LivLive: Design, Building, and the Business of Remodeling

Episode Description

Artificial intelligence is everywhere—but how much of it is actually useful for contractors?

This week on LivLive, Dave sits down with AI entrepreneur and Bizzen founder Jordan Hayashi to separate the hype from the practical applications that are already changing the construction industry.

Jordan has spent nearly a decade building AI solutions long before ChatGPT made artificial intelligence a household term. Rather than chasing flashy demos, his philosophy is simple: find the work that frustrates people most, then eliminate it.

The conversation explores why contractors should think of AI as delegated brainpower instead of automation, how companies can capture tribal knowledge before it walks out the door, and why voice, photos, and field documentation are becoming the new interface for construction management.

Dave and Jordan also discuss AI hallucinations, trust, document management, estimating, proposals, daily logs, financial workflows, and where construction software is headed over the next five years. They explain why the winners won't simply use ChatGPT—they'll build systems that remember everything, connect every piece of project information, and allow teams to spend less time searching for answers and more time solving problems.

If you've been wondering whether AI is worth paying attention to—or are trying to figure out where to start—this episode delivers one of the most practical conversations we've had on the subject.

Chapters00:00 Introduction to Jordan Hayashi and Bizzen

01:15 Why Jordan calls himself an AI "BS meter"

02:30 "Tell us what sucks" — solving real contractor frustrations first

05:00 Why construction has been underserved by software

07:45 Building AI years before ChatGPT

10:20 How AI learns from documents, photos, and company knowledge

13:00 Capturing tribal knowledge before employees leave

16:00 AI as delegated brainpower—not a replacement for people

20:00 Freeing your brain from repetitive information retrieval

22:30 Why document trust is everything in construction

26:00 From checklists to intelligent project management

29:00 AI for job costing, receipts, and financial workflows

31:30 Daily logs, reports, proposals, and administrative automation

34:00 Creating proposals from existing project knowledge

39:00 Separating AI facts from clickbait and hype

42:00 Where AI is actually heading over the next five years

45:00 The "compressed air" analogy for AI adoption

48:00 Why the future belongs to companies that capture knowledge

50:00 Final advice for contractors adopting AI today

LivLive Episode 44: Glen Dall

Episode Description

What separates remodeling companies that plateau from those that continue to grow?

This week on LivLive, Dave sits down with business coach, former CEO, former remodeler, and NARI X keynote contributor Glen Dall for a wide-ranging discussion on leadership, growth, strategy, client experience, and building high-performing teams.

Glen shares his journey from barely graduating high school and working on a Ford Bronco assembly line in Detroit to helping grow a company from $400 million to $2.3 billion, leading a public company turnaround, building a remodeling business, and ultimately becoming a business coach.

The conversation explores one of Glen's core beliefs: growth is not the goal—building a better business is the goal. Growth is simply the result.

Dave and Glen dive into strategy, differentiation, EOS versus Metronomics, leadership team development, niche positioning, and why so many companies struggle when owners become the bottleneck.

The episode concludes with a preview of the upcoming NARI X event and the three themes Glen will be teaching:

• Profitability
• Client Success
• Teamwork & Trust

Together, they discuss why profitability is more than margins, why client success is different from client satisfaction, and why trust is the foundation of every successful team, trade partner relationship, and homeowner experience.

Whether you're a remodeler, builder, entrepreneur, or business leader, this episode delivers practical ideas you can immediately apply to improve your company.

Chapters00:00 Introduction and how Dave met Glen through NARI

01:00 From Ford assembly line worker to CEO

06:00 Growing companies, culture shifts, and leadership lessons

10:00 Building and exiting a remodeling company

15:00 Why business owners hit growth ceilings

20:00 Growth isn't the goal—building a better business is

24:00 EOS vs. Metronomics and the role of strategy

30:00 Becoming "the only" instead of competing on price

36:00 Finding your niche and defining your ideal client

42:00 Building leadership teams and avoiding owner bottlenecks

48:00 NARI X Preview: Profitability as a business discipline

52:00 Client Success vs. Customer Satisfaction

56:00 Teamwork, Trust, and the Five Dysfunctions of a Team

1:00:00 Why trust accelerates business performance

1:03:00 NARI X event details and final thoughts

In Episode 45 of LivLive, Dave Pollard sits down with Will Boland, co-founder of Henry Homes, to explore why owning a home is still more complicated than it should be—and how technology can make it dramatically easier.

