Growing up in a family where fixing things was a quotidian activity, Jim Robinson had a passion for repair and construction early on. By the time he was 12, he had already fixated his sights on becoming a CEO. After joining CGP Construction at the age of 18, his career trajectory quickly shifted. He became the owner of the company at the age of 19, a remarkable achievement for someone so young. Over the last four decades, he has nurtured the company through hands-on experience and a genuine passion for construction and repair. Rising from employee to CEO, he transformed CGP into a trailblazer within the construction industry. Under his leadership, CGP has evolved into the leading choice for all construction and repair needs.
Leading with Passion
In a candid conversation with The CEO Views, Jim shared about having the privilege of leading CGP from a first-year revenue of $114,935 (with a loss) to a $25 million company. Along the way, the company expanded from working on apartments to serving major commercial clients. While shedding light on his key achievements as a leader, Jim shared: “One milestone I am proud of is writing my book Consistently Great Performance, which lays out our client retention strategies and serves as a guide for others in the industry.”
A Story of Evolution
At the outset, CGP Construction started by writing invoices by hand. However, over time, it evolved, and today the company has developed proprietary digital platforms. By leveraging AI, it supports data collection, scheduling, and form creation. While staying true to its values, the company has grown and served larger clients more effectively by embracing technology and keeping operations consistent and efficient.
Professional Excellence
Jim has over forty years of experience in the construction and maintenance industry. His career began at the ground level, giving him first-hand knowledge of the demands of this work. Over time, he grew CGP from a regional operation into a trusted national provider, serving well-known brands in retail, hospitality, restaurant, and commercial real estate. Jim is an active member of professional and industry organizations, often speaking at trade conferences and leadership summits. During these events, he shares actionable insights on scalable operations, client service, and building strong company culture—empowering industry professionals with practical knowledge and skills.
A Client-Focused Development
Being at the forefront of the construction industry, Jim has acquired expertise in navigating the landscape. While centering his focus on client retention, he ensured the company remains consistent with its service. Jim believes in setting standards and codifying best practices to make sure everyone in the company operates with the same level of excellence. CGP has grounded its strategies in its core values of integrity, creativity, and treating people with respect. Under Jim’s leadership, investing in education and employee development has been one of the most powerful drivers of CGP’s growth.
All About Leadership
While talking about the critical attributes of successful leaders today, Jim emphasized his belief that leadership is about three things: service, integrity, and excellence. In his view, successful leaders serve others first, act with integrity in every decision they take, and raise the bar of excellence. He also believes that great leaders invest in their people and build environments where teams feel supported and empowered.
Dodging the Bullets
The road to entrepreneurship is not as easy as pie, and every entrepreneur has their own share of challenges while navigating the path. When asked about the entrepreneurial challenges that most entrepreneurs face today, Jim pointed out poor communication as one of the biggest challenges. He explained that delays in response time can slow progress and lead to inefficiencies. “Early in my career, I also faced the reality of being young with limited resources and experience.” In response to this issue, he advised entrepreneurs to build strong partnerships with a few key vendors they can count on to overcome such obstacles. Jim encouraged them to focus on efficiency and mutual trust.
Enabling Innovation
At CGP, employees look for ways to integrate new tools while respecting the fundamentals of the trade. Materials like drywall have not changed much, but the way CGP plans and manages projects certainly has. Teams break construction timelines into precise increments and harness technology to manage jobs with greater accuracy. CGP also weaves sustainability into its work—from recycling job-site materials to optimizing routes for fuel efficiency.
Contemplating the Future
Jim’s vision for CGP holds operations in all 50 states with expansion into Canada and Mexico. In 2025, the company is expanding into 12 to 15 states. Jim’s goal extends beyond geographical expansion—it’s about growing CGP’s people, strengthening client relationships, and giving back to the communities they serve.
A Word to the Wise
As a beacon of inspiration to emerging entrepreneurs, Jim advised them to develop their people. In his view, business leaders must invest in people’s growth through education, mentorship, and by creating a workplace where they feel valued. Jim believes service is at the heart of long-term success. It is not just a business strategy but a philosophy for life. “From my point of view, when one serves without expecting anything in return, the results multiply.”
“If there is one piece of advice I would give, it is to build something that serves others well, and you will build something that lasts.”
