Timeless Business and Building Strategies

Hosted by Tony Johnson

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Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Formerly known as Carolina Commercial Real Estate Connection , Timeless Business and Building Strategies pivots its focus to highlight Tony’s expertise in business strategies and construction. This podcast is designed for General Contractors, Specialty Contractors, Developers, and Entrepreneurs looking to start, grow, or scale their businesses to extraordinary success. Are you ready to become one of the most successful contractors or developers in your area? Tony shares the proven strategies, insider tips, and lessons learned over his 20+ years in construction and development. With his guidance, you'll gain the tools to build not just structures but a thriving business that stands the test of time. Who It's For Whether you're a new contractor, an aspiring business owner, or a seasoned developer seeking to scale your company, this podcast is your go-to resource. Tony will teach you how to eliminate limiting beliefs, implement effective systems, and position your business as a market leader. What You'll Learn How to start and grow a construction or real estate business from scratch. The secrets to scaling your company into one of the largest and most successful in your region. Proven systems for operational efficiency, project management, and team development. Strategies to avoid costly mistakes and build a reputation for excellence in your market. Insights into land entitlement, design-build services, and construction best practices. Tony’s mindset-shifting advice to help you overcome obstacles and achieve your business and life goals. About Tony and Timeless Co. Tony is the founder of Timeless Construction , a commercial construction and development company based in Wilmington, NC, and the driving force behind Timeless Capital Investments , a commercial real estate investment and development firm. Since 2007, he has built Timeless Construction into one of the Carolinas' most successful construction firms, with over $25 million in annual revenue. Timeless Construction operates two divisions: Commercial Construction & Development : Specializing in land entitlement, design-build services, new construction, and interior build-outs for a wide range of clients, from local governments to national retailers. Timeless Paint & Drywall : A specialty contractor division focused on painting and drywall services in the Carolinas. Through Timeless Capital Investments , Tony acquires and redevelops underperforming or vacant commercial properties, turning them into stabilized, profitable assets. Why Listen? Tony’s journey from launching a business in 2007 to running a market-leading construction company makes him uniquely qualified to help you succeed. He combines practical strategies with a no-nonsense approach to business development, offering invaluable lessons to help you achieve your dreams. Whether you're a contractor, developer, or business owner, this podcast provides the actionable advice you need to thrive in today’s competitive market. Join the Conversation Tune in to Timeless Business and Building Strategies to access the blueprint for building a thriving business and achieving your lifelong goals. Let Tony’s experience and insights guide you to success.

Listen to episodes

59 recent

August 7, 202642 min

How CPAs Catch Cost Overruns In Construction

Send us Fan Mail We sit down with Mark Leverett, a CPA partner at BPM, to unpack how audits, FP&A, valuations, and advisory work connect across real estate, construction, and private equity. We also dig into fund administration, fractional CFO support, and what AI really changes for accounting teams and investors. • Mark’s path from UCLA and the dot-com bust into public accounting • What an independent audit and assurance report actually verifies under GAAP • How FP&A projections guide investors, bankers, and M&A decisions • The “audit antennas” mindset and how reasonableness testing uncovers issues • Real-world construction examples involving procurement and subcontractor overbilling • Agreed-upon procedures work for banks during active projects • How valuations work for entities, minority interests, and marketability discounts • How tax strategy and asset moves like tax-deferred exchanges shape planning • What Client Accounting Services means as fractional back office accounting • Fund administration basics, cap table rigor, and investor reporting workflows • Tech stacks for real estate accounting including Yardi, AppFolio, Sage Intacct, QuickBooks Online, and Allvue • Fractional CFO support from month-end close through lender and board conversations • AI in accounting, efficiency gains, and why firms still hire and train entry-level talent Hit me up directly. I’m happy to discuss it. mark at bpm.com To learn more about Tony Johnson and Timeless visit us at: https://timelessci.com/ https://timelessco.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonytimeless/ If you would like to discuss investing in Commercial Properties create a profile and schedule a call: https://timelessci.investnext.com/ Reach out to us directly at: info@timelessci.com

