Builder Stories

Builder Stories Welcome to Builder Stories Podcast where builders, remodelers, and contractors share their stories.
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11/01/2024

“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?

10/26/2024

“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?

10/25/2024

“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?

10/24/2024

“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?

10/23/2024

“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?

10/22/2024

“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?

10/22/2024

Now that we're a couple of years in, I spent $200 on mics, $11 on a phone stand, and $10 a month on CapCut for editing—and that’s all it takes."

In this episode of Builder Stories, Nick Sammons breaks down the simplicity of creating quality content for his business. With just a few budget-friendly tools, he’s been able to drastically improve his videos without breaking the bank. For Nick, it’s all about making smart, one-time investments (like better mics) and using affordable tools like CapCut to add that extra polish to his content.

It’s a reminder that you don’t need to spend thousands to make a big impact. With a little creativity and a few smart choices, you can produce professional-looking content for next to nothing.

So, here’s the question: What’s stopping you from leveling up your content with just a small investment?

10/21/2024

"I started my business with the idea that I would grow this thing to make an income most people dream of. But by the end of that first year, I was working long hours, injured, and thinking, 'People don’t go into business to work harder for way less money.'"

In this episode of Builder Stories, Nick Sammons opens up about the harsh reality many new business owners face. He had big dreams when he started his contracting business, but soon found himself overworked, underpaid, and frustrated. That’s when Nick turned to YouTube, searching for advice on how to run a contracting business, and came across Tom Reber from The Contractor Fight

Tom’s no-nonsense approach hit Nick like a wake-up call. It was straight talk—track your numbers, and if you’re not making real money, what’s the point? The tough-love style reminded Nick of his high school football coach, telling it like it is and pushing him to be better. It was the push he needed to stop running his business on autopilot and start taking control of its future.

Here’s the question: Are you ready to stop working harder for less and start taking charge of your business?

10/17/2024

“Three simple words: Trust and release.”

In this episode of Builder Stories, Stephen Carlson shares the secret to breaking free from the daily grind and scaling your business: trust your people and release them to do their job. Once you’ve put the right systems and processes in place and trained your team, it’s time to step back and let them own it. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck in a never-ending Groundhog Day.

Stephen urges builders not to be intimidated by the idea of systematizing. It doesn’t mean you need 200 SOPs by next week—just start small. Document what you know now, and each step forward will put you ahead of the game.

Here’s a big takeaway: Sometimes, the biggest limitation is our own mindset. If you think you’ll never grow, you’re the one holding yourself back. So, the real question is: Are you ready to trust your team and release control so your business can grow?

10/15/2024

“I did more by actually doing less.”

In this episode of Builder Stories, Mike Mitchell shares a pivotal lesson he learned as his construction business grew. Like many entrepreneurs, Mike started in the field, hands-on with every project. But as his business expanded, he faced a tough reality: staying in the field all day meant no time to work on the business.

The real breakthrough came when he transitioned himself—and even his father—out of the field. It wasn’t easy to step back, but Mike realized that true growth required letting go of the day-to-day operations. By trusting his team to produce work he was proud of, he freed up time for what really mattered: sales, marketing, and growing the business.

The question for you: Are you ready to let go of the grind so you can scale your business? It might just be the key to doing more by doing less.

10/14/2024

🚨 Struggling to get enough leads? Want to know the strategies that top construction pros are using to flood their businesses with new clients? 🚨

These aren’t just theories — these tips come straight from real builders and contractors who have shared their secrets on our podcast. After hearing their stories, we’ve put together the ultimate lead-generating formula that you can start using TODAY. 🏗️

Ready to finally have clients coming to YOU? 👇

1️⃣ Leverage the Power of Referrals 💬 Your best marketing asset is your happy clients! 🎯 Our podcast guests swear by the power of word-of-mouth, and here’s how they make it work: Offer a small discount for every referral they send your way after the job is complete 🛠️. Even better? Gift them a $50 or $100 reward if their referral becomes a paying client! 🎁 People love helping their friends and family find trusted contractors. Make it easy for them to recommend you and watch your leads grow! 🏡

2️⃣ Your Website is Your Digital Toolbox 🧰 Every construction pro we talked to agreed: if your website doesn’t WOW visitors, you’re losing business. 😱 First impressions are everything. Make sure your website showcases your best work with stunning before-and-after photos. 📸✨ If your site is slow or sloppy, potential clients will assume your work is too. Build trust by including testimonials, project stories, and case studies that show why you’re the contractor to hire! 💻🚧

3️⃣ Google My Business: The Free Lead Generator 🌍✨ Want to show up at the top of local searches without spending a fortune on ads? 🤑 Every contractor who’s winning the lead game is crushing it with Google My Business. Keep your GMB profile updated, post photos of your projects, and ask clients to leave 5-star reviews. 🌟 More reviews = more trust, and trust is everything when clients are choosing a contractor! 🔍

These tips have helped builders from our podcast grow their businesses — now it’s your turn to start getting those leads! 🚀

10/11/2024

“I had just quit my job nine months out of college, bootstrapped my first company out of a five-bedroom house, and borrowed $40,000 on a credit card from my dad that I personally guaranteed to pay back.”

In this episode of Builder Stories, host Eric Fortenberry takes us back to the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey. Fresh out of college, Eric dove headfirst into the deep end, building his first software company with nothing but grit, a credit card, and the belief that there was no turning back.

With his back against the wall, he knew that the only way forward was up. It was that mindset—the devotion, determination, and persistence—that got him through. He didn’t have the luxury of overspending or living outside his means like so many startups do. Instead, every dollar was reinvested back into the business, making sure it could stand on its own two feet.

Eric’s lesson is clear: When you’re bootstrapping, there’s no room for comfort. You have to fight your way out, and that’s what gives you the strength to keep growing.

So here’s the question: Are you willing to put everything on the line and fight for your vision, or are you just looking for the easy way out?

10/10/2024

“The hardest thing for me is the poor mentality... I fear going back to that every single day.”

In this gripping episode of Builder Stories, guest Marcus Hampton shares a raw and powerful story about how growing up in poverty shaped him—and how that experience still fuels his fire today. As a kid, he remembers waking up to the sight of roaches crawling through his alarm clock, a constant reminder of the environment he was stuck in. And even though he’s far from that place now, the fear of returning to it is what drives him.

For Marcus, the “poor mentality” is what holds so many people back—it’s that voice saying, “This is all I know.” But Marcus refuses to stay comfortable. In fact, he believes comfort is the enemy of growth. He’s constantly pushing himself, putting his back against the wall, and coming out swinging—just like he did growing up in tough neighborhoods.

“I refuse to be held back,” Marcus says, but he admits that sometimes the biggest obstacle is himself. Overcoming that mindset has been one of his greatest challenges, but it’s also what wakes him up at 3 AM, ready to grind even after just a few hours of sleep. His drive? It’s simple: never going back.

Here’s the question: What’s holding you back, and are you ready to step outside your comfort zone to fight for more?

10/09/2024

“As much as my wife might not want to hear it, I’m definitely a workaholic. But honestly, I’ve never worked a day in my life.”

In this candid moment, Builder Stories host Eric Fortenberry opens up about the grind of entrepreneurship—but not in the way you might think. For Eric, work doesn’t feel like work when you’re passionate about what you do. Instead of dreading the daily grind, it’s like waking up to do your favorite hobby, day in and day out.

But here’s the reality check: If you’re dragging yourself out of bed every morning, feeling dread about your job, maybe it’s a sign you’re not in the right role. Eric reminds us that finding what you love to do is key—not only to happiness but to long-term success.

Sure, the hours are long, and it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle (to the point where you might forget to eat or sleep!). But when you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work—it fuels you.

The question is: Are you in the right role? Are you passionate enough about your work that it doesn’t even feel like work anymore?

And don’t forget, as Eric mentions, those precious breaks matter too. Disconnect, recharge, and come back stronger. 🙌

10/08/2024

“90% of our work now comes from referrals—just by giving clients a great experience.”

In this episode of Builder Stories, Elliott Wittstruck talks about how he transformed his business by focusing on the customer.

But it wasn’t always smooth sailing. In the beginning, he relied on expensive lead services—the kind that drain your wallet.

The real breakthrough? Going above and beyond for his clients, even if it meant losing money on a few jobs early on.

That extra attention to detail and commitment to delivering a great experience is what built his referral pipeline. Today, 90% of his business comes from word of mouth.

Here’s the question: Are you willing to invest in your clients, even if it costs you upfront? The payoff could be massive.

Treat your customers right, and they’ll not only come back, but they’ll bring their friends. That’s how you build a reputation that keeps on growing. 🙌

10/07/2024

“The first time I had to fire someone—it wrecked me for days.”

In this episode of Builder Stories, Elliott Wittstruck dives into one of the toughest parts of leadership: letting someone go.

It’s never easy when a once rockstar employee starts losing momentum. Elliott opens up about how, as business owners, we often hold on too long, hoping things will turn around.

But here’s the hard truth: if they’re not leveling up with you, it’s time to face the decision you’ve been avoiding.

Elliott shares a powerful insight from his exit interviews: most of the time, the person being let go had been thinking about quitting for months. The day you consider firing them is often the same day they’ve decided to move on mentally.

His advice? Don’t be afraid to make the hard choice. You’re not burning bridges—you’re clearing space for someone who’s ready to help take your business to the next level. Let them move on to where they belong, and you’ll bring in someone who’s excited to grow with you. 👊

10/06/2024

In a world where everyone follows the blueprint, dare to sketch your own path. Embrace the challenges and create your unique mark in construction. Watch Nate Burket's episode now.

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