For Brandon, highlighting his energetic personality and company mission through Instagram and TikTok has been invaluable to the success of his business. In addition to being entertaining though, he also talks about the importance of providing true value to your followers—preferably for free via your content.

Brandon also speaks on the power of collaborations with other individuals and companies in your space. In fact, he believes that partnering with other influential brands is the fastest way to grow as a business.

Finally, Brandon explains his approach to continuing education, especially in the incredibly saturated fitness industry.

Sponsors:

• Visit https://buildertrend.com/aft/ to get a 60-day money-back guarantee on your Buildertrend account!
• Pella Windows & Doors - https://www.pella.com/

Events:

• Learn More/Register for Contractor Coalition Summit November 06-09 https://www.eventcreate.com/e/contractorcoalitionsummit

Topics Discussed:

• [02:44] Why Brandon started his own business
• [08:00] The hard work that goes into building a successful business
• [10:58] Knowing your worth as an entrepreneur
• [15:34] Pricing your services
• [18:38] Building a community around your brand
• [26:24] The power of referrals
• [28:20] Expanding your list of services or auxiliary ventures beyond your core business
• [35:14] Viewing your peers as collaborators instead of as competition
• [37:57] Navigating the toxicity of social media and avoiding the comparison trap
• [43:59] Continuing education best practices
• [47:34] Setting yourself up for success by nailing the “new client phase”
• [53:18] Collaborating with other companies
• [55:36] Designing his unique kettlebells and what Brandon does for fun

Connect with Guest:

• Website - https://www.strictvisionathletics.com/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/strict_vision_athletics/
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxc3LKY01WQ

Connect with Brad Leavitt:

• Website - https://www.aftconstructionpodcast.com/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/aft_construction
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aftconstruction
• Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/aft-construction/aft-construction
• Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.ph/AFT_CONSTRUCTION/
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzB4R_DHPVV1SPh7RUfR5jg

Key Quotes by Brandon:

• To know what you’re worth is probably one of the single most difficult facets of being an entrepreneur.
• Building a community is one of the most valuable things you can do, and that is something that is surprisingly inexpensive when it comes to a monetary amount. Now time-wise, it costs quite a bit.
• Give away as much as you possibly can for free for as long as you can. That entices people, because people hate being sold to, especially online.
• Never view your peers through the lens of competition.
• You’re going to win the long game by being consistent, not by going viral.
• Collaborating with other companies is how you’re going to grow the fastest, hands down.

Listen in as Cara shares her journey as an artist at heart and why she chose to pursue interior design. She describes her “whimsical” style, unafraid to blend the old and the new depending on the client’s taste, and how her love of travel influences her aesthetic.

Cara also talks about the business side of owning a design firm. She says that, while design school can be incredibly valuable and provides a foundational knowledge and skill base for aspiring designers, ultimately, nothing beats actual, on-the-ground experience.

Finally, Cara shares how she was able to build a successful brand on Instagram and her keys to doing PR successfully as an interior designer.

Sponsors:

• Visit https://buildertrend.com/aft/ to get a 60-day money-back guarantee on your Buildertrend account!
• Pella Windows & Doors - https://www.pella.com/

Events:

• Learn More/Register for Contractor Coalition Summit November 06-09 https://www.eventcreate.com/e/contractorcoalitionsummit

Topics Discussed:

• [03:05] How travel influences Cara’s designs
• [07:38] Cara’s attention to detail
• [14:01] Developing your skill as a designer after design school
• [18:37] Collaborating with other creatives
• [22:28] Cara’s Instagram success
• [28:56] Different business models in the design world
• [37:51] Why Cara decided to go into interior design
• [41:27] Navigating the business side of running a design firm
• [50:32] What Cara finds most rewarding about running her own company
• [55:57] Knowing how much work to take on at a time
• [58:17] The keys to effective PR as an interior designer
• [1:04:16] What’s next for Cara

Connect with Guest:

