re: Is the market a must?

First off, bear in mind that most of your company's growth has happened during a time with very low interest rates to stimulate the economy. A construction business is very well placed to take advantage of that. You got into this at just the right time, and in Nashville to boot.

But the pendulum swings both ways, and one fine day your sales pipeline will dry up. This is where investing in public securities can help.

Notice I didn't say "the market", because there isn't just one. You can invest in bonds of varying maturities, for example. Or Europe. Or Asia. Government bonds of whatever government you like. Or whatever. Investing in public markets gives you the ability to set aside wealth and weather a storm if your order book suddenly dries up.