American Builders - Presented by TradeGuard

Episode 20 of American Builders features Peter Ponce De Leon, Founder of Vegas Family Solar. Peter shares how he went from working as an electrician, to a career in finance, and ultimately back into the trades to build one of Las Vegas' growing solar companies. We dive into what it really takes to build a successful solar installation business, the partnerships that drive growth, and where th...

This episode of American Builders features Janie Maldonado, the founder and CEO of GCS, a Texas-based commercial construction firm specializing in general contracting, construction management, facilities maintenance, and Job Order Contracting (JOC). We discuss: • The leap from employee to entrepreneur and the realities of betting on yourself • Leading and building credibility as a woman in the con...

This episode of American Builders features Ryan Powell, Founder of AIM Construction Partners. We discuss Ryan's journey from JE Dunn to Oddo Development and ultimately launching his own construction company, the lessons he learned from both the GC and developer sides of the industry, and how he landed and executed a nearly $9 million design-build project in AIM's first year.  Ryan also s...

This episode features Ryan Williams, Co-Founder & COO of DivvyShares. DivvyShares acquires small trades and home service businesses and transitions them into employee-owned companies, creating long-term wealth opportunities for employees while preserving the legacy of the business owner. In this episode, we discuss: * What makes a trades business attractive for acquisition * The biggest mistak...

This episode of American Builders features Thomas Stark, Founder of Stark Industrial.  Stark industrial is a commercial & industrial water treatment and maintenance provider, servicing some of the biggest buildings in the Kansas City Metro.  On this episode, we discuss: - Going from corporate job to entrepreneurship - The importance of mentorship - The business model of water treatment compani...

This week's episode of American Builders features Luke & Hunter Rahto of Roof Maxx KC.  Roof Maxx roof restoration and rejuvenation is a safe, easy, proven and affordable alternative to a complicated, expensive and life-disrupting asphalt roof replacement. We discuss:  1. The process of starting a franchise  2. How the product is different from typical roof replacement  3. Lead generation...

This episode of American Builders features Chris George III of Chris George Custom Homes.  We discuss:  - The founding story of Chris George Custom Homes - Working with family  - Building for scale vs building custom  - The nuance of custom rural building projects  - Why its hard to be a community builder and a custom home builder at the same time  - The future of Chris George Custom Homes  Learn...

This episode of American Builders features Frank Pileggi, Founder of Pileggi Painting.  We discuss:  - Starting a painting business in his late 30s - The important of picking the right partners  - Levers for growth  - How deliver a perfect product Learn more about Pileggi Painting: https://pileggipainting.com/ Presented by TradeGuard: https://tradeguardins.com/

This episode of American Builders features Luke Looney, Founder of Good Boy Coatings. We discuss: - How to get started in the epoxy coatings business - How Luke got his first start in the trades - Contractors: Commercial vs residential focus - Using social media to grow - The importance of networking for contractors - The future of Good Boy Coatings Learn more about Good Boy Coatings here: https:/...

This episode features Randy Hurtado, Owner/COO at DT Companies and the Good Contractors List. We discuss: - How Randy went from IT sales to operating a $50M+ home services portfolio - Building complementary businesses under one roof - Residential vs. commercial roofing - Sales & marketing strategies for contractors - Trends shaping the industry - His newest role as COO of the Good Contractors...

This episode is with Blake Frischer, owner of Hassle Free Outdoors. We discuss: Delivering a perfect product Landscape vs maintenance work Knowing your numbers and healthy profit margins The hardest challenges that come with growth Reinvesting in the business Making it through the winter slowdown Learn more about Hassle Free Outdoors: https://www.hassle-freelawns.com/ Presented by TradeGuard: http...

Colby Haverkamp is the VP of Growth & Partnerships at Howser Roofing. In this episode, we discuss: - The partnerships that actually move the needle in the roofing industry - Key differences between residential and commercial roofing - How roofing companies consistently generate new customers - What it takes to stand out in a competitive market - Why the industry is moving away from door knocki...

John Pileggi, Co Founder of LaborTech Solutions, joins the show to break down a simple, practical roadmap trades businesses can follow to grow consistently and scale operations without wasting money on random marketing tactics. We walk through the exact progression contractors should follow, starting with a strong digital foundation and ending with automated AI systems that drive growth in the bac...

Matt Gandy is the co owner of Eco Air Conditioning and Wilson Plumbing. On this episode, we discuss: • How he acquired both businesses  • What the SBA process actually looks like from the inside  • What surprised him after closing  • Cash flow realities vs projections  • Navigating imposter syndrome as a new owner  • Lessons learned from operating trades businesses If you are considering acquiring...

In this episode, I sit down with Annie Bogart, Director of Creative Content at Molzer Development and founder of her own creative venture helping companies craft compelling social media content and brand narratives. Annie manages multi-brand social strategies, SEO, community outreach, and marketing efforts, each with a distinct voice and audience. We talk about how to get started in social media,...

This episode, I sit down with Michael Blake , former Marine and Co-Owner of Maverick Exteriors , a roofing and exterior remodeling company. Michael went from military service to entrepreneurship, applying the same discipline and leadership principles he learned in the Marines to building and running a trades business. In our conversation, we talk about what the Marines taught him about leadership,...

In this episode, I sit down with Matt Mabe, Partner at Arise Homes, to talk about his journey from early hustle to scaling a homebuilding business into the millions — and doing it with intention. Matt shares the real story behind building Arise Homes: the risks he took early on, the lessons learned while scaling fast, and the discipline required to grow without losing sight of why the business exi...

In this episode of American Builders, we sit down with Paul Sanneman, CEO of Contractor Staffing Source, who has spent 40+ years coaching and consulting 400+ construction companies on one thing: building teams that actually work. Paul breaks down why most contractors think they have a labor shortage, when in reality they have a broken hiring system. We talk about what’s changed in the workforce, w...

This episode of American Builders, presented by TradeGuard, highlights Kansas City Developer Zach Molzer. We discuss how we got his start in development, the importance of building for a specific "user", and his desire to leave behind a legacy.  American Builders is presented by TradeGuard, Insurance Built for the Trades.  Visit https://www.tradeguardins.com/ to get your quote today.

In this episode, I sit down with Bob Hamilton to unpack the real story behind building, scaling, and ultimately selling a wildly successful plumbing & HVAC business. We cover Bob’s career journey, the sales and marketing principles that actually drove growth, and the hard lessons learned along the way. It’s a candid conversation about what it really takes to win in the trades—and how to think...