Builder Stories

Meet Michael Dudonis co-owner of Dudonis Construction based in Springfield, New Jersey. Michael shares how his early experiences working with his father in residential construction set the foundation for his career. After spending 14 years in heavy civil construction, Michael and his brother started Dudonis Construction in 2018 to revive their father's legacy while focusing on higher-end residenti...

Meet Jayme Carlson, owner of Hard Decks, located in Belvidere, Illinois. Jayme shares his inspiring journey from jumping straight into construction out of high school to founding a successful deck-building business with his now business partner and father-in-law, Andy. Hear how he navigated the challenges of the 2008 economic downturn, honed his skills in roofing sales, and eventually found his ni...

Meet Dylan Martin from Absolute Design Build, a third-generation builder in Austin, Texas. Starting his career in construction after a stint in the military and a brief foray into the corporate world, Dylan faced numerous challenges without a mentor. His turning point came after joining forces with his partner, Thomas, and later adding a third partner, John. Their combined expertise led to the rap...

Meet Mark Flanders, owner of Blue Hill Building Co. based in Bridgewater, Virginia. Mark shares his journey from growing up in the building business, taking drafting classes in high school, to eventually taking over his father's company in 1998. Mark's career saw significant evolution, including a pivotal role at CoConstruct during the Great Recession, which eventually led him to Virginia. Now, hi...

Meet Anthony Abbott, owner of Greystone Remodeling based in North Carolina. Anthony shares his inspiring journey from his early fascination with carpentry as a child, through his military service, and onto founding his successful remodeling business. Addressing the challenges of transitioning from being an infantryman to a construction entrepreneur, Anthony highlights the importance of finding the...

Meet Mike Mitchell, owner of Mitchell Construction a deck building company based in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois. Mike shares his journey from joining his father's business in high school to transforming Mitchell Construction into a niche company specializing in decks. He discusses the challenges of delegating tasks, transitioning out of the field, and the importance of networking and attending n...

Meet Carlos Adame, owner of Transom Remodeling based in Richardson, Texas. Carlos shares the difficulties he's faced in growing his business and the lessons he's learned along the way. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration and learning from others. With a goal of reaching the $10 million mark, Carlos remains optimistic and committed, welcoming any opportunity to collaborate and strategize...

Meet Dan Lee, owner of Kane Remodeling a luxury home remodeling company based in Austin, Texas. Dan talks to Eric about his journey from tech sales to building a remodeling company. With an emphasis on the importance of continuous growth and learning, Dan talks about how his background in sales has uniquely positioned him to compete against others in the market. Learn more about his journey and th...

Meet Stephanie Burgess, owner of Burgess Construction, a deck building company based in Snohomish, Washington. Stephanie explores her relentless pursuit of success as a rising entrepreneur in the construction industry, highlighting the importance of perseverance and a positive mindset amidst the hurdles. This episode not only celebrates Stephanie's achievements but also emphasizes that the road to...

Meet Edward Rivera and Eddie Cruz, business partners in Ion Electrical located in Bedford, New Hampshire. Edward and Eddie share their journey of transforming the traditional contractor experience through AI and smart technology. From their unique approach to customer service and job estimation to their passion for integrating AI into everyday business operations, this episode explores how Ion Ele...

Meet Darin Kuns owner of D-K Construction, Inc. based in Flora, Indiana. Darin shares his personal journey, highlighting the decision to follow in his father's footsteps and the enduring philosophy of client relationships over specialization. Explore the company's growth, marked by the seamless integration of cutting-edge technologies for enhanced efficiency and communication. Through this convers...

Meet Steve Kirk, the founder of Premier Deck based in Rochester, New Hampshire. After an early career in general remodeling, Steve narrowed his focus to decks, finding both passion and profitability. In this episode, he delves into the complexities of growing a business, from choosing the right marketing tactics and hiring the best employees to optimizing project management. Listen now to learn th...

Meet Marcus Hampton owner of Hampton Construction and Hampton Outdoor based in Phoenix and doing work all over Arizona. In his inspiring story of perseverance and growth in the face of challenges, Marcus shares his struggles from starting the business as a homeless teen to producing large-scale projects at just under 30 years of age. Approaching life with a resilient mindset, Marcus reminds us why...

