Designers & Builders

Gary Fusselman cashed in his retirement, waited two days after his daughter's wedding, and launched Precision Millwork out of a shared shop in Utah. In this episode of the Designers and Builders Podcast, Gary sits down with host Alyssa Olson to share how thirty plus years in the industry taught him that building a great door and building a great business require the same thing: precision, patience, and a team that rallies when it counts.

Gary's journey through the world of millwork started with a red oak table his dad built in high school. From there, he worked his way through high production pine mills, co-founded a company with his brother, and eventually landed in Utah's custom millwork scene, where he discovered a whole new level of craft. A mentor with forty years of antique furniture restoration experience showed him the artisan side, while a push into sales taught him the business side he never knew he was missing. When the time came to start Precision Millwork, Gary brought both worlds together and built a shop where five-axis CNC technology meets old world joinery.

Gary and Alyssa dig into how Precision Millwork balances technology and tradition, from parametric CNC programming that cuts parts to perfection to sourcing the best rift and plain sliced white oak on the market. He talks about the realities of exterior wood doors, why American impatience with aging wood creates color matching headaches, and what he learned at a recent door and window show in Germany that lit a fire under his approach. The conversation also gets honest about the painful lessons of overselling, the systems Gary built to never repeat that mistake, and how losing a key team member revealed the true strength of his crew.

00:00 A Red Oak Table and Falling in Love with Wood

06:31 Blending Five-Axis CNC with Old World Joinery

15:37 Planning Up Front: The Seven Ps

26:09 Scaling the Team and Operations

37:14 Moving to 30,000 Square Feet

42:29 Raving Fans, Adaptability, and Future Proofing

48:51 Most Challenging Millwork Projects

The Designers and Builders Podcast shares stories from industry leaders transforming the world of design and construction: covering behind-the-scenes insights, real-world strategies, and the trends shaping the future of the industry.

Empowering design/build professionals to grow and scale 

buildergrowth.io shares the tools, strategies, and insights you need to take your business to the next level.

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You can connect with Gary at:

https://precisionmillworkutah.com/

https://www.instagram.com/precisionmillworkutah/?hl=en

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-fusselman-6359969a

Jaya Kader has spent decades building luxury homes in Miami, but a calling back to Costa Rica changed everything. In this episode of the Designers and Builders Podcast, Jaya sits down with host Alyssa Olson to share how regenerative design became not just her practice, but her philosophy for life.

Jaya is the founder and principal of KZ Architecture and the creator of Regen Design Lab, an arm of her practice dedicated to projects that support human evolution and planetary well-being. Born and raised in Costa Rica, she came to the United States for college and built a career designing high-end residential projects in Miami, including the city's first LEED-certified home. But after years of feeling a growing disconnect between luxury development and the values she held, a pivotal return to Costa Rica in 2020 set her on a path to regenerate herself first, and then her entire approach to design.

Jaya and Alyssa dig into what regenerative design actually means, not as a checklist or certification, but as a foundational shift in why we design. Jaya explains how her work moved from sustainability to regeneration through curating panels for the GSD's Design Impact initiative, where she connected with Indigenous leaders, circular economists, and regenerative planners like Walter Meyer of Local Office. She shares her coherence protocol, an alternative to traditional kickoff meetings that uses sensory meditations, land-based connection, and relational governance to align project stakeholders before a single line is drawn. The conversation also touches on the role of women in architecture, where only 10% hold leadership positions globally yet 63% lead in sustainable design, and what that signals about feminine intuition driving the profession forward.

Whether you are rethinking your own practice, exploring regenerative principles, or simply questioning the systems you serve, this episode offers a deeply personal and philosophical perspective on what it means to co-create with the land rather than impose upon it.

00:00 Growing Up in Costa Rica and the Pura Vida Mentality

06:20 What Regenerative Design Really Means

12:25 Collaborating with Walter Meyer and Design Impact

17:55 Sustainability vs. Regeneration: The Why, Not Just the What

28:05 From LEED to Intuitive Sustainable Practice

34:47 How COVID Cracked Open the Profession

40:44 The Coherence Protocol: An Alternative to Kickoff Meetings

47:00 Robin Wall Kimmerer, Buckminster Fuller, and the Dalai Lama

58:33 The Future of Regenerative Design

1:01:33 Architecture as Legacy vs. Architecture as Monument

The Designers and Builders Podcast shares stories from industry leaders transforming the world of design and construction: covering behind-the-scenes insights, real-world strategies, and the trends shaping the future of the industry.