• Website - www.carawoodhouse.com
• Instagram - @carawoodhouseinteriors 
• Website - www.carawoodhousecollective.com
• Instagram - @carawoodhousecollective 

Connect with Brad Leavitt:

• Website - https://www.aftconstructionpodcast.com/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/aft_construction
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aftconstruction
• Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/aft-construction/aft-construction
• Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.ph/AFT_CONSTRUCTION/
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzB4R_DHPVV1SPh7RUfR5jg

Key Quotes by Cara Woodhouse:

• A huge part of success is to be able to brush failures off and use them as motivation to get to the next step, whatever that next step may be.
• An architect looks at a space from the outside-in. A designer looks at a space from the inside-out.

He also talks about the importance of building camaraderie with his teammates from other nations by creating a shared culture, which in turn motivates each and every athlete to perform at a much higher level on the court.

Jimmer also goes down memory lane, recalling how his naturally athletic prowess, combined with an immense drive, allowed him to fulfill his lifelong dream of playing for the NBA, and opened up new paths once he left that chapter behind him.

Finally, Jimmer talks with Brad about the process of building his new home in Denver and his advice to builders, architects, and designers looking to build their brand, and by extension forge a strong reputation with prospective clients.

Topics Discussed: 

• [03:07] Jimmer’s life in China and future plans for his pro basketball career
• [08:02] Getting along with Chinese teammates culturally
• [11:18] Different talent levels between Chinese and “import” players
• [13:17] How Jimmer came to play for the CBA
• [17:10] How Jimmer developed his entrepreneurial mindset as a pro athlete
• [20:24] Embodying a competitive mindset
• [24:07] Why Jimmer chose basketball
• [33:10] Addressing nerves before every game
• [38:34] Jimmer’s social media presence
• [40:55] About Jimmer’s Choose Kindness program
• [44:01] Playing at a prison
• [49:04] Jimmer’s recommendations to homebuilders, architects, and designers
• [55:00] How Jimmer chose his homebuilder
• [57:02] Putting together The Money Team

Connect with Jimmer:

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jimmerfredette_32/?hl=en
• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jimmerfredette_32?lang=en
• Twitter - https://mobile.twitter.com/jimmerfredette
• Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmer_Fredette

Connect with Brad Leavitt:

• Website - https://www.aftconstructionpodcast.com/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/aft_construction
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aftconstruction
• Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/aft-construction/aft-construction
• Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.ph/AFT_CONSTRUCTION/
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzB4R_DHPVV1SPh7RUfR5jg

Key Quotes by Jimmer:

• A huge part of success is to be able to brush failures off and use them as motivation to get to the next step, whatever that next step may be.
• I didn’t have a Plan B growing up. Plan A was the NBA. That was all I thought about. That was all I was going to do.

They have an established footing in both exceptional value custom homes and large-scale renovation. The team is comprised of experienced, hard-working, and conscientious people who enjoy sharing their craft with each other.

Whether you’re looking to design a traditional lake home, a modern farmhouse, or a cozy cottage á la Cape Cod, Mark D. Williams Custom Homes will gladly work with either an architect of your choice, or conceptualize and create with you ourselves. Regardless of the scope of your project, they work closely with clients to ensure the home meets your lifestyle and provides the most quality and value for the clients investment.

Sponsors:

• Visit https://buildertrend.com/aft/ to get a 60-day money-back guarantee on your Buildertrend account!
• Pella Windows & Doors - https://www.pella.com/

Events:

• Learn More/Register for Contractor Coalition Summit November 06-09 https://www.eventcreate.com/e/contractorcoalitionsummit

Connect with Mark Williams:

• Website - http://www.mdwilliamshomes.com
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/
• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/
• Houzz - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ 

Connect with Brad Leavitt:

• Website - https://www.aftconstructionpodcast.com/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/aft_construction
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aftconstruction
• Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/aft-construction/aft-construction
• Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.ph/AFT_CONSTRUCTION/
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzB4R_DHPVV1SPh7RUfR5jg

Listen in as Austin does a deep dive into his work as a financial planner who caters primarily to small business owners. He speaks on the harsh realities of managing a startup and common mistakes that owners fall into when structuring their businesses.

