Builders of Authority

What does it really take to build a roofing company that lasts through growth, setbacks, restructuring, and changing markets?

In this episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, Adam McChesney sits down with Brett Tesson, owner of Tesson Roofing and Exteriors, to talk about building a customer-first contracting business, learning from rapid growth, and creating the systems and culture needed for long-term sustainability.

Brett started Tesson Roofing in 2009 from a bedroom in his home during a difficult economy. After seeing customers, crews, and suppliers overlooked at previous companies, he set out to build a business where service came first and revenue followed as a result.

In this conversation, Adam and Brett discuss:
• Starting and growing a roofing business through tough markets
• Restructuring after scaling too fast
• Moving from 1099 reps to W-2 employees
• Building stronger systems, culture, and accountability
• Managing risk, finances, and operations responsibly
• What homeowners should look for when choosing a contractor
• Leadership, mindset, and sustainable growth

Brett also shares how one of the most difficult periods in the company ultimately became a turning point. By simplifying the business, tightening operations, and rebuilding around clearer standards, Tesson Roofing was able to create a healthier foundation for future growth.

He also offers practical advice for homeowners, including reviewing insurance coverage, checking online reviews, and asking contractors for local job references before making a decision.

The episode closes with a broader conversation about leadership, mindset, and why sustainable growth comes from pouring value into your people, customers, and yourself.

🔗 CONNECT WITH ADAM: 
Facebook  https://bit.ly/3td8Pdo
Instagram  https://bit.ly/3HmCR3m
LinkedIn  https://bit.ly/3hjU4jq

🔗 CONNECT WITH BRETT: 
Website https://bit.ly/4yjVv6u
Instagram https://bit.ly/4hVhLxA
LinkedIn https://bit.ly/4dDKrtA

✉️ CONTACT:
Email  [email protected]
Website  adammcchesney.com
Book a call: https://buildauthority.com/contact-us/

About me:
I’m Adam McChesney: an entrepreneur and marketer who’s spent the last decade building and scaling service-based businesses. I’ve been on both sides of the table: running companies myself and helping other business owners grow through smarter, more disciplined marketing.

I’m the founder of Builders of Authority, where I work with service businesses to improve visibility, strengthen their brand, and build marketing systems that actually perform over time. Everything I share comes from real experience, what I’ve tested, what’s worked, and what hasn’t.

Today, I create content, speak, and have honest conversations about marketing, growth, and leadership, with one goal in mind: helping business owners stop relying on last-minute tactics and start building something sustainable.

Built for the contractors the market keeps overlooking.

#BuildersOfAuthority #BrettTesson #TessonRoofing #RoofingBusiness #ContractorLeadership #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, Adam McChesney sits down with Dustin Davis, founder of Precision Scapes, to discuss building a million-dollar hardscape business, creating authority through social media, and transitioning from operator to owner.

Dustin shares how growing up around construction sites with his grandfather led him to build Precision Scapes, a veteran-owned company specializing in patios, retaining walls, and outdoor living spaces across East Tennessee and Virginia.

He also explains how documenting his daily work through Your Next Landscaper helped him build an audience of more than 50,000 followers. By consistently sharing real projects, business lessons, and everyday moments, Dustin has been able to build trust with high-ticket clients before meeting them.

Adam and Dustin also discuss Dustin’s transition away from daily fieldwork to focus on Built Not Bought, his hands-on coaching and training program for hardscape operators. The conversation covers pricing, selling larger projects, scaling with small crews, avoiding burnout, and making the mindset shift from working inside the business to leading it.

They also explore SEO, AI search, and why contractors need a strong online presence that can be discovered through both Google and emerging AI platforms.

If you are a contractor who wants to build authority, improve your operations, and create a business that does not depend entirely on you being in the field, this episode is for you.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro and episode highlights  
00:48 - Introduction of Adam McChesney and Dustin Davis  
03:14 - Dustin’s background and business growth  
05:40 - Digital marketing, SEO, and AI search visibility  
10:55 - High-ticket sales and building trust through social media  
16:36 - Viral content and documenting the work  
20:20 - Transitioning from fieldwork to Built Not Bought  
24:44 - Long-term vision and plans for a physical training facility  
28:57 - Business operator vs. owner mindset  
42:40 - Closing thoughts and contact information  

✉ CONTACT:
Email [email protected]
Website adammcchesney.com
Book a call: https://buildauthority.com/contact-us/

About me:
I’m Adam McChesney: an entrepreneur and marketer who’s spent the last decade building and scaling service-based businesses. I’ve been on both sides of the table: running companies myself and helping other business owners grow through smarter,
more disciplined marketing.

