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18 Aug 2022
How to Reach a Reputation of Excellence with Michael Pearson of Hedrick Brothers Construction
00:53:42
Listen in as Michael tells the story of how Dale Hedrick came to establish Hedrick Brothers and how the company’s culture challenges employees both on the level of creativity and leadership.
He shares his greatest lessons learned from building dozens upon dozens of homes for ultra-wealthy clients in Florida and how he sees the homebuilding market evolving in the near future.
Topics Discussed:
The story of behind Hedrick Brothers
Why Michael came down to Palm Beach
How the culture at Hedrick Brothers challenges its people
Incentivizing employees with a case of beer
Learning from ultra-high-net-worth clients
How homebuilding in Naples has changed over the past several years
Building a 4000 sq ft house versus a 20,000 sq ft house
Anyone can do what we do as a company but few have the follow-through to achieve it and continue to maintain those standards over the years.
Every client wants you to be completely honest with them, and set expectations and manage those expectations throughout the course of the project.
Everyone wants to make their house their paradise now—their little sanctuary. People are definitely investing more into what they care about in their homes and not waiting till later.
Quality is never an accident. It’s always the result of intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, and skillful execution. It represents the wise choice of many alternatives.
31 Mar 2022
Building Luxury Lifestyles With Tim McCormac, Owner of Temec Development
00:55:56
Established in 2003, Tim builds impactful homes and businesses for his clients that are viewed as the best-built and best experience for each of our clients from design to move-in, with a slew of industrial facilities, commercial properties, and 600-plus residential homes under his belt. Tim’s larger-than-life perspective gave him the perfect mindset and drive to build a successful build and design firm that is Termac Development today!
Tim discusses his personal journey to building a successful construction company and how he leverages the teachings of his father and the military to take Temac Development to greater heights. He further explained the technology in the construction industry that excites him the most.
Topics discussed:
[00:44] The $12million house in Paradise Valley
[06:08] Tim’s background story in construction
[11:32] Tim’s transition from production to customer homes
[15:00] What Tim learned from the people in the military that he applies to Temac
[19:09] The most incredible things about Temac construction
[23:55] Is Scottsdale city user-friendly for construction?
[25:14] The number of homes Temac builds in a year
[27:35] The available land for construction in Scottsdale
[29:09] The biggest challenges Tim has faced with the business
[35:16] What Tim teaches the younger people on his team to keep them motivated
[38:40] The future plan for Temac
[43:29] What excites Tim the most about where he has come from and where he is going
Always carry yourself lower than anybody else. Don’t take credit. Put your head down and your eyes forward and respect other people around you.
Everybody is bogged down with so much work. You have to get a lead of management on every part, every scope, and on everything that everybody is involved with.
The biggest challenge faced by construction companies is growing, trying to figure out the sweet spot because everything is up. Labor prices are up, and wages are up.
In a healthy market, for Scottsdale and Phoenix, there are 35,000 homes in the market. Right now, there are 4400 homes which is 13% of a healthy market. That is why the prices are going crazy.
When you really care about your people, you can get in their faces and challenge them because they know you love them.
15 Jul 2021
Klaus Baer of WRJ Design in Jackson Wyoming
01:02:32
Today Ted speaks with Klaus Baer, COO of WRJ Design, an interior design firm he co-founded with Rush Jenkins in Jackson, WY.
Listen in as Klaus shares how he made the transition from Bear Stearns in New York to co-founding WRJ in Jackson and the inspiration behind one of his original home designs that evoked a “European aesthetic mixed with an American Western heritage style”.
Klaus reflects on his most memorable projects, including his exhibition work for a number of high-profile figures such as Nancy Reagan and Johnny Cash.
He touches on the idea of American excellence and how architects and designers can nurture that symbiotic relationship that leads to truly timeless works of art.
Klaus speaks on the WRJ brand and his partnerships with European craftsmen, and why he puts so much focus on soft skills or aptitudes when hiring new team members.
Finally, he talks about his and Rush’s experience publishing the book Natural Elegance: Luxurious Mountain Living.
Topics Discussed:
[04:10] Klaus’s background and career in the interior design space
[15:39] How working with Nancy Reagan impacted Klaus and his foray into exhibitions
[23:14] What gilded age architecture can teach us about the American Dream
[26:14] How Klaus chooses his more “humble” projects apart from prestigious clients
[31:31] Partnering with European craftsmen and differences between different countries
[39:36] What most don’t know about doing photography for an interior design book
[48:14] Getting Natural Elegance: Luxurious Mountain Living published
[52:41] The importance of fostering soft skills among team members
[56:05] Skills that Klaus wants to impart onto the next generation of designers
[59:06] What Klaus is most excited for
[01:00:33] Klaus on how anyone can live the American Dream
It doesn’t matter the industry—excellence is excellence.
Something that looks great today has got to be timeless. It’s got to work 10, 15, ideally 20 years from now if possible.
As interior designers, we are very focused on the nuance of the human appeal of all the textures and tactile layers that go into the interiors that we work on. Architects are more interested in the form and the shape of the house.
Being an intern is probably one of the best things a young person can do to really understand if they want to be in the industry.
15 Jun 2023
Small Choices Make a Big Impact: Sustainable Flooring with Shannon Johnstone | Friends of Build Magazine #75
00:49:52
Today Ted speaks with Shannon Johnstone of Strong Roots Flooring in Kelowna BC. Shannon and her husband run their business with the model to save old flooring by refinishing it to look modern. In their store, they focus on educating customers on sustainable flooring options for every budget.
While their business always focused on refinishing, the shift towards sustainability is new and the smallest choices have had the biggest impact. From using new technology and low VOC products, to a partnership to replant the worlds forests, Shannon and her husband are on a mission. For every 100 square feet of flooring they’re able to refinish, they partner with a company to plant 10 trees around the world. This initiative has allowed them to not only plant more trees, but to save more old floors from entering landfills.
This episode is a lesson on the environment, the choices we can make, and where the industry is headed if we can take the smallest steps.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
[2:00] The start of Strong Roots Flooring
[5:30] It’s tough to find good people
[8:00] Most floors can be refinished
[8:40] How to give old floors new personality
[12:00] How has technology changed refinishing?
[16:00] Where is the business now vs. when you started?
[19:40] Tree planting initiative
[30:15] Trying to educate the public on sustainable flooring
[35:30] Differences in wood sources and products
[40:20] How to be sustainable and thoughtful with hardwood
[41:30] Competition in the marketplace
[43:55] What keeps you up at night?
[46:45] Consideration for the environment is becoming popular
We won't do oil finished anymore. We have been requested, but just for the sake of our guys, we won't because it's so toxic.
We started it with just our refinishing to encourage our customers into refinishing rather than a new floor, but we now actually do it for just per a hundred square feet of flooring period. But we'll send a report so if we have a refinishing client, I send them an email at the beginning of the following month and I'll tell them how many trees they planted and then I'll tell them how many they saved from the landfill and then how many they saved from harvest. Because it's one thing to plant trees but if you're using what you have, if you're a thousand square feet of flooring, you've saved about ten trees from being harvested and you've saved another ten trees that were already harvested because they're in your floor from going into a landfill.
So I have a saying, if you don't like scratches, don't get hardwood. And if you don't like cracks, don't get concrete.
30 Dec 2021
Allan Rosenthal of Linear Fine Woodworking in Scottsdale, Arizona
01:07:21
The third-generation woodworker has spent the last 32 years building on the foundation his grandfather, a master woodworker from Europe, began prior to World War II.
Allan’s family business is a legacy defined by faith, gumption, and relentless perseverance: The elder Rosenthal, a tie salesman, was dragged into woodworking by Allan’s grandfather. Not long after, he became a Holocaust survivor who lost his entire family. Eventually, he immigrated to New York where Allan was raised until making the move to Arizona in 1990.
Allan says that if it weren’t for his father getting into the business, “he would have died working in the fields like everyone else.”
Today, Allan leads a team of 35 at Linear Fine Woodworking and is a Phoenix Home & Garden Master of the Southwest.
Topics Discussed:
[06:16] Allan’s background
[11:38] How Allan finds his ultra-high-net-worth clients
[15:28] Investing half-a-million dollars in equipment and hiring the best
[22:23] Training his builders and architects
[28:47] Allan’s thoughts on the supply chain issue
[37:54] The importance of working with the right people on your team
[40:51] How Allan’s family history shaped him and the legacy he wants to leave
[51:58] Allan’s role as a mentor to his kids
[58:42] How Allan stays focused on his projects and his standout jobs
This has been a passion for perfection, and that has always been my goal.
I think we always need to stay ahead. And the desire to stay ahead means to take risk that some people may not necessarily take.
The clients that are hiring us are hiring us because they don’t want to know about the supply chain issue. They just want what they want.
I watch what people do and not what they say. That’s the easiest way for me to see character in someone.
27 Apr 2023
Shifting Values Through Wellness Architecture with Veronica Schreibeis Smith | Friends of Build Magazine #71
01:08:57
Today Ted speaks with Veronica Schreibeis Smith of Vera Iconica Architecture, out of Jackson, Wyoming. Veronica spent years traveling the world and studying history and architecture before starting her business in Wyoming, where her family has been for generations.
Veronica coined the term Wellness Architecture, and she is a leading voice in the movement to push the envelope on design and design theory. By listening to her clients and asking the right questions, she transforms spaces in homes to become aligned with nature–and the future. This episode is all about the intersection of function vs. well-being in home design.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
[1:50] How Veronica got started
[3:00] Choosing travel
[9:30] What is wellness architecture
[14:30] What kind of clients do you work with?
[24:40] Function vs. Wellness
[28:50] Conventional materials are toxic
[29:00] Is it hard to use natural materials?
[31:15] Deepak Chopra
[37:25] What makes your job difficult?
[45:40] Frank Lloyd Wright
[56:40] Did you imagine you’d be doing an architect when you were younger?
Humans are a part of nature. And so if you make the right choices for humans, you end up making the right decision for the environment.
As world population increases, what human's value shifts.
But the more experiences you have, you become more and it really serves to fuel your creativity and the solutions you can come up with because you can combine all these unique experiences or see how humans, designer, of past, present, how they have resolved something in the future and you can come up with unique solutions that solve whatever requirements the project had.
10 Mar 2022
David LaFollette of Modern-Aire in Bend, Oregon
01:02:05
David speaks on the growth and evolution of the appliance space over the past two decades. He explains how independent businesses continue to thrive alongside big box stores. Because margins are always small when it comes to appliances, the true value proposition that sets one store apart from another is the level of knowledge of their salespeople.
In the latter half of the conversation, David offers his thoughts on succeeding as a business owner by injecting a healthy dose of humanity into every interaction and solution-oriented thinking into every decision one makes.
Topics Discussed:
[12:43] David’s career from Monarch onwards
[14:00] Who runs the appliance world today
[18:02] How consumers shop for appliances
[24:47] David’s newest venture
[29:56] Learning from his experience at Monarch and the implosion of Sears
[38:53] Becoming “dumb enough to try something and smart enough to pull it off”
If you’re looking from a unit sales standpoint, people always turn to the big box stores. But independents, collectively, are just the biggest resource for appliances.
The general consumer is really savvy when it comes to appliances because they can look up everything on the web.
The road is littered with good companies that have bought great companies and destroyed them. A lot of it is simply due to infrastructure or pulling you into their way of doing business.
You’ve got to be dumb enough to try something and smart enough to pull it off.
01 Feb 2024
Timeless Architecture: A New Venture in Montana with Nik Sirna | Friends of Build Magazine #87
00:58:52
Ted speaks with Nik Sirna, owner of NVS Architects based in Montana. Nik recently relocated from Ohio to start his own architecture firm and has quickly built a customer base through his great work ethic and communication skills.
Today Ted dives into the challenges of starting over, the importance of listening to the customer, and the ways technology is changing industry businesses. Listen in to hear how Nik is climbing the ladder of success and the mentality he uses to tackle problems as they arise.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
[1:15] How Nik and Ted met
[4:10] How difficult is it to relocate your business and family?
[9:05] Is it hard to acclimate to a new style or design or craftsmanship?
[11:35] Listening to the client
[13:05] Architects can work anywhere
[15:00] Designs based on location, Square footage is just a number
[19:20] How tough was it to build up a firm with no clients? Getting your start.
[25:45]What’s the difference between school and real life practicing architecture?
[28:55] 3D modeling vs. real life
[33:35] Budget realities and hard decisions
[39:38] Exciting Projects
[42:12] The power of word of mouth and building relationships
[45:50] The process of landing a big project
[48:45] Mentorship and working hard matters
[51:20] You have to learn to figure things out, and don’t take no for an answer
We've found our lane for sure. We're always evolving, but we've definitely, we definitely have our niche and we've got our aesthetic, which has been nice and it's, it's again, been welcoming
Sometimes some of the best projects are some of the smaller ones where you gotta be creative with space and you be articulate with some of the structural stuff and you can create some really dynamic stuff. So it doesn't all have to be these huge, the huge projects are great, but a lot of them, the ones that challenge us design wise, tend to be a little bit smaller and really make us think outside of the box a little bit from a plan standpoint and come up with some awesome solutions.
I've been lucky enough to fall in line. I come from a big family of Italian entrepreneurs that they very successfully sold food, but more importantly, created an amazing culture and amazing business wrapped around people. I mean, they have staff that have been part of their team for 40 years because they believe in them, right? They set a path and their customer base, they love the family, they love the people, they love the experience, they love the communication. I've been able to take a lot of those key things.
18 Nov 2021
Justin Ford of Ford's Experience in Naples, Florida
01:12:19
Of his clients, Justin always asks, “How can I serve them well? How can I be authentic?” It is a way of thinking he developed largely thanks to his father’s saying that “money is a consequence of good business.”
It’s an approach that also extends to his own team. Justin notes that, because he has such a powerful focus on his team’s why, he has candidates write out their mission statement to even be considered for employment.
Finally, Justin speaks on his passion for God, his Russian wife, and his kids, and the daily habits he has committed to for the sake of his mental and emotional health, as well as to nurture his relationship with his family.
Topics Discussed:
[03:40] Justin’s backstory and early successes
[17:34] Gaining the trust of ultra-wealthy clients at the age of 28 and finding his why
[30:21] Justin’s morning routine
[36:27] How Justin’s Russian wife adjusted to life with him in the States
[42:25] How Justin’s wife reprogrammed her mind to embrace her dreams
[48:10] What Justin learns from his billionaire clients
Your time is going to come. We all look back five years ago and the experience we had. That was yesterday. Why in the world can’t you realize that, and that five years from now, you’re going to say the same thing?
Everybody wants to look good. We pretend to not pretend. If you really want to look good, stop it. What do you gain? It actually makes you look bad.
If you’re not happy, something’s wrong. If you have a broken leg, do you walk around on it? No. If you have crippling anxiety, people ignore it. I’m sorry, but that’s broken. You’ve got to go fix it.
We know the results of making a bad decision. We do not think about the results of not making a decision.
11 Nov 2021
Matthew Riley, CEO of Thomas Riley Artisans' Guild in Naples Florida
00:51:02
Matthew's father says, “His mission for this company was to create a place where brilliantly talented people could come together and do what they love to do—and he was the orchestra leader.”
That theme of cultural harmony permeates the entirety of Thomas Riley today. Matt speaks on the collaborative environment he, Tom, and Ben continue to foster within the company demonstrated, for instance, by their team’s 7 A.M. huddle that they have stuck to every single Monday and Friday, year after year.
The Rileys are also committed to being the example for their team in both good times and bad. Matt recalls Ben and himself putting their paychecks on hold in 2009 amid the challenges brought about by the Great Recession, and then having their own staff volunteering to cut their own pay in order to help keep the company afloat.
Finally, Matt discusses his excitement for the future of the company and his eagerness to continually raise the bar by being unafraid to embrace risks when doing business. In Matt’s own words: “Nothing great happens without taking some risks.”
Topics Discussed:
[02:33] The story behind Thomas Riley Artisans’ Guild
[12:42] What Matt has learned from working with their clients
[17:00] What Matt learned from his time as an ironworker in Jacksonville
[23:57] Dealing with fluctuating capture rates
[27:47] Why Tom named Matt CEO and his brother Ben as COO
[36:13] The future of Thomas Riley Artisans’ Guild
There’s an apostrophe in Artisans’, and it’s after the “s”, because it wasn’t [my father’s] place. Maybe he was the namesake of it, but it was about the team. Nothing’s changed. The mission he wrote on the napkin hasn’t changed in 30 years.
It’s easy to run your business in the tough times because you know the decisions you have to make. When times are good, it’s very easy to slack off.
Ultimately, I make the final decisions; but, we’ve intentionally built an environment where people are empowered to help us make decisions together. So, it’s a team effort the whole way. That helps me sleep at night.
If there’s no risk involved, it’s probably not something we should do, because nothing great happens without taking some risks.
07 Apr 2022
Dwayne Bergmann Interiors: Taking Risks & Tearing Down the Walls with Founder & Principal, Dwayne Bergmann
01:00:54
Dwayne kicks off the conversation discussing his latest partnership with Italian marble company Kreoo (known as Decormarmi in Italy). Of this collaboration, he says, “We are reimagining how to use marble in a little bit more modern and slightly more sophisticated way.”
He also looks back on his good fortune, from growing up in the rural Midwestern U.S. to getting the opportunity to design and showcase a furniture line in Milan.
Dwayne goes on to speak on the under-appreciated power of listening to your gut as the creative process unfolds, why he never begins a project without speaking with the homeowner, why he sees himself as more of a “conceptual artist” than just an “interior designer”, and his entrepreneurial journey over the years.
Topics Discussed:
[02:20] Dwayne on his collaboration with Kreoo (known as Decormarmi in Italy)
[07:32] Creatively interpreting what owners want (and don’t know they want)
[12:26] Trusting the creative process
[17:54] Preparing for and dealing with massive failure
[21:48] The power of an authentic brand
[25:53] Vetting clients
[28:57] Ensuring that a design exceeds expectations all the way through the process
[37:36] Dealing with owners’ reps
[42:11] How Dwayne bounced back from his biggest personal failure
[43:51] The next five years for Dwayne
[53:05] Dwayne’s entrepreneurial drive over the years
[56:35] How Dwayne instills a sense of self-worth in his kids
The beautiful part about being a creative individual is you get to see things that most people would see, but for some reason, we’re blessed to see them from a different perspective.
When it comes to design, I have to feel it. If I don’t feel it, then it’s not right, and we just keep pushing until it feels right.
My goal on every house is to deliver to the homeowner not only everything that they wanted, but everything that they didn’t know they wanted, as well.
Failure is an option; but, when you fail, fail quickly, document every single thing about that process, educate yourself so you don’t fail in the same way again, and get back on the bike and go at it.
It’s not just about a client that wants to hire you; but, it’s about having the right client for the way we do business, as well.
07 Mar 2024
Powering Life Beyond (and the dark side) of Tomorrow’s Home Automation Innovations with Michael Short of Crestron| Friends of Build Magazine #90
00:48:47
Ted speaks with Michael Short, Sr. Director of Residential & Hospitality Marketing with Crestron Electronics. They explore Crestron's background and reputation as a leading automation company and discuss the challenges of scheduling and dealing with technology issues in smart homes.. The conversation touches on the importance of educating design build professionals and staying on the cutting edge of technology. Michael shares his thoughts on Crestron's growth and expansion globally, as well as the future of smart homes - addressing the potential dark side of technology and the need for security. Listen in to hear how Crestron is thriving in a fast-paced technology industry.
And the good news is we've been doing this for 50 years. Crestron is a 50 year old company, so we have a huge amount of legacy and experience in innovating incredible control technology.
You know, the owners of the biggest companies in the world, the innovators in, in this industry and outside this industry, the most famous people they have Crestron in their homes on their super yachts. These people don't sit still. These people expect the best experience. They expect the next thing. They expect everything to get better and improve.
Of course, we have all that structure and strategic integration set up, but they don't close off and we don't close off to ideas, to conversations, to people wanting to push the boundaries and that open infrastructure, that open language, that open culture is something that he installs in us to do because us pushing the boundaries and pushing the conversations, that's how you grow and innovate in a company
08 Aug 2024
The Art of Delegation with Kate O’Hara of O'Hara Interiors
00:52:36
Ted speaks with Kate O'Hara, CEO and creative director for O'Hara Interiors. She shares insights from her mother, Martha, who founded the company, and what it’s been like to take over a family business. Ted and Kate cover the importance of delegation, processes and procedures, and the significance of personal interactions in their line of work. Kate also shares her insight into creating custom furniture and the rewards of building strong relationships with clients.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
01:00 Introduction and Technical Difficulties
02:25 The Influence of Kate's Grandfather and Her mother’s journey
05:25 Lessons from Martha on Running a Business
09:10 Expanding into Austin and Business Development
11:55 The Significance of Photo Shoots in Showcasing Design Work
13:40 Balancing Big Picture Thinking and Attention to Detail
15:00 Transitioning from Entrepreneurship to Structured Growth
21:35 Expanding into New Markets and Assessing Opportunities
26:10 The Difference Between Remote Work and On-Site Interaction
"Being on site makes it easier to understand the terrain, colors, and environment."
"The level of client involvement varies based on the type of home being designed."
11 Jul 2024
Building A Strong Team & Cultivating Growth With Kaitlyn Wolfe (Scottsdale, AZ)
00:48:27
Episode Notes
Ted speaks with Kaitlyn Wolfe, founder of Iconic, a design build firm located in Scottsdale, AZ. A newer builder in the market, she highlights the importance of work-life balance in the industry and the need for continuous growth and adaptation in business. Kaitlyn discusses her approach to managing her time and projects, as well as her journey in the design industry. She emphasizes the importance of staying organized and also shares her experience working on various types of projects, from small remodels to large-scale renovations, and the turning point in her career when she realized she had something special. She discusses her passion for both residential and commercial design and her plans to focus on projects that align with her aesthetic vision. Kaitlyn also highlights the importance of being open to change and having a positive mindset in a fast-paced industry. Join Ted as he hears a new perspective in an aging industry.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
01:05 Introduction and Background
03:00 Starting a Business Based on Passion
04:35 Embracing Change and Building a Strong Team
08:08 The Importance of Face-to-Face Communication
11:50 Finding Inspiration and Recharging Through Travel
16:25 Setting Goals and Celebrating Success
19:30 Mastering Time and Project Management
23:45 Finding Success in Residential Design
28:35 Owning a business is hard
32:11 How do you see the business growing?
39:22 Exciting Projects Coming Up
43:10 Building a Strong Team and Cultivating Growth
"I think I just went into it like, this is my passion, this is what I love to do."
"It's important to constantly look at your processes because you're going to change over time."
"Face-to-face is always going to trump every other type of communication."
28 Oct 2021
Gary Campbell of Aloha Light & Design in Kailua Kona Hawaii
00:53:59
A transplant to Big Island from San Francisco, Gary brought over his 16 years of experience in the fast-paced Bay Area world of commercial and retail lighting.
Gary and the Aloha Light & Design team operate under the philosophy of the Hawaiian word kina’ole, which essentially means "doing the right thing; in the right way; at the right time; in the right place; to the right person; for the right reasons; with the right feeling—the first time."
Listen in as Gary speaks on his love of travel, the differences of doing business on the mainland versus Hawaii, the blessings and challenges that come with having ultra-high-net-worth clients, and how he ensures he never makes a mistake on a single project.
Topics Discussed:
[06:22] Growing up in the Bay Area and moving to Kona
[10:56] Gary’s career in the lighting industry
[14:11] The challenges of dealing with homeowner reps
[18:56] Keeping almost all projects custom while keeping up with industry standards
[22:31] What Gary appreciates about living in Kona
[31:34] Projects that Gary is excited about
[34:46] The moment Gary reali
zed he has a successful business
[38:59] How Gary chose his home in Kona
[43:42] How Gary deals with mistakes
[47:34] Where Gary sees himself in five years and what he’s most proud of
There’s no place like home, really. Traveling is great and everything; but, knowing that I get to come back here—that’s the best.
When people think of Hawaii, they think of the beauty of the beaches and the scenery. To me, the real beauty is the people. The people here are just indescribable. It’s that aloha spirit. [...] There are no pretenses. They’re just real people.
I’d rather work with clients and sell them what they want—find out what they want and find that. Or find them what they want and make that. That’s what we do. That’s what sets us apart. We’re not pushing anything on anybody. We’ll give you whatever you want, and if you don’t know what you want, we’ll tell you what you
01 Jun 2023
Building a Foundation: A Blueprint to Giving Back with Brett and Paul Berman | Friends of Build Magazine #73
00:58:34
Today Ted speaks with Brett and Paul Berman from Big Canyon Homes about their Big Canyon Foundation. After years of building homes for wealthy clients, the Berman’s wanted to do more for their community. After a special collaboration with the Make a Wish Foundation, they decided to take the leap and create a foundation of their own.
Their company, Big Canyon Homes, always gave back in small ways, but the Big Canyon Foundation wanted to make a larger impact. They’re able to donate directly to local schools, hospitals, and military programs and see the difference they can make in their community. Today we dive into how they started, how they fund it, and where they hope it goes in the future. This is a blueprint for any business owner who wants to give back but doesn't know where to start.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
[1:35] The Big Canyon Foundation background
[5:00] The first time they gave back
[8:00] Where did the concept come from?
[18:45] Future of the foundation
[25:00] How the foundation makes people want to work with Big Canyon
[26:00] How did Big Canyon Homes begin?
[28:00] How did you get involved in the Make a Wish Foundation?
[32:45] Where can work ethic get you in life?
[35:00] What is it like working in a family business?
[36:25] Net zero homes
[41:00] What is the biggest change you’ve seen in the last 20 years?
[45:00] Altitude control technology
[48:40] How do you make building less stressful for your clients?
[50:00] The importance of interior designers in the build process
I mean, it takes a lot of work to help people, but anybody can do it.
We're relationship based and we take our subs, it's very important to us to take care of them, schedule, you know, value their time. We treat them as an equal because that's what they are. I mean, you're only as good as the guys that are working for you.
Honestly, I'm most proud of the foundation. I mean, I know we're a great builder and we produce a great product and stand behind it, but there's a lot of guys who do that. Right? But what we're doing with the Foundation, it far exceeds what we're doing as far as building.
04 Apr 2024
How AI Software Streamlines Collaboration During the Build Process with Ryan & Ty of Digs | Friends of Build Magazine #92
00:18:28
Ted speaks with Ryan Fink and Ty Frackiewicz, the co-founders of Digs. Digs is a collaboration software solution for home builders, vendors, and homeowners that provides more efficient file storage, collaboration, and homeowner handoff for home construction projects. Ryan and Ty share their journey of creating and growing their AI solution and how it’s affecting the home building industry.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
01:00 Introducing the founders of Digs
02:25 The ideal customer
03:15 Processes and enhancing the customer experience
06:00 What were some challenges since you’ve launched?
09:15 Partnering with Mike Rowe
10:40 Educating others about the technology Digs uses
11:45 How does Digs stand out from other technology companies?
We don’t want to blow up the existing build process. We want to enhance it.
Instead of having somebody come out and scan your space and turn that into a twin, it becomes super accessible and inexpensive, frankly. For the first time digital twins become accessible.
17 Oct 2024
Strategies For Longterm Success with Christian Nickum of Rocky Mountain Hardware
00:43:11
Ted speaks with Christian Nickum, president of Rocky Mountain Hardware, discussing the journey of taking over the family business, navigating economic challenges, and the importance of brand identity. Christian shares insights on adapting to design trends, educating dealers and customers, and the significance of collaborations with designers in the longevity of his business. The conversation also touches on production techniques, staffing challenges, and the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, culminating in a vision for the future of the company.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
01:15 Introduction and Background
01:55 Taking Over the Family Business
04:40 Growth and Challenges in Business
06:25 Navigating Economic Downturns
11:10 Brand Identity and Market Positioning
14:15 Educating Dealers and Customers
18:40 Production Techniques and Custom Work
20:20 The Traveling Road Show
21:50 Success in High-End Markets
25:05 Timeless Design and Natural Materials
27:45 Design collaborations
31:40 Learning from Failure and innovation
36:30 Staffing Challenges in a Specialized Industry
5 Generations of European Wood Floor Manufacturing with Tiffany Guido of Legno Bastone Wide Plank Flooring
00:57:24
Tiffany got involved with the business in 2014, joining her brother Frank and father Arturo on the company’s leadership team. Along the way, she immersed herself in her family’s history, at one point enduring a grueling five-hour hike amid an Italian summer to the exact spot her great, great-grandfather chopped down trees for Legno Bastone five generations prior.
She shares how the company underwent its dramatic growth from 0 to 400 dealers in ten years, building up a team of employees that feel just as part of the family as Luigi’s descendents do. This family-centered business philosophy is part of the reason Legno Bastone has attracted a loyal community of raving fans, differentiating it from other flooring companies in the market.
When asked for the secret to thriving as a family business, Tiffany only has this to say:
“My brother is President. I’m the Vice President. My father is the CFO. But none of those titles mean anything, because we’re a family. We’re a unit. When you’re truly a unit, there’s no person that’s higher up or better than I am. That’s not how we look at our family. Everyone gets an opportunity to speak and everybody’s ideas come into play.”
Topics Discussed:
[02:00] The history of Legno Bastone
[09:32] Bringing Legno Bastone to America
[12:36] Beyond the company’s mission statement
[13:49] When Tiffany got involved in the company
[22:37] Going from 0 to 400 dealers in ten years
[28:06] How Legno Bastone differentiated itself from other flooring companies
[32:16] What’s next for Legno Bastone
[33:52] Legno Bastone’s international presence
[38:25] The magic of the dinner table
[45:40] Moving past failure
[48:10] Inspiring the next generation
[50:20] Tiffany’s biggest failure and how she overcame it
[53:32] What Tiffany learned after surviving a car accident
Something that we pride ourselves on is quality, and we can say that our floors will last 100+ years.
We want to be known for quality. We want to be known for custom-designed furniture for your floor.
We create a family atmosphere not only within blood, but we want all of our employees to feel as if they are family.
Brand is important because it connects people on an emotional level. When people feel good about something that they’re purchasing, they’re proud of it. They smile.
Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten.
06 Apr 2023
You Can't Rush a Masterpiece: Slow Building on the Big Island with Urs Leuenberger of Roy Lambrecht Woodworking Inc. | Friends of Build Magazine #68
00:33:19
Today Ted speaks with Urs Leuenberger of Roy Lambrecht Woodworking Inc. in Kona, Hawaii. Urs tells the story of coming from another country to start his business and all the ways the island has changed in the time he’s been there.
Ted leads Urs in sharing his American dream, what the future of development in Hawaii might look like, and the evolution of his clients in the 40 years he’s been doing business there. Urs gives his insights on what his clients are looking for, new trends, and why you can’t rush a masterpiece.
You look down on the whole island and you see that there is so much land, so much so much land. It's incredible that really there is – very little is developed. It does not mean that everything needs to be developed, but there's still definitely, at least in my lifetime, it's gonna be.
You also never on the island in the 80s, you never saw a Ferrari or a BMW on the road, and now you see almost exclusively BMW's on the road.
And it's just more or less the understanding of what the client wants, what they're looking for. And you can achieve that by either knowing them very good or engage them in a dialogue of of creating the piece. And a lot of clients come in here and. they get very involved in designing their pieces of what they want.
30 Mar 2023
Niche Market on the Big Island with Zak Jorski of Furnishings by Debi | Friends of Build Magazine #67
00:17:34
Today Ted speaks with Zak Jorski of Furnishing by Debi, a consignment business set up on Hawaii’s Big Island. A creative endeavor, Furnishings by Debi works with well-traveled locals who are hoping to redesign their homes and need to offload their furnishings collected from all over the world.
Zak shares with us how it all began, how he keeps track of such an incredible inventory, and the finer details of imparting an object's history to its next owner. With painstaking patience entire homes are documented, history is collected, and items are carefully packed off to his storefront or warehouses.
Listen in as Zak shares his process, how his business has grown, and how he keeps his clients happy.
I just tried to bring a little bit of the mentality from the mainland, but blend it with the island, you know, because I was raised here, but I did spend a lot of time on mainland in business. So find that median where it works for both sides, which is really nice. You know, so my clients do enjoy that rapid response and you know, we take care of their needs.
That's what makes it so fun is to figure out the history and figure out the logistics and how to move that product and then find its next new life. Because we're just caretakers for these pieces. Some of these pieces are already lived centuries.
We do spend a lot of time researching the pieces just so we can know the past. So we probably spend four or five hours a day just on documentation and history and just learning ourselves, because that's the funniest part I think about it, is knowing the product line. So you can pass on that history ambiance with the piece of that documentation. And that's what makes the piece so special too, is if you lose the history on it, then you don't have that ambiance or feeling with it, you know.
29 Sep 2022
The Luxury Threads of Sleep with a Mission of Form, Function, Beauty, & Comfort with Jennifer Fay and Beth Chapdelaine of Linen Alley
00:37:07
Listen in as Jennifer talks about the story behind Linen Alley and how it has evolved since Jennifer opened the store 18 years ago. She speaks on the four mattress types that make up the company’s core line, and the secret to creating a high-quality bed that lasts for generations.
She and Beth discuss the different factors that go into optimizing one’s sleep experience, from the impact of weight on the bed to choosing the right pillow. They also offer an in-depth look at why brand partners Heston and ViSpring are among the best in the industry.
Topics Discussed:
[02:00] Opening the store and how things have changed over the past 18 years
[05:03] How different material provide different levels of absorbency
[06:40] The growth of the Hastens brand
[07:43] Creating a “generational” bed
[13:31] Linen Alley and Hestons’ ideal customer
[18:09] How weight impacts sleep quality and how to choose the right pillow
[22:16] What Jennifer has learned since starting the business
[23:35] The next “new” thing in sleeping
[28:33] Hestons and ViSpring’s amazing customization options
Sleep has taken center stage in the last five years when it comes to making our days better. So, I think we should start focusing on how important our sleep is by buying products that help us sleep better. ~Jennifer
All of the other brands are trying to get the best priced materials to perform in the way that our all-natural materials already perform. ~Jennifer
When you’re building a custom bed, our message to people is: Please come pick your mattress first. ~Beth
19 May 2022
Stunning Results with Award Winning Vancouver Interior Designer, Reisa Pollard of Beyond Beige Interior Design
00:55:29
Listen in as Reisa pulls back the curtain on her road to massive success and recognition since establishing Beyond Beige in 2003, not just in the Vancouver market, but internationally as well.
She discusses why it’s vital to get clear on the attributes of your ideal client as early as possible, why smaller budget builds actually tend to be more challenging than bigger budget projects, the benefits of exposing oneself to a variety of cultures as an architect or designer, and how to stay timeless and cutting edge at the same time.
Topics Discussed:
The importance of solidifying relationships
Considerations around hiring a designer
Knowing who to take on as a client
Working with ultra-wealthy clients
Doing business in a culturally diverse market
Design trends that emerged due to COVID
Why Reisa decided to become an interior designer
What to do when you feel you’ve gone off-track on a project
Keeping up with the latest technologies
Staying cutting edge while adhering to timeless style
Spain versus Italy versus Germany
[What Reisa is most excited about in business
Scaling the business and adding new team members
How to manage multiple ultra-high-net-worth clients
Where Reisa sees herself in five years and what she is most proud of
A lot of people can go to school for the rest of their life and never have that intuition as to how to create good design.
I want to have a touchpoint with each and every client and assure them that I don’t need to be on the frontlines for everything. My staff is more than capable of all the work that needs to be done.
I love this industry because you never stop learning.
18 Apr 2024
Bringing Your Outdoor-Living Vision to Life With Joe Raboine of Belgard | Friends of Build Magazine #93
00:48:05
Ted speaks with Joe Raboine, VP and Director of hardscapes for Belgard. He discusses the evolution of Belgard and the outdoor living space industry. He explains the structure of the company and its focus on providing a holistic solution for outdoor living. Joe also shares his transition from being a contractor to working in corporate America and the entrepreneurial mindset that drives the company. He highlights the importance of taking risks and learning from failures. Together, Ted and Joe cover challenges in construction, inspiring the next generation, and the future of Belgard.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
01:25 Overview of Belgard and Old Castle APG
06:30 Transition from Contractor to Corporate America
I think the outdoor living space is still wide open and, and there's so much opportunity.
When we look at the outdoor living space, we just see just unprecedented potential, right? But the challenge is there are very complex spaces to install. You need really all the skillsets you need for building a house, right? You need plumbers, electricians, carpenters, all of it, to do the big spaces.
It's incredible, but I think people are reprioritizing that. And in some cases are even, I've even had some recent conversations where people are building smaller homes, but they're building much larger outdoor spaces that are even bigger than the square footage of the house, some cases, which I think is, is incredible to see.
22 Sep 2022
Drewett Works Architecture: The Renaissance Man with a Destiny in Architecture with C.P Drewett
01:00:47
CP’s work has been published in magazines such as The Robb Report, Phoenix Home & Garden, AZ Foothills Magazine, Western Interiors, and Luxe Magazine, among others. Additionally, his projects have won countless awards, including Home of the Year (2018) and Room of the Year (2019) at the Best in American Living Awards.
Listen in as CP looks back on an upbringing that led to his passion for architecture, as well as his unique, faith-based approach to business and design. He talks about how he reconciles his penchant for minimalism with the client’s vision.
He also explains what led to his decision to open two overseas offices, in Serbia and Poland, and the biggest lessons learned from managing remote, multicultural teams.
Topics Discussed:
[06:28] CP’s background and early career
[12:33] Establishing Drewett Works and the firm’s first few projects
[18:05] CP’s architectural philosophy
[20:30] Finding a balance between CP’s personal vision and his client’s desires
[23:53] How CP injects minimalism into different design styles
[29:36] Getting the opportunity to build behind The Ritz-Carlton
[39:13] Setting up offices in Serbia and Poland and managing the remote team
[50:15] Staying grounded in the industry
[53:15] Keeping up with the latest technologies
[57:40] What CP has learned from his teams in Serbia and Poland
Architecture is a series of marriages: architect-to-client; art-to-science; building-to-site. It’s one big covenant and I need to steward it and make sure it touches history.
Modern architecture flows out of me naturally; but, I’ve never had a style that I failed to embrace.
One of the things I try to do here is promote individual talents.
Culture is the equalizer that enables the sale.
20 Apr 2023
The Living Cost of Quality Craftsmanship with Nathan Marsala | Friends of Build Magazine #70
01:00:00
Today Ted speaks with Nathan Marsala of The Bison Group Inc., a custom home building business based in Salt Lake City, Utah. From growing up on jobs sites, working the trades to support himself through college, and coming full circle to take over the family business, Nathan shares what he’s learned through it all.
As the economy continues to shift, Nathan talks about the difficult conversations he faces with clients pertaining to budget, soft-costs, and the value of true craftsmanship. Listen in as Ted delves into how we can encourage more young people to join the industry and why a true design build model is becoming more popular.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
[1:30] Growing up in a builder family
[3:30] Coming back to the family business
[6:30] Striking out on his own again
[9:30] Transition from commercial to residential
[12:15] Weathering economic storms
[17:00] Encouraging the next generation
[21:00] What is the value in quality workmanship
[25:25] Do you really need an interior designer?
[35:45] Having the hard conversations with clients
[40:15] There’s no such thing as a cost per square foot
[45:00] What are clients looking for in their houses?
Somehow we conflated going to college and getting a college degree meant you were smart, successful and on the right path and working with your hands meant you couldn't hack it where everybody else could.
What's the living cost of living in a home that performs well and looks beautiful? What's that experience of a comfortable, beautiful home.
Do you ever walk into a space and it just feels right? Or you look through a magazine, something like your magazine, for example. And there's, you can sense the feeling and emotion in the room. Part of that is the quality materials. But a lot of it comes down to: you had an architect that understood the space, you have the interior designer that understood color, texture, palette, and how to create emotion with that. And then you had a talented builder that executed it, you need all three to have that X factor in a project when you're done.
16 Sep 2021
Mark de Reus of de Reus Architects in Sun Valley Idaho & Hawaii
00:59:51
Mark is the founding design partner of de Reus Architects. A veteran of over three decades in the architecture space, Mark has a number of design awards under his belt and has been featured in international design publications.
Architectural Digest recognized Mark as one of the world’s top architects and designers in their AD 100 list. In 2011, ORO Editions published Tropical Experience: Architecture + Design, a 344-page book of his work.
Listen in as Mark shares his 35-year journey as an architect and the decisions that led to starting his own firm in Hawaii. He speaks on scaling de Reus Architects into a prestigious brand that today nets ten-to-twelve projects a year, and why he only chooses to work with clients “who have a mission”.
Topics Discussed:
[01:18] Mark’s early career in the field of architecture
[08:28] The biggest lessons Mark learned from his parents
[09:59] Doing architecture in Hawaii versus in Idaho
[14:17] Living through a coup and starting a firm in Big Island
[22:24] The process at de Reus and doing business in Hawaii during the pandemic
[28:49] What Mark has learned from his clients
[34:36] Mark’s drive to be a mentor to the youth and how he learns from the past
[38:48] How Mark makes big decisions
[39:28] The future of de Reus Architects
[41:00] How Mark chooses and sets expectations with his clients
[45:58] The defining moment when Mark realized business was going strong
[51:01] Mark’s experience writing his books
[55:14] Mark on how anyone can live the American Dream
You have to be down-to-Earth and collaborate with the talent that you need to do the job.
A good client is one that can really articulate what they want to achieve. They’re trusting. They want their architect to create a design that is innovative and personalized for them, and lets them do it.
It’s all architecture. It doesn’t matter where it is.
It’s not just the chemistry between the client and the architect. It’s also about being able to make a decision about the chance or the likelihood of really succeeding in what we do. They’re interviewing me, but I’m interviewing them as well.
09 Dec 2021
David Rentfrow of The Firebird in Santa Fe, New Mexico
01:00:04
With his forward-thinking “what if?” approach to business, in a short span of time David’s leadership at The Fireplace resulted in a remodel of the company’s showroom (that had never been touched since being built in 1966) and the reevaluation and expansion of its classic product line.
This approach also shaped the company’s culture into what it is today. David explains how he has cultivated a customer-centric environment within The Fireplace of today. For example, he invites builders in the Northern New Mexico market to stop by their new showroom not only to see the products, but to feel their new attitude.
Listen in as David shares his journey from corporate America to entrepreneurship in an industry he previously had known nothing about, what it’s like to do business with his only son, his biggest takeaways from his mentors, and why he believes that the American Dream is a reality for everyone as it is for him and his family.
Topics Discussed:
[02:57] David’s corporate background and what brought him to Santa Fe
[11:41] Lessons that David brought from corporate America into The Fireplace
[17:08] Working around supply chain issues and communicating these to clients
[19:35] How the market in Santa Fe has evolved over 25 years
[24:12] The old Firebird versus the new Firebird
[26:35] Training the Firebird staff to look beyond price
[31:14] David on mentorship
[38:12] David’s vision for The Firebrand
[43:39] How David learned the ins-and-outs of the hearth and irrigation industries
[45:57] The moment David realized that life and business is going great
[51:43] Lessons around taking risks that David intends to pass on to his son
My approach to pretty much everything is to ask, “What if…?”
The universal truth is, it doesn’t matter what the business is. If you treat customers the way you would want to be treated as a customer, you’re going to win the day.
When you’re working with individuals and you’re not sure that they should be part of your team or are capable of being part of your team, your first approach should be to rehabilitate versus terminate. So, really give people a chance.
You can be a small company anywhere in the United States, but geography no longer limits you in any way, shape, or form.
One of the things that I’ve seen very successful people do throughout my life and certainly my career in corporate America, is having the courage to take chances when others would not.
26 Aug 2021
Kenny Anderson of Highland Custom Homes in Park City Utah
00:35:59
Kenny, along with his business partner Matt Yates, offered to collaborate with Highland and offer their expertise. In 2016, the two bought out their original partner, giving Kenny and Matt 50/50 ownership of the firm.
Listen in as Kenny does a deep dive into what drives him as a business owner in the real estate world. He speaks on his core values, decision-making framework, and how he balances an incredibly busy schedule and time with the family.
He then gives his thoughts on the future of home building and how company owners and those in the trades can adapt to changes in technology and consumer trends.
Topics Discussed:
[02:33] Kenny’s background and how he got involved with Highland Custom Homes
[05:53] Overcoming rejection
[06:57] Highland Custom Homes’s core values
[08:00] Kenny’s ventures outside of Highland Custom Homes
[09:27] Why Kenny loves real estate
[10:37] What Kenny is most excited about right now
[12:05] How Kenny makes big decisions
[13:15] Achieving work-life integration
[14:55] Kenny’s advice to young entrepreneurs
[15:12] Why Kenny loves travel
[17:24] The most special thing about being in Park City
[19:21] Building in the valley versus building in Park City
[20:32] Changes in technology for home builders
[22:03] Architects that inspire Kenny
[23:23] Kenny’s predictions about the market and supply chain for the next three years
[26:24] Qualities that Kenny looks for in trade partners
[27:19] The next stage for Kenny
[27:50] Kenny on how anyone can live the American Dream
[31:20] What Kenny learned about success from interviewing countless leaders
Each person has their strengths. I’m good at some things. I’m not good at everything. When you can surround yourself with people who are experts in what they do, it makes the whole so much better than the individual parts.
You have to know what you believe in, and when you believe in something strong enough, you can get through any kind of rejection.
I’ll always be advancing different business interests throughout my life; but, the core of all that will always be people.
A big part of my life is focusing on the positives. [...] There is so much good in the world, and I choose to focus on those things.
Success is not a matter of chance—it’s a matter of choice. [...] The world would define success by money and fame; but, real success has a lot more to do with what you can give than what you can gain.
14 Jul 2022
Hammerton: Pushing the Boundaries of Innovative Custom Lighting Design with Bill Shot & Levi Wilson
01:07:08
Hailing from Salt Lake City, Levi is the creative driving force behind Hammerton. He is a blacksmith’s son and founded his company in a neighbor’s garage. After years of honing his craft, Levi has become exceptionally skilled at creating spectacular lights through the marriage of glasswork with metalwork.
Bill and Levi reflect on their quality-over-quantity approach to business and how their commitment to creativity, personalization, and innovation led to the complete transformation of the country’s lighting industry.
Topics Discussed:
[02:50] How Bill and Levi met and came up with the idea for Hammerton in 1995
[09:48] Running a software company versus a manufacturing company
[14:19] From traditional to modern design
[16:54] How Levi comes up with new products and designs
[25:23] Hammerton’s “If you can think it, we can probably create it.” philosophy
[31:39] Whether Levi ever expected this much success in his business and craft
[39:42] How Hammerton changed the lighting industry
[45:22] How China influences the lighting market in North America
[50:56] Educating today’s designers to choose innovation (quality) over volume (quantity)
[55:24] What Bill and Levi are most proud of
[57:29] The importance of failure
[1:02:32] Bill and Levi’s vision for the company for the next five years
[In software], if you did your job right and you got your market right and you understand the problem you’re trying to solve, at the end of that two, three-year period, you’ve got a product that you can now sell. At that point, the focus is mostly on sales and marketing. In manufacturing, you literally earn it every day. Every day, you’ve got to show up. ~Bill
What really differentiates the designs that Levi comes up with is that they’re rooted in an understanding of the material and what’s possible with the material. ~Bill
When we’re developing a product, we’re not waiting three weeks or three months for some prototype. Many times, we’re going into that glass shop and working directly with that glass artisan, metalworker, or finish person. ~Levi
The investment in material knowledge and the underlying manufacturing processes is what creates the foundation for design innovation. ~Levi
Any company that believes they can survive by doing the same thing yesterday—no chance. ~Levi
03 Nov 2022
Building in Different Environments & Climates with Terry Cudmore, of Cudmore Builders
00:51:35
Terry discusses the differences in taste between wealthy homeowners around the country, and even those within Florida. He explains how he is able to set expectations with clients from the very beginning so that he is able to filter out which clients to let go and which to follow through with.
He talks about changing trends in the homebuilding industry, including revisiting homes that have gone out of fashion. Terry even mentions working on one particular “de-Tuscanization” project for a client who wished to modernize their home.
Finally, Terry explains how he has been navigating this year’s economic uncertainties and how he sees not just the future of his business, but also of the homebuilding industry as a whole.
Topics Discussed:
How Terry got into the custom homebuilding business
Lessons learned from doing business during a recession
Finding clients in South Florida
Partnering with the right architect and interior designer
The only things involved in the homebuilding industry are time, money, and quality.
Building a custom home is a team effort. It is the homeowner, builder, architect, landscape architect, and interior designer. It’s important that everybody is on the same page.
20 Jan 2022
Isabey Interiors with Creative Director and Principal Designer Trisha Isabey in British Columbia, Canada
01:04:01
Today Ted speaks with Trisha Isabey, Creative Director and Principal Designer at Isabey Interiors, an award winning design company based in Kelowna, BC specializing in both residential and commercial designs.
The mom of two has loved design for as long as she can remember, but it was only in October 2012 when she established her own company. She sees her background as a professional stockbroker and financial planner as having paved the way for her current career, when her business acumen finally caught up with her passion for interior design.
Today, Isabey Interiors has grown into a team of 27 and is now ranked as the largest interior design firm in British Columbia. Trisha has since expanded into offering a furniture and home decor store called Furnish by Isabey Interiors, and a gift box business called Furnish for You.
Trisha is a regular columnist in Reno & Decor magazines, and the team’s work is regularly featured in both local and national design and lifestyle publications.
Topics Discussed:
Why Trisha got into interior design and her experience starting her own business
Trisha’s core values and inspiring her team to adopt them
Lessons learned from her husband Kevin, who leads a team of 500
The power of habit and sticking to the process
The mentality of the youth towards failure
Staying on top of client wants between Trisha’s four companies
Working with draftsmen in Kelowna
Achieving synergy between different departments on a project
The difference between a good designer and a bad designer
Whether Trisha imagined that she would have the success she has today
My core values are kindness and respect. I don’t believe in getting things in a way that hurts somebody.
The process is how you’re going to get there. You have to stop focusing so much on the goal, because if you know what the goal is, then it’s all about building a daily framework to get to the goal, and you will get there. Stop worrying about how fast it’s going to be because you have no control over that.
I don’t think you can be a perfectionist when you are a visionary. Otherwise, you wait for your vision to be perfect and it’s never going to be perfect.
It doesn’t matter how good your builder is. If your design sucked or wasn’t properly planned, you’re in trouble.
14 Sep 2023
A New Business Venture: Designing Elevators in Montana with Lauren Wheaton | Friends of Build Magazine #80
00:44:14
Episode Notes
Today Ted speaks with Lauren Wheaton of Big Sky Elevator Services in Montana. After leaving behind California and their businesses there, Lauren and her husband started a new venture in Missoula by taking over an existing luxury elevator business.
Transitioning to a 4 day work week, taking advantage of the amazing outdoor amenities, and enjoying the Montana way of life has been an incredible experience. Listen in as Lauren shares how the demand for this luxurious amenity has skyrocketed, and how they handle being the only Savaria dealer in the state through extraordinary company culture and a new apprenticeship program.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
[1:30] The journey to Montana
[3:50] Life before the elevator business
[4:20] Big Sky Elevator introduction
[5:00] What has surprised you the most? 4 day work week.
[7:40] The demand for elevators in residential construction
[9:40] The craziest realization after joining the elevator business
[11:25] Benefits of being a Savaria Dealer
[13:15] Working in Montana and unique installations
[15:50] What are builders looking for when they partner with you?
[18:38] How difficult is it to find technicians?
[19:35] Operating a business in California vs. Montana
[22:00] Construction/engineering as a transition to elevators
[23:00] How to pre-empt service calls?
[24:40] Reasons to buy elevators in the past vs. the present
[26:50] What are the main questions people have for elevators?
[28:00] What is the cost?
[29:30] How did you end up buying an elevator company?
[32:00] How have you grown the business?
[33:10] Where do you see the company 5 years from now?
[36:20] Are you glad you bought the business?
[39:25] What was a challenge or obstacle you overcame and how does it define you today?
There's a tremendous demand now. I don't know if it existed in the past, but the residential demand for elevators is just incredible. It's gone through the roof, and obviously the entire state is growing, so you also have a commercial growth as well.
We have to schedule around everybody's hunting schedule in October and November, but other than that, we don't get sick days at all.
We are unique, I think, in the fact that we are headquartered in Missoula. So we are hands down on the ground in Montana. We go and we do multiple site checks. So when they're putting in these elevators, we don't just send them a drawing and hope they construct to it.
12 Aug 2021
Candelaria Design: Inspiring Living with Mark Candelaria
00:47:16
Mark is not your typical architect. Our conversation goes deep into his passion for travel, Mediterranean cuisine, philanthropy, and the finer things in life.
He explains why he decided to include a page on his website featuring his favorite family recipes and why he believes that there are few experiences in life that leave lasting memories as the family meal.
Mark also touches on what inspired him to host wine tours and the power of travel to refill his creative tank as a designer.
He and Ted lament the lack of focus on classic styles in design school, but find hope in the fact that more and more clients today have been gravitating toward traditional architecture and backing away from the “boxy” look that dominates contemporary designs.
Finally, Mark goes in-depth on his initiatives to pay-it-forward, as well as his desire to see more of his countrymen living out the American Dream.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
[01:58] The origin of Mark’s recipe book on the Candelaria website
[05:06] Why Mark began hosting wine tours
[10:23] How travel refills Mark’s creative tank
[12:27] The challenges of working with different builders on projects in different locations
[17:33] Traditional vs contemporary architecture and the emerging “Mediterranean” style
[20:22] Encouraging aspiring architects to embrace traditional styles
[28:09] What Mark has learned from working with prestigious clients through the years
[30:00] Giving back
[38:30] Mark’s most memorable career moments
[39:30] Upcoming trends in the industry
[44:08] Mark on how anyone can live the American Dream
Key Quotes by Mark:
What I’ve learned from those wine tours is how much they emulate life itself: You can plan this amazing life and this amazing trip, and things will go wrong. It’s what you do when those things go wrong—you can turn them into something amazing. Just keep going. You never know what’s around the next turn.
Travel refills my creative tank.
You’re not hiring us for a set of plans but for the experience we’re going to bring to the table.
Part of our job is to make these old-school professions and crafts sexy again. We’ve got to show the kids how cool they are. When you make something unique and different, it’s very fulfilling. A lot of these kids don’t have an outlet for expression other than a computer.
05 Aug 2021
Fearless & Creative with Jaque Bethke Design
01:07:43
Believing that “design should express people better than they can express themselves,” Jaque built her brand on the strength of her character, personality, love of the trades, and out-of-the-box creativity.
Listen in as Jaque how she developed a love for design, architecture, and engineering from an early age, as well as her determination to become a role model for women in the industry or who have a desire to enter the industry.
She reflects on her long and varied career path that saw her pushed to the limits of her imagination at Wynn all the way to running a firm that was featured on the cover of Architectural Digest not once, twice, but three times.
Finally, Jaque explains how she is able to soldier on in spite of the countless risks she has taken throughout her career, why she believes that “failing is awesome”, and her belief that a successful designer has to be so sure of their capabilities that they are willing to walk away from their own company if it comes down to it.
Topics Discussed:
[02:05] Jaque on the amazing house she recently gave us a tour of
[05:26] How Jaque got connected with Stephanie Fox of Platinum Homes
[11:35] Serving as a role model for women in the trades
[17:03] Changing the story you tell yourself to overcome self-imposed barriers
[23:32] Jaque’s first big break working at Wynn Las Vegas
[33:31] The importance of being challenged to think bigger and differently at work
[38:17] Starting her own firm and being featured on the cover of Architectural Digest thrice
[41:47] How Jaque interacts with her high-profile clients throughout the process
[45:29] Asking questions relentlessly in order to be able to design for longevity
[49:24] Why contemporary architecture will not stand the test of time
[58:13] Starting a furniture line for existing clients
[1:02:45] Why Jaque is willing to risk failure in achieving big goals
[1:04:17] Jaque on how anyone can live the American Dream
So much of what we do in design is driven by human design—by the nurturing characteristics.
Failure is not something that should define you as a person. Failure should motivate you to do better. [...] Failing is awesome, because what you take away from it is a lesson. You can use that lesson to empower yourself to help somebody else.
People are afraid to challenge, but the best work comes from challenge.
If you involve the children in the process of their home—where they’re going to live, how they’re going to live, what’s going into the areas that they use—they will take more ownership of it and they will help to care for it.
You are the architect of your journey in life. There are consequences that come with the choices that you make, but you can’t be afraid of them.
16 May 2024
Building A Generational Brand with David Kohler of Kohler Co. | Friends of Build Magazine #95
00:49:37
Ted speaks with David Kohler, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Kohler Industries. They discuss the company's success, the American dream, and the importance of failure. David emphasizes the need for a strong culture, hard work, and a balance between discipline and creativity, while also sharing his insights on inspiring the younger generation and testing and innovating new products. From home fixtures to golf destinations, David and Ted uncover the Kohler journey and where they’re headed next.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
1:05 Introduction and the Green Bay Packers
05:55 The American Dream and the Kohler Legacy
08:15 Culture and Leadership
11:45 Inspiring the Younger Generation
14:33 Balancing Risk and Discipline
18:40 Testing and Innovating New Products
20:15 Collaborating with Designers and creatives
23:20 The American Dream and Global Mentality
28:00 Removing Politics from Immigration
29:30 The Importance of Political Discourse
30:25 Training the younger generation
33:20 Building a Golf Destination
42:30 The Importance of Gratitude, Humility, and Will
I think our team members really buy in to the company, to the culture, to the values, to the traditions and bring their passion and energy and that's really what's built the company over the years.
Because some of our strongest leaders in the company are leaders that started in a plant 25 years ago or on the front lines in sales 30 years ago and they've really grown up like I have in the industry.
And I talk to, you know, US CEOs all the time. And I can tell you that creative spirit, the focus on innovation, the dynamism is still alive.
30 Sep 2021
Distinctive Custom Cabinetry in Scottsdale, AZ with Marc Poortinga & Mike Cook
01:03:29
Listen in as Marc and Mike reflect on their journey together in business, from rocky beginnings in 2005 through the Great Recession to working with millionaire and billionaire clients globally a decade later.
Despite their amazing success in the world of cabinetry, Marc and Mike hold fast to their small town family roots, describing their primary goals as making clients happy and providing their team meaning in the work that they do.
Finally, Marc and Mike share their vision for the future of the company as well as those of their children.
Topics Discussed:
[02:20] Why Marc and Mike decided to come together to start a business
[09:32] Lessons learned from trying to scale their new business in the late-2000s
[17:14] Growing into a global business with a minimum threshold of $3 million homes
[20:22] Mike’s upbringing in Germany
[25:47] What Marc and Mike have learned from working with ultra-wealthy clients
[30:05] How Marc and Mike keep their kids humble despite their fathers’ successes
[40:22] The future of the business
[44:28] Marc and Mike’s favorite projects
[48:21] How Mike’s role in the company changed over ten years
[51:38] How Marc’s role in the company changed over ten years
[53:06] How Marc and Mike lead their team
[59:02] Marc and Mike on their kids potentially getting involved in the business
Our number one goal was never to make a ton of money. Our number one goal is to have an awesome product and make people happy. ~Marc
You can never communicate enough with your customer. ~Marc
I’m always trying to think about what things will be like three years from now. Where do we want to be in three years and what do we need to put in place to get to that? ~Mike
If you love what you do, you’ll do whatever it takes. ~Mike
02 Dec 2021
Esther Boivin of Esther Boivin Interiors in Scottsdale, Arizona
01:05:15
Going further, Esther explains that her standard for successful design is when it evokes a feeling out of anyone who enters the space. Like a musical composition, she constantly strives to mix and match different elements to create something new and bold while maintaining a sense of harmony.
Further informing Esther’s sense of aesthetics is her passion for travel and immersing herself within different cultures. She speaks on how she developed an instinct for nailing appropriate design choices no matter the geography and climate surrounding the home, nor the unique tastes and desires of each individual client.
Topics Discussed:
[02:07] Moving from Montreal to Arizona and a passion for opera
[09:19] Getting into design
[14:04] Infusing your design with “drama”
[19:53] Gauging the success of a design
[28:51] How Esther has never disappointed a client
[30:44] Discussing color
[35:34] How Esther’s travels inspire her
[48:08] Esther’s work outside Arizona and how she adapts to styles in different locations
[53:31] Designing a returning client’s new home in a new location
[57:08] Adapting to the various needs of different clients
Believe in yourself. The most important thing in being a successful designer is to trust your instincts.
My design is successful if someone walks into the room and feels an emotion.
When I discuss my design, it’s never, ‘This is what we’re going to do.” It’s a conversation. It’s not just about me. When I do a design for somebody, it’s about them, as well.
29 May 2024
Authenticity in a World of Perfectionism with Artist Theresa Stirling | Friends of Build Magazine #96
00:58:01
Ted speaks with Theresa Stirling of Theresa Stirling Art Studios. In this conversation, Ted and Theresa discuss her journey as an artist and the impact of art on personal spaces. They explore themes of self-worth, authenticity, and the power of nature in inspiring art. Theresa shares her process of working with beeswax and encaustic medium, and how she incorporates different elements into her artwork. They also touch on the challenges and rewards of being an artist and the importance of taking risks. Theresa shares her journey as an artist and the challenges and rewards of running her own business. They discuss the impact of decisions and the excitement of embracing new opportunities. The conversation ends with a discussion of their future plans and the importance of being present in the moment.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
01:08 Introduction and Excitement for the Visit
01:50 Falling in Love with Art and Making a Career Change
03:05 The Role of Art in Defining a Space
04:55 The Authenticity of Art and the Importance of Nature
10:40 Working with Beeswax and Encaustic Medium
21:42 Self-Worth and the Validation of Art
27:40 The Process of Creating Animal Art
34:25 Art as a Tool for Storytelling and Personal Expression
36:36 Creating Personal Connections with Clients
41:10 Authenticity in a World of Perfectionism
43:00 Taking Risks and Embracing New Opportunities
I'm always taking risks and you know, I talked to a builder one time after I took on this I said yes to a ceiling mural panel, you know collection But I didn't quite know how to do it and how I was going to book match for gigantic panels wood panels at 84 inches each and He just I said do you ever take on projects and say yes, but you're not really sure how you're going to do them And he goes, oh we do it all the time.
It is truly one of the purest expressions we can do. Whether you play piano or you paint large pieces of art or you build tables, you put it out to the public and everybody can have an opinion. And sometimes the opinion could be hard to hear, but it's the purest expression.
I'm a big fan of the law of attraction and being in the vortex. Ride the horse in the direction it's going. If it feels good, do it. That applies to the art that I create. It applies to the business and how I run it, the social marketing piece. You know, I think be yourself when you show up in social. The world is already beleaguered by people trying to look too perfect.
21 Oct 2021
Dave Johnson of Johnson Brothers Appliances in Bend Oregon
01:00:59
In 2000, Vern's son Bob became General Manager of the business while his daughter Charcie oversaw the accounting functions and human resources. Bob passed away in 2015, and his son Dave took over the family business.
Listen in as Dave reflects on the ins-and-outs of managing a business that was started by his grandfather 71 years ago and how the housing market, design trends, and client expectations have evolved over that time.
Topics Discussed:
[05:04] What serving in the military did for Dave’s mindset
[09:55] Dave’s approach to training his team at Johnson Brothers
[12:04] Why Dave’s grandfather decided to start Johnson Brothers in 1950
[23:17] Inheriting his grandfather and father’s business
[28:21] Starting work at the store part-time at age 6
[31:13] What Dave is most excited about right now regarding the business
[33:07] How client expectations have changed since Dave’s grandfather ran the business
[38:04] The evolution of the galley kitchen
[40:07] How Dave’s own home design was inspired by his work
[44:35] Current trends among prospective homeowners
[49:11] Projects that Dave is excited about
[51:26] Should two or three washer-dryers be commonplace in today’s homes?
[52:42] Inspiration from other properties
[56:36] Did Dave ever expect to be as successful as he is now?
Training is important in really developing the culture of our team in how we interface with our customers, the builders, and the homeowners.
With our history and our legacy—being here 71 years—that history is just taking care of people and solving their challenges. As I look to the future, I’m excited about continuing to do that. One of our current challenges is: How do you maintain that one-on-one customer service and problem-solving ability as you grow?
Trend-wise, we’ve seen—whether it’s a 2000-square-foot house or larger—focusing on: “How do we make our home more of a retreat—more comfortable?”
03 Oct 2024
Modern Timber Frame Designs in the Custom Home Market with Mike Pollari of Timberpeg
00:57:00
Ted speaks with Mike Pollari of Timberpeg Homes based in New Hampshire. Timber Peg Homes has decades of experience building and designing timber frame and log homes, and Mike highlights the importance of technology in the industry and how it has changed the way homes are built. He also talks about the evolving preferences of clients, from contemporary designs to the resurgence of log homes, and emphasizes the company's focus on customer service and the attention to detail in the design and construction process. Timber frame homes can bring unique challenges to a build site, and Mike addresses meeting those challenges head on to build a custom home that can stand the test of time.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
02:05 Introduction
03:20 The Impact of Technology on Home Building
05:35 WHS Homes and timber framing
09:15 Customization and Personalization in Home Design
11:20 The Appeal of Timber Frame and Log Homes
17:10 Next ten years, industry shifts
22:20 The Importance of Customer Service in the Construction Process
30:00 Building in Different Climate Zones
32:30 Collaboration in Timber Frame Construction
34:00 Making Connections and the Grind
45:00 Differentiating from Competitors
48:15 Simplicity and Trust in the Building Process
"Timber frame homes can provide a beautiful aesthetic even in areas with heavy snow and wind loads."
"Ultimately, I think that, you know, an architect doesn't want to create a situation where there's going to be callbacks and issues with the house, but they have this vision of the home and how, you know, how they want it to look."
"So that really changes on each project. We do projects where we're working directly with a builder who is creating a, maybe they're doing a 7,000 square foot home in Texas for a client and we're providing just the timber frame in the great room."
08 Sep 2022
Honoring Architecture Through Luxury Interior Design with Claire Ownby, of Ownby Design
00:55:24
Listen in as Claire reflects on over two decades of experience in the industry. She talks about her approach to interior design, with a commitment to honoring every structure she is tasked to by adding to it, but never taking away from it. Claire also explains how she is able to manage a business with 22 employees while taking care to interface with all of her clients directly.
Finally, Claire speaks of her love of travel and absorbing little nuance she can from the various cultures she immerses herself in, explaining that she derives inspiration not so much from existing designs themselves, but from the culture that surrounds her.
Topics Discussed:
[05:01] Italian versus American design
[08:40] Why Claire chose interior design
[15:51] Claire’s most valuable lessons learned
[17:34] What Claire looks for when designing an interior
[22:10] What excites Claire
[25:29] Navigating market downturns
[32:01] Expanding Ownby Design’s office and studio spaces
[36:10] Keeping up with trends
[41:42] Juggling her role as a creative and as a business owner
[45:20] Drawing inspiration for designs from cultural experiences
[49:35] Claire’s message to young aspiring or budding designers
I’ve made a lot of expensive mistakes; but, those mistakes have formulated who I am as a designer today, and where I chose to take my path. I wouldn’t take them back for anything because they really helped build my character: what I stand for, how I want to represent myself and my firm, and how I want to build my brand.
Our first inspiration is almost always taken from the architecture. For us, it’s really important that we’re finishing the story—we’re not telling a new story.
I’m much more driven by cultural experiences than I am by design. Design is just a byproduct of what I’m experiencing while I was there.
31 Oct 2024
Cultivating Success Through Adversity with Matt Segerstrom of Modern Splendor Homes
00:50:06
Ted speaks with Matt Segerstrom owner of Modern Splendor Homes. Matt’s unique journey from a dairy farm in Wisconsin to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the construction industry is littered with challenges and obstacles that he persevered and overcame. Together, Ted and Matt explore the importance of trade skills, the challenges faced in the construction industry, and the significance of family dynamics and parenting. Matt shares insights on the Desert Dreams project, the role of technology in modern homes, and the necessity of having a strong design team. The conversation concludes with reflections on the future of the construction industry and the importance of resilience and adaptability in achieving success.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
1:05 Introduction and Background
03:15 Career Path and Early Experiences
09:20 Transition to Construction and Entrepreneurship
08:53 Family Dynamics and Parenting
14:00 The Importance of Trade Skills
20:20 Navigating Challenges in the Construction Industry
"I think the American dream has never been better."
"A firm believer in a little bit of adversity can go a long ways."
"We get the opportunity to build other people's dreams."
07 Jul 2022
Setting Your Business on Fire with Jonathan Howie of Montana Fire Pits
00:55:13
Jonathan has over 10 years of experience in kitchen design, residential construction, and general contracting. Alongside designing and manufacturing gas fire features with Montana Fire Pits, he and Amy also cater to the more discerning luxury clientele with Architectural Fire.
Listen in as Jonathan shares his journey from visionary to business operator, how Montana Fire Pits distinguishes itself from every other fire feature manufacturer, why he sees fire pits as a “lifestyle” product and what it represents in the home, and where he sees the future of the business and the industry as a whole.
Topics Discussed:
The story behind Montana Fire Pits
Scaling Montana Fire Pits as a home-based business for the first five years
How the quality of flame distinguishes Montana Fire Pits’ products
What Jonathan is most excited about for the business
Montana Fire Pits’ typical client
Why the business went to the moon during COVID
Jonathan’s approach to R&D and innovation
How the popularity of gas fire pits gained steam
How people in different climates utilize their fire pit
The quality of the flame: the biggest, brightest, and most natural looking. There’s nothing on the market that compares from the flame that we can produce.
The 30,000-foot view of where the business is going is my belief that there is always going to be room for fire and outdoor construction. The industry is here to stay.
With fire pits, you’re selling a lifestyle product that ultimately brings people together. There’s nothing like sitting around with the people that are closest to you talking about the things that you enjoy most in life with a big fire at the center.
21 Mar 2024
How to Navigate the Risk and Stress of the Home Building Process with Keith Galbut| Friends of Build Magazine #91
00:54:19
Ted speaks with Keith Galbut, founder of Advocate Residential Construction Advisors. They discuss the importance of proper planning and team selection in residential construction projects, highlighting the need for alignment between the client's objectives and the entire project team, including architects, builders, and subcontractors. Keith emphasizes the role of Advocate Residential Construction Advisors in reducing stress, managing risk, and ensuring cost-effective decision-making throughout the construction process. He also delves into the challenges and pitfalls that can arise in residential construction and the value of having an advocate to navigate these issues. Together they emphasize the importance of communication, transparency, and a collaborative approach to achieve successful outcomes in luxury custom home projects.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
01:04 Introduction and Background
02:18 Keith's Career and the Need for Advocate Residential Construction Advisors
05:30 Expansion and Market Reach
07:43 Building Relationships with Clients
09:10 Common Pitfalls in Residential Construction
13:00 The Emotional and Financial Benefits of Working with Advocate Residential Construction Advisors
15:35 The Role of Communication and Alignment in Successful Projects
20:22 The Impact of Design Choices on Cost
24:48 Managing Change Orders and Schedule Delays
28:30 The Need for Advocate Residential Construction Advisors
38:25 Ideal Clients and Fee Structure
47:30 Team Growth and Success
49:34 Impressive Resume and Pursuit of Problem Solving
We don't pick and choose favorites. That's not our role. We advise our clients in terms of our guidance or advice, but ultimately our goal is to give the clients all the tools necessary and the information so they can make good decisions.
We work to use data and analytics to also help with our projects and to help make sure that the budgeting is appropriate and to constantly be trying to improve everyone's understanding of the project before the construction really gets going so that we can test things and make sure that the owner's really paying what the market should be charging.
And a big part of that is talking truth to owners, frankly, and making sure that they're aware of the implications of their decisions.
19 Sep 2024
Creating Diverse Style with Hunter Dominick of Hunter & Company Interior Design
00:53:32
Ted speaks with Hunter Dominick, an interior designer based in Whitefish, Montana, who discusses her design philosophy and the challenges of creating diverse styles for her clients. She emphasizes the importance of early involvement in the planning process to ensure functional and well-designed spaces. Hunter also highlights the significance of incorporating personal items and sentimental pieces into the design. She discusses the value of American-made furniture and appliances and the shift towards supporting local artisans. After spending 25 years in Whitefish, Montana, she discusses her design process, the growth of the design community in Whitefish, and the misconceptions about interior designers in the industry. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration between designers, contractors, and clients to create successful projects. Overall, she is proud of her team and the ability to create beautiful and functional spaces for her clients.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
01:05 Introduction and Background
04:50 Design Philosophy and Influences
08:30 Challenges of Creating Diverse Styles
10:05 The Importance of Early Involvement for an Interior Designer
21:15 Building a business in Whitefish Montana
25:12 The Value of a Showroom and Creating a Design Center
27:25 The Growth of the Design Community in Whitefish
31:00 The Tipping Point for Whitefish's Growth
34:15 Pride in the Team and Longevity in the Business
38:15 Blending Different Design Elements
40:35 Keeping Up with Suppliers and Changing Trends
44:15 The Challenges and Advancements in Lighting Design
46:35 Overcoming Misconceptions about Interior Designers
"I think that's what makes a really interesting home, is when it's not so expected and it's kind of melding these visions that typically wouldn't be put together."
"The fixed finishes and equipment end of the design profession is probably more important than anything on the back end."
"I'm proud of my team. We have a great team and everybody works really hard."
23 Jun 2022
Grow & Transform Your Design Business with Gail Doby Coaching & Consulting
01:03:37
Gail has been in the interior design industry for over two decades and has owned and managed her own business for a good amount of those years. Today, she taps into her first-hand experience as a business owner to train clients on how to run a highly profitable design business with clarity and confidence.
As Vice President of the consultancy, Erin likewise brings her passion for interior design and its practitioners into her work, and has been doing so with the same amount of love and energy she had for the industry when she and Gail founded the company back in 2008.
Listen in as Gail and Erin reveal the keys to business and interior design success, emphasizing the value of building that all-important know, like, and trust factor between business owners and their clients.
Topics Discussed:
[03:19] Gail and Erin on their backgrounds
[08:50] How to work on your business instead of in your business
[16:59] Community of successful business owners to gather in Charleston
[20:15] Gail and Erin’s goals for the consultancy and how they find clients
[26:52] Thoughts on the potential recession
[30:26] Why hire an interior designer
[39:08] Changing from one architectural style to another in different states
[43:43] Getting clients to understand the value of good photography
[50:26] Working with your spouse
[53:27] How Gail makes big business decisions
[58:59] Why healthy conflict is necessary in any relationship
When I’m working with an owner or their team, I have to be an active listener: I have to listen to what they’re saying but also what they’re not saying.
Optimism comes when you see the road ahead.
In a company, if you don’t have conflict, you don’t have people who care.
06 Oct 2022
The Art of Luxury Boutique Architecture with Jamie Farmer, of Farmer Payne Architects
01:02:08
Jamie was introduced to the world of construction and design at a young age thanks to his father, a former general contractor and draftsman. He, along with Scott Payne, founded Farmer Payne Architects in 2017.
Listen in as Jamie speaks on his experience as a relatively young architect in his mid-30s catering to an ultra-high-net-worth clientele in Wyoming. He gives his thoughts on what draws people to Jackson Hole and how he designs his homes according to the unique lifestyle needs of his clients.
Jamie discusses his journey in the world of construction and design from the lessons his own father had taught him, how he navigated the Global Financial Crisis during his early career, to how these varied experiences allowed him and his team to thrive amid the pandemic.
Finally, Jamie shares his long-term vision for Farmer Payne and his approach to building sustainable homes that will last generations.
Topics Discussed:
[03:54] Learning the trades with his father
[06:59] The allure of Jackson Hole
[14:48] Meeting Scott Payne and opening additional offices in Idaho and Louisiana
[16:26] Farmer Payne’s commitment to quality
[22:31] The importance of having strong relationships with your trade partners
[23:58] Launching the firm in 2017
[27:34] Getting through the 2008 financial crisis
[31:54] How Jamie built his credibility as an architect in his 30s
[39:37] How architecture has changed since Jamie started in the field
[46:17] Jamie’s vision for Farmer Payne
[51:36] Rethinking longevity in homes
[56:29] Sustainability in today’s window designs and technologies
For every month you live in Jackson Hole, you need a new set of toys because there is so much to do. That lifestyle and authentic outdoor connection is what people are really after, and Jackson has it all.
Relationships are so important. Depending on whether it’s an engineer, designer, or subcontractor, those personal relationships where you can dial them up on your phone are pivotal.
As an architect, you continue to build your skills throughout your entire career.
14 Oct 2021
Kevin Flower of Acoustic Designs Group in Scottsdale Arizona
00:55:47
In today’s conversation, Kevin shares how he found massive success in a complex industry a decade after founding his company in the aftermath of the Great Recession.
He explains the ins-and-outs of LED lighting and how it came to become the standard light source in the home. He also speaks on the future of residential lighting technology, the advantages of using human-centric lighting, and how he builds long-term relationships with his ultra-wealthy clients.
Topics Discussed:
[01:52] Kevin’s upbringing
[09:38] Building Acoustic Designs Group
[15:52] Lessons learned from working with moguls of industry
[18:58] The rise of LED lighting
[23:20] Dealing with issues while working on projects
[26:03] Managing expectations with clients
[29:30] Staying on the cutting edge in a complex industry
[34:07] Kevin’s standout projects
[38:29] The moment Kevin realized he had a thriving business
[39:40] How Kevin spends time with his family
[42:00] Where Kevin sees the business five years from now
[45:57] Staying focused on different job for years at a time
[51:28] Who is Lutron and what do they do?
[54:26] Did Kevin ever expect to be as successful as he is now?
We have the saying, “No bad job.” Whatever it takes to make the job right, we do it.
I’m a firm believer that light does affect your mood.
Technology, especially when it comes to LEDs, is ever-changing. The key is to keep finding ways to make it easier for clients to use as time goes.
01 Dec 2022
Mastering Moments of Astonishment with Mentalist Oz Pearlman
00:59:56
EPISODE NOTES
Today Ted speaks with Oz Pearlman, one of the most sought-after mentalists in the world.
Oz is an Emmy Award winner for his TV special Oz Knows, and a third-place winner of America’s Got Talent. His client list reads like a who’s who of politicians, professional athletes, A-list celebrities, and Fortune 500 companies.
Hear how what started as a hobby catapulted Oz into being a full-time entrepreneur and entertainer, and how he acquired the skills necessary to become one of the top in his field.
He shares his favorite performances, clients, and challenges that he’s overcome. And he’s not stopping there – you can expect to hear Oz Pearlman’s name for years to come.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
[3:20] Do you get nervous?
[6:45] I want to hear what people say about me
[9:45] The one question I won’t answer
[11:00] How old were you when you moved from Israel?
[ 12:30] It’s not a magic show. I’m not trying to trick you.
[14:30] The skill of listening effectively
[17:35] You’re not always the best person for the job
It's not a trick. I'm not trying to trick you and show you that I can do something that you don't understand. I'm showing you that the way the mind works can be reverse-engineered.
That's really where you grow. Not when you knock it out of the park, but when you have something go wrong and learn ‘what can I do better next?’
And to this day I've always seen that as a high watermark. How could I have a relationship where I would want to be the first person my son or daughter tells about anything? It could be a moment, but I want to be that person to them. That to me is like a real bar of success.
08 Jun 2023
The Price of Progress with Tyler Frank | Friends of Build Magazine #74
01:01:54
Today Ted speaks with Tyler Frank of Malmquist Construction in Whitefish, Montana. Tyler, a project manager and owner, shares his experience building relationships, nurturing trades, and the recent projects he’s taken on. In luxury home building, there’s always a new idea or a new product, and that requires teamwork.
Creativity abounds in the mountains, and Tyler discusses how he approaches each project with respect for his unique clients and the natural surroundings. If you’ve wanted to know what clients are looking for in a resort town near a national park and what it takes to build there- this is the episode for you.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
[1:35] Taking over a good company
[3:20] Labor Markets and Supply Chain
[6:13] Lack of affordable housing
[10:07] Building relationships between clients and subs
[13:50] Progress and climate in Whitefish, Montana
[21:30] Doing the right thing
[26:00] Relationships with clients are the most important
[30:00] How do you help a client enjoy the process of building
[35:00] New Project
[50:40] Has the building process become more complicated?
[53:50] Exciting new features in homes
[57:30] Price of homes increasing
[59:20] Where will the Whitefish, Montana market be in 5 years
Does labor price ever come down? Yeah, it does. I mean, it does. And it will, you know, we're seeing right now, in today's market. The houses that are, let's say, less than a million dollars, those houses are slowing down in this area, because when you've got the cost of to build being, you know, let's say 25%, more than what they were originally had it as a budget. And then interest rates are, you know, in the seven or 8% versus three, that's double the interest that they were going to be getting, you know, two years ago. So that market has slowed down.
I think the reason that I do residential homes is because of the relationship. I love the relationship, not just with the client, but with the suppliers and subcontractors, we're working together and collaborating and putting our heads together and, and creating a team and environment and, and camaraderie of being able to work together to come up with this amazing product that's never been done before.
We have a fine line between our relationship with our subcontractor base and our relationship with our homeowner, because we have to, we have to mend that. And we have to make sure that our subcontractors are being treated well by us and by the client. And our client has to be treated well by us and the subcontractor. And so as a, you know, three-tier team, we can sit here and all work together to the common goal, which is to deliver just a killer product.
19 Aug 2021
Heather Osmond of Osmond Designs in Park City Utah
00:39:01
Osmond Designs’s list of accolades include being a seven-time Best of State winner for Interior Design, as well as Best Interior Design in Utah Valley’s Parade of Homes 2011-2019. The firm is also a nine-time Houzz Award winner for Heather Osmond and her “dream-team” for both highest level for client satisfaction and interior design services.
Listen in as Heather shares why she believes that “home is the most important place on Earth,” and how this belief translates into her work as an interior designer. She goes down memory lane, reflecting on how she built what is today the biggest interior design and furniture company in the state.
Topics Discussed:
[02:45] Passing on the wisdom of entrepreneurship to the kids
Building a home is a team effort. It’s not just the interior designer or the electrician or the plumber. Everybody feeling passionate and doing their best is what makes a home incredible.
It’s my sacred responsibility to help [my clients] make their home somewhere they love to be.
You only fail if you don’t get back up, because all of us are going to get knocked down.
What makes Osmond Designs unique and me, specifically, is that I listen to my clients, and I genuinely care about them and their family and how they live.
If you’re willing to live like no one will, you can live like no one can.
07 Oct 2021
Jason Veitch of Arctic Spas in Bozeman Montana
00:58:36
He refers to the old saying, “You can’t teach common sense,” to explain his success as an immigrant despite lacking a college degree. “If you can’t make good, fundamental decisions,” says Jason, “then you’re probably not going to be in business for yourself.”
Jason speaks on the lessons he took from his personal life that he applies to business, as well as lessons learned in business (particularly from working with ultra-wealthy clients) that he applies to his personal life.
Finally, Jason touches on how the opportunity to establish Arctic Spas of Bozeman came about, and how he overcame a period of near-bankruptcy to eventually get to the point where “the low months felt as good as the high months.”
Topics Discussed:
[02:05] Moving to Montana from Australia
[07:39] Opportunities in Australia versus America
[10:28] Why college degrees do not guarantee success
[15:53] Lessons Jason learned as an athlete and after going through his divorce
[24:59] Lessons Jason learned from working with ultra-high-net-worth clients
[29:15] Why Jason decided on an Arctic Spas dealership
[37:07] How Jason went from working in his business to on his business
[42:10] The moment Jason knew the business was doing okay
[44:26] Jason’s mentors
[49:14] Arctic’s Spas’ new product line
[55:05] What Jason is most proud of
[56:59] What “American exceptionalism” means to Jason
Not having a college degree doesn’t pigeonhole you because our life takes us in different directions. And we get different experiences that are arguably more valuable than a college degree.
Especially in business, and maybe in relationships as well—the first person that speaks, loses.
People don’t know what you’ve gone through before you got lucky.
If you’re not trying something different, it doesn’t matter if you fail. It really doesn’t, because doing nothing is the worst thing you can do.
29 Jul 2021
Rod Cullum of Cullum Homes in Scottsdale Arizona
01:15:24
Rod kicks off the conversation by expressing his thoughts as to why he believes the construction industry is “broken”. Namely, he believes that small custom builders are lacking proper mentors that can help them scale their careers.
He says that the industry is seeing a decline in artistry, particularly among trim and finish carpenters, because certain skills are not being passed down to these younger trades.
However, regardless of what the future brings and what technologies get introduced into the industry, building a home will always be a “handcrafted experience”—even if it comes to the point where 3D printed homes become the norm.
Rod goes on to reflect on how his upbringing informs the vision-mission, values, and company culture at Cullum Homes. He touches on “The Cullum Difference”, which is to say, “How we communicate with our clients and how quick we are to bring the challenges to the surface.”
Finally, Rod speaks on the most important factor in his life: family. He shares his belief that strong family ties translate positively into every aspect of a person’s life.
He also believes that every single individual who refers to themselves as“American”—no matter how they look or what they believe in—can find success if they embrace the fact that anyone who puts their entire self into their dreams can become whatever they desire to be in the United States.
Topics Discussed:
[02:15] Why the construction industry is in dire need of mentorship
[11:40] Why the level of artistry, especially among finish carpenters, is declining
[18:32] The return of bigger houses and a wider array of home amenities
[26:02] Who is Rod Cullum and what led him to establish Cullum Homes?
[34:31] How Cullum Homes selects their customers
[40:30] The foundational importance of family
[51:59] What gets Rod out of bed in the morning?
[1:00:53] Rod on how anyone can live the American Dream
I’ve always believed that the construction industry, overall, is broken. [...] There are no real, strong mentors for small custom builders.
The design development is the dream. The construction document is how that dream gets executed.
This industry is about relationships. It’s a very small town. You can’t burn bridges. It’s about making sure you commit to your trade partners and you commit to your customers. You honor that agreement and you expect the same back from them.
It’s not that we are exceptional; it’s the ideal of America that makes us exceptional.
13 Jun 2024
Proactive Communication Drives Success with Ricky Perrone of Perrone Construction in Sarasota, FL | Friends of Build Magazine #97
00:45:24
Ted speaks with Ricky Perrone of Perrone Construction and discusses the evolution of Sarasota, Florida, and the focus on luxury architecture in the city. Ricky shares the importance of systems and processes in their construction business and how they adapt to different clients and stakeholders. At Perrone Construction they emphasize the need for proactive communication and setting expectations to avoid delays and cost overruns. He also highlights the significance of involving the builder, architect, and interior designer from the beginning to ensure a seamless construction process. The conversation covers topics such as addressing client concerns, value engineering, the importance of good architecture, and the role of AI in construction.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
01:25 Introduction and Discussion on Sarasota
03:15 The journey of Perrone Construction
07:22 The Importance of Systems and Processes
10:13 Proactive Communication and Setting Expectations
14:30 The Role of the Builder, Architect, and Interior Designer
19:15 Site Selection and Due Diligence
21:08 The Value Engineering Process and Keeping Customers Happy
30:30 The Importance of Good Architecture in Construction
"Sarasota is a dynamic city with a true focus on the arts and architecture."
"If you set up a good system, you have a roadmap to success on a project."
"Being proactive can save time and money on a construction project."
29 Jul 2022
TuffSkin: Etch & Stain Proof Marble Countertops for Lasting Beauty with Frank and Katie Friedlander
00:59:36
At some point, the entrepreneurially-minded Frank discovered that there was a gap in the market for long-lasting marble protection technology. TuffSkin was born soon after, as a way for people to enjoy the luxuriously timeless look of marble while bringing practicality to that experience.
Listen in as father and daughter discuss what makes TuffSkin the only product of its kind. They also talk about the unique properties of marble and what customers should know when caring for their marble tables.
Frank and Katie also speak on the dynamic of running a family business, how they stay resilient and open to growth even (and especially) after experiencing failures and setbacks, and how they have managed to instill passion for the TuffSkin brand among their entire team.
Topics Discussed:
The story of TuffSkin
How TuffSkin works
Marble versus granite versus quartz
How often you will need to reapply TuffSkin
Limitations to note when using TuffSkin
Expanding internationally
How Frank feels about TuffSkin’s massive success
Running a family business
Katie’s professional life before TuffSkin
The future of TuffSkin
Why companies should not be afraid of competition
Why passion for your brand among the whole team is so important
What we’ve done is create a completely non-porous surface. Nothing can touch the stone. Nothing can soak through the film: It’s liquid-impermeable. ~Katie
Anybody who uses marble and wants to keep it looking nice uses TuffSkin. ~Frank
I don’t think you should be afraid of competition because it just invites me to think more out-of-the-box and to collaborate. Competition breeds better products. ~Katie
17 Feb 2022
Alair Homes Chief Communication Officer, Adam McCaa
01:07:51
Adam reflects on the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity he had to learn the ins-and-outs of business and leadership directly under the tutelage of both sales and marketing guru Chet Holmes and performance coach Tony Robbins.
After Chet and Tony’s merger in 2010, Adam began working with the Business Mastery Breakthroughs program where he was able to rub shoulders with entrepreneurs across the globe spanning over a hundred different industries.
Alair’s mission is to help their customers solve the issue of, “How can we help you live in a better, more productive, less challenging environment?” Adam believes that the answer lies in collaboration.
To this end, Alair runs on a franchise model—a rarity in the homebuilding space. He takes pride in the group’s initiative to build a group of like-minded people, nurturing a community of top performers in the industry that is able to achieve more together than individually.
Topics Discussed:
[03:55] Learning from Chet Holmes and Tony Robbins
[12:56] How different industries find success
[19:29] Traits of a great business leader
[28:11] Alair’s unique franchise model
[37:35] Alair’s mission
[40:58] The future of Alair
[49:49] What Adam thinks of his current role at Alair
Every business improves through more sales. If we have more money coming in—assuming we can keep our costs down—that’s how we make a profit.
If you want to change a business, you’ve got to change the business owner. If you can change the way somebody thinks and give them skill sets and empower them, they’re going to change their business.
Contractors who come to Alair come here to be part of a network. There’s no way you can accomplish independently what you can accomplish with a group of like-minded folks.
Culture eats strategy for breakfast.
14 Nov 2024
How Strategic Partnerships Fuel High-Profile Projects With Mark Johnson of Architectural Stone
00:54:56
Ted speaks with Mark Johnson, a fourth-generation stonemason and the owner of Architectural Stone. Mark shares his journey from working with his father's masonry business to establishing his own company that specializes in high-end stonework. He discusses notable projects, including the restoration of the Parthenon and collaborations with famous clients like T. Boone Pickens and George W. Bush. Mark emphasizes the importance of quality, education, and innovation in the construction industry, as well as his excitement for future endeavors, including new product lines featuring petrified wood.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
01:10 Introduction to Mark Johnson and His Journey
02:10 The Evolution of Mark's Career in Stonework
04:15 High-Profile Projects: Rockefeller and Ralph Lauren
08:36 Restoration of the Parthenon: A Unique Challenge
16:15 Working with Notable Clients: T. Boone Pickens and George W. Bush
27:25 Innovations in Stonework and Engineering
40:50 The Importance of Quality and Education in Construction
"It was pretty much hush hush and we couldn't really tell anyone. And they didn't want anybody to think there were American people working on the Parthenon."
"There was no such thing as a single shaft monolithic column that big in the world that we know"
27 Jun 2024
Embracing The Journey with Alisha Taylor in Scottsdale, AZ | Friends of Build Magazine #98
01:01:03
Ted speaks with Alisha Taylor, an interior designer with Alisha Taylor Interiors, to discuss her journey in the industry. Alisha shares her experience of building her own successful interior design business and the challenges she faced along the way. She talks about the importance of a team mentality and the value of having a strong team with different superpowers. Alisha’s story serves as an inspiration for young people who are navigating their own career paths and she enjoys mentoring younger designers in her interior design business. Join Ted to hear how Alisha has tackled building trust with clients, scaling her business over the years, and where she’s headed next.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
02:20 Alisha Taylor's Journey in Interior Design
05:45 Building a Successful Interior Design Business
11:40 The Value of a Team Mentality in Design
22:50 Flexibility and Open-Mindedness in Design Careers
27:50 Encouraging children to be successful
30:30 Embracing the Journey
31:50 Mentoring the Next Generation
34:05 The Power of Failure
36:45 Guiding Clients through Decision-Making
39:30 The Psychology of Design
43:20 Spoiling Good Employees and working with great teams
"Flexibility and open-mindedness are key in pursuing a career in design."
"Having a team mentality and leveraging the strengths of each team member is essential for a successful interior design business."
"Don't look at the goal as the end goal. The end goal is when we die. Right? We've got to enjoy every part of the journey."
11 Jan 2024
Year in Review 2023 with Ted Bainbridge | Friends of Build Magazine #84
00:42:39
Ted speaks with realtor Win Peniston about Build Magazine’s last year. 2023 was a year of growth, expansion, and learning.
Today, Ted tackles his own background, his thoughts on the building industry and the economy, and the life lessons he’s learned while building a successful company. Join us for the first Year in Review as we look towards 2024.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
[1:30] What was meant to be special for 2023 and did you achieve it?
[5:00] Where was your growth? Turning negatives into positives
[8:53] The challenges of building a company
[11:30] What was the most innovative things you saw this year?
[17:45] Innovation based on location
[26:50] Which markets does Build Magazine serve and what do growth plans look like?
[32:00] What’s on your mind? Economy, the next generation, etc.
[39:50] What’s your prognosis for the building industry in 2024?
The technology in home building is always important and it's also always important to think about the realities of the house over time as it relates to technology because so much is behind the walls that you almost have to really think about getting it right the first time.
I think it's an exciting time to be in business, but it's also a very challenging time. But the challenge makes you, it keeps you engaged, it keeps you healthy, it keeps you functioning, it keeps your brain thinking
It’s getting more people to understand that trades are a great way to live a life, to have a career. It is, especially, if you're dealing at this tier of people. You'll never know what a recession is, you'll never have a bad time because those people, even in bad times, they've always got money and now they think that they can get better deals on real estate. And they've got the liquidity to be able to pull that off.
16 Dec 2021
Will Prull of Prull Custom Builders in Santa Fe, New Mexico
01:02:01
Asked why there seems to be a lack of tradespeople today, Will says that there simply aren’t enough opportunities for apprenticeship in the US.
Serious journeymen find themselves having to leave the country for an extended period of time in order to learn the craft they want to make a career out of—such as Will’s own son, who lived in Japan for three years learning to become a knifemaker with the local masters.
Ted and Will reflect on the great artists and craftsmen throughout history, from musical greats such as Elton John and Bob Dylan to the legendary architects that dreamed up the Parthenon and the iconic elevated wooden structures of Japan.
While Will doesn’t believe he even holds a candle to these visionaries, he finds meaning and fulfillment in simply being able to contribute to the visual fabric of his community and leave that architectural legacy long after he’s gone.
Topics Discussed:
[02:02] Early lessons in business
[07:11] Why we lack tradespeople today
[12:09] The evolution of Santa Fe as a place one could call home
[16:10] Will’s forecast of the housing market
[19:59] How much of Will’s work are renovations and how much are new builds
[21:23] Switching from adobe to contemporary
[32:06] Incorporating acoustics into a home design
[40:36] What Will takes back from his travels, design-wise
[44:06] Why it’s okay to fail
[46:44] How Will retained his passion after over 40 years
I respect good architecture so much. It’s an art and a science.
When you look at great architecture, I just feel that we’re a shadow of that. We’re trying to emulate it the best we can. [...] We’ll never get to those levels, but it feels good to be doing the very best we can and doing some of the best work in our area. I’ve always considered our work to be leaving a trail of beauty as we move from one project to another.
04 Jan 2024
It’s a Good Time to Be Doing What We’re Doing, Where We’re Doing It: Interior Design in Palm Beach with Allison Paladino and Zita Rudd | Friends of Build Magazine #83
00:56:06
Episode Notes
Ted speaks with Allison Paladino and Zita Rudd with Paladino | Rudd Interior Designs in Palm Beach, Florida. Through the 2008 recession to the present, these two have stuck together and today Paladino | Rudd is featured in luxury magazines across the country and designs collections for leading manufacturers all over.
Today, Ted dives into how this business started, how the partnership thrived, and where Allison and Zita are headed next. Listen in as he plots their trajectory and reveals the systems and processes that have helped them rise to the top.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
[1:45] How Paladino | Rudd came to be
[2:55] Waiting to become partner and the career of an interior designer
[4:08] The importance of To Do lists and paying it forward
[11:50] What do you learn from failure?
[15:30] The responsibility to be a role model for employees
[18:15] 3 decades in Palm Beach and the evolution of a place
[23:45] Coaching to stay calm in chaos
[26:25] How to stay relevant and foster your employees
[32:15] What do two talented interior designers have in their own homes?
[35:00] Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
[37:15] Giving creative importance to client’s desires
Some designers, it's almost like a conveyor belt. You see designs and you see things repeated. And we go over and beyond. And I think, I don't know, we just love what we do. And we want everything to be unique. And we want to create fantastic things for clients
It's so important. We're all so busy going a million miles an hour, that it's really important to make sure your staff is happy.
Every project's different. We don't ever want our projects to be recognizable - to say, oh, that's Paladina Rudd. I think you're doing your client a real disservice if someone can spot your work.
24 Feb 2022
Supporting BC Businesses that Manufacture Wood Products with Dave Farley of BC Wood
00:55:21
The trade association is made up of approximately 300 wood product manufacturers. From start to finish, BC Wood deals with manufacturing CLT (cross-laminated timber) and mass timber products all the way to high-end finish products.
With 18 years of experience under his belt, Dave has seen a number of changes in the forest industry, from the perspective of both manufacturers and consumers.
For one, the “wood pile” is getting smaller for a number of reasons, including considerations around sustainability, logging, and the management of old growth (trees that are at least 200 years old).
Trends come and go, but as long as a manufacturer focuses on doubling down on the key strengths of wood (such as its ability to be manipulated in a wide variety of forms) while seeking to find innovative ways to buffer its weaknesses (such as its level of softness), that manufacturer will go far.
Finally, Dave speaks on the future of the wood industry. He says that there is a universal push to look beyond profit and implement initiatives such as finding solutions for sustainability and partnering with the First Nations.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
[03:01] About BC Wood
[08:11] Soft woods versus hard woods
[10:35] Why the wood pile keeps getting smaller and smaller
[21:12] Dealing with ultra-high-end residential clients with termite problems
[28:26] Changes in trends around wood applications among clients over 18 years
[34:23] Competitive pressures faced by BC Wood today
You’re seeing a systematic change in the forest industry as we move forward into the next few decades. The wood pile, as we call it, keeps getting smaller, and a lot of that has to do with issues around sustainability, logging, and old growth (the 200-year range depending on the species).
Fire treatment is going to become a big issue. Anything that can help in terms of treatment of product is going to have really good market opportunity. Finally, I think there is going to be really good market opportunity on thermally-modified wood.
If you can take the key strengths and the key elements of wood, including the ability to manipulate it in a variety of forms, and you combine that with the weaknesses of wood such as its softness, and create innovative products, we create value in the marketplace.
21 Jul 2022
Jackson Hole Art Auction with Kevin Doyle
00:39:49
Listen in as Kevin talks about working with Sotheby’s Auction House for over 20 years in New York, the dramatic rise of online bidding in recent years, and the differences between his native Manhattan’s art scene and that of Jackson Hole.
He speaks on his typical day in the life as an auctioneer and how he has seen tastes evolve over the past two decades. He speaks in particular of the NFT (non-fungible token) phenomenon and how different generations view the idea of owning a publicly viewable piece of digital media.
Topics Discussed:
From Manhattan to Jackson Hole and how iconic auctions are put together
How the industry is adjusting to the rising trend of online bidding
A day in the life of an auctioneer
Artwork featured at auctions in Manhattan versus Jackson Hole
The tastes of today’s younger collectors compared to older collectors
The pandemic probably pushed online bidding forward by ten years.
As an auctioneer, you’re essentially like a referee: You want to be respectful and give everybody a fair shot.
22 Aug 2024
Preserving A Legacy Through Sustainable Architecture with Tony Schonhardt & Dan Weber of Anacapa Architecture
00:53:31
Ted speaks with Dan Weber and Tony Schonhardt of Anacapa Architecture. They discuss their experiences in the architecture industry and their work on various projects. They talk about their backgrounds and how they ended up in Santa Barbara, the challenges they faced during the 2008 recession, and the growth of their firm. The conversation focuses on one specific project, an off-the-grid guest house, and the difficulties they encountered during the entitlement and construction process. They also touch on the concept of building green and sustainable design. The conversation explores the power of architecture to inspire and connect people to nature. The architects discuss the importance of creating tranquil and low-tech spaces that promote a sense of calmness and quiet. They also touch on the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright and the value of travel in shaping their design approach. The architects emphasize the significance of building strong relationships with clients and the impact it has on creating a better living experience. They express excitement about upcoming projects, including a world-class house and hotels in various locations.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
01:05 Introduction and Background
04:35 Experiences in Santa Barbara
08:17 Challenges of the 2008 Recession
15:05 Biggest challenges on exciting projects
17:17 Building Off-the-Grid
21:20 Approach to Green Building
24:55 Inspiring and Connecting People to Nature
27:05 Creating Tranquil and Low-Tech Spaces
31:35 The Influence of Frank Lloyd Wright
40:00 The Value of Travel in Shaping Design Approach
"The real opportunity for a project like that is not so much that we're making any demonstrable dent in improving the community or the place from a sustainability standpoint, but what we're doing is inspiring a lot of people."
"When I look at your projects, there seems to be less chaos, more tranquility."
"We're big fans of technology, but our buildings are low-tech. The more pure the state of the material is, the better."
19 Oct 2023
Modern Eclectic Interior Design: A Love For Beautiful Things with Nida Risto | Friends of Build Magazine #82
01:00:33
Episode Notes
Ted speaks with Nida Risto, founder of Nida Risto Interiors, a Wyoming-based interior design firm on her collaborative design process and her path from Albania to America. Nida shares her process in sourcing materials for clients and how her personal approach can lead to shipping an antique chandelier across oceans. In a wide-ranging conversation, Ted & Nida discuss how failure is always informative, the American Dream and the rise of misinformation.
Despite her highly successful design career, Nida never forgets how far she’s come and her lived experience of the fragility of peace. Today, Ted does a deep dive into Nida’s eclectic world of interior design as she draws from both her European and American roots.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
[2:00] The American Dream & Nida’s path to the U.S.
[15:30] What is Nida’s process when beginning a project?
[17:20] Drawing from a European background & being an “eclectic”
[20:00] How does your process change when joining an “orphaned” project?
[22:50] Building trust with clients who’ve been burned by previous designers
[28:30] The consequences of buying houses site-unseen
[29:50] An idyllic life vs the life we narrowly avoided
[33:30] America’s multiculturalism & putting in the work
[35:50] What are the coolest projects you’ve worked on?
[39:50] Sourcing furniture & a very special chandelier
[42:50] How important is the story of the objects you source for your clients?
[44:40] The importance of the work of Interior Designers
[46:10] What is one of your biggest failures & how did you overcome it?
[48:50] Risk & failure in America vs Albania
[55:40] Repair in a post-communist Albania & the fragility of peace
[57:45] Do you get nervous with what’s going on here in America?
This is a country that was made of immigrants. And people always say, well, the American dream is dead. And I'm like, it's not. It might not be as what it used to be back in the 80s, but it's still there and we can still work to make it even better for everyone. But you do have to put in the work.
You're trying to get as much business as you can to build your business. You're more in starvation mode. And then you realize in the long run that even though I had revenue, was it worth it in the long run? Was it worth the headaches? And quite frankly, towards the end, it's never worth it.
For an immigrant to take risks is very different from someone that was born and raised here to take risks. If I fail, I fail and that's it. And I'm probably going to have to start over from scratch. And it puts a lot of pressure on you, but it also puts a lot of responsibility for you to take very calculated risks.
When you hire a team of professionals, let them do their job. Because they have the experience and know how things work. Don't try and micromanage. Don't try and tell your builder and architect and designer what to do. Listen to their advice because they know they have done this so many times.
02 Sep 2021
Scott Jaffa of Jaffa Group in Park City Utah
01:02:52
Listen in as Scott shares why he prizes personal responsibility above all else, particularly as a business owner. “They hire me,” he says, “because they’ve seen what I do, and they know I care about every little detail that goes on in the house from the beginning to the end, and I don’t leave anything to anybody else.”
Scott also makes a case for a holistic approach, where the architect, builder, and designer strive to always be on the same page by working closely with one another throughout the entire process.
An experienced traveler, he also says that the best builds and designs are those that feel organic, as if they’ve grown out of their specific site and specific property, respectful of the neighbors, taking advantage of the views, and addressing even the sunlight and weather.
Despite an immensely successful career spanning over three decades, Scott continues to view every new project as a challenge and makes it a point to keep his mind open to the vision and the ideas of his high-net-worth clientele.
Ultimately, it all comes down to family for Scott. He touches on the legacy he wants to leave as a father and the lessons he wants his children carry with them regarding the American Dream.
Topics Discussed:
[04:54] How Scott developed his attention to detail and gains his clients’ trust virtually
[07:07] Scott’s typical timeline for a project
[13:12] Scott on his father’s influence
[16:12] Why more firms need to adopt a holistic approach to tackling projects
[19:07] Defining “mountain modern” and how design trends evolve over time
[23:32] How Scott adapts his personal style to houses in different locations
[29:52] How Jaffa Group is able to build up to three houses at one time
[35:32] Putting yourself in the client’s shoes
[37:59] Why lighting can make or break a house
[40:44] Scott on his clientele
[43:02] Traveling with an architect’s eye
[44:55] Treating every project as a new challenge
[52:12] What Scott has learned from working with headstrong high-income clients
[57:54] Scott on the vital importance of putting family first
[1:03:32] Scott on how anyone can live the American Dream
My clients hire me because they’ve seen what I do, and they know I care about every little detail that goes on in the house from the beginning to the end, and I don’t leave anything to anybody else.
The architect needs to be intrinsic in the construction process and part of every detail that is going on; otherwise it’s just a mess, or you’re just tearing out and putting in.
When we design, it has to feel like it belongs on the property, on the site, in Park City, in Utah.
Lighting can make or break a house.
If you do something [in the house] right and design it and think through every detail, it will stand the test of time.
18 Jan 2024
Recreating the Essence Through Architecture with Erik Peterson | Friends of Build Magazine #85
00:55:19
Ted speaks with Erik Peterson, President of PHX Architecture in Scottsdale, Arizona. Erik’s career working on bespoke properties has given him an incredible amount of stories to tell and knowledge to impart.
Today, Ted explores the history of these properties and the indelible mark left by Erik and his firm as they renovate and recreate their purpose in the modern world. Listen in to hear the remarkable story of a kid from Chicago who made it big through perseverance, determination, and grit.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
[1:30] Erik, Frank Lloyd Wright and The Arizona Biltmore
[14:05] How do you take an iconic property and update it without losing the essence?
[16:50] How do you recover from doing a restoration and move on?
[20:15] How do you feel about your iconic projects being renovated in the future?
[22:20] Persistence pays off, success doesn’t happen overnight
[24:27] How to build a special moment
[27:34] How do you guide young people?
[31:35] How does traveling affect your craft?
[34:45] Leaving an impression, but letting go of control
[37:15] Just a kid from Chicago
[39:30] Getting young people involved in the industry and transitioning to AI
[45:22] What’s different about what clients ask for now as opposed to 15 years ago?
Yeah, 1929 is when the Biltmore started. Now, it was later in the 30s that Wright decided the depression hits, he's got no work. He had been out here helping Albert Chase MacArthur, they were the developers of the Biltmore. The market crashed. He knew that Wright was in trouble. Wright didn't have work. He was kicked out of Taliesin in Wisconsin because his ex-wife got it repossessed. He was living with his new mistress in La Jolla. And Chase McArthur, who used to work with him back in Chicago, calls him up and says, hey, me and my brothers are doing this hotel. I know you need money.
When I first was started and we were working at Taliesin, we went to California and we got to visit with an original owner that hired Frank Lloyd Wright to design the house. She was still in the house and she was a dancer and she had hired Frank Lloyd Wright and she said, design me a house that I feel like dancing in every single day. So here she was in her 90s, she could barely walk and she said, but I will tell you this,I still dance in this house every single day. And it just like sent those goosebumps up my spine. And I said, that's what I want. I want to be that. I wanna do that for somebody. And that's what keeps me going.
Yeah, you know you want we as architects always want control but that's the thing that happens you're done You give it to them and you walk away and make they can do whatever they want with it.
08 Feb 2024
The Law of Attraction: Samuel Lynn Galleries with JD Miller | Friends of Build Magazine #88
00:57:02
Ted speaks with JD Miller an artist and gallery owner who owns Samuel Lynn Galleries with Phil Romano. Based in Dallas, JD now has galleries spread across the US, and talks with Ted about how he initially got his start and the direction he’s headed next.
From his start in the music business, his transition into radio, to his 3rd career in art - JD Miller shares his incredible story, including his belief that if you have a positive attitude good things will come your way.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
[2:35] JD’s background
[4:07] When did you find a passion for art?
[5:25] Is art trainable or innate?
[7:30] JD’s business partner: Macaroni Grill, Fudruckers, Heart Stents, and a leap of faith
[20:00] The gallery and finding David Yarrow
[ 31:35] Life before making money with his art, and transitioning to art full time
[37:18] Why aren’t galleries succeeding anymore?.
[43:43] Clint Black and the worst weather Dallas has ever seen
[46:45] Learning from mentors
[49:00] The vision going forward and the law of attraction
I've been really fortunate to work with some true geniuses in this business. And David Yarrow is the most he's not only a brilliant photographer, a brilliant artist, but he's the most brilliant branding and marketing person I've ever dealt with.
The other thing about David is he's one of these guys that he knows everybody, the most famous people in the world, wherever he is, he's just a magnet.
You know, it's changed so much. There are very few really brick and mortar galleries that are really, really doing well. You know, a lot of it's gone online and we're an exception.
31 Aug 2023
The Best Piece Is The Next Piece with Paul Shepherd | Friends of Build Magazine #78
00:48:14
Today Ted speaks with Paul Shepherd, founder of Forged Elegance in Bend, OR. After an entire career in the HVAC industry, Paul transitioned to a new business - forging steel and combining it with antique wood to create elegant, one-of-a-kind furniture. Through his shop and showroom, Paul builds custom crafts with wood that has a story and has lived a life.
Paul shares these stories, and Ted draws out his passion for the craft, his thoughts on the next generation, and his drive to continue creating during what should be Paul’s retirement.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
[1:40] Paul’s journey into working with antique wood
[6:05] Wood with a story
[8:40] What products are made from barnwood?
[10:28] Antique woods can crossover into different designs
[13:00] Astoria pylons
[14:20] Showroom in Bend, OR
[14:50] Business outside of Bend
[16:50] A community of artists
[24:00] Retiring from the HVAC industry and trying to make his best work
[27:40] Mentors through the years
[29:24] Getting young people interested, trained, and passionate
[36:50] Seeing through a difference lens to create new work
[39:15] What inspired you to start a new business after retiring?
[42:30] What’s the vision 5 years from now?
[45:35] What piece of advice to you give the younger generation?
They have to be able to prove it to a point. I want some history to it that can be proven, otherwise I won’t just buy it. Otherwise, it’s just regular old barn wood.
Every year we strive to do bigger and better.
When they fail you’ve got to show them how to do it successfully.
28 Apr 2022
30 Years of Elevating Professionalism in the Construction Industry with Duane Johns of Alair Homes & The Builder Nuggets Podcast
00:57:43
Duane entered the construction industry over 30 years ago working on oceanfront estates in The Hamptons on Long Island, New York. After honing his skills and being involved in all aspects of high end custom construction, he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 1996 and started a general contracting business with Roger Ketchum and the two achieved success right away, winning industry awards and earning rave reviews from clients. That relationship continues today.
For over three decades, Duane has been dedicated to elevating professionalism in the construction industry. He believes the key ingredients to success are continual learning, strategic planning, collaboration with like minded peers, and the elimination of egos.
Listen in as Duane gives the secrets behind Alair’s success in the homebuilding and renovation industry, and explains the ins-and-outs of the company’s unique franchise model.
Topics Discussed:
[03:25] Working with Alair Homes
[13:43] Running a better contracting business
[19:52] Learning from Blair McDaniel, founder of Alair Homes
[21:50] Overcoming preconceived notions about the Alair’s franchise model
[24:41] The right way to demonstrate transparency as a business
[26:29] Staying consistent across all of Alair’s locations
[34:52] What’s next for Alair
[39:44] The value of working in the trades
[45:17] Duane’s biggest fear for the next ten years
[50:26] Providing more education on the business side of the building industry
[53:32] Lessons learned from working with ultra-wealthy clients
It’s very easy, as a builder or remodeler, to think that way. In other words, you really start thinking, “I’m a craftsman,” or, “I’m a builder,” when at the end of the day, we’re businesspeople.
It doesn’t matter the size of the business or the type of business—the problems are the same.
People are very passionate in this industry. I love this industry. It’s a very rewarding industry. But it’s a very fragmented industry. There are a lot of people throwing stuff against the wall trying to figure things out. They might be passionate about the building side or the relationship side; but, when it comes to the behind-the-scenes side, [...] I haven’t found a builder yet that likes that stuff.
22 Dec 2022
Grow Your Business Through Simplification with Brandon Nicastro of GCS Glass
00:57:21
Today Ted speaks with Brandon Nicastro, owner and CEO of GCS Glass in Phoenix, Arizona. Founded in 2013, the company has exploded and has already expanded to 5 states with the goal of 50 markets in the next 5 years.
Brandon started with nothing and struggled for many years before deciding to open up his own business. Now with business booming, he works hard to run his company like the family-owned business they are by putting customers first. He weighs in on the pros and cons of growth, the option to franchise, and the benefits of staying lean.
Listen in as Ted talks Brandon through his best and worst business decisions, the mistakes he’s made, and the steps he’s taken to stop surviving and start thriving.
You gotta look past the money that you're spending on ads because you might think that you're not getting enough ads, but it's branding that you're putting out there.You might be getting, let's say you put in $4000 a month, might be getting $60,000 in revenue, whatever it is. But you might be getting $100,000 in revenue coming from other sources that you don't, you don't understand. You can't track that.
But the way I look at it is: I would rather have ten $1,000,000 locations than one $10 million location because then you're dealing with middle management.You're dealing with a lot of issues with the bigger company. So if you can manage these smaller companies, your profits are higher and you can run leaner and but then those companies can still continue to grow.
I'm glad I started GCS by myself. But now I'm glad I have partners because I wouldn't want to do it any other way. To have other people to lean on. When I'm not motivated, they can push me.
I definitely believe people should chase their goals no matter how big they are. And you just gotta try it. Because you never know how it’s gonna work. You can fail over and over and over, but if you’re not failing you’re not trying.
10 Feb 2022
Timeless Principles of Brand Development with Digital Marketing Strategist, Win Peniston
01:02:04
From early 2016 through mid-2021, Win was the Director of Marketing at London Bay Homes. Today, he consults a variety of builders and developers, and also keeps his Realtor's license at John R. Wood Properties' 5th Avenue South office in Naples, FL.
Today’s conversation focuses heavily on the timeless principles of brand development and longevity. Win also speaks on the art of value proposition, in which the key is “to touch someone’s identity, and how they wear the brand for themselves.”
Through leading campaigns for some of the biggest brands in the world today, Win has learned to always steer the conversation away from, “What’s in it for the company?” to, “What’s in it for the consumer?”
In a similar vein, he criticizes businesses who have strayed too far into the realm of political correctness at the expense of their brand identity. Companies who embrace pure, unadulterated authenticity fare far better, especially in the long-run, than those who rely on hollow messaging in an effort to ride on the coattails of certain cultural trends.
Brand is the cornerstone of longevity. To build repetitional excellence, especially as a service business, it all stems from doing what you say and say what you do, and simply being transparent and authentic.
Topics Discussed:
[05:47] What brought Win to Naples from New York and his early successes
[14:51] Marketing “affordable luxury”
[17:09] Other prestigious companies and individuals that Win has worked with
[21:06] What sets a brand apart
[28:51] Lessons learned from working with some of the biggest brands of our time
[33:01] Hollow messaging from businesses and Ronald Reagan’s authenticity
[37:30] How Red Bull developed an incredible culture
[39:04] What is on the horizon for the Naples real estate market
[46:39] Solidifying your brand for generations to come
[53:52] How best to interact with your team and your customers or clients
Pricing power is what Wall Street wants to see. [...] The big winners that can defend their pricing power are the brands that have the loyalty from the consumers that have an association with it.
Who are we talking to? What do they think about us? What will they think about us after this piece of communication? We need them to have a deeper loyalty.
The creative matters. It isn’t creative if it doesn’t sell.
Take out the marketing-ese. Develop colloquialism and ease of messaging. Tone it down: Use layman’s language when you’re talking to consumers. They’re a lot smarter than you think they are.
25 Nov 2021
Leslie Schofield & Catherine Goodsell of Lecate Design in Salt Lake City, Utah
01:02:26
Leslie and Catherine reflect on their partnership and passion for their work. To them, “a door is functional art,” and that “not every door has to make a statement, but every door serves a purpose.” The door is a piece to showcase personality and architecture, and they believe that it is an often overlooked part of the home.
The two met and went into business together for their shared love of furniture and design. Prioritizing collaboration over artistic ego, Leslie and Catherine believe in relying on the synergy of their individual styles to elevate the design of each and every single one of their doors.
Topics Discussed:
[03:06] The story behind Lecate
[09:03] How Leslie and Catherine met
[13:58] Leslie and Catherine’s design process
[19:19] Leslie and Catherine’s toughest moments in business
[28:49] How Leslie and Catherine make big decisions
[31:50] Keeping things in perspective
[37:38] The tipping point in Leslie and Catherine’s business
[41:06] Staying focused to be able to create but also execute
[43:11] How climate influences Lecate’s door designs
[45:03] What Leslie and Catherine are most excited for
[50:11] Staying hungry and balancing family and business
[55:47] What the American Dream means to Leslie and Catherine
When you walk through the door, that’s your first impression. That’s where people get a sense of what they’re going to get on the inside. They get to touch this piece of art. So, in our world, a door is functional art. ~Catherine
There is no ego in our designs. If I’m a lead on a project, I want to take it to Catherine and say, “What do you think? Could this be better? What can we do to improve this?” ~Leslie
We create inspired and innovative designs to elevate the art of living. ~Catherine
Not every door has to make a statement, but every door serves a purpose. ~Catherine
America was founded on dreams and hard work. I think it’s important that we protect those freedoms so that future generations have those same opportunities. ~Leslie
25 Jan 2024
Wood is Good: Thermally Modified Wood with Chris Bouchard | Friends of Build Magazine #86
00:48:19
Ted speaks with Chris Bouchard at BPWood in Penticton, British Columbia. BPwood is a family run lumber company that specializes in being Nimble Innovators.
Today Ted unravels the greenwashing of composite materials vs. new wood products. While most consumers and builders are looking for durable outdoor materials like red cedar, BPWood has been revolutionizing the global lumber supply chain by introducing a new product called ThermoWood. This thermally modified wood is more sustainable and cheaper than other alternatives and today you’ll hear where it comes from, how it’s made, and all the different ways it can be used to change the industry.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
[2:12] How extreme sports translates to the family business
[6:28] Why did you join the family business?
[9:00] What’s the difference between regional woods?
[10:45] Hardwood vs. softwoods and sustainability
[14:45] Thermally Modified Wood: what is it and how is it made?
[18:50] Reclaimed lumber and its durability
[21:20] What’s your biggest challenge? Education?
[24:20]What’s the application of it?
[28:10] Thermowood is great for harsh climates
[29:00] What makes BPWood stand out from the competition?
[30:45] Do woods cycle, not just in popularity but in supply?
[33:25] The stories wood can tell
[34:30] BPWood products
[37:00] What changes have been made in the company over the years?
[40:05] Where do you see BPWood 5 years from now?
[40:55] What markets do you excel in?
[42:42] What’s the price point?
[43:45] Is there pressure on the composite industry?
Thermo Wood is a, well the thermal modification of wood is a process that has been studied in Europe from the early 1900s and the whole idea is to use heat and water to take a piece of traditionally non-durable wood and make it durable. Europeans don't grow, they don't have Western Red Cedar. Western Red Cedar is naturally known as the most naturally resistant or durable wood for exterior cladding and fencing and railing and decking and things like that. So the Europeans had to come up with a solution to take the material that they can grow in their forests and make durable wood products.
I think the vision for the company is to get a little bit deeper into markets that we've historically done good business in. We built the company on being a very wide company, and that's got us a long way. We understand the world. We know how things move around the world. We have a very global understanding of softwood. And my focus for the company is to see us dig a little deeper into those individual lanes. And just increase business that way. I believe you can only be so good at a lot of things and you can become masters at a few things that will make you stickier in the marketplace.
The broader message for all of these home building groups is that wood is good. Wood has a better carbon footprint and a more sustainable story than any hardy board ever created, than any composite deck ever created. We need to reintroduce wood as being good. That's my message to the whole industry, not just the high end home guys.
25 Aug 2022
Complements Home Interiors: Thoughtful, Meticulous Interior Design with Owner/Design Director, Patricia Jubler
00:58:48
She also talks about her approach to leadership in which she strives to empower her people to make big decisions—in line with the company’s vision and values, of course—without having to rely on upper management every time.
Patricia discusses her grandfather's journey to Oregon and how his innately entrepreneurial spirit led him to create an atmosphere within the family that eventually inspired Patricia herself to start a business which gave her the means to to pursue her passion for interior design.
Topics Discussed:
[04:39] The role of the interior designer
[08:18] Gaining trust with clients
[12:42] Making tough decisions and deciding to do the hard stuff first
[18:14] Allowing your employees to make big business decisions
[20:30] Encouraging the younger generation to be unafraid of failure
[45:35] Patricia on her Cosentino tour in Spain
[51:07] Failing upward
[56:06] Where Patricia sees the interior design industry in five years
Even at a lower level, you want your house to be what you want it to be. It’s the biggest investment you’ll ever make, whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or you’re buying your fifth home in Aspen, you want your home to be beautiful.
Interior design is definitely for a certain level of clientele. That said, good design should not be exclusively to somebody at that high level.
A good designer is going to meld your personality and the house’s personality into a coherent place of flow.
Failing upward means you’ve got grit, determination, and persistence.
23 Sep 2021
Kevin Lowney of Lowney Contracting in Hawaii
00:48:26
The firm typically self-performs the majority of the work on its projects, allowing for flexibility, control, and direct cost.
Listen in as Kevin shares how he came to set up shop in both Arizona and Hawaii, and the differences in the home building process between the two states.
He speaks in particular on the unique logistical considerations around running a construction company on the Big Island, and the projects that he is excited to be working on in the near future.
Topics Discussed:
[05:19] Kevin’s background and his decision to move to the Big Island
[08:50] Why Kevin decided to come to Sedona
[12:55] How Kevin came to start his own firm
[16:55] Differences in the home building process in Sedona and Big Island
[25:21] Managing client expectations and turning ambitious ideas into reality
[29:28] How long it takes to build the “typical” Lowney home in Hawaii
[33:05] Dealing with higher prices and procurement challenges when building in Hawaii
[36:36] Projects that Kevin is excited about right now
[42:23] Permitting challenges in Sedona versus Big Island
[43:52] The defining moment when Kevin realized business was going strong
The clients are all different—different personalities. You have to try to figure out how to interact and communicate with them. Some of them want less information because they’re really busy. With others, you really have to communicate with them otherwise they start getting nervous and they think everything’s gone amuck when, really, it’s quiet because it’s just running on schedule and going the way it’s supposed to go.
05 Jul 2023
Big Opportunity in Big Sky: 20 Acres in Moonlight Basin with Brian Scott and Patrick Rettig | Friends of Build Magazine #76
00:43:33
Today Ted speaks with Brian Scott of Lone Pine Builders and Patrick Rettig of Haven Architecture, two childhood friends, about their collaboration in Big Sky, Montana. Growing up in Massachusetts, these two were incredibly close. After college, they parted ways. Now they’ve come together again to create an incredible opportunity for a lucky buyer in the Moonlight Basin neighborhood of Big Sky.
Through impeccable design and creative architecture, Brian and Patrick have put together a truly special spec home on 20 acres for the discerning buyer. Listen in as Ted gets to the heart of the cross-country duo’s process and what makes this property stand above the rest.
Interested in learning more and working with Brian and Patrick?
I think the hardest thing to do like you said was it was the slope. It was getting the house up in the highest point that we could and get the best views.
It's funny because, you know, the more we sort of globalize and the more we connect, the less sort of regional differences we see.
I always look for that in everything I do is what is the special thing that makes this unique and how do we have to celebrate it, right?
16 Jun 2022
Navigating Economic Turbulence with Darrel Swift of Westwood Fine Cabinetry
00:56:53
Listen in as Darrel looks back on his 30+ year journey in the world of cabinetry and how he came to lead Westwood Fine Cabinetry.
He discusses the continued challenges of operating the business in a post-COVID world, stressing that finding creative ways to communicate with clients and vendors on a personal level has been one of the main reasons for Westwood’s continued success.
Finally, Darrel explains what sets Westwood kitchens apart from all the rest, as well as his tried-and-true approach to taking a client’s vision and making it real.
Topics Discussed:
[02:24] About Westwood Fine Cabinetry
[06:01] How the industry has navigated economic turbulence over the past two years
[08:35] The importance of communication
[14:15] What makes Westwood unique
[24:02] Changing trends over the years
[27:13] About the different species of wood for cabinets
[34:46] How often trends change
[41:04] How Westwood kitchens set themselves apart from the rest
[43:43] Common problems that Darrel contends with on almost every project
Cabinet-making is not for the faint of heart. I’ve never seen a business like it.
Engineering: Pay attention, because the minute you don’t, the minute you mail it in on something, something is going to go wrong.
Appliances with supply chain right now are over-the-top. People are ordering appliances that aren’t coming for a year.
22 Feb 2024
Sustainable Landscaping Practices that Impact the Building Community with Micah Barker | Friends of Build Magazine #89
00:27:12
Ted speaks with Micah Barker from Bioscapes Hawaii, who focuses on an environmentally friendly approach to landscaping in the luxury resort space. He emphasizes the importance of intelligent landscaping, which involves water conservation, proper plant selection, and placement. Micah explains the challenges of educating clients and the building community about the need for sustainable landscaping practices. He shares his vision for Bioscapes Hawaii and the importance of early adopters in promoting environmentally friendly landscaping. Micah also discusses the scalability of his concept and the potential for collaboration with similar companies. The conversation highlights the perseverance and innovation required to create sustainable solutions in the landscaping industry.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
01:29 Appreciating the Landscape of Hawaii
02:03 Micah's Background and the Start of Bioscapes Hawaii
03:00 The Unique Biomes of Hawaii
04:23 Challenges and Opportunities of Landscaping in Hawaii
05:15 Intelligent Landscaping and Water Conservation
06:23 Building on Lava Fields and Environmental Impact
9:01 The Need for Education and Awareness with clients
12:13 Starting and the Vision for Bioscapes Hawaii
13:30 Early adopters
15:15 The Comparison to Other Environmental Movements
16:00 Similar companies but his business is unique
21:00 Intelligent Design and being an innovative entrepreneur
25:41 The Importance of Patience and Surfing Analogy
That was the purpose of the company was to deliver an intelligent model of developing along the coast that was not so destructive to the coastal ecosystem.
Our plants, they grow better: less pest, less water, less problems.
Our intelligent design is about doing things that are of place that are rooted in the place where they're being done.
02 Jul 2021
Brad Leavitt of AFT Construction in Scottsdale, AZ
00:50:52
Today Ted speaks with Brad Leavitt, Founder and President of A Finer Touch Construction—also known as AFT Construction—an award-winning custom home firm based out of Scottsdale, AZ.
Born into a family of tradesmen, Brad has been immersed in the world of construction all his life. For young Brad, there was no question that, whatever he would eventually do as an adult, it would have to involve creating things with his hands.
Listen in as Brad discusses the road to building his own construction business, the lessons he has learned from living abroad, the tangible value of building your personal brand no matter your profession, navigating difficult conversations with your clients, and adapting to changes in the architecture and design space.
Topics Discussed:
[01:38] How Brad got started in the world of construction
[03:31] What living in Argentina for a period of time taught Brad
[07:31] The importance of building your brand as a tradesperson
[15:11] Why Brad decided to move to Scottsdale from San Diego
[17:29] Who does Brad consider his greatest mentor?
[19:13] The purpose of work and how Brad’s early years of being a business owner
[26:00] Interacting with clients looking to build a home versus clients looking to remodel
[29:49] Setting expectations with clients
[34:44] Legacy builds
[36:45] AFT preferred suppliers/vendors
[37:49] AFT home in next Build Magazine issue
[39:27] AFT home in Build Magazine video
[42:02] How Brad has adapted his work to ever-evolving smart home technology
In any business, it doesn’t matter whether you’re in apparel or clothing, or products, or service, or construction—how do you create a workforce of people that believe in what you’re doing?
The more determined you are and the more you understand your business or your prospective client, the more successful you’ll be as a business owner.
A project can be successful, or fail, in the pre-construction stage. The more time I can sit down with the client and make sure we’re prepared, when it comes time to break ground, we’ve now built this collaboration and game plan. We have everything figured out, so we can build efficiently.
When you pay it forward, it will always come back tenfold.
Listen in as Maxim shares the key differentiators that set Germanhaus and LEICHT apart in the kitchen design and manufacturing space.
He breaks down Germanhaus’ incredible (and uniquely German) approach to construction, which has resulted in their production of 650 kitchens with net-zero carbon emissions. He also explains how the privately-owned LEICHT has consistently maintained its reputation as an industry leader after over 90 years in business.
Topics Discussed:
[01:44] Why Maxim chose Vancouver and his passion for tennis and healthy eating
[11:33] Germanhaus/LEICHT’s vision-mission
[15:44] How Germanhaus’ factory produces 650 kitchens with net-zero carbon emissions
[21:14] The difference between German and Italian kitchens
[26:30] Striking the perfect balance between form and function
[28:49] The biggest customer challenge that LEICHT aims to solve
[33:48] How Germanhaus has grown since its founding in 2015, and its perfect client
[38:13] LEICHT’s competitive advantages as a privately-owned company
[41:59] How LECHT has consistently stayed on the cutting edge after over nine decades
[44:34] How Germanhaus stays relevant
[52:37] About Germanhaus’ proprietary kitchen design software
Germanhaus came to fill that niche between good, local stuff and high-end stuff from Italy, Denmark, and Germany. We’re right in the middle: We can service everybody.
One thing that you’re paying for with a brand like LEICHT is that there is a team of engineers doing R&D to make sure that the door panel above your oven doesn’t delaminate after 15 years because of the steam that comes out of your steam oven.
[Our perfect client] is the person that knows how to live.
One thing that LEICHT does very well is that their upper management is not disconnected from the blue-collar workers—their staff.
29 Dec 2022
Celebrating Life Through Design with Thomas Burger of Thomas Burger Design, Inc. in Las Vegas
00:50:53
Today Ted speaks with Thomas Burger of Thomas Burger Design, Inc. in Las Vegas. A celebrated and renowned New York designer, Thomas now lives and works from Las Vegas, while continuing to work with clients across the globe. He strives to impact the human soul and human experience through his designs, and his clients include royalty, CEOs, American sports heroes, and celebrities.
Thomas started his business in 1987 in New York City. He talks to Ted about how it started, how it grew, and how it moved with him across the country. Thomas shares how the impact business has had on his identity has changed as he’s grown, and the ways in which he hopes to impact others with his business. Continuing to give keynote speeches across the world in addition to designing for his clients, Thomas shares the importance of work ethic in everything he does.
Listen in as Ted uncovers unexpected family stories, incredible past clients, and the true desires that Thomas hopes his work will accomplish.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
[2:30] East Coast vs. West Coast mentality
[3:00] Moving to Las Vegas from New York City
[6:10] Who is your clientele?
[7:20] What is the Vegas market like?
[8:40] The Summit
[11:30] Working all over the world
[13:00] What’s going on in Vegas now?
[15:30] The effects of Judo on work
[16:30] The most disappointing quality in homes today
I think that's something that Frank Lloyd Wright really had down. He created from the inside out as opposed to the outside in. And I think you have to be, you have to burn that candle at both ends at the same time. Because if you're thinking about architecture without the end goal of the design, or you're thinking about design without encompassing the architecture – you're going to run into a mismatch in the center. And I see that constantly with almost every home.
I don't teach them how to design, I teach them how to run a business. That's the thing that I like to impart on the younger generation is what it takes to actually serve your clients and serve an industry and serve a community. And I think that that's the thing that I think is the most important part to impart to to the new generation is actually how to serve.
Nothing's easy. You know, in one of my lectures in how to succeed in design, I say it takes a lot of hard work to have an easy life. It's very easy to have a difficult life. And I think that's true with in any situation it's. It takes a lot of work to discipline yourself. It takes a lot of work to be kind when someone is shouting out the exact opposite of what you believe in. And yet to still be kind, it takes discipline. We're human.
05 Oct 2023
The Next Step to Adoption: Residential Renewable Energy Solutions with Vincent Ambrose | Friends of Build Magazine #81
00:52:37
Today Ted speaks with Vincent Ambrose, Chief Commercial Officer of FranklinWH, a research-driven company focused on next-generation residential energy management and storage solutions. Vincent shares what energy independence can look like, what it should cost, and how it works.
As a leading innovator in the renewable energy sector, FranklinWH is uniquely positioned to provide solutions across North America for homeowners and homebuilders looking to be more self-sufficient or off-grid. Today, Ted dives into the specifics surrounding this ever-evolving technology and helps break down what can often seem difficult to understand.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
[2:10] Born in California, headquartered in Canada
[2:50] Do geography and climate play a big role in solar adoption?
[4:40] What is the biggest challenge in the industry?
[5:50] Should we go all renewable, or is there a balance?
[8:05] Will a solar grid supply everything we need?
[8:30] What’s stopping that from happening?
[9:35] Energy intensive industries will have to transition
[11:30] Consumer education is the biggest roadblock
[12:30] How did Vincent get into the renewable industry?
[15:15] Juggling a business so affected by policy and opinion
[17:30] What a transition into renewable look like?
[20:00] What are the questions homeowners should ask about having a battery backup to your house?
[23:20] All about the technology
[25:30] Battery replacement and disposal
[29:05] The ins and outs of batteries on projects
[33:00] What is the limiting factor for homeowners?
[35:25] What’s the business model?
[38:45] Cool projects
[41:45] Energy independence from weather and climate
[45:00] How to manage the smartest people in the industry
So the actual distance to the sun really doesn't come into play. It's actually the irradiance that the area receives on an annual basis is kind of how the industry works off of. And there are specific maps. So, for instance, Phoenix, which is way higher than the equator, right, is going to get way more sun than, let's say, Panama City, right? And that's more of a function of cloud cover and moisture in the air than it is, you know, anything else.
There are some industries that are so energy intensive that solar wind and battery don't make sense as their own unit, but they can very easily create that energy that can be used.
Everybody resists change, right? That's kind of human nature. And we need to learn how to embrace change. For some reason, our industry has gotten a little bit more politicized, so that change seems to be a little bit more controversial. Nobody was screaming and yelling when we went from 2G to 3G, and 3G to 4G.
09 Jun 2022
Episode 44: Managing Expectations With Clients Throughout the Design-Build Process with David Pfuetzner of Align West Homes
00:55:14
Listen in as David looks back on 30+ years of building custom homes and how tastes and technologies have evolved over the decades.
A lover of travel, he also talks about his architectural inspirations as well as the unique strengths that Europe and America have in the homebuilding industry respectively, and how David incorporates these design and construction strengths into his own work.
Finally, David shares how his wife has proven herself to be an invaluable partner both in life and business.
Topics Discussed:
[06:25] Communicating and managing expectations with clients throughout the process
[11:54] David’s hands-on approach to his work
[14:09] How advancements in 3D modeling changed the way David interacts with clients
[18:13] How client expectations and tastes have changed over the years
[26:32] About Align West Homes’ custom fabricated exterior metal railing for decks
My clientele hasn’t changed. They’re still human. There are still dynamics. There are still triggers. They haven’t become different.
Keeping up with the technology is almost a full-time job in itself—anywhere from the energy side of things, to products.
The lot dictates the design.
Today, the things that are trend-setting are related to energy efficiency.
27 Oct 2022
The Critical Role of an Interior Designer with Tonya Olsen, or Olsen Home Interior Design
00:44:51
Listen in as Tonya shares the real, often overlooked value that an interior designer brings to a project. She makes the case that, if a good interior designer makes it a point to build a strong relationship with the architect and builder from the very beginning, they can dramatically elevate the look of any space they work on.
Tonya explains her collaborative approach to working with clients and how she chooses a style for a home based on the homeowner’s personality and lifestyle. She also speaks on the importance of clear communication between all parties so that a shared vision of the home is always top-of-mind.
Topics Discussed:
[01:30] Tonya’s journey in interior design
[08:16] The true value of having an interior designer when building a home
[15:08] Staying on top of the latest trends
[16:35] Knowing which style to bring to a given project
[20:31] Why the showcase is the most intense part of Tonya’s job
[22:41] The importance of communication
[25:13] What excites Tonya about the industry today
[31:28] Renovations versus custom homes
[35:01] Capturing the “feel” that clients want from the finished home
[36:40] Ensuring that Tonya’s entire team share the same vision for each project
I think people still don’t fully realize the importance and value of an interior designer. It’s more than just picking pretty things. I start with architectural consulting. I like to come in when they’re designing the house so I can work with the architect and the builder and the client and make sure all the parts and pieces work together.
The best compliment I ever get from anybody is: “Oh my gosh, I love how this feels.
30 Jun 2022
How Essential Craftsman Creates Purpose Driven Content Receiving Millions of YouTube Views with Nate Wadsworth
01:04:19
Since 2016, Essential Craftsman has continued to build its brand largely through video content. Their videos have received tens of millions of views, inspiring hundreds of thousands of people to think differently about work, tools, and craftsmanship.
Listen in as Nate shares the story behind Essential Craftsman and a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of its entertaining and educational videos. He breaks down common myths about building a strong brand and a large audience online, and explains why content creation is one of the best ways to inspire and provide value to the next generation of tradespeople.
Topics Discussed:
[01:56] The power of branding and marketing via video
[09:48] Creating video content without being “tech savvy”
[14:49] Why Nate and Scott started making training videos
[22:12] Overcoming fear of criticism from putting out content
[25:34] Nate and Scott’s initial goal for their brand
[31:16] Deciding which footage to cut and which to keep
[33:43] How the next five years will look for Essential Craftsman
[38:51] Why you don’t need to be a big name to been seen as an authority
[41:10] How to build your followership organically
[45:42] About Reddit and dealing with internet hate
[49:10] Inspiring young people to go into the trades
[55:05] How Scott regards Nate’s success
[58:32] The rewards and challenges of working in a family business
Connect with Nate Wadsworth & Essential Craftsman:
I try to get the message across in the least amount of minutes as possible. I’m not interested in wasting people’s time. I’m really not interested in entertaining them, per se. I’m interested in making valuable content.
If I’m making good content and putting it out as often as possible, the road that we’re on will lead somewhere good.
It’s not about becoming an influencer and getting your name far and wide. It’s just about creating value for people.
24 Aug 2023
All of Life and Business Is About Location with Ric DeMarco | Friends of Build Magazine #77
00:43:04
Today Ted speaks with Ric DeMarco from DeMarco Design & Building in Bend, Oregon. 47 years ago, Ric DeMarco moved to Bend and started designing one custom home at a time for the residents of the region.
His portfolio covers a large range of styles and designs, and he’s watched Bend change into the city it is today. In addition to designing and building beautifully unique custom homes, Ric talks about his journey as an author, a mentor, an entreprenuer, and a soon to be musician. Wearing so many hats, Ric keeps his head straight on his shoulders by listening deeply to his clients and building meaningful relationships. Join us as Ted learns about the man behind the designs of some of the best homes in Bend, Oregon.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
[1:40] 47 years in Bend
[3:20] How a great attitude can shape a career
[4:30] The skilled labor shortage
[7:50] Ric’s mentorship journey through the years
[9:00] How has Bend and the housing market changed in the last 47 years
[15:00] What keeps you excited about building after all these years?
[17:33] Evolving design styles throughout the years
[19:50] Listening to the buyers and collaborating to build a dream home
[21:30] Interior design and the value of it
[23:15] Writing books and having a creative outlet
[26:00] Business ventures outside of building
[30:15] What technology are people looking for in their homes in Bend?
[35:23] How did the pandemic affect building in Bend?
You know, when people say people don't want to work, I don't know if that's a true statement. I think people do want to work. There are just literally not enough bodies out there, I don't think.
People want to... you know, everyone's concerned about urban sprawl, but you know, let's face it, we're a dynamic growing town soon to become a city, and we need to be thinking ahead 20, 30 years, and unfortunately, I think a lot of our planning is reactive instead of proactive.
But my thing about designing and building a home is the process should be as good as a product. If it's not a life-giving process to do this, and our process is two to three years on some of these homes, why would you do it if it's not fun and life-giving?
26 May 2022
Crafting Great Buildings Through Inspired Design with Grant Architecture Studio (GAS) Project Architect, Edan Marshall
00:59:03
Edan Marshall has been in the construction industry for over 24 years, starting in the trades before completing architecture school. He has worked in several boutique firms, including the Marc Boutin Architectural Collaborative, as well as operating his own design office, before joining Grant Architecture Studio (GAS) in 2018 where he is now a managing partner. As a humanist and a poet, Edan seeks to infuse a true sense of connection between user and environment to the spaces he designs.
2022 marks 50 years as a registered architect for Paul Grant, owner at GAS. Having completed hundreds of projects across Canada, ranging from the largest and most complex high schools, to some of the most exclusive luxury homes in the lower mainland, he has been incredibly prolific, and shows little sign of slowing down. His design ethos is continuously evolving, and he strives to bring fresh eyes and original ideas to each new project.
Connect with Edan Marshall & Grant Architecture Studio:
A Far Superior Process: Innovation in 3D Renderings with Eric Payne | Friends of Build Magazine #79
00:57:39
Today Ted speaks with Eric Payne, founder of NuWest Builders and Co-Founder of Paynecole, an architecture firm specializing in 3D-rendered designs in Whitefish, MT. Growing up on a farm and surviving having a dot com business during the bubble taught Eric work ethic, follow through, and an unmatched drive to succeed.
After transitioning to building, and scaling a successful luxury custom home business, Eric realized the greatest frustration he and his team had was solvable. Traditional building plans left so many unanswered questions, but after meeting Nic Cole, Eric learned that 3D renderings that stayed ahead of builders and were designed by professional animators could wildly improve the customer experience and building process for his team.
Today, Ted digs into how Payncole came to be, how technology is changing the building industry, and the mindset that Eric operates from to build successful businesses.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
[1:50] Growing up surrounded by technology
[6:05] Early adoption of technology changes how you think
[9:20] How do you decide which technologies are useful?
[12:50] Unique renderings of building projects and the process
[15:10] Building plans are the number one source of frustration
[19:50] Scaling 3D rendered plans
[21:30] Mentors throughout life
[28:20] What you accomplish with what you’re given
[30:50] How Zoom shifted scaling a business
[32:00] Working on iconic structures in Whitefish
[35:55] The start of Payncole
[41:45] Adoption and education in this new technology
[46:20] What do people not know about you?
[50:35] What’s a failure you learned from?
[54:00] Where do you see yourself and the building industry in 10 years?
I think our industry is dominated by limited goals. Most of the, from a builder standpoint, a builder will find this is the max capacity that we have. It's six homes at any one time, or it's two homes a year, whatever that is. And that's the max, because they're used to doing things same way they've always done them, and they wanna do them right. And that is a great, great goal to have, and it's a great limited goal. But if, again, if we can prove to these people like some of the great innovators that have come before, is we can change your whole way of thinking. That, I believe, is where the ultimate success comes from.
So we started focusing on the renderings, bringing in art, the guys that were better, they're not architects that are doing these renders, they're animators and they're graphic artists.
I'm about to see the West, specifically Montana, I see exploding far more than what we already have. I think we've just seen the tip of the iceberg.
10 Nov 2022
In Loving Memory of Tony Sutton: Husband, Father, Visionary, and Interior Designer at Est Est, Inc in Scottsdale, AZ
01:04:37
Listen in as Tony highlights the difference between a decorator and a designer and how to get the most out of a great interior designer from the very beginning of a project. To him, what separates the good from the great in the industry is a striving for uniqueness and legacy in every project.
In a similar vein, Tony believes in setting realistic expectations with clients—and then working to exceed them. Going above and beyond what’s expected comes down to thinking out of the box and surrounding oneself with extraordinary men and women that fill in the gaps with their strengths.
Tony looks back over almost three decades of experience in the industry, sharing how the Arizona market has evolved over time, his thoughts on the future of interior design, and his love for America and the endless opportunities the country still presents to those with a dream.
Topics Discussed:
[02:41] From mechanical engineering to interior design
[04:12] How to educate clients as an interior designer
[16:09] What Tony learns from his ultra-wealthy clients
[26:31] Creating a diverse portfolio and hiring the right people
[41:24] The fine line between success and failure
[46:51] Thinking out of the box when designing spaces
I always strive for delivering a high perceived value for what the investment is in a project. That’s when you know you’ve done something successful.
It’s one thing to do it nice. It’s another to create something unique. You have to create memories with your projects.
How do you manage client expectations? You give them realistic expectations—but then you have to exceed them.
The key to my success is surrounding myself with the right people with the right heart.
04 Nov 2021
John Cooney of Stofft Cooney Architects in Naples, Florida
01:01:00
John discusses his transition from East Hampton to Naples and how he has adapted a specific design process he was already so familiar with to a state with completely different architectural standards and tastes.
He also speaks on his leadership philosophy and why he intends to preserve Stofft Cooney’s in-person company culture in spite of the increasing prevalence of remote work.
Finally, John reflects on a three-decade career in the world of architecture and why the excitement for his work has never waned.
Topics Discussed:
[03:49] John and Randall Stofft’s business in Palm Beach
[10:43] Architecture in the Hamptons compared to Naples
[17:09] Why John and his wife decide to settle down in Naples
[21:42] Setting expectations with ultra-wealthy clients in Naples
[30:36] Adapting his architectural style after moving from East Hampton to Naples
[35:20] John’s design process
[38:49] How John regards his career today
[41:30] Mentoring the next generation of leaders in his team
[47:00] Putting the pressure on themselves to continually raise the bar
[48:37] What John learns from his high-performing clients
[51:54] Why John hosts parties for his team and clients
Relationships. That’s really what we’re all about.
A true, sophisticated home is all about details and we can’t recreate those. Those were already done a long time ago.
No matter what industry you’re in, if you don’t serve your clients, you’re not going to get those word-of-mouth referrals.
One of the common questions I get is, “What is your favorite house that you’ve designed?” And I can look them in the eye and honestly say, “There is not one. It’s the next one.” We’re always trying to do not necessarily bigger and better, but architecture changes—it evolves.
Being critical of ourselves is the first step.
23 Dec 2021
Lisa Samuel of Samuel Design Group Interiors in Santa Fe, New Mexico
00:56:05
“I was about to become a Santa Fe statistic,” she says. “I’m not proud of that. But it’s the truth. I knew that if I didn’t get out of Sante Fe and do something really big and scary, I didn’t have a future and neither did my children.”
She tells us how she eventually received a grant to study architecture and construction and, with $900 in her pocket, moved to California to get her education before moving back to Santa Fe, where she then spent the next few years getting her feet wet in the industry.
Despite having to endure an almost endless stream of hardships, Lisa wouldn’t change a thing. 25 years after starting her own firm, she reflects: “I never expected to build what I built. I didn’t. I was just trying to make it.”
Today, Lisa has never been more motivated for growth as a leader in the world of design. In every single one of her projects, she always makes it a point to maximize the journey toward the finished productan approach she sums up in the word feelosophy.
Topics Discussed:
[02:35] Being one of 11 siblings
[09:25] Lisa’s first few years in the architecture industry
[13:22] Imparting lessons on perseverance to her kids
[15:29] How lighting became a prominent industry
[18:11] How adobe houses are constructed
[25:04] What clients would say about working with Lisa
[27:12] How Lisa’s team stays inspired
[31:08] Lisa’s vision for the next five years
[38:25] Lisa’s most memorable projects
[40:44] Setting expectations with ultra-high-net-worth clients amid supply chain issues
[44:16] Lisa’s favorite books and podcasts
[47:50] Lisa’s typical day and the power of getting up early in the morning
We need layers of light to really live in our space in a way that creates different moods that we want to live in. We are sensual people—we live by our senses. Lighting is all part of that.
People would say that I understand, and that I take the time to really listen and honor what their feelings are and what their vision is.
“Feelosophy” is creating spaces that support and nurture each of our clients’ lifestyles. It’s not only how things look when we’re done; but, it’s how we get there.
If we’re going through trauma, imagine what they’re going through. We’re stewards of their hopes and dreams, and we’re stewards of their money. It’s really a big deal.
Anything we design, designs us back.
05 Sep 2024
Creating A Home Through Function First Design With Interior Designer Allison Campbell
00:54:46
Ted speaks with Allison Campbell, founder of Allison Campbell Design in Utah. By building trust with her clients and practicing strong communication, Allison has scaled her interior design business to new heights. She shares with Ted how she tailors a design to each client’s personality, and the simple tricks she uses to keep each project unique. Her approach is focused on creating a welcoming and functional feel in every home, regardless of the style or design preferences. She shares her passion for her work and the excitement she feels every day, even in the mundane aspects of the job. Allison believes in constantly learning and growing in her field and encourages others to embrace failure and continue educating themselves.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
01:10 Introduction and Anticipation
04:10 The Value and the Role of the Interior Designer as an Advocate
"Communication, whether it's positive or negative, is key throughout."
"Everybody has versions of the same personality."
"I remind myself, wait, I can do this. Like, they're coming to me because I know what I'm doing."
22 Jul 2021
Dan Davenport of Mountain Land Design in Salt Lake City Utah
00:44:49
The spark that led to the founding of MLD took place over 30 years ago when Dan, his brother Joe, and friend Steve Stockfish started delivering appliances for a small builder supplier in Salt Lake City. “The Three Mountain Landers” saw potential in their concept and continued to develop it through the years. Today MLD is made up of 140 employees and spans five locations.
Listen in as Dan talks all things company culture and building a resilient organization. He names “fun” as one of the top qualities he looks for in any new hire and says that he has brought people aboard who were willing to take significant pay cuts to become a member of his positive and dynamic team.
Today, with his continued plans for expansion and move to decentralize operations between each of MLD’s locations, Dan explains how he looks to increase the self-leadership capabilities of his team.
Dan goes on to discuss how he was forced to adapt to the limitations brought on by the Global Financial Crisis in 2008 and, now, COVID-19. He speaks on his biggest lessons learned in times of adversity and how he plans to build on his massive success in the new normal.
Topics Discussed:
[02:04] The inspiration behind Mountain Land Design
[07:32] How Dan leads his 140+ employees
[09:37] Dealing with clients who first walk into the showroom overwhelmed
[11:44] Buying out MLD and expanding to five locations
[18:21] How Dan built relationships with incredible vendors
[21:46] How Dan plans to decentralize operations between each location
[22:55] Helping your teams lead themselves
[25:21] The moment Dan and his two partners realized that they made it
[26:49] Surviving 2008 and being forced to cut the staff in half
[29:46] MLD’s challenges during the pandemic
[33:37] Projects that MLD is most excited about right now
[36:14] The biggest lesson that Dan learned after 32 years in the industry
[38:42] How Dan almost lost his wallet at a Bronco game
[41:40] Dan on how anyone can live the American Dream
When we’re hiring somebody, we look at, “Are they going to be fun? Are they going to fit with everybody?” Otherwise, they can become buzzkills for the rest of the group.
It’s not about the money. We have hired people that have taken significant pay cuts to come work for us. We’re a fun factory.
02 May 2024
Stepping Inside 3D Home Design Visualization with Charles Ochello of Vitruvius Design+Build | Friends of Build Magazine #94
00:53:55
Ted speaks with Charles Ochello, owner of Vitruvius Design and Build and creator of Vius. He discusses his transition from being an emergency room doctor to a custom home builder, and his vision to bridge the visualization gap in the building industry. Charles shares his experience with using virtual reality technology to allow clients to visualize their finished homes and make informed decisions. Ted and Charles highlight the value of human interaction and collaboration in the design and construction process, while his technology company continues to develop software that optimizes the luxury home building process.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
01:35 Emergency room doctor to home builder
06:35 The transition to building and how skills carry over
08:40 Teaching People to Listen and Stay Calm
12:05 The Tipping Point to Become a Custom Home Builder
21:05 Enhancing the Client Experience with Virtual Reality
26:40 Differentiating from Other Tech Firms
28:55 The Power of Human Interaction and Experience
32:25 The Importance of the Human Element
34:25 Collaboration in the Design and Construction Process
37:30 Using Technology to Streamline Decision-Making
40:53 Tech as a Tool for Augmenting the Experience
We have this visualization data, we're working with some of the best architects, the best artists in the world, some of the best interior designers on the most incredible projects, but our clients - we haven't given them or developed the tools that they need to see their project. And so that was really the charge was to say, how can we use visual data from our architects and show our clients?
Decisions that are made early in the process are really inexpensive. Decisions late at four-way are really expensive.
At the end of the day, bringing clients into our office and sitting down and talking through things and seeing real emotion and then going on site and actually talking with our craftsmen and subcontractors that we work with and talking through how we're going to execute a detail or maybe it's a beam connection or all of those things. Those are irreplaceable.
25 Jul 2024
Building A Brand & Scaling A Business with Brad Leavitt of AFT Construction (Scottsdale, AZ)
00:51:35
Ted speaks with Brad Leavitt, founder of AFT Construction in Scottsdale, AZ. From his beginnings as an electrician to running a successful and award-winning custom home building business, Brad shares his insights on leadership, hiring the best people, and building a brand. Through the many challenges and mistakes, Brad has persevered and learned how to overcome the obstacles in his path. Now a successful entrepreneur, he shares with Ted how he encourages the younger generation, how he retains a stellar staff, and where his company is headed next.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
02:20 Brad's Rise in the Construction Industry
04:40 Putting together a good team
07:50 The Role of Interior Designers in Construction
11:55 Building a Brand, Financial Management, and Systems and Processes
18:20 Allowing Yourself to Fail and Learning from Mistakes
20:55 Dealing with Shiny Object Syndrome
21:55 The Importance of Optimism in Leadership
26:25 Exciting New Relationships and Rising Stars
28:15 The Impact of AI on the Building Community
30:55 The Potential of Robots in Construction
32:35 The Toyota Five Principles of Problem-Solving
38:20 Managing client expectations and change orders
41:15 The Importance of Trade Skills for the Younger Generation
46:35 Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
47:45 Building a Strong Online Presence through Social Media
"Leadership is about showing empathy and caring for your team."
"Building a brand is crucial for business growth and success."
"AI is going to change... how manufacturers are operating."
13 Jan 2022
Elegant Homes of Las Vegas with Ranny McKee in Las Vegas, NV
01:15:45
With a passion in building and construction since childhood, which seems to be within the family, (with his younger son following suit), Ranny has worked in the industry for over 35 years. Even a tragic accident that made him crippled for a year couldn’t stop his dream. Today, he and his team at the Elegant Homes work on at least three major projects every year. Driven by passion and a dream to offer perfection and quality around all his projects, his company has built a good reputation and trust among his clients that he even works without signing a contract but just a handshake!
Tune in to listen to Ranny’s journey, and how he overcame the tragic accident to become one of the top custom home builders in Las Vegas, NV.
Topics Discussed
[01:41] The home on Las Vegas Build Magazine cover
[07:03] Who makes the design selection?
[09:41] Building the first house
[12:59] How Ranny works without contract but just handshakes with clients
[16:33] What houses does Ranny build?
[19:05] How the pandemic affected the construction business
[25:02] Ranny’s biggest stress in construction
[39:23] Ranny story and the fatal accident
[56:26] How Ranny started Elegant Homes
[57:59] What Ranny’s kids have learned from his struggles
That house was a very unique house. The client came to me and he said I want something that is over the top, that literally blows everything in Las Vegas away. And there was no limit.
I told him, “man, how are we going to build this house?” And he goes, “I don’t know but we are going to have fun trying.”
I’m such a perfectionist that I’d like to be able to go to all my houses and make sure they’re perfect.
You do such a great job with your reputation, you’ll always keep going.
If the house is built right, there shouldn’t be problems.
The doctor said, “his hands would never work. Other things may come back but the hands take so much.”
Building a house is stressful but it doesn’t have to be.
I’m just so blessed to have two kids that enjoy what I do.
09 Sep 2021
Chris Lee of DA Architects in Jackson Hole Wyoming
00:53:04
He goes on to describe his laid-back approach to dealing with clients, brand name or otherwise. He explains how DA Architects acquired its balanced reputation for being cutting-edge while maintaining traditions, its houses distinct yet designed around the particular tastes and preferences of its clients.
Chris shares what he looks forward to, including his excitement for the future of technology and potential opportunities as a Jackson Hole-based architect.
Topics Discussed:
[01:36] Chris’s background and his journey as an architect
[06:26] How architecture in America has evolved from the late 1980s onwards
[09:18] Where Chris gets his inspiration
[12:38] How Chris works with clients on their design
[15:13] Chris’s early days as an architect
[16:45] The difference between working for celebrity clients and low-key wealthy clients
[22:20] Chris’s biggest challenge as the owner of an architectural firm today
[25:10] DA’s unique approach to creating designs
[28:39] Navigating current supply chain issues and preparing for other potential setbacks
[30:40] Dealing with the 10,000 square foot building size maximum in Jackson Hole
[35:39] The project Chris is most fired-up about right now
[37:25] What inspired Chris to walk his own path after working for his dad
[40:57] What Chris is looking forward to
[45:42] Keeping up with smart technology in the home
[49:39] What Chris is most proud of with regards to his career
Good design is good design. I don’t care what style it is. You pick up on the things that work. You see things you like and you try to figure out why you like it.
We have this policy of fixing anything. If something goes wrong, we just fix it.
As an architect, you never know if anybody is going to walk through the door again. It’s not like you’re a dentist where people need their teeth cleaned.
Everything about architecture has become so specialized. I mean, everything. It’s too much for one architect to understand it all unless that’s all you do and you don’t have a family and a dog. If you want to spend time with your family and your dog, you need consultants. [...] You’re doing a disservice to your clients if you try to do it all yourself.
14 Apr 2022
Success with Leadership, Vision, and Building Plans That Teams Can Execute with Lew Jaffe of CEO Coaching International
01:05:48
Lew himself has over three decades of experience as a CEO and Board Member. He is a Clinical Professor and an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Loyola Marymount University in the Fred Kiesner Center for Entrepreneurship Management, where he teaches both undergraduates and MBA candidates. In 2016, he won “Professor of the Year”.
Lew is the creator of The ONE DAY MBA®, an online training program for entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs, as well as author of the 2018 Amazon bestseller, The One Day MBA.
Guided by the belief that “there are no coincidences—there are just seized and missed opportunities,” Lew explains how to put yourself in a position to be “lucky” by highlighting every opportunity that comes your way.
He also shares why a company that doesn’t focus on culture eventually loses. For Lew, a leader doesn’t have to think up 100% of the ideas. Rather, a leader of a winning company simply needs to single out the best ideas. How social media fuels tribalism and divisiveness.
Speaking on the future of work and the business world in general, Lew offers his thoughts on how entrepreneurs can stay on the cutting edge of their industry, and how established companies can stay relevant and current without sacrificing the fundamentals that brought them the success they enjoy today.
Topics Discussed:
[01:57] Putting yourself in a position to be lucky
[08:19] The pitfalls of overthinking
[14:30] How to be “importantly different”
[18:38] Building your corporate culture
[22:15] Learning from your failures
[27:59] How to enact changes in your company when the time is ripe
[33:28] Choosing which opportunities to pursue
[36:47] Staying relevant and current as an established company
[40:17] Whether social media is a positive or a negative change
[45:05] Being in your genius
[51:14] Why Apple has the best marketing team today
Luck trumps skill. That said, you have to put yourself in a position to be lucky. If you surround yourself with bad people, your luck is going to be bad. If you surround yourself with good people, your luck is going to be good.
There are no coincidences—there are just seized and missed opportunities.
How many times have we screwed up because we overthink something?
Corporate culture is king.
A leader’s superpower is communication.
We rarely learn from our successes. Smart people learn from their failures.
Anybody who doesn’t make mistakes doesn’t take risks.
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