Building Optimal

In this episode of Building Optimal Radio, I sit down with our most listened-to guest ever...one of the greats, builder and author David Gerstel. Now at 80 years old, David shares what decades in business taught him about running a successful construction company and living a meaningful life. Previous conversations with David Gerstel: #90: Financial Freedom with David Gerstel #58: A Builder’s Path...

David Lupberger is a well-known construction industry veteran, consultant, and thought leader. We hosted him on the program in 2019 to discuss “client-for-life” strategies. Today he returns to discuss a very under-considered yet highly important topic: how do you one day sell or step away from your company? I hope you enjoy this enlightening conversation with David. For additional resources David...

The team at Cedar Build is innovating architecture in Austin and beyond. With a focus on small multifamily infill sites, Cedar has developed deep expertise both in how to optimize such sites and also how to leverage newest code and legislative updates for impact. Their team is also building out software with AI to help developers efficiently assess infill sites at scale across the country. Thanks...

In our inaugural Innovators Series episode, we visit with Oklahoma builder and developer, Austin Tunnel. Austin is Founder and CEO of  Building Culture , a company building homes and urban communities designed to last generations. From his means of designing and building to the way he structures his deals for investors, Austin's approach is a case study in elevated real estate development. A...

In this mini-sode I *somewhat* disparage the real estate community, wannabe builder tech bros, and more. Hopefully you learn a few things to keep you safe and profitable while you're out there in the spec building trenches. Y'all have a great end to the year, and by the way, we have some video episodes coming out asap. Stay tuned. A Special Thanks To Our Brand Partners: Subzero Wolf Quaker Windows...

I've hesitated to put this episode out, because I generally try to take an optimistic, encouraging tone. But we can't get better until we accept the reality of our situation. So, here's to each of us, and the building industry as a whole, staring reality in the eyes - and getting better. Wishing everyone nothing but success! Enjoy the episode. Also, we just released new products to take...

At the most fundamental level, there are really only two strategies in business, and only one that works for small businesses. Most home builders get this wrong, and end up stuck in the middle, never generating the profits they should. In this episode Jared discusses the risks of getting your strategy wrong, and the opportunities once you find the one that truly sets your business apart. Also...

Joey Fentress is the founder and owner of  Proform Builds , a Seattle-based luxury home builder. Joey recently expanded his operation into Austin, where I was introduced to him and his team. The level of professionalism with which Joey runs his business is evident in just a short conversation, and it's reflected in the quality of their builds. This episode is a conversation with Joey abo...

A quick 7-minute episode to help you make more progress and find some big wins in your business. Credit to Tim Ferriss for his recent  blog post  on the topic, the inspiration for this episode. If you enjoy listening to the podcast, please do us a favor and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple!  Also, we just released new products to take your home building company to the next leve...

We've been obsessed for over a year now with different AI apps that can help home builders. This is an extremely short episode on the best we've found. Enjoy! If you enjoy listening to the podcast, please do us a favor and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple!  Also, we just released new products to take your home building company to the next level at the  BUILDING OPTIMAL SHOP.  ...

This is one of the most inspiring episodes I've recorded. I have mentored Joe Hodge over the last few years as he set out on his dream to start his own home building company. Starting alone is difficult enough, but the market forces over the last few years added major complications as Joe came out of the gate. But Joe is a fighter (literally and metaphorically), and built a resoundingly successful...

Gossett & Co recently closed two construction loans with  Arixa Capital , and sat down with executive  Greg Hebner  and his team during their visit to Austin. The group discusses the Austin market, California immigration, the latest market and financing trends, qualities of a good lender, and more. Thanks for listening. If you enjoy listening to the podcast, please do...

This is the final installment of our series on Charlie Munger, an episode devoted to the memory of the late investor who recently passed away. In this episode we cover the reason to read, the need to get into a great business, and the only way to run a good company. If you enjoy listening to the podcast, please do us a favor and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple!  Also, we just released n...