May 1, 202630 min

The Core Rules Of Branding Never Change Even When The Tools Do

Send us Fan Mail A single referral can do what months of cold outreach can’t and Paige Arnoff Fenn has the story to prove it. We sit down with the founder and CEO of Mavens and Moguls, a global branding and digital marketing firm, to unpack how she went from “accidental entrepreneur” to the go-to outsourced marketing department for companies that need senior talent without the full-time overhead. Along the way, Paige shares what she learned moving from big-brand marketing at Procter & Gamble and Coca-Cola to high-growth startups and eventually to building her own firm after 9/11 reshaped the market. We dig into the real mechanics of branding, marketing strategy, and PR that actually drive growth. Paige explains how strong market research uncovers differentiation, why a brand refresh is more than a logo update, and how targeted PR and thought leadership can be one of the most cost-efficient ways to get your story in front of the right audience. We also talk through common traps founders fall into: confusing friendly feedback for real customer insight, asking leading questions that poison the data, and posting “noise” on social media that trains prospects to ignore you. Then we zoom out to the bigger shift: the tools keep changing, but the fundamentals don’t. In a world flooded by content and accelerated by AI, Paige makes the case for doubling down on what machines can’t replicate your origin story, your proof, your hard-earned lessons, and the human details that make people care. If you’re trying to stand out, earn trust faster, and build a marketing engine that lasts, this conversation is a practical roadmap. Subscribe for more timeless business and building strategies, share this with a founder who needs sharper messaging, and leave a review with your biggest marketing question so we can tackle it next. Be sure to check below for links to all of Paige’s social media platforms so you can connect with her and follow her work. www.mavensandmoguls.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/paigearnoffenn To learn more about Tony Johnson and Timeless visit us at: https://timelessci.com/ https://timelessco.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonytimeless/ If you would like to discuss investing in Commercial Properties create a profile and schedule a call: https://timelessci.investnext.com/ Reach out to us directly at: info@timelessci.com

March 31, 202646 min

Construction Surety Bonds Made Simple With Tyler Turnbull

Send us Fan Mail Surety bonds can feel like paperwork until they decide whether you win the job, get paid, or survive a dispute. We sit down with Tyler Turnbull of Catalyst Surety Partners to make construction surety bonds plain English: what a bid bond really guarantees, when performance bonds and payment bonds are required, and why owners and banks lean on bonding to protect projects on both public and private work. Tyler also pulls back the curtain on what underwriters actually look for when they set your bonding program. We talk about bonding capacity, financial underwriting, capability underwriting, and how a contractor’s growth plan gets translated into something a surety market can support. If you have ever wondered why surety is different from insurance, the indemnity conversation is the moment that clicks and it changes how you think about risk, cash flow, and “one bad job.” We also get into the messy side: what happens when a bonded project goes sideways, what a bond claim can trigger, and the common remedies sureties may use. Then we go straight to one of the biggest blind spots for growing GCs: subcontractor risk management. We walk through the nightmare scenario where you pay your sub, the sub does not pay vendors, and a payment bond claim hits you later, plus practical ways to protect yourself with better prequalification, stronger subs, bonding back critical trades, joint checks, and a construction attorney who knows contract law and lien releases. If you found this helpful, subscribe to the show, share it with a contractor who is moving into bonded work, and leave a quick review so more builders can find it. To learn more about Tony Johnson and Timeless visit us at: https://timelessci.com/ https://timelessco.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonytimeless/ If you would like to discuss investing in Commercial Properties create a profile and schedule a call: https://timelessci.investnext.com/ Reach out to us directly at: info@timelessci.com

February 16, 202623 min

Owner’s Reps, Real Results

Send us Fan Mail We explore how an owner’s rep transforms complex builds by aligning mission, scope, and team from day one. Joe Meringolo walks through bid leveling, requisitions, VDC and AI, and the practical systems that keep luxury residential and commercial projects on track. • starting as a tradesman to owner’s rep • defining mission, ROI, and scope early • leveling bids and writing clean RFPs • funding flow, requisitions, and cash certainty • schedule control and holding teams accountable • VDC, BIM, and AI for clash reduction • multi‑city networks and pre‑vetted partners • templates, repositories, and platform fluency • referrals, repeat work, and team success • how to contact JSM Project Management Email: Joe@projectmgt.com Instagram: @JSMProjectMGMT To learn more about Tony Johnson and Timeless visit us at: https://timelessci.com/ https://timelessco.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonytimeless/ If you would like to discuss investing in Commercial Properties create a profile and schedule a call: https://timelessci.investnext.com/ Reach out to us directly at: info@timelessci.com

