No big firm. No roadmap. Just one woman building what she couldn’t find.

What do you do when you love your neighborhood — but can’t find a home that fits your values, your lifestyle, or your people?

In this raw and insightful episode of Local Real Estate Developers, Laura Kunkle shares how she stepped up to become the kind of developer her city didn’t even know it needed. With no real estate background and no deep pockets, she taught herself everything — from site selection to forming an LLC, hiring the right architect, and advocating for smart, community-centered design.

Fueled by frustration, faith, and a fierce belief in people-first development, Laura reveals the emotional and practical journey behind her first build: a 10-unit residential project in the heart of her Ohio town. She unpacks the hurdles, the heartache, and the hidden costs of trying to do things differently in a system that often rewards sameness.

If you’ve ever felt like you don’t “look” like a developer — this episode is for you.

Topics Covered:

✅ Why Laura’s project started with community, not construction

✅ The turning point that pushed her from dreamer to doer

✅ How she built her team with no prior experience — and zero ego

✅ Navigating fear, city politics, and public hearings as a first-time developer

✅ Choosing design, density, and affordability with intention

✅ The power of speaking up in a room where no one looks like you

✅ Why she’s building slow, smart, and with soul — not for a fast flip

💡 “You don’t have to wait for permission to care about your city. You just have to be brave enough to build.” – Laura Kunkle

👉 Ready to become a local developer in your town? Apply for the Mentorship:

https://www.localrealestatedeveloper.com/dev-mentorship

🎧 Access all platforms, the Developer Vault, and more:

https://linktr.ee/localrealestatedeveloper

Guest: Laura Kunkle

Website: https://americainbloom.org/

🎬 Chapters

00:00 Introduction to American Bloom and Its Mission

03:53 Programs and Community Engagement Strategies

08:25 The Role of Developers in Community Beautification

12:07 Granular vs. Conceptual Planning for Communities

16:16 Impact of COVID-19 on Community Development

21:00 Success Stories from American Bloom

29:53 Future Initiatives and Community Involvement

#LocalRealEstateDeveloper #ThinkBigStartLocal #RealEstateWithHeart #LREDPodcast #BuildWhatMatters #CommunityFirst #FromVacantToVibrant #MentorshipMatters #NeighborhoodRebuilders #GatekeepingEndsHere