In this unforgettable episode of Trade Talk, we sit down with Sarah Stein, general contractor, homebuilder, and keynote speaker for this year’s Built to Lead Women in Construction Summit. Sarah opens up about her deeply personal journey—growing up in Seaside, Florida, working under her father in the family’s underground utility business, navigating heartbreak, and ultimately becoming the owner of two construction companies.

From power tools to power moves, Sarah shares how she transitioned from ballet and history degrees to job sites and house plans—proving that women in construction don’t have to fit a mold.

You’ll hear:

• How Sarah earned her GC license with zero experience

• What it was like to inherit a $5M company overnight

• The story behind building her first home—with $300K and a U-Haul

"My only single advice is: just start. Figure it out after you start. And no matter what, just don’t give up." – Sarah Stein

Links & Resources:

• Learn more: www.sarahsteinhomes.com and www.tsteininc.com 

• Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn & Facebook

• Advertising Opportunities: contractors-connect.com/podcast

• Contact us: [email protected]

• Hosted by Beespoke Consulting: www.beespokeconsulting.com

Listen & Subscribe:

New episodes drop every Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon Music. Like, subscribe, and leave a review to support the show.

Got a topic idea or feedback? 

Email us at [email protected] or submit them at contractors-connect.com/podcast. 

In this episode of Trade Talk, we sit down with Martin Horak, founder of Grunt—a groundbreaking delivery service built specifically for the construction industry. Think Instacart meets Home Depot. Martin shares how riding out Hurricane Michael inspired the idea, what it took to turn a sketch into a successful startup, and why Grunt is more than just a delivery service—it's a time-saving, cost-cutting powerhouse for contractors and DIYers alike.

You’ll hear how Grunt:

• Saves contractors hours per week by delivering materials directly to job sites

• Helps local suppliers offer on-demand delivery without overhead

• Creates flexible income for local drivers

• Serves everyone from electricians and HVAC pros to weekend warriors

Plans to scale smart with a new app and market expansion

Links & Resources:

• Learn more: www.contractors-connect.com and www.trygrunt.com

• Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn & Facebook

• Advertising Opportunities: ⁠contractors-connect.com/podcast⁠

• Contact us: ⁠[email protected]⁠

• Hosted by Beespoke Consulting: ⁠www.beespokeconsulting.com⁠

Listen & Subscribe:

New episodes drop every Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon Music. Like, subscribe, and leave a review to support the show.

Got a topic idea or feedback? 

Email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ or submit them at ⁠contractors-connect.com/podcast⁠.

This week on Trade Talk, we’re joined by Drew Lord, founder of DL3 Construction—who brings a unique perspective to the job site. Before launching his successful general contracting firm, Drew was a practicing attorney with experience in insurance and construction law. Now, he’s building custom homes and commercial spaces across the Emerald Coast with a legal lens that helps him avoid the common pitfalls many contractors face.

💬 Key Quote:"At the end of the day, it's about the next project. It's not about hitting a home run on one—just making a little bit here and there and building up." — Drew Lord

In this episode, Drew shares:

• Why a clear, detailed contract is your strongest legal shield

• The #1 mistake contractors make when it comes to risk management

• Tips for protecting your business with insurance and permitting best practices

• How legal experience has shaped his approach to running a construction company

  
  

📢 Shoutouts & Sponsors:

• Builders FirstSource – Thank you for sponsoring our signature events!

• Specialty Metals – Precision metalwork for pros along the Emerald Coast

• Contractors Connect – Join the network at contractors-connect.com

  
  

🎧 Listen & Subscribe:New episodes drop every Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon Music. Like, subscribe, and leave a review to support the show.

💬  Got a topic idea or feedback? Email us at [email protected] or submit them at contractors-connect.com/podcast.

This week on Trade Talk, we’re celebrating a milestone—one year since the reboot of Contractors Connect! Hosts Sarah White and Erin Bakker take a moment to pop the Prosecco and reflect on the journey so far, from a packed relaunch party at AJ’s Grayton Beach to building a network that now spans four counties and more than 60 members.

In this special anniversary episode, you’ll hear about the impact Contractors Connect has had on local builders, including insights from Katherine Green and John Pugh with Builders FirstSource. We’ll also debut our new Voices from the Booth segment, featuring real stories from event attendees on the power of connection in the construction industry.

🎤 In This Episode, You'll Hear:

• Why We Brought Contractors Connect Back

• The Birth of ContractHER and Supporting Women in the Trades

• Real Impact: Builders FirstSource Success Stories

• Membership Growth, Sponsorship Wins, and What’s Next

• A Toast to the Future

  
  

💬 Key Quote:

"It’s not just a feel-good group. It’s transactional—and it’s transformational. Builders are making real deals over beers at AJs, and that’s exactly the kind of connection this industry needs." — Erin Bakker

Voices from the Booth – Sponsored by Coastal Brick & Stone:

This episode features voices from DL3 Construction, Exterior Jacks, and Sync Designs—real builders sharing why Contractors Connect has made a difference in their business and relationships.

📅 Upcoming:

• Escambia County Meetup: June 5, 5–7 PM at Calverts in the Heights

• Caffeinate & Collaborate: June 12, 10-11AM at Carrot Top, hosted by ContractHER

• Built to Lead: Women in Construction Summit – August 21 at Emerald Grande in Destin

  
  

🛠 Want In?

Join the fastest-growing construction network on the Gulf Coast. Memberships start at $400/year and include four event tickets, exclusive visibility, and more. Learn more and join today at www.contractors-connect.com.

💬 Like what you hear?

Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share Trade Talk with your team.

📬 Got a topic idea or feedback? Email us at [email protected]

📣 Learn more or advertise: www.contractors-connect.com/podcast

Welcome to the first-ever episode of Trade Talk—the official podcast of Contractors Connect! Hosts Sarah White and Erin Bakker take you behind the scenes of how this grassroots networking event evolved into a growing platform for connection, conversation, and collaboration in the construction industry.

🔨 In This Episode:

• How Contractors Connect began—from a tiny office and an idea inspired by “Contractors Anonymous”

• The four-year pause, the pandemic, and what sparked the big reboot in 2024

• Why Contractors Connect is more than just an event—it’s a platform for pros across the building industry

• What to expect from future episodes of Trade Talk

• Why connection, community, and keeping it real matter now more than ever

💬 Key Quote:

“We hope every week, our listeners come and hear something that helps their business grow, helps them personally grow, and leaves them feeling empowered and excited to go back to work.”

🔗 Links & Resources:

• Learn more: contractors-connect.com 

• Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn & Facebook

• Advertising Opportunities: contractors-connect.com/podcast

• Contact us: [email protected]

• Hosted by Beespoke Consulting: www.beespokeconsulting.com

📲 Listen & Subscribe: Catch Trade Talk on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon Music.Be sure to like, subscribe, and leave us a review—it helps other construction pros find the show!

💡 Got an Episode Idea?We’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with your questions, guest suggestions, or topics you want us to tackle on future episodes.

🧰 About Contractors Connect: A networking platform for builders, contractors, designers, lenders, marketers, and more. Hosting monthly meetups across Northwest Florida—now launching a podcast to expand the conversation.

Get ready—Trade Talk is about to drop! In this preview episode, we’re giving you a quick glimpse of what’s coming. From on-the-ground insights to real stories from the field, this podcast is built for the builders. Stay tuned for our official launch and make sure to follow so you don’t miss an episode!