now he refers them directly to me.”

As demand increased, Eric and Brittney expanded the company’s workforce, hiring additional personnel to operate construction equipment and drive dump trucks to meet the escalating demand for earthmoving services.

“We’re experiencing steady growth,” Eric explained, “but we’re not aiming for rapid expansion. We want to maintain control and quality. Managing a larger company can be overwhelming. Our target is to have a team of 10 to 15 people, maximum.”

Having transitioned from a Project Manager role to entrepreneurship, Eric brings a keen understanding of the importance of delivering high-quality workmanship from the outset. He emphasizes the significance of getting the job right the first time — a principle ingrained in his approach since the inception of E & B Dirt Works.

Quality is non-negotiable for the company. Eric believes that prioritizing quality not only ensures customer satisfaction, but also builds long-lasting relationships and establishes the company’s reputation as a reliable contractor in the industry.

“Even though we’re still a young company, I’ve had to follow other businesses like mine and fix mistakes they made because they didn’t take pride in it and really do it,” Eric said. “I’m about good customer satisfaction. If a job takes me longer than I thought it would take, I’ll do it to make the customer happy because the customer may recommend our company to someone else.”

Eric and Brittney’s dedication to customer satisfaction is evident in their willingness to address issues that arise during a project. They acknowledge that sometimes unforeseen challenges may prolong the duration of a project, but they prioritize client satisfaction above all else.

Like many other aspiring construction entrepreneurs, Eric and Brittney started their business modestly, initially operating just a dump truck and a skid-steer loader. As demand grew, they expanded their equipment inventory by acquiring a mini excavator.

However, as the scale of his projects increased, the compact equipment proved insufficient to meet the demands of the workload. In a familiar turn, Eric once again turned to his dad, who came to the rescue by providing a dozer and a larger excavator.

“As we started getting into bigger jobs, our equipment needs evolved,” Eric said. “That’s when I started doing online research, looking for new equipment to replace the older, small machines.”

His online research led him to R&M Equipment Rentals. It was there that Eric and Brittney met Sales Specialist Charles Oden, and he helped them evaluate their equipment needs. It eventually led to the purchase of a trio of DEVELON machines — the DD100 dozer, DX225LC-7 excavator, and DX62R-7 mini excavator.

One of the benefits of purchasing multiple pieces of the same brand, according to Eric, is having one convenient place to buy parts.

“Until now, I bought what I could afford, and the machines were different brands,” he said. “Every piece of equipment was different. Every time I needed a part, I had to call a different place and talk to a different person. I could never make a connection with someone.”

Now Eric and Brittney can save time by picking up all their parts at one location.

Despite unprecedented circumstances brought about by the pandemic, Eric and Brittney Yarbrough have transformed an upstart contracting company into a well-established firm. E & B Dirt Works continues to carve its path in the construction industry, and the couple said that they remain dedicated to serving their community and taking on new challenges and opportunities.