Meet Rick Williams owner of Williams Professional Painting serving the DC metro area. Rick shares his belief that taking the extra time to do a job right not only builds a positive reputation but also pays off in the long run through increased business opportunities. Rick delves into the nuanced art of knowing when to compromise and when to stand firm in the industry, highlighting the significance...

Meet Scott and Zach Heinold a father-son duo working together on home builds and renovations in Washington, Illinois. They share the joys and challenges of building a business with family, emphasizing the rarity and blessing of such a partnership. As Scott envisions the future handover of the business, his optimism and support for the next generation shines through. Listen to this inspiring narrat...

Meet Elliott Wittstruck owner of Built with Love, a remodeling company based in Nashville, Tennessee. Beginning his journey as a music teacher, Elliott's path took a dynamic turn through roles as a landlord and handyman, eventually leading him to spearhead whole home remodels. At the core of Built with Love's ethos is a steadfast commitment to a growth mindset, a principle that Elliott has woven i...

Meet Adam Jackson, owner of Agile Cabinetry located in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. After leaving a corporate IT job and finishing his own kitchen remodel, Adam found his true passion and founded Agile Cabinetry in 2021. Adam highlights how his project management background helps run the business, as well as his dedication to a great customer experience, and using technology to streamline operations. Gr...

Meet Chad Hamlin, owner of The Hamlin Group located in Atlanta, Georgia. With a passion for problem solving more complicated issues, Chad started as a single architect and has evolved his business into full luxury remodels. He delves into the intricacies of effective hiring, highlighting the importance of trust, setting clear expectations, and maintaining high standards. He discusses knowing your...

Meet Brian Blankenheim, owner of Build It Right Carpentry located in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. In his late 20s, while working at a construction site, he discovered his love of carpentry. Under the guidance of a skilled mentor, Brian honed his skills and even undertook the monumental task of constructing his own home. Starting his company in 2009, Brian shares his challenges, specifically around findi...

Meet Nicholas Donlin, owner of Zenith Design + Build a top remodeling company based in Iowa. With a passion for both construction and technology since his younger years, Nicholas decided to take the plunge and establish Zenith in 2018, which is now projected to achieve $7.5 million in revenue this year. As a leader of an 18-person team, Nicholas is committed to fostering a shared sense of purpose...

Meet James Miller, owner of Valiant Home Additions in Centerton, Arkansas. James initially embarked on his construction career right after high school, and at the young age of 21, he was running operations for an aluminum gutter company. After starting his own company and experiencing challenges with a former partner, he decided to pivot his focus to whole house remodels and residential additions....

Meet Scott Worley, owner of The Patio Kitchen Co in St. Louis, Missouri. After initially venturing into construction straight out of high school, Scott's passion for transforming outdoor living spaces took hold during his college years. With a successful business under his belt for a decade, he made the bold choice to close it down and pivot to becoming a designer at a larger firm. Yet, the allure...

Meet Erica Anenberg and Beth Benson, owners of Girl Flip Construction based in Los Angeles, California. Erica's passion for creating and selling, coupled with a mission to shake up the industry and encourage more women to enter the trades, fueled the inspiration behind Girl Flip. Beyond just flipping houses, the company strives to serve as an inspiration hub for others, with the ultimate goal of p...

Meet Jeremy Maher, co-owner of Phoenix Home Remodeling in Chandler, Arizona. Jeremy's journey began after a disappointing encounter with a contractor, which motivated him to believe that he could run a contracting business more effectively. Seizing the opportunity, Jeremy, along with his former boss and the boss' brother, formed a partnership and launched a new home construction venture. With an i...

Meet Greg Junge, owner of Greg Junge Construction based in North Carolina. As a second generation contractor, he was raised in the industry and started with kitchen and bath remodels. He now has focused his business on whole home builds with a goal of $4 to $10 million in annual sales.     Here are a few key takeaways from the discussion with Greg: Transitioning from the sub-contractor model to fu...