February 5, 20261 hr 1 min

Value Over Volume: Building A Real Estate Foundation with Tanh Truong

Send us Fan Mail We sit down with Tanh Truong to unpack how he moved from pharmacy to commercial real estate, why he wrote a three-volume guide, and the hard truths of development. From zoning and utilities to soils, traffic, and parking, we map the real steps that make projects work. • why Tanh split his CRE knowledge into three volumes • core differences between retail, office, and industrial • the lease structures every beginner must learn • the pivot from pharmacy to real estate and mentorship • visionary vs integrator roles and where Tom adds value • following population growth to pick winning markets • zoning alignment, future land-use maps, and city signals • utilities capacity, cost, and timeline risks • topography, geotechnical, and wetlands as deal gates • access, DOT, traffic impact, and decel lane realities • parking math, site layout, and tenant fit • building systems, facades, and cost control by visibility • negotiating longer diligence and staged extensions To learn more about Tony Johnson and Timeless visit us at: https://timelessci.com/ https://timelessco.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonytimeless/ If you would like to discuss investing in Commercial Properties create a profile and schedule a call: https://timelessci.investnext.com/ Reach out to us directly at: info@timelessci.com

May 2, 202531 min

Building a Fire and Security Empire: The Benson Systems Journey W/ Eric Benson

Send us Fan Mail Eric Benson shares the journey of Benson Systems, a family business that evolved from a garage startup in 1986 to a thriving 75-employee operation specializing in security, fire alarm, and sprinkler systems in Arizona. • Father started Benson Systems in 1986 from his garage as a security contractor • Expanded into fire alarm and suppression systems over the years • Built a 55,000 square foot facility in 2004 that serves as their headquarters • Company now employs 75 people including 40 field technicians • Services major clients like Gilbert Public Schools and Arizona Cardinals • Primarily focuses on commercial projects with 85-90% direct-to-owner business • Access control systems have evolved from key fobs to mobile phone access • Currently implementing EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) to structure business operations • Shifted from reactive to proactive sales with dedicated outbound sales team • Technology integration capabilities connect cameras, access control, security systems, and fire alarms • Gilbert Public Schools project integrated 5,000+ devices into a central monitoring system • Retail clients benefit from heat-sensing cameras that track customer movement patterns • Multiple software systems create integration challenges both internally and for clients Looking to elevate your security, fire, and life safety systems? Contact us to learn how our integrated solutions can protect your business while providing actionable insights through the latest technology. To learn more about Tony Johnson and Timeless visit us at: https://timelessci.com/ https://timelessco.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonytimeless/ If you would like to discuss investing in Commercial Properties create a profile and schedule a call: https://timelessci.investnext.com/ Reach out to us directly at: info@timelessci.com

April 14, 202554 min

Finding Your Lane: How Three Partners Built a Construction Empire with Adam Ferrara

Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to build a successful construction business rooted in integrity? Adam Ferrara, founder of Ferrara Buist Contractors, reveals the surprising path that led him from residential construction to commercial contracting and development during one of the worst economic downturns in recent history. Starting his first company in 2007 as the housing market collapsed might seem like terrible timing, but Adam saw opportunity in crisis. "Some people crashed and burned, and through those ashes, new people cropped up," he explains, detailing how he initially focused on home additions and renovations by simply asking banks where they were still lending money. This entrepreneurial instinct would later serve him well when he partnered with engineering expert David Buist to launch Ferrara Buist Contractors. The conversation explores how Adam's "visionary" personality complements his partner's technical expertise, creating what he calls "a three-legged stool" of complementary skills that drives their business forward. This partnership approach extends to their innovative "Design Assist Build" model, which gives clients more freedom than traditional design-build contracts by allowing them to maintain ownership of architectural drawings. Adam doesn't shy away from discussing his faith-based approach to business, explaining how Christian principles guide company decisions: "It's not about perfection, but about putting our heads on our pillows at night knowing we've done the right thing." This philosophy manifests in how they handle project challenges, focusing on solutions rather than issuing change orders - a refreshing stance in an industry often plagued by adversarial relationships. Perhaps most compelling is the story behind their development arm, Vulcan Property Group, which aims to build 100 buildings over a decade. They've already completed 35 projects, creating a virtuous cycle where construction feeds development and vice versa. Whether you're in construction, considering a business partnership, or simply appreciate hearing from entrepreneurs who prioritize integrity over easy profits, this conversation delivers practical wisdom worth implementing. www.ferrara-buist.com To learn more about Tony Johnson and Timeless visit us at: https://timelessci.com/ https://timelessco.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonytimeless/ If you would like to discuss investing in Commercial Properties create a profile and schedule a call: https://timelessci.investnext.com/ Reach out to us directly at: info@timelessci.com

March 21, 202523 min

The Owner's Advocate: How Construction Management Transforms Projects

Send us Fan Mail Tony Johnson welcomes Joe Marangolo from JSM Project Management to discuss the critical role owner's representatives play in successful construction projects. Joe explains how construction management connects the early planning phases with actual construction execution, providing value through team building, risk management, and clear communication throughout the entire project lifecycle. • Starting as a carpenter and progressing through superintendent and project manager roles, Joe noticed he was only involved in the final 30-40% of projects • Construction management allows involvement from project inception, connecting design and planning with construction execution • Even experienced owners benefit from having representatives who can level bidding, eliminate unnecessary change orders, and maintain schedules • JSM primarily handles large-scale luxury residential projects, high-end restaurants, and buildings requiring capital improvements • Contractors often refer clients to JSM because they know their needs will be met efficiently • The firm uses Microsoft OneDrive as their primary repository while interfacing with various contractor systems • AI integration through VDC (Virtual Design and Construction) has allowed coordination of international vendors without requiring travel • Business growth has been driven entirely by client referrals, expanding from New York to projects in Los Angeles and Barbados • Success comes from establishing systems, templates, and pre-vetting quality contractors and architects For more information, email joe@jsmprojectmgmt.com or visit their website and Instagram @JSM_Project_Mgmt To learn more about Tony Johnson and Timeless visit us at: https://timelessci.com/ https://timelessco.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonytimeless/ If you would like to discuss investing in Commercial Properties create a profile and schedule a call: https://timelessci.investnext.com/ Reach out to us directly at: info@timelessci.com

March 13, 202536 min

The Art of Public-Private Partnerships: How Ray Garfield Revolutionizes Infrastructure Development

Send us Fan Mail Ray Garfield shares how his firm has revolutionized public infrastructure development by creating faster, more efficient alternatives to traditional government building processes. Helping public clients bypass lengthy referendums and inefficient bidding systems, Garfield Public Private has delivered nearly $3 billion in essential facilities through innovative financing and development strategies. • Established in 1997, Garfield Public Private specializes in developing infrastructure for public clients like cities, counties, universities, and healthcare campuses • Traditional public projects face delays through separate architect selection, design phases, and low-bid contractor requirements that often lead to budget overruns • Their approach identifies alternative funding sources that don't require voter approval, significantly accelerating project timelines • The company created innovative financing for Atlanta's courthouse using existing fine and forfeiture revenues rather than waiting years for a referendum • As project leaders, they bring together architects, contractors, financial advisors, and bond counsel to deliver turnkey solutions • Their portfolio includes convention centers, headquarters hotels, performing arts venues, courthouses, and other public infrastructure • New ventures include Garfield Asset Management for ongoing facility oversight and Garfield Clean Energy for municipal solar projects • Ray's background as a Navy pilot, Wall Street executive at Solomon Brothers, and public company CEO provided the expertise to create this specialized development model To learn more about Tony Johnson and Timeless visit us at: https://timelessci.com/ https://timelessco.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonytimeless/ If you would like to discuss investing in Commercial Properties create a profile and schedule a call: https://timelessci.investnext.com/ Reach out to us directly at: info@timelessci.com

March 12, 202542 min

Creating Value Without Chasing Growth: A Construction Company's Philosophy

Send us Fan Mail Sam Rockaway shares his journey from body shop owner to Senior Vice President at Redcom Design and Construction, where they've doubled company size over 14 years to reach $70 million in annual revenue. His team provides vertically integrated design-build solutions with in-house engineering, architecture, and project management capabilities. • Started with automotive experience before transitioning to construction in 2011 • Redcom was founded in 1982 by Jim Reddington and later led by his son Greg • Company focuses on industrial buildings, automotive dealerships, and institutional facilities • Their sales cycle typically spans two years from initial contact to project commencement • Uses a three-stage sales process tracked through Salesforce CRM • Implements cutting-edge technology including Procore, Sage, and Matterport 3D scanning • Offers free feasibility studies, site analysis, and concept work to build client relationships • New Jersey approval process can take 1-2.5 years and cost up to $1 million • Multiple regulatory agencies involved include DOT, DEP, soil districts, and local towns • Company maintains focus on New Jersey market rather than geographic expansion • Future growth areas include multifamily residential and life sciences facilities If you're interested in learning more about Redcom Design and Construction or connecting with Sam, find him on LinkedIn or call their office directly. https://www.redcomllc.com/ To learn more about Tony Johnson and Timeless visit us at: https://timelessci.com/ https://timelessco.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonytimeless/ If you would like to discuss investing in Commercial Properties create a profile and schedule a call: https://timelessci.investnext.com/ Reach out to us directly at: info@timelessci.com