Builder Stories

Meet Marcus Hampton owner of Hampton Construction and Hampton Outdoor based in Phoenix and doing work all over Arizona. In his inspiring story of perseverance and growth in the face of challenges, Marcus shares his struggles from starting the business as a homeless teen to producing large-scale projects at just under 30 years of age. Approaching life with a resilient mindset, Marcus reminds us why it is important to always be ready for anything that may come your way.     Here are some key takeaways from our discussion with Marcus: Managing risk in the business Putting the right people in the right positions Living outside of your comfort zone   Visit the Hampton Construction website here: hamptondesignbuild.com   Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com

Meet Rick Williams owner of Williams Professional Painting serving the DC metro area. Rick shares his belief that taking the extra time to do a job right not only builds a positive reputation but also pays off in the long run through increased business opportunities. Rick delves into the nuanced art of knowing when to compromise and when to stand firm in the industry, highlighting the significance of maintaining a broad perspective without getting bogged down in minutiae. Listen to discover why you don’t grow to make money, you make money to grow.     Here are a few key takeaways from our discussion with Rick: Utilizing full-time employees and subs Walking away from jobs that don’t work Pricing in residential vs. commercial work     Visit the Williams Professional Painting website here: williamsprofessionalpainting.com     Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com

Meet Scott and Zach Heinold a father-son duo working together on home builds and renovations in Washington, Illinois. They share the joys and challenges of building a business with family, emphasizing the rarity and blessing of such a partnership. As Scott envisions the future handover of the business, his optimism and support for the next generation shines through. Listen to this inspiring narrative of familial dedication and entrepreneurial spirit, reminding us that with unity and determination, greatness is inevitable.     Here are a few key takeaways from our discussion with Scott and Zach: Working with family, successfully Focusing on people, employees and customers Finding community and support   Visit the Heinold Homes and Renovations website here: https://heinoldhomes.com/   Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com

Meet Elliott Wittstruck owner of Built with Love, a remodeling company based in Nashville, Tennessee. Beginning his journey as a music teacher, Elliott's path took a dynamic turn through roles as a landlord and handyman, eventually leading him to spearhead whole home remodels. At the core of Built with Love's ethos is a steadfast commitment to a growth mindset, a principle that Elliott has woven into the fabric of his business operations. With a dedicated team of twelve, Elliott champions the value of lifelong learning among his staff, ensuring that each member is not just building homes, but also building their future.     Here are a few key takeaways from our discussion with Elliott: Nurturing growth in your own community Mentoring others in the industry Focusing on the customer experience Earning referrals to grow the business Pricing jobs accurately     Visit the Built with Love website here: https://www.builtwithlovellc.com/     Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com

Meet Adam Jackson, owner of Agile Cabinetry located in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. After leaving a corporate IT job and finishing his own kitchen remodel, Adam found his true passion and founded Agile Cabinetry in 2021. Adam highlights how his project management background helps run the business, as well as his dedication to a great customer experience, and using technology to streamline operations. Growing the business from word of mouth, Adam talks about his strategic plans to grow and scale the business.     Here are a few key takeaways from our discussion with Adam: Finding your true passion Growing through word of mouth marketing Planning for future growth Maximizing efficiency with software Focusing on the customer relationship     Visit the Agile Cabinetry website here: https://agilecabinetry.com/     Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com

Meet Chad Hamlin, owner of The Hamlin Group located in Atlanta, Georgia. With a passion for problem solving more complicated issues, Chad started as a single architect and has evolved his business into full luxury remodels. He delves into the intricacies of effective hiring, highlighting the importance of trust, setting clear expectations, and maintaining high standards. He discusses knowing your numbers, having a solid plan, charging for what you’re worth, and refusing offers that undervalue the work.     Here are a few key takeaways from our discussion with Chad: Finding your passion Setting clear expectations Delegating to scale Learning team dynamics and role Shifting from self-performing to subcontracting     Visit The Hamlin Group website here: https://www.hamlingroup.com/     Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com

Meet Brian Blankenheim, owner of Build It Right Carpentry located in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. In his late 20s, while working at a construction site, he discovered his love of carpentry. Under the guidance of a skilled mentor, Brian honed his skills and even undertook the monumental task of constructing his own home. Starting his company in 2009, Brian shares his challenges, specifically around finding and retaining good subcontractors. Brian’s story serves as a testament to succeeding in business by truly loving what you’re doing, maintaining comprehensive systems, and continuously seeking growth.     Here are a few key takeaways from our discussion with Brian: Finding and retaining good subcontractors Starting small and implementing systems Learning through mentorship Balancing field and office work Keeping a positive mindset     Visit the Build It Right website here: https://builditrightllc.com/     Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com

Meet Nicholas Donlin, owner of Zenith Design + Build a top remodeling company based in Iowa. With a passion for both construction and technology since his younger years, Nicholas decided to take the plunge and establish Zenith in 2018, which is now projected to achieve $7.5 million in revenue this year. As a leader of an 18-person team, Nicholas is committed to fostering a shared sense of purpose and defined KPIs for each employee. Moreover, he emphasizes the value of leveraging coaching and peer groups as invaluable resources for accelerating business growth.     Here are a few key takeaways from our discussion with Nicholas: Learning from growing too fast Focusing on your internal team Creating an online presence Bringing design work in-house Educating clients on the process   Visit the Zenith Design + Build website here: https://www.zenithdesignbuild.com/     Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com

Meet James Miller, owner of Valiant Home Additions in Centerton, Arkansas. James initially embarked on his construction career right after high school, and at the young age of 21, he was running operations for an aluminum gutter company. After starting his own company and experiencing challenges with a former partner, he decided to pivot his focus to whole house remodels and residential additions. Currently leading a team of nine skilled employees, James manages an impressive workload of six to eight projects concurrently. In this captivating story, James shares invaluable insights about how a few bad business decisions led to $1.5 million in debt and how he is working his way out.     Here are a few key takeaways from our discussion with James: Narrowing your business focus Being able to say no Switching to a sub model in the field Prioritizing who to pay first Investing in yourself as the business owner     Visit Valiant Home Additions website here: https://valiantnwa.com/     Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com

Meet Scott Worley, owner of The Patio Kitchen Co in St. Louis, Missouri. After initially venturing into construction straight out of high school, Scott's passion for transforming outdoor living spaces took hold during his college years. With a successful business under his belt for a decade, he made the bold choice to close it down and pivot to becoming a designer at a larger firm. Yet, the allure of being a business owner drew him back, leading to the re-establishment of The Patio Kitchen Co. just last year.     Here are a few key takeaways from our discussion with Scott: Using formulas to enhance the customer experience Utilizing technology as a competitive differentiator Connecting compensation to value delivered Separating work and home life to be successful Owning your failures and learning from them     Visit The Patio Kitchen Co. website here: https://www.thepatiokitchenco.com/     Own a construction company and want to share your story? Apply to be on an upcoming episode of Builder Stories at https://www.builderstories.com