Builder Stories

Frank Llaneza went from buying a pool for his own family during COVID to running a franchise that has installed more than 300 pools across two states. Frank also shares why he chose to join a franchise instead of going it alone, and what that decision unlocked for his growth. In this episode, he reveals the surprisingly simple gift that has driven a 30% jump in reviews and helped fuel a 60% lead increase in a soft market. He breaks down how to stay human in an AI driven world without losing your edge on automation.

• Why the fastest sales cycles often come from a specific type of buyer most contractors overlook
• The mindset shift Frank gives every customer before the build begins
• How to re engage past customers and turn them into a referral force years later
• The signal that tells you when a customer is finally ready to leave a five star review
• What Frank wishes he knew before starting a construction business from scratch

Listen to the episode to learn more.

Learn more about River Pools of the Carolinas here.

Contractors are not usually stuck because they cannot build. They are stuck because too much of the business still depends on memory, follow up, and the owner carrying every decision. Zac Liquori of ConstructAid shares how construction companies can create stronger systems, bring in better operational support, and finally remove the admin work that keeps owners buried.

• Why adding another person will not fix a broken process
• How to find the work you should stop doing this week
• Why JobTread works best when your data stays clean
• How operators can help create clarity across the business
• Why AI should support a strong process, not replace one

Listen to the episode to learn more.

Learn more about ConstructAid here.

Here, Michael Flory shares a story that will stop you in your tracks and stay with you long after it ends. He opens up about a horrific childhood tragedy and reveals how he slowly rebuilt his sense of purpose and carried those ideals forward into the way he leads his remodeling company today. You will hear the ways that Michael's perspective on leadership, success, and growth was shaped through years of struggle and reflection.

• How to keep going when life feels overwhelming
• A new way to define success beyond business results
• What it takes to rebuild your mindset after hardship
• How personal growth shapes company culture
• Why your story can become your greatest strength

Listen to the episode to learn more.

Learn more about Custom Built Design and Remodeling here.

If you are trying to grow your building business, this episode will challenge how you think about your process. Mike Lee shares how one development created demand and forced him to rethink how he builds homes and runs his company. He reveals his strategies for passing inspections, working with trade partners, and shares best advice for home builders. Gain insights into where small decisions create bigger outcomes across every project.

• How to structure trade partner relationships for optimal results
• What investors look for in a building opportunity
• Strategies for value engineering a home without losing quality
• How Lee's unique approach to production home building helps his business
• The single phrase you should never say to customers and one to use instead

Listen to the episode to learn more.

Learn more about Tributary Homes here.

Doug Howard brings a background from the The Wharton School and decades of experience helping contractors improve how their businesses operate. In this episode, he breaks down why so many companies struggle to execute even when the owner knows what to do. He reveals how to develop systems that transform how your business operates every day. Doug also shows what shifts when leaders take control of their time and create a team that works together more effectively.

• Why most documented processes never get used by the team
• What makes a system simple enough for people to follow
• How better use of technology improves decision making
• Why vulnerability strengthens leadership and team alignment
• What changes when leaders take control of their time

Listen to the episode to learn more.

Learn more about Growth Team Strategies here.

Eric Van Dixhorn tried different paths across construction, sales, and startups but nothing clicked. He shares what changed when he stepped into a new business and found early success in a competitive market. That shift helped him gain traction faster than expected in a new market, and launched his success going forward. Eric also reveals how the right support system helped him avoid mistakes that slow most owners down.

• How to recognize when a business is the right fit
• Why alignment matters more than the opportunity itself
• What helps you gain traction faster in a new market
• How support systems influence early success
• Where most business owners lose momentum early

Listen to the episode to learn more.

Learn more about Archadeck of Northern Colorado here.

Nasir Dukes went from one rental property to running a high-growth development company in one of the hottest markets in the country. In this episode, he reveals how he spots real opportunities and avoids the deals that create problems down the line. Adina Safta shares how stepping into the business transformed the way they scale, bringing financial discipline that fuels smarter growth. Together, they break down what it actually takes to grow a construction business while managing risk and staying profitable when the market shifts.

• How to recognize opportunities that are worth pursuing
• Why most deals fail before construction even begins
• What it means to scale without losing control
• How to think about risk when the market is unpredictable
• Why the right team structure changes your growth trajectory

Listen to the episode to learn more.

Learn more about Dukes Properties and Construction here.

Gil Vaisman turned a side project into a fast growing ADU business and built a team that continues to scale. In this episode, he shares the shift that helped him attract the right clients and avoid deals that go nowhere. He breaks down how leading with pricing changes the entire sales dynamic before the first meeting even happens. Gil also reveals how his approach to competition and partnerships is opening the door for his next stage of growth.

• How to choose a business partner who strengthens your company
• Insights on targeting higher value clients instead of competing on price
• A different way to think about competitors that creates new opportunities
• What Gil is doing to expand into new opportunities
• How to structure your role so you can scale without burning out

Listen to the episode to learn more.

Learn more about Go ADU Construction here.

Steve Young built HHI Builders into a $9 million remodeling company in just six years by challenging the way most contractors run their businesses. His team focuses on large scale remodels that average about $300,000 per project while using a unique workflow built around project directors who guide clients from the first conversation through the entire job. Steve shares the lessons he learned after early pricing mistakes, the role outside coaching played in sharpening his systems, and how AI is reshaping the estimating process and where he sees it taking his company next.

• The early pricing mistakes that nearly derailed Steve's business
• How a project director workflow improves communication and client experience
• How Steve evaluated coaches to find the right fit for his company
• The one technology tool that doubled his close ratio
• The most important rule contractors should follow when using AI

Listen to the episode to learn more.

Learn more about HHI Builders here.

Aaron Hines grew up on construction sites learning the trade from his grandfather before ever imagining he would run a remodeling company. Today he leads Dallas-based Darden Hines Design + Build, delivering projects that range from whole home remodels to swimming pools. In this powerful conversation, Aaron shares the lessons that reshaped how he runs his business and how he thinks about leadership. He reveals the mindset shifts that helped him break out of the owner operator trap and build a company designed to grow far beyond the owner.

• How Aaron built a community of industry peers who challenge him and support his growth
• The approach he uses to turn everyday decisions into processes his team can follow
• How Aaron forecasts the direction of his business so he can plan the future with confidence
• The way Aaron celebrates wins inside his company and why it fuels long term momentum
• The best piece of business advice Aaron has received and how it shaped the way he leads

Listen to the episode to learn more.

Visit the Darden Hines Design + Build website here.