Will reflects on the entrepreneurial journey that began with launching CarLotz, the challenges of raising capital and scaling an early-stage business, and the lessons that shaped his newest venture. The conversation then shifts to Henry Homes, where Will and his team are building a platform designed to help homeowners organize maintenance, understand their home's condition, connect with trusted professionals, and make smarter long-term decisions.

Along the way, Dave and Will discuss AI, customer experience, hiring great people, founder psychology, and why curiosity and persistence matter more than having all the answers. It's an insightful conversation for homeowners, entrepreneurs, remodelers, architects, and anyone passionate about building businesses that genuinely improve people's lives.

• Why today's homeowner experience is still fragmented and reactive
• The vision behind Henry Homes and creating a digital home for every homeowner
• How AI can help homeowners prioritize repairs and maintenance
• Why inspection reports, manuals, warranties, and service records should all live in one place
• How trusted contractors can build lifelong relationships instead of transactional projects
• Lessons learned from launching and scaling startups
• Why customer feedback matters more than perfect ideas
• What the future of homeownership could look like over the next decade

00:00 – Welcome & Introducing Will Boland

01:10 – Growing Up Together in Richmond & Early Career Paths

02:30 – The Idea That Sparked CarLotz

05:40 – Reinventing the Used Car Buying Experience

08:29 – Returning to Richmond & Launching CarLotz

13:20 – Raising Capital and Scaling an Early-Stage Startup

18:30 – Lessons Learned from Entrepreneurship and Exits

23:20 – Why Homeownership Inspired Henry Homes

26:00 – The Problem with Inspection Reports and Home Maintenance

30:50 – Helping Homeowners Get Unstuck

35:45 – Building Trust Through Skilled Service Professionals

41:45 – Founder Lessons: Letting Go, Hiring, and Building Teams

47:50 – Designing Better Experiences for Technicians

53:40 – Home Improvements vs. Home Maintenance

59:45 – Communicating Difficult News to Homeowners

1:04:00 – Curiosity, Hard Work, and Advice for Entrepreneurs

1:08:00 – Final Thoughts & The Future of Henry Homes

Hockey, Coaching, Leadership & Life with Matt Cross

This week on LivLive, I sat down with Matt Cross—hockey coach, trainer, nonprofit leader, cancer survivor, and one of the most influential mentors in youth hockey in North Carolina.

What started as a conversation about hockey quickly became a discussion about leadership, culture, parenting, resilience, and the lessons that connect great teams to great businesses.

Matt shares stories from growing up in Toronto, building elite hockey programs through Prime Time Hockey and the Raleigh Raptors, overcoming cancer, and launching the Raleigh Testicular Cancer Foundation to help men take ownership of their health.

Whether you're a coach, business owner, parent, athlete, or leader, this episode is packed with practical insights on developing people, building culture, and focusing on the process that drives long-term success.

• Growing up in hockey-crazed Toronto
• The differences between coaching players and leading employees
• Why culture matters more than systems
• Parenting high-performing young athletes
• Building confidence without entitlement
• The role of adversity in personal growth
• Lessons learned from surviving cancer
• The mission behind the Raleigh Testicular Cancer Foundation
• Why great leaders focus on process over outcomes
• How sports prepare young people for life and business

#LivLive #Leadership #Hockey #Coaching #Business #Culture #YouthSports #PrimeTimeHockey #RaleighRaptors #Entrepreneurship #PersonalDevelopment

