Builder Stories

Jason's journey shows that no matter how hard it gets, success comes to those who keep pushing forward. Listen to Episode 78 of #BuilderStories for a motivational boost! Jason Liers - Stoneridge Renovations & Remodeling

"I ?think we all just have to figure out our lane, right? I don't think there's any right answer." - John Lea, CEO/Owner of Decksouth. From mowing lawns at age 12 to leading one of the top deck companies in the industry, John Lea’s journey is all about hard work, perseverance, and quality. Hear how he built a winning team, adapted to industry changes, and found the balance between business and family. Tune in now! #BuilderStories

"Don't be afraid to explore software and systems you're unfamiliar with." – David Hopkins, VP of Sales at JNT Construction. Technology is evolving—don’t let fear hold you back! The right software can streamline your operations and keep you ahead in 2025. Your competitors are already making the move—are you?

“Focus on your people, if you want to build a company and have a team, it is about the people, profit will come, profit will follow.” – Matt Millsap In construction, it’s not just about blueprints and budgets—it’s about the dedicated crew behind every project. When you invest in the right people and put them in the right roles, everything else naturally falls into place. Listen to this Builder Stories Episode, "People Before Profit | Matt Millsap with Building Company Number 7, Inc." wherever you find to your podcasts to hear more! #ConstructionCulture #TeamFirst #BuilderStory #QualityWork

“In late 2007, the market started going wonky, and homes were sitting unsold. We were holding a property, and I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, we’re in trouble.’” In this episode of Builder Stories, Paul Kocharhook recalls the turning point that reshaped his approach to construction. As the 2007 housing market started to collapse, Paul felt the pressure as homes sat longer on the market and prices began to drop. Then, a surprising opportunity came his way: an invitation to join the American Lung Association’s Master Home Environmentalist program. Through this eight-week course, Paul learned about toxins, allergies, and the potential health impacts of construction materials. This new perspective transformed his approach to remodeling. Instead of just focusing on energy efficiency, Paul went a step further—selecting wool carpets, no-VOC paints, and other health-conscious materials for his project. This wasn’t mainstream back then, and the community noticed. People were talking, excited by the innovative approach. And in a market where homes lingered for months, Paul’s home sold in just seven days. Here’s the question: Are you willing to go the extra mile to truly stand out, even in a tough market? #BuilderStories #HealthyHomes #MarketDifferentiation #ConstructionInnovation

“I charged them $500,000 for the job, but it cost me $850,000 to produce. That was my first $350,000 loss.” In this episode of Builder Stories, guest James Miller shares a raw and humbling account of his business hitting rock bottom. After losing over half a million dollars on two jobs, James found himself buried in debt, taking out quickie loans, and facing daily payments. Things got worse when his right-hand guy, who was on salary, took seven weeks off, costing the business an additional $300,000. James describes the moment when his wife, a spreadsheet whiz, laid out just how deep a hole they were in. The weight of it hit him hard—head hung, depressed, and defeated. But after two days of feeling the weight, he turned to sheer dogged determination to pull himself out. As James puts it, "Courage and stupidity look a lot alike. I’ll let you decide which it was." Here’s the question: When everything goes south, do you have the determination to keep fighting? #BuilderStories #Entrepreneurship #OvercomingFailure #Determination #BusinessLessons

“There are guys out there doing ten million dollars in work, but they’re not bringing in as much profit as we are. Why would you do that much work for so little money?” In this episode of Builder Stories, Nick Sammons highlights a key lesson in the construction industry: It’s not just about how much work you do, it’s about knowing your numbers and holding the line on your worth. Too often, contractors are quick to offer discounts or drop their prices just to land a job. But Nick stresses the importance of understanding your value and being confident in your pricing. Instead of caving when a customer asks for a discount, Nick suggests offering to adjust the scope or change something to meet their budget—without undercutting your worth. It’s all about being strategic, not just chasing volume for the sake of it. Here’s the question: Are you ready to stand firm on your pricing and value, or are you leaving money on the table? #BuilderStories #KnowYourWorth #ProfitOverVolume #BusinessGrowth #SmartPricing

“Every moment is a marketing moment.” In this episode of Builder Stories, Nick Sammons shares how video has become a game-changer throughout every step of his business. From the moment a potential client fills out a form on the website, Nick is using video to make that personal connection. Right away, he sends a video of himself—smiling, excited, and explaining the next steps. Clients are seeing his face and getting a feel for his energy before they’ve even spoken on the phone. But it doesn’t stop there. Nick’s team captures every stage of the project on video, following the advice of Tom Reber: every moment is a marketing moment. Whether it’s behind-the-scenes shots or polished project profiles, video is the key to creating content that connects and engages. Here’s the question: Are you using every opportunity to turn your process into a marketing moment? #BuilderStories #VideoMarketing #ClientConnection #EveryMomentCounts

“I injured myself installing a tile backsplash, and that’s when it hit me: I can’t do this alone.” In this episode of Builder Stories, Nick Sammons recalls the moment that changed his approach to business. After spending an entire day standing on his toes over a countertop, he thought he had broken his foot. That injury sparked a realization: if he was going to build something bigger, he couldn’t do it by himself. Nick took a loss on that job but made a pivotal move—he hired subcontractors to help. And that’s when he realized the power of bringing in help to scale his business. Here’s the question: Are you ready to stop doing it all alone and start building a team to help you grow? #BuilderStories #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #TeamBuilding #ScalingBusiness

“I read Rich Dad, Poor Dad during furlough and thought, ‘I need to get into sales or start a business.’” In this episode of Builder Stories, Nick Sammons shares how a book and a global pandemic completely changed the trajectory of his life. After reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad, Nick decided to challenge himself by jumping into sales—specifically door-to-door roofing sales, right in the middle of COVID. He quickly realized he had the skills to sell, manage, and lead. But when he discovered unethical practices at the roofing company, he knew it was time to move on. With just $2,000 left in the bank, Nick took a leap of faith. He told his wife he was going to start his own business. Her response? “Why don’t you get a real job?”—a totally valid concern at the time. Now, she couldn’t be more grateful they took the plunge. Nick dove in headfirst, and that’s how his journey as a business owner truly began. Here’s the question: Are you ready to bet on yourself, even when others might not see the vision yet? #BuilderStories #Entrepreneurship #BetOnYourself #LeapOfFaith