In the third installment of our mini-series on Charlie Munger, we delve deeper into the wisdom of one of the greatest investors and thinkers of our time. This episode continues up our series with a focus on Munger's most impactful strategies and philosophies that have influenced generations of investors and entrepreneurs.  If you enjoy listening to the podcast, please do us a favor and leave...

Part 2 of our mini-series on Charlie Munger, one of the greatest investors of all time. He’s also one of the most profound thinkers of our era. This continues a multi-part series of short episodes dissecting some of Jared’s favorite lessons from the investing giant. If you enjoy listening to the podcast, please do us a favor and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple! Also, we just released new pro...

Charlie Munger is one of the greatest investors of all time. He’s also one of the most profound thinkers of our era. This begins a multi-part series of short episodes dissecting some of Jared’s favorite lessons from the investing giant. If you enjoy listening to the podcast, please do us a favor and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple! And don't forget to sign up for our  NEWSLETTER &n...

This is a departure from our regular programming - Jared shares a very short story from World War II, and how you can apply it as a problem-solving model in your own business. If you enjoy listening to the podcast, please do us a favor and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple! And don't forget to sign up for our  NEWSLETTER  where we have all kinds of good tips and info you don't g...

Trey Farmer is an architect with  Forge Craft Architecture here in Austin. We interviewed him previously on #63: Lessons From a Passive House Build . Today we revisit some of those passive home principles and also discuss some of his beliefs for building healthier, more grid-resilient homes. If you enjoy listening to the podcast, please do us a favor and leave us a review on Spotify or A...

It's hard to spend a few minutes chatting with Jacob Deva Racusin without leaving inspired. He is the Director of Building Science and Sustainability for New Frameworks, an innovative, socially inclusive design/build firm in Vermont. He also serves as an Embodied Carbon Analyst and BEAM Trainer with Builders for Climate Action. In this conversation we discuss Jacob's ideas on how to minimize...

In this conversation we sit down with Dan Kolbert, co-author of Pretty Good House, and owner of Kolbert Building in Portland, Maine, to discuss high performance homes, the next evolution in building, and Dan's advice in today's economy. Links mentioned: Pretty Good House Book Water in Buildings, by Bill Rose Christine Williamson's Instagram Huber Engineered Wood Climate Zone Map Timber HP BEAM Est...

We have a new, slightly different (and hopefully upgraded) direction for Building Optimal, and are excited to share it with you in this episode. We also visit with Mark Sprague, State Director of Information Capital for Independence Title. Mark is one of the most respected real estate market analysts and forecasters in Texas, and shares some of his insights with us in this short, 25-minute ep...

David Gerstel has written some of the top books available for construction professionals who want to build a better business. His latest book,  Building Freedom: A Construction Pro's Path to Financial Independence , is the topic of today's conversation. We cover some novel concepts from David such as Employee-Centered Companies, thinking errors that hold us back, his research on selling const...

We are visiting with  Amy Kerr  of  Sub-Zero Wolf Cove  to discuss supply chain updates and new innovations in their appliance lines. This episode is a short one, but full of great updates. Enjoy! Tools to make more money and grow your biz Need a little help growing your business or making more money at it? In addition to almost 100 free episodes of the podcast, check out...

Wally Staples  is back. This time, we talk specifics of his employee compensation practices as well as some of his principles for being an "anti-fragile" builder. And don't miss my first interview with Wally,  #68: Ensuring Profitability and Employees First with Wally Staples . Enjoy the episode! Tools to make more money and grow your biz Need a little help growing your business or makin...

Vik Szemerei is the Vice President of Sales for luxury plumbing company,  House of Rohl . They own brands such as Riobel, Victoria and Albert, and Rohl. We discuss cool new plumbing trends like  aromatherapy shower heads ,  hand-crafted fireclay sinks ,  touchless faucets , and more. And, to my delight, Vik explains the rise in popularity of biophilic design as we find ways to...