I’m the founder of Builders of Authority, where I work with service businesses to improve visibility, strengthen their brand, and build marketing systems that actually perform over
time. 

#BuildersOfAuthority #ContractorBusiness #Hardscaping #BusinessGrowth #SocialMediaMarketing #AISearch #Entrepreneurship

The conversations you avoid today usually become bigger problems tomorrow.

In this solo episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, Adam McChesney shares what he has learned about being direct, asking for what you want, and having tough conversations before unresolved issues begin damaging your team, clients, relationships, or health.

Speaking from the Builders of Authority podcast studio at Adventure Unknown in St. Louis, Adam explains why effective leadership starts with personal accountability. When something goes wrong inside a company, leaders must first examine what they failed to communicate, address, or enforce.

Adam also discusses how business challenges affect your personal life and how personal struggles can influence your performance at work. He shares lessons from leading a growing international team, where friendships and professional responsibilities can make accountability more difficult.

In this episode, Adam provides a practical framework for navigating difficult conversations. He explains why feedback should be delivered within 24 hours, why these conversations should happen live instead of through Slack or email, and why leaders must focus on actions and facts instead of attacking someone’s identity.

He also explains how to end every conversation with one clear expectation, a specific deadline, and an agreement on what needs to change. Afterward, leaders can review their delivery with trusted managers or use AI tools to evaluate whether the message was communicated effectively.

The challenge is simple: identify the conversation you have been avoiding, schedule it within the next seven days, and address it directly.

🔗 CONNECT WITH ADAM: 
Facebook  https://bit.ly/3td8Pdo
Instagram  https://bit.ly/3HmCR3m
LinkedIn  https://bit.ly/3hjU4jq

✉️ CONTACT:
Email  [email protected]
Website  adammcchesney.com
Book a call: https://buildauthority.com/contact-us/

About me:
I’m Adam McChesney: an entrepreneur and marketer who’s spent the last decade building and scaling service-based businesses. I’ve been on both sides of the table: running companies myself and helping other business owners grow through smarter, more disciplined marketing.

I’m the founder of Builders of Authority, where I work with service businesses to improve visibility, strengthen their brand, and build marketing systems that actually perform over time. Everything I share comes from real experience, what I’ve tested, what’s worked, and what hasn’t.

Today, I create content, speak, and have honest conversations about marketing, growth, and leadership, with one goal in mind: helping business owners stop relying on last-minute tactics and start building something sustainable.

Built for the contractors the market keeps overlooking.

#Leadership #ToughConversations #BusinessGrowth #TeamManagement #Entrepreneurship #ContractorBusiness #BuildersOfAuthority

In this episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, Adam McChesney sits down with Collin Einertson, founder of STL LTD, to discuss entrepreneurship, relationship-driven sales, resilience, and building a business alongside a demanding career.

Adam and Collin first connected in 2020 through an online digital marketing course while Collin was attending chiropractic school. That experience helped spark Collin’s interest in entrepreneurship and eventually led him from chiropractic practice into medical device and spine sales before launching STL LTD.

Collin explains how STL LTD provides access to a private logistics network that helps major manufacturers manage domestic and international supply chains. Instead of relying on cold calling, the business grows through personal relationships, trusted introductions, and strategic referral partners.

The conversation also explores the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship, especially when sales cycles can last more than a year. Collin shares how embracing failure, surrounding yourself with reliable people, learning from experienced mentors, and developing confidence through repetition can help entrepreneurs overcome imposter syndrome.

Adam and Collin also discuss balancing a career with business ownership, staying present with family, and learning how to disconnect from work without losing momentum.

If you are building a business, developing your network, or learning how to create opportunities through relationships instead of cold outreach, this episode is for you.

🔗 CONNECT WITH ADAM:
Facebook https://bit.ly/3td8Pdo
Instagram https://bit.ly/3HmCR3m
LinkedIn https://bit.ly/3hjU4jq

🔗 CONNECT WITH COLLIN:
LinkedIn https://bit.ly/4hrrwod
Website https://bit.ly/4hySFUR
Instagram https://bit.ly/46S4IYF
Facebook https://bit.ly/3TFxoB4

✉ CONTACT:
Email [email protected]
Website adammcchesney.com
Book a call: https://buildauthority.com/contact-us/

About me:
I’m Adam McChesney: an entrepreneur and marketer who’s spent the last decade building and scaling service-based businesses. I’ve been on both sides of the table: running companies myself and helping other business owners grow through smarter,
more disciplined marketing.

