In this episode of Building What Matters, host Andrew sits down with Bravo’s own Peter Madrigal for a wide-ranging conversation about his massive career shift.

After ten seasons on the hit show Vanderpump Rules and years managing the iconic restaurant SUR, Peter is leaving the hospitality world behind to focus on his true passions: directing, producing, and entrepreneurship.

Peter opens up about his latest ventures, including: The Launch of PM Coin: His new cryptocurrency designed specifically to revolutionize the nightlife and hospitality industry.

Moving Behind the Camera: Peter discusses his recent experience directing a TV show in Elko, Nevada, and his upcoming big-budget film project featuring two A-list stars.

Building a Legacy: The duo talks about the importance of "high processing speed" in business, the value of due diligence, and how to balance multiple high-stakes projects at once. Whether you’re a fan of the "Pump Rules" era or an aspiring entrepreneur, Peter’s journey from SUR to the boardroom offers invaluable lessons on pivoting with purpose and building what truly matters.

This episode of "Building What Matters" features host Andrew Robles (@fbcorpceo) and guest Alina Abramova, who discusses her background in real estate and marketing, reflects on 2025's business goals, discusses market conditions, and shares a major lesson on overcoming adversity.

Andrew emphasizes that a business plan is a living document that must be consistently reviewed and updated, not just created once.

2025 Goal Success: The main goal for 2025 was to successfully integrate a media and social sector into Foundational Builders Corp (FB Corp).

Success Metrics: In just two months, the company achieved 12,000 YouTube subscribers and over a million views on YouTube, securing several magazine features and attaching a distinct personality to the construction company.

Geographic Expansion: A key goal set in late 2024 was obtaining contractor licenses in Arizona and Florida. This goal was successfully met by March 2025.

2026 Goals: Potential expansion states for 2026 include Massachusetts, Washington D.C., and Nevada.

The Curveball (Unexpected Pivot): A major unplanned event for 2025 was the Altadena and Pacific Palisades fires. This required FB Corp to allocate time and resources to the rebuilding efforts in those areas, which now creates a strong local presence alongside the company's interstate expansion.

Alina Abramova, who has a background in real estate sales in the UAE, Florida, and is planning expansion into Saudi Arabia, highlights the crucial role of social media in today’s business environment.

Marketing as a Necessity: Social media and marketing are essential for all businesses, especially those in real estate and construction. Younger generations, in particular, use platforms like Instagram and YouTube to research a company's work quality, reviews, and experience.

FB Corp's Brand Advantage: Tying the media sector to construction makes the process easier by establishing a transparent personality and knowledgeable reputation. Developers prefer working with people they know and trust, rather than just faceless entities.

Construction Market Ethics: Andrew and Alina discuss the issue of unethical contractors who may price gougeor deliver poor quality, particularly in disaster rebuilding areas and growing markets like Florida and Arizona.

FB Corp's Commitment: Andrew stresses that FB Corp will never take advantage of owners and will always bid projects at honest market cost. Their aggressive presence in Florida and Arizona is specifically to counter contractors who are "full of shit" and lack experience, especially as many multi-family projects in Arizona are currently being built by inexperienced residential contractors.

Florida Political Shift: They note the election of a Democratic mayor in Miami. Andrew believes this may slightly shift the market towards affordable housing over market-rate projects, but it shouldn't significantly hurt the construction industry given the billions of dollars flowing into Florida annually.

Interest Rate Cuts: Anticipated interest rate cuts are expected to bring a new wave of enthusiasm to the real estate market, fueling the refinancing market and bringing both market-rate and affordable housing projects back to life.

The biggest lesson of 2025, according to Andrew (citing Joel Osteen), is to "Love your enemies".

Adversity Breeds Strength: People who slander you, create obstacles, or try to put things in your way are unknowingly making you sharper and more prepared.

Example: The Domain Extortion: They share a weekend story where their main domain, FBcorp.com, was held for a $30,000 ransom after their contract expired. Instead of paying the full price, they leased the domain short-term and secured alternative domains (FBcorp.co, FBcorp.ai, etc.). Andrew frames this as an act of extortion and leverage, but ultimately a lesson that made them more adaptable.

Andrew Robles (@fbcorpceo) - CEO of Foundational Builders Corp.

Alina Abramova - Guest and Producer of the podcast.

The Affordable Housing Revolution: Building Cheaper, Faster, and Smarter with Private Capital

This episode of the "Building What Matters" podcast features host Andrew Robles (@fbcorpceo), CEO of Foundational Builders Corp, and guest Jason Riffe (@jasonriffe on Instagram), a leader in affordable housing finance with the SDS Impact Debt platform. The two discuss affordable housing strategies, finance, and construction.

Financial Innovation: Jason Riffe’s background in sustainable development and social ethics led him to finance. He highlights the need for a shift from traditional, slow public funding (which often results in high costs, $650,000 per unit in LA) to private capital.

