The Builders

In this solo episode of The Builders, Matt gets real about a turbulent start to 2025 — including client losses, tough contracts, and moments where he seriously considered shutting everything down.But instead of walking away, he doubled down on what he truly loves: building. Fueled by a renewed passion and a surprising creative partner in Claude AI, Matt shares how he’s finding momentum again — through code, plugins, and clarity of purpose.Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode:Claude AI as a coding partner: How Matt’s integrating Claude directly into his development process inside VS Code, transforming the way he works on plugins.Unified Plugins reboot: Why he’s prioritizing product development again, starting with Unified Leads and moving toward an AI-powered plugin suite.Rediscovering focus and passion: What stepping away from chaos and returning to the craft taught him about staying grounded.Diversifying and retooling the business: Lessons learned from recent client changes and how product development fits into long-term sustainability.Serving and reconnecting with clients: Renewing energy toward outreach and nurturing existing relationships for more stable growth.Whether you're a developer, agency owner, or entrepreneur weathering your own storms, this episode is a powerful reminder that sometimes the best move isn’t quitting — it’s building something new.

In this inspiring episode of The Builders Podcast, I sit down with George McGillivray, a true embodiment of lifelong learning and growth. At 78 years old, George has authored two books, proving that it’s never too late to build something meaningful, share your story, and give back to others. George takes us through his incredible journey — from working at a petrol station, to mastering sales, to becoming a seasoned marketing professional, and eventually, a published author later in life. Along the way, he shares lessons about perseverance, staying curious, and using your experiences to create impact.Key Takeaways:Lifelong learning is essential: No matter your age, you can always learn, grow, and build something new.Sales and service skills translate: Building trust, communicating effectively, and serving others are timeless tools for success.Writing builds legacy: Capturing and sharing your life experiences helps others and leaves a meaningful footprint.Never undermine yourself: Age should never be a barrier to embracing new challenges or pursuing dreams.Give back through knowledge: Whether it’s writing, mentoring, or sharing insights, giving back enhances your legacy and impact. Join us as George shares his heartfelt story and powerful advice for builders, creators, and lifelong learners everywhere. Stay positive, folks, and remember — it’s never too late to start building!

In this episode of The Builders, I sit down with Andy Gersberg, co-founder of Bracket, to unpack how businesses can not only survive but thrive during massive tech shifts—like the one AI is bringing right now.We talk about what it means to adapt, drawing on Andy’s journey from building Flash websites to pioneering what he calls GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)—a next-gen evolution of SEO tailored for AI-first platforms like ChatGPT.Andy shares how his agency is helping clients get found by AI, not just traditional search engines. It’s a fascinating look at where digital strategy is headed and what builders like us can do to stay visible, nimble, and resilient. Key Takeaways:Adaptability is survival: Just like the Flash-to-HTML5 transition, businesses must shift fast to meet new demands.GEO is the new SEO: If your content isn’t being picked up by AI models, you’re missing the biggest search funnel of the future.Think like AI: Create content that answers specific questions—structured data and LLM-ready formats help AI find you.AI is a copilot, not a threat: Use AI to elevate your offerings and scale what your team can do.Build infrastructure for the future: From firewalls to content strategy, ensure your site is AI-accessible and ready for the next wave. Whether you’re building a solo business or scaling a full-blown agency, this episode is packed with insights on how to evolve before you’re forced to.So grab that coffee, and let’s dive into the nuts and bolts of future-proofing your business.

In this thought-provoking episode of The Builders Podcast, Matt welcomes back Joel Salomon, prosperity coach and mindful money expert, for his fifth appearance. Together, they dive deep into how your actions — or inactions — are often the biggest tells in your mindset story.Joel shares real client transformations, from undercharging spiritual entrepreneurs to overwhelmed yoga instructors and even a mindset coach who needed a mindset shift of her own. They unpack what it means to act as if, how affirmations actually work, and why tracking your money is less about math — and more about clarity, confidence, and courage.Whether you’re holding back on hiring, underpricing your services, or hesitating to invest in your own growth — this episode challenges you to ask: What’s my tell?Key TakeawaysAction Reflects Belief: Your actions often reveal your underlying beliefs about your abilities and the success of your business.Mindset Over Strategy: Before delving into business strategies, it's crucial to establish a positive mindset to support sustainable growth.Empower Your Pricing: Charging what you're worth is a mindset breakthrough that can transform a business’s revenue model.Visualization and Affirmations: Regularly affirming positive outcomes and visualizing business success helps align your actions with your business goals.Invest in Business Growth: Embracing risk to invest in marketing or team expansion is essential for momentous business breakthroughs.

