Building Scale

Andrew Eshelman delves into his career journey, transitioning from early roles to business ownership in the AEC industry. He shares insights on building key relationships and tackling major projects, while balancing hiring with company growth amidst market challenges. The conversation touches on leadership, running a company alongside family life, and the nuances of client relationships. Andrew di...

Zac Cohen discusses the ambitious Atari Hotel project, emphasizing human-centric development and the balance between nostalgia and futurism in design. He highlights the integration of modern technology and the importance of partnerships in creating a community-focused entertainment district. Zac delves into the challenges and strategies faced in large-scale development, emphasizing architectural u...

Staci and Chad Hannah share the foundational principles and origin story of PBC Construction Group. They recount the experience of buying a construction company and stepping into leadership roles, addressing initial challenges and process improvements. Emphasis is placed on building trust and fostering employee investment, alongside implementing EOS to define company roles. The discussion covers c...

Sergei Guk delves into the founding and growth of RestorationHQ, emphasizing the pivotal role of relationships and company culture. He discusses the impact of culture coaches and the dynamics between family and team in business. Sergei addresses management challenges, the influence of ego, and the transition from residential to commercial restoration. He shares insights on implementing EOS to opti...

Nate Lowrie joins the conversation to discuss his journey in construction and personal growth. He delves into the impact of economic cycles on the industry and his experience acquiring Bjerk Builders. Nate emphasizes the importance of building trust, integrity, and strong leadership in business. He shares strategies for combating decision fatigue and fostering continuous improvement, alongside mai...

Steve Kuhn shares his journey and the founding of ShareBuilt, highlighting the differences between nonprofit and for-profit sectors in the AEC industry. He discusses the unique compliance and regulatory challenges faced by nonprofits and the importance of involving AEC partners early in projects. The conversation delves into the impact of purpose-driven work and addresses misconceptions about nonp...

Join Matt Johnson as he explores the intricacies of construction invoicing and strategic procurement at Triangle Construction Services. Discover insights into their expanding construction tech group, business model evolution, and the impact on lienholders and contractors. Matt discusses managing rework, change orders, and the role of LiDAR drone technology. Hear about fostering a positive company...

Jeff Berglund discusses leveraging LinkedIn for business connections and shares insights from working with multigenerational dynamics alongside his father. He explores planning and strategy for business transitions, focusing on team dynamics, leadership, and implementation. Jeff covers sales strategies, the seven eleven four rule, and client engagement techniques. He highlights the importance of m...

Matt Cooper, CEO of BQE, discusses the company's leadership transition and the critical role of customer feedback in driving improvements. He addresses common challenges faced by small to mid-sized AEC firms and how BQE's solutions help manage chaos and streamline processes. The conversation highlights the importance of technology in enhancing efficiency, particularly in invoicing and project mana...

Justin Neagle and Austin Trautman delve into the concept of creating healthy homes, emphasizing the importance of materials and design in enhancing the living experience. Austin shares insights on how traditional building practices often overlook the well-being of inhabitants and the environmental impact of materials used. He advocates for a shift towards natural materials, like sheep's wool, whic...

Jeff Falls from Haley Construction joins the show and shares his personal journey as well as the company's evolution in the AEC industry. He shares insights into Haley's company culture, highlighting hiring challenges and the importance of building the right team. Jeff emphasizes continuous learning and the impact of technology in construction, discussing unique processes and the balance between c...

In this episode, Danielle Daniels and Justin Price explore their experiences as Co-CEOs at Evergreen Engineering. They discuss the company's origins and their collaborative leadership structure, highlighting the importance of communication and decision-making. Danielle and Justin share insights on strategic planning, leadership traits, and understanding personality types to improve communication....

Larry Lind discusses his journey in the AEC industry, starting from his early career and the founding of his firm. He explains the origin of the firm's name and the benefits of partnering with larger firms, emphasizing the value of strong relationships and successful collaborations. Larry shares insights on managing project paperwork and construction phases, along with future plans and working wit...

Megan Lopp discusses the evolution of Green Couch Design, detailing its journey and the origin of its unique name. She shares early challenges faced and the decision to launch the business while balancing family life. The episode explores Kale's architecture career and Green Couch Design's expansion, emphasizing team building and fostering a collaborative culture with remote work. Megan highlights...

Chad Nikkel shares his journey from building a roofing business to orchestrating its exit. He discusses entrepreneurial insights, merging ventures, and strategies for growth and resilience. Chad emphasizes building strong sales teams and effective strategies. He explores scaling systems, strategic planning, and revenue generation. The episode includes lessons from selling a business, covering deal...

Mike Sewell joins the episode to discuss his data-driven approach to environmental design and the role of technology in the AEC sector. He shares insights into his career and motivation, emphasizing the importance of improving communities through design. The conversation highlights the Empath platform, its technical origins, applications, and pilot projects, demonstrating its business impact and c...

Josh Vitale shares his journey into the construction industry, emphasizing the importance of wellness in this field. He discusses his transition to construction advocacy and recounts early experiences that shaped his career. The episode delves into his role in personal crisis intervention and efforts towards systemic change. Josh analyzes the return on investment for wellness programs and highligh...

Ryan Bitgood of Sunset View Windows and Doors joins the episode to discuss negotiation success and creating mutual value in deals. He shares his journey from a family business to a leadership role, emphasizing how his military background has influenced business dynamics. Ryan talks about scaling operations, visionary leadership, and overcoming pandemic challenges. He also discusses the transition...

Thomas Berrington discusses the role of data-driven decision-making in the construction industry. He shares insights from his journey into construction and IT, focusing on technology's impact on French Brothers' operations. The episode covers challenges in securing leadership buy-in for new tech, strategies for non-technical communication, and the importance of historical data for efficiency. Thom...

Marcy Segal of MSA Interiors joins the episode to discuss the significance of diverse revenue streams and her journey in the AEC industry. She provides an overview of MSA Interiors, highlighting their employee focus, future plans, and new training programs. Marcy shares insights on value engineering, client collaboration, and leveraging in-house capabilities. Reflecting on lessons from the 2008 fi...

In this conversation, Grant Holdsworth, a third-generation builder and owner of Holdsworth Construction, shares his journey in the construction industry, emphasizing the importance of hands-on experience, the transition into the family business, and the challenges of scaling operations. He discusses the evolution of the company from primarily residential projects to a balanced approach that includ...

Kate Glantz discusses the Move Over Bob initiative, highlighting its cultural impact and the success of their first magazine issue aimed at reframing construction careers for young women. The episode explores the influence of teen magazines, the multifaceted lifestyle in construction, and the importance of representation. Kate addresses challenges like social media skepticism and workforce shortag...

Matt Chitwood shares his journey in the AEC industry and Pivium's challenges. He discusses their recent warehouse move, leadership changes, and balancing tradition with innovation. Matt shares insights on family dynamics, accountability in delegation, and hiring practices in family businesses. He explores leadership, managing personality traits, and the importance of an effective board, including...

Michelle Rutkowski delves into her architectural journey and the foundation of MOR Studio, focusing on the intricate balance between business growth and personal life. She explores the role of dopamine in motivation and the reward system, detailing the four pillars of reward: connection, discovery, movement, and rest, with practical applications for AEC businesses. The discussion extends to the bi...

Jon Szeliga joins to discuss his transition from technical roles to sales and his work with Neutral Host Signal Source services. He emphasizes the critical role of wireless infrastructure in modern venues and the importance of educating clients during the sales process. Jon shares strategies for hiring and training sales teams and addresses challenges in AEC industry sales. The episode covers ensu...