Builder Stories

Meet Janel Swanson, owner of Wildwood Kitchen and Baths located in Lake Elmo, Minnesota. Janel shares her remarkable journey from a stay-at-home mom who transformed her century-old farmhouse kitchen into a passion project, to founding a thriving design-build firm serving the Twin Cities metro area. Janel shares how a hands-on renovation sparked her love for kitchen and bath design, leading her to become a certified designer and general contractor, all while learning the importance of delegation, networking, and streamlined project management. Her candid insights into overcoming early challenges, mastering marketing strategies, and building a talented, dedicated team offer invaluable lessons for anyone looking to carve out their own path in the construction industry.

Here are some of the key takeaways from our discussion with Janel:

• Delegating tasks early on
• Leveraging strong industry networks
• Systemizing your processes

Learn more about Wildwood Kitchen and Baths here: https://wildwoodkitchensandbaths.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 Jason Liers, owner of Stone Ridge Remodeling, Inc. based in Cleveland, Tennessee. From growing up in a family of builders to navigating the highs and lows of running his own remodeling business, Jason shares his journey of resilience, reinvention, and the lessons learned along the way. He dives into the challenges of transitioning from tradesman to business owner, the power of mentorship, and how he rebuilt his company with a clear vision and strong processes. Jason's story is packed with valuable insights on perseverance, branding, and building a business the right way.

Here are some of the key takeaways from our discussion with Jason:

• Building a strong reputation drives business
• Essential systems for scaling
• Having the right mindset and perseverance

Learn more about Stone Ridge Remodeling here: https://stoneridgeremodeling.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 John Lea, owner of Decksouth located in Marietta, Georgia. From humble beginnings mowing lawns at age 12 to building one of the most respected deck companies in the industry, John's journey is a testament to hard work, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to quality. John discusses the lessons he's learned from decades in the business—how he built a strong team, adapted to industry changes, and found the balance between running a thriving company and being present for his family.

Here are some of the key takeaways from our discussion with John:

• Prioritizing family over work
• Thriving by working together as industry leaders
• Seeking guidance, mentorship, and coaching

Learn more about Decksouth here: https://decksouth.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 Hopkins with JNT Construction based in Dallas, Texas. As Vice President of Sales, David shares how JNT transitioned from residential remodeling to specializing in multifamily and commercial construction, expanding into multiple states. He dives into the importance of building strong vendor relationships, leveraging technology like JobTread to streamline operations, and scaling a business while maintaining quality. From overcoming resistance to change to optimizing estimating and project management, David's insights provide valuable takeaways for contractors looking to grow and improve efficiency.

Here are some of the key takeaways from our discussion with David:

• Scaling requires strategic shifts
• Adapting to change is essential
• Fostering vendor and subcontractor relationships

Learn more about JNT Construction here: https://jntconstruct.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 Sherrie Derr from Schlick Construction, located in Omaha, Nebraska. As General Manager, Sherry has played a pivotal role in transforming the company's operations, implementing systems to streamline estimating, project management, and communication. With a lifelong passion for construction, she shares how her journey—from growing up around the trades to overseeing business growth—has shaped her leadership approach. Hear how Sherry is building a stronger, more organized company while setting the stage for future success!

Here are some of the key takeaways from our discussion with Sherry:

• Developing internal systems
• Setting expectations from the start
• Problem-solving for continuous improvement

Learn more about Schlick Construction here: https://schlickconstruction.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 Matt Millsap, founder and CEO of Building Company Number 7 based in Nashville, Tennessee. Starting during the 2008 recession, Matt built his design-build firm on a foundation of craftsmanship and professionalism, focusing on large-format historic renovations, additions, and custom homes. With 16 years in the industry, Matt's journey reflects a commitment to people and processes. Drawing inspiration from early experiences with his father and lessons learned as a vice president managing 400 homes annually, Matt emphasizes the importance of culture, systems, and client-centric design. His innovative approach has positioned Building Company Number 7 as a trusted name in Nashville, renowned for its attention to detail and ability to scale while maintaining high standards. Here are some of the key takeaways from our discussion with Matt:

• Focusing on people before profit
• Defining your systems and processes
• Starting with the end in mind

Learn more about Building Company Number 7 here: https://nashvillegeneralcontracting.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

In this special episode of Builder Stories, we bring you one of the keynotes from last week's JobTread Connect conference, delivered by our host and JobTread Founder & CEO, Eric Fortenberry. Drawing from conversations with some of the most inspiring contractors and builders featured on the podcast, Eric shares actionable lessons on how to scale your business, strengthen leadership, and achieve lasting success in the construction industry.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting started, this episode is packed with insights to help you build a stronger future for your business.

Key takeaways:

• Navigating challenges and adapting to changing markets
• Creating processes to drive sustainable growth
• Finding the right team members

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 Jeff and Chantal Ballantyne owners of Ballantyne Builds, located in Toronto, Canada. They share their inspiring journey of turning their passion for building into a thriving family business. From Jeff's hands-on beginnings in construction and Chantal's leap from corporate life to managing finances, to overcoming early challenges and learning from their first tough client, their story is one of perseverance, growth, and transformation. Hear how they navigated financial struggles, embraced mentorship, and implemented systems like JobTread to streamline their operations, ultimately doubling their revenue and redefining success.

Here are some of the key takeaways form our discussion with Jeff and Chantal:

• Accelerating growth through mentorship
• Focusing on the client experience
• Driving efficiency with systems and tools

Learn more about Ballantyne Builds here: https://ballantynebuilds.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 Greg DiBernardo, owner of Peachtree Decks and Porches based in Alpharetta, Georgia. Greg recounts how he transitioned from a corporate career in video production to becoming a highly successful deck builder specializing in high-end outdoor living spaces. From his early days as a clean-cut handyman to purchasing the established Peachtree Decks and Porches, Greg reveals how strategic marketing, meticulous client vetting, and a focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences have driven his success. He also discusses the value of knowing your numbers, implementing systems like JobTread to manage projects efficiently, and positioning his company as a premium builder.

Here are some of the key takeaways from our discussions with Greg:

• Qualifying clients saves times
• Adapting and pivoting during market shifts
• Investing in professionalism and marketing

Learn more about Peachtree Decks and Porches here: https://peachtreedecksandporches.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 Kyle Bridgan owner of NNS Home located in Tacoma, Washington. Kyle shares his journey from selling countertops on OfferUp to running a thriving design-build firm with branches in Tacoma and Bellevue. He opens up about the challenges of scaling a construction business, lessons learned from costly projects, and how he's leveraging partnerships with designers and architects to drive success. Discover Kyle's unique strategies for networking, marketing, and project management, and how he's crafting a blueprint for expansion.

Here are some of the key takeaways from our discussion with Kyle:

• Leveraging social media and marketing
• Evolving from small beginnings
• Learning from failures

Learn more about NNS Home here: https://nsshome.co/

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