The Real Build

What does it really take to build a better construction industry? In this episode, I welcome back Matt Vetter, owner of Schaefer Construction and founder of the Build Better Foundation, to discuss leadership, company culture, workforce development, and the future of the skilled trades. Together we explore why attracting the next generation of construction professionals requires more than recruitin...

In this special Fourth of July episode of The Real Build Live, our team comes together to celebrate the values that shape both our company and our country. From discussing the core principles that guide the way we build homes and relationships to sharing our most American traits, this episode is packed with personality, laughter, and a little friendly competition. We also dive into a rapid-fire Q&...

What does it really take to build a reputation that lasts? In this episode of The Real Build Live, I sit down with Mark Easton, owner of Buccos Roofing, to discuss why trust is the foundation of every successful business. From transparency and honesty to serving the community and putting people before profits, Mark shares the principles that have helped Buccos Roofing earn a lasting reputation thr...

In this episode of The Real Build, Bill sits down with Chris Law of Law Construction LLC to talk about what separates a good builder from a great one: ownership. In construction, taking ownership goes far beyond managing a project. It means taking responsibility for the details, the decisions, the challenges, and ultimately the client experience. Chris shares his perspective on leadership in the f...

In this episode of The Real Build Live, I sit down with Tatiana Gust, President of CBIA, to talk about the importance of having a voice in the construction industry. From creating opportunities for the next generation to challenging the traditional idea that success only comes through one path, Tatiana shares why some of the most rewarding careers begin by recognizing where help is needed, and ste...

From building a brand identity to creating content that connects, Gonzalo shares his journey into the world of media and the strategy behind helping businesses tell their stories. They discuss what separates good marketing from great marketing, the importance of authenticity, and why understanding people is at the core of every successful brand. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, crea...

In this episode of The Real Build, I sit down with Stefanie Schied to discuss her journey, leadership philosophy, and the path that brought her to RK Reiman Construction. Starting her career in administration, Stefanie shares how those early experiences helped shape her understanding of business operations, team culture, and what it takes to support a growing company. From learning the fundamental...

In this episode of The Real Build, I sit down with Mason, one of our superintendents, who started with R.K. Reiman Construction with no prior industry experience. We discuss what it takes to become valuable to a team, earn trust, develop new skills, and commit to becoming a better version of yourself every day.

What really goes into the world of luxury kitchen design? In this episode of The Real Build Podcast, Kathy and Megan take us behind the scenes of their trip from Southwest Florida to Wisconsin for an exclusive luxury kitchen and design experience and a firsthand tour of the iconic Sub-Zero Appliance factory. From innovative appliance technology and emerging kitchen trends to craftsmanship, customi...

What really happens after the design selections are made... and long before the final warranty walkthrough? In this episode of The Real Build Podcast, guest host Jenna sits down with Kellie and Kathy from the R.K. Reiman team to talk about the client experience beyond the build. From design selections and decision-making to communication, expectations, punch-outs, and warranty support, this conver...

In this episode of The Real Build, I sit down with Jorge Condomina of Fuse Appliances to break down everything homeowners need to know when it comes to selecting appliances for a custom home. Appliances are one of the most important decisions in the building process, but they are often overlooked or rushed. Jorge shares his expertise on how to choose the right appliances based on lifestyle, perfor...

In this episode of The Real Build , I sit down with Giselle Harthan , our new marketing coordinator at RK Reiman Construction, to introduce her to the team and give a behind-the-scenes look at how we’re building our brand. We talk about Giselle’s background, what brought her into marketing, and what stood out about RK Reiman when she first connected with our company. We also get into what she’s le...

In this episode of The Real Build, Liz and I talk about one of the most important core values we live by at RK Reiman Construction: Integrity. Integrity is not just about doing things right when people are watching. It is about doing the right thing all the time, especially when it is not easy. In construction, where trust is everything, integrity shows up in how you communicate, how you handle ch...

In this episode of The Real Build, I sit down with Mackenzie from our team to talk about one of the core values that drives everything we do at RK Reiman Construction: Continue to Improve. Growth isn’t optional in this business. Whether it’s systems, communication, craftsmanship, or leadership, we’re always looking for ways to get better. We talk about what this core value actually means in the da...

In this episode of The Real Build, Jenna and I break down one of the core values that drives everything we do at RK Reiman Construction: We are a team. This is not just something we say. It is how we operate every day. From our internal team to our subcontractors, vendors, and clients, everything works better when everyone is aligned and working toward the same goal. We talk about what this really...

In this episode of The Real Build, I sit down with Megan Devane and Henry Jeannin from Ferguson Naples, one of the leading suppliers for plumbing fixtures, appliances, and lighting for luxury homes. Ferguson has been a trusted partner for us for years, helping guide homeowners through one of the most important parts of building a custom home, selecting the right fixtures, appliances, and lighting....

In this episode of The Real Build, I sat down with Ed Carbary and Austin Edwards of Elxai Intelligent Homes to talk about smart home technology and how it’s changing the way people live. We discussed the latest technology being integrated into modern homes, what it looks like when a builder and automation partner work together the right way, and how important it is to properly educate clients on s...

In this episode of The Real Build, I sat down with Sam Forline, founder and CEO of Blue Collar Scholars, one of the most trusted renovation and outdoor living companies serving Maryland, D.C., and Northern Virginia. Blue Collar Scholars was built on a simple but powerful promise: do it right or don’t do it at all. What started with one truck and a few tools has grown into a full design-build compa...

In this episode of The Real Build, my sister Jenna Popoff stepped in as host and sat down with two of our team members, Michael Belcher and Kathy Ward, to talk about their decision to leave large corporate construction companies and join R.K. Reiman Construction. They shared what it was like working for major corporate builders, where they felt overlooked, and why they ultimately chose a company w...

In this episode of The Real Build, I sat down with our superintendent Michael, to talk about one of our core values at R.K. Reiman Construction: meticulous details. For us, it really is all in the details. We never cut corners. If something isn’t right, we fix it. Period. That mindset is what separates a good home from a great one. We talked about why small details matter just as much as the big o...

In this episode of The Real Build, I’m joined by Daniel McCaulley, owner of Ultimus Engineering. Daniel is a licensed professional engineer who works closely with builders, architects, and homeowners on residential and commercial projects, especially in high-risk environments like coastal Florida. His firm is involved in everything from new construction to complex structural evaluations, and a big...

In this episode of The Real Build, I sat down with Tim Street, the owner of Foolproof FSBO, to talk about how he’s challenging and redefining the real estate industry. Tim is on a mission to educate homeowners and give them the tools to protect themselves when buying or selling a home. We talked about why so many people lose money in real estate without realizing it, the misconceptions around sell...

In this episode of The Real Build, I sat down again with my superintendent Mason Blosser to talk about what actually makes or breaks a custom home jobsite and why so many projects go sideways. We got into execution and the mindset of not letting the jobsite control you, but instead controlling the jobsite. We talked about the importance of strong interaction between the client and the field, holdi...

In this episode of The Real Build, I sat down with Bryan Clayton, co-founder of GreenPal, a platform often compared to the Uber for lawn care. But before GreenPal, Bryan spent years running a traditional landscaping business. He was in the field every day dealing with crews, customers, weather, margins, and all the chaos that comes with service work. What really pushed Bryan to start GreenPal was...

In this episode of The Real Build, my wife Liz and I sit down for a personal conversation about how my upbringing shaped who I am today. We talk about growing up with my dad, always trying to earn his approval and make him proud, and how that drive followed me into adulthood. A lot of who I am today, both the good and the hard lessons, came from that season of my life. What once felt like pressure...