Builders of Authority

Hosted by Adam McChesney

Business Entrepreneurship

Website RSS feed LinkedIn Facebook Instagram YouTube

Episodes

241

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Builders of Authority is the go-to podcast for entrepreneurs looking to level up their game in all facets. With a focus on personal branding and growing your business, host Adam McChesney, brings on high level entrepreneurs who have experience growing companies through branding. You will learn tactics and strategies, not theories, from guests on the podcast while understanding what you need to do in order to reach new levels of success.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 22, 202626 min

The Conversation You’re Avoiding Is Costing Your Business | Adam McChesney

The conversations you avoid today usually become bigger problems tomorrow. In this solo episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, Adam McChesney shares what he has learned about being direct, asking for what you want, and having tough conversations before unresolved issues begin damaging your team, clients, relationships, or health. Speaking from the Builders of Authority podcast studio at Adventure Unknown in St. Louis, Adam explains why effective leadership starts with personal accountability. When something goes wrong inside a company, leaders must first examine what they failed to communicate, address, or enforce. Adam also discusses how business challenges affect your personal life and how personal struggles can influence your performance at work. He shares lessons from leading a growing international team, where friendships and professional responsibilities can make accountability more difficult. In this episode, Adam provides a practical framework for navigating difficult conversations. He explains why feedback should be delivered within 24 hours, why these conversations should happen live instead of through Slack or email, and why leaders must focus on actions and facts instead of attacking someone’s identity. He also explains how to end every conversation with one clear expectation, a specific deadline, and an agreement on what needs to change. Afterward, leaders can review their delivery with trusted managers or use AI tools to evaluate whether the message was communicated effectively. The challenge is simple: identify the conversation you have been avoiding, schedule it within the next seven days, and address it directly. 🔗 CONNECT WITH ADAM: Facebook https://bit.ly/3td8Pdo Instagram https://bit.ly/3HmCR3m LinkedIn https://bit.ly/3hjU4jq ✉️ CONTACT: Email adam@buildauthority.co Website adammcchesney.com Book a call: https://buildauthority.com/contact-us/ About me: I’m Adam McChesney: an entrepreneur and marketer who’s spent the last decade building and scaling service-based businesses. I’ve been on both sides of the table: running companies myself and helping other business owners grow through smarter, more disciplined marketing. I’m the founder of Builders of Authority, where I work with service businesses to improve visibility, strengthen their brand, and build marketing systems that actually perform over time. Everything I share comes from real experience, what I’ve tested, what’s worked, and what hasn’t. Today, I create content, speak, and have honest conversations about marketing, growth, and leadership, with one goal in mind: helping business owners stop relying on last-minute tactics and start building something sustainable. Built for the contractors the market keeps overlooking. #Leadership #ToughConversations #BusinessGrowth #TeamManagement #Entrepreneurship #ContractorBusiness #BuildersOfAuthority

October 15, 202641 min

How Collin Einertson Built a Logistics Business Without Cold Calling

In this episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, Adam McChesney sits down with Collin Einertson, founder of STL LTD, to discuss entrepreneurship, relationship-driven sales, resilience, and building a business alongside a demanding career. Adam and Collin first connected in 2020 through an online digital marketing course while Collin was attending chiropractic school. That experience helped spark Collin’s interest in entrepreneurship and eventually led him from chiropractic practice into medical device and spine sales before launching STL LTD. Collin explains how STL LTD provides access to a private logistics network that helps major manufacturers manage domestic and international supply chains. Instead of relying on cold calling, the business grows through personal relationships, trusted introductions, and strategic referral partners. The conversation also explores the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship, especially when sales cycles can last more than a year. Collin shares how embracing failure, surrounding yourself with reliable people, learning from experienced mentors, and developing confidence through repetition can help entrepreneurs overcome imposter syndrome. Adam and Collin also discuss balancing a career with business ownership, staying present with family, and learning how to disconnect from work without losing momentum. If you are building a business, developing your network, or learning how to create opportunities through relationships instead of cold outreach, this episode is for you. 🔗 CONNECT WITH ADAM: Facebook https://bit.ly/3td8Pdo Instagram https://bit.ly/3HmCR3m LinkedIn https://bit.ly/3hjU4jq 🔗 CONNECT WITH COLLIN: LinkedIn https://bit.ly/4hrrwod Website https://bit.ly/4hySFUR Instagram https://bit.ly/46S4IYF Facebook https://bit.ly/3TFxoB4 ✉ CONTACT: Email adam@buildauthority.co Website adammcchesney.com Book a call: https://buildauthority.com/contact-us/ About me: I’m Adam McChesney: an entrepreneur and marketer who’s spent the last decade building and scaling service-based businesses. I’ve been on both sides of the table: running companies myself and helping other business owners grow through smarter, more disciplined marketing. I’m the founder of Builders of Authority, where I work with service businesses to improve visibility, strengthen their brand, and build marketing systems that actually perform over time. #BuildersOfAuthority #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Logistics #Networking #SalesStrategy #BusinessMindset

