How does a single batch plant built outside a bedroom window transform into America’s largest ready-mix concrete producer?
Forbes Deputy Editor Matt Durot sits down with founder Mike Hollingshead and his sons, Jeff and Ryan, to reveal the story behind Smyrna Ready Mix (SRM). From humble roots in a rural Tennessee trailer park to building a multi-billion dollar enterprise spanning 24 states, the Hollingshead family shares their unfiltered journey of faith, grit, and generational vision.
Discover how a local finisher built an industry giant—without ever giving up 100% family ownership, sacrificing their blue-collar work ethic, or leading from an “ivory tower.”
0:00 From A Backyard Dream To A $3.5B Empire
5:19 An Unbreakable Work Ethic
9:01 Building Smyrna Ready Mix
11:13 Hands-On Leadership & Sibling Synergy
13:24 Expansion Beyond Acquisition
15:43 Keeping It In The Family
Read the full story on Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattdurot/2026/09/29/he-nearly-fumbled-his-business-due-to-drinking—now-he-owns-a-7-billion-concrete-empire/
Subscribe to FORBES: https://www.youtube.com/user/Forbes?sub_confirmation=1
Fuel your success with Forbes. Gain unlimited access to premium journalism, including breaking news, groundbreaking in-depth reported stories, daily digests and more. Plus, members get a front-row seat at members-only events with leading thinkers and doers, access to premium video that can help you get ahead, an ad-light experience, early access to select products including NFT drops and more:
Stay Connected
Forbes newsletters: https://newsletters.editorial.forbes.com
Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes
Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbes
Forbes Video on Instagram: http://instagram.com/forbes
More From Forbes: http://forbes.com
Forbes covers the intersection of entrepreneurship, wealth, technology, business and lifestyle with a focus on people and success.
Forbes highlights success through the lens of business, entrepreneurship, wealth, investing and leadership…Watch on SloppBoxx.Com.
I was one if not his first customer.
Don’t worry a venture ( vulture) capitalist firm will eventually worm its way in there and ruin that whole situation
I wonder what debt ratio they carry?
Thank you for sharing this amazing family with their company.😊
What an incredible story. Thank you so much for sharing it!
What a beautiful story!
How can you ask a worker to do something that you have never done
When you have done it you know what you are sending them to do
And when you hook in and help out
T
You get worker respect and it is beautiful