Lay of The Land #238 Tyler Dunagin (TurnServ) — Curiosity, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship in Multifamily
Tyler Dunagin is the founder and CEO of Turnserv, a Northeast Ohio–based platform company behind brands like ApartmentPainters.com, ApartmentFlooring.com, and Liquid Liner — each rethinking a critical piece of the residential turnover and value-add process for property owners and operators.
In our conversation, Tyler traces his journey from early curiosity in real estate and the unlocking of his entrepreneurial spirit, to building a multi-brand platform that now partners with some of the largest property managers in the country, which has earned Turnserv a place on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing companies, as it continues to expand its product-market fit across Ohio and beyond in this highly fragmented industry.
We explore why speed and convenience matter more than ever in multifamily — and how a chance encounter in an apartment bathroom led Tyler down an unexpected path: learning chemistry, working with labs, and ultimately inventing Liquid Liner, a patented surface-restoration coating that’s 30 times thicker than traditional sprays and now used at scale to renew bathtubs, tile, cabinets, and countertops — without replacement or specialized tools.
We also dig into Tyler’s evolution as a leader — from owner-operator to coach; from pure growth to purpose, culture, capital, and long-term value creation; and his deep pride in building from Northeast Ohio.
Tyler brings a wonderful mix of humility, ambition, and thoughtfulness to everything he’s building, and I had a great time learning from him in this awesome conversation — so please enjoy my discussion with Tyler Dunagin.
00:00 The Journey Begins: Curiosity and Rebellion
05:22 From Sports to Entrepreneurship: A Life Change
08:34 Curiosity in Real Estate: Finding a Path
11:17 Building TurnServe: Addressing Market Needs
14:19 Identifying Problems: The Birth of Liquid Liner
16:55 Innovating Solutions: The Refinishing Journey
20:06 Scaling Up: The Growth of TurnServe
22:52 The Evolution of Products: From Painters to Liquid Liner
25:39 The Chemistry of Success: Creating Liquid Liner
28:50 Reflecting on Growth: The Vision for TurnServe
31:23 Funding the Future: Capital and Growth Strategies
34:02 Breaking Barriers: Entering the Market
38:59 Navigating Growth Capital: Lessons Learned
43:54 Evolving Perspectives on Success
48:32 Leadership Transformation: From Selfish to Selfless
51:53 Convenience as a Driving Force
57:38 The Future of Multifamily: Automation and Innovation
01:02:29 Community Pride: Building in Northeast Ohio
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LINKS:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerdunagin/
https://www.turnserv.com/
ApartmentFlooring.com
ApartmentPainters.com
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SPONSOR:
Roundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company’s passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership.
Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost. To bring that vision to life, the company pioneered the group medical captive model — a self-funded health insurance solution that provides small and mid-sized businesses with greater control and significant savings.
Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs.
Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland.
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