The Real Build

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...

In this episode of The Real Build, I sat down with Scott and Stan Whitcomb of The Whitcomb Group to talk about real estate, leadership, and building a company the right way. We got into how they’ve grown a successful real estate business by focusing on relationships, trust, and consistency, not just transactions. Scott and Stan shared what it’s like working together, how they stay aligned as leade...

In this episode of The Real Build, I sat down with Jackson Lahmeyer to talk about faith, leadership, and what it looks like to build a business without letting fear drive your decisions. Jackson is a pastor, the founder of Pastors for Trump, and someone who has been willing to stand firm in his beliefs even when it brings opposition. He’s also been involved at the national level through the White...

“We work for the agent.” That line stood out most from Josh Marzucco, Owner and Broker of Marzucco Real Estate, because it says everything about how he leads. This is not about padding pockets or chasing volume. It’s about building a brokerage where agents are supported, challenged, and truly set up to succeed. From culture to leadership, Josh is intentional about putting his people first and crea...

In this episode of The Real Build, I sit down with our superintendents, Mason and Michael, to talk about the words and goals we are setting for the new year. We dive into what we want to improve, what we want to build on, and how setting clear intentions helps drive focus, accountability, and growth both on the jobsite and in life. This is a real conversation about leadership, direction, and pushi...

In this episode of The Real Build, our team sits down for an honest conversation about mistakes we’ve made along the way and the lessons we learned the hard way. There is no highlight reel here, just real stories from the field, the office, and the jobsite about decisions that didn’t go as planned and how they shaped who we are today. We talk about accountability, growth, and why owning mistakes i...

In this episode of The Real Build, I sit down with financial planner Keith Embree of Raymond James to break down what business owners and everyday individuals need to know about money, planning, and long-term financial stability. We talk about the biggest financial mistakes people make, how to build a strong foundation, and why the right habits matter more than the right investments. Whether you r...

In this episode of The Real Build, the girls of R.K. Reiman Construction Jenna, Liz, and Kathy, took over the studio for a fun and unfiltered conversation. They ranked our subcontractors and team in categories like who talks the most, who talks the least, who’s the cleanest, who’s the dirtiest, their favorite subcontractors, and even the weirdest things they’ve seen in our houses. This one had ple...

In this episode of The Real Build, we brought most of our team into the studio for a fun Thanksgiving conversation. We asked some fun holiday questions like what our favorite Thanksgiving dish is, what our least favorite is, what we are thankful for, and more. It turned into a great mix of laughs, stories, and real moments from the people who make R.K. Reiman Construction what it is. If you want t...

In this episode of The Real Build, I sit down with the newest member of the R.K. Reiman Construction team, Michael Belcher. Michael is our new superintendent and we are excited to have him on board. We talk about his background, what led him to join our team, and the why behind his decision. Michael shares his vision for the future, his passion for growth, and what it means to get uncomfortable in...