Meridian Pursuit Builders

Heath Cillessen of Cillessen Construction Company joins Jesse Sampley on the Meridian Pursuit Builders Podcast to discuss client communication, construction systems, practical uses for AI, marketing, and building a sustainable construction business. Working in the Denver metro area, Boulder, and the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Heath shares lessons from managing large-scale renovations, addit...

Randy Sebastian of Renaissance Homes joins Jesse Sampley to discuss the lessons he learned from building hundreds of homes a year, navigating the 2008 housing crash, and rebuilding his business around high-end custom homes. At one point, Randy was building around 300 homes a year and managing developments across a broad region. When the housing market collapsed, 86 sold homes came back in just two...

In this episode, Shane Bogden of Kaidian Homes shares the lessons he has learned through 28 years of building custom homes in Edmonton. Shane talks about his path from working around construction and equipment to becoming a luxury custom home builder, and why he has chosen to keep his business focused on a smaller number of highly customized homes rather than chasing volume. The conversation cover...

In this episode, Jonathan Oakes of Bailey Building and Construction, Inc. shares his experience growing a third generation construction company and the lessons that came with it. From hiring and leadership to cash flow and client communication, Jonathan discusses the realities of building a business while managing growth. The conversation covers accountability, subcontractor relationships, project...

In this episode, Paul Gray shares the lessons he has learned through years of building homes, leading teams, investing in technology, and growing multiple businesses. From accountability and leadership to software systems, mentorship, and AI, Paul explains why long term success is built on strong standards, continuous learning, and a commitment to serving others. The conversation explores creating...

What happens when a builder stops accepting the limitations of off-the-shelf software and creates his own system instead? In this episode of the Meridian Pursuit Builder Podcast, Jesse Sampley sits down with Mike Baruh, owner of MIBH Construction, to discuss his journey from struggling investor to luxury home builder, commercial roofing contractor, and technology-driven business owner. Mike shares...

What does it take to build a construction company that keeps growing without losing the principles that built its reputation? In this episode of the Meridian Pursuit Builder Podcast, Jesse Sampley talks with Adam Galbraith, owner of ARG Contracting, about his journey from carpenter and health and safety professional to running a growing construction company in Kelowna, British Columbia. Adam share...

A beautiful home can still become a difficult build when design decisions come too late. In this episode of the Meridian Pursuit Builder Podcast, Jesse Sampley talks with Megan Melville about why builders, designers, architects, and trades need to collaborate earlier, and why function should come before finishes. Megan shares how her background in commercial design shaped her approach to residenti...

What if your building company could keep more commission, strengthen its brand, and gain greater control over every home sale? In this episode of the Meridian Pursuit Builder Podcast, host Jesse Sampley sits down with Adam Field and Jennifer Johnson of Behind the Scenes Broker to discuss how the qualifying broker model is helping Florida builders rethink their sales strategy. They explain how buil...

What if builders could walk through a home before construction even begins? In this episode of the Meridian Pursuit Builders Podcast, Jesse Sampley sits down with Joe Matejka, Founder of Walk Your Plans, to discuss how immersive plan visualization helps builders reduce costly change orders, improve customer confidence, and create better projects. Joe shares the story behind Walk Your Plans, its vi...

Building a lasting local business takes more than just technical skill. It requires a relentless focus on customer experience and a culture of pride. In this episode of The Meridian Pursuit Builders Podcast, Jesse Sampley sits down with Glen Downs, founder of Plumbing Doctor in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Glen shares how he built a thriving plumbing business over two decades by treating customers rig...

Are you a builder tired of doing a little bit of everything? In this episode, we explore why niching down might be the best decision you can make for your construction business. Discover how focusing on one specific trade can improve your margins, elevate your client experience, and set you apart from the competition. Key Topics: • The transition from general remodeling to specializing in decks •...

Are you a builder or home services contractor looking to grow your business the right way? In this episode of The Meridian Pursuit Builders Podcast, we sit down with Nick Riley, CEO of Driftwood Builders Roofing, to discuss his journey of acquiring a 20-year-old roofing company and his strategies for long-term success. Nick shares why he prioritizes community involvement and education over paid ad...

Scaling a home building company isn’t just about building more homes. It’s about systems, hiring the right people, and creating a consistent client experience without burning out. In this episode, we sit down with a third-generation builder to break down how they transitioned from high-volume production building to a more profitable custom home model, what they learned about hiring and leadership,...

Are you struggling to stand out against big box builders? In this episode of The Meridian Pursuit Builders Podcast, we sit down with Kelsey Spray to uncover the strategies that help custom home builders win more clients. We dive deep into the importance of communication, setting expectations, and why your marketing needs to be different. Key Topics Covered: • How to compete with production builder...

Are you tired of competing on price and losing bids to cheaper contractors? In this episode of The Meridian Pursuit Builders Podcast, we sit down with Mark Williams of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes to uncover the exact marketing and branding strategies he uses to attract high-end clients in the Twin Cities. Mark shares his journey from selling copiers to building multi-million dollar luxury homes,...

Most custom home builds run into problems not because of bad craftsmanship, but because of decisions that were made too late or communication that broke down somewhere along the way. In this episode, Jesse sits down with Brooke Coty, co-owner of Hawkins and Gray Design, to talk about what it actually looks like when a designer and builder work together well. Brooke shares practical insight on when...

If you're a builder trying to grow in a competitive market, this episode gets into the real work behind it. From raising capital and managing subs to building trust and staying visible, this conversation covers what actually helps construction businesses move forward. In this episode, Jesse Sampley sits down with Jake Rodriguez to talk about making the jump from a W-2 construction career into real...

Levi & Josh Curnel, of 7C Construction, joins Jesse Sampley on Meridian Pursuit Builders Podcast to share how a devastating hurricane became the unexpected starting point of his construction career. What began as rebuilding after a storm eventually turned into a growing construction company focused on barndominiums and residential projects. In this episode, Levi and Jesse talk through the real...

Tim Winter, founder of Paradigm Homes, shares his journey from starting a company right before the 2008 crash to building a scalable, system-driven construction business. This conversation dives into the real challenges builders face, including hiring mistakes, lack of accountability, and operating without structure. Tim breaks down what actually changed his business and how builders can apply the...

What separates a good builder from a great one? It’s not just craftsmanship. It’s communication, process, and how you treat clients and trade partners over the long run. In this episode, Jesse Sampley talks with Travis Braxton of RMB Building & Design about what it really takes to run a successful custom home and renovation company. They dive into builder–client communication, managing subs, u...

In this episode, Jesse Sampley sits down with Brad Bachand, a former Army officer turned construction entrepreneur and owner of Home Love Construction. Brad shares how he transitioned from military service into leading his family’s construction business and what it took to grow it into a more structured, scalable company. They talk about the role family support played in his journey, the early mar...

In this conversation, Jesse Sampley and Emerson Bredin, from Bredin Brother Construction, discuss the intricacies of branding, leadership, and client relationships in the construction industry. Emerson shares his journey as a young builder, emphasizing the importance of transparency, effective marketing strategies, and the role of technology in construction management. They also explore future gro...

In this conversation, Jesse Sampley and Jeff Tait discuss the journey of transitioning from corporate life to the construction industry, the challenges and rewards of building custom homes, and the importance of community and design in the digital age. They explore the balance between custom and spec homes, the significance of strong relationships with subcontractors, and the evolving marketing st...

In this conversation, Anthony Gizze shares his journey into the construction industry, detailing his experiences with licensing challenges in Florida, the importance of building trust with clients, and his future plans for spec homes and in-house licensing. He emphasizes the need for education and empowerment within the industry, discusses the volatility of the construction market, and advocates f...