Builder Stories

In this episode of Builder Stories, Dave Stephens shares practical insights drawn from his real-world journey of building and growing a business on his own terms. The conversation is packed with honest advice that resonates with builders navigating growth and challenges. Dave's story offers encouragement and clarity for anyone looking to move forward with confidence, wherever their path may lead. In this episode you will learn: How to transition from a different career into construction Learning from failures to become even more successful Why consistency matters How hiring coaches can help you fill knowledge gaps How Lida Homes implements a 5-5-5 conversation to keep employees on track Listen to the episode to learn more. Resources: Learn more about Lida Homes here.

In this episode of Builder Stories, Eric Anderson shares what it looks like when a technology partner truly understands the needs of builders and remodelers. He reflects on DreamMaker's experience working with JobTread and why genuine care for both people and product makes a measurable difference. Eric offers insight into how the right systems and relationships can improve operations while strengthening trust across your team. This conversation highlights why alignment and service matter just as much as features when choosing tools for your business. In this episode you'll learn: Why remodeling presents different opportunities than new construction How getting serious about the numbers changed the way DreamMaker prices jobs Why staying busy can still feel successful while quietly masking financial problems How DreamMaker uses early conversations to reduce wasted effort on both sides What DreamMaker looks for in partners Listen to the episode to learn more. Resources: Learn more about DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen here.

Brandon Fuchs, former remodeler turned construction business coach and founder of Elite Builder Society. He recounts early mistakes from bad advice. He covers where to invest first, when to hire or outsource, overcoming content fear, why $500K businesses stall versus $5M scale, and the importance of data, job costing, and choosing partners who truly care.

Steve Rozenberg, founder of The Rozenberg Group who built and sold a 1,000-property business, explains why many contractors stay stuck in reactive chaos. He discusses building airline-style systems, defining a sale date to reverse-engineer growth, mapping current and future org charts with a dashed-line path, and why in-person leadership and culture matter more than online shortcuts.

Meysam Pourkaram, founder and project manager at Enzo Design Build in West Vancouver, built an in-house marketing team from scratch. He discusses building a video-first content strategy, curating a tech stack for seamless delivery, and using design-first processes to qualify clients. He also covers hiring, systems, and how SEO and AI visibility shaped their lead flow.

In this far-ranging conversation, Phill and Heather revisit a painful embezzlement that left them questioning every facet of the business. Rather than retreat in the face of that disruption, they used the moment as an opportunity to rebuild their systems with a trust-but-verify mindset, putting safeguards in place that protect the business from repeating past mistakes. The discussion also covers the success habits that strengthened their leadership and brought their team into full alignment. In this episode you will learn: How to identify the right moment to make early hires Strategies for using partners and systems to keep admin work organized Key numbers to follow when planning for long term growth What it takes to shift your energy toward the tasks that move the business forward The organization that changed how they approach business Listen to the episode to learn more. Resources: Visit Closer Look General Contracting here.

Cody Reinke, founder of Wings Construction in Minnesota, shares his journey from carpentry to scaling his own business. He discusses the pivotal moments of transitioning from storm damage to remodeling, while revealing how he balanced hands-on work with management duties. Key insights include the importance of knowing when to hire, structuring effective compensation, and leveraging tools like JobTread for operational efficiency. Cody emphasizes a customer-first approach and the value of honesty, aiming to build lasting relationships beyond insurance-dependent work.

Ben and Amy Wright describe how a move to Nashville for music eventually led them into house flipping, and ultimately a thriving construction business. They share how years of working on their own homes helped them gain confidence, attract referrals, and step into larger projects. Coaching played a major role in shaping their mindset, improving their systems, and helping them grow into the high end work they now enjoy. Ben and Amy's story shows how thoughtful decisions, and the willingness to learn can completely reshape a business. In this episode you will learn: Which coaches accelerated their growth How they built a website that reflects the quality of their work Which marketing efforts created the strongest return How they use networking to gain projects The sales process that changed their approach Listen to the episode to learn more. Resources: Learn more about Center State Craftsmen here.

Brandon Sinkler, president of Coastal Builders and Consultants and former firefighter/paramedic turned home remodeler. He talks about moving from flips to licensed contracting, building SOPs and systems to scale, hiring key staff and managing trade relationships, and plans to expand into new-home builds in Florida.

Brady Bankston built Popularis Construction by leading with deliberate action. He shares how early mistakes shaped the way he hires, manages, and motivates his team today. His approach to clients is equally thoughtful and relies on a unique set of requirements that every prospect must meet before becoming a customer, including visiting his office to review a sample project inside JobTread. Through consistent systems and clear communication, Brady has learned how to grow his company while keeping every project and person aligned. In this episode you will learn: How Brady uses a unique client process to build trust before every project The steps that helped him win larger and more complex projects The biggest hiring mistakes that nearly derailed his early growth The strategy he uses today to identify and develop the right people How his performance reviews strengthen accountability and communication Listen to the episode to learn more. Resources: Learn more about Popularis Construction here.