I’m the founder of Builders of Authority, where I work with service businesses to improve visibility, strengthen their brand, and build marketing systems that actually perform over
time. 

#BuildersOfAuthority #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Logistics #Networking #SalesStrategy #BusinessMindset

In this episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, Adam McChesney sits down with Nick Peret, founder of Better Boss, to discuss how contractors can use better systems, software, and automation to regain control of their businesses.

Nick shares how his family roots in the trades, experience at Milwaukee Tool, and background in sales, startups, and marketing led him to build Better Boss. He also explains why he narrowed the company’s focus to helping contractors, custom home builders, and remodelers successfully implement JobTread.

The conversation explores how the right operating system can simplify estimating, scheduling, and daily operations while giving business owners more time and peace of mind. Nick also shares practical advice for contractors implementing software themselves, including documenting their processes, setting firm deadlines, testing the system on real jobs, and helping their teams navigate change.

Adam and Nick also discuss the value of “giving away the sauce” through webinars and YouTube content, building authority by sharing useful information, and integrating AI tools like Claude into business operations.

If you are a contractor who has invested in software but still feels overwhelmed by your systems, this episode will help you approach implementation with greater clarity and confidence.

🔗 CONNECT WITH ADAM: 
Facebook  https://bit.ly/3td8Pdo
Instagram  https://bit.ly/3HmCR3m
LinkedIn  https://bit.ly/3hjU4jq

🔗 CONNECT WITH NICK: 
Website https://bit.ly/4ypVzT1
Instagram https://bit.ly/4jsHGyU
Youtube https://bit.ly/4xTA6ko
LinkedIn https://bit.ly/4rJ8fly

✉️ CONTACT:
Email  [email protected]
Website  adammcchesney.com
Book a call: https://buildauthority.com/contact-us/

About me:
I’m Adam McChesney: an entrepreneur and marketer who’s spent the last decade building and scaling service-based businesses. I’ve been on both sides of the table: running companies myself and helping other business owners grow through smarter, more disciplined marketing.

I’m the founder of Builders of Authority, where I work with service businesses to improve visibility, strengthen their brand, and build marketing systems that actually perform over time. Everything I share comes from real experience, what I’ve tested, what’s worked, and what hasn’t.

Today, I create content, speak, and have honest conversations about marketing, growth, and leadership, with one goal in mind: helping business owners stop relying on last-minute tactics and start building something sustainable.

Built for the contractors the market keeps overlooking.

#BuildersOfAuthority #JobTread #ContractorBusiness #ConstructionManagement #BusinessSystems #ContractorMarketing #ArtificialIntelligence

What does it take to build an insurance agency from zero policies while creating a business that supports your family, health, and long-term goals?

In this episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, Adam McChesney sits down with Jamieson Crane, owner of a Shelter Insurance agency in St. Louis.

Jamieson shares how he entered the insurance industry, learned the value of making 100 calls a day, and launched his own agency from scratch in June 2020. Today, he has built a business with a customer retention rate between 90% and 92%, driven largely by referrals, personal service, and organic name recognition.

Adam and Jamieson discuss:

• Starting an insurance agency with zero policies
• Learning sales through daily repetition and rejection
• Building trust through personal customer service
• Setting clear expectations with policyholders
• Growing through referrals and local name recognition
• Transitioning from daily operations into a CEO mindset
• Hiring producers and building a team
• Putting family ahead of business
• How a serious health scare changed Jamieson’s priorities
• Quitting alcohol and committing to daily exercise
• How better health improved his focus, confidence, and leadership
• Changes in home insurance and roof coverage
• The difference between replacement cost and Actual Cash Value coverage
• Jamieson’s goals for business growth, real estate, and his own office building

Jamieson also explains why homeowners need to understand their roof coverage before filing a claim. As more insurance companies move policies from full replacement cost to Actual Cash Value coverage, some homeowners may face larger out-of-pocket costs than expected.

This conversation is about more than insurance. It is an honest look at building a business, becoming a stronger leader, protecting your health, and creating more time for the people who matter most.

🔗 CONNECT WITH ADAM: 
Facebook  https://bit.ly/3td8Pdo
Instagram  https://bit.ly/3HmCR3m
LinkedIn  https://bit.ly/3hjU4jq

🔗 CONNECT WITH JAMIESON: 
Website https://bit.ly/4Awh32j
Instagram https://bit.ly/4yistow
Facebook https://bit.ly/4cQxxrS

✉️ CONTACT:
Email  [email protected]
Website  adammcchesney.com
Book a call: https://buildauthority.com/contact-us/

About me:
I’m Adam McChesney: an entrepreneur and marketer who’s spent the last decade building and scaling service-based businesses. I’ve been on both sides of the table: running companies myself and helping other business owners grow through smarter, more disciplined marketing.