October 8, 202637 min

How Contractors Can Buy Back Their Time | Nick Peret

In this episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, Adam McChesney sits down with Nick Peret, founder of Better Boss, to discuss how contractors can use better systems, software, and automation to regain control of their businesses. Nick shares how his family roots in the trades, experience at Milwaukee Tool, and background in sales, startups, and marketing led him to build Better Boss. He also explains why he narrowed the company’s focus to helping contractors, custom home builders, and remodelers successfully implement JobTread. The conversation explores how the right operating system can simplify estimating, scheduling, and daily operations while giving business owners more time and peace of mind. Nick also shares practical advice for contractors implementing software themselves, including documenting their processes, setting firm deadlines, testing the system on real jobs, and helping their teams navigate change. Adam and Nick also discuss the value of “giving away the sauce” through webinars and YouTube content, building authority by sharing useful information, and integrating AI tools like Claude into business operations. If you are a contractor who has invested in software but still feels overwhelmed by your systems, this episode will help you approach implementation with greater clarity and confidence. 🔗 CONNECT WITH ADAM: Facebook https://bit.ly/3td8Pdo Instagram https://bit.ly/3HmCR3m LinkedIn https://bit.ly/3hjU4jq 🔗 CONNECT WITH NICK: Website https://bit.ly/4ypVzT1 Instagram https://bit.ly/4jsHGyU Youtube https://bit.ly/4xTA6ko LinkedIn https://bit.ly/4rJ8fly ✉️ CONTACT: Email adam@buildauthority.co Website adammcchesney.com Book a call: https://buildauthority.com/contact-us/ About me: I’m Adam McChesney: an entrepreneur and marketer who’s spent the last decade building and scaling service-based businesses. I’ve been on both sides of the table: running companies myself and helping other business owners grow through smarter, more disciplined marketing. I’m the founder of Builders of Authority, where I work with service businesses to improve visibility, strengthen their brand, and build marketing systems that actually perform over time. Everything I share comes from real experience, what I’ve tested, what’s worked, and what hasn’t. Today, I create content, speak, and have honest conversations about marketing, growth, and leadership, with one goal in mind: helping business owners stop relying on last-minute tactics and start building something sustainable. Built for the contractors the market keeps overlooking. #BuildersOfAuthority #JobTread #ContractorBusiness #ConstructionManagement #BusinessSystems #ContractorMarketing #ArtificialIntelligence