Empowering design/build professionals to grow and scale 

buildergrowth.io shares the tools, strategies, and insights you need to take your business to the next level.

Connect with us at: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designersandbuilders/

Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@designersandbuilders

You can connect with Jaya at:

https://kzarchitecture.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaya-kader/

https://www.instagram.com/jayakader/

MeLinda Kann did not plan on becoming a millwork specialist. She went to school for teaching, then theater design, then interior design, and somewhere along the way, a drafting internship at a cabinet shop changed everything. In this episode of the Designers and Builders Podcast, host Steve Larosiliere sits down with the founder of MeLinda K Design Studio to talk about what it really takes to build a design business from scratch, why millwork is the most expensive and most permanent element of any project, and how she learned to stop building someone else's dream and start building her own.

MeLinda's path was anything but linear. She first tried going solo in 2003, got overwhelmed by taxes and business processes, and handed her certificate back to New York. She spent the next 16 years working for custom shops and luxury firms, learning drafting engineering and millwork from the inside out, and fighting for respect on job sites where she was constantly mistaken for the assistant. The turning point came when a repeat client asked her a simple question: your boss went out on his own, so why not you? By 2019, MeLinda had launched MeLinda K Design Studio, and she has not looked back.

The conversation dives deep into the gap between being a great designer and running a profitable business. MeLinda talks openly about the two years it took to realize her pricing was completely wrong, the fatigue of pouring passion into someone else's name, and the moment her accountant told her she had tripled not just revenue but design fees. She breaks down how she structures flat-fee contracts with built-in disclaimers for project delays, why she can estimate millwork costs on the spot, and how her ability to produce her own shop drawings earns immediate trust from builders and GCs. She and Steve also get into the concrete ceiling women face in construction, the illusion of success on social media, and why the designers who last are the ones who invest in business education, not just design skills.

Chapters:

00:00 From Teaching to Theater to Interior Design 

03:46 The Concrete Ceiling Women Face in Construction 

08:13 Navigating New York City Permitting and Project Timelines 

12:43 Flat Fees, Disclaimers, and Protecting Your Time 

17:48 The Millwork Maven Course: Empowering Designers 

23:21 The Brooklyn Heights Show House and Scaling Through Reputation 

29:00 Dream Project: A Boutique Hotel from the Ground Up 

32:09 Cash Flow, Long Projects, and What Keeps Her Up at Night 

40:01 Brainstorm: Using AI to Multiply Your Brand 

48:14 Advice: Do Not Give Up, Strengthen the Business

The Designers and Builders Podcast shares stories from industry leaders transforming the world of design and construction: covering behind-the-scenes insights, real-world strategies, and the trends shaping the future of the industry.

Empowering design/build professionals to grow and scale 

buildergrowth.io shares the tools, strategies, and insights you need to take your business to the next level.

Connect with us at: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designersandbuilders/

Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@designersandbuilders

You can connect with MeLinda at:

www.melindakdesign.com

https://www.instagram.com/melindakdesign/

https://www.facebook.com/MeLindaKDesign/

Meghan Talarowski has spent the last decade proving that Playgrounds can be so much more than plastic slides and rubber mats. In this episode of the Designers and Builders Podcast, host Alyssa Olson sits down with the founder and executive director of Studio Ludo to talk about research-driven play design, why half the people in Playgrounds are not children, and what it actually takes to build public spaces that invite joy across the entire lifespan.

Meghan's path started in architecture. She grew up in rural Northern California climbing mountains, trees, and creek beds, and did not realize how rare that kind of childhood was until she moved to the South Side of Chicago for architecture school. That gap between her own experience and what she saw in underserved communities set her on a course that led through the Trust for Public Land, a master's in landscape architecture from the University of Pennsylvania, and a six-month move to London that changed everything. There, she studied 16 Playgrounds and observed over 16,000 people, publishing findings that landed on the cover of the New York Times and launched Studio Ludo as a nonprofit dedicated to building better play through research, design, and advocacy.

