Today we welcome Brad Leavitt, President and owner of AFT Construction based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Brad is known for his collaborative design-build approach and his commitment to the designer + builder partnership. In this episode, we discuss Brad's unintentional entrepreneurial journey, lessons in effective collaboration, and his perspective on scaling a business and cultivating a team of resourceful and empowered leaders. We also dive into Brad's dedication to giving back through his podcast, public speaking, and his dynamic industry event, the Contractor Coalition Summit.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

• How an early career reprimand from a seasoned designer reshaped Brad's appreciation for design and collaboration.
• The pivotal moment that forced Brad into entrepreneurship—and what he learned from launching AFT Construction.
• The importance of empowering your team and leading by fostering problem-solving and ownership.
• Why communication and humility are essential to resolving complex project challenges.
• How AFT Construction defines success in the high-end luxury residential market.
• The value of long-term partnerships and designer-builder synergy in complex, multi-year projects.
• How Brad leverages his podcast and public speaking to build community and share knowledge.
• The origin and impact of the Contractor Coalition Summit—and why he created a safe space for builders to learn and grow.

NOTABLE QUOTES

• "The really great leaders are able to see people not as they are, but who they can become."
• "It's not about who's right, it's about getting it right."
• "Personal branding is permanent job security."
• "People that do hard things have an easy life. People that do easy things have a hard life."

SUPPORTING RESOURCES

• AFT Construction Website
• AFT Construction on Instagram
• The Brad Leavitt Podcast
• Contractor Coalition Summit (inferred from content – please verify)

SPONSOR LINKS

• Design Manager
• Daniel House Club
• Hooker Furnishings