The Private Capital Solution: Jason’s firm accesses private capital through capital markets (like bonds) to provide debt financing for affordable housing. This streamlined approach can reduce the development timeline to under four years and lower the cost to about $300,000 per unit.

Construction & Quality: Andrew Robles (FB Corp) emphasizes that successful affordable housing requires high-quality, skilled, and union-level subcontractors. Low-bid contractors lead to delays and poor quality, but a quality GC ensures compliance and maintains the dignity of the housing.

Expansion & Growth: Andrew confirms that FB Corp is licensed and operating in California, Florida, and Arizona. He announced that FB Corp is pivoting to become a developer itself, with the goal of raising a half a billion-dollar fund to efficiently execute projects.

Advice: Jason advises career starters to focus on specialized trades like electrician and HVAC. He recommends that investors consult their advisor about the municipal bond space, which he considers a safe asset class.

Andrew Robles (@fbcorpceo) - CEO of Foundational Builders Corp.

Jason Riffe (@jasonriffe) - Managing Director of SDS Impact Debt platform.

This episode of the "Building What Matters" podcast features host Andrew Robles (@fbcorpceo) and guest Stephanie Gutierrez (@stephsellsadus), an investor, realtor, and ADU strategist, who is also the founder of ADUGGInvestments.org. The two discuss their shared work in real estate development, focusing heavily on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), and how they are expanding their businesses from California to Florida.

Bicoastal Business Strategy: Andrew and Stephanie, both based in Los Angeles, connected in Florida and discovered they both operate on both the West and East Coasts. They share a synergy in their similar business spaces, servicing clients from "coast to coast."

The Florida Market Expansion:

Stephanie, a self-proclaimed ADU advocate, was drawn to Florida because it satisfied her non-negotiable requirement of being near the water/beach. She got her real estate license there and sees it as an opportunity to be a pioneer in the ADU movement, comparing it favorably to the already-paved markets of California, Oregon, and Washington.

The ADU Opportunity in Florida: While California has established state laws (like SB 1211 and SB 9) that streamline ADU construction and allow for multi-family ADU development (up to 8 detached ADUs for 8-unit buildings), Florida is just starting. It recently passed an ADU ordinance requiring local municipalities to have some sort of ADU law, but it lacks the strong state oversight of California. This presents a huge opportunity to advocate for and build high-quality products in a market where quality and service are often lacking.

Building Quality and Reputation: Andrew and Stephanie agree that delivering good quality product and excellent customer service will allow them to stand out in the competitive, yet underdeveloped, Florida market, especially where construction standards (like concrete mixing and waterproofing) and talent acquisition are challenging. Andrew has brought his team members from Florida (Nelly, Annalise) to California to shadow his projects to ensure consistent quality and synergy before they return to build in Florida.

ADU Strategy for Homeowners and Developers:

The First Step: Stephanie advises homeowners looking to build an ADU to first figure out financing. For many, tapping into home equity is the best way to fund the $150k–$250k+ project.

The Role of an ADU Strategist: Stephanie offers her services from start to finish: financing, feasibility studies, design planning, and even property management after the project is complete, especially for new landlords who may be overwhelmed by the responsibilities (maintenance, lease agreements, etc.).

Long-Term Strategy: ADUs are a long-term play (5-10 year run) and not a quick "flip" strategy. Investors should consider maximizing the number of units (like two 2-bedroom units) and making durable finish choices that allow for future uses (e.g., family member housing, assisted living).

ADUs vs. Parking: When addressing a client's question about the value of ADUs versus parking in metro LA, they strongly suggest "screwing the parking" and building the ADUs, citing recent legislation like SB 79 that reduces or eliminates parking requirements for dense developments.

The Value of Women in Construction:

Andrew highlights that Foundational Builders Corp has long embraced women in construction, noting that female project managers bring superior attention to detail, customer service, and documentation to projects.

Stephanie shares that she loves seeing women in the construction space, believing they are naturally better at multitasking, systemizing processes, and balancing complex tasks, all crucial elements for streamlined construction projects.

Stephanie discusses her efforts to balance her business owner, strategist, and mother roles. She is now a certified Ocean Healing Therapist and practices this to help her manage the stress of entrepreneurship.

She integrates self-care rituals, like surfing or biking to the beach, to calm her nervous system and allows her to be more emotionally resilient for tough business challenges.

She hosts Ocean Healing Sessions for women in business and teens, helping them navigate the challenges of juggling multiple roles.

She emphasizes the importance of knowing when to apply feminine energy (at home) versus being firm and confident (masculine energy) in business, especially in male-dominated fields like construction.

Welcome back to the Building What Matters Podcast, hosted by Andrew Robles (@fbcorpceo) — entrepreneur, builder, and the visionary force behind fbcorp.com. This show is where ambition meets execution, and where you get the raw, unfiltered truth about building business, building people, and building what matters.

This Week’s Episode: The Power of Fun

In Episode 5, Andrew and Pierre dive into a topic most entrepreneurs underestimate, the discipline of taking a break. This episode explores why stepping back, having fun, and giving your mind room to breathe isn’t a distraction from your goals… it’s fuel for them.