I’m the founder of Builders of Authority, where I work with service businesses to improve visibility, strengthen their brand, and build marketing systems that actually perform over time. Everything I share comes from real experience, what I’ve tested, what’s worked, and what hasn’t.

Today, I create content, speak, and have honest conversations about marketing, growth, and leadership, with one goal in mind: helping business owners stop relying on last-minute tactics and start building something sustainable.

Built for the contractors the market keeps overlooking.

#BuildersOfAuthority #InsuranceAgency #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #HealthTransformation #StLouisBusiness

What does it take to grow a company from seven people to nearly 50 without losing the culture that made it successful?

In this special live episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, Adam McChesney sits down with four of BOA’s original team members during Builders Week in Managua, Nicaragua.

Recorded at Treehouse Coworking, the conversation features:

• Javier, SEO Specialist
• Lorna Jimenez, Project Manager
• Rosanna Canales, HR Director
• Jose Duarte, AI Lead and Automations Manager

Together, they look back at the evolution of Builders of Authority from a mastermind and coaching program into a full-service digital marketing agency serving contractors and home service businesses across the country.

They discuss:

• What the early days of BOA were really like
• Scaling the team from seven to nearly 50 people
• Building trust across different departments and countries
• Protecting company culture during rapid growth
• Investing in employee development and leadership
• Maintaining high standards as the company expands
• Delegating responsibilities to managers
• Staying focused on the company’s core vision
• The importance of slowing down and taking time to rest
• The personal and professional growth of BOA’s original team members

This episode is an honest conversation about the people, decisions, values, and challenges behind the growth of Builders of Authority.

🔗 CONNECT WITH ADAM:
Facebook https://bit.ly/3td8Pdo
Instagram https://bit.ly/3HmCR3m
LinkedIn https://bit.ly/3hjU4jq

✉ CONTACT:
Email [email protected]
Website adammcchesney.com
Book a call: https://buildauthority.com/contact-us/

About me:
I’m Adam McChesney: an entrepreneur and marketer who’s spent the last decade building and scaling service-based businesses. I’ve been on both sides of the table: running companies myself and helping other business owners grow through smarter,
more disciplined marketing.

I’m the founder of Builders of Authority, where I work with service businesses to improve visibility, strengthen their brand, and build marketing systems that actually perform over
time. 

#BuildersOfAuthority #BuildersWeek #CompanyCulture #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #TeamBuilding #Entrepreneurship

What does it take to turn a beat-up cargo van and an $8,000 summer into a national franchise with more than 200 locations and over $300 million in annual sales?

In this episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, Adam McChesney sits down with Nick Friedman, co-founder and president of College Hunks Hauling Junk.
Nick shares how he and his best friend, Omar Soliman, started the company in 2003 and transformed it from a single-location operation into one of the largest moving and junk removal franchises in the country.

🔗 CONNECT WITH ADAM:
Facebook https://bit.ly/3td8Pdo
Instagram https://bit.ly/3HmCR3m
LinkedIn https://bit.ly/3hjU4jq

🔗 CONNECT WITH NICK:
LinkedIn https://bit.ly/4raIR7T
Youtube https://bit.ly/46qlMos
Instagram https://bit.ly/4cNV10D
Facebook https://bit.ly/4gUn0hJ

What does it really take to build a $60 million real estate portfolio starting in your early 20s?

In this episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, Adam McChesney sits down with James Gleeson, a St. Louis real estate investor and serial entrepreneur, to break down how he went from college basketball and mechanical engineering to owning more than 450 rental units.

James shares how he built the majority of his portfolio without syndications, using the BRRRR method to create equity, recycle capital, and scale faster.

In this conversation, Adam and James discuss:

• Transitioning from college athletics into real estate investing
• Building a portfolio of more than 450 rental units
• How the BRRRR method works: Buy, Renovate, Rent, Refinance, Repeat
• Using leverage to grow without constantly putting in new capital
• Underwriting deals and understanding net operating income
• Why long-term cash flow matters for protecting equity
• The tax advantages available to real estate investors
• Depreciation, refinancing, and real estate professional status
• Vertically integrating construction, property management, lending, and education
• Managing the operational chaos that comes with rapid growth
• The connection between an athlete mindset and entrepreneurship
• Why execution matters more than endlessly consuming information

James also explains why vertical integration became necessary as his portfolio expanded. By bringing more of the operation in-house, he was able to create greater control across construction, management, lending, and education.

The episode closes with a conversation about perseverance, taking action, and why gathering more information means very little if you never execute.

🔗 CONNECT WITH ADAM: 
Facebook  https://bit.ly/3td8Pdo
Instagram  https://bit.ly/3HmCR3m
LinkedIn  https://bit.ly/3hjU4jq

🔗 CONNECT WITH JAMES: 
Website https://bit.ly/4qRpBw2
Instagram https://bit.ly/3UzdEPG
Facebook https://bit.ly/4x4rd7i

✉️ CONTACT:
Email  [email protected]
Website  adammcchesney.com
Book a call: https://buildauthority.com/contact-us/

About me:
I’m Adam McChesney: an entrepreneur and marketer who’s spent the last decade building and scaling service-based businesses. I’ve been on both sides of the table: running companies myself and helping other business owners grow through smarter, more disciplined marketing.

I’m the founder of Builders of Authority, where I work with service businesses to improve visibility, strengthen their brand, and build marketing systems that actually perform over time. Everything I share comes from real experience, what I’ve tested, what’s worked, and what hasn’t.

Today, I create content, speak, and have honest conversations about marketing, growth, and leadership, with one goal in mind: helping business owners stop relying on last-minute tactics and start building something sustainable.


Built for the contractors the market keeps overlooking.

#BuildersOfAuthority #JamesGleeson #RealEstateInvesting #BRRRRMethod #RealEstateInvestor #Entrepreneurship

What does it really take to grow a family business, build a trusted local brand, and compete in a market full of short-term competitors?

In this episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, Adam McChesney sits down with Angi Hess, Vice President and General Manager of Spas and More, to talk about family business, leadership, marketing, company culture, and the evolution of the health and wellness market.

Angi brings more than two decades of retail experience, including 19 years in management focused on human resources, payroll, and P&L management. Around 2016, she transitioned into the day-to-day operations of Spas and More as her father’s health began to decline.

Founded by her father in 2006, Spas and More has grown into a three-generation family business serving customers across Missouri, Kansas, and Illinois.

In this conversation, Adam and Angi discuss:

• Transitioning from retail management into leadership of a family business
• Building Spas and More into a recognizable local brand
• Shifting the company’s messaging from luxury products to health, wellness, and recovery
• Expanding beyond hot tubs into swim spas, infrared saunas, and cold plunges
• Competing against fly-by-night companies through trust, consistency, and local service
• Using home shows and expos as a major customer acquisition channel
• Managing advertising internally to stay connected to performance data
• Understanding how economic and political uncertainty can affect consumer buying behavior
• Expanding across a large multi-state territory while keeping delivery and service in-house
• Creating a family-first company culture with competitive wages and employee benefits
• Leading from the front and being willing to do any job required to support the team

Angi also explains why Spas and More made the decision to build its own brand rather than relying exclusively on the Master Spas name. By emphasizing in-house delivery, service, and long-term customer relationships, the company has been able to differentiate itself in a competitive market.

She also shares how the business has evolved alongside changing consumer priorities, positioning hot tubs, swim spas, saunas, and cold plunges not simply as luxury purchases, but as investments in physical health, recovery, and mental well-being.

🔗 CONNECT WITH ADAM:
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3td8Pdo
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3HmCR3m
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3hjU4jq

🔗 CONNECT WITH ANGI:
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3S9KaqB
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3TSAcuw
Website: https://bit.ly/3UtUPNC

✉️ CONTACT:
Email  [email protected]
Website  adammcchesney.com
Book a call: https://buildauthority.com/contact-us/

About me:
I’m Adam McChesney: an entrepreneur and marketer who’s spent the last decade building and scaling service-based businesses. I’ve been on both sides of the table: running companies myself and helping other business owners grow through smarter, more disciplined marketing.

I’m the founder of Builders of Authority, where I work with service businesses to improve visibility, strengthen their brand, and build marketing systems that actually perform over time. Everything I share comes from real experience, what I’ve tested, what’s worked, and what hasn’t.

Today, I create content, speak, and have honest conversations about marketing, growth, and leadership, with one goal in mind: helping business owners stop relying on last-minute tactics and start building something sustainable.


Built for the contractors the market keeps overlooking.

#BuildersOfAuthority #AngiHess #FamilyBusiness #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #LocalMarketing