Blueprints Podcast

As a father-daughter team working together every day, Michael and Isabelle pull back the curtain on the realities of family business. They discuss the rewards, challenges, and lessons they've learned while building a company together, including setting healthy boundaries, defining clear roles, maintaining professionalism, navigating conflict, and protecting relationships outside of work. Micha...

Every entrepreneur has moments when quitting feels easier than continuing. In this episode of The Blueprints Podcast, Michael shares the most difficult seasons he has faced while building Custom Built—and the decisions that helped him keep moving forward. From surviving the Great Recession and working unsustainable hours to investing in sales coaching, implementing leadership systems, and navigati...

Every business has a moment that changes everything. In this episode of The Blueprints Podcast, Michael and Isabelle look back on the largest deal Custom Built had ever closed and how it arrived at exactly the right time. As sales slowed heading into the end of 2018, the company faced the same challenge many growing businesses encounter: how do you keep moving forward when the pipeline isn't w...

On this episode of Blueprints, Isabelle and Michael share a behind-the-scenes look at how one trip to the International Builders' Show (IBS) turned into unexpected opportunities, valuable relationships, and a reminder of why getting around the right people matters. What started as a trip to discover new products and make industry connections led to a chance meeting with deck builder and conten...

In this episode of Blueprints, Isabelle and Michael pull back the curtain on the marketing journey behind Custom Built Design & Remodeling—from the company's earliest days of phone book ads, yard signs, and home shows to building a fully in-house marketing team focused on content, video, branding, and growth. But this conversation goes beyond marketing tactics. As the company enters a new...

In this episode of Blueprints, Michael Flory sits down with entrepreneur Dave Johnson to explore the highs, lows, and defining moments that shaped his journey from ministry leader to business owner. Dave shares how losing his job during the 2008 recession became the catalyst for building a thriving portfolio of businesses, including property management, cleaning services, jewelry, glass and screen...

In this episode of Blueprints, Isabelle and Michael dive into one of the most overlooked parts of leadership: intentional connection with your team. Michael shares how a challenge from a business coach completely changed the way he leads at Custom Built Design & Remodeling — moving beyond meetings, metrics, and task lists to create meaningful monthly one-to-one conversations with his leadershi...

In this episode of Blueprints, Isabelle and Michael dive into the changing landscape of the workforce and why "blue-collar" careers are becoming the new gold mine. For years, the narrative has been that a four-year degree is the only path to success, but as the demand for skilled trades skyrockets, we’re seeing a massive shift in where the real opportunity—and wealth—is being built. We e...

In this episode of the Blueprints Podcast, Michael and Isabelle sit down to talk about Isabelle’s journey from growing up around job sites and door knocking neighborhoods… to becoming the Director of Sales & Marketing at Custom Built. If you're a student figuring out your future, someone interested in entrepreneurship, or just curious what it’s really like building a family business — this epi...

What does it really take to step into leadership at a young age? In this episode of the Blueprints Podcast, Michael sits down with Isabelle to talk about the mindset shifts, challenges, and lessons that come with leading a team in your early 20s. Isabelle shares her journey from answering phones, running home shows, and door knocking as a teenager to building and leading the company’s marketing de...

In this episode of the Blueprints Podcast, Isabelle sits down with Michael to unpack two powerful mindset shifts that can completely change how you lead, think, and show up in your life and business. Drawing from personal experiences with trauma, a life-altering head injury, and years of leadership growth, Michael dives into the science of the subconscious mind—and why up to 95% of our daily thoug...

In this episode of the Blueprints Podcast, Isabelle sits down with Heather Rivera, owner and founder of Wallflower Designs and lead designer at Carpet Studio Flooring America in Okemos, Michigan. Heather shares her unconventional journey from owning an auditing firm to becoming a sought-after interior designer, explaining how her natural eye for color, love of sourcing beautiful pieces, and willin...

In this episode of The Blueprints Podcast, Isabelle and Michael deep dive into one of the most important topics in business today: how to build a strong, healthy, growth-oriented company culture. Together, they unpack what “culture” really means inside a remodeling and construction company, why it starts with the entrepreneur, and how personal growth directly shapes the team’s success. Michael sha...

