I’ve met a lot of business owners. Very few of them lead with the kind of quiet conviction and clarity that Kyle Cockram brings to the table.
When I first heard about Kyle, I was told, “He’s building something special in the construction space—something that actually lasts.” After sitting down with him on the Exceptional Companies Podcast, I can confidently say: that’s true.
He’s not just building structures. He’s building people. And in the process, he’s building a business with soul.
This is the companion piece to our conversation—a written reflection of the themes we explored for those who prefer reading over listening. If you’re someone who’s navigating leadership, growth, or your own sense of purpose, I think Kyle’s story will stick with you the way it did with me.
Kyle Didn’t Choose Construction—At First
Kyle grew up in the trades. His father and both grandfathers were in construction. He was swinging a hammer before most kids were tying their shoes. He stayed connected to school through shop class and sports, often finding himself in leadership roles without even realizing it.
And yet, everyone around him—including his own father—warned him not to go into business for himself. Don’t start a company. Don’t go into construction. Go corporate. Play it safe.
That message stuck. For a while.
The Detour That Taught Him How to Lead
After some community college and time in full-time construction, Kyle moved to Louisiana and stepped away from the trades entirely. He went into automotive electronics—and ended up working for one of the best bosses of his life.
“He showed me you could run a business and still care deeply for people.”
That job didn’t just give Kyle a paycheck. It gave him a blueprint for how leadership should look—human-centered, relational, servant-hearted.
Eventually, Kyle and his wife moved to Colorado Springs, and that’s where things really shifted.
Finding His ‘Why’—And Walking Into It
In Colorado, Kyle joined a local general contractor and learned the business side of construction: margins, systems, scaling. But as he started to think about what he wanted long-term, a bigger question emerged:
Why am I here? What’s my actual purpose?
Here’s the wild thing: Kyle didn’t have a dramatic backstory. No rock-bottom moment. No obvious pain to build a comeback from. And that bothered him for a while.
“I started wondering—shouldn’t I have some pain? Why do I feel like I don’t have a ‘why’?”
Eventually, he found it. His purpose is to help others recognize their worth—even when no one else has ever told them they’re worthy.
That purpose changed everything. Including his view of business ownership.
The Business He Swore He’d Never Start
Despite years of saying he’d never be an entrepreneur, Kyle walked into his home one day and told his wife, “I think I’m supposed to start a business.”
To her credit, she said, “Okay. Let’s do it.”
That was the beginning of Southern Mesa.
From day one, it wasn’t about volume. It was about values. Kyle hired based on chemistry and character, not just skill. He focused on culture first—because that’s what he saw missing most in the industry.
And here’s the kicker: by the end of year one, they had 11 team members—and Kyle hadn’t recruited a single one. They just showed up. Word spread. People aligned with the vision. And they took a risk on a company that, at the time, was nothing more than a belief.
“I didn’t seek them out. They came to me. And they stayed.”
Culture, Character, Capability: The Triangle of Growth
As Southern Mesa grew, Kyle had to evolve as a leader. What got them off the ground—tight-knit, family-style culture—wouldn’t carry them to the next level.
He started framing the future as a triangle: culture, character, and capability.
“We started with personality and chemistry. That got us here. Now we need to layer in production and skill—and balance all three.”
He’s in the thick of that transition now, shifting from gut feel to process, from friendship-based leadership to function-focused teams. And he’s honest—it’s hard. But necessary.
The Wilderness Metaphor That Changed Everything
Kyle shared a metaphor with me that really hit home. His coach, Alan Briggs, once described two paths:
- A wide, comfortable walking path that goes in circles.
- A wild, uncharted “wilderness” you step into when you pursue something deeper.
“Entrepreneurship is stepping into the wilderness. There’s no clear map. But that’s where clarity lives.”
That line stuck with me. As someone who’s walked through his fair share of business battles, I can tell you—Kyle’s right. Clarity doesn’t live in comfort. It shows up when we step off the path and start building our own.
Process Makes Culture Real
One thing we both agreed on in this conversation: you can’t fake culture.
If your team says one thing in a sales pitch and then shows up and delivers something totally different, trust erodes fast. That’s why Kyle is leaning hard into systems now—because systems are how values scale.
“What got us here won’t get us there. So I’m learning to lead differently—and it’s stretching me.”
His commitment to personal growth is what will keep Southern Mesa growing. He’s not coasting. And as I always tell my teams: you will never rise above the level of your leader.
Why the Trades Matter—Now More Than Ever
We spent a good chunk of this episode talking about the trades—how they’ve been overlooked, underfunded, and unfairly criticized for years. But the tide is turning.
“Plumbers starting at $100K straight out of high school? That’s real.”
Kyle wants to be part of the solution—not just by hiring well, but by partnering with schools and getting kids excited about skilled trades again. He’s seen firsthand how those programs kept him engaged and set him on the path he’s on now.
Final Words: You Are Worthy
As we wrapped up, I asked Kyle what he would say to someone who’s feeling unworthy. Someone who doesn’t come from a successful family. Someone who’s struggling to believe their dream matters.
His answer was simple—and powerful.
“God is always trying to show you your purpose—even in the pain. You just need the right people around you to help you see it.”
Let that sink in.
AND MORE TOPICS COVERED IN THE FULL INTERVIEW!!! You can check that out and subscribe to YouTube.
If you want to know more about Kyle Cockram, you may reach out to him at:
- Website: https://southernmesallc.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthernMesa
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southern.mesa.colorado
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southern-mesa
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-cockram-01b457252
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@southernmesa
Connect with Chris Seegers:
- Website: https://exceptionalcos.com/
- Email: Ch***@************OS.com
Other Resources:
Books: Selling Main Street by Chris Seegers
