Dirt Talk Podcast
The Cost of Opening Too Soon w/ Jacob Robinson (DT 491)
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October 29, 2026
The Cost of Opening Too Soon w/ Jacob Robinson
Jacob Robinson w/ Dig World – DT 491
Jacob Robinson is the Founder of Dig World, a construction-themed amusement park where kids and families can operate real heavy equipment. The idea came from his son, Pierce, who suffered a devastating brain injury after contracting bacterial meningitis at just 21 months old. After 75 days in the hospital, Pierce returned home nonverbal, deaf, in a wheelchair, and experiencing roughly 100 seizures a day. Through it all, one thing never changed: his love for construction equipment. That passion inspired Jacob to create a place where Pierce could one day work and families could come together to experience something different.
Jacob shares how he turned that idea into a business despite being rejected by 248 potential investors, navigating the challenges of COVID, and experiencing a disastrous grand opening that forced Dig World to temporarily close. He also discusses appearing on Shark Tank, partnering with Caterpillar, and expanding Dig World beyond its original Houston location. Along the way, Jacob reflects on how Pierce's story changed his perspective on failure, risk, faith, and leadership, and why introducing kids to construction at an early age could help inspire the next generation of the industry's workforce.
Follow Jacob Robinson on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-robinson-9912b215/
Learn more about Dig World at: https://digworldnation.com/
Want to better develop your civil construction workforce and leaders? Check out BuildWitt Improve! https://buildwitt.com
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