Steve Van Buskirk - Dirt to 6,600 Lots: Building a City

Steve Van Buskirk has spent decades developing land, shaping neighborhoods, and helping turn Sioux Falls into one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. With over 6,600 lots and 100+ developments to his name, his work isn’t just measured in projects—it’s measured in impact.In this conversation, we break down what it really takes to build at scale—from raw dirt to fully developed communities.No hype. No shortcuts. Just the long game.We get into:What land development actually looks like behind the scenesThe mindset required to manage massive, multi-year projectsLessons from second-generation leadership in a family businessWhy patience and consistency beat chasing fast growthThe unseen risks most people never think aboutHow real builders think about legacyThis episode is for anyone in the trades, construction, real estate, or business who wants a real look at what it takes to build something that lasts.If you’ve ever thought about going bigger—this is the blueprint most people never get to see.🎧 Listen now and learn what it takes to build from the ground up.#FromTheGroundUp #LandDevelopment #RealEstateDevelopment #ConstructionBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPodcast #TradesLife #BuiltNotGiven #Leadership #SmallBusiness https://shop.fromthegroundupshow.com/THE WEEK'S CONVERSATIONS, IN ONE EMAILChoose the depth that fits your time: the full conversation, a roughly 20-minute CONDENSED edition, or a focused Topics episode.Join the From The Ground Up Show newsletter: https://fromthegroundupshow.com/newsletter/WATCH & LISTENWatch this full episode: https://youtu.be/308wfQR9pqQSubscribe to From The Ground Up Show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FromTheGroundUp-k9pListen in your podcast app: https://pod.link/1846907140SHORTER EDITIONSFrom The Ground Up Show CONDENSED — a roughly 20-minute focused version of the full conversation.YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa9BVKGD64tAPodcast apps: https://pod.link/6806079674From The Ground Up Show: Topics — complete 3–10-minute episodes built around one useful question or lesson.YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVzToS_5Hj6oPodcast apps: https://pod.link/6808750058GUEST & RESOURCEShttps://vanbuskirkco.com/PARTNERS & SPONSORShttps://www.macarthurco.comhttps://athletefresh.shop/fromthegroundupshowABOUT FROM THE GROUND UP SHOWReal stories. Hard lessons. Stronger foundations. From The Ground Up Show delivers honest business and leadership conversations and practical lessons for owners, operators, tradespeople, entrepreneurs, and leaders building something that lasts—with hearts, hands, and hustle.Hosted by Erick Loden, a former commercial roofing company owner and business advisor. From 2014 to 2025, he owned and ran his roofing company, growing annual revenue more than eightfold and operating profit nearly fifteenfold before completing a successful internal sale.Website: https://www.fromthegroundupshow.comHave a question for Erick or an upcoming guest?https://fromthegroundupshow.com/ask-a-question/Have a story built through hearts, hands, and hustle? Apply to be a guest and tell your story:https://fromthegroundupshow.com/be-a-guest/