The Intelligent Builder

Chad Harrison runs franchise development for DoodyCalls, a pet waste management company under Authority Brands that has scaled from roughly 30 locations to over 100 by installing systems, a 24/7 call center, and an AI booking agent that handles off-hours calls without dropping to voicemail. Chad works with operators coming out of demanding W2 careers, walks them through a 30-day ramp, and then steps back once they're stable. We talk about what the first 90 days of ownership actually looks like, the three habits that separate the operators who scale from the ones who stall, and why Chad thinks fear, not skill, is the single biggest drag on growth. We also get into what "follow the system" actually means as a discipline, why the owner-as-operator model breaks down fast past 100 customers, and how an AI agent handles booking, pricing, and credit card capture at 11pm so the owner doesn't have to. If you run a service business and you're still the one answering the phone, this episode is for you.Guest: Chad Harrison — Franchise Development, DoodyCalls (Authority Brands)Host: Owen GagneSponsor: Plutus Agents — Custom workflows. Built for your team.

Alek Ivanov (Synergy3) is a change-driven home services operator with high standards and a simple belief: if you’re not growing, you’re dying.We get into how Synergy3 started, the mindset shift that unlocked growth, and the practical operating moves he’s making now: CTO-first thinking, getting out of scattered tools, building systems that fit the business, and using AI to remove time-wasting admin (including an AI agent that automates New Jersey permit applications).We close with Alek’s view on what the next era of HVAC winners will do differently — and why he thinks the best operators will be the best trainers.Guest: Alek Ivanov — Synergy3Host: Owen GagneSponsor: Plutus Agents — Custom workflows. Built for your team.

Lori Dennis is a veteran interior designer, builder, and founder who spent 30 years vertically integrating design, construction, and a high-end windows & doors business, all under one roof.We cover the sustainability niche she planted a flag in 30 years ago, how that compounded into a media career (TV, books, speaking), and the exact playbook a builder can use to stand out today. Then we get into AI: why construction is a tech laggard, what the 18–24 month window looks like for operators who move now, and her 90% rule for managing luxury clients without blowing up projects.Guest: Lori Dennis — Interior Designer, Builder & Founder, Lori Dennis Inc.Host: Owen GagneSponsor: Plutus Agents — Custom workflows. Built for your team.Find Lori: loridennis.comFind Owen: LinkedIn

Brian Chatfield helped scale a commercial mechanical business from near zero to $36M in four years. In this episode, he breaks down what actually makes that possible, and what breaks first when it doesn't go right.We cover his path from the Army into field work, sales, and leadership. Then we get into the 80/20 sales lesson that changed how he thinks, why so many contractors stay stuck in owner-operator mode, and the early warning signs that a company is growing faster than its systems can handle. Brian also explains why follow-up is still one of the biggest advantages in the trades, why knowing your market value matters more than chasing every deal, and why adaptability will separate the next generation of winners from the ones that get left behind.

Robert Schissler is Senior Director of Operations at K&H Home Solutions, a company that's been modernizing faster than most in the residential space. In this episode, he breaks down his path from commercial windows and doors into residential, what running his own business taught him about leadership, and why customer experience matters just as much as product quality in people's homes.We get into how K&H has overhauled its operations: digitizing forms, tightening scheduling, holding suppliers accountable, and building a training-first culture that drives consistency across the team. Robert also shares how he thinks about AI in construction, where systems help, where the human element still wins, and what controlled, healthy growth actually looks like when you're pushing into a more competitive market.

Alisha Taylor, founder of Alisha Taylor Interiors in Scottsdale, breaks down what it takes to build a profitable, recession-resistant luxury design firm. She covers her path from civil engineering to interior design, surviving the 2007-2009 housing crash, and the operating principles that make boutique firms durable. We also discuss the builder-designer relationship, white-glove client experience, and her 10-year exit strategy for building a firm that can run without her.

Kara Roche, Operations Manager at Castle Haven Construction in Atlanta, explains what it takes to run high-end renovations before construction starts. She covers client onboarding, selections management, moving away from allowances, and the systems that keep projects on track. Kara also discusses post-COVID pricing realities and how they educate homeowners upfront.

Carl Nelson, Co-Founder of Visual PNW, spent over a decade running national rollout programs for brands like Starbucks and McDonald's. Now he's applying those build-at-scale lessons to custom homes and remodels in the Seattle area. Carl explains why residential construction remains painfully inefficient, why the real bottleneck isn't design talent but materials and purchasing, and how he's building a client-friendly solution that ties selections, permitting, ordering, and jobsite delivery together.

Cate Bloom, Vice President at AAA Appliance Service Center, explains how her family's multi-generation appliance service company modernized from paper systems to scalable digital operations. She covers her transition from architecture into the business after 2008, training cross-functional technicians, and rolling out system changes through phased implementations with hands-on support. Cate also discusses their approach to service quality, AI implementation for customer service, and growth plans.

Rob Dalrymple, Executive Vice President at Ryan Contractors, shares how he went from Boston carpenter to helping build a multi-state general contractor operating in 35 states. Rob breaks down the transition from residential to commercial work, how Ryan found success in the cemetery niche, and what contractors really need to know about scaling beyond their home market. He covers margins, change orders, multi-state licensing challenges, and his key advice for aspiring owners: know your numbers and build a real cash reserve before making the jump.

Todd Torbert, President of Level 1 General Construction in Dallas, shares his journey from finance and insurance to building a roofing and storm-restoration company that evolved into a boutique general contractor. He discusses surviving feast-or-famine hail seasons, intentionally shrinking his company to focus on better projects, and his blunt advice on money management and work ethic for younger contractors.

Dave Wageman is the new CEO of Hometown Restyling, a nearly 40-year remodeler in Eastern Iowa that just became 100% employee-owned. We unpack why they chose employee ownership over private equity, what changes when every employee becomes an owner, and how they're setting up for growth as leadership transitions through 2026-2027. We also get tactical on their operating system: doubling down on EOS, their lead engine, and how smart remodelers stay resilient when housing and politics get noisy.

Charnell Griffin, founder of Clean Corp in Atlanta, shares how she built her cleaning business from college startup to systematic operation since 2007. She breaks down the early marketing that actually worked, pricing discipline lessons, and the follow-up automation system that drives 60% of new bookings. Charnell also discusses her ambitious 2026 goals including acquiring another cleaning company and adding voice AI for after-hours calls.

Alicia Powers, President & Owner of Price Builders in San Diego, shares her journey from managing Air Force runway reconstruction to acquiring a 30+ year residential design-build firm. She talks about inheriting outdated systems like paper timecards and Microsoft Access CRM, and the modernization she's implementing with new web platforms, HubSpot, and design tools. We also discuss macro pressures on homeowners, why remodeling in San Diego isn't going away, and why builders need to move toward a more white-glove experience.

Austin Kent, CEO of Kent Development, is a second-generation builder making the shift from general contractor to developer in Dallas. He breaks down how he built a family-run GC, why he's tired of living on other people's timelines, and the moves he's making to own more of the projects he builds. Austin covers his infill spec homes, custom work, and townhome deals, plus the systems he's putting in place so Kent Development can scale without losing control of quality or cashflow.

James Kerr, founder of Boss Security Screens, explains how he went from mechanical engineering and IT security to building an 8-figure break-in-proof screen company. We cover his revenue ramp from $300K to $8M in four years, the three business pillars every contractor needs, and how he's building an asset instead of just a job through preferred contractor and licensee programs.

Ric Wendlandt, Operations Director at Dan Webb Builders and founder of Stomata, breaks down what it really means to build a healthy, high-performance custom home. We cover his path from field chemist to running multi-million dollar residential projects in North Lake Tahoe, his "home as host" philosophy, and the invisible details that matter most, tight envelopes, air quality, off-gassing, and biophilic design. Ric shares his vision for measuring how many healthy years a home can add to your life and how he's building systems so his companies can run without him.

Doug Winston, President/CEO of D&M Electrical Contracting and founder of TradeMentor.org, breaks down the real pathways into high-paying skilled trades careers. We cover union vs. non-union decisions, apprenticeship ROI compared to college degrees, sequencing your path to business ownership, and how the AI-driven data center boom is creating massive opportunities for electricians, HVAC techs, and utility workers.

