The Build Line | Construction Business Podcast

Not every contractor earns a realtor's recommendation. And it's usually not about price. This week on The Build Line , Heather and Jerry sit down with luxury real estate team Candace and AJ Samrai to talk about what actually makes professionals referable. From creating an unforgettable client experience to protecting your reputation, qualifying clients, and knowing when to walk away from the wrong...

Episode 20 of The Build Line Podcast tackles one of the biggest myths in construction: bigger projects do not automatically mean bigger profits. Hosts Heather Tankersley and Jerry Brewer pull back the curtain on what really happens when contractors land their first million-dollar project and why many builders aren't as ready as they think they are. Heather shares hard-earned lessons from managing...

Episode 19 of The Build Line Podcast turns into a much deeper conversation than construction and business alone. Hosts Heather Tankersley of Tankersley Build Co. and Jerry Brewer sit down with Jennifer Edwards to talk about communication, structure, leadership, relationships, and the psychology behind how people operate at a high level. The conversation explores why the brain craves clear expectat...

Episode 18 of The Build Line Podcast dives into one of the biggest problems in construction: telling clients what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear. Hosts Heather Tankersley of Tankersley Build Co. and Jerry Brewer break down the real cost of unrealistic budgets, impossible timelines, and cutting corners just to win a project. They share firsthand stories about losing jobs by bei...

Tom Reber from The Contractor Fight joins The Build Line for a blunt conversation about the uncomfortable truths contractors need to face around margins, money, mindset, and growth. Heather, Jerry, and Tom get into revenue versus profit, why being busy does not mean being profitable, how contractors underprice out of fear, and why your bank account is one of the clearest scoreboards in your busine...

What does it actually take to build a strong management team in construction—and why do so many owners struggle to find great leaders? In this episode of The Build Line , we break down the real reason most companies can’t attract or retain high-level managers. It’s not a recruiting issue. It’s a leadership issue. The best operators evaluate your business before they ever consider joining it—and if...

Everybody knows the name. Not everybody understands the business behind it. In this episode of The Build Line, we sit down with Anh Phoong, one of the most recognizable personal brands in Sacramento, to break down what it actually took to build it. From starting out with nothing but grit and showing up face to face in the community, to becoming a household name through bold marketing and consisten...

What does it really take to break into ultra luxury construction markets like Pebble Beach and Carmel? In this episode of The Build Line, we sit down with David Kasavan, founder of Kasavan Construction, to talk about the real path from early hustle to building a company in some of the most competitive and relationship driven markets in the country. This is not about overnight success. It is about...

In Episode 13 of The Build Line , Heather Tankersley and Jerry Brewer sit down with John Moore , founder of JM Environmental, one of California’s leading demolition and environmental abatement companies. John shares the story behind building a high risk business in one of the most demanding sectors of construction. From the early days of grinding through uncertainty to scaling a company with real...

What if the thing holding your business back isn’t systems, leads, or capital - but your brand? In Episode 12 of The Build Line , Heather and Jerry sit down with Rob Laird , a multi-industry entrepreneur who has built businesses across real estate, lending, and consumer products by leading with trust, visibility, and reputation. Rob breaks down why brand must come before scale, how a visible leade...

Most contractors are great builders and terrible salespeople and it is costing them time, margin, and confidence. In this episode of The Build Line , we sit down with Matt Saia , independent consultant and sales trainer with Sandler Sales , for a deep dive into why traditional contractor sales conversations fail and what the top performers do differently. Matt breaks down the typical contractor sa...

In this episode of The Build Line , Jerry and Heather go solo for an unfiltered conversation about finding the right room and why staying loyal to the wrong one can cost you more than you realize. They share personal stories of doubt from people closest to them, how confidence was rebuilt outside familiar circles, and why growth often creates tension in relationships that once felt safe. This epis...

What does it actually take to rise from intern to CEO inside an established construction company? In this episode of The Build Line , we sit down with Chris Cormier , CEO and co owner of Tricorp Group , to unpack a rare leadership journey built from the inside out. Chris shares how he started at the bottom, earned trust over time, and navigated the difficult transition from employee to owner. We t...

Ryan Kelly, owner of KHB Construction, joins Heather and Jerry to talk about what it really takes to grow a construction company without losing control, culture, or profitability. Ryan shares lessons learned while scaling KHB Construction, the systems that brought clarity instead of complexity, and how strong leadership creates accountability at every level. They dive into hiring the right people,...

Most GC and Sub relationships do not fail because of bad work. They fail because of broken trust, poor communication, and unmet expectations. In this episode of The Build Line , Heather and Jerry sit down for a raw, unfiltered GC versus Sub conversation with no prep and no script. They openly share what drives each side crazy, why trust matters more than the lowest bid, and how respect on the job...

What really happens when a lifelong business leader steps into public office? In this episode of The Build Line , Heather Tankersley and Jerry Brewer sit down with California State Senator Roger Niello for a candid, insightful conversation at the intersection of business, construction, and public policy. Roger shares his journey from leading a multi generation family business to shaping legislatio...

Brad Leavitt of AFT Construction joins Heather and Jerry for an honest conversation about what it takes to build one of the best run companies in the construction industry. We talk about managing clients without getting pulled into drama, the emotional difference between residential and commercial work, and how to scale responsibly with solid systems. Brad also shares how AFT uses social media as...

Episode 4 of the Build Line is out now and we get into the real version of entrepreneurship. Not the highlight reel. The wins. The weight. The why. We talk about the myths people buy into, the pros that keep you going, and the cons that no one warns you about. Risk, responsibility, burnout, flexibility, pride, and the honest truth of building something from the ground up. Heather and Jerry share r...

In this episode, Heather and Jerry welcome Dave Hollars, the man behind Kitchen Mart’s decades of success. They dig into how to balance quality and volume, why integrity still matters most, and what it takes to lead a team that truly stands the test of time. A masterclass in business endurance and staying true to your brand—this one’s for every builder or business owner looking to play the long ga...

In this episode of The Build Line , Heather and Jerry dig into one of the most defining parts of leadership — managing people and relationships. From the highs of hiring the right fit to the gut-check moments of letting someone go, they share personal stories about some of the toughest calls they’ve had to make. You’ll hear what they’ve learned about leading with integrity, when to fire fast, and...

Heather Tankersley and Jerry Brewer share how The Build Line began — and why the construction industry needs more real, unfiltered conversations. From leadership and team growth to the funny chaos that happens off script, this episode sets the tone for what’s ahead. New episodes every other Tuesday.