In this episode, Isabelle and Michael talk about why right now is the perfect time to build a career in the construction and trades industry. From a nationwide housing shortage to the mass retirement of baby boomers, the demand for skilled trades—like carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and HVAC—has never been higher. Michael and Isabelle unpack the reasons behind the skilled labor gap, what tha...

In this episode of Blueprints, host Isabelle sits down with her dad, Michael, to unpack one of the most transformative practices for leaders and entrepreneurs — the Clarity Break. Michael shares how taking intentional time away from the business has helped him process stress, refocus his vision, and reconnect with his purpose. From quiet reflection in the mountains of Utah to personal healing afte...

In this episode of The Blueprints Podcast , Isabelle sits down with Sara Majeske of Custom Built Design & Remodeling to talk about her journey from newcomer to Lansing to becoming one of the region’s “10 Over the Next 10” honorees. Sara shares what this award means, how she’s integrated her career, community, and motherhood, and why she believes leadership is about growth, not titles. From her...

In this episode of The Blueprints Podcast, Isabelle and Michael trace his inspiring journey through the Home Builders Association (HBA). From joining as a young builder in 2004 to ultimately becoming President of the Michigan Home Builders Association in 2020, Michael reflects on the lessons, relationships, and leadership growth that shaped both his career and his company. Michael opens up about n...

In this episode, Isabelle and Michael open up about the deeper meaning behind their work. For Michael, remodeling homes has never just been about construction; it’s about transforming lives, building stronger families, and giving back to the community. Michael shares his personal story of resilience, surviving unimaginable childhood tragedy, and how that shaped his calling to impact families throu...

In this episode of Blueprints, Isabelle sits down with longtime friend and entrepreneur Gracie Perrault, founder of the Cultivate Collective, to talk about the power of connection, community, and building businesses with heart. From launching her first event business at just 12 years old to running a spray tan and teeth-whitening, Glow by Gracie, and now creating a collaborative beauty and wellnes...

In this episode of The Blueprints Podcast, Isabelle sits down with Megan Simmons, Engagement Manager at Acme Home Exteriors, for a conversation about navigating change in business and community. From the rise of AI to economic uncertainty, Isabelle and Megan talk about how small businesses can stay grounded, show up authentically, and use new tools without losing the human touch. Megan shares her...

On this episode of Blueprints, Isabelle sits down with Tom Almazan, co-owner of Carpet Studio Flooring America, to talk about what it really means to go above and beyond in serving your community. From starting out mowing lawns as a kid to building a 37-year career in flooring, Tom’s journey is a story of hard work, mentorship, and a heart for giving back. Together, Isabelle and Tom dive into how...

Setting yearly goals can feel overwhelming—but breaking them down into 90-day targets makes them achievable, measurable, and motivating. In this episode of Blueprints, Isabelle and Michael share how they use the EOS framework to set quarterly “rocks,” track progress with weekly scorecards, and stay accountable as a team. From predicting revenue and profit goals to overcoming roadblocks that derail...

In this episode of the Blueprints Podcast, Isabelle and Michael dive deep into the art of networking and building meaningful connections that fuel business growth. Michael shares his journey from starting in the homebuilding industry with no experience to creating a thriving business largely through referrals and strategic networking. Discover practical tips for networking success, including how t...

In this episode of Blueprints, Isabelle and her dad, Michael— founder and CEO of Custom Built — share the five core values that drive their company: Family Focused, Proactively Helpful, Passionately Committed, Grow or Die, and Fun. You’ll hear the story of how these values were created, why they’re revisited every year, and how they guide hiring, leadership, and client relationships. Whether you’r...

What does it really take to build a team that grows with your business? In this episode of The Blueprints Podcast, Michael and Isabelle dive into the real-life lessons behind hiring the right people, putting them in the right seats, and building a culture that scales. From early missteps to the clarity of using the “Get It, Want It, Capacity” model, they unpack how to simplify leadership, delegate...