Episode Highlight - Returning to Ep 57 with Renae Keller Interior Design
Renae Keller from Renae Keller Interior Design joins us to dive into the vibrant world of interior design. Mark & Renae chat about the thrill of "always sourcing" unique pieces from places like Pagoda Red and the benefits of industry groups like the Pearl Collective for networking and growth. Renae and Mark also reflect on the importance of effective communication and decision-making in creating dream spaces for clients, all while navigating the post-pandemic resurgence of the design community's energy and connection.
Episode Highlight - Returning to Ep 56 with Michael Anschel
In episode 56 of The Curious Builder, host Mark Williams and guest Michael Anschel share an enlightening conversation about the essence of building a resilient business. One of the first points they address is the crucial task of cultivating a company that can operate without the constant oversight of its founder. For Michael, the journey began with a desire to travel and expose his children to diverse cultures and experiences. He underscores the significance of creating systems and protocols that ensure the business runs smoothly in his absence. This approach not only reduces dependency but also empowers employees to take ownership of their roles.
Episode Highlight - Coming Back to Ep 55 with Ailana McIntosh & Tom Priebe
Episode Highlight - Revisiting Ep 54 with Bel Cruz
In the latest episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, host Mark Williams shares a compelling conversation with Bel Cruz of LBR Partners, a custom homes business in Minnesota. Cruz's journey encapsulates resilience, adaptability, and the entrepreneurial spirit that flourished in the face of significant adversity. Moving from Nicaragua to the United States, Bel navigated the challenges of immigration, single parenthood, and business ownership, ultimately establishing a successful enterprise against the odds.
Episode Highlight - Lessons from Ep 53 with John Kraemer & Sons
In this insightful episode of The Curious Builder, Mark Williams candidly chats with the John Kraemer & Sons team about their unique, customer-first approach to the family-run luxury home-building business. They dive into Kraemer's marketing strategies, the importance of reputation, and the organic growth from referrals, sprinkled with personal anecdotes and future aspirations in both life and business. Don't miss John's take on the familial dynamics that have led to their consistent success and multiple "Builder of the Year" awards!
Episode Highlight - Digging Deeper into Ep 51 with Randy Jonell
The world of construction goes far beyond laying bricks and mortar. In a recent episode of The Curious Builder, host Mark Williams jumps into the drywall industry with Randy Jonell, the owner of Minnesota Custom Drywall. Randy's journey from general laborer to successful business entrepreneur underscores the invaluable blend of skill, dedication, and strategic thinking necessary to rise above the industry's challenges. This blog post expands on their enlightening conversation, detailing how relationships, responsiveness, and recovery have played pivotal roles in Randy’s personal and professional life.
Episode Highlight - Returning to Ep 50 with Brad Leavitt and Nick Shiffer
The construction industry, historically known for its competitive nature, is undergoing a transformative era of collaboration and knowledge sharing. This sea change was palpable at the recent Contractor Coalition Summit, a groundbreaking platform conceived by construction mavericks Nick Schiffer and Brad Leavitt. We had the pleasure to dive deep into the ethos of the summit, discussing with our esteemed guests the profound impact of mentorship, networking, and peer-to-peer learning in the business of building.
Fostering Connection at the Curious Builder Collective
When it comes to business (of all kinds), we believe that collaboration is essential to success. We created the Curious Builder Collective to facilitate this collaborative innovation for the building and construction trades. At our most recent event, builders and remodelers from across Minnesota gathered to discuss topics that were both practical and applicable.
Episode Highlight - Revisiting Ep 49 with Sven Gustafson
In the Curious Builder's recent episode with Sven Gustafson of StoneWood and Revisions, we shared some insightful conversation about the ramifications of advanced technology in the construction sector and how this relates to a builder's approach to projects, client relations, and business administration.
Episode Highlight: Deep Dive into Ep 48 with Morgan Molitor
In a recent episode of The Curious Builder, Mark Williams and guest Morgan Molitor of Construction2Style and the Contractor Coalition Summit candidly unpack the turbulent adventure of owning a business. They reflect on the past year with transparency, revealing the mixture of successes, growth, and challenges. As they discuss, business is a roller coaster ride of emotions, oscillating between exhilaration and despair, often within the span of a single day.