In this captivating conversation, Zac O'Hara dives deep into the innovative ways he's deploying AI to transform daily operations at North Shore Masonry. As a hands-on operator who has immersed himself in emerging technology tools, Zac reveals what is possible when AI is strategically applied inside a construction business. Zac also addresses security concerns and speaks candidly about the real risks leaders must evaluate as AI becomes more powerful.

• How Mason AI is redefining productivity for a growing masonry company
• How Zac is embedding AI directly into his sales process to win overlooked opportunities
• Why reporting data is shaping bold hiring decisions
• How Zac evaluates and compares different AI models for specific use cases
• What executives must consider before integrating AI with core systems

Listen to the episode to learn more.

Learn more about North Shore Masonry here

Philip Sessions shares how a simple need for marketing help led him to build a business focused on virtual assistants for contractors. He explains why many contractors struggle with VAs and what must change for the relationship to work. Philip also shares best practices for managing virtual assistants and how contractors can grow without adding full time staff.

• Why most contractors hire virtual assistants the wrong way
• What tasks VAs handle best inside a construction business
• How to manage VAs for success
• Red flags to watch out for when working with VAs
• How support systems affect long term growth

Listen to the episode to learn more.

Learn more about Refined VA here.

Ken Combs shares how he went from a 19 year old laborer to leading a design build firm with more than $15 million in annual revenue. He reveals how he restructured his company for higher profit and increased efficiency. Ken also shares his results driven approach to operations, marketing, and the org chart he developed to support his team. He explains what had to change before the business could operate without his daily involvement.

• Ken's goal for slippage and grippage
• How to make the transition from in house labor to subcontracted teams
• The unique compensation structure Ken uses to create accountability
• When to bring design in-house
• How Ken successfully rebranded his company

Listen to the episode to learn more.

Visit the CQC Home website here.

Casey Fabling shares what it takes to come back after losing a company. He walks through how a fast growing business unraveled once visibility and controls disappeared. Casey reflects on the personal toll of shutting down and starting over in a new city. He explains how rebuilding with intention changed every aspect of his approach.

This conversation offers a rare look at resilience from someone who has lived it. Casey focuses on what he learned rather than what he lost, and why his second company is being built with a very different definition of success.

• What business failure teaches you that growth never will
• Why transparency matters more as your company scales
• How systems create trust without constant oversight
• What rebuilding can reveal about your real priorities
• Why freedom can be a better goal than revenue

Listen to the episode to learn more.

Learn more about Front Range Home Services here.

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.

• 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.

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.

• 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.

Learn more about DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen here.

Construction business coach Brandon Fuchs shares lessons shaped by his early years running a remodeling company without clear guidance. He describes how following the wrong advice created confusion and delayed progress. Brandon explains why many remodeling businesses fail within the first five years and how indecision plays a major role. This conversation challenges contractors to rethink who they listen to and how they approach growth.

In this episode you will learn:

• What contractors should focus on first when starting out
• How to decide when to outsource work
• Why many remodeling businesses fail early
• The most damaging advice contractors often receive
• What contractors should prioritize heading into 2026

Listen to the episode to learn more.

Learn more about Elite Builder Society here.

After losing his airline job in the wake of 9-11, Steve Rozenberg learned that career stability can disappear overnight. That loss fueled his drive to build a highly successful property management business that scaled to 1,000 properties and was later sold to a venture backed company. In this episode, Steve explains why many contractors are stuck in a chaotic reactive mode without clearly defined systems and processes. He also shares why proactive leadership and in person connection matter when building a company that can withstand disruption.

• What a sale date reveals about long term direction
• How the dash line connects vision to ownership
• Why reactive patterns quietly limit progress
• What proactive leadership changes inside a company
• Why in person meetings create deeper impact than online sessions

Learn more about The Rozenberg Group here.

Meysam shares how early challenges with lead flow pushed him to study marketing, create his own content, and eventually build a results-driven in-house team that reflects his company's vision. He reveals his winning strategy for attracting attention in a landscape that's increasingly driven by AI, and provides insight on how to use social media to produce the best results. A key component of Enzo's success lies in the company's carefully curated tech stack, and Meysam also outlines the solutions he relies on and how each of them fits into his overall business strategy.

• Why Meysam brought his marketing in-house to protect the company's message
• How he developed a video strategy that builds trust before the first conversation
• What his sales funnel reveals about client fit and early red flags
• How his tech stack supports clear communication and smooth project delivery
• Why ongoing learning shapes his hiring approach and guides his best advice

Listen to the episode to learn more.

Learn more about Enzo Design Build here.

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.

• 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.

Visit Closer Look General Contracting here.