Chapters

00:00 Welcome & Why Hockey Matters Beyond the Rink
01:15 Meet Matt Cross: Coach, Leader, Survivor
05:40 Growing Up in Toronto's Hockey Culture
12:30 Lessons Learned Through Youth Sports
18:45 Coaching vs. Managing People in Business
27:10 Building Team Culture and Accountability
36:20 The Parent-Coach-Athlete Dynamic
46:55 Developing Confidence and Character in Young Athletes
58:40 Cancer, Perspective, and Life Priorities
1:10:15 The Raleigh Testicular Cancer Foundation Story
1:19:00 Leadership Lessons from Sports and Business
1:28:30 NHL Stories, Hockey Community, and Giving Back
1:35:00 Final Thoughts and Where to Find Matt

LivLive Episode 42 | Nick Ruffini – Hospitality, Storytelling, and Building Businesses People Actually Care About

This week on LivLive, Dave sits down with longtime friend Nick Ruffini for a wide-ranging conversation about hospitality, storytelling, entrepreneurship, customer experience, and the power of human connection in an increasingly automated world.

Nick's career has taken him from his family's restaurant business in Philadelphia to professional music, media production, podcasting, brand strategy, and now consulting through The Ruffini Group. Drawing on lessons from hospitality, entertainment, and real estate development, Nick helps organizations create stronger narratives, more memorable customer experiences, and deeper connections with the communities they serve.

The conversation explores why hospitality isn't limited to restaurants and hotels, how every business tells a story whether it realizes it or not, and why the companies that win in the future will be the ones that prioritize people over processes.

Dave and Nick also discuss entrepreneurship, charging what you're worth, building authentic brands, creating meaningful experiences, the dangers of over-automation, and how business can be a vehicle for serving communities and improving people's lives.

Whether you're a business owner, developer, designer, contractor, entrepreneur, or simply interested in creating better experiences for the people around you, this episode offers practical insights and thought-provoking perspectives that extend far beyond business.

• Why hospitality is a competitive advantage in any industry
• How storytelling influences customer decisions and brand loyalty
• The concept of "narrative continuity" across every customer touchpoint
• Lessons from the restaurant industry that apply to all businesses
• Why many entrepreneurs struggle to charge appropriately for their expertise
• The role of human connection in an AI-driven world
• How developers, businesses, and communities can benefit from stronger storytelling
• The difference between transactions and memorable experiences
• Why serving people well remains one of the strongest business strategies available
• How business can become a force for community building and positive impact

00:00 Introduction and reconnecting with Nick Ruffini

02:10 The Ruffini Group and helping businesses tell better stories

08:30 From restaurants to music, media, and entrepreneurship

15:20 Life as a professional musician and the realities of the industry

22:15 Building a career through curiosity and reinvention

27:45 Entrepreneurship, pricing, and charging what you're worth

34:20 Hospitality as a business philosophy

39:15 Why customer experience matters more than ever

44:30 Human connection in an increasingly automated world

49:15 Reviews, customer feedback, and authentic brand building

54:00 Storytelling, real estate development, and community engagement

58:30 Business as a tool for serving people and strengthening communities

1:02:00 Final thoughts and where to find Nick Ruffini

This is one of those LivLive episodes that moves beyond tactics and gets into bigger ideas about how we build businesses, communities, and relationships that people genuinely want to be part of.

In Episode 41 of LivLive, Jef Forward joins Dave Pollard for a deep conversation about the evolution of design-build, leadership, company culture, and the future of client experience in the remodeling industry.

Jef shares the origin story behind Forward Design Build — from paying his way through architecture school building decks, to realizing traditional architecture firm life wasn’t the right fit, to taking a leap in 1997 after discovering the concept of “design-build” in a magazine article that changed his career trajectory.

The conversation explores how personality profiling through DISC has shaped Forward’s internal culture and client communication systems, and how Jef is now integrating AI tools to create more empathetic, personalized communication experiences for both clients and team members. Dave and Jef also discuss scaling a creative company, hiring and leadership challenges, architecture school versus entrepreneurship, and the realities of building a people-first business in a high-stress service industry.