The conversation goes deep into what the research actually reveals. Mature tree canopy is the single biggest driver of Playground use, more than any piece of equipment. Proximity to home determines whether families show up at all. Children are aging out of conventional Playgrounds by age seven or eight. And counterintuitively, kids who take developmentally appropriate physical risks in childhood sustain fewer injuries across their lifetimes. Meghan breaks down how Studio Ludo uses these findings to design spaces that welcome everyone, from toddlers to bird watchers to grandparents who cannot resist a 30-foot slide. She and Alyssa also explore the eight senses of play, including proprioceptive, vestibular, and interoceptive, and why physical movement is foundational to mental health, social-emotional development, and long-term resilience.

For designers, landscape architects, and anyone who cares about public space, this episode is a challenge to rethink what play looks like and who it is for. Meghan's message is clear: you cannot design a space that invites playfulness if you do not have playfulness in your own life, and you cannot build resilient communities without giving people real places to move, take risks, and feel joy.

Chapters:

00:00 From Rural California to Architecture School on the South Side

02:44 Becoming a Designer and a Researcher at the Same Time

04:42 Moving to London and Discovering a Different Kind of Playground

09:40 Creating Great Places to Stay, Not Just to Play

15:39 Play Crumbs, Master Plans, and Playable Moments

17:35 Pushing the Play Safety Guidelines to Expand Who Can Play

24:16 Why Playfulness in Process Matters for Designers

28:02 The Eight Senses of Play and Why Movement Is Mental Health

34:04 Risk, Resilience, and Letting Kids Learn by Falling

41:44 What Is on the Horizon for Studio Ludo

48:58 Advice: Stay True to What Lights You Up

The Designers and Builders Podcast shares stories from industry leaders transforming the world of design and construction: covering behind-the-scenes insights, real-world strategies, and the trends shaping the future of the industry.

Empowering design/build professionals to grow and scale 

buildergrowth.io shares the tools, strategies, and insights you need to take your business to the next level.

Connect with us at: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designersandbuilders/

Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@designersandbuilders

You can connect with Meghan at:

https://www.studioludo.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanpecaut/

https://www.instagram.com/studio.ludo/

Vasyl Lukyanenko left Ukraine two weeks before the war started and built a custom millwork business from nothing in the United States in just four years. In this episode of the Designers and Builders Podcast, host Steve Larosiliere sits down with the founder and owner of Epure Millwork to talk about precision craftsmanship, the realities of scaling a shop, and what it takes to say yes to every opportunity when failure is not an option.

Vasyl's path to the trades was unconventional. With a background in tech, an MBA, and a first degree in marketing, he understood the business side long before he ran a shop floor. After arriving in the US, he and his former partner began installing Italian furniture in New York, where their European training in millimeter-precise work quickly set them apart. That reputation for precision led to their own fabrication shop, and when the partnership dissolved, Vasyl launched Epure Millwork with a team of craftsmen carrying over 40 years of combined experience.

The conversation covers the real mechanics of running a small, high-end shop: how Vasyl learned the hard way that upholstery subcontracting costs can destroy a budget, why he now walks away from clients who push too hard on price, and how his 10-person team handles everything from luxury Manhattan townhouses to jewelry store buildouts in Nashville, Orlando, and Miami. He breaks down his project workflow, from weeks of shop drawing revisions to rapid fabrication and installation, and explains why he would rather take fewer projects and execute them flawlessly than overload his schedule. Steve and Vasyl also trade notes on the challenges of project management software in the trades, the wave-like seasonality of the business, and why the hardest part of running a shop is not the equipment but finding people you can trust.

For designers, builders, and entrepreneurs, this is an honest look at what it takes to build a craft-based business from the ground up in a new country. Vasyl's story is a testament to the power of precision, relentless work ethic, and the willingness to say yes before you have all the answers. Whether you run your own shop or manage subcontractors, his insights on pricing, client trust, and team building are immediately applicable.

Chapters:

00:00 From Ukraine to New York: Starting Epure Millwork

04:48 The Pursuit of Perfection in Every Detail

05:25 Product Evolution: From First Project Losses to Luxury Buildouts

09:07 Saying Yes to Everything and Traveling for the Work

12:03 Knowing When to Walk Away from a Project

15:06 Shop Drawings, Process, and Why Preparation Saves Everything

20:39 What Keeps You Up at Night Running a Millwork Shop

22:29 Running the Business: Software, Reporting, and Team Management

28:13 Seasonality, Market Waves, and the Year Ahead

31:29 High-End Clients, Privacy, and Marketing a Craft Business

35:09 Leaving Ukraine and Building a Life from Nothing

The Designers and Builders Podcast shares stories from industry leaders transforming the world of design and construction: covering behind-the-scenes insights, real-world strategies, and the trends shaping the future of the industry.

Empowering design/build professionals to grow and scale 

buildergrowth.io shares the tools, strategies, and insights you need to take your business to the next level.

Connect with us at: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designersandbuilders/

Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@designersandbuilders

You can connect with Vasyl at:

https://epuremillwork.com/

https://www.instagram.com/epuremillwork/

Chanae Richards turned a creative outlet into a thriving design practice that spans New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and beyond. In this episode of the Designers and Builders Podcast, host Alyssa Olson sits down with the CEO and Principal Designer of ọlọrọ Interiors to explore how intentional design, deep listening, and community investment create spaces that truly enrich people's lives.

Chanae's path to design was anything but linear. Her first designed space was an art gallery in New York City, and from there, opportunities grew organically. From set design for brands like Unilever to curating the space where then-Senator Kamala Harris announced her vice presidential candidacy, Chanae's career has been shaped by bold pivots and the willingness to follow where the work leads.

The conversation digs into what makes Chanae's approach distinctive. Her firm name, ọlọrọ, means "rich" in the West African language of Yoruba, and that philosophy runs through everything she does: visually rich, layered with intention, rich in how clients feel when a project is complete. She discusses her thorough client survey process that uncovers deeply personal associations with color and material, her commitment to sourcing locally, and her decision to work exclusively with returning clients for the past two years. Chanae also opens up about the real pressures facing designers today, from global supply chain disruptions and rising fuel costs to the role of AI in a relationship-driven profession.

For designers, builders, and entrepreneurs, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on building a sustainable creative business without sacrificing authenticity. Chanae's four years leading an entrepreneurial resource center at a housing authority, her art practice born during the pandemic, and her philosophy that the best design starts at home all point to a designer whose impact extends far beyond any single project.

Chapters:

00:00 The Meaning Behind ọlọrọ Interiors

01:20 From Criminology to Design: A Nonlinear Path

04:09 Key Projects: Set Design, Airbnbs, and a Vice Presidential Stage

06:32 Plants, Wellbeing, and Designing for How People Actually Live

09:28 The Importance of Seeing What You Can Become

13:04 Community, Local Sourcing, and Giving Back

16:30 Getting Clients: The Bold Move to Work Only with Returning Clients

18:11 Leading an Entrepreneurial Resource Center

22:12 Supply Chain Disruptions and Designing Through Uncertainty

27:02 AI, Analog Process, and What Technology Cannot Replace

30:37 Current Projects and the Sacred Nature of Home

36:48 Advice: Listen First, Build Relationships, Provide Solutions

Whether you are rethinking your own career path, looking for ways to deepen client relationships, or searching for inspiration on how design can serve communities beyond the project scope, Chanae's story is one you will want to hear. 

The Designers and Builders Podcast shares stories from industry leaders transforming the world of design and construction: covering behind-the-scenes insights, real-world strategies, and the trends shaping the future of the industry.

Empowering design/build professionals to grow and scale 

buildergrowth.io shares the tools, strategies, and insights you need to take your business to the next level.

Connect with us at: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designersandbuilders/

Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@designersandbuilders

You can connect with Chanae at:

https://www.olorointeriors.com/

https://www.instagram.com/olorointeriors/

Brian Messana has spent 30 years proving that architecture is not about trends, square footage, or flashy materials. It is about how a space makes you feel. In this episode of the Designers and Builders Podcast, host Alyssa Olson sits down with the co-founder of Messana O'Rorke to explore what it means to build a practice rooted in clarity, craft, and an unwavering commitment to the human experience of design.

Growing up in Southern California, Brian fell in love with design through his father's interior design practice, where hand-drafted renderings, the smell of markers, and physical model-making sparked a lifelong obsession. That early curiosity led him to New York City, where he walked into Richard Meier's office without a job and was hired by Thomas Phifer. The experience instilled a rigorous work ethic and a deep understanding of how light, volume, and the grid shape space. After a brief stint with Peter Marino, Brian and Toby O'Rorke launched their own firm at age 30, driven more by naivety and passion than a polished business plan.

