"Pen and paper is still one of the largest competitors that construction tech has."

That's what Kalyn Lengieza, owner of Grindstone Consultants, told us during our latest conversation. And honestly, it hit different.

In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Kalyn and we got to learn about why authenticity beats fancy tech features, how relationships still drive deals in our industry, and the real secrets behind successful construction tech marketing... and many more!

Tune in to find out about:

✅ Why deals still get done on golf courses and job site trailers

✅ The time, talent, treasure framework for resource allocation

✅ How to use AI and tools like Gong to understand your customers better

✅ Why most construction tech companies are positioning themselves wrong

This episode is packed with actionable insights for founders, marketers, and anyone trying to crack the construction tech code.

Listen now on Spotify and let us know what resonates with you in the comments.

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# Podcast Timestamps

00:00 Intro

01:56 Introduction and Unique Connections

05:10 The Importance of Authenticity in Construction Tech Marketing

07:46 Kalyn's Role and Daily Involvement in Grindstone

10:55 Building Relationships and Customer Acquisition Costs

14:00 Leveraging AI and Tools for Marketing Efficiency

16:41 Time, Talent, and Treasure Framework for Startups

19:53 Prioritizing Marketing and Sales Initiatives

22:47 Testing and Iterating Marketing Strategies

26:03 Maintaining Customer Touchpoints and Nurturing Relationships

28:54 Final Thoughts on Marketing in Construction Tech

32:50 Creating a Cohesive Marketing Strategy

34:58 Winning at Product Marketing

36:07 Understanding Your Customers

37:48 Common Positioning Mistakes

41:08 Effective Messaging Frameworks

42:57 Tailoring Messaging for Different Personas

47:59 Key Metrics for Success

52:33 Generating Qualified Leads

55:53 The Best Channels for Customer Engagement

59:17 Radical Changes in Go-to-Market Strategies

"WhatsApp processes billion-dollar construction orders while ERPs sit unused as glorified data entry systems in Africa.."

In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Kagure Wamunyu from Jumba and we got to learn about how African tech companies must build entire ecosystems from scratch, why 60% of Kenya's GDP runs on mobile money, and how construction distribution works in emerging markets... and many more!

Tune in to find out about:

✅ How Uber Kenya became the first 100% cash market using manual Excel reconciliation

✅ Why Kenyans build homes instead of buying them due to 15% mortgage rates

✅ The reality of building construction tech in Africa where you become multiple businesses

✅ How WhatsApp has become the primary business operating system across African companies

From civil engineering to dropping out of Oxford PhD to revolutionize construction supply chains across Africa, Kagure shares the untold story of adapting global tech solutions to local market realities.

Her journey from handling driver strikes as Uber's face in Kenya to building Jumba shows how founders in emerging markets navigate challenges that don't exist elsewhere.

Watch now on Youtube to hear the full conversation about building in markets where traditional assumptions don't apply.

00:00 Intro01:55 Kagure's Journey: From Nairobi to Tech Innovator04:52 The Uber Experience: Adapting Technology to Local Markets07:53 Understanding Mobile Money: The Backbone of Kenyan Transactions10:53 Navigating Challenges: From Uber to EdTech13:59 The Birth of Jumba: Merging Construction and Technology16:48 Jumba's Business Model: Connecting Hardware Stores and Manufacturers20:09 Strategic Product Focus: Cement, Steel, and Beyond22:56 Scaling Operations: The Role of Hardware Stores in Construction25:45 SaaS Development: Building Technology for the Construction Industry28:30 Streamlining Financial Processes with SaaS29:35 Building Tech Products in Africa34:35 Navigating Talent and Fundraising in Kenya39:35 Understanding African Market Dynamics43:54 Sales Strategies in Construction Tech48:30 Challenges and Advantages of Being a Female Founder49:57 Lessons Learned and Future Ambitions