Episode 20: Finding Balance with Taylor English of Tailored Design + Decked by Tailored

In this episode, I catch up with Taylor English to explore the real-world dilemmas many small firms face. We discuss whether chasing “big” jobs is really worth it, or if multiple smaller projects can be more profitable. Taylor also shares how he separates his love for the craft from the need to run a sustainable business—without sacrificing his passion.

Taylor doesn’t just think about these ideas; he’s putting them into practice. By focusing on one or two flagship renovations each year and layering in 10–15 deck projects, he’s found a balance that lets him hone his business and marketing while still enjoying the work.

If you’ve ever wondered how to balance creativity, service, and profitability, you’ll enjoy this conversation with Taylor English.

Project Size: 15,000-300,000

Projects: 15-20

Yearly Revenue: $800-1 mil

Company size: 3 employees

Ep. 20 Guest:

@tailored_design_build

@decked_by_tailored

Tailoreddb.com

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@durationmouldingandmillwork 

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Local Sponsor:

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@HireSmooth

Mike Michalowicz joins the show!
Author of Profit First, Pumpkin Plan, Clockwork, Fix This Next, All In—and more.

Mike wrote his first book back in 2008, but he landed on my radar closer to 2018 when Profit First shifted the way I thought about business. That book—and honestly, most of his others—should be required reading whether you’re running a business or managing a single job site.

Every project is a business in itself. If you don’t treat it like one—with structure, systems, and accountability—you might be delivering great-looking work while running a failing operation behind the scenes.

In this episode, we hit on several of Mike’s key concepts:

1. Profit First – Create margin first so you can build systems and hire support.

2. Pumpkin Plan – Identify your best clients and prune what no longer serves you.

3. Clockwork – Build repeatable systems so the business runs even when you're not on site.

4. Fix This Next – Diagnose what’s really broken before making your next move.

5. All In – Hire the right people to fit your business and your values.

It was an awesome conversation with a guy who’s helped thousands of entrepreneurs work on the business, not just in it. Enjoy the episode!

Additional Resources below!

Ep. 19 Guest:

@mikemichalowicz

Mikemichalowicz.com

Profit First Resources:

Profitfirstbook.com

Pumpkin Plan Resources:

Pumpkinplan.com

Clock Work Resources:

clockworkbymikemichalowicz.com

Fix This Next Resources:

fixthisnext.com

All In Resources:

allinbymike.com

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Sponsors:

www.durationmillwork.com 

@durationmouldingandmillwork 

www.heavydutypocketdoorframes.com 

@hdpocketdoors

Local Sponsor:

www.hiresmooth.com for all your spray foam needs!

@HireSmooth

EP18: Joe Langlais — From Apprentice to Owner of Langlais Custom Builders

In Episode 18, we sit down with Joe Langlais of Langlais Custom Builders — a true “mom & pop” New England contractor. Joe runs the field, while his wife Emily keeps everything moving behind the scenes. Together, they’ve built something special.

Joe also has one of the best origin stories in the business. As a student at a local vocational school, he was selected for an apprenticeship on This Old House — and his first interview? None other than Tom Silva. What followed was a decade-plus of mentorship under Tommy at Silva Brothers before Joe stepped out on his own to launch Langlais.

Now nine years in, we dig into the “why” behind the company, the goals, the boundaries, and the systems that bring stability to an otherwise chaotic industry. We talk backlog, team building, and how to create something sustainable — not just successful.

Hope you enjoy this one!

Project Size: 5-8 Projects

Yearly Revenue: $1-1.3mil

Company size: 1-3 employees

Ep. 18 Guest:

@Langlaiscustombuilders

Langlaiscustombuilders.com

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Sponsors:

www.durationmillwork.com 

@durationmouldingandmillwork 

www.heavydutypocketdoorframes.com 

@hdpocketdoors

Local Sponsor:

www.hiresmooth.com for all your spray foam needs!

@HireSmooth

Episode 17: Paul Charett of Wood Theory Design

Paul is the perfect mix of woodworker and artist—bringing true artisan energy to life through his use of reclaimed wood, salvaged doors, and materials with soul. He gives old pieces new purpose in some of the sexiest builds across New England.

We dig into what it’s like to narrow your focus to such a specific niche—how that tight client funnel forces you to be intentional about who you work with, and why finding the right client to “marry” matters more than ever. We also talk about setting boundaries, honoring craft, and building a business that stays true to who you are.

Great conversation with an amazing dude and a wildly talented maker I’m proud to call a friend. Hope you enjoy it!

Project Size: 25-30 Projects

Yearly Revenue: $500k

Company size: 1-4 employees

Ep. 17 Guest:

@woodtheorydesign

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Sponsors:

www.durationmillwork.com 

@durationmouldingandmillwork 

www.heavydutypocketdoorframes.com 

@hdpocketdoors

Local Sponsor:

www.hiresmooth.com for all your spray foam needs!

@HireSmooth

Ian MacFayden—Canadian Red Seal carpenter turned COO of HummingBird Hill Homes—joins the podcast!
We dive into the evolution of the trades, from where we started to where things stand today. Ian shares insights on attracting and retaining top talent as your projects scale and your team needs grow.

High performance isn’t just about house wraps—it’s about understanding the materials and systems that will outlast the families living in these homes. We get into how to integrate sustainability, Passive House, Net Zero, WELL AP, and carbon-conscious design into your everyday building practices.

Then we shift to the craft itself—and what’s missing in the handoff between generations. Why is there still a gap between young talent and seasoned builders? Ian’s answer: Projekt Network—a new platform bridging that gap, like a ZipRecruiter built for residential construction.