Brian walks through the firm's design philosophy of "interior urbanism," the idea that in dense cities like New York, every inch must earn its place. He details the Jewel Box project, a studio apartment transformed by a golden brass cube that conceals a bed, creates a hallway, and turns a single room into a sequence of spatial experiences complete with hidden kitchen, Carrara marble bathroom, and abundant storage. He also discusses the firm's monograph, Building Blocks, and how their pursuit of abstraction and reduction creates architecture that feels timeless. The conversation dives into the real tensions of modern practice: photorealistic renderings that are almost too real for schematic design, the efficiency of Zoom versus the loss of happy accidents, and the honest insecurity that keeps a 30-year firm hungry.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

00:26 Growing Up Around Design in Southern California

06:02 Happy Accidents and the Leap of Faith in Architecture

08:09 The Double-Edged Sword of Photorealistic Renderings

17:48 Software, Hand-Built Models, and the Craft of Process

21:16 The Jewel Box: Interior Urbanism in a Studio Apartment

29:30 Building Blocks: Abstraction, Light, and Timelessness

35:04 Mentors: Richard Meier, Thomas Phifer, and Early Career

41:40 The Productive Insecurity of Running a Creative Business

48:20 The Future: Scaling Without Losing Intimacy

50:29 Advice: Stay Naive, Stay Curious

56:26 Travel as Design Inspiration and Closing

Whether you are an emerging designer figuring out your identity or a seasoned practitioner questioning your next chapter, Brian's candid reflections on craft, business, and creative courage make this an episode worth your time. Subscribe to the Designers and Builders Podcast wherever you listen, and follow along on Instagram for more conversations with the people shaping our built environment.

The Designers and Builders Podcast shares stories from industry leaders transforming the world of design and construction: covering behind-the-scenes insights, real-world strategies, and the trends shaping the future of the industry.

Empowering design/build professionals to grow and scale 

buildergrowth.io shares the tools, strategies, and insights you need to take your business to the next level.

Connect with us at: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designersandbuilders/

Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@designersandbuilders

You can connect with Brian at:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-messana-7196252/

https://www.messanaororke.com/

https://www.instagram.com/messanaororke/?hl=en

What does it take to build a career, and a reputation, in one of the most demanding construction markets in the world? Daniel Monteiro, Managing Partner at Reidy Contracting Group, has figured it out, and in this episode he breaks down exactly how.

In this episode of the Designers and Builders Podcast, host Steve Larosiliere sits down with Daniel to trace his path from a childhood obsession with Legos to leading complex, high-stakes construction projects across New York City. Daniel shares how joining a startup contracting firm early in his career forced him to learn fast, take ownership, and develop the kind of problem-solving instincts that no classroom can teach.

Daniel gets candid about what makes building in New York City unlike anywhere else, from layered regulations and tight timelines to the logistical puzzle of working in dense urban environments. He talks about the projects that shaped him, the pride he takes in craftsmanship, and how he thinks about building a team and a business that can scale without losing quality.

He also shares a genuinely optimistic take on AI in construction, not as a replacement for skilled people, but as a tool for reducing errors, managing project details, and freeing up mental bandwidth for the work that actually matters.

Chapters: 

00:00 Introduction to Daniel Monteiro and His Journey 

02:08 Career Highlights and Growth at Reidy Contracting Group 

06:01 Challenges and Lessons from a Startup Environment 

10:10 Significant Projects and Their Impact 

12:05 The Unique Challenges of Building in New York City 

15:53 Pride in Craftsmanship and Its Ripple Effects 

18:57 Managing Workflows and Looking Ahead 

20:50 Incorporating AI into Construction Management 

24:53 The Future of AI in the Industry 

28:03 Growth, Relationships, and What Comes Next 

29:58 Final Insights and Advice for Aspiring Builders

The Designers and Builders Podcast shares stories from industry leaders transforming the world of design and construction: covering behind-the-scenes insights, real-world strategies, and the trends shaping the future of the industry.

Empowering design/build professionals to grow and scale 

buildergrowth.io shares the tools, strategies, and insights you need to take your business to the next level.

Connect with us at: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designersandbuilders/

Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@designersandbuilders

You can connect with Daniel at:

https://reidygroup.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-monteiro-4b0418168/

https://www.instagram.com/reidygroup/

https://www.facebook.com/people/Reidy-Contracting-Group/100054445511727/#

What does it take to design buildings that feel as natural as the landscape they sit in? Lance O'Donnell, FAIA, founding principal of o2 Architecture and newly elevated Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, has spent decades answering that question in one of the most demanding climates on earth: the Coachella Valley desert.

