Meet Matt Blood the solo owner operator of Paragon Tile Installation based in Cumberland, Rhode Island. With over 20 years of experience in the tile industry, Matt initially started his business as a side hustle while working as a full-time firefighter. However, upon retiring from his firefighting career, he dedicated himself fully to his passion. Now he’s learning how to refine his sales process to provide a better overall client experience.

 

 

Here are a few key takeaways from the discussion with Matt:

• Learning from coaching groups
• Getting out of your own way
• Refining the client communication process
• Developing a process for pricing jobs
• Finding a niche for your skill

 

 

Visit the Paragon Tile Installation website here: https://paragonri.com/

 

 

Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com

Meet David Bryan owner of Blackdog Builders a design, build, and remodel firm based in Salem, New Hampshire. With 33 years of business experience and 65 team members, Blackdog Builders is projecting $16 million in revenue this year. David reflects on closing his first business, why he places a huge emphasis on culture and staff appreciation, and the importance of building out your processes and procedures.  

 

Here are a few key takeaways from the discussion with David:

• Learning how to run a business the hard way
• Listening to those who have more experience
• Maintaining a team culture to retain employees
• Being financially transparent with your team
• Developing a process and procedure for everything you do

 

 

Visit the Black Dog Builders website here https://www.blackdogbuilders.com/. 

 

 

Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com

Meet Liliana Escudero, president of J Designs Pool & Spa, a boutique pool building company in Los Angeles, California. Their typical build is between $350k - $500k and they do not take on more than 10 projects a year in order to focus on excellent customer service. Liliana believes that it is important to learn your trade, find mentors, and stay on top of new technologies in order to keep growing your business.

 

 

Here are a few key takeaways from the discussion with Liliana:

• Working with family members
• Building out a tech stack for your company
• Learning how to import custom materials
• Scaling so you work on the business not in the business
• Building a strong relationship with subs

 

 

Visit the J Designs Pool & Spa website here https://www.jdesigns.com/

 

Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com

Meet Luan Nguyen, founder of Deck Bros, a deck building company in Omaha, Nebraska. After having his work hours reduced during the pandemic, he started fixing up his own home and realized he could do it for others. He began advertising on Facebook to see if there was any interest and a business was born. After finding a business partner, they did over $1 million in the first year of business, crediting the success to always marketing the business.

 

 

Here are a few key takeaways from the discussion with Luan:

• Be a marketing and sales company first
• How to convert interest into deals
• Putting a personal touch on branding
• How the law of reciprocity can impact sales
• Focusing on customer testimonials

 

Visit the Deck Bros website here https://deckbros.com/. 

 

 

Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com

Meet Tom Morris, the co-founder of The Selah Group - a premier general contractor specializing in exquisite outdoor living spaces. With operations spanning North Texas and Palm Beach, Florida, the Selah Group is renowned for their family-centric approach and unwavering commitment to crafting high-end, luxury outdoor spaces. Leveraging his expertise in engineering and technology, Tom's strategic focus on impeccable design, cutting-edge marketing, and exceptional customer service has propelled the success and growth of his business.  

 

Here are a few key takeaways from the discussion with Tom:

• The difference between marketing in Texas and Florida
• Keeping a database of all your design work and images of projects
• The evolution of AI and how it helps with marketing efforts
• Why you should scale for sale, even if you don’t plan on selling
• Don’t neglect the analytics or your financials

 

Visit the Selah Group website here https://www.selahpools.com/  

 

 

Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com

Laurel Winkel is the owner of SheBuilds, a kitchen design and remodeling firm based in Canby, Oregon, south of Portland. SheBuilds started in 2017 after Laurel decided to go back to school to learn about kitchen design and remodeling. While most males in her family were in the construction industry, Laurel didn’t join them until she changed careers at age 40. Laurel talks about dealing with imposter syndrome, getting out of your own way, and dreaming big for her business.

 

 

Here are a few key takeaways from the discussion with Laurel:

• Being a female general contractor in the industry
• Process for estimating jobs
• Types of kitchen redesign clients
• Always keep learning
• The importance of working with a coach

 

Visit the SheBuilds website here https://shebuildskitchens.com/  

 

Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com

Aaron Harshaw owner of Harshaw Home Renovators in Ottawa, Kansas specializes in high-end home renovations. He went from being a pastor to a business owner and is celebrating 5 years in business. Aaron talks about why you need to be a perpetual student, having the humility to say “I don’t know”, and the principals that guide his business.  

 

Here are a few key takeaways from the discussion with Aaron:

• Presenting professionalism from day one
• Be transparent and honest, even if it’s a difficult conversation
• Operating with a smaller, in-house team
• Always be open to learning
• Knowing your strengths and delegating what you aren’t good at

 

 

Visit the Harshaw Home Renovators website here https://hhrenovators.com/  

 

 

Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com  

 

 

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Jason Varney owner of both Dock and Deck and Tennessee Pool and Spa in Knoxville, Tennessee, does complete backyard projects that range from $750,000 to $1 million. What started as one company has grown into two as he brought his sons into the business. Jason talks about pivoting during an economic downturn, knowing your overhead costs, participating in TV shows, and modernizing his business processes.  

 

Here are a few key takeaways from the discussion with Jason:

• Working with family members
• How to’s for hiring employees
• Managing the scheduling process
• Hard work leads to industry recognition
• The importance of legal protection

 

Visit the Dock and Deck website here https://dockanddeck.com/  

 

Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com  

 

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Bob Turner owner of Turner Builders in Windham, Maine, has nineteen years in the construction industry. Starting his most recent business in 2020, he was able to end that year with over $1.6 million in sales. Recently, he has ventured into one-on-one and group coaching to share his knowledge with others in the industry. Bob talks about why regular, consistent client communication is key and the importance of under promising and over delivering.  

 

Here are a few key takeaways from the discussion with Bob:

• Repeat customers are paramount
• The importance of being honest and transparent
• Documentation is key
• How to manage payment schedules
• Under promise and over deliver
• Why you need sales training
• Bigger isn’t always better

 

Visit the Turner Builders website here https://turnerbuildersllc.com/.

 

  Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com  

 

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Jared Thayer President of Thayer Design Build, had family members in the trades and started his career in construction after high school. Based in Corvallis, Oregon, they specialize in home remodels with an average project cost of $189,000. This year, he was honored to be named to the Forty Under 40 list by Pro Remodeler. Hear why his business is focused on delivering a great customer experience and why they are never the lowest bid.   Here are a few key takeaways from the discussion with Jared:

• Working with a spouse in the business
• Always keep learning
• Benefits of slowly, steadily growing the business
• Find a niche, don't focus on everything
• Importance of hiring the right people
• Adjusting when the market changes

Visit the Thayer Design Build website here https://thayerdb.com/   Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com   Rate the Podcast: Help your fellow business owners find the podcast!