Su Addison and Jefferson Schierbeek, co-founders of AddisonSchierbeek Architects, break down their two-founder operating system for their boutique Los Angeles studio. They discuss how their complementary strengths split between design vision and buildability, why they stay lean while partnering with production teams globally, and their practical approach to client collaboration through connection, curiosity, and radical clarity on budgets and timelines.

Daniel Conway, President & Director of Economics/Market Analysis at THK Associates, explains how real estate feasibility studies prevent seven-figure development mistakes. We cover what markets are hot right now, his 4-part framework for evaluating any site, and how $8k-$25k studies can save millions on infrastructure and phasing. Dan also shares expert witness war stories and his outlook for 2026 development activity.

Chris Welling, owner of Trigon Builders, explains how he operates a boutique luxury custom home and equestrian estate business across both Florida coasts. We cover what "boutique" means operationally, his approach to pre-construction and estimating, and the unique challenges of equestrian builds including arena layouts and soil issues. Chris also discusses managing quality across multiple markets and the challenge of scaling without losing the personal touch.

Mark English, founder of Mark English Architects in San Francisco, breaks down his small-studio operating system behind award-winning modern residential work. We cover why he's kept the team intentionally lean, how awards turned into a reliable pipeline, practical ways to keep builders aligned in the field, and where he plans to pilot AI in 2026. Mark also shares cycle lessons from the dot-com crash and financial crisis, plus his straightforward approach to tech and documentation.

Stephen Dunn Jr., President & Partner at Exeter Building Company in Raleigh, NC, explains how his team delivers high-end custom homes in 10 months with transparent systems and client communication. We discuss their vertical integration strategy adding development and realty, their land-first approach to growth, and the technology stack that keeps $2-3M projects on track.

Jensen Roll, Owner & President of Roll Construction in Graham, NC, breaks down the operating system behind their custom homes, remodels, and commercial upfits. We cover how his team sets clear pricing signals, manages project roadmaps, and uses JobTread to keep selections, schedules, and budgets aligned. Jensen explains their approach to hiring for behavior, protecting gross margin, and the growth strategies he's doubling down on as the Carolinas market evolves.

Jason Blair, Owner of Aastro Roofing in South Florida, breaks down how to build a roofing business the right way in a hyper-competitive market with over 1,200 competitors. He covers the reality of scaling from $2M to $15M, hard lessons like a $17k unpaid job, why he still visits every jobsite, and his give-back program that reroutes ad dollars into free roofs for families in need.

Tony Hirsch, Founder & CEO of Artisan Build Construct in Nashville, explains how his team delivers historic quality at modern speed by keeping carpentry in-house and partnering tightly with architects and designers. He breaks down their internal systems for speeding homeowner decisions, pre-construction processes, and client transparency habits that reduce surprises on historic remodels and tenant improvements.

Ron Nussbaum, founder of BuilderComs, breaks down a communication-first approach for builders who hate bloated software and seat fees. He emphasizes the significance of simplicity in software development, the impact of offering a free plan, and the unique challenges of integrating technology in construction. If you want client updates, photos, and approvals in one place, without the 'all-in-one' you won't use, then this one's for you.

Troy French, owner of TA French Custom Builder, shares insights on the challenges and opportunities in the home building industry. He discusses the importance of transparency, client involvement, and the impact of technology on the construction process.

Orestes Romero, CFO & CMO of Build Pro Construction, breaks down how they transformed their company into a process-driven organization. He covers financial visibility, client transparency, effective project management, and managing those long construction timelines. Orestes also talks about leveraging technology and AI to stay competitive in the construction industry.

Raymond Urgelles, PM/Sales Engineer at Advanced Air Systems Florida, breaks down a sales-engineering approach that helps HVAC contractors keep jobs on-time, on-budget, and stress-free. We cover listen-first selling, multi-trade coordination across HVAC, roofing, and electrical, job costing and change orders, and how to use AI for business development without losing the human touch.

Paul Adams, Executive Chairman of Columbia Home Services, discusses people-first M&A in HVAC, plumbing, and electrical. We cover post-close integration pace, shifting from acquisitions to organic growth, professionalizing sales, financing options, and embedding AI into existing tech stacks like ServiceTitan rather than creating isolated systems.