In this episode of the Designers and Builders Podcast, host Alyssa Olson sits down with Lance to explore how growing up among date and citrus ranches in Indio, California shaped his deep, almost instinctive understanding of desert living. From lessons learned watching his rancher grandfathers work lightly on the land, to studying the Cahuilla Indians' seasonal migration patterns, Lance has built a design philosophy rooted in climate responsiveness, material honesty, and a genuine love of place.

Lance and Alyssa cover a wide range of terrain, from the principles of regional modernism and resilient material selection to the realities of running a small architecture firm in a resort town. Lance opens up about building and leading a creative team that draws talent from across the globe, shares his optimism about how AI might finally untangle the regulatory bottlenecks slowing down construction, and tells the story of a bold, cold letter he wrote to a tribal chairman that turned into one of his most beloved projects.

This conversation is for anyone who cares about thoughtful design, sustainable building, craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, and the enduring relationship between architecture and the natural world.

If you believe great design should work with the land, not against it, this episode is for you. Follow the Designers and Builders Podcast so you never miss a conversation like this one.

Chapters: 

00:00 Introduction to Lance O'Donnell and His Journey 

02:19 Growing Up in the Desert 

09:40 Materiality and Desert Resilience 

12:42 Defining Regional Modernism 

18:32 Client Relationships and the Design Ethos 

23:20 Building and Leading a Global Team 

29:51 AI, Technology, and the Future of Practice 

38:54 The Boldest Risk: A Letter to a Tribal Chairman 

43:54 What's Next and Parting Words

The Designers and Builders Podcast shares stories from industry leaders transforming the world of design and construction: covering behind-the-scenes insights, real-world strategies, and the trends shaping the future of the industry.

Empowering design/build professionals to grow and scale 

buildergrowth.io shares the tools, strategies, and insights you need to take your business to the next level.

Connect with us at: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designersandbuilders/

Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@designersandbuilders

You can connect with Lance at:

https://www.o2arch.com/

https://www.instagram.com/o2architecture/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lance-o-donnell-3aa1499

In this episode of the Designers and Builders Podcast, host Alyssa Olson sits down with Mike Riddle, owner and CEO of Riddle Construction, to explore his unconventional journey from sports medicine to custom home building. Mike shares the profound lessons learned from overcoming significant challenges, including a major lawsuit and bankruptcy, and how these experiences transformed him into a better business owner, husband, and father.

Mike's story is one of resilience and growth. He candidly discusses how adversity shaped his approach to construction, relationships, and life itself. His emphasis on proactive communication, managing client expectations from the start, and building genuine relationships has become the cornerstone of his business philosophy. Mike believes that entering a construction project is like getting married, requiring alignment, trust, and ongoing collaboration to create something beautiful together.

Throughout the conversation, Mike and Alyssa explore the importance of team collaboration in enhancing the client experience, the balance between craftsmanship and client engagement, and how listening carefully allows him to tailor each project to his clients' unique needs. Mike also introduces his new venture, Mantle and Manor, a maintenance service designed to provide peace of mind and enhance clients' lifestyles long after construction is complete, filling a gap he identified in the industry.

Whether you're a builder, designer, or entrepreneur in the construction field, this episode offers valuable insights on turning setbacks into opportunities, fostering meaningful relationships, educating clients throughout the building process, and identifying new business opportunities by solving real problems. Mike's perspective on industry trends, investing in experiences, and building a collaborative team environment provides a roadmap for sustainable success.

Key takeaways include:

• How overcoming adversity can lead to profound personal and professional growth

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Mike Riddle and His Journey

05:31 Building Relationships and Managing Expectations

11:23 Tailoring the Client Experience through Listening

16:52 Educating Clients on Materials and Processes

The Designers and Builders Podcast shares stories from industry leaders transforming the world of design and construction: covering behind-the-scenes insights, real-world strategies, and the trends shaping the future of the industry.

Empowering design/build professionals to grow and scale 

buildergrowth.io shares the tools, strategies, and insights you need to take your business to the next level.

Connect with us at: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designersandbuilders/

Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@designersandbuilders

You can connect with Mike at:

https://riddleconstruction.co/

https://www.instagram.com/RiddleConstruction.CO/

https://www.facebook.com/RiddleConstruction.CO/