The Builder Nuggets Podcast

097: Avoiding Self Sabotage with Andrew Wagner

Creating a custom design build company is an undertaking. Running it with the goal of building great relationships with clients and changing the way the local industry culture operates is another level entirely. Andrew Wagner shares his personal journey as co-founder of Maison DesignBuild. With a background in engineering and project management, the learning curve of transitioning to business owner was huge. The value he has placed on taking care of the client above all else has created a constant stream of business without needing any budget for advertising. That has allowed him to grow and invest in all the right places. Andrew proves that leadership is a constantly evolving state of being that requires an investment in your team, your processes, and yourself.

Show highlights include:

• 4:30 In the beginning building was sort of a side job
• 9:40 How can we make a process that isn't adversarial? How can we build a better experience?
• 17:34 You need to have a good procedure manual for everything. SOP's are key to success
• 20:48 It's very hard for me to let things go in the field…it drives my team nuts
• 31:46 The RAM matrix, for roles and responsibilities, helps everyone stay in their lane
• 36:10 Promoting a culture of continuous learning
• 37:48 It's a great feeling when you see things being solved and improved without any input from you as the business owner or manager
• 46:52 Two versions of yourself; calm and stressed
• 47:33 Your clients can be your biggest advocates

You can learn more about Andrew at https://maisondesignbuild.ca or check him out at https://www.instagram.com/maison.design.build/?hl=en.

Or hit us through our Contact Page at https://buildernuggets.com and we'll make a personal introduction.

To get the most out of this podcast, head over to https://buildernuggets.com and join our active community of like-minded builders and remodelers.

**Trigger Warning** This piece briefly discusses suicide and suicidal ideation, and some people might find it disturbing. If you or someone you know is suicidal, please, contact your physician, go to your local ER, or call the suicide prevention hotline in your country. More resources are available below.

If you're trying to get from Point A to Point B you need a map and a compass. If Point A is where you are now in your career, your relationships, and your happiness and Point B is where you want to be, then a Coach and Leadership Trainer are the map and compass you need to help you get from one to the other. Our guest today coaches others on how to live life on the offense. Jay Tiegs has traveled his own bumpy road, and through investing in his personal development he's learned to evolve and grow into the coach he is today. Fundamental change starts by fundamentally changing everything around you. The first step is often investing in yourself.

Show highlights include:

• 9:46 In order to grow I had to get out of my comfort zone
• 11:31 Maintaining a work/life balance in a chaotic environment is very difficult
• 14:02 Success does not equal happiness
• 15:19 Personal growth and coaching ultimately changed my life
• 18:30 If you have financial freedom you have more choices and more options
• 18:56: Big achievers get a lot of things done but high performance is getting a lot of things done without sacrificing your health and your relationships
• 20:17 The family board room concept
• 25:25 A mastermind group helps shorten the learning curve significantly
• 26:13 Every dollar that I have invested in my personal growth and development I have gained it back tenfold

You can learn more about Jay Tiegs at https://www.jaytiegs.com and Do Hard Things Apparel.

Or hit us through our Contact Page at https://buildernuggets.com and we'll make a personal introduction.

If you or someone you know is dealing with suicidal ideation, please visit The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988, or message the Crisis Text Line at 741741. Both programs provide free, confidential support 24/7. More resources can be found at Lifeline (988lifeline.org) and SAMHSA.

To get the most out of this podcast, head over to https://buildernuggets.com and join our active community of like-minded builders and remodelers.

The economy is shifting, and buying a home is becoming more difficult not just because of rising interest rates. Regulation, antiquated processes, and red tape have caused the home building process to become so expensive that building affordable housing is next to impossible. John DiMichele helps us wade through the issues the industry is facing and provides his expertise on how to solve them.

Show highlights include:

• 4:30 The continuation of more consumer access to information is inevitable
• 6:19 Technology can be an enabler as an information source but it is NOT knowledge
• 7:33 Consumers are swimming in data but starving for knowledge
• 14:25 Affordability and availability of new homes will be the next housing crisis our industry will face
• 17:55 We are seeing a trend towards multi-generational housing. People are living with their extended families again
• 18:38 What does it look like in10 years if 80% of the homes are rentals
• 21:40 Search is dead. AI will be able to provide you what you want before you have to actually go looking for it
• 25:30 The more information you provide the client, with education, the more you become viewed as the trusted guide
• 40:22 You must get involved at the local level to convince the municipalities that they have to get out of the way
• 44:10 Consider a lobby group to help you better communicate with your state/provincial and local governments

If you're interested in connecting with our guest and learning more about him, visit https://trreb.ca/.

Or hit us through our Contact Page at https://buildernuggets.com and we'll make a personal introduction.

To get the most out of this podcast, head over to https://buildernuggets.com and join our active community of like-minded builders and remodelers.

Erika Mosse is a mother, a journalist, a speaker, and a facilitator who works diligently to champion small businesses and women in the trades.

Show highlights include:

• Why a slow down in the marketplace can position you for better growth (5:45)
• The threat of private equities buying up smaller companies (and what this means for the future of construction) (15:55)
• The two things that every construction company should focus on for exponential growth (21:00)
• This "Mindset" shift will build a company that thrives (without you being there) (20:00)
• How to avoid "The great resignation" from happening within your company (33:30)
• The "burnout prevention" technique to do with your team (and to have fun in the process) (35:20)
• 2X your response rates for maximum profit with this one trick (24:15)

To connect with our guest please visit our Contact Page at https://buildernuggets.com and we'll make a personal introduction.

To get the most out of this podcast, head over to https://buildernuggets.com and join our active community of like-minded builders and remodelers.

Building a business takes discipline, determination and a vision for the future. Matt Livingston shares his history as an entrepreneur across several different fields and

what continues to drive him.

Show highlights include:

• The One book that will take you from a "technician" to a successful business owner (7:34)
• How to hire the right team members to carry out your vision (even if you're a control freak) (8:13)
• The Vicious "Analysis paralysis" trap that keeps you from double digit growth (11:15)
• This one trait kills most startups (and how to not let it happen to you) (14:15)
• The "Customer First" strategy that makes any company thrive (in any market cycle) (23:14)
• The "Script" technique used to grow your construction business rapidly (without the headaches) (26:13)
• These "Timeless Classic" books can still be used to build your business for success (35:15)

To connect with our guest and to get the most out of this podcast, head over to https://buildernuggets.com and join our active community of like-minded builders and remodelers.

Susan & Paul Kadilak are a power couple that place their emphasis on authenticity and creative solutions. Their ability to market their businesses with transparency and personality has given them a growing following on social media which has led to some amazing opportunities.

Show highlights include:

• The most horrible experience can help catapult your dream career (4:20)
• When you focus on the work the money will follow (7:56)
• How to go from small "mailbox" projects to building homes (8:15)
• The "Reputation" technique that keeps opportunities coming your way (8:40)
• An "Engagement" formula in social media to build awareness and wildfire growth (32:00)
• How to easily convert customers at rapid speed (even without meeting them in person) (18:25)
• Many times clients won't ask questions because they are afraid to admit what they don't know (27:37)
• Focus on the work and don't worry about putting yourself out there. That's what viewers and followers want to see (33:08)
• How to have your projects running like clock-work (without the headaches) (38:25)

If you want to learn more about Susan and Paull Kadilak, please visit https://kadilakhomes.com/

Or hit us through our Contact Page at https://buildernuggets.com and we'll make a personal introduction.

To get the most out of this podcast, head over to https://buildernuggets.com and join our active community of like-minded builders and remodelers.

Warren Barry is an award-winning pioneer in the field of human resources who studies the implications of counterintuitive work environments on individuals and organizations. Warren brings insights to employees, employers, and human resource professionals alike which leads to harmony, productivity, and profitability.

