The Outdurable Living® Show

Second-generation deck builder Mike Mitchell of Mitchell Construction sits down with us at the NADRA Summit in Clearwater to discuss what it takes to build a more focused, efficient outdoor living business.Mike shares why narrowing his company’s focus helped create better systems, tighter scheduling, and smoother project execution. As an industry writer and contributor to Deck Specialist Magazine, he also talks about the tools and technology shaping today’s deck industry, along with his passion for helping contractors improve their craft and grow stronger businesses.

Joe Matersanti of Outdoor Space Builders joins us from the NADRA Summit in Clearwater to talk about building smarter, protecting your reputation, and delivering complete outdoor living solutions. In this conversation, Joe shares how Fortress® plays a role in their approach, why an informed customer leads to better outcomes, and how staying aligned with proven products helps contractors maintain trust. He compares reputation to a credit score, emphasizing that while it takes time to build, it can be lost quickly without consistent effort and the right partners.

Jim Gaudette of Northeast Deck & Black Barn Contracting shares how learning steel deck framing at a masterclass led him to take on a major solo build, leaving wood framing in the past. He explains why he’s committed to higher standards, choosing better jobs, and how education and discipline are shaping his approach to business.

Scott Kelly reflects on the shift from wood to steel framing, the masterclass movement, and how innovation is reshaping deck construction nationwide. He discusses stability, cost efficiency, and why contractors embracing steel are raising the standard of the industry.

Robin Havasi reflects on his journey from Sweden to launching a deck-building business in California through adaptability, education, and innovation. He also discusses how fire safety, sustainability, and steel framing are becoming essential parts of modern outdoor construction.

Rich and Brianna Villandry share how growth, craftsmanship, and a never-quit mindset helped them build a family business designed to last. They reflect on working with family, committing to quality, balancing life and business, and building something their team—and their kids—can grow into.

Allison Verma reflects on her path from customer service roles to leadership, and how mindset, mentorship, and growth shaped her career. She shares insights on teamwork, accountability, and where she sees the future of the decking industry heading.

In this episode we chat with Josh Ferri at his international headquarters in "maybe Minneapolis", as he talks about pushing boundaries and taking risks in business.

Cody Blake shares how setting meaningful goals and embracing discomfort helped him grow from a bowling mechanic into a confident deck-building professional. He discusses the value of a growth mindset, personal challenge, and continually pushing yourself to discover what you're capable of.

TL Decks founder Alex Larson shares how risk-taking, craftsmanship, and a passion for outdoor living shaped his career and the company he built. He also shares how embracing change has helped him grow as a contractor and why he’s excited about the innovations shaping the future of deck building.

Meet Mark Wille, The Author of You Can Too! The ABCs of Construction Tech, who discusses the benefits of introducing kids to the trades and building a new generation of builders.

We sit down with Tony McKlem of Hollywood Decks to talk about his journey, why shows like JLC Live matter, and the endless opportunities construction offers. From teaching in Spanish to sharing insights on distribution, sales, and the importance of simply being good people, Tony brings a fresh perspective.

Following a successful Fortress Evolution Master Class in Northern California, we chatted with Joe Frith of Mountain Decks about his background, and why steel deck framing is different. 

At JLC, we talked with Tim McNamara of McNamara Contracting and founder of the Young Craftsman Foundation about getting more people into the trades. 

Levi Tippetts from T.C. Decks sat down and talked with us about using steel deck framing for the first time, building award-winning decks, creating new tools for the jobsite and more. 

Hear from Marshall and Jordan Smith of The Deck Supply as they share insights from the supply side of the business. We talk about the role showrooms play in helping contractors showcase products, plus other trends and changes shaping the industry … all from this longstanding, family-run Fortress® partner.

In this episode, we speak with a California Fire Safe Council expert about wildfire-ready construction, meeting code requirements, and how changing behaviors can drive stronger fire mitigation in our communities.

In this episode, we chat with Matt from “Working with Matt,” who’s built a massive social media following by sharing outdoor living tips, advice, and entertaining content.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment if you’re into creative ideas for your own outdoor space or one you are building!

In this episode, we introduce the purpose and future of the Outdurable Living® Show. The show will connect builders across regions and create a space to share ideas, challenges, and solutions. Learn how pros from across the country are using Fortress products to achieve Proven Performance and Smarter Solutions, while getting to know the people driving innovation in the industry.

Join a dynamic conversation with partner builders from the U.S. and Canada as they share insights on creativity, standing out from the competition, and building with premium framing and railing products backed by a limited lifetime warranty. Hear how this Alliance of builders collaborates, inspires each other, and explores what it takes to build projects that truly last.