“We Painted the Wrong House” - Lessons Learned from My Son’s Summer of Entrepreneurship
Release Date: 08/29/2025
Working Together: Lessons from a husband and wife remodeling team
Remodelers On The Rise
In this episode of Remodelers on the Rise Kyle talks with husband and wife team Austin and Callie Cornell of MSC Enterprises They share how they run their remodeling business together balance family life improve their financial clarity and build smoother processes that support steady growth ----- Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit today and take your remodeling business to new heights! ----- Remodel Your Marriage, Life & Business Retreat – Feb 10-12, 2026 A three-day experience in Franklin TN...
info_outline
Stories That Sell: A Remodeler’s Guide to Better Sales Conversations
Remodelers On The Rise
In this episode of Remodelers on the Rise Kyle Hunt sits down with Mark Dixon of Odd Fellows Contracting to unpack the stories and simple frameworks he uses to sell remodeling work without feeling salesy. Mark shares his four possible decisions script, his spaghetti dinner and tomato analogies for talking about price and bids, and how he uses feel felt found and psychological reciprocity to build trust. You will hear how a lifetime in remodeling and decades of sales training turned into a practical toolbox of one liners, questions, and stories you can swipe and adapt for your own sales...
info_outline
Build to Give Back: A Remodeler’s Guide to Generosity
Remodelers On The Rise
In this week’s episode of Remodelers on the Rise, Kyle explores a powerful question for remodelers: how can generosity become a meaningful and intentional part of your business vision? He’s joined by Matt Baehr, Executive Director of Homes for Hope, to share how microloans are transforming families and communities around the world by fueling real entrepreneurship. You’ll hear inspiring stories — like a $50 welding loan that became a thriving homebuilding business, and 20 plastic chairs that launched a successful wedding company — and learn how remodelers can practically support this...
info_outline
It's NOT All About Business
Remodelers On The Rise
In this solo episode, Kyle takes a step back from strategy and systems to share a simple reminder we all need: it’s not all about business. He talks about rightly ordering your life—faith, family, work, and everything in between—and how easy it is to let the demands of business crowd out what truly matters. A thoughtful conversation about slowing down, staying present, and making sure your business serves your life, not the other way around. ----- Homeowners are already using AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini to research remodelers — are you showing up where they’re searching?...
info_outline
The Golden Goose of Aging in Place with Chris Moore
Remodelers On The Rise
In this episode of Remodelers on the Rise, Kyle sits down with Chris Moore of Senior Remodeling Experts to unpack why aging in place can be the golden goose for remodelers. Chris breaks down the three segments of the market (traumatic change, progressive change, and no urgent needs) and shows how to weave smart, subtle upgrades into standard projects: three-foot doors, curbless showers, blocking for future grab bars, stacked closets for a future elevator, removable cabinet fronts, and ceiling-lift framing. They talk about messaging that avoids stigma, why most homes are “Peter Pan" housing,...
info_outline
Building Your Remodeling Business with Purpose
Remodelers On The Rise
In this episode of Remodelers on the Rise, architect turned remodeler Mary Denby shares how she shifted from wearing every hat to leading with clarity. From creating real processes, to hiring her first estimator, to facing the numbers instead of avoiding them, her story shows the power of focus, action, and joy in business. ----- Ready to streamline your business and increase profits? Visit to see how their all-in-one construction management software helps remodelers and builders simplify estimating, scheduling, job costing, and invoicing. Want to hear JobTread in action? Check out our...
info_outline
How Much Can Your Remodeling Biz Afford to Spend on Marketing? (Hint: it's not X% of revenue)
Remodelers On The Rise
In this episode of Remodelers On The Rise, Kyle Hunt sits down with Spencer Powell, CEO of Builder Funnel, to unpack the marketing math remodelers need. You’ll learn how to set a practical budget, track lead sources, and focus on ROI so you know exactly what you can afford to spend to acquire clients. Spencer walks you through Builder Funnel’s “attract → convert → nurture → measure” framework, and they share actionable wins you can implement immediately—whether that’s smarter offers on your website or follow-up strategies you may be skipping. Plus, if you’re ready to do...
info_outline
Reclaiming Your Life: A Conversation with Dr. Noah St. John
Remodelers On The Rise
In this episode of Remodelers on the Rise, Kyle Hunt sits down with Dr. Noah St. John—author of Power Habits and Seven Figure Expert. Together, they dig into why “hustle harder” isn’t sustainable, how entrepreneurs can break free from head trash, and why true success isn’t just about making more money but about reclaiming your time, energy, and relationships. You’ll hear insights on his Freedom Lifestyle Formula, the power of affirmations versus “afformations,” and stories of clients who transformed both their businesses and their personal lives. ----- Explore the vast array...
info_outline
What Great Leaders Say — and How They Say It
Remodelers On The Rise
In this episode of Remodelers On The Rise, Kyle sits down with behavioral scientist Dr. Kurt Nelson to explore what great leaders say — and how they say it. From the psychology behind effective communication to the science of motivation and behavior change, this episode is packed with insights remodelers can use to lead with more clarity and influence. Whether you’re guiding a team, communicating with clients, or trying to build a strong company culture, you’ll take away practical tools that make your leadership more impactful. ----- Ready to stop guessing and start...
info_outline
Be Good, Not Just Nice: Leadership and Integrity with Pete Burak
Remodelers On The Rise
In this episode of Remodelers on the Rise, Kyle is joined by leadership coach and speaker Pete Burak for a refreshingly practical and thoughtful conversation on what it means to lead well—at work and at home. From crafting a clear “here to there” vision, to mentoring your team, to creating a 12-out-of-10 client experience, Pete shares simple but powerful principles to help remodelers grow as leaders. You’ll also hear why generosity always wins, how to avoid skipping over mentorship, and why the best leaders are first great followers. It’s packed with wisdom, stories, and takeaways...
info_outlineIn this episode of Remodelers on the Rise, Kyle sits down with his son, Thomas Hunt, for a candid and entertaining conversation about what it’s like to run a painting business at just 19 years old. From cold calls and hiring friends to the unforgettable moment when his crew painted the wrong house, Thomas shares the highs, lows, and hard-earned lessons of managing a $100K student-run business. Whether you're mentoring young leaders, running a seasonal crew, or just need a reminder that mistakes can still lead to momentum, this episode is packed with practical insights and a few laughs along the way.
-----
Ready to stop guessing and start growing? Visit Contractor Growth Network to see how they help remodelers like you build marketing that works. And for weekly insights that actually move the needle, tune into their podcast: https://www.contractorgrowthnetwork.com/podcast/
Want to hear more about Contractor Growth Network in action? Check out our June episode, Moving Beyond DIY Marketing. In it, Peter Ranney from RanneyBlairWeidmann shares why he trusted CGN and how they helped his website generate more referral-quality leads for his Design Build Firm.
-----
Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights!
-----
Takeaways
Kyle was inspired to join Student Painters after a class talk.
The interview process was extensive and professional.
Marketing is crucial for success in the painting business.
Sales techniques involve building rapport with clients.
Support from mentors is invaluable in entrepreneurship.
Failures can lead to significant learning experiences.
Time management was a key area of growth for Kyle.
The trades offer valuable career opportunities.
Kyle's summer experience boosted his confidence in business.
Entrepreneurship can be a viable path for young people.
-----
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Hunt Family Dynamics
03:58 Thomas's Journey with Student Painters
07:11 The Preseason: Training and Preparation
09:54 Marketing Strategies and Insights
13:20 Sales Techniques and Relationship Building
16:07 Support from Young Entrepreneurs Across America
25:20 Reflections on the Summer Experience
26:49 The Lightning Round Begins
28:28 Epic Failures and Lessons Learned
31:46 Building Rapport and Overcoming Challenges
32:13 Self-Discovery Through Hard Work
33:37 Revenue Goals and Business Realities
35:31 Struggles with Team Management
36:55 The Importance of Organization
39:06 Understanding the Value of Hard Work
41:24 Reflections on College vs. Real-World Experience
43:20 Gaining Confidence in Entrepreneurial Skills
46:32 Perceptions of the Trades Among Peers
51:43 Final Thoughts and Reflections