Great conversation, real insight—and a ton to take away. Hope you enjoy it!

The RED List: https://living-future.org/

Project Size: 15-18 Builds

Yearly Revenue: $40-50mil

Company size: 60+ employees

Ep. 16 Guest:

@HummingbirdHillhomes

@timbersolutions_hh

@projektnetwork

Hummingbirdhillhomes.com

projektnetwork.com

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Sponsors:

www.durationmillwork.com 

@durationmouldingandmillwork 

www.heavydutypocketdoorframes.com 

@hdpocketdoors

Local Sponsor:

www.hiresmooth.com for all your spray foam needs!

@HireSmooth

Episode 15 we sit down with Lenny Gimmelfarb of Echelon Builders in Smithfield, RI. We dive into what a small-scale model looks like—an owner-operator with no employees, building a brand and reputation one project at a time. Lenny shares how he’s cultivated relationships with designers and architects to secure one flagship build and a couple of smaller projects each year—his ideal rhythm. Great to catch up with Lenny and see what he’s building and why. Hope you enjoy the convo!

Project Size: 1 Large scale project & 2-3 smaller Renos

Yearly Revenue: $2-4mil

Company size: 0 employees

Ep. 15 Guest:

@Echelon_builders

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Sponsors:

www.durationmillwork.com 

@durationmouldingandmillwork 

www.heavydutypocketdoorframes.com 

@hdpocketdoors

Local Sponsor:

www.hiresmooth.com for all your spray foam needs!

@HireSmooth

Episode 14 brings in Nate Altheimer of A3 Builders, based out of Belgium, Wisconsin.

With 30 years in the game and still wearing his bags, Nate splits his time between running a young framing crew—where his oldest is now swinging a hammer—and supervising larger development projects.

We dig into what it means to build in a market where “high-end” doesn’t look like what you see on social media—and how chasing that illusion can lead to overbuilding in a landscape where that kind of demand doesn’t exist.

In Nate’s world, the goal is clear: build smart—for efficiency, longevity, and reputation.

It was great catching up with Nate, and I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.

Project Size: 2-3 Spec Homes, 1-2 Development projects & Supervision

Yearly Revenue: $5mil

Company size: 3-5 employees

Ep. 14 Guest:

@A3Builders

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Sponsors:

www.durationmillwork.com 

@durationmouldingandmillwork 

www.heavydutypocketdoorframes.com 

@hdpocketdoors

Local Sponsor:

www.hiresmooth.com for all your spray foam needs!

@HireSmooth

Andrew Prchlik, owner-operator of Whalebone Homes in Osterville, MA, is one of the best-kept secrets in high-end residential construction.
For the past 19 years, he’s quietly built a reputation for crafting exceptional homes—whether through spec builds, renovations, or ground-up custom projects—for a small, select group of clients.

I met Andrew a few years back and felt an instant connection rooted in a shared love for the craft, acts of service, deep relationships, and a passion for creating. This episode marks round two of our conversations—and this time, we’re bringing it to the podcast.

This isn’t a checklist of what makes Andrew great as a builder or person. You won’t find labeled chapters or step-by-step takeaways. Instead, the real value is laced throughout the conversation—layered in stories, insights, and subtle truths. That’s what I love about talks like this.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Project Size: 4-6 Custom Projects Yr

Yearly Revenue: $6-10mil

Company size: 2-4 employees

Ep. 13 Guest:

https://whalebonehomes.com

@whalebonehomes

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Sponsors:

www.durationmillwork.com 

@durationmouldingandmillwork 

www.heavydutypocketdoorframes.com 

@hdpocketdoors

Local Sponsor:

www.hiresmooth.com for all your spray foam needs!

@HireSmooth

Otto Magdanz of Coda Managed Homes took a distinctly different path into residential construction—and it shows in everything he does. A Harvard Business School grad with roots in the trades, Otto didn’t set out to build flashy custom homes. He set out to fix what was broken. After years of listening to clients’ frustrations and pain points early in his career, his mission became clear: build a process that puts the homeowner first. That mindset naturally led to stunning homes, happy clients, and a niche approach that sets Coda apart. In this episode, we dive into the why behind Otto’s model—and what the industry can learn from it. Enjoy the conversation.

Project Size: 2-3 Custom Projects Yr + Concierge Projects

Yearly Revenue: $6-10mil

Company size: 8-10 employees

Ep. 12 Guest:

https://codahome.com

@codahome

The Wall Street Journal Link:

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Sponsors:

www.durationmillwork.com 

@durationmouldingandmillwork 

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@hdpocketdoors

Jacob’s entry into the industry is wild—pure chance, but it lit a fire. With the backing of a mentor and a relentless drive to learn the craft, he fast-tracked his way through the trades, building up both skill and a trusted sub-pool. His first major project? Building his own home—something most only dream of. That experience catapulted him into the spec world, then onto the Parade of Homes, and eventually into high-end custom builds and renovations. Along the way, he brought millwork in-house to dial in execution and control—raising the bar on every project. Killer convo with a true craftsman.

Project Size: 6-8 Custom Projects Yr

Yearly Revenue: $5mil

Company size: 10+ employees

Ep. 11 Guest:

https://reinboldinc.com

@reinboldinc

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Review Shoutout:

Freddy @periodcraftsmen thank you!!

Sponsors:

www.durationmillwork.com 

@durationmouldingandmillwork 

www.heavydutypocketdoorframes.com 

@hdpocketdoors