Start Young and Scale Fast with Chris Vasiliou

After launching CTK at just 24 years old in the middle of a global pandemic, Chris Vasiliou didn’t wait for perfect timing, certainty, or permission. In this episode, Chris shares the realities of scaling a construction company in one of Canada’s toughest industries, the lessons learned from growing from a handful of people to a national operation, and why entrepreneurship can’t truly be taught, it has to be lived. From earning trust as a young founder to building credibility through responsiveness, authenticity, and consistency, this conversation is packed with practical insight for anyone trying to grow something meaningful.

But this episode goes deeper than business growth. Kelly and Chris unpack the hidden side of entrepreneurship, including risk, cash flow pressure, sleepless nights, non payment challenges, and the responsibility that comes with leading people. They also tackle the future of construction in Canada, why contractors should be treated as partners instead of commodities, and how trust, transparency, and long term thinking can create stronger businesses and stronger communities. Whether you’re building a company, leading a team, or standing on the edge of taking your first leap, this episode is a reminder that success rarely comes quickly, but it is built one decision at a time.

Follow Chris:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-vasiliou-a05752262/

CTK Website: https://ctksys.com/

Key Takeaways:

1. Entrepreneurship cannot really be taught, it has to be experienced.
2. There is no perfect time to start, sometimes you have to put both feet into the fire.
3. Starting young is an advantage because time, risk, and learning can compound.
4. Credibility is built through consistency, responsiveness, and doing what you say you will do.
5. Soft skills can become a major competitive advantage in established industries.
6. Growth starts with small wins, strong relationships, and proving yourself over time.
7. Authenticity and transparency are not just values, they are business development tools.
8. Construction is brutally hard, and the hidden challenges are often cash flow, non payment, risk, and tight margins.
9. The best contractors act like partners, not vendors chasing the lowest bid.
10. Canada’s next major opportunity will require builders, tradespeople, and contractors who are willing to step up and do good work.

🎸 Sponsor Shoutouts: Thank You Colin Harms & Jamie Crozier for your steadfast support of The Business Development Podcast! 🫶

The Business Development Podcast is proudly supported by Hypervac Technologies, Hyperfab, Thunder Bay Hydraulics Inc, and Atlas Elite Lifts. 🎸⭐

🔹 Hypervac Technologies: North America’s leader in vacuum truck manufacturing, building high performance hydrovac and industrial vacuum trucks designed for the toughest field conditions. www.hypervac.com

🔹 Hyperfab: The custom fabrication division of Hypervac, delivering engineered solutions and specialized builds tailored to demanding industrial applications. www.hyperfab.ca

🔹 Thunder Bay Hydraulics Inc: A trusted provider of hydraulic cylinder repair and manufacturing, supporting industries like mining, forestry, and construction with reliable, high quality service. www.thunderbayhydraulics.com

🔹 Atlas Elite Lifts: A premium supplier of automotive lift systems, focused on performance, safety, and long term reliability for shops and garages. www.atlaselitelifts.com

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Mentioned in this episode:

Hypervac - Revolution Vacuums