What separates a successful design firm from one that struggles to grow?

In this episode of The Builder's Blueprint, Nir sits down with Keri Michelle, founder of Keri Michelle Interiors, to discuss the realities of building a creative business in the design and construction industry.

From creating systems and processes to managing challenging clients, Keri shares the lessons she's learned over nearly a decade of growing her firm and leading a team.

Topics include:

• Building a design business from the ground up

• Why systems and processes matter

• Learning from mistakes and owning problems

• Managing difficult clients professionally

• Growing and trusting a team

• Design trends that are here to stay (and those that aren't)

• Working effectively with builders and trades

• Maintaining mental and physical health as a business owner

Whether you're an architect, designer, contractor, or entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with practical insights on leadership, accountability, and long-term growth.

Keri’s Instagram: @kerimichelleinteriors

Keri’s Website: www.kerimichelleinteriors.com

In this engaging interview, Charlotte Lea Bailey, a high-end residential interiors and architecture photographer, shares her journey from food photography to interior design, the importance of storytelling in photography, and practical tips for builders and designers to elevate their portfolios. Discover how building strong relationships and maintaining patience can transform your business and portfolio.

Key Topics:

• Charlotte Bailey's transition from food to interior photography
• The role of storytelling in visual content
• Building relationships with designers and architects
• Tips for creating a compelling portfolio
• The importance of patience and communication in projects

Charlotte's Website: https://charlottelea.com/Charlotte's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlotteleaphotography

Who’s really in charge on a construction project: The builder or the designer?

In this episode, interior designer Gil Berkovich joins us to talk about the relationship between designers and builders, what happens when execution doesn’t match the vision, and why communication is everything.

A candid conversation on collaboration, challenges, and making great design actually come to life.

Is your business growing faster than you can handle? In this episode, Nir Berkovich of SoHo Construction interviews Nate about the challenges of scaling too quickly, including team burnout, client experience, and tough lessons learned along the way.

Nir and Nate discuss how to:

• Recognize when growth is outpacing your capacity

• Make strategic hires and build strong processes

• Protect your team and client experience during fast growth

• Avoid common pitfalls that can derail your small business

Whether you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, or just starting to scale, this episode is packed with practical advice and real-world insights to help you grow smart, not just fast.

In this episode of The Builder Blueprint, Nate sits down with Devon Wilson, founder and CEO of Tile Collective in Solana Beach.

Devon shares her experience building a small business from the ground up, including:- How she launched her business right before COVID- Why the building industry exploded during lockdown- The hardest part of running a design company (hint: it’s not tile)- How she stays ahead of design trends before they hit Instagram- What’s next for Tile Collective as the brand scalesWe also dive into:- Large grout lines — build it or bag it?- Tile vs. wood flooring- Butler’s pantries… overrated or essential?If you’re a builder, designer, or homeowner planning a remodel, this episode is packed with insight on design, business, and what’s trending in 2026.Follow Tile Collective:Instagram: @tilecollectivesolanabeachWebsite: tile-collective.com

Have you ever had to tell a client a project is behind schedule, over budget, or not going as planned, and felt the tension instantly? We’ve all been there. The way you handle that moment can either strengthen trust or quietly erode it.

In this episode, we break down how to communicate tough news with honesty, clarity, and confidence without sounding defensive or damaging the relationship. Because in construction (and any client-facing business), bad news is inevitable, but losing trust doesn’t have to be.

In this episode of The Builders Blueprint, we dive deep into the lessons learned from starting and growing a construction business. From the overconfidence and unexpected challenges of year one, to the biggest mistakes that cost time, money, and peace of mind—we cover it all.

Nate and Nir break down the red flags we’ve learned the hard way and how you can spot a nightmare client before they derail your project. Whether you’re a designer, contractor, architect, or builder, these are the signs you should never ignore.

In this episode of The Builder's Blueprint, we sit down with Nir Berkovich, the visionary CEO of SoHo Construction. With years of experience and a passion for transforming the residential construction landscape, Nir shares his journey of founding and growing a premier construction company in Southern California.

We dive into Nir’s early career, his challenges, and how his background shaped his entrepreneurial drive. He offers insights into what it takes to build a successful residential construction company, from managing client expectations to fostering relationships with interior designers and architects. Nir also opens up about the strategies he’s used to navigate the ever-evolving construction industry, and how Soho Construction has become a go-to name for custom homes and remodels.