Trade Talk Podcast-Connecting Communities: Inside the Growth of Live Oak Fiber
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Season 2, Episode 5
Special Guest Steve Smith, CRO and Founder of Live Oak Fiber
Behind every successful project, business, and growing community—there’s infrastructure making it all possible.
In this episode of Trade Talk, hosts Sarah White and Lindsay Lord sit down with Steve Smith, Founder and CRO of Live Oak Fiber, to talk about the connectivity powering today’s construction industry. From launching with nothing more than a “PowerPoint and Excel deck” to serving tens of thousands of customers across the Southeast, Steve shares what it takes to build a fiber network from the ground up—and why it matters more than ever.
Building from the Ground Up
Live Oak Fiber didn’t start with existing infrastructure—it started from scratch.
Steve breaks down what “greenfield” development really means and why building a network from the ground up allows for better performance, scalability, and long-term impact. It’s a process that requires vision, patience, and the ability to think beyond immediate returns.
And for contractors and business owners, that same mindset applies.
Why Connectivity Matters More Than Ever
Reliable internet is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity.
From managing projects and communicating with teams to running business operations and serving clients, connectivity plays a critical role in day-to-day success. This episode highlights how fiber internet supports productivity, efficiency, and overall competitiveness in a fast-moving industry.
What You’ll Learn
This conversation dives into both the technical and human side of building a company and supporting communities, including:
Steve’s 30+ year journey in telecommunications
And what led him to launch Live Oak Fiber.
What “greenfield” infrastructure means—and why it matters
Building smarter systems from the ground up.
How fiber internet impacts business growth and productivity
Supporting contractors, teams, and entrepreneurs.
Why reliable connectivity is no longer optional
And how it directly affects your ability to compete.
Live Oak Fiber’s role in local communities
Investing in growth through relationships—not just resources.
The company’s expansion across Florida and Georgia
And what’s ahead as demand continues to grow.
Advice for entrepreneurs
Including persistence, building the right team, and planning for long-term success.
More Than Infrastructure
One of the standout themes in this episode is that infrastructure isn’t just about technology—it’s about people.
Live Oak Fiber takes a relationship-driven approach to community involvement, focusing on long-term partnerships and meaningful engagement rather than surface-level support. It’s a reminder that real growth happens when businesses invest in the communities they serve.
Real Talk: Staying the Course
Steve shares a perspective that resonates with anyone building something from the ground up:
“It’s always darkest before the dawn… you just have to keep going.”— Steve Smith, Live Oak Fiber (18:25)
It’s a simple but powerful reminder that persistence is often the difference between an idea and a lasting business.
Listen & Subscribe
🎧 New episodes of Trade Talk drop every other Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon Music.
Be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a review to support the show and stay up to date on future episodes. Have a topic in mind? We’d love to hear from you.
Send your ideas or feedback to info@beespokeconsulting.com or submit them at contractors-connect.com/podcast.
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