Builder Stories

Jane Dzielski has spent nearly a decade at Google turning massive datasets into answers about how consumers make decisions. She knows what people type when they need a contractor, and that behavior is changing fast. In this episode she breaks down search, reviews, ads, and AI for the home services industry. Contractors will walk away seeing their own marketing differently. In this episode you will...

Dustin Hippensteel spent years convinced he had to do everything himself. Then three decisions quietly changed how his entire business runs. None of them cost much, and none were the flashy fixes most owners chase first. In this episode he breaks down what they were and why they mattered. In this episode you will learn: The hire he was sure wouldn't work that now handles the load he used to drown...

As the leader of Versa Homes, Felipe Freig builds multimillion dollar homes for executives and entrepreneurs. He dialed in the systems behind those builds so completely that he was able to step back from the daily grind. So he launched Versa Method Coaching to hand that same playbook to other contractors. In this episode he gets specific about what actually keeps a building business profitable. In...

Corey Plourde spent eighteen years climbing the corporate sales ladder before walking away to build his own remodeling company. Years later he hit a wall he could not see past and finally admitted he had run out of answers. In this conversation he opens up about the moment everything turned around and the year that followed became his most profitable ever. He also reveals why the change he feared...

Todd Dawalt spent more than 30 years in construction learning expensive lessons the hard way. In this episode, he reveals the one stage of every project where the most profit slips away, usually long before work even begins. He shares the counterintuitive shift that helps companies make more money without adding to the team. Todd also explains how one builder was leaving $400,000 on the table ever...

Jake Gosselin built Churchfront into one of the most innovative AV firms in the country, all fueled by a 300,000 subscriber YouTube channel and a relentless drive to automate the work that used to drain his time. In this episode, he pulls back the curtain on the AI agents now running his business behind the scenes, including budgeting, procurement, and payroll. Jake also gets real about the securi...

Liz Davies built a "small but mighty" luxury building and remodeling firm in Atlanta, and she did it without ever letting a project run on guesswork. In this episode, she pulls back the curtain on the pre construction approach that puts the right people in charge of the right decisions long before the first wall goes up. She reveals the one thing she says to hesitant clients that finally gets them...

Phil Parsons of KP Homescapes shares how he moved from engineering and house flips into a focused outdoor living business built for profitable growth. In this episode, he reveals what happened when he created an "AI twin" for his business and how it transformed sales, training, and business strategy. Phil also shares how coaching helped him think bigger, why job costing changed the way he leads, a...

Frank Llaneza went from buying a pool for his own family during COVID to running a franchise that has installed more than 300 pools across two states. Frank also shares why he chose to join a franchise instead of going it alone, and what that decision unlocked for his growth. In this episode, he reveals the surprisingly simple gift that has driven a 30% jump in reviews and helped fuel a 60% lead i...

Contractors are not usually stuck because they cannot build. They are stuck because too much of the business still depends on memory, follow up, and the owner carrying every decision. Zac Liquori of ConstructAid shares how construction companies can create stronger systems, bring in better operational support, and finally remove the admin work that keeps owners buried. In this episode you'll learn...

Here, Michael Flory shares a story that will stop you in your tracks and stay with you long after it ends. He opens up about a horrific childhood tragedy and reveals how he slowly rebuilt his sense of purpose and carried those ideals forward into the way he leads his remodeling company today. You will hear the ways that Michael's perspective on leadership, success, and growth was shaped through ye...

If you are trying to grow your building business, this episode will challenge how you think about your process. Mike Lee shares how one development created demand and forced him to rethink how he builds homes and runs his company. He reveals his strategies for passing inspections, working with trade partners, and shares best advice for home builders. Gain insights into where small decisions create...

Doug Howard brings a background from the The Wharton School and decades of experience helping contractors improve how their businesses operate. In this episode, he breaks down why so many companies struggle to execute even when the owner knows what to do. He reveals how to develop systems that transform how your business operates every day. Doug also shows what shifts when leaders take control of...

Eric Van Dixhorn tried different paths across construction, sales, and startups but nothing clicked. He shares what changed when he stepped into a new business and found early success in a competitive market. That shift helped him gain traction faster than expected in a new market, and launched his success going forward. Eric also reveals how the right support system helped him avoid mistakes that...

Nasir Dukes went from one rental property to running a high-growth development company in one of the hottest markets in the country. In this episode, he reveals how he spots real opportunities and avoids the deals that create problems down the line. Adina Safta shares how stepping into the business transformed the way they scale, bringing financial discipline that fuels smarter growth. Together, t...

Gil Vaisman turned a side project into a fast growing ADU business and built a team that continues to scale. In this episode, he shares the shift that helped him attract the right clients and avoid deals that go nowhere. He breaks down how leading with pricing changes the entire sales dynamic before the first meeting even happens. Gil also reveals how his approach to competition and partnerships i...

Steve Young built HHI Builders into a $9 million remodeling company in just six years by challenging the way most contractors run their businesses. His team focuses on large scale remodels that average about $300,000 per project while using a unique workflow built around project directors who guide clients from the first conversation through the entire job. Steve shares the lessons he learned afte...

Aaron Hines grew up on construction sites learning the trade from his grandfather before ever imagining he would run a remodeling company. Today he leads Dallas-based Darden Hines Design + Build, delivering projects that range from whole home remodels to swimming pools. In this powerful conversation, Aaron shares the lessons that reshaped how he runs his business and how he thinks about leadership...

Adam McChesney shares how he founded Builders of Authority after creating more than 200 websites to master digital marketing. He explains why many contractors grow during high demand seasons yet struggle when the market tightens. Adam also reveals how to build a personal brand and why that accelerates visibility and attracts inbound leads faster than relying on company branding alone. Learn the di...

Mike Tappert reveals how stepping away from full remodels and focusing on exteriors transformed his growth path. He shares why niching down into roofing created stronger cash flow and a clearer direction for his business. Mike's turning point came when he hired a coach and began building the systems he needed to scale as well as the personal disciplines that shape how he leads today. From marketin...

In this captivating conversation, Zac O'Hara dives deep into the innovative ways he's deploying AI to transform daily operations at North Shore Masonry. As a hands-on operator who has immersed himself in emerging technology tools, Zac reveals what is possible when AI is strategically applied inside a construction business. Zac also addresses security concerns and speaks candidly about the real ris...

Philip Sessions shares how a simple need for marketing help led him to build a business focused on virtual assistants for contractors. He explains why many contractors struggle with VAs and what must change for the relationship to work. Philip also shares best practices for managing virtual assistants and how contractors can grow without adding full time staff. In this episode you will learn: Why...

Ken Combs shares how he went from a 19 year old laborer to leading a design build firm with more than $15 million in annual revenue. He reveals how he restructured his company for higher profit and increased efficiency. Ken also shares his results driven approach to operations, marketing, and the org chart he developed to support his team. He explains what had to change before the business could o...

Casey Fabling shares what it takes to come back after losing a company. He walks through how a fast growing business unraveled once visibility and controls disappeared. Casey reflects on the personal toll of shutting down and starting over in a new city. He explains how rebuilding with intention changed every aspect of his approach. This conversation offers a rare look at resilience from someone w...

In this episode of Builder Stories, Dave Stephens shares practical insights drawn from his real-world journey of building and growing a business on his own terms. The conversation is packed with honest advice that resonates with builders navigating growth and challenges. Dave's story offers encouragement and clarity for anyone looking to move forward with confidence, wherever their path may lead....