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The Future of Marketing for Builders | Danielle Russell of Builder Funnel

Builder Stories

Release Date: 10/08/2025

The Power of Outside Expertise | Ben and Amy Wright of Center State Craftsmen show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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...

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More Episodes

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 granular level, she strategies for pricing transparency on your website, how to make every click count, and the ideal marketing budget.

In this episode, you will learn

  • How to calculate a marketing budget that drives consistent growth
  • Mistakes to avoid when using AI to generate website or blog content
  • How to design your website to convert visitors in two or three clicks
  • Ways to use video to build credibility and connection with prospects
  • How to structure your pricing online to attract the right clients

Listen to the episode to learn more.

Resources:

Learn more about Builder Funnel here.