On this episode of Wingin' It, Tommy sits down with Aaron Noffke of Mountain America Homes to talk about what it really means to play the long game in business.

Aaron has more than 20 years of experience in construction and has lived through major ups and downs in the housing market, including the fallout from the 2008 recession. He shares what those difficult years taught him about persistence, preparation, overhead, and why surviving the hard seasons can make you a stronger business owner.

They also talk about the dangers of chasing quick success, why business rarely goes according to plan, and how learning to adjust when things change is one of the most important skills an entrepreneur can develop.

Aaron explains why keeping overhead under control matters, why saying no to the wrong client can be just as valuable as landing the right one, and how going back to the basics of networking, marketing, and relationship-building helped him reset his business after a slower market.

They also discuss valuing your time, avoiding the trap of becoming a people pleaser, and why doing work you genuinely care about can make the long hours and difficult seasons worth it.

Learn more about Aaron Noffke and Mountain America Homes at mountainamericahomes.com and find Mountain America Homes on Facebook.

Want to see if your marketing is working for you? Check out our checklist at noisybirdmarketing.com/checklist.

Interested in having your business featured? Email me at [email protected]

On this episode of Wingin' It, Tommy sits down with Tony from PKJ Design Group to talk about something many business owners don't think about until it's too late: building your business with the end in mind.

After spending 15 years as a professor at the University of Idaho, Tony left the security of higher education to start his own landscape design and consulting business. Years later, he realized an important lesson: instead of building a business that could operate without him, he had made himself the most valuable asset in the company.

Tony shares what he wishes he had done differently, why trying to find one person who can replace everything you do rarely works, and how breaking your responsibilities into different roles can help you build a team that eventually operates without depending entirely on you.

They also talk about leaving the “golden handcuffs” of a secure career, finding your first clients through relationships and networking, learning to delegate, and why every business owner should start thinking about an exit strategy long before they're ready to leave.

Tony also shares one of the simplest business lessons that has stayed with him throughout his journey: if there's something difficult you need to do, “eat the frog” first and get it out of the way.

Learn more about Tony and PKJ Design Group:
pkjdesigngroup.com

Want to see if your marketing is working for you? Check out our checklist at noisybirdmarketing.com/checklist.

Interested in having your business featured? Email me at [email protected]

On this episode of Wingin' It, we talk with Micah Carlson from Platinum Construction and Development about what it really looks like to build a business around the work you actually love.
Micah shares how he got started in construction almost 30 years ago, how he learned multiple trades along the way, and how chasing money eventually pulled him away from the part of construction he was most passionate about: building custom homes.

We also talk about burnout, rediscovering your original vision, learning to say no to work that doesn't fit your goals, and why having a clear direction for your business matters so much.

Micah also shares how collaboration, trust, and strong relationships with subcontractors have helped improve both the quality of his projects and the way his business operates. He explains why leadership isn't about controlling every detail, but about surrounding yourself with the right people and giving them the freedom to contribute.

Toward the end of the episode, Micah shares the story behind his first Parade Home and how he pushed forward even when he had very little in place and plenty of people telling him it wouldn't work.

Interested in learning more about Micah and Platinum Construction and Development? Check out platinumconstructiondevelopment.com and follow Platinum Construction and Development on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Want to see if your marketing is working for you? Check out our checklist at noisybirdmarketing.com/checklist.

Interested in having your business featured? Email me at [email protected]

On this episode of Wingin' It, we talk with Keith Kelsch, a construction professional with over 25 years of experience who combined his background in education with construction to build a successful business and online platform.

Keith shares how he started How to Build Your Own Home and turned educational content into a growing YouTube channel, new clients, and a way to establish himself as an expert in the construction industry.

We also talk about organic marketing, becoming an authority in your niche, creating content that brings in real business, and why sometimes it's better to invest in professionals instead of trying to do everything yourself.

Keith and Tommy also discuss AI, personal branding, building a business that can live beyond its founder, passing knowledge between generations, stewardship, and why building wealth can give you the ability to create a greater impact.

Interested in learning more about Keith and his work? Check out How to Build Your Own Home at howtobuildyourownhome.com and subscribe to the How to Build Your Own Home YouTube channel.

You can also learn more about Keith's construction business at Kelsch Construction: kelschconstruction.com.

Want to see if your marketing is working for you? Check out our checklist at noisybirdmarketing.com/checklist.

Interested in having your business featured? Email me at [email protected]

On this episode of Wingin' It, we sit down with Jeremy Kelsch, owner of Peppermint Cabinets in St. George, Utah, to talk about what it really takes to grow a business from the ground up.

Jeremy shares how he went from starting in the cabinet business at 16 to building a company with 28 employees and nearly $7 million in annual revenue.

We talk about the financial challenges that come with manufacturing, why more sales don't always mean more profit, and how hiring a CFO completely changed the way Jeremy managed his business.

Jeremy also shares how his company navigated the challenges of COVID and supply chain shortages, the importance of getting extremely granular with expenses, and how adversity helped shape the business into what it is today.

We also discuss knowing when to say no, staying in your lane, choosing the right customers, and why sometimes you have to be willing to "fire" your customers in order to grow.

Interested in learning more? Follow Peppermint Cabinets STG on Facebook and Instagram.

Want to see if your marketing is working for you? Check out our checklist at noisybirdmarketing.com/checklist.

Interested in having your business featured? Email me at [email protected]

#WingingIt #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #CabinetBusiness #BusinessFinance #BusinessOwner

How To Know Your Business Numbers 

On this episode of Wingin' It, we sit down with Dillan Store from All Pro to discuss one of the most overlooked aspects of growing a successful business: knowing your numbers.

From starting a handyman business in college to building a multi-million-dollar design, build, and remodeling company, Dillan shares the financial mindset that helped fuel sustainable growth. We dive into budgeting, gross profit margins, overhead, pricing, and why understanding every dollar in your business leads to better decisions and long-term success.

If you're a contractor, business owner, or entrepreneur looking to grow profitably instead of simply getting busier, this episode is full of practical insights you can apply immediately.

Interested in learning more about All Pro? Check them out online and follow their work.

Want to see if your marketing is working for you? Check out our checklist at noisybirdmarketing.com/checklist.

Interested in having your business featured on Wingin' It? Email Tommy at [email protected].

Check out this episode of Wingin' It with Christopher Penney from Penney Construction!

In this episode, we talk about Chris' story of overcoming going to prison, having to build a business from the ground up, and now what it's like to own a construction and landscape business!

Want to learn more about Chris' businesses? Check out https://penneyconstructionco.com/

Want to evaluate where the leaks are in your marketing plan? Head to https://noisybirdmarketing.com/marketing-scorecard

Interested in having your business featured on Wingin' It? Email us! [email protected]

On this episode of Wingin' It, I brought on my good friend Courtney Petterson from Elevate Marketing Studios. Courtney has been doing web design for contractors, and we sit down to talk about red flags when talking with a web designer, things to put on your website, and when you might need a new site.

Want to learn more about Courtney? Check out https://www.elevatemarketingstudios.com/

Follow Courtney on Instagram!   / elevatemarketingstudios  

Want to get a free marketing evaluation? Check out https://noisybirdmarketing.com/market...

Interested in being featured on Wingin' It? Email at [email protected]

On this episode of Wingin' It, we talk with Jason Butts from Bayhorse homes about warranty work and how to stand by your work, how to pick good subcontractors, and the difference between being licensed and bonded!

interested to learn more about Jason? Head to https://bayhorsehomes.com/

Want to see if your marketing is ready to hit your goals? Head to noisybirdmarketing.com/checklist

Want to have your business featured? Email me [email protected]

On this episode of Wingin' It, we talk to JG Anderson from Forge Contractors. He talks abou this journey from the healthcare world to being a part owner of a commercial construction company.

We talk about starting over, humility to do what needs to be done, and the value of picking up a shovel. We also discuss principles of leadership, and what GCs are looking for in quality subcontractors.

Interested in learning more about Forge Contractors? Head to https://www.forgebuild.com/

Want to see if you're wingin' it with your marketing? Grab our checklist at noisybirdmarketing.com/checklist

Interested in having your business featured? Email me at [email protected]