Andrew and Pierre touch on:

The Science of Resetting: How strategic rest sharpens decision-making, creativity, and emotional control.

Entrepreneur Burnout: Why grinding nonstop kills momentum and how intentional downtime boosts your output.

Finding Joy in the Process: Simple ways to bring fun back into the journey so business doesn’t feel like survival mode.

Stress Management for Leaders: Tools and habits successful founders use to protect their mental bandwidth.

Play as a Competitive Advantage: Why the CEOs performing at the highest levels make fun non-negotiable.

This episode is about more than relaxation, it’s a reminder that your mind is your most valuable asset, and learning to recharge it is a skill every builder needs. When you restore your energy, your focus sharpens, your leadership elevates, and your business grows faster.

Because a clear mind builds better.

Real-world business strategy

Entrepreneurial mindset + mental performance

Lessons from the field: the wins, the losses, the pivots

Scaling with intention, discipline, and clarity

Transparent conversations about what it really takes to build

Rest is not a reward. It’s part of the work. When you protect your mind, everything else follows.

Website: fbcorp.com

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#BuildingWhatMatters #AndrewRobles #Entrepreneurship #Mindset #BusinessPodcast #Leadership #StressManagement #WorkLifeBalance #FounderMindset #ConstructionIndustry

Episode 4 “The Millionaire Tradesmen: Why Plumbers & Electricians are the New Tech Founders”

Welcome back to the Building What Matters Podcast: Hosted by Andrew Robles (@fbcorpceo)  entrepreneur, builder, and the visionary behind fbcorp.com.

This show is where ambition meets execution, and where you get real, raw, tactical insight into building business, building people, and building what matters.

This Week’s Episode: The Millionaire Tradesmen In Episode 4, Andrew and Alina tackle the shocking shifts in the labor market and reveal where the real money is being made in today’s economy, it’s not in the tech bubble, it’s in the trades.

Andrew and Alina break down: The Trades Paycheck: Why plumbers, electricians, and skilled carpenters now earn as much, or more than a college graduate, with plumbers averaging $58 an hour.

The New Investment: The impact of massive funding like California's $25 million apprenticeship program and Home Depot's trade certification courses. The Future of Work: Why the "doers" who come home with dirt on their shirt are the next wave of millionaires. AI vs. Experience: Why construction can never be run solely from an Excel spreadsheet and why leadership cannot be replaced by technology.

The Smart Owner Myth: The cost of hiring the cheapest contractor and the massive savings gained by hiring skill and speed. This episode is about recognizing the true value of skill, challenging outdated notions of career success, and ensuring that experience in the field always dictates the budget and the outcome. Because experience matters.

What to Expect From This Podcast: Business strategy Entrepreneurial mindset Building and scaling from zero Real-world lessons from the trenches Transparency: the wins, the losses, and the pivots Core Lesson of the Week: Contractors are always right. Experience and quality work trump cheap bids and academic theory every single time.

Connect with Andrew Robles Website: https://fbcorp.com Instagram: @fbcorpceo Subscribe, leave a review, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.

#BuildingWhatMatters #AndrewRobles #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPodcast #Construction #SkilledTrades #MillionaireTradesmen #Plumbers #Electricians #HomeDepot

Episode 3 “Wake Up on Fire: Motivation, Momentum, and Building Through Chaos”

This Week’s Episode: Wake Up on Fire

Andrew breaks down:

How to generate momentum when you don’t feel inspired

Why discipline beats motivation: and how to build both

The mindset shift that pushes you toward action instead of perfection

Plus: Andrew shares exclusive updates from the field:

This episode is about waking up hungry, staying committed when things get messy, and moving forward even when everything around you is under construction, literally and metaphorically.

Because motivation isn’t something you wait for.

Business strategy

Entrepreneurial mindset

Building and scaling from zero

Real-world lessons from the trenches

Transparency: the wins, the losses, and the pivots

Wake up with intention. Move with conviction. Build what matters.

Connect with Andrew Robles

Subscribe, leave a review, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.

#BuildingWhatMatters #AndrewRobles #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPodcast #StartupMindset #BusinessMotivation #WakeUpOnFire #ConstructionUpdates #Leadership #BuildWhatMatters

Welcome to Episode 2 of the “Building What Matters” Podcast

This Week’s Episode: “Organic Relationships”

Ashleigh shares the unique formula behind Beverly Hills Living Magazine a publication that has become the go-to in Beverly Hills for its deeply personal storytelling, meaningful local connections, and commitment to celebrating the people who make the city thrive. It’s more than a magazine, it’s a relationship builder that captures the true essence of community.

Don’t just build connections. Build what matters.

Connect with Andrew Robles

What to Expect from This Podcast:

Business strategy

Entrepreneurship mindset

Startups and scaling

Real-world business lessons

Building from the ground up

Lesson of the Week: Organic Relationships

Share this with a builder, leader, or visionary who knows that real growth starts with real people.