In this episode, Matt shares the story behind a long-term client relationship that’s become a true partnership — one forged through fires, fixes, and four years of trust. What started as a quick WordPress rescue evolved into a deeply embedded role as the client's digital defense team, managing an e-commerce ecosystem that can’t afford to go down.Matt walks through the systems, processes, and real-world challenges that come with maintaining a multi-million-dollar online store. From recovering a site after another agency's misstep to setting up access controls, staging environments, and SOPs, this episode breaks down what it really takes to build a service relationship that lasts.If you’re an agency owner, freelancer, or service provider looking to create lasting value — this one’s for you.🔑 Key TakeawaysLong-term value is built, not pitched. Trust is earned over time by showing up, solving problems, and taking responsibility.Being a ‘defense team’ goes beyond code. True value lies in protecting a client’s digital infrastructure — even from their own rushed decisions.Processes protect revenue. Systems like staging, Git versioning, and role-based access aren’t nice-to-haves — they’re vital for uptime and growth.Sometimes the best work is invisible. Being the person who prevents problems is often more valuable than being the one who fixes them.Speed isn’t everything. Familiarity, strategy, and reliability often outperform quick turnaround promises from external teams.Trust makes you essential. When a client sees you as a guardian of their business, not just a vendor, you're no longer easily replaceable.

In this episode of The Builders, we dive headfirst into the evolving world of industrial 3D printing with Oscar Klassen, CEO of JawsTec. What started as a single SLS printer and a six-month experiment has grown into a full-blown manufacturing operation with 20 machines and a game-changing quoting engine.Oscar walks us through how JawsTec is lowering the barrier to entry for makers, entrepreneurs, and businesses to bring physical products to life—whether you’re printing a single prototype or scaling up to thousands. From unique materials like Nylon 12 and titanium to custom textures and rapid iteration, we explore what’s possible when technology, grit, and strategy collide.If you’ve ever wondered how products are actually built in the modern world—or how 3D printing is quietly reshaping the manufacturing landscape—this episode is for you.🔑 Key TakeawaysIteration Made Easy: 3D printing allows businesses to test and refine physical products quickly, without investing in expensive molds or tooling.From Prototype to Production: JawsTec supports everything from one-off prints to production runs, making it ideal for startups and established manufacturers alike.Scalable and Smart: Their proprietary quoting system and nesting software optimize every job for efficiency, packing parts like a 3D game of Tetris.Material Innovation: Learn about the performance potential of Nylon 12, TPU, and even titanium in industrial applications.Affordable Access to Big Tech: JawsTec opens doors for garage-based creators and global companies alike—no million-dollar budget required.Customization at Scale: With upcoming tech for adding textures directly to parts, the future of personalization is here.

In this episode of The Builders, I sit down with Akash Agarwal—CEO of Conmitto and the builder behind Dock Optimizer—for a deep dive into how spotting inefficiencies in logistics led to a freight tech breakthrough.From his early days in fintech and retail apps to recognizing massive gaps in the rail and trucking industries, Akash shares how powerful networking, clear customer pain points, and a passion for building simple solutions shaped his entrepreneurial journey. Key TakeawaysReal Problems Build Real Solutions: Akash’s journey began not with a business plan—but with a question: “Do you want a real problem?” That moment sparked the creation of Dock Optimizer.The Power of Pivoting: When the railroad industry changed course, Akash saw greater opportunity in the fragmented trucking space. Being adaptable opened new doors.AI as a Partner, Not a Replacement: Dock Optimizer uses AI to enhance productivity—automating tasks, surfacing insights, and letting humans focus on high-impact decisions.Bootstrapping with Intention: Self-funding gave Akash flexibility and focus. Instead of chasing VC pressure, he followed customer needs and grew sustainably.Networking Is Everything: From college connections to industry events, meaningful relationships led to partnerships, product validation, and new opportunities.Digitizing Old Industries: The logistics world is still full of paper-based workflows. Akash is bringing tech to these spaces—one micro-app at a time.

