Building Optimal

Hosted by Jared Gossett

Business Investing EducationInterviews guestsExplicit

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Episodes

111

Latest episode

May 2026

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About the show

A podcast for home builders and industry professionals looking for an edge into the best strategies and tactics to grow their business and shape the future of housing. Host, Jared Gossett, President of award-winning Gossett & Co in Austin, offers game-changing lessons and interviews with industry leaders and subject matter experts.

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60 recent

May 18, 202658 min

#111: David Gerstel on Building, Business, and Turning 80

In this episode of Building Optimal Radio, I sit down with our most listened-to guest ever...one of the greats, builder and author David Gerstel. Now at 80 years old, David shares what decades in business taught him about running a successful construction company and living a meaningful life.Previous conversations with David Gerstel:#90: Financial Freedom with David Gerstel#58: A Builder’s Path to Financial Freedom with David Gerstel#19: Bidding, Estimating, and Achieving Financial Freedom with David GerstelBook recommendation:Small Giants: Companies That Choose to Be Great Instead of Big, 10th Anniversary Edition, by Bo BurlinghamEdit: Thanks to our friend Ian Schwant, of Nails to Numbers on Substack, for pointing out that the idea I attributed to Munger is actually called Hanlon’s Razor.A Special Thanks To Our Brand Partners:Subzero WolfQuaker WindowsHome Depot Pro Xtra ProgramAnd Be Sure To Check Out:Investnext (our platform to raise and manage investor capital)The Building Optimal Shop (for systems and processes to help run your home building company)

May 8, 202637 min

#110: How to Exit Your Company with David Lupberger

David Lupberger is a well-known construction industry veteran, consultant, and thought leader. We hosted him on the program in 2019 to discuss “client-for-life” strategies.Today he returns to discuss a very under-considered yet highly important topic: how do you one day sell or step away from your company? I hope you enjoy this enlightening conversation with David.For additional resources David has graciously shared with us:Leaving Your Business is Inevitable! | Remodel Force™https://contractor-transition.com/blueprintTo connect with David you can reach him at david@davidlupberger.com.A Special Thanks To Our Brand Partners:Subzero WolfQuaker WindowsHome Depot Pro Xtra ProgramAnd Be Sure To Check Out:Investnext (our platform to raise and manage investor capital)The Building Optimal Shop (for systems and processes to help run your home building company)

January 29, 20261 hr 4 min

#109: Innovators Series Featuring Cedar Build

The team at Cedar Build is innovating architecture in Austin and beyond. With a focus on small multifamily infill sites, Cedar has developed deep expertise both in how to optimize such sites and also how to leverage newest code and legislative updates for impact. Their team is also building out software with AI to help developers efficiently assess infill sites at scale across the country. Thanks for listening, and enjoy the episode!A Special Thanks To Our Brand Partners:Subzero WolfQuaker WindowsHome Depot Pro Xtra ProgramAnd Be Sure To Check Out:The Building Optimal Shop (for systems and processes to help run your home building company)Investnext (our platform to raise and manage investor capital)

October 30, 20251 hr 7 min

#108: Innovators Series Featuring Austin Tunnell

In our inaugural Innovators Series episode, we visit with Oklahoma builder and developer, Austin Tunnel. Austin is Founder and CEO of Building Culture, a company building homes and urban communities designed to last generations. From his means of designing and building to the way he structures his deals for investors, Austin's approach is a case study in elevated real estate development.A Special Thanks To Our Brand Partners:Subzero WolfQuaker WindowsHome Depot Pro Xtra ProgramAnd Be Sure To Check Out:The Building Optimal Shop (for systems and processes to help run your home building company)Investnext (our platform to raise and manage investor capital)

October 21, 202518 min

#107: How to go Bankrupt Building Spec Homes

In this mini-sode I *somewhat* disparage the real estate community, wannabe builder tech bros, and more. Hopefully you learn a few things to keep you safe and profitable while you're out there in the spec building trenches. Y'all have a great end to the year, and by the way, we have some video episodes coming out asap. Stay tuned.A Special Thanks To Our Brand Partners:Subzero WolfQuaker WindowsHome Depot Pro Xtra ProgramAnd Be Sure To Check Out:The Building Optimal Shop (for systems and processes to help run your home building company)Investnext (our platform to raise and manage investor capital)

January 2, 202513 min

#106: Why Most Builders Fail

I've hesitated to put this episode out, because I generally try to take an optimistic, encouraging tone. But we can't get better until we accept the reality of our situation. So, here's to each of us, and the building industry as a whole, staring reality in the eyes - and getting better. Wishing everyone nothing but success! Enjoy the episode.Also, we just released new products to take your home building company to the next level at the BUILDING OPTIMAL SHOP. Thank you to our amazing brand partnersSubzero Wolf CoveGrand Openings

November 25, 202410 min

#105: Differentiate or Die

At the most fundamental level, there are really only two strategies in business, and only one that works for small businesses. Most home builders get this wrong, and end up stuck in the middle, never generating the profits they should.In this episode Jared discusses the risks of getting your strategy wrong, and the opportunities once you find the one that truly sets your business apart.Also, we just released new products to take your home building company to the next level at the BUILDING OPTIMAL SHOP. Thank you to our amazing brand partnersSubzero Wolf CoveGrand Openings

August 14, 202429 min

#104: Building With In-House Labor, a Conversation With Joey Fentress

Joey Fentress is the founder and owner of Proform Builds, a Seattle-based luxury home builder. Joey recently expanded his operation into Austin, where I was introduced to him and his team. The level of professionalism with which Joey runs his business is evident in just a short conversation, and it's reflected in the quality of their builds.This episode is a conversation with Joey about his in-house labor, and how he manages that aspect of his business. Enjoy the episode, and if you like this and others we have done, it would be a huge help if you leave us a review here in your podcast player. Thanks for listening!Also, we just released new products to take your home building company to the next level at the BUILDING OPTIMAL SHOP. Thank you to our amazing brand partnersSubzero Wolf CoveGrand Openings

May 15, 20249 min

#103: Bigger Wins With The "Hunting Antelope" Model

A quick 7-minute episode to help you make more progress and find some big wins in your business. Credit to Tim Ferriss for his recent blog post on the topic, the inspiration for this episode.If you enjoy listening to the podcast, please do us a favor and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple! Also, we just released new products to take your home building company to the next level at the BUILDING OPTIMAL SHOP. Thank you to our amazing brand partnersSubzero Wolf CoveGrand Openings

April 10, 20247 min

#102: Must-Have AI Apps For Builders

We've been obsessed for over a year now with different AI apps that can help home builders. This is an extremely short episode on the best we've found. Enjoy!If you enjoy listening to the podcast, please do us a favor and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple! Also, we just released new products to take your home building company to the next level at the BUILDING OPTIMAL SHOP. Thank you to our amazing brand partnersSubzero Wolf CoveGrand Openings