Show highlights include:

• Why hiring "smart and nice" people may set your team up for failure (6:15)
• The "Formula" for hiring happy, focused, and dynamic team members that elevate each other (7:12)
• The simple test that liberates you from constant struggle and frustration (9:05)
• How getting in trouble at school lead to massive success in business (13:05)
• How to use this "brain component" to increase team motivation and unlock faster growth (15:35)
• The "specialist" formula for scalability, profitability, and ultimate happiness (36:00)

If you want to learn more about Warren Barry, please visit https://www.instinctivesolutions.ca/

Or hit us through our Contact Page at https://buildernuggets.com and we'll make a personal introduction.

To get the most out of this podcast, head over to https://buildernuggets.com and join our active community of like-minded builders and remodelers.

Show highlights include:

• The "one stop shop" approach to get project results (without the delays) (15:50)
• Why creating "specialists" may decrease output and limit your growth (18:25)
• How to create a "team spirit" culture that boosts productivity (without the headaches) (19:25)
• Team building strategies for boosting morale and productivity (21:55)
• How this old fashioned mindset can poison your team culture from the inside out (27:00)
• The "invest in people" method which sets your company up for rapid growth (23:15)

If you want to learn more about Jason Norton and Matt Keene Clark, please visit https://buchananconstruction.com/

Or hit us through our Contact Page at https://buildernuggets.com and we'll make a personal introduction.

To get the most out of this podcast, head over to https://buildernuggets.com and join our active community of like-minded builders and remodelers.

Trent Clark is no stranger to winning. He has three WORLD SERIES rings as a coach. He is the Founder of Leadershipity.com and Courage Coach LLC. Having spent his adult livelihood among top 3% producers in sports and business, our expert is dedicated to empowering people to reach their goals and attain their dreams through measurable leadership and team development.

Show highlights include:

• Leadership secrets from Hall-of-Fame baseball coaches like Sparky Anderson which help your team get results quickly. (9:40)
• The most important attribute that make up a winning team that reduces distractions and confusion (17:50)
• How to get 100% contribution from every team member in your company (even if they're natural slackers) (20:20)
• The simple "CARD" technique for finding and recruiting rockstars into your organization to scale and expand (28:00)
• How spotting the four "losing" behaviors of your team prevents you from making deal-killing mistakes (28:35)
• How to develop super star leaders to set your company for scalability (without hiring more teammates) (31:50)
• The "Grit" formula that trumps talent and sets your team up to win everytime (35:35)

If you want to learn more about Trent Clark, please visit https://leadershipity.com/

Or hit us through our Contact Page at https://buildernuggets.com and we'll make a personal introduction.

To get the most out of this podcast, head over to https://buildernuggets.com and join our active community of like-minded builders and remodelers.

The residential construction industry is on the back side of the current business cycle. With a tightening market and softening demand you need to ensure you will have enough cash to cover jobs without relying on a Line Of Credit or constantly borrowing money. Guest Scott Beebe join us and says, "Yes...it CAN be done!"

Show Highlights:

• A well-known book that gives contractors an unfair advantage with their money management skills (9:05)
• A tried and tested money management system that anyone can learn and implement in their business today (9:16)
• How to create your own line of to credit to give you maximum "cash freedom" (without having to pay the bank back) (10:20)
• The "Banker Trap" contractors fall into that wastes 80% of their time (and how to fix it) (13:50)
• A fun little "kindergarten" exercise to do with your team to increase financial IQ (14:05)
• Why Gen-Y and Gen-Z do not want to work for you (and what you can do to attract the right talent) (20:30)
• Why you'll waste all your money by hiring a mentor (and how to find one that actually grows your business) (25:20)
• How to use the "RPM" method to make it almost impossible for your team members to leave your construction company(34:50)

To learn more about Scott Beebe visit https://www.mybusinessonpurpose.com

To connect with Duane, Dave, or one of our show guests head over to https://buildernuggets.com and join our active community of like-minded builders and remodelers.