The Builder Nation Podcast

In this episode of the Builder Nation Podcast, Brian Koons sits down with Marine Corps veteran, powerlifter, and AI operator Christian Johnson to unpack how small businesses can actually use AI to make more money - without becoming “tech companies” or hiring a team of engineers.

They break down the idea of building a “digital twin” of you and your business, centralizing communication, and using automation to free up your time so you can do more of the high-value work only you can do.Christian walks through how to start from zero: recording and storing Google Meet calls, phone calls, and texts in a central knowledge base, then using that data to automatically create tasks, SOPs, and follow-ups so you’re not living in your inbox or Slack all day.

You’ll hear real examples of taking a single sales call and turning it into CRM updates, task assignments, contracts, and follow-up sequences - without you lifting a finger after you hang up.

They also zoom out and tackle the big question: how AI is likely to reshape the middle class and the ultra-wealthy over the next decade. Christian shares why small, scrappy operators are in a “Goldilocks zone” right now - small enough to move fast, but big enough to benefit massively from deeply integrating AI into their operations - and what happens to the businesses that ignore this shift.

You’ll hear:

• How to build a digital twin of yourself and your business
• Why the first step is logging communication, not buying more software
• How to connect tools like ClickUp, Gmail, your CRM, and AI models with APIs
• How to remove busywork so you can spend more time on sales, strategy, and relationships
• Why the next decade will reward owners who integrate AI deeply, and punish those who don’t

If you’re an entrepreneur, agency owner, real estate operator, or small business leader, AI could 10x your capacity.

You need to understand how to make that happen before you're left behind.

Thinking about building an ADU or need a team to manage your project properly? Visit: thebuildernation.com/partner

Follow Christian Johnson

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohyesinvest/
• Christian’s Company: https://oodahost.com/

Follow The Builder Brian:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuilderbrian/?hl=en
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briankoons/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the_builderbrian

In this episode of The Builder Nation Podcast, I sit down with developer Andrew Slocum, who has over 700 units in plan check across some of the most highly regulated and fire-impacted markets in Los Angeles County.

We break down what is actually happening on the ground after the Altadena and LA fires, how timelines have shifted, and what cities are doing right (and wrong) when it comes to rebuilding and adding desperately needed housing.

You’ll hear Andrew’s real-time experience working directly with LA County’s fire-rebuild “one stop shop” team, how planning corrections dropped from 18–24 months to as fast as six weeks, and why leadership and interdepartmental communication are the real bottlenecks—not just “red tape.”

We also dig into the human side of the housing crisis: homeowners turned renters overnight, insurance-funded bidding wars, and how former NIMBYs changed their tune when they suddenly had nowhere to live.

Later in the episode, Andrew and I dive into development strategy at scale, including: buying a dilapidated duplex and entitling it to 51 units under LA’s Executive Directive 1 (100% affordable streamlining), navigating new fire requirements, and structuring deals with equity partners who want to deploy capital into mission-driven affordable housing.

If you’re a builder, developer, or investor trying to figure out how to add units in California’s toughest markets, this episode is a must listen.

Thinking about building an ADU or need a team to manage your project properly? Visit: thebuildernation.com/partner

Follow Andrew Slocum

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aslocum/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewrslocum/
• Andrew’s Company: https://www.greendev.co/

Follow The Builder Brian:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuilderbrian/?hl=en
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briankoons/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the_builderbrian

In this episode of The Builder Nation Podcast, Brian Koons sits down with John Lallande to break down how to build a predictable sales engine, improve CRM systems, and scale a business with stronger processes and better execution. John shares practical strategies from his experience in coaching and wholesaling, including how to identify high-income-producing activities, train sales teams, and create a more efficient operation.

They also dive into CRM best practices, lead qualification, objection handling, sales psychology, and how to frame conversations so you can close more deals without being pushy. John explains why simplifying your systems, automating the right tasks, and focusing on the most likely opportunities can make a massive difference in revenue and growth.

If you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, salesperson, wholesaler, or real estate professional looking to improve sales, operations, and business systems, this conversation is packed with actionable insight. Learn how to avoid common mistakes, build a stronger sales culture, and create a business that can grow without becoming chaotic.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to build a predictable sales process.

• CRM systems and automation best practices.

• How to identify high-leverage, revenue-driving activities.

• How to handle objections and frame sales conversations.

• Why culture, training, and systems matter as your business grows.

Follow Jon Lallande

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonlallande22/ 

• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JonLallande/videos 

• Jon’s Company: https://www.easywithhomely.com/ 

Follow The Builder Brian

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuilderbrian/?hl=en
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briankoons/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the_builderbrian

A burned-out doctor, buried in 60–100 hour weeks and a brutal tax bill, quietly decides he’s done trading his time for a title. Instead of doubling down on medicine and building a traditional practice, he starts buying “boring” car washes — and ends up with a portfolio that out-earns his physician salary while giving him back his time, his energy, and his presence at home.​

In this episode, Brian sits down with “The Car Wash Doc” to unpack that journey: how a high-earning hospitalist went from feeling stuck and exhausted to using bonus depreciation, SBA loans, and ugly, underperforming car washes to create real freedom. You’ll hear how he found his first deal online, flew out to what looked like a glorified crack den, almost walked away in the parking lot, and then turned that same property into a 50 cash-on-cash machine and roughly a million dollars in new equity in under three years.​

They dig into the mindset shift - seeing medicine as a stepping stone instead of an identity - and the gritty operator work that followed: kicking out the drug traffic, repainting, upgrading lighting and cameras, installing new equipment, and obsessing over “Does this lot feel safe and clean at night?” so customers actually want to come back every week. Along the way, he discovers that car washes aren’t just cash businesses; they’re subscription businesses, data businesses, and brand businesses, and he layers on memberships, software, and pricing tweaks to turn scattered locations into a real system.​

If you’ve looked at your “good career” and wondered why it doesn’t feel as good as it looks on paper, this episode gives you a vivid, practical picture of how to pivot without blowing up your life — using boring businesses, smart tax strategy, and relentless focus on customer experience to buy back the one thing you can’t make more of: time.​

Follow Jay Johal

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaysingh14/ 

• Bigger Pockets: https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/doctorjay 

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karanjodh.johal 

Follow The Builder Brian:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuilderbrian/?hl=en

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briankoons/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the_builderbrian 

From pouring concrete in NorCal to leading 1,500+ projects in San Diego, this episode dives into how a project coordinator became a senior project manager and is now building a true design‑build/development career in one of the toughest markets in the country.​

We break down the gap between designers, builders, and developers - why most projects fail on feasibility, vision, and execution, and how treating the developer as the “puppet master” (like escrow) creates the highest and best use for every property. You’ll hear real stories from the field: underwriting ADUs and rentals, avoiding costly change orders, choosing finishes that actually make sense for tenants and buyers, and what it really means to deliver a product that feels like “home” instead of another gray-and-white flip.​

We also get into the mindset side: waking up at 5:30 a.m., hitting the gym, grinding through punch lists, learning from failures on site, and stacking small, boring, consistent habits over years to build a long-term career in real estate development and construction. If you’re an investor, builder, or aspiring developer who wants to understand how to think 10 steps ahead on design, permits, and construction (while still loving the work) this episode is for you.​

Thinking about building an ADU or need a team to manage your project properly? Visit: thebuildernation.com/partner 

Follow Carlos Manzo

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialcarlosmanzo/?hl=en 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-manzo-54143b252/ 

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carlos.manzo.54540/ 

Follow The Builder Brian:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuilderbrian/?hl=en

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briankoons/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the_builderbrian

In this episode, we’re on the ground in Lake Havasu with developer and investor Ryan, touring one of the most ambitious commercial and lifestyle projects in the region — from luxury “man caves” and private storage suites to a massive new fitness and co-working complex designed for high-net-worth investors and creators.

Ryan shares how he’s turned Lake Havasu into a luxury investment hub where successful entrepreneurs 1031-exchange out of Airbnbs and into real assets. We get a look behind the scenes at “Millionaires Row,” his boat collection, a 40,000 sq. ft. gym concept, and the investor strategy that raised over $1.6M in a day.

The conversation goes beyond construction — touching on relationships with contractors, scaling with the right subs, structuring SPVs for capital raises, and building community for a new class of lifestyle investors.

If you’re into development, high-performance investing, or just want to hear how vision, hustle, and execution come together to create generational wealth, this is one you’ll want to watch all the way through.

Topics covered:

• Building “man cave” real estate for millionaires• Raising private capital and structuring investor deals
• Turning gym concepts into revenue-generating assets
• Entrepreneurial mindset and scaling through relationships
• Life on the lake: boats, off-roading, and business balance

Thinking about building an ADU or need a team to manage your project properly? Visit: thebuildernation.com/partner

Follow Ryan Garland

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryangarland_paradyme/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanjgarland •
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDPTBeSyVWHkV25ub-UgvUw

Follow The Builder Brian:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuilderbrian/?hl=en
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briankoons/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the_builderbrian

Small multifamily isn’t just a starter strategy - it’s one of the most powerful tools for building long-term freedom through real estate.​

In this episode of the Builder Nation Podcast, I sit down with San Diego small multifamily specialist Twana Rasoul to unpack why 2-4 unit properties are so underrated and how regular people can use them to build serious wealth. 

We break down the fundamentals of house hacking, from using FHA and VA loans to get into duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes with low or even zero money down, to living in one unit while the others cover most (or all) of your housing costs. 

Twana walks through real numbers from his own journey, including turning a modest condo into multiple small multifamily buildings through a combination of 1031 exchanges and cash-out refinances, and explains how to decide between refinancing and selling based on equity, goals, and stage of life.​

You’ll also hear how high-income earners and first-time investors alike can use value-add strategies, ADU additions, and repeat house hacks to stack units, grow cash flow, and harness the snowball effect over a five-year window. 

Twana and I dig into the emotional side of investing as well: Overcoming analysis paralysis, managing risk and leverage (including Twana’s early days of maxed-out credit cards), and why genuine obsession with your niche is often the real separator between average and top 1% performers. 

The episode closes with Twana’s take on why he prefers small multifamily over traditional retirement vehicles like 401(k)s, and why aligning with an obsessed expert can shortcut years off your learning curve.

If you’ve ever wondered how people quietly go from one property to 10 units in a decade, while still working a W2 job, this is the playbook they’re using, step by step.

Thinking about building an ADU or need a team to manage your project properly? Visit: thebuildernation.com/partner 

Follow Twana Rasoul

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twanarasoulrealty/?hl=en 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/twana-rasoul/ 

• Website: https://www.twanarasoulrealty.com/ 

Follow The Builder Brian:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuilderbrian/?hl=en

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briankoons/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the_builderbrian 

Turning a single-family home into a mini apartment building with ADUs might be one of the most misunderstood and controversial strategies in California real estate, and in this episode we break it all the way down with Steph Sells ADUs, Stephanie Gutierrez. We’ve collectively talked to thousands of homeowners about ADU feasibility, design, disasters, permitting, and everything in between, so this conversation is focused on what actually works in the real world, not just in a spreadsheet.

We dig into whether homeowners should be able to turn single-family lots into small apartment buildings, when high-density ADU projects make sense for a neighborhood, and why you can’t build a real, permitted ADU for 50k anymore. We talk about realistic all-in costs, why “cheap and fast” almost always backfires, and the real risks of unpermitted work - from red tags and insurance issues to liability if something goes wrong inside the unit. We also get into how tenants are getting savvier about what’s legal, and how a short-term savings on permits can turn into a long-term legal and financial mess.

From there, we zoom out and look at how new California laws such as AB 1033, SB 9, SB 1123, SB 1211, and SB 79 are changing the game for investors and small-scale developers. Steph breaks down “bill stacking” and micro-development in plain language, showing how combining multiple state bills can dramatically increase the number of units you can build on a single-family lot when you understand the code and zoning. We also talk about designing ADUs for long-term use, layouts, amenities, parking, and exit strategies, so a unit works not just as a rental today but as part of a larger wealth-building plan.

Finally, Steph explains why most homeowners should not try to manage an ADU project completely on their own and what roles they unknowingly sign up for when they do: designer, architect, GC, project manager, property manager, and more. She shares how to educate yourself with resources like the HCD handbook so you can speak the language, properly vet designers and builders, and choose partners based on competence instead of just price. If you’re serious about using ADUs as a real wealth-building tool - not a DIY science experiment—this episode will save you money, headaches, and years of trial and error. 

Follow Stephanie Gutierrez

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephsellsadus/ 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-gutierrez-realtor-7b77831aa/ 

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephanie562/ 

Follow The Builder Brian:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuilderbrian/?hl=en
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briankoons/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the_builderbrian

This episode of The Builder Nation Podcast features San Diego investor, broker, builder, and operator Alexio Barbaro, aka “Cashflow Alexio”, who owns and manages over 70 units, has built multiple ground‑up ADU projects, and recently launched Bridgepoint Realty, a multifamily-focused brokerage with nine agents in San Diego.

Alexio breaks down how real brokers actually find off‑market “diamonds in the rough,” why he shifted his focus from cash flow to aggressive equity growth, and how he’s using value‑add and construction financing to chase triple‑digit returns on San Diego ADU and multifamily deals.​

You’ll hear how he juggles three “full‑time jobs” (brokerage, 70‑unit management, and project management) while raising two kids, the systems he’s built with assistants, bookkeepers, and property management software, and the real numbers behind hiring help that 3x’d his income in a year.

He shares wild management stories from rough neighborhoods, costly lessons from garage-to-ADU conversions (floods, drainage, fire, trash, and sprinklers), and a candid look at new fire and code requirements that are reshaping San Diego ADU underwriting.​

The conversation then zooms out into lifestyle design: Alexio’s plan to build a 20M net worth by 2028, detach from day‑to‑day operations, and move his family to the European Alps while running his San Diego portfolio remotely. You’ll get practical insights on leverage (people, AI, and systems) intentional travel with kids, homeschooling, and why regular nature trips are his non‑negotiable reset to avoid burnout as he designs a life that mixes serious wealth building with serious adventure.

Thinking about building an ADU or need a team to manage your project properly? Visit: thebuildernation.com/partner 

Follow Alexio:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cashflowalexio/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexiobarbara/ 

• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CashFlowAlexio 

Follow The Builder Brian:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuilderbrian/?hl=en

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briankoons/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the_builderbrian 

In this episode of The Builder Nation Podcast, Brian sits down with high-performance mindset coach Adam Avenus, a man on a mission to help entrepreneurs, salespeople, and operators break through invisible ceilings.

You’ve probably heard it before: “Mindset is everything.” But what if that’s not just a motivational quote… what if it’s the operating system running every result in your business and life? Adam breaks down the psychology of why some people hit financial freedom in a year while others spin their wheels for decades.

From subconscious identity shifts to emotional conditioning, this conversation dives deep into why working harder often backfires - and how thinking differently (and feeling differently) is the true unlock. Expect raw insights, practical rewiring strategies, and powerful stories that reveal why success starts long before your to-do list.

If you’ve ever felt stuck despite doing “all the right things,” this episode will feel uncomfortably familiar — and refreshingly eye-opening.

Thinking about building an ADU or need a team to manage your project properly? Visit: thebuildernation.com/partner 

Follow Adam Avenus

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adamavenus/ 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-avenus-a6860a154/ 

• Website: https://www.livealigned.app/ 

Follow The Builder Brian:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuilderbrian/?hl=en
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briankoons/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the_builderbrian