This episode is packed with insights for architects, remodelers, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in leadership, culture, and the intersection of design, technology, and human connection.

• How Jef Forward transitioned from architect to design-builder
• Why DISC personality profiles transformed team communication at Forward Design Build
• How AI can enhance empathy and client experience in service businesses
• The realities of scaling from a small team to a 47-person company
• Lessons learned from hiring, leadership, and company culture
• Why architecture school often prepares people to create — but not necessarily to run businesses
• How design-build reshaped the relationship between architects, builders, and homeowners
• The importance of creating a stress-free remodeling experience for clients
• Why humility and failure often become the foundation for growth

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to Episode 41
00:42 – Meeting Jef Forward Through Remodelers Advantage
02:11 – Using AI to Automate Empathy and Improve Communication
03:10 – DISC Personality Profiles and Client Communication
05:07 – Building Team Culture and Managing a 47-Person Company
07:00 – Architecture School, Creativity, and Deadline Culture
08:08 – Creating a Stress-Free Client Experience
08:33 – Connecting DISC to Leadership and Client Experience Roles
15:04 – The Origin Story of Forward Design Build
19:51 – Discovering Design-Build Through Remodeling Magazine
20:33 – Quitting Architecture Firm Life and Taking the Leap
21:30 – Learning Construction, Remodeling, and Entrepreneurship in Real Time
34:50 – Marketing, Reputation, and Standing Out in Ann Arbor
36:40 – Architecture School vs. Business Ownership
37:30 – Final Reflections on Creativity, Leadership, and Building a Company

In Episode 0000040 of LivLive, Dave reconnects with longtime friend and former Virginia Tech School of Architecture classmate Peter Barden, now a Senior Project Manager with HKS Architects.

What starts as a conversation about architecture school memories and old studio stories quickly turns into a deep discussion about the evolution of the construction and architecture industry over the last 20+ years — from BIM and virtual construction to integrated project delivery, stadium design, adaptive reuse, and the future of technology in the built environment.

Peter shares his unique career path moving between architecture firms and major contractors, including experiences at Commonwealth Architects, Hourigan, and HKS, where he’s worked on complex sports and large-scale commercial projects. Dave and Peter also reflect on the culture and educational philosophy of Virginia Tech Architecture, the professors and experiences that shaped them, and how design education influences the way architects think long after school ends.

The episode blends serious industry insight with plenty of nostalgia, humor, and behind-the-scenes stories from architecture school, Habitat for Humanity builds, Richmond connections, and the early career paths that shaped both of their journeys.

• How BIM and virtual construction transformed commercial architecture and construction
• Why construction is simultaneously one of the most advanced and most outdated industries technologically
• The realities of coordinating massive sports and commercial projects
• How working on stadiums changes the way you experience sporting events forever
• The difference between architecture school thinking and real-world project delivery
• Why Virginia Tech Architecture created such a unique design mindset
• The importance of curiosity, exploration, and learning how to think differently
• Lessons from adaptive reuse, historic renovation, and large-scale collaboration
• Funny stories and memories from architecture school studio culture and early career life

00:00 — Introduction to Episode 40 & Peter Barden
01:45 — Peter’s career path: architecture, construction & HKS
04:00 — BIM, virtual construction & technology evolution in the industry
08:30 — Integrated project delivery & collaboration challenges
12:00 — Pushing technology beyond current industry standards
16:00 — Virginia Tech Architecture culture & learning how to think differently
20:00 — Curiosity, experimentation & adapting to new technology
24:00 — Student projects, design thinking & adaptive reuse discussions
29:00 — Joining HKS & working in the sports sector during lockdown
33:00 — Stadium design, sports architecture & seeing buildings differently
37:00 — Architecture school professors, studio culture & formative experiences
41:00 — Theoretical architecture education vs. practical application
44:00 — Habitat for Humanity builds & hands-on learning experiences
48:00 — Richmond memories, old apartments & architecture school reunion stories

In this episode of LivLive, Dave sits down with Jake Harris—builder turned entrepreneur—to unpack a journey that feels increasingly relevant across the construction industry: moving from building homes to building technology.

Jake’s path started in the trenches as a builder, where he experienced firsthand the friction, inefficiencies, and financial gaps that small construction businesses face every day. That real-world perspective led him into the world of fintech, where he’s now developing tools like Build Wallet and Project Wallet—solutions designed to fix how money moves through construction projects.

This conversation goes beyond just “builder to tech founder.” Dave and Jake dig into the deeper why: the broken payment structures in construction, the risks contractors carry, and how better systems could fundamentally change the industry.

They also explore what it actually takes to make the leap—from operator to entrepreneur to product builder—and why more builders may be uniquely positioned to drive the next wave of innovation.

If you’re in design-build, construction, or even adjacent to the industry, this episode will challenge how you think about money, risk, and opportunity in your business.

• Why the construction payment system is fundamentally broken—and who it hurts most
• How a builder’s perspective can lead to powerful tech innovation
• The real risks contractors take on with cash flow and project financing
• What Build Wallet and Project Wallet are solving in the industry
• The mindset shift from building projects to building companies and products
• Why more builders may move into tech and entrepreneurship

00:00 – Intro & Episode Setup
Dave opens the show and introduces Jake Harris—builder, entrepreneur, and fintech founder.

01:00 – From Builder to Tech Entrepreneur
Jake shares his background in construction and the early signs that something wasn’t working in the industry.

04:30 – The Problem with Construction Payments
Breaking down the structural issues in how money flows through projects—and why it creates risk for builders.

10:15 – Where Builders Get Burned
Real-world examples of cash flow pressure, delayed payments, and financial exposure.

16:40 – Identifying the Opportunity
How Jake recognized the gap and began thinking about solutions beyond the jobsite.

21:30 – Building Build Wallet & Project Wallet
What these platforms do, who they’re for, and how they aim to fix payment inefficiencies.

28:45 – Fintech Meets Construction
Why construction is ripe for disruption—and why it’s been slow to change.

35:20 – The Leap into Entrepreneurship
What it actually takes to transition from operator to founder, and the risks involved.

42:10 – Advice for Builders Looking to Innovate
Jake’s perspective on where opportunity exists today for builders willing to think differently.

48:00 – The Future of Construction Finance
Where things are heading and what a better system could look like.

52:30 – Closing Thoughts
Final reflections on entrepreneurship, industry change, and building what’s next.

AI isn’t replacing marketing—it’s exposing who actually understands it.

In this episode of LivLive, David Pollard sits down with Kai Biami (KBiami Marketing, Builder Funnel contributor) for a grounded, no-BS conversation on what’s really happening at the intersection of marketing and AI.

This isn’t a tools conversation. It’s about thinking differently.

Kai breaks down why most companies are approaching AI completely backwards—focusing on shortcuts instead of strategy—and how the real opportunity is building systems that compound over time. The discussion moves into how content, SEO, and client acquisition are shifting, and why the firms that win won’t just be “using AI”… they’ll be structuring their business around it.

You also get into the realities for design-build firms specifically—where trust, differentiation, and communication matter more than ever—and how AI can either dilute your brand or sharpen it depending on how it’s used.

If you’re trying to figure out how to actually apply AI in a way that drives growth (not noise), this episode delivers.

• Why most businesses are using AI as a shortcut—and why that’s a mistake
• The shift from one-off marketing efforts to scalable, repeatable systems
• How AI is changing SEO, content strategy, and long-term visibility
• What “good” content looks like now that anyone can generate content
• How builders and design firms can stand out in an AI-saturated market
• Where AI actually saves time vs. where it creates risk
• A practical mindset for integrating AI without losing your brand voice

00:00 – Opening: Why This Conversation Matters Right Now
You frame the episode around the rapid shift in marketing and why AI is forcing a rethink—not just an upgrade.

01:45 – Kai’s Background & Builder Funnel Connection
Kai walks through his path into marketing, his experience in the industry, and how he’s thinking about AI today.

04:30 – The Core Problem: People Are Using AI Backwards
Early thesis of the episode—most people are chasing efficiency instead of building strategy.

08:10 – From Campaigns to Systems
Discussion shifts into how marketing is evolving from one-off efforts into structured, repeatable systems.

12:00 – Content Explosion vs. Content Quality
Why AI-generated content is flooding the market—and why most of it won’t perform.

16:30 – What Actually Differentiates You Now
Perspective, experience, and clarity vs. generic AI output.

21:00 – SEO in an AI World
How search behavior and content discovery are changing, and what still matters.

25:40 – Builders & Design Firms: Where This Hits Home
You bring it back to real application—how this affects design-build companies specifically.

30:15 – AI as Leverage (When Used Correctly)
Where AI actually creates efficiency and allows smaller teams to scale impact.

34:50 – The Risk: Losing Your Voice
How over-reliance on AI can flatten your brand and make you indistinguishable.

38:20 – Practical Use Cases That Make Sense Today
Realistic entry points—what to start doing now without overcomplicating things.

42:10 – Where This Is Going Next
Kai’s perspective on how quickly this evolves and what businesses should be preparing for.

45:00 – Closing Thoughts: Strategy > Tools
Reinforcing the core idea—AI is only valuable if it’s built on clear thinking and positioning.

This week on LivLive, Dave sits down with David Supple, founder of New England Design & Construction, for a deep dive into the true meaning of design-build—and why the industry may have gotten it wrong.

David shares his unconventional path from studying architecture at Tufts to realizing, early in his career, that he was designing buildings he didn’t actually know how to build. That realization pushed him into the trades, where he worked as a carpenter (briefly, by his own admission), before ultimately starting what would become a 20+ year design-build firm.

The conversation centers around a powerful idea: that the separation between architecture and construction is historically recent—and fundamentally flawed. David breaks down how the role of the “architect” originally meant master builder, and how over generations, education systems and industry structures split design from execution, creating a lack of accountability that still exists today.

Dave and David also explore what it really means to take responsibility for a project—from concept through completion—and why true design-build isn’t just a delivery method, but a mindset rooted in ownership, craft, and follow-through.

This is a thoughtful, philosophical, and at times provocative conversation about the identity of architects, the evolution of the industry, and why bringing design and construction back together might be the key to doing better work.

• Why David felt unqualified designing buildings early in his career—and how that changed his path
• The original meaning of “architect” as master builder
• How and why architecture and construction became separated over time
• The role universities played in reshaping the profession
• Why the lack of a single point of accountability creates problems in projects
• How design-build restores responsibility from concept through execution
• Why designing without owning the outcome doesn’t make sense in residential work

00:00 – Intro & Guest Background
Dave introduces David Supple and frames the conversation

01:00 – Architecture School Reality Check
David reflects on Tufts and realizing he was designing without understanding construction

02:00 – “I Didn’t Know How to Build Anything”
The turning point that pushed him out of traditional architecture thinking

02:45 – Trying the Trades (and Getting Fired)
His short-lived but important experience working as a carpenter

03:30 – Starting NEDC
How he launched the business and began integrating design + construction

04:30 – What an Architect Originally Was
The “master builder” concept and historical definition

05:30 – When Design and Construction Split
How the industry evolved into separate roles

06:15 – Education’s Role in the Divide
How universities reinforced specialization over integration

07:00 – The Accountability Problem
Why fragmented responsibility creates issues in projects

07:45 – The Case for True Design-Build
Owning both design and execution as a better model

08:30 – Residential Work vs Traditional Architecture
Dave connects it to real-world challenges in residential practice