In this episode of The Builders Podcast, Matt Levenhagen sits down with Andreas Pettersson, a former corporate executive turned scrappy entrepreneur. Andreas shares his journey from structured leadership roles to the fast-paced, ever-changing world of startups. This conversation dives deep into the mindset shifts required to transition successfully, the power of action-taking, and why building people is just as important as building a business.Key Takeaways:Mindset Shift for Growth: Moving from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship requires agility, resourcefulness, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty.Action Over Perfection: The best way to learn and grow is to take action quickly, iterate, and adapt.Leadership at Scale: Entrepreneurs must evolve from being problem-solvers to empowering and developing leaders within their teams.Fractional Work & Delegation: Hiring the right talent at the right stage—especially fractional executives—can optimize business efficiency.Culture & Team Development: Great businesses are built on great people. Identifying and nurturing talent is key to long-term success.The Power of Radical Candor: Honest, direct feedback helps individuals and businesses grow faster and smarter.

In this episode of The Builders Podcast, Ken Cox joins Matt Levenhagen to explore how AI is transforming business. Ken shares his journey from web hosting to building InLink, an all-in-one AI-powered business solution. He dives into the concept of AI employees, how they streamline operations, and why they are the future of small business success.Key Takeaways:AI Employees are Here: Virtual agents are no longer futuristic—they’re actively performing tasks and automating workflows for businesses today.From Web Hosting to AI Innovation: Ken’s experience with hosting giants like Mastercard and AOL gave him insights into technology’s evolution and the next big leap.Small Businesses Can Compete with AI: InLink is designed to help solopreneurs and small businesses automate, streamline, and scale without massive overhead.The Future of Business is AI-Driven: AI solutions are becoming as essential as having a website in the late '90s—early adopters will gain the biggest advantages.Mindset Shift is Key: Businesses that embrace AI and automation will be better positioned for growth, efficiency, and sustainability.Join us as Ken Cox shares his vision for AI-powered business solutions, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and why he believes now is the best time to start integrating AI into your business.

In this engaging episode of the Builders Podcast, host Matt Levenhagen explores the intersection of technology and creativity with guest Erich Archer. Erich brings a wealth of knowledge from his background in TV production and his recent focus on developing AI-driven tools. The discussion highlights how Erich transitioned from traditional media production to utilizing AI technologies, such as ChatGPT, to streamline workflows and create innovative business solutions.Throughout the episode, Erich delves into his journey of discovering AI's transformative power in video production and business analyses. He shares how he started integrating AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney into his work, making substantial improvements in efficiency and creativity. The conversation touches on Erich's venture into creating custom GPTs (Generative Pre-trained Transformers), which he terms as "Smarty Pants." These are tailored AI solutions for specific business needs, ranging from SWOT analysis tools to personalized document processing applications. The dialogue underscores the growing importance and accessibility of AI tools in enhancing business operations and creative endeavors.Key Takeaways:Erich Archer has leveraged his extensive media production experience to dive into the creation of AI tools and custom GPTs, offering tailored solutions to streamline business processes.ChatGPT and Midjourney were pivotal in transforming Erich’s approach to video production, enhancing creative processes, and improving efficiency.Erich has developed over a hundred custom GPTs, which serve various functions like business frameworks and document processing, highlighting AI's versatility in different industries.Transitioning from TV production to AI tool creation, Erich emphasizes the balance between leveraging AI technology and maintaining creative control and personal expertise.The conversation centers on how easy AI tools are to integrate for businesses, and the importance of adopting these technologies to stay competitive and enhance professional capabilities.