He also offers some basic yet powerful advice to parents looking to raise financially intelligent kids, including need-to-know information on Roth IRAs, credit scores, and money management.

Finally, Austin talks about what clients can expect when they partner with Backbone Planning Partners, as well as his motivation for starting his podcast, Tycoons of Small Biz.

Sponsors:

• Visit https://buildertrend.com/aft/ to get a 60-day money-back guarantee on your Buildertrend account!
• Pella Windows & Doors - https://www.pella.com/

Events:

• Learn More/Register for Contractor Coalition Summit November 06-09 https://www.eventcreate.com/e/contractorcoalitionsummit

Topics Discussed: 

• [03:30] The importance of financial planning and Austin’s greatest financial advice
• [07:58] Having conversations with your kids about financial responsibility
• [14:10] What to know about Roth IRAs
• [22:01] Improving your credit score
• [29:09] How business owners should communicate with employees about finances
• [44:56] How Backbone Planning Partners helps small business owners
• [52:59] Backbone’s fee structure
• [56:06] Why Austin started the Tycoons of Small Biz podcast
• [01:02:39] What Austin does for fun

Connect with Guest:

• Website - https://www.backboneplanning.com/
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/austinpetersoncfp/
• Podcast - https://tycoonsofsmallbiz.com/

Connect with Brad Leavitt:

• Website - https://www.aftconstructionpodcast.com/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/aft_construction
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aftconstruction
• Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/aft-construction/aft-construction
• Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.ph/AFT_CONSTRUCTION/
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzB4R_DHPVV1SPh7RUfR5jg

Key Quotes by Austin:

• The most basic information I can give to anybody is: “Live on 80% of what you make.”
• I think it’s important that parents are open with their kids about how personal finance works.
• Employees need to know that they’re following a leader that they can count on, and if you don’t look confident on a day-to-day basis, then they start to worry themselves.
• Everybody thinks that every business owner is an overnight success; but, what they don’t realize is that there were ten years (or maybe even more) of them grinding and barely having enough to take care of their families before, finally, there was breathing room and then momentum.
• You want to market to the business that you want, and not the business that you have today.
• We believe that the backbone of the American economy is the small business owner.

Listen in as Joseph and Adam discuss the keys to a productive business partnership and how the two friends were able to home in on their roles in the company over time.

They also talk about the benefits of promoting honesty, transparency, and open communication not only between the firm and its clients, but also between the leadership team and those they lead within the firm itself.

Finally, our guests speak on the many challenges that the past two years have presented and how they are currently navigating a market on the brink of recession.

Sponsors:

• Visit https://buildertrend.com/aft/ to get a 60-day money-back guarantee on your Buildertrend account!
• Pella Windows & Doors - https://www.pella.com/

Events:

• Learn More/Register for Contractor Coalition Summit November 06-09 https://www.eventcreate.com/e/contractorcoalitionsummit

Topics Discussed:

• Joseph and Adam’s secret to a great business partnership
• Conflict resolution
• The value of having empathy for the client
• The biggest conflict that Joseph and Adam aim to resolve in 2022
• The evolution of the company
• The importance of being as transparent as possible with contracts
• Why have regular phone calls with clients
• How Joseph and Adam eventually found the roles best suited for them
• Cultivating a culture of honesty and transparency among all staff
• Dealing with turnover and hiring in today’s turbulent economy
• Why today’s market is unsustainable, and how it can be fixed
• What Joseph and Adam do for fun
• What’s upcoming for Ghiloni Custom Builders

Connect with Cardinal Crest Design Build:

• Website - https://www.cardinalcresthomes.com/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cardinalcrestkc/
• Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/cardinalcrest/cardinal-crest-homes-renders/
• Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/professionals/home-builders/cardinal-crest-homes-pfvwus-pf~1099660923?
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/Cardinalcresthomes

Connect with Brad Leavitt:

• Website - https://www.aftconstructionpodcast.com/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/aft_construction
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aftconstruction
• Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/aft-construction/aft-construction
• Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.ph/AFT_CONSTRUCTION/
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzB4R_DHPVV1SPh7RUfR5jg

Key Quotes by Joseph and Adam:

• Conflict resolution is in every part of business in general, and it’s okay. Conflict is actually good. ~Joseph
• There’s no way to get good at conflict resolution without doing a ton of it. ~Joseph
• Dealing with conflict comes down to quality and continuous communication. [...] It goes back to cultivating a good relationship with your clients, being open and honest with your clients, and admitting fault when it’s necessary. ~Adam
• There are builders with a wealth of knowledge and have amazing systems and processes. They need to share those systems and those processes with clients. ~Adam
• I refer to my employees as my “colleagues” because we, as business owners, can learn so much from our colleagues. You learn your weaknesses very, very quickly from them if you create a culture and an environment where they’re comfortable voicing their opinions. ~Adam

Listen in as Vince and Gino discuss the unique dynamics of doing business as a family, including alongside Gino’s mom and Vice President of the company, Maryjane Ghiloni.

They also explain the ins-and-outs of Builder 20 Clubs and how to join one, as well as how their strong focus on growing the homebuilding community influences the Ghiloni company culture.

Vince and Gino speak on how the younger Ghiloni is preparing to take the reins of the business, and how they have successfully utilized social media to thrive in today’s market, to the point where 60% of Ghiloni’s sales now come from Instagram alone.

Sponsors:

• Visit https://buildertrend.com/aft/ to get a 60-day money-back guarantee on your Buildertrend account!
• Pella Windows & Doors - https://www.pella.com/

Events:

• Learn More/Register for Contractor Coalition Summit November 06-09 https://www.eventcreate.com/e/contractorcoalitionsummit

Topics Discussed:

• [03:24] About the 20 Clubs for builders
• [07:16] How the Clubs have changed over the years
• [11:17] What to expect at a Builder 20 meeting
• [14:39] How to find and join a Builder 20 group
• [20:16] What led Gino to join the business later on
• [28:03] Preparing to hand off the business to the next generation
• [38:07] Cultivating company culture
• [41:15] How Vince and Gino differentiate their roles in the company
• [46:22] How social media has developed the business
• [52:21] Addressing the labor shortage issue
• [53:47] Deciding which tasks to subcontract
• [56:40] Setting expectations with clients
• [58:14] What Vince and Gino do for fun
• [01:01:38] What’s upcoming for Ghiloni Custom Builders

Connect with Guest:

• Website - https://www.ghiloni-custom-builders.com/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ghiloni_custom_builders/
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Ghilonicustombuilders/
• TikTok - @ghiloni_custom_builders
• Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/professionals/design-build-firms/ghiloni-custom-builders-inc-pfvwus-pf~377556360

Connect with Brad Leavitt:

• Website - https://www.aftconstructionpodcast.com/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/aft_construction
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aftconstruction
• Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/aft-construction/aft-construction
• Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.ph/AFT_CONSTRUCTION/
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzB4R_DHPVV1SPh7RUfR5jg

Key Quotes:

• The culture of this company comes down to how we handle what we call “gray issues”: If it’s a gray issue, we take care of it. As fair as we can be with our clients is as fair as we can be for ourselves and for our subs.
• Maybe our business, almost to a fault, is too much like a family in some cases.
• The most important thing we have to do is set expectations for what we’re going to get. That’s tough: We think we got our point across and the client gets everything, but then you get a question out of left field after you get started.

Founded in 2015, Pinhero specializes in the F&B and hospitality space. Since its founding, Pinhero has completed over 500 projects in the retail, restaurant, and office industry.

Sunny’s infectious personality and drive have been huge contributors to his successful bounceback from losing it all in 2008 to building an award-winning commercial construction company in 2021.

Listen in as Sunny shares what it truly means to take ownership of your business. He explains how being forced to start over after the 2008 crash taught him the value of playing the long game in the world of construction, the keys to building a $100 million company, how to educate clients in order to minimize difficult conversations, and how to create a training system for your team that scales.

Topics Discussed:

• [04:48] Starting over after the 2008 crash
• [10:31] Building a business of any size
• [18:27] Being a great leader for your team
• [21:06] Staying cutting edge as a business while sticking to timeless principles
• [23:44] How Sunny was able to rapidly scale his company in his early 20s
• [28:12] How Pinhero has evolved since 2008
• [27:45] The challenges of working in commercial construction in 2022
• [41:48] Getting rid of “head trash” and dealing with difficult conversations with clients
• [47:00] Tools that Sunny uses to train his team
• [56:22] Sunny’s business outside California
• [58:58] Expanding your influencer network
• [01:01:34] What Sunny likes to do for fun

Connect with Sunny Pinhero:

• Website - https://pinhero.com/
• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunnypinhero/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pinheroconstruction/
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pinheroconstruction/
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm-YAOd64uv0HPuvb2GnXbg
• Twitter - https://twitter.com/PinheroCon

Connect with Brad Leavitt:

• Website - https://www.aftconstructionpodcast.com/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/aft_construction
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aftconstruction
• Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/aft-construction/aft-construction
• Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.ph/AFT_CONSTRUCTION/
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzB4R_DHPVV1SPh7RUfR5jg

Key Quotes by Sunny:

• If we’re going to grow our company—if we want to make more money—we have to produce more.
• It doesn’t matter what size company you want to build; if you put your team in place, you can build to any size. And you manage the company—the company doesn’t manage you.
• I’m a fan of selling a client once and then earning the right to keep building products for them.

A builder since his youth, Garrett recalls many summers spent on job sites alongside his uncle, and ultimately leaving college after a single semester to work in construction full-time.

Our conversation largely revolves around Garrett’s inspiring road to sobriety. It was after turning his life around that he was able to build a thriving construction business amid the pandemic. He desires to be an inspiration to others going along this same path by telling the stories of men and women just like himself on his podcast, Skilled & Sober.

Garrett also shares the process of trial and error he had to go through to scale his business from doing renovations exclusively to designing and building homes in Central Maine.

Sponsors:

• Visit https://buildertrend.com/aft/ to get a 60-day money-back guarantee on your Buildertrend account!
• Pella Windows & Doors - https://www.pella.com/

Events:

• Learn More/Register for Contractor Coalition Summit November 06-09 https://www.eventcreate.com/e/contractorcoalitionsummit

Topics Discussed:

• [08:53] The moment Garrett’s Instagram presence really took off
• [10:59] How Garrett got into construction
• [14:50] Garret’s journey to sobriety
• [24:38] About the Skilled & Sober podcast
• [28:17] Garrett’s advice to those struggling with issues of self-worth
• [35:08] How silent meditation changed Garrett’s life
• [39:15] How the company has evolved since Garrett chose sobriety
• [43:29] A cycle of hiring and firing amid COVID
• [50:21] From renovation to homebuilding
• [53:53] Learning the financial side of business
• [58:55] Adjusting to changing material costs
• [01:03:00] Vetting clients
• [1:10:20] What’s upcoming for G.W. WoodWorks

Connect with Garrett Davis:

• Website - https://www.gwdaviscompany.com/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thelifeofbub/?hl=en

Connect with Brad Leavitt:

• Website - https://www.aftconstructionpodcast.com/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/aft_construction
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aftconstruction
• Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/aft-construction/aft-construction
• Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.ph/AFT_CONSTRUCTION/
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzB4R_DHPVV1SPh7RUfR5jg

Key Quotes by Garrett:

• There are underlying factors for everyone that struggles with mental illness, depress, and drug addiction: There’s stuff that we’re burying inside. There’s stuff that we’re not letting out.
• Sobriety has taught me acceptance.
• Trial and error has made my contracts better and better over the years.