October 1, 202635 min

How Jamieson Crane Built an Insurance Agency From Zero Policies

What does it take to build an insurance agency from zero policies while creating a business that supports your family, health, and long-term goals? In this episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, Adam McChesney sits down with Jamieson Crane, owner of a Shelter Insurance agency in St. Louis. Jamieson shares how he entered the insurance industry, learned the value of making 100 calls a day, and launched his own agency from scratch in June 2020. Today, he has built a business with a customer retention rate between 90% and 92%, driven largely by referrals, personal service, and organic name recognition. Adam and Jamieson discuss: • Starting an insurance agency with zero policies • Learning sales through daily repetition and rejection • Building trust through personal customer service • Setting clear expectations with policyholders • Growing through referrals and local name recognition • Transitioning from daily operations into a CEO mindset • Hiring producers and building a team • Putting family ahead of business • How a serious health scare changed Jamieson’s priorities • Quitting alcohol and committing to daily exercise • How better health improved his focus, confidence, and leadership • Changes in home insurance and roof coverage • The difference between replacement cost and Actual Cash Value coverage • Jamieson’s goals for business growth, real estate, and his own office building Jamieson also explains why homeowners need to understand their roof coverage before filing a claim. As more insurance companies move policies from full replacement cost to Actual Cash Value coverage, some homeowners may face larger out-of-pocket costs than expected. This conversation is about more than insurance. It is an honest look at building a business, becoming a stronger leader, protecting your health, and creating more time for the people who matter most. 🔗 CONNECT WITH ADAM: Facebook https://bit.ly/3td8Pdo Instagram https://bit.ly/3HmCR3m LinkedIn https://bit.ly/3hjU4jq 🔗 CONNECT WITH JAMIESON: Website https://bit.ly/4Awh32j Instagram https://bit.ly/4yistow Facebook https://bit.ly/4cQxxrS ✉️ CONTACT: Email adam@buildauthority.co Website adammcchesney.com Book a call: https://buildauthority.com/contact-us/ About me: I’m Adam McChesney: an entrepreneur and marketer who’s spent the last decade building and scaling service-based businesses. I’ve been on both sides of the table: running companies myself and helping other business owners grow through smarter, more disciplined marketing. I’m the founder of Builders of Authority, where I work with service businesses to improve visibility, strengthen their brand, and build marketing systems that actually perform over time. Everything I share comes from real experience, what I’ve tested, what’s worked, and what hasn’t. Today, I create content, speak, and have honest conversations about marketing, growth, and leadership, with one goal in mind: helping business owners stop relying on last-minute tactics and start building something sustainable. Built for the contractors the market keeps overlooking. #BuildersOfAuthority #InsuranceAgency #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #HealthTransformation #StLouisBusiness

September 24, 202647 min

How We Grew From 7 to 50 Team Members Without Losing Our Culture

What does it take to grow a company from seven people to nearly 50 without losing the culture that made it successful? In this special live episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, Adam McChesney sits down with four of BOA’s original team members during Builders Week in Managua, Nicaragua. Recorded at Treehouse Coworking, the conversation features: • Javier, SEO Specialist • Lorna Jimenez, Project Manager • Rosanna Canales, HR Director • Jose Duarte, AI Lead and Automations Manager Together, they look back at the evolution of Builders of Authority from a mastermind and coaching program into a full-service digital marketing agency serving contractors and home service businesses across the country. They discuss: • What the early days of BOA were really like • Scaling the team from seven to nearly 50 people • Building trust across different departments and countries • Protecting company culture during rapid growth • Investing in employee development and leadership • Maintaining high standards as the company expands • Delegating responsibilities to managers • Staying focused on the company’s core vision • The importance of slowing down and taking time to rest • The personal and professional growth of BOA’s original team members This episode is an honest conversation about the people, decisions, values, and challenges behind the growth of Builders of Authority. 🔗 CONNECT WITH ADAM: Facebook https://bit.ly/3td8Pdo Instagram https://bit.ly/3HmCR3m LinkedIn https://bit.ly/3hjU4jq ✉ CONTACT: Email adam@buildauthority.co Website adammcchesney.com Book a call: https://buildauthority.com/contact-us/ About me: I’m Adam McChesney: an entrepreneur and marketer who’s spent the last decade building and scaling service-based businesses. I’ve been on both sides of the table: running companies myself and helping other business owners grow through smarter, more disciplined marketing. I’m the founder of Builders of Authority, where I work with service businesses to improve visibility, strengthen their brand, and build marketing systems that actually perform over time. #BuildersOfAuthority #BuildersWeek #CompanyCulture #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #TeamBuilding #Entrepreneurship

