The Power of Outside Expertise | Ben and Amy Wright of Center State Craftsmen
Builder Stories
Ben and Amy Wright describe how a move to Nashville for music eventually led them into house flipping, and ultimately a thriving construction business. They share how years of working on their own homes helped them gain confidence, attract referrals, and step into larger projects. Coaching played a major role in shaping their mindset, improving their systems, and helping them grow into the high end work they now enjoy. Ben and Amy’s story shows how thoughtful decisions, and the willingness to learn can completely reshape a business. In this episode you will learn: Which coaches accelerated...
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Creating Order in Construction | Brandon Sinkler of Coastal Builders and Consultants
Builder Stories
Brandon Sinkler traded firefighting for construction and built a successful remodeling company in Charleston, South Carolina. What began as a leap of faith into house flipping became a career grounded in consistency and service. Brandon shares how he grew from working solo to adding key hires who helped him bring structure and balance to his work. His story highlights how he developed clear systems and standard operating procedures that now guide every project. In this episode you will learn: How Brandon transitioned from public service to construction The lessons he learned pricing and...
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Better Team, Better Clients | Brady Bankston of Popularis Construction
Builder Stories
Brady Bankston built Popularis Construction by leading with deliberate action. He shares how early mistakes shaped the way he hires, manages, and motivates his team today. His approach to clients is equally thoughtful and relies on a unique set of requirements that every prospect must meet before becoming a customer, including visiting his office to review a sample project inside JobTread. Through consistent systems and clear communication, Brady has learned how to grow his company while keeping every project and person aligned. In this episode you will learn: How Brady uses a unique client...
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The Strategy for Team-Driven Leadership | Jeff and Brian Shelburn of Remodelex
Builder Stories
Brothers Jeff and Brian Shelburn turned their shared values and work ethic into a thriving remodeling business in Denver. What began with small backsplash projects has grown into full home remodels and a company built entirely on word-of-mouth referrals. In this conversation, they reveal the philosophies behind their growth and actionable tips for success. In this episode, you will learn How Remodelex thrives without a marketing budget The unconventional payroll model that keeps everyone invested What makes their company structure unlike most contractors How the company implemented a four-ten...
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When Taking a Chance Pays Off |Logan Judiscak of Gorilla Exterior
Builder Stories
When Logan Judiscak left the car business for roofing, he did not expect to be running a multimillion dollar company just six years later. After learning hard lessons from previous employers, including how poor documentation can hurt cash flow, he started Gorilla Exterior in 2023 with only $4,000, a clear vision, and an even stronger work ethic. In this conversation, Logan shares how he built a profitable roofing company from the ground up, what he learned about leadership, and why he believes in growing people before profits. He explains how his team culture is built on trust, flexibility,...
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From $50K to $30M and Counting | Fares Elsabbagh of Canadian General Contractors
Builder Stories
Fifteen years ago, Fares Elsabbagh launched Canadian General Contractors with only $50,000 and a background in digital marketing. Today, he leads a group of construction companies generating over $30 million in annual revenue. In this conversation, Fares shares how he turned early chaos into a scalable, system-driven business. He discusses what he learned after dealing with theft during rapid expansion, how he created systems to improve client satisfaction, and the five key things homeowners care about most during a renovation. Fares also shares the key things looks for when acquiring other...
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The Future of Marketing for Builders | Danielle Russell of Builder Funnel
Builder Stories
Danielle Russell has spent over a decade helping builders and remodelers grow through more strategic marketing. She’s seen how new technologies, and changing homeowner behavior, are transforming what it takes to stand out online. In this conversation, Danielle covers a range of topics that, taken together, form a blueprint for building a stronger marketing foundation. Broader themes include the seismic shifts happening in search, what contractors can do to make their content rise above the noise, and how to use, rather than misuse, AI as part of a broader marketing strategy. On a more...
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The Daily Habit That Works | Michael James of Michael James Remodeling
Builder Stories
Michael James lost everything during the recession, then rebuilt his company with a new outlook on leadership and legacy. He even biked from Canada to Mexico, a journey that reshaped how he approaches business and life. In this conversation, Michael shares how shifting from a “me” mindset to a “we” mindset transformed his company. He talks about hiring lessons, working with family, and the culture-building practices that keep his team engaged. He also reveals the one thing he does every day to keep his business moving forward and the leadership habit he considers most valuable. In this...
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The Right Clients, The Right Subs | Bob Perez
Builder Stories
In this engaging conversation, Bob Perez shares how he left an 11-year corporate career to co-found Stephen Thomas Construction in Austin, Texas. Pairing his business background with his partner’s field expertise, Bob has built a thriving company. From navigating the risk/benefit of cost-plus projects to putting clients firmly in control of their budgets, Bob explains how a two-person team can use systems and software to achieve results that rival much larger firms. In this episode you’ll discover: How defining roles creates smoother projects What it means to truly put clients in charge...
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A Roadmap for Remodeler Success | Kyle Hunt of Remodelers On The Rise
Builder Stories
For more than 17 years, Kyle Hunt has been coaching remodelers to move from stressed and scattered to profitable and confident. Through Remodelers On The Rise, he guides business owners on how to take control of their numbers, implement systems, and build companies that support their lives rather than consume them. In this conversation, Kyle shares how remodelers can stop winging it and start using clear processes in sales, marketing, and leadership. He also talks about the importance of protecting personal time, strengthening family life, and actually implementing the ideas that often sit...
info_outlineWhat does it take to evolve from a one-man remodel crew to a high-end design-build brand built for scale? Tyler Madden launched Laurelless with a mission to raise the bar in remodeling, guided by a relentless pursuit of excellence that’s reflected in the name itself (Laurelless means no resting on laurels). Nearly a decade later, he has built a company defined by unwavering standards for both the clients they serve and the team they trust to deliver.
In this episode, Tyler shares how he transitioned from self-performing to leading with vision, what systems helped him delegate without sacrificing quality, and how he is creating a company that attracts people who believe in doing things the right way.
In this episode you’ll learn:
- How Madden designed a seamless process that guides clients from concept to completion while minimizing surprises and reducing stress
- What makes Laurelless stand out in a competitive market and how they sell the experience, not just the remodel
- The systems and forecasting tools that support sustainable and profitable growth
- Why vetting clients early with clear expectations around budget, timeline, and trust is key to protecting the team and delivering five-star results
- What it means to create true ownership within your team and why that is essential to scaling
Listen to the episode to learn more.
Resources:
Learn more about Laurelless here.
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