The Real Build

In this episode of The Real Build, I interviewed one of the most well-known and respected inspectors in Knoxville, Tennessee, Dusty Jameson. Dusty is part owner of Cluseau's Inspection Service, where he has quickly become the go-to resource for home inspections in his area.  

Growing up, Dusty never thought he would be a home inspector.  He had worked on various construction projects with his dad, where he learned to swing a hammer and all about how homes are built.  He later got a job with an inspection company while in college.  After over ten thousand homes inspected, Dusty is now part-owner of Cluseau's Inspection Service.  

Dusty and I talked about what a homeowner should look for during and after a home inspection.  We discussed different types of inspection services and how each one is crucial before purchasing a new home. After listening to this episode, I am sure you will never skip out on a home inspection before buying a home. 

In this episode of The Real Build, I sat Down with Julie Shopa.  Julie is a certified Quickbooks expert and specializes in bookkeeping for many businesses.  Julie and I talked about how essential bookkeeping is within a construction business.  Not having the proper books can turn any business into a disaster and likely cause the company to fail.

Julie loves helping business owners have a better relationship with bookkeeping and their finances.  She chose to use Clarity in her company name because she hopes to make the numbers clear and easy to understand. She has seen how proper bookkeeping can increase profits and doesn’t need to be viewed as just another expense. 

Julie has been a bookkeeper for most of her adult life. She graduated from Penn State with a B.S. in Finance.  She worked for seven years with a CPA firm as their Quickbooks expert, trainer, and bookkeeper. She is an advanced Quickbooks Certified Proadvisor.

In this episode of The Real Build, I go over the importance of having the right team members.  As a custom home builder, having a team that is on the same page is essential.  I wanted to dive deeper into this, and here are my steps that we take as a custom builder with our team.

1. Initial sale 

2. Meeting with me

3. Architect 

4. Interior Designer

5. Bidding 

6. Estimating

7. Contract

8. Permitting 

9. Permits picked up time to build

10. Super intendant

11. As each process takes place, we have selections 

12. Walkthroughs 

13. Billing 

14. Home updates

15. Laborer 

16. Subcontractors

17. Punch out team 

18. Final walkthrough

19. Customer service/warranty schedule them

20. A continued relationship 

In this episode of The Real Build, I got the opportunity to interview Dan Ferreira.  Dan Is the Owner of five businesses: Ferreira Inc Design-Build, Monarch Window, Studio Prime, Architectural Iron Works, and US-Offsite.  He is the definition of an entrepreneur.  Dan is on a mission to grow his companies and improve the building industry by making it more affordable.  He has figured out how to cut out the middle man and work directly with the manufacturer to get his building materials.

Dan and I discussed his businesses and his longterm goals.  He currently has over 100 employees and is on track to have 300 by 2021.  He treats every employee like they are family and wants them to treat the business as though they own it.  Each employee feels like a member of the family.  If you don't fit within the companies values, then you can't work for the company.  Dan's companies run themselves as he continues to look for his next opportunity to grow.

In this episode of the Real build, I sat down with a new up and coming builder, Johnny Le.  I wanted to have Johnny on my podcast because I wanted to get the perspective from a new up and coming builder and the challenges that he has faced starting a construction company.  

Johnny Comes from a family of 8 children.  Growing up, they were all taught to work hard.  They were all brought up to be entrepreneurs.  Johnny started his home building business at the age of 23. He has been aiming to push the envelope in his community for the past two years. Johnny spoke about how he about how important it is to produce quality homes and customer service that exceeds expectations.

Johnny saw how builders in his area are doing things.  He saw that he could do it better.  So this is when he took a huge risk and started his company, Empire Builders.  If you are thinking about getting into the construction industry and don't know how, this is the perfect episode for you.

In this episode of The Real Build, I got the opportunity to sit down with Darius Barrett.  I was looking forward to having Darius on because we both have the same mindset: we want to be the best at everything we do.  We are both on a mission to level up, but also help people along the way.  

Darius started as a mechanical engineer for a major corporation, and as he got deeper into corporate America, he had no desire for it.  He started in 2015 with no practical real estate experience and only $2,000. That same year, Darius remotely purchased two homes in Detroit using strategies he taught himself from books.  Since getting started, he has fixed and flipped multiple homes, and his primary mission is to educate & advocate for real estate investing while establishing resources to rebuild Michigan’s communities.

Darius specializes in fix and flips, wholesaling, and buy and hold for rentals.  He is an entrepreneur, coach, speaker, and wants to help his community.

In this episode of The Real Build, I sat down with Kevin Amaral.  Kevin is an electrical contractor in Roseville, California.  Kevin and I talked about everything to do with electrical.  We discussed topics like how to properly install electrical, energy efficiency, how to hire the right electrical contractor, and so much more.  

Kevin has personally had many ups and downs in business.  He has learned from the mistakes he has made and is now on the path to having one of the largest electrical companies in California and eventually the country.  He started doing electrical right out of high school and never looked back.  In the last year, he went from 4 team members to 46 skilled team members who he only hires based on his core values.  Kevin and I talked about life and how we both want to dominate in everything we do. We talked about what drives us and how, as entrepreneurs, we have higher expectations for ourselves. 

I was excited to have Kevin on to talk about one of the biggest things we all need in our lives daily, and that is electric. 

Happy fathers day to all of the dads that are out there.  In This Episode of The Real Build, I wanted to talk about how much of an impact my dad has had on my life.  My dad is my biggest role model.  He is my biggest mentor.  He has always been there for me throughout my life during both good and bad times.  My dad has shown me how to be a dad to my future children.  He has taught me hard work, respect, and lessons about how to get ahead in life.  He always pushed me whether it was with sports, school, work.  He guided me spiritually.

I am thankful for him and the man he has helped me become. To all the dad's hard-working dads out there, Happy Father's Day.  Today is your day.

In this episode of The Real Build, I sat down with Derrick Gregory.  Derrick got his Real Estate License at the young age of 18 and has had over 500+ transactions since 2007.  He has done it all from working with seasoned investors, first-time home-buyers to REO Companies. He offers one-of-a-kind marketing to sellers with customized and personal virtual tours, extensive internet marketing, and professional photography packages.

Marketing is essential, and utilizing video and social media as a marketing strategy is so important.

Derrick is killing it in real estate with the hilarious videos that he puts out every week.  He finds creative ways to sell his clients listings fast.    Derrick and I talked about his innovative marketing strategies and how thinking outside the box can help sell a listing fast or generate more business as a realtor.

If you haven't seen Derricks, videos go check him out now on Youtube and Instagram.

Youtube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/user/Dgregoryhomes

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/derrickswflrealtor/

In this episode of The Real Build, I had a great conversation with an award-winning Houston, Texas custom-home builder and remodeler- Brandon Lynch.

I wanted to do this episode differently with Brandon. Instead of going through general questions as I have with other builders in the past, I wanted to have a conversation about how we can do better for our customers as builders. I wanted to dive deep into this because it is so important. This is more of a free-flowing interview, which I think people will like.

Brandon and I touched on topics such as:

A little bit about Brandon-

Brandon's passion for excellence in home & relationship building and forward-thinking, combined with his experience and education, differentiate him in a competitive marketplace.

Brandon has a B.S. in Engineering Business from Texas A&M University. He is very involved with the Greater Houston Builders Association and is the Chairperson of the Custom Builders Council.  He has received numerous nominations and awards for residential construction projects completed over the years.