The Curious Builder

What if you could offer better employee benefits, save on taxes, and make your business more attractive to top talent without wrecking your profit margins? Mike Notte joins Mark Williams to explain how smart employee benefits can help attract the kind of people who take ownership and keep the business moving. They also unpack tax-saving strategies, wellness plans, and why assuming benefits are too expensive could be costing you the very talent you need to grow.

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life.

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

Olive and Vine Socials Website- https://oliveandvinesocials.com/

All, Inc. Website: https://www.allinc.com/

Where to find the Guest: Website: https://www.mjninsuranceservices.com/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/smallbizbenefitspro LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-notte-27400b178/

Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

You built the business, hit the goals, and made the money. So why are you still stressed out and answering emails at the dinner table? Author and keynote speaker Rob Stein joins Mark to explain why success can actually create decision fatigue, how delegating decisions (not just tasks) changes everything, and why your morning routine can't save you from a poorly structured day. Because no amount of cold plunges can fix a business built on bad systems.

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life.

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

Olive and Vine Socials Website- https://oliveandvinesocials.com/

RealWoodFloors Website: https://realwoodfloors.com/

All, Inc. Website: https://www.allinc.com/

Where to find the Guest: Website: https://robstein.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rob_stein LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob--stein/

Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

Aaron Hall built a successful law firm, ended up with 45 employees, and discovered that "making it" didn't feel much like making it at all. He and Mark Williams get into burnout, lawsuits, the danger of chasing money and fame, and why entrepreneurs need to know when to put down the problem-solving hat and just listen. Plus, a little Mr. Miyagi wisdom, some dad-level relationship advice, and a reminder that sometimes the best legal strategy is calling your lawyer before everything catches fire.

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life.

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

Olive and Vine Socials Website- https://oliveandvinesocials.com/

Where to find the Guest: Website: https://aaronhall.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronhallattorney/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AaronHallAttorney LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronhall/

Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

Two years, 32+ brand partners, 3,700 visitors, countless design debates, and enough Diet Cokes to fuel a small construction crew. Mark Williams sits down with Karl Adalbert and Melissa Oholendt to reflect on the wild ride that was Mysa Hus, from pitching the original vision to watching the team turn that vision into something far bigger than a spec home. They talk creativity, wellness, craftsmanship, healthy tension, and why the relationships built along the way may be the best part of the whole project.

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life.

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

Olive and Vine Socials Website: https://oliveandvinesocials.com/

Where to find the Guest:

Melissa Oholendt Website: http://ohointeriors.com/ Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/oho_interiors

Karl Adalbert Website: https://www.karladalbert.com/

Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

What do you do when your investor relationship goes sideways halfway through a spec home? Trapper Roderick joins Mark for a very honest Losers Are Winners conversation about refinancing mid-build, pricing a $4.4M Park City spec, walking away from the wrong client, and how some of the biggest wins in business start with things going spectacularly wrong.

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life.

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

Olive and Vine Socials Website- https://oliveandvinesocials.com/

Where to find the Guest: Website: https://roderickbuilders.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roderickbuilders/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trapper-roderick/

Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

Ryan Rutzick took a third-generation family business, helped turn it into an ESOP, and then dropped millions on a second showroom. Totally normal Tuesday, right? Mark and Ryan dig into succession, big business bets, leadership, and why sometimes the biggest risk isn't making the wrong decision, it's refusing to make one at all.

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life.

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

Olive and Vine Socials Website- https://oliveandvinesocials.com/

RealWoodFloors Website: https://realwoodfloors.com/

Where to find the Guest: Website: https://www.allinc.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allincmn/

Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

Jeremy Huson joins Mark for a Losers Are Winners episode full of cybersecurity horror stories, hard-earned lessons, and a few "please don't click that" moments. From phishing scams and ransomware to AI-powered attacks and the importance of backing up your data, Jeremy breaks down how small businesses can protect themselves before the bad guys come knocking.

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life.

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

Olive and Vine Socials Website- https://oliveandvinesocials.com/

RealWoodFloors Website: https://realwoodfloors.com/

Where to find the Guest: Website: https://cardenitservices.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cardenllc/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cardenitservicesllc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-huson/

Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

What happens when you put Mark and Nick Schiffer in a room with 12 unanswered questions and absolutely no plan? A Curious Builder variety show, obviously. The two builders riff on everything from social media and business growth to conflict, trust, money, ego, family, and the wildly questionable decision that became Nick's 45 White Oak project.

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life.

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

Olive and Vine Socials Website- https://oliveandvinesocials.com/

RealWoodFloors Website: https://realwoodfloors.com/

Where to find the Guest: Website: https://www.nsbuilders.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nsbuilders/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickschiffer/

Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

Big goals are great until you actually accomplish them. In this solo Losers are Winners episode, Mark talks about the strange emotional hangover that can follow a massive project, a 50-mile race, or any other mountain you've spent months climbing, and what he's learning about finding purpose on the other side. Expect some honesty, some philosophy, and at least one questionable analogy involving hay, caves, and being a shark who can't sit still.

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life.

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

Olive and Vine Socials Website- https://oliveandvinesocials.com/

RealWoodFloors Website: https://realwoodfloors.com/

Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

Two years, one incredible house, and Melissa Oholendt and Mark decided the perfect way to reflect on Mysa Hus was to draw up a chopping block for $500,000 worth of cuts. The pool goes, the wellness studio nearly goes, and the plumbing fixtures take a serious demotion from luxury unlacquered brass down to something considerably less fancy. It closes with a surprisingly emotional detour into why finishing this house felt like raising a very expensive, very beautiful fourth child.

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life.

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

Olive and Vine Socials Website- https://oliveandvinesocials.com/

RealWoodFloors Website: https://realwoodfloors.com/

Where to find the Guest: Website: http://ohointeriors.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/oho_interiors

Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc