Building Scale

Megan Lopp discusses the evolution of Green Couch Design, detailing its journey and the origin of its unique name. She shares early challenges faced and the decision to launch the business while balancing family life. The episode explores Kale's architecture career and Green Couch Design's expansion, emphasizing team building and fostering a collaborative culture with remote work. Megan highlights...

Chad Nikkel shares his journey from building a roofing business to orchestrating its exit. He discusses entrepreneurial insights, merging ventures, and strategies for growth and resilience. Chad emphasizes building strong sales teams and effective strategies. He explores scaling systems, strategic planning, and revenue generation. The episode includes lessons from selling a business, covering deal...

Mike Sewell joins the episode to discuss his data-driven approach to environmental design and the role of technology in the AEC sector. He shares insights into his career and motivation, emphasizing the importance of improving communities through design. The conversation highlights the Empath platform, its technical origins, applications, and pilot projects, demonstrating its business impact and c...

Josh Vitale shares his journey into the construction industry, emphasizing the importance of wellness in this field. He discusses his transition to construction advocacy and recounts early experiences that shaped his career. The episode delves into his role in personal crisis intervention and efforts towards systemic change. Josh analyzes the return on investment for wellness programs and highligh...

Ryan Bitgood of Sunset View Windows and Doors joins the episode to discuss negotiation success and creating mutual value in deals. He shares his journey from a family business to a leadership role, emphasizing how his military background has influenced business dynamics. Ryan talks about scaling operations, visionary leadership, and overcoming pandemic challenges. He also discusses the transition...

Thomas Berrington discusses the role of data-driven decision-making in the construction industry. He shares insights from his journey into construction and IT, focusing on technology's impact on French Brothers' operations. The episode covers challenges in securing leadership buy-in for new tech, strategies for non-technical communication, and the importance of historical data for efficiency. Thom...

Marcy Segal of MSA Interiors joins the episode to discuss the significance of diverse revenue streams and her journey in the AEC industry. She provides an overview of MSA Interiors, highlighting their employee focus, future plans, and new training programs. Marcy shares insights on value engineering, client collaboration, and leveraging in-house capabilities. Reflecting on lessons from the 2008 fi...

In this conversation, Grant Holdsworth, a third-generation builder and owner of Holdsworth Construction, shares his journey in the construction industry, emphasizing the importance of hands-on experience, the transition into the family business, and the challenges of scaling operations. He discusses the evolution of the company from primarily residential projects to a balanced approach that includ...

Kate Glantz discusses the Move Over Bob initiative, highlighting its cultural impact and the success of their first magazine issue aimed at reframing construction careers for young women. The episode explores the influence of teen magazines, the multifaceted lifestyle in construction, and the importance of representation. Kate addresses challenges like social media skepticism and workforce shortag...

Matt Chitwood shares his journey in the AEC industry and Pivium's challenges. He discusses their recent warehouse move, leadership changes, and balancing tradition with innovation. Matt shares insights on family dynamics, accountability in delegation, and hiring practices in family businesses. He explores leadership, managing personality traits, and the importance of an effective board, including...

Michelle Rutkowski delves into her architectural journey and the foundation of MOR Studio, focusing on the intricate balance between business growth and personal life. She explores the role of dopamine in motivation and the reward system, detailing the four pillars of reward: connection, discovery, movement, and rest, with practical applications for AEC businesses. The discussion extends to the bi...

Jon Szeliga joins to discuss his transition from technical roles to sales and his work with Neutral Host Signal Source services. He emphasizes the critical role of wireless infrastructure in modern venues and the importance of educating clients during the sales process. Jon shares strategies for hiring and training sales teams and addresses challenges in AEC industry sales. The episode covers ensu...

Cody Daniels shares his knowledge and strategies for tax in the construction sector and reflects on his entrepreneurial journey. He discusses the benefits and challenges of running a business, the importance of community, and managing strong personalities. Topics include common tax mistakes, construction accounting strategies, and compliance issues with retirement plans. Cody highlights the signif...

Brian Cassidy shares insights into his early career and his role at CCBG Architects, delving into the company's culture and its impact on Downtown Phoenix's transformation. He discusses lean operations, management strategies, and the evolution of Roosevelt Row, alongside investment strategies for downtown revitalization. The conversation touches on marketing, hiring, and the Phoenix Community Alli...

Eddie Jones shares his architectural journey, from his education to founding Jones Studio. He reflects on his early career and significant projects, including the St. Louis (now Arizona) Cardinals training facility and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art exhibit. Eddie discusses the Mariposa land port of entry project and the studio's growth. He provides insights into succession planning and...

Lenny Joseph and Laci Jackson dive into their roles at Bidtracer, a leader in construction technology. Lenny shares his journey and the company's founding, contrasting corporate and entrepreneurial experiences. They discuss innovation challenges, skepticism towards software in construction, and balancing growth with innovation. The conversation also covers identifying valuable team members, person...

Amanda Schneider discusses her career journey and insights into the future of work. She highlights her transition to Sandow, effective hiring strategies, and insights from her TEDx talk and generational research. The episode covers the trust gap and challenges of hybrid work environments, emphasizing metrics, scorecards, and personal work preferences. Amanda also offers advice on adapting to cultu...

Jesse Light shares his career journey in the AEC industry, emphasizing automation and software integration's role in enhancing efficiency and cost savings. The discussion includes AI applications developed with universities, examples of Power Automate use, and AI's return on investment. Jesse addresses recurring revenue models, file delivery optimization, and managing engineering fee structures an...

Ian Parr joins the conversation to share insights from his extensive background in construction and the founding of CCS International. He delves into growth strategies, emphasizing the distinction between cost management and estimating, and the integral role of the owner in successful construction projects. Ian discusses early project planning, cost savings, and risk management, illustrated throug...

Join James Trahan as he discusses his journey in architecture and founding 180 Degrees Inc. He shares insights on risk-taking, design-build challenges, and revenue goals. The conversation touches on community involvement, philanthropy, and lessons from recessions. James highlights managing risks in unique projects, aligning client expectations, and using innovative technologies for challenges. Div...

Walt Brown Jr. shares insights from his career journey, beginning with the impact of his first deal and the founding of Diversified Partners. He emphasizes the role of communication in business growth and the importance of building a strong team. The episode explores leveraging technology in commercial real estate, goal setting, and managing challenges in the AEC industry. Walt discusses the effec...

In this conversation, Justin Neagle and Will Foret speak with Kami Farahmandpour and Chris Kottra from Building Technology Consultants, Inc. (BTC) about their experiences in the engineering industry, the founding of BTC, and the importance of company culture, leadership transitions, and quality in their work. They discuss the challenges of hiring in a niche market, the significance of training for...

Join Jacob Hansen and Colton Browning as they delve into their backgrounds in the AEC industry, emphasizing the importance of relationships and strategies for scaling firms. They explore the evolution of services with Building Information Modeling (BIM), discussing its purpose, application, and the need for buy-in and communication. A case study on BIM at TSMC highlights its practical use. The epi...

Mark Davenport discusses his career journey in architecture, from intern to managing partner at SPS+ Architects. He covers the firm's leadership structure, managing transitions, and role fit challenges. The conversation delves into business operations, including EOS integration for efficiency and the firm's evolving focus and expansion. Mark outlines future growth through studio specializations an...

Dr. Adam Krob explores AI's transformative potential in construction estimates. He discusses challenges and opportunities in construction technology, focusing on data governance, legacy systems, and risk management. Key topics include overcoming data storage issues, leadership buy-in for tech adoption, and AI's role in safety-sensitive industries. Dr. Krob also addresses AI's impact on labor short...