Wissam Akra recently appeared on The B2B Growth Blueprint podcast with Mark Osborne to discuss how regulatory changes created a market opportunity for Tough Leaf and how we help contractors meet diversity requirements. Wissam shared that, initially, these diversity goals were optional, but over time they became mandates with severe penalties for failure. This gap in the market inspired Tough Leaf’s data-driven platform, which matches contractors with diverse businesses and ensures compliance, providing multiple bids to foster competition and cost-efficiency.
Tough Leaf: From Database to Full-Service Compliance Solution
Wissam stressed the critical role of customer feedback in shaping Tough Leaf’s evolution. By validating product ideas with real financial commitments from clients, he was able to pivot Tough Leaf from a simple database into a comprehensive end-to-end platform. With this transformation contractors no longer face the burden of meeting compliance alone—Wissam’s Tough Leaf solution turns regulatory challenges into opportunities for growth for both prime contractors and the certified subcontractors. By listening to customer needs and leveraging technology, Tough Leaf is empowering the construction industry to thrive in a new era where clients are increasingly focused on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals.
Watch the entire interview here: