Building Scale

Otis Odell joins the conversation to discuss his career and transition to HED, highlighting the merging of roles in business and architecture. He emphasizes the importance of core values and team performance, strategic planning, and organizational restructuring in AEC businesses. Otis explores adapting to virtual work, fostering a remote work culture, and maintaining connectivity. He provides market insights, including the launch of a Denver office and expanding project scopes. The discussion covers evolving business development strategies, sector-focused development, and resource sharing. Otis reflects on the future and offers advice, concluding with closing remarks and contact information.

Website: https://hed.co/
Email: [email protected]  

 

Connect with Justin & Will -

Will's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willforet/

Justin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justneagle/

 

Learn More & Connect With Spot Migration - 

Website: https://www.spotmigration.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spot-migration

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spotmigration

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Spotmigration

 

Do you want to be a guest on the show? Go to https://buildingscale.net/guests

Need to discuss your IT and Cybersecurity Strategy? Go to https://buildingscale.net/help

 

(0:00) Introduction to Building Scale and core values

(1:09) Sponsor: IT cybersecurity strategy consultation

(1:25) Guest introduction: Otis Odell

(2:27) Otis O'Dell’s career and transition to HED

(6:16) Merging roles in business and architecture

(10:43) Core values and team performance

(18:16) Strategic planning in AEC businesses

(19:57) Organizational restructuring and virtual work adaptation

(26:59) Remote work culture and connectivity

(29:00) Market insights and Denver office launch

(31:39) Merging and expanding project scope

(35:55) Evolving business development strategies

(39:03) Sector-focused development and resource sharing

(50:47) Reflections and advice for the future

(52:42) Closing remarks and contact information

(53:39) Sponsor: Building Scale.net

Zach Simmons from Stronghold Construction shares his journey from his origin story to founding the company. He emphasizes the importance of building trust and selecting the right partners in the construction industry. The discussion covers managing relationships with subcontractors, fostering leadership, and the role of data-driven decision-making. Zach reflects on legacy and work-life balance while navigating industry challenges and delivery models. He explains the role of an independent cost estimator and managing change orders, as well as pre-construction cost structures and achieving project savings. The episode also addresses overcoming resistance to change and offers industry advice, concluding with Zach's closing thoughts and contact information.

Connect with Zach Simmons - 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharyjsimmons/ 

Website: https://www.stronghold.construction/
Email: [email protected]

 

Connect with Justin & Will -

Will's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willforet/

Justin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justneagle/

 

Learn More & Connect With Spot Migration - 

Website: https://www.spotmigration.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spot-migration

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spotmigration

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Spotmigration

 

Do you want to be a guest on the show? Go to https://buildingscale.net/guests

Need to discuss your IT and Cybersecurity Strategy? Go to https://buildingscale.net/help

 

(0:00) Introduction to Zach Simmons and Stronghold Construction

(3:11) Zach's origin story and founding Stronghold Construction

(9:33) Building trust and selecting partners in construction

(16:06) Managing relationships with subcontractors

(24:12) Building leadership and data-driven decision making

(29:48) Legacy and work-life balance in construction

(35:37) Understanding delivery models and industry challenges

(41:51) Independent cost estimator and managing change orders

(49:49) Pre-construction cost structures and project savings

(55:22) Overcoming resistance to change and industry advice

(58:47) Closing thoughts and contact information

(1:00:09) Episode wrap-up and call to action

Jessie Terry shares insights on transitioning from employee to business owner and the challenges of post-holiday work. He discusses business planning, execution, and the impact of construction innovations and disruptions. Jessie provides an overview of Optimly and strategies for enhancing client experience. The episode delves into construction forecasting challenges, addressing labor shortages, and the importance of time management for entrepreneurs. Jessie emphasizes building and managing teams, continuous learning, and shares exciting projects and future plans. The conversation highlights the role of delegation and automation in job satisfaction, Jessie's positive influence, and concludes with his closing thoughts and a recap.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessieterry/  

Website: https://www.blueoceanedgeconsulting.com/

Optimally - https://optimally.com/

 

Connect with Justin -

Justin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justneagle/

Website: https://www.spotmigration.com

 

Do you want to be a guest on the show? Go to https://buildingscale.net/guests

Need to discuss your IT and Cybersecurity Strategy? Go to https://buildingscale.net/help

(0:00) Introduction and Episode Overview

(1:22) Guest Introduction: Jesse Terry

(3:23) Post-Holiday Work Transition

(5:21) Business Planning and Execution

(9:01) Employee to Business Owner Journey

(12:07) Construction Innovations and Disruptions

(16:28) Optimly Overview

(18:56) Enhancing Client Experience

(20:02) Construction Forecasting Challenges

(21:39) Addressing Labor Shortages in Trades

(24:11) Entrepreneurship and Time Management

(29:38) Building and Managing Teams

(32:31) Embracing Continuous Learning

(36:22) Exciting Projects and Future Plans

(41:20) Impact on Small and Midsized Businesses

(44:18) The Role of Delegation and Automation

(46:08) Automation's Effect on Job Satisfaction

(46:26) Jessie Terry's Positive Influence

(47:03) Jessie Terry's Closing Thoughts

(47:28) Final Remarks and Recap

(48:01) Sponsor: Building Scale Dot Net Slash Help

Jeff Meyers discusses the evolution of DS Architecture and its new partnerships, emphasizing the importance of embracing diverse ownership and transitioning business roles. He explores leadership dynamics and the firm's office culture, highlighting the evolution of decision-making processes. The conversation delves into embracing change for growth, teamwork, and navigating business cycles, along with strategies for conflict resolution and client evaluation. Jeff shares insights on market strategy development, diversity inclusion, and process refinement through EOS implementation. He also discusses adapting to prevent operational fractures, the development of the 8 Ball software, and the future vision for scaling the firm.

(0:00) Introduction and Jeff Meyers' greeting

(3:00) DS Architecture's evolution and new partnerships

(5:16) Embracing diverse ownership and business role transitions

(9:17) Leadership dynamics and office culture

(12:27) Evolving firm decision-making processes

(18:01) Embracing change for business growth

(21:01) Teamwork and navigating business cycles

(24:34) Conflict resolution and client evaluation strategies

(30:28) Market strategy development and diversity inclusion

(39:46) Process refinement and EOS implementation

(45:04) Adapting to prevent operational fractures

(46:53) Development and challenges of 8 Ball software

(51:26) Future vision and scaling of the firm

(52:39) Closing remarks and outro

Chris Hamer and Megan Walsh from Aria Group share their career origin stories and the team culture at Aria Group. They discuss the path to becoming a partner or shareholder and address common misconceptions about bringing in new shareholders. The episode delves into strategic planning, partner responsibilities, and the role of structure and consultants in business growth. Chris and Megan explore growth strategies, company culture, and the alignment of performance reviews with core values. They emphasize the importance of core values in hiring and HR processes and how these values guide strategic business decisions.

Connect with Chris and Megan - 

Chris' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-hamer-aia-76934b98/

Megan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganmccreerywalsh/

Website: https://www.ariainc.com/

 

Connect with Justin & Will -

Will's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willforet/

Justin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justneagle/

 

Learn More & Connect With Spot Migration - 

Website: https://www.spotmigration.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spot-migration

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spotmigration

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Spotmigration

 

Do you want to be a guest on the show? Go to https://buildingscale.net/guests

Need to discuss your IT and Cybersecurity Strategy? Go to https://buildingscale.net/help

(0:00) Introduction to Chris Hamer and Megan Walsh from ARIA Group

(3:03) Career origin stories and ARIA Group's team culture

(8:36) Becoming a partner or shareholder at ARIA Group

(11:11) Bringing in new shareholders: reasons and misconceptions

(15:14) Strategic planning and partner/shareholder responsibilities

(21:37) The role of structure and consultants in business growth

(25:00) Strategic planning, benchmarking, and growth strategies

(30:17) Company culture and alignment with performance reviews

(35:00) Core values in hiring and HR processes

(47:56) Aligning core values with strategic business decisions

(49:14) Advice to younger self from Megan Walsh and Chris Hamer

(50:53) Contact information, closing remarks, and call to action

Tyler Sease discusses his background in structural engineering and the niche of Southern Steel Engineers, exploring the impact of large corporations on its culture and operations. He shares insights on balancing roles in different business cultures, hiring practices, team building, and ensuring safety and accuracy in engineering amidst growth. The episode covers strategic hiring, process evaluation, growth planning, and role redundancy. Tyler highlights training and retention strategies, managing people and processes, and documentation methods. He also addresses remote work dynamics, team communication, assessing new hires, and sustainable growth, offering leadership advice and closing thoughts.

Connect with Tyler Sease - 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-sease-pe/ 

Website: https://www.southernsteelengineers.com/

 

Connect with Justin & Will -

Will's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willforet/

Justin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justneagle/

 

Learn More & Connect With Spot Migration - 

Website: https://www.spotmigration.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spot-migration

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spotmigration

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Spotmigration

 

Do you want to be a guest on the show? Go to https://buildingscale.net/guests

Need to discuss your IT and Cybersecurity Strategy? Go to https://buildingscale.net/help

(0:00) Introduction and episode overview

(0:23) Hosts and guest introduction

(1:13) Sponsor: Technology Consultation

(2:22) Tyler Sease's background and SSE's niche in structural engineering

(4:18) Influence of large corporations on SSE's culture and operations

(6:24) Balancing multiple roles and small vs. large business cultures

(8:27) Hiring practices and building the right team

(11:09) Safety and accuracy in engineering and managing growth

(13:16) Strategic hiring and process evaluation

(18:01) Planning for growth and role redundancy

(20:52) Training and retention strategies

(24:27) Learning curve in managing people and processes

(26:02) Documentation methods and training effectiveness

(28:14) Remote work dynamics and team communication

(33:16) Assessing new hires and sustainable growth strategies

(37:47) Leadership's approach to mistakes and team specialization

(45:16) Transitioning from practitioner to manager

(48:58) Advice for younger self and closing thoughts

(49:40) Contact information and social media

(50:12) Podcast mission and closing reminders

(51:03) Closing tagline

Kendra Dinkins shares her journey and the history of Taylor Electric, highlighting the role of family and the challenges of market diversification. She discusses partnering with larger contractors and navigating MBE/WBE obstacles while emphasizing the importance of building trust in business partnerships. Kendra talks about proving worth as a minority-owned business, evaluating customer fit, and the significance of learning to say no. The episode delves into family business dynamics, decision-making, and managing economic downturns, including the impact of COVID-19. Kendra addresses employee loyalty, overcoming imposter syndrome, and leadership as an introvert, offering advice on self-care and work-life balance.

Connect with - 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendra-dinkins-87398946/  

Website: https://taylorelectricco.com/  

 

Connect with Justin & Will -

Will's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willforet/

Justin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justneagle/

 

Learn More & Connect With Spot Migration - 

Website: https://www.spotmigration.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spot-migration

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spotmigration

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Spotmigration

 

Do you want to be a guest on the show? Go to https://buildingscale.net/guests

Need to discuss your IT and Cybersecurity Strategy? Go to https://buildingscale.net/help

(0:00) Introduction to the episode and Kendra Dinkins

(2:46) Kendra's background and Taylor Electric's history and challenges

(7:00) The role of family in Taylor Electric and market diversification

(13:07) Partnering with larger contractors and overcoming MBE/WBE challenges

(18:33) Building and maintaining trust in business partnerships

(22:07) Expertise and proving worth as a minority-owned business

(25:55) Evaluating customer fit and learning to say no

(29:50) Family business dynamics and decision-making

(34:22) Economic downturns, COVID-19 impact, and workforce management

(41:07) Employee loyalty and support during crises

(43:33) Overcoming imposter syndrome and leadership as an introvert

(47:24) Advice on self-care and work-life balance

(49:59) How to contact Kendra Dinkins and Taylor Electric

(51:04) Closing remarks and call to action

Brian Lotz shares his journey from early life to founding Lotz Custom Carpentry and merging with AM Woodland. He discusses the current size and operations of his business, emphasizing leadership development and team dynamics. The conversation explores organizational structure, budgeting, and workforce management, highlighting the collaborative design process and technology's role in scalability. Brian addresses generational work ethic and workforce trends, offering insights into continuous improvement and advice for his younger self.

Connect with - 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lotzcustomcarpentry/ 

Website: https://lotzcustomcarpentry.com/

Facebook: facebook.com/lotzcc

Instagram: @lotzcarpentry

 

Connect with Justin & Will -

Will's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willforet/

Justin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justneagle/

 

Learn More & Connect With Spot Migration - 

Website: https://www.spotmigration.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spot-migration

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spotmigration

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Spotmigration

 

Do you want to be a guest on the show? Go to https://buildingscale.net/guests

Need to discuss your IT and Cybersecurity Strategy? Go to https://buildingscale.net/help

 

(0:00) Growing people and its importance

(0:43) Podcast introduction by Will and Justin

(1:48) Guest introduction: Brian Lotz, founder of Lotz Custom Carpentry

(3:05) Brian Lotz's early life and entry into construction

(6:29) Starting his own business and merging with AM Woodland

(13:30) Current business size, operations, and partnership dynamics

(20:45) Leadership development and team dynamics

(29:14) Organizational structure, budgeting, and workforce management

(37:03) Collaborative design process and technology for scalability

(45:02) Generational work ethic and workforce trends

(49:11) Continuous improvement and advice to a younger self

(56:16) Contact information and networking

(57:13) Outro and mission statement

Dena Prastos delves into her journey in waterfront architecture and her mission-driven entrepreneurship at Indigo River. She shares the challenges of becoming a certified woman-owned business and the impact of creating New York City's waterfront code. The discussion touches on specialization and on-the-job training in AEC, delegation, and the balance between quality control and task outsourcing. Dena talks about leadership growth, managing senior leadership disagreements, and the role of consultants in scaling a business. The episode also explores evolving business processes, software tools, team feedback, company culture, and talent acquisition.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denaprastos/ 

Website: https://indigoriver.com/

 

Connect with Justin & Will -

Will's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willforet/

Justin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justneagle/

 

Learn More & Connect With Spot Migration - 

Website: https://www.spotmigration.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spot-migration

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spotmigration

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Spotmigration

 

Do you want to be a guest on the show? Go to https://buildingscale.net/guests

Need to discuss your IT and Cybersecurity Strategy? Go to https://buildingscale.net/help

 

(0:00) Introduction to floating cities and writing the first waterfront code for New York City

(0:45) Introduction of podcast hosts Will Foret and Justin Neagle

(1:21) Sponsor: Technology Consultation Service

(2:44) Guest Dena Prastos's background in waterfront architecture

(6:08) Mission-driven entrepreneurship at Indigo River

(8:23) Challenges of becoming a certified woman-owned business

(10:28) The impact of creating NYC's waterfront code

(11:41) Specialization and on-the-job training in AEC

(14:25) Delegating responsibilities and training challenges

(17:16) Quality control versus task outsourcing strategies

(20:08) Implementing accountability and performance improvement plans

(24:38) Leadership growth and embracing the CEO role

(26:04) Managing senior leadership disagreements and decision-making

(27:45) The role of consultants in scaling a business

(28:28) Evolving business processes and the importance of software tools

(32:10) Lessons learned from Indigo River's rapid growth

(36:10) Team feedback mechanisms and the value of annual evaluations

(39:48) Intentionality in company culture and mission-driven growth

(43:15) Talent acquisition and fostering employee development

(44:48) Indigo River's 3-5 year vision and the future of AEC technology

(47:01) Advice to a younger self and entrepreneurial insights

(51:09) Final thoughts and career advice

(52:05) Closing remarks and podcast outro

Aaron Moore discusses his entrepreneurial journey, sharing insights from corporate America that shaped PPD Painting. He delves into scaling the business with a unique team and expanding into new markets, highlighting effective marketing strategies and the importance of employee accountability. Aaron addresses balancing emotions in business, managing opportunity costs, and making strategic decisions for growth. He emphasizes the value of forming industry associations, peer groups, and utilizing outside consulting. The conversation covers team development, adopting new technologies, fostering innovation, and building customer relationships, while exploring pricing strategies and recurring revenue models.

Connect with Aaron Moore - 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-moore-a954351b/ 

Website: https://www.ppdpainting.com/

 

Connect with Justin & Will -

Will's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willforet/

Justin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justneagle/

 

Learn More & Connect With Spot Migration - 

Website: https://www.spotmigration.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spot-migration

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spotmigration

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Spotmigration

 

Do you want to be a guest on the show? Go to https://buildingscale.net/guests

Need to discuss your IT and Cybersecurity Strategy? Go to https://buildingscale.net/help

(0:00) Introduction to Building Scale and Guest Aaron Moore

(1:02) IT cybersecurity strategy in AEC businesses

(2:24) Aaron Moore's entrepreneurial journey

(4:34) Lessons from corporate America for PPD Painting

(7:38) Scaling with a unique team and market expansion

(16:47) Marketing strategies and setting up new offices

(20:49) Employee accountability and learning from challenges

(25:26) Balancing emotions in business

(27:09) Managing opportunity costs and mental load

(30:02) Prioritization and decision-making in business growth

(31:21) Forming the commercial painting industry association

(34:22) Benefits of peer groups and outside consulting

(40:24) Team development and adopting new technologies

(46:04) Fostering innovation and customer relationships

(49:17) Pricing strategies and recurring revenue models

(50:04) Reflections and advice for younger entrepreneurs

(52:12) Contact info, final thoughts, and outro