Today on The Real Build, I’m joined by Dan Thrasher, president of Thrasher Group, a company that started in a Nebraska farmhouse in 1975 and has since grown into one of the Midwest’s most respected names in foundation repair and structural solutions.

What began as a small family operation founded by Greg and Nancy Thrasher has become a regional powerhouse with hundreds of employees and locations across multiple states. Under Dan’s leadership, Thrasher has expanded its footprint, launched manufacturing through Foundation Supportworks, and built a reputation for integrity, innovation, and customer experience.

In this episode, we’re diving into how Dan scaled a family business into a trusted brand, navigating family business, what it takes to lead through growth, and why redefining industry standards starts with culture, not concrete.

Guest Info: Dan Thrasher

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gothrasher.com/

Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-thrasher-b9580628/

Host Info:

Email: [email protected]

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▶︎ YOUTUBE | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxAdSxHN0dIXZPhA-6p1HYA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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In this episode of The Real Build, I sat down once again with our Warranty Administrator, Kathy Ward, to talk about the importance of choosing the right vendor.We discussed why we work with the subcontractors we do, how they understand our standards, and why it’s never just about hiring the cheapest sub. We also shared real experiences working with new subcontractors, the challenges that come with that, and how those lessons have shaped how we choose who we work with today.Kathy has been a key part of our team for years, helping make sure every client continues to get the quality and service they expect long after the build is complete.If you are a builder, tradesman, or homeowner trying to understand what goes into building a great team of subs, this episode breaks down what really matters when it comes to quality, reliability, and trust on a jobsite.Watch the full episode now on YouTube or listen on all podcast platforms.

In this episode of The Real Build, I sit down with Mark Murphy, founder of Leadership IQ, to talk about what real leadership actually requires and why so many leaders struggle to get it right.Mark shares hard truths about accountability, culture, and performance, especially when it comes to avoiding difficult conversations. We break down why leaders often confuse being nice with being effective, how that mindset quietly damages teams, and what strong leaders do differently when standards start slipping.We talk about why accountability does not destroy culture, why avoiding conflict does, and how leaders can build trust by addressing issues head on instead of letting them linger. This is a real conversation about leadership, responsibility, and doing the uncomfortable work that actually moves teams forward.If you lead people, manage a business, or want to build a strong culture without sacrificing performance, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership.

Guest Info: Mark Murphy

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.leadershipiq.com/

Host Info:

Email: [email protected]

CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

▶︎ YOUTUBE | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxAdSxHN0dIXZPhA-6p1HYA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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In this episode of The Real Build, I sit down with New York Times bestselling author and leadership expert Mark Murphy, founder of Leadership IQ and one of the most respected voices in organizational culture, performance, and hiring.

Mark’s work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, and Forbes, and his newest book, Team Players: The Five Critical Roles You Need to Build a Winning Team, breaks down what it truly takes to create a high-performing organization.

We talk about:

• The five critical roles every winning team needs

• How to hire the right people and build future leaders within your company

• The importance of stepping up as a CEO or leader to support your team’s growth

• Why pushing people out of their comfort zones leads to breakthroughs

• Practical advice for entrepreneurs doing it all and burning out

This episode is packed with lessons on leadership, accountability, and culture whether you’re running a company, leading a small team, or trying to scale your business the right way.

Guest Info: Mark Murphy

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.leadershipiq.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markamurphy/

Host Info:

Email: [email protected]

CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

▶︎ YOUTUBE | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxAdSxHN0dIXZPhA-6p1HYA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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▶︎ WEBSITE | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.rkreiman.com⁠

In this episode of The Real Build, I sit down with our selections coordinator, Mackenzie Cox, to talk about one of the most important parts of building a home: communication.We break down how consistent follow-up, empathy, and adapting to different client personalities can make the difference between a stressful build and a smooth experience. Mackenzie shares her real-world insights on keeping clients informed, managing expectations, and creating trust from start to finish.If you are a builder, designer, or anyone who works directly with clients, this episode is full of takeaways you can use to strengthen relationships, improve communication, and deliver an unforgettable client experience.Watch the full episode now on YouTube or listen on all podcast platforms.

In this episode of The Real Build, I sit down with serial entrepreneur and business leader Lance Bachmann, owner of LB Capital, to talk about why price doesn’t sell, experience does. Lance has built and sold multiple eight-figure companies and now helps business owners across the home services and trades industries scale, lead, and exit the right way.

We dive into what separates top-performing companies from the rest and why only 17 percent of people actually shop based on price.

We covered:Why customer experience always wins over low pricingPart-time leader vs full-time leaderThe power of leadership and accountabilityCommon mistakes contractors and small businesses make when trying to scale, How to build a brand people trust and are willing to pay more for.

If you are a builder, contractor, or business owner trying to grow without racing to the bottom, this episode will show you exactly how to shift your mindset and build a business that sells on value, not price.Watch the full episode now on YouTube or listen on all podcast platforms.