September 17, 202635 min

From a Beat-Up Van to $300M: How College Hunks Scaled

What does it take to turn a beat-up cargo van and an $8,000 summer into a national franchise with more than 200 locations and over $300 million in annual sales? In this episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, Adam McChesney sits down with Nick Friedman, co-founder and president of College Hunks Hauling Junk. Nick shares how he and his best friend, Omar Soliman, started the company in 2003 and transformed it from a single-location operation into one of the largest moving and junk removal franchises in the country. 🔗 CONNECT WITH ADAM: Facebook https://bit.ly/3td8Pdo Instagram https://bit.ly/3HmCR3m LinkedIn https://bit.ly/3hjU4jq 🔗 CONNECT WITH NICK: LinkedIn https://bit.ly/4raIR7T Youtube https://bit.ly/46qlMos Instagram https://bit.ly/4cNV10D Facebook https://bit.ly/4gUn0hJ

September 10, 202639 min

How James Gleeson Built a $60M Real Estate Portfolio

What does it really take to build a $60 million real estate portfolio starting in your early 20s? In this episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, Adam McChesney sits down with James Gleeson, a St. Louis real estate investor and serial entrepreneur, to break down how he went from college basketball and mechanical engineering to owning more than 450 rental units. James shares how he built the majority of his portfolio without syndications, using the BRRRR method to create equity, recycle capital, and scale faster. In this conversation, Adam and James discuss: • Transitioning from college athletics into real estate investing • Building a portfolio of more than 450 rental units • How the BRRRR method works: Buy, Renovate, Rent, Refinance, Repeat • Using leverage to grow without constantly putting in new capital • Underwriting deals and understanding net operating income • Why long-term cash flow matters for protecting equity • The tax advantages available to real estate investors • Depreciation, refinancing, and real estate professional status • Vertically integrating construction, property management, lending, and education • Managing the operational chaos that comes with rapid growth • The connection between an athlete mindset and entrepreneurship • Why execution matters more than endlessly consuming information James also explains why vertical integration became necessary as his portfolio expanded. By bringing more of the operation in-house, he was able to create greater control across construction, management, lending, and education. The episode closes with a conversation about perseverance, taking action, and why gathering more information means very little if you never execute. 🔗 CONNECT WITH ADAM: Facebook https://bit.ly/3td8Pdo Instagram https://bit.ly/3HmCR3m LinkedIn https://bit.ly/3hjU4jq 🔗 CONNECT WITH JAMES: Website https://bit.ly/4qRpBw2 Instagram https://bit.ly/3UzdEPG Facebook https://bit.ly/4x4rd7i ✉️ CONTACT: Email adam@buildauthority.co Website adammcchesney.com Book a call: https://buildauthority.com/contact-us/ About me: I’m Adam McChesney: an entrepreneur and marketer who’s spent the last decade building and scaling service-based businesses. I’ve been on both sides of the table: running companies myself and helping other business owners grow through smarter, more disciplined marketing. I’m the founder of Builders of Authority, where I work with service businesses to improve visibility, strengthen their brand, and build marketing systems that actually perform over time. Everything I share comes from real experience, what I’ve tested, what’s worked, and what hasn’t. Today, I create content, speak, and have honest conversations about marketing, growth, and leadership, with one goal in mind: helping business owners stop relying on last-minute tactics and start building something sustainable. Built for the contractors the market keeps overlooking. #BuildersOfAuthority #JamesGleeson #RealEstateInvesting #BRRRRMethod #RealEstateInvestor #Entrepreneurship

