Builder Stories

Hosted by Eric Fortenberry

Business EntrepreneurshipInterviews guests

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Episodes

143

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Welcome to Builder Stories, the podcast where builders, remodelers, and contractors share their personal and business journeys. Come learn from the stories of successful entrepreneurs who share how they got started, how they found success, and the lessons learned along the way. Your host, Eric Fortenberry, has successfully built two businesses, one in software and one in construction. He is now the Founder and CEO of JobTread Software, a construction estimating and project management platform that has helped thousands of builders and contractors sell and manage over $1 billion in construction jobs.

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60 recent

June 10, 2026Episode 14353 min

How to Grow Your Profits Without Growing Your Team | Todd Dawalt of The Construction Leading Edge

Todd Dawalt spent more than 30 years in construction learning expensive lessons the hard way. In this episode, he reveals the one stage of every project where the most profit slips away, usually long before work even begins. He shares the counterintuitive shift that helps companies make more money without adding to the team. Todd also explains how one builder was leaving $400,000 on the table every year without knowing it. In this episode you will learn: Why hiring more people often makes a struggling business worse The part of a job where most inefficiencies hide, and why owners keep missing it What turns a fumbled project handoff into a smooth one The question that gets clients to gladly pay for work most contractors give away Where AI helps your business and where it can secretly hurt it Listen to the episode to learn more. Resources: Learn more about The Construction Leading Edge here. 00:00 Show Introduction 00:18 Meet Todd Dawalt 00:50 Todd Origin Story 02:33 Launching The Podcast 05:37 Cash Flow Wake Up 06:21 Coaching Operating System 07:31 Market Shifts After Covid 09:08 Profit Without Hiring 15:41 Find The Bottleneck 17:36 Why Change Now 19:42 Mental Malware Mindset 26:25 Lesson Without Scar 29:32 Systems Beat Intentions 32:49 Preconstruction Handoff 39:36 Paid Preconstruction Phase 44:08 AI Benefits And Risks 49:17 Resources And Wrap Up 52:45 Final Outro

June 3, 2026Episode 1421 hr 1 min

How to Rebuild Your Construction Business Around AI | Jake Gosselin of Churchfront

Jake Gosselin built Churchfront into one of the most innovative AV firms in the country, all fueled by a 300,000 subscriber YouTube channel and a relentless drive to automate the work that used to drain his time. In this episode, he pulls back the curtain on the AI agents now running his business behind the scenes, including budgeting, procurement, and payroll. Jake also gets real about the security risks of connecting AI to your operations and the smart moves every owner should make first. This is the episode that will change how contractors think about AI inside their business. In this episode, you will learn: The surprising path Jake took from YouTube creator to multi million dollar design build firm Exactly what Jake's AI agents are doing inside his business every day The bold claim Jake makes about AI and why he stands behind it The security playbook every business owner needs before connecting AI to their software The one task Jake says every owner should hand off to AI right now Listen to the episode to learn more. Resources: Learn more about Churchfront here.

May 27, 2026Episode 14142 min

How to Turn Indecisive Clients Into Confident Ones | Liz Davies of ESD Homes

Liz Davies built a "small but mighty" luxury building and remodeling firm in Atlanta, and she did it without ever letting a project run on guesswork. In this episode, she pulls back the curtain on the pre construction approach that puts the right people in charge of the right decisions long before the first wall goes up. She reveals the one thing she says to hesitant clients that finally gets them off the fence. And she shares the single reel that hit nearly five million shares, plus the kind of content that keeps the right clients coming to her. In this episode you will learn: The mindset shift that stops clients from blaming you for their own indecision Why passion beats budget every time you size up your next project How one unexpected hire became the engine behind years of growth The kind of social content that makes clients say "I want to work with you" What Liz is building now that goes far beyond any single project Listen to the episode to learn more. Resources: Learn more about ESD Homes here.

May 20, 2026Episode 14055 min

Create An AI Twin For Your Business | Phil Parsons of KP Homescapes

Phil Parsons of KP Homescapes shares how he moved from engineering and house flips into a focused outdoor living business built for profitable growth. In this episode, he reveals what happened when he created an "AI twin" for his business and how it transformed sales, training, and business strategy. Phil also shares how coaching helped him think bigger, why job costing changed the way he leads, and what happened when he stopped being the answer man for every problem. In this episode, you will learn: How an "AI twin" can help your business repeat what works Why thinking too small can hold your business back How to choose coaching that fits your real constraints Why knowing your numbers creates better decisions What changes when you stop being the answer man Listen to the episode to learn more. Resources: Learn more about KP Homescapes here.

May 13, 2026Episode 13953 min

How to Turn Happy Customers Into Your Most Powerful Marketing Engine

Frank Llaneza went from buying a pool for his own family during COVID to running a franchise that has installed more than 300 pools across two states. Frank also shares why he chose to join a franchise instead of going it alone, and what that decision unlocked for his growth. In this episode, he reveals the surprisingly simple gift that has driven a 30% jump in reviews and helped fuel a 60% lead increase in a soft market. He breaks down how to stay human in an AI driven world without losing your edge on automation. In this episode you will learn: Why the fastest sales cycles often come from a specific type of buyer most contractors overlook The mindset shift Frank gives every customer before the build begins How to re engage past customers and turn them into a referral force years later The signal that tells you when a customer is finally ready to leave a five star review What Frank wishes he knew before starting a construction business from scratch Listen to the episode to learn more. Resources: Learn more about River Pools of the Carolinas here.

May 6, 2026Episode 13850 min

Remove The Work Holding You Back | Zac Liquori of ConstructAid

Contractors are not usually stuck because they cannot build. They are stuck because too much of the business still depends on memory, follow up, and the owner carrying every decision. Zac Liquori of ConstructAid shares how construction companies can create stronger systems, bring in better operational support, and finally remove the admin work that keeps owners buried. In this episode you'll learn: Why adding another person will not fix a broken process How to find the work you should stop doing this week Why JobTread works best when your data stays clean How operators can help create clarity across the business Why AI should support a strong process, not replace one Listen to the episode to learn more. Resources: Learn more about ConstructAid here.

April 29, 2026Episode 1371 hr 4 min

A Life Rebuilt After Profound Loss | Michael Flory of Custom Built Design and Remodeling

Here, Michael Flory shares a story that will stop you in your tracks and stay with you long after it ends. He opens up about a horrific childhood tragedy and reveals how he slowly rebuilt his sense of purpose and carried those ideals forward into the way he leads his remodeling company today. You will hear the ways that Michael's perspective on leadership, success, and growth was shaped through years of struggle and reflection. In this episode you will learn: How to keep going when life feels overwhelming A new way to define success beyond business results What it takes to rebuild your mindset after hardship How personal growth shapes company culture Why your story can become your greatest strength Listen to the episode to learn more. Resources: Learn more about Custom Built Design and Remodeling here.

April 22, 2026Episode 13653 min

Turn More Builds Into Better Outcomes | Mike Lee of Tributary Homes

If you are trying to grow your building business, this episode will challenge how you think about your process. Mike Lee shares how one development created demand and forced him to rethink how he builds homes and runs his company. He reveals his strategies for passing inspections, working with trade partners, and shares best advice for home builders. Gain insights into where small decisions create bigger outcomes across every project. In this episode you will learn: How to structure trade partner relationships for optimal results What investors look for in a building opportunity Strategies for value engineering a home without losing quality How Lee's unique approach to production home building helps his business The single phrase you should never say to customers and one to use instead Listen to the episode to learn more. Resources: Learn more about Tributary Homes here.

April 15, 2026Episode 1351 hr 1 min

Design Systems Your Team Will Follow | Doug Howard of Growth Team Strategies

Doug Howard brings a background from the The Wharton School and decades of experience helping contractors improve how their businesses operate. In this episode, he breaks down why so many companies struggle to execute even when the owner knows what to do. He reveals how to develop systems that transform how your business operates every day. Doug also shows what shifts when leaders take control of their time and create a team that works together more effectively. In this episode you will learn: Why most documented processes never get used by the team What makes a system simple enough for people to follow How better use of technology improves decision making Why vulnerability strengthens leadership and team alignment What changes when leaders take control of their time Listen to the episode to learn more. Resources: Learn more about Growth Team Strategies here.

April 8, 2026Episode 13453 min

How to Go From Zero to Strong Sales in Year One | Eric Van Dixhorn of Archadeck of Northern Colorado

Eric Van Dixhorn tried different paths across construction, sales, and startups but nothing clicked. He shares what changed when he stepped into a new business and found early success in a competitive market. That shift helped him gain traction faster than expected in a new market, and launched his success going forward. Eric also reveals how the right support system helped him avoid mistakes that slow most owners down. In this episode you will learn: How to recognize when a business is the right fit Why alignment matters more than the opportunity itself What helps you gain traction faster in a new market How support systems influence early success Where most business owners lose momentum early Listen to the episode to learn more. Resources: Learn more about Archadeck of Northern Colorado here.