Guest Info: Lance Bachmann

Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://lbachmanncapital.com/

Host Info:

Email: [email protected]

CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

▶︎ YOUTUBE | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxAdSxHN0dIXZPhA-6p1HYA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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▶︎ WEBSITE | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.rkreiman.com⁠

In this episode of The Real Build, I sat down with Mariano Bernhardt, owner of MI Painting, to talk about craftsmanship, detail, and what it takes to stand out as a painting contractor in the luxury home market.Mariano built MI Painting from the ground up with a focus on quality, communication, and craftsmanship that shows in every project. His commitment to doing things the right way has earned him a reputation as one of the most trusted painting contractors in Southwest Florida.We covered:How Mariano got started in painting and built MI PaintingThe small details in painting that most people overlook but make all the differenceSystems and processes MI Painting uses to maintain consistent qualityHow Mariano trains and motivates his team to uphold high standardsThe importance of communication and educating clients about what great painting work really takesAdvice for builders and homeowners hiring painters for luxury homesIf you are a builder, tradesman, or homeowner who cares about quality and detail, this episode is packed with insights into what separates great painting contractors from the rest.Watch the full episode now on YouTube or listen on all podcast platforms.

Guest Info: Mariano Bernhardt

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://marcohomeservice.com/home-painting/

Host Info:

Email: [email protected]

CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

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▶︎ WEBSITE | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.rkreiman.com⁠

In this episode of The Real Build, I sat down with Monika Zasada, founder of DE-MAZING, where she positions herself as a Project Curator and Construction Therapist. She acts as the conductor of the entire renovation process, assembling the right architects, designers, and trades while keeping everyone aligned from concept to completion.Monika’s story is incredible. She arrived in the United States from communist Poland with just ten dollars to her name and worked her way up to leading multi-million dollar renovations in the Hamptons. She has proven herself in a male-dominated industry and built a reputation for helping homeowners avoid renovation regrets, manage timelines and budgets realistically, and navigate projects with confidence.We talked about:The most common mistakes people make when building a home or remodelWhy homeowners underestimate costs and timelinesWhat it really means to be a Project Curator and Construction TherapistThe hidden value of managing not just design, but also personalities and decisions on a jobHow owner representatives and builders can work together effectivelyThe lessons she has learned while building DE-MAZING and what drives her successIf you are a homeowner planning a renovation, or home build this episode is one you will not want to miss.Watch the full episode now on YouTube Guest Info: Monika ZasadaWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.de-mazing.com/

In this episode of The Real Build, I sat down with Monika Zasada, founder of DE-MAZING, where she positions herself as a Project Curator and Construction Therapist. She acts as the conductor of the entire renovation process, assembling the right architects, designers, and trades while keeping everyone aligned from concept to completion.

Monika’s story is incredible. She arrived in the United States from communist Poland with just ten dollars to her name and worked her way up to leading multi-million dollar renovations in the Hamptons. She has proven herself in a male-dominated industry and built a reputation for helping homeowners avoid renovation regrets, manage timelines and budgets realistically, and navigate projects with confidence.

We talked about:

• The most common mistakes people make when building a home or remodel

• Why homeowners underestimate costs and timelines

• What it really means to be a Project Curator and Construction Therapist

• The hidden value of managing not just design, but also personalities and decisions on a job

• How owner representatives and builders can work together effectively

• The lessons she has learned while building DE-MAZING and what drives her success

  
  

If you are a homeowner planning a renovation, or home build this episode is one you will not want to miss.

Watch the full episode now on YouTube

Guest Info: Monika Zasada

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.de-mazing.com/

Host Info:

Email: [email protected]

CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

▶︎ YOUTUBE | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxAdSxHN0dIXZPhA-6p1HYA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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▶︎ WEBSITE | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.rkreiman.com⁠

In this episode of The Real Build, I sat down with my sister Jenna Popoff to celebrate a huge milestone, winning four Sand Dollar Awards.The Sand Dollar Awards are one of the highest honors in the Southwest Florida building industry, recognizing excellence in craftsmanship, design, and innovation.We talked about what these wins mean to us as a family business, the legacy our dad started, and how far we’ve come as a team. We also went behind the scenes on the project that won, what made it special, and the challenges we overcame along the way.We covered:What the Sand Dollar Awards represent in the building industryThe categories R.K. Reiman Construction won this yearWhat it felt like hearing our name called multiple times that nightWhy these awards are a reflection of our entire team and trade partnersHow the recognition connects to our company culture and family legacyHow these wins fuel our vision for what’s nextThis is more than an awards recap. It’s a look inside the hard work, craftsmanship, and people behind R.K. Reiman Construction, and what it means to build something truly special.Watch the full episode now on YouTube or listen on all podcast platforms.