September 3, 202633 min

How Angi Hess Built a Trusted Family Business Through Brand, Culture & Wellness

What does it really take to grow a family business, build a trusted local brand, and compete in a market full of short-term competitors? In this episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, Adam McChesney sits down with Angi Hess, Vice President and General Manager of Spas and More, to talk about family business, leadership, marketing, company culture, and the evolution of the health and wellness market. Angi brings more than two decades of retail experience, including 19 years in management focused on human resources, payroll, and P&L management. Around 2016, she transitioned into the day-to-day operations of Spas and More as her father’s health began to decline. Founded by her father in 2006, Spas and More has grown into a three-generation family business serving customers across Missouri, Kansas, and Illinois. In this conversation, Adam and Angi discuss: • Transitioning from retail management into leadership of a family business • Building Spas and More into a recognizable local brand • Shifting the company’s messaging from luxury products to health, wellness, and recovery • Expanding beyond hot tubs into swim spas, infrared saunas, and cold plunges • Competing against fly-by-night companies through trust, consistency, and local service • Using home shows and expos as a major customer acquisition channel • Managing advertising internally to stay connected to performance data • Understanding how economic and political uncertainty can affect consumer buying behavior • Expanding across a large multi-state territory while keeping delivery and service in-house • Creating a family-first company culture with competitive wages and employee benefits • Leading from the front and being willing to do any job required to support the team Angi also explains why Spas and More made the decision to build its own brand rather than relying exclusively on the Master Spas name. By emphasizing in-house delivery, service, and long-term customer relationships, the company has been able to differentiate itself in a competitive market. She also shares how the business has evolved alongside changing consumer priorities, positioning hot tubs, swim spas, saunas, and cold plunges not simply as luxury purchases, but as investments in physical health, recovery, and mental well-being. 🔗 CONNECT WITH ADAM: Facebook: https://bit.ly/3td8Pdo Instagram: https://bit.ly/3HmCR3m LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3hjU4jq 🔗 CONNECT WITH ANGI: Facebook: https://bit.ly/3S9KaqB Instagram: https://bit.ly/3TSAcuw Website: https://bit.ly/3UtUPNC ✉️ CONTACT: Email adam@buildauthority.co Website adammcchesney.com Book a call: https://buildauthority.com/contact-us/ About me: I’m Adam McChesney: an entrepreneur and marketer who’s spent the last decade building and scaling service-based businesses. I’ve been on both sides of the table: running companies myself and helping other business owners grow through smarter, more disciplined marketing. I’m the founder of Builders of Authority, where I work with service businesses to improve visibility, strengthen their brand, and build marketing systems that actually perform over time. Everything I share comes from real experience, what I’ve tested, what’s worked, and what hasn’t. Today, I create content, speak, and have honest conversations about marketing, growth, and leadership, with one goal in mind: helping business owners stop relying on last-minute tactics and start building something sustainable. Built for the contractors the market keeps overlooking. #BuildersOfAuthority #AngiHess #FamilyBusiness #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #LocalMarketing

August 27, 202640 min

How Mark Williams Built a Custom Home Brand That Stands Out

What does it really take to build a custom home brand that stands out, serves clients at a higher level, and creates a healthier business behind the scenes? In this episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, Adam McChesney sits down with Mark Williams, a third-generation custom home builder from Minnesota with more than 20 years of experience. Mark is the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes, the host of the Curious Builder Podcast, and one of the five founders of the Contractor Coalition Summit. He shares how authenticity, wellness, financial literacy, and collaboration have shaped the way he builds homes and leads his company. In this conversation, Adam and Mark discuss: • Building an authentic brand without trying to appeal to everyone • Creating the Mysa Hus spec-home concept around Scandinavian design, family, and wellness • Using healthier materials, air purification, and thoughtful building practices to attract health-conscious clients • Investing in masterminds and industry events to overcome burnout and transform a business • Shifting from competition to collaboration within the construction industry • Understanding the difference between markup and margin • Structuring contracts around healthier financial targets • Managing cash flow and strengthening the financial foundation of a building company • Hiring and delegating to buy back time and increase capacity • Taking action before everything feels perfect • Creating stronger client experiences through hospitality and connection Mark also explains how the Contractor Coalition Summit changed his mindset and helped him see the value of investing in himself, surrounding himself with the right people, and learning from other builders. He opens up about the financial lessons he wishes he had learned earlier, including the importance of understanding margin, overhead, profit, and the systems required to build a sustainable company. 🔗 CONNECT WITH ADAM: Facebook https://bit.ly/3td8Pdo Instagram https://bit.ly/3HmCR3m LinkedIn https://bit.ly/3hjU4jq 🔗 CONNECT WITH MARK: Website https://bit.ly/4pVho9G Instagram https://bit.ly/45GRAEZ LinkedIn https://bit.ly/4bQD29x ✉️ CONTACT: Email adam@buildauthority.co Website adammcchesney.com Book a call: https://buildauthority.com/contact-us/ About me: I’m Adam McChesney: an entrepreneur and marketer who’s spent the last decade building and scaling service-based businesses. I’ve been on both sides of the table: running companies myself and helping other business owners grow through smarter, more disciplined marketing. I’m the founder of Builders of Authority, where I work with service businesses to improve visibility, strengthen their brand, and build marketing systems that actually perform over time. Everything I share comes from real experience, what I’ve tested, what’s worked, and what hasn’t. Today, I create content, speak, and have honest conversations about marketing, growth, and leadership, with one goal in mind: helping business owners stop relying on last-minute tactics and start building something sustainable. Built for the contractors the market keeps overlooking. #BuildersOfAuthority #MarkWilliams #CustomHomeBuilder #ContractorBusiness #BusinessGrowth #ConstructionLeadership

August 20, 202638 min

Fear or Fire? The Mental Game of High Performance with Dr. Erin Shannon

What separates high performers who thrive under pressure from those who become overwhelmed by it? In this episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, Adam McChesney sits down with Dr. Erin Shannon, a doctor of clinical psychology who has spent more than 15 years working with elite athletes, Olympians, CEOs, veterans, and other high performers. Growing up in a family of professional athletes gave Dr. Shannon a natural understanding of the pressure that comes with performing at the highest level. She shares how an unexpected opportunity to help a professional baseball pitcher in 2011 led her into the world of sports psychology and performance coaching. In this conversation, Adam and Dr. Shannon discuss: • The mental and emotional pressure behind high performance • Why every game is ultimately a mental game • The difference between making decisions from fear or fire • How fear limits creativity, confidence, and vision • Turning pressure into energy, focus, and a flow state • Why entrepreneurs and athletes face similar psychological challenges • Breaking the stigma around therapy and performance coaching • Using mental health support proactively instead of waiting for a crisis • Simple nervous system regulation techniques, including EFT tapping • The benefits of vagus nerve regulation and morning sunlight • Dr. Shannon’s work with athletes, CEOs, veterans, and prison rehabilitation programs Dr. Shannon also explains why mental health professionals should be viewed like family doctors: trusted resources for regular check-ins, personal development, and long-term performance rather than people you only contact when something is wrong. This episode offers practical insights for entrepreneurs, athletes, and leaders who want to manage pressure, strengthen their mindset, and perform at a higher level without sacrificing their mental and emotional well-being. 🔗 CONNECT WITH ADAM: Facebook https://bit.ly/3td8Pdo Instagram https://bit.ly/3HmCR3m LinkedIn https://bit.ly/3hjU4jq 🔗 CONNECT WITH Dr ERIN SHANNON: Facebook https://bit.ly/4fPqv7h LinkedIn https://bit.ly/4w5qimq Instagram https://bit.ly/4x9Y7Uu ✉️ CONTACT: Email adam@buildauthority.co Website adammcchesney.com Book a call: https://buildauthority.com/contact-us/ About me: I’m Adam McChesney: an entrepreneur and marketer who’s spent the last decade building and scaling service-based businesses. I’ve been on both sides of the table: running companies myself and helping other business owners grow through smarter, more disciplined marketing. I’m the founder of Builders of Authority, where I work with service businesses to improve visibility, strengthen their brand, and build marketing systems that actually perform over time. Everything I share comes from real experience, what I’ve tested, what’s worked, and what hasn’t. Today, I create content, speak, and have honest conversations about marketing, growth, and leadership, with one goal in mind: helping business owners stop relying on last-minute tactics and start building something sustainable. Built for the contractors the market keeps overlooking. #BuildersOfAuthority #DrErinShannon #HighPerformance #MentalPerformance #SportsPsychology #EntrepreneurMindset #PerformanceCoaching #MentalHealth #LeadershipMindset #FearToFire