A Life Rebuilt After Profound Loss | Michael Flory of Custom Built Design and Remodeling
Builder Stories
Here, Michael Flory shares a story that will stop you in your tracks and stay with you long after it ends. He opens up about a horrific childhood tragedy and reveals how he slowly rebuilt his sense of purpose and carried those ideals forward into the way he leads his remodeling company today. You will hear the ways that Michael’s perspective on leadership, success, and growth was shaped through years of struggle and reflection. In this episode you will learn: How to keep going when life feels overwhelming A new way to define success beyond business results What it takes to rebuild your...
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Turn More Builds Into Better Outcomes | Mike Lee of Tributary Homes
Builder Stories
If you are trying to grow your building business, this episode will challenge how you think about your process. Mike Lee shares how one development created demand and forced him to rethink how he builds homes and runs his company. He reveals his strategies for passing inspections, working with trade partners, and shares best advice for home builders. Gain insights into where small decisions create bigger outcomes across every project. In this episode you will learn: How to structure trade partner relationships for optimal results What investors look for in a building opportunity Strategies...
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Design Systems Your Team Will Follow | Doug Howard of Growth Team Strategies
Builder Stories
Doug Howard brings a background from the The Wharton School and decades of experience helping contractors improve how their businesses operate. In this episode, he breaks down why so many companies struggle to execute even when the owner knows what to do. He reveals how to develop systems that transform how your business operates every day. Doug also shows what shifts when leaders take control of their time and create a team that works together more effectively. In this episode you will learn: Why most documented processes never get used by the team What makes a system simple enough for...
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How to Go From Zero to Strong Sales in Year One | Eric Van Dixhorn of Archadeck of Northern Colorado
Builder Stories
Eric Van Dixhorn tried different paths across construction, sales, and startups but nothing clicked. He shares what changed when he stepped into a new business and found early success in a competitive market. That shift helped him gain traction faster than expected in a new market, and launched his success going forward. Eric also reveals how the right support system helped him avoid mistakes that slow most owners down. In this episode you will learn: How to recognize when a business is the right fit Why alignment matters more than the opportunity itself What helps you gain traction faster in...
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Build a Development Business That Wins in Any Market | Nasir Dukes and Adina Safta
Builder Stories
Nasir Dukes went from one rental property to running a high-growth development company in one of the hottest markets in the country. In this episode, he reveals how he spots real opportunities and avoids the deals that create problems down the line. Adina Safta shares how stepping into the business transformed the way they scale, bringing financial discipline that fuels smarter growth. Together, they break down what it actually takes to grow a construction business while managing risk and staying profitable when the market shifts. In this episode, you will learn: How to recognize...
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How to Build a Smarter Construction Business | Gil Vaisman of Go ADU Construction
Builder Stories
Gil Vaisman turned a side project into a fast growing ADU business and built a team that continues to scale. In this episode, he shares the shift that helped him attract the right clients and avoid deals that go nowhere. He breaks down how leading with pricing changes the entire sales dynamic before the first meeting even happens. Gil also reveals how his approach to competition and partnerships is opening the door for his next stage of growth. In this episode, you will learn: How to choose a business partner who strengthens your company Insights on targeting higher value clients instead of...
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Scaling a Remodeling Business to $9M in Six Years | Steve Young of HHI Builders
Builder Stories
Steve Young built HHI Builders into a $9 million remodeling company in just six years by challenging the way most contractors run their businesses. His team focuses on large scale remodels that average about $300,000 per project while using a unique workflow built around project directors who guide clients from the first conversation through the entire job. Steve shares the lessons he learned after early pricing mistakes, the role outside coaching played in sharpening his systems, and how AI is reshaping the estimating process and where he sees it taking his company next. In this episode you...
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How to Break Out of the Owner Operator Trap | Aaron Hines of Darden-Hines Design + Build
Builder Stories
Aaron Hines grew up on construction sites learning the trade from his grandfather before ever imagining he would run a remodeling company. Today he leads Dallas-based Darden Hines Design + Build, delivering projects that range from whole home remodels to swimming pools. In this powerful conversation, Aaron shares the lessons that reshaped how he runs his business and how he thinks about leadership. He reveals the mindset shifts that helped him break out of the owner operator trap and build a company designed to grow far beyond the owner. In this episode you will learn: How Aaron built a...
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Make Marketing Your Competitive Edge | Adam McChesney of Builders of Authority
Builder Stories
Adam McChesney shares how he founded Builders of Authority after creating more than 200 websites to master digital marketing. He explains why many contractors grow during high demand seasons yet struggle when the market tightens. Adam also reveals how to build a personal brand and why that accelerates visibility and attracts inbound leads faster than relying on company branding alone. Learn the difference between mindset and a tactical approach and why both are crucial for growth. In this episode, you will learn: Why mindset determines long term marketing success What separates a strong brand...
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Inside a Roofing Rebrand That Sparked New Growth | Mike Tappert of Upper West Exteriors
Builder Stories
Mike Tappert reveals how stepping away from full remodels and focusing on exteriors transformed his growth path. He shares why niching down into roofing created stronger cash flow and a clearer direction for his business. Mike’s turning point came when he hired a coach and began building the systems he needed to scale as well as the personal disciplines that shape how he leads today. From marketing decisions to business leadership strategy, this episode invites listeners to question what needs to change before the next level of growth. In this episode you will learn: The tools and...
info_outlineIn 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 of their budgets
- The two most important lessons Bob has learned about cost-plus
- How to spot client red flags before you commit
- A straightforward approach to finding and vetting the right subs
Listen to the episode to learn more.
Resources:
Visit the Stephen Thomas Construction website here.