In episode 43 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, we’re joined by Co-founders of the Association of Professional Builders Russ Stephens and Sky Stephens, along with APB’s Head Coach, Andy Skarda. Throughout this episode, the trio go over how professional builders can create a successful brand. INSIDE EPISODE 43 YOU WILL DISCOVER Why having a brand mentality and brand focus is so important How long it takes to create a brand and where builders should start Common struggles builders have...
Aug 18, 2022•48 min•Ep. 43
In episode 42 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, we’re joined by Isaac Nickelson, owner of Nickelson Construction based out of Fort Collins, Colorado, United States. Throughout this episode, Isaac goes over the highs and lows of owning a business, how he transitioned from remodelling to custom homes, and the process of moving Nickelson Construction interstate. INSIDE EPISODE 42 YOU WILL DISCOVER The challenges of moving Nickelson Construction from Florida to Colorado How Isaac transfo...
Aug 11, 2022•28 min•Ep. 42
In episode 41 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, we’re joined by Co-founder of the Association of Professional Builders Sky Stephens. Throughout this episode, we go over why it is so crucial to learn new skills when running a residential building company. During this episode, Sky tackles the biggest challenge people face when learning new skills, as well as the barriers and common fears people need to overcome in order to learn new skills. It’s common for people to fail at learning ne...
Aug 04, 2022•51 min•Ep. 41
In episode 40 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, we’re joined by Tim Hoopmann, volunteer speaker for Beyond Blue, a national organisation that works to raise awareness about anxiety and depression, reduce the associated stigma and encourage people to get help. Throughout this episode, Tim delves into why it is essential to look after your mental health. During this episode, Tim discusses how the last few years have affected overall mental health, the pandemics' impact on the building ...
Jul 28, 2022•50 min•Ep. 40
In episode 39 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, we’re joined by Co-founders of the Association of Professional Builders Russ Stephens and Sky Stephens, along with APB’s Head Coach, Andy Skarda. Throughout this episode, the trio go over how professional builders can create their exit strategy. During this episode, Russ, Sky and Andy discuss the different types of exit strategies builders can use, as well as who actually needs to consider creating an exit strategy plan and when they sh...
Jul 21, 2022•51 min•Ep. 39
In episode 38 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, we’re joined by Zak Johnson, owner of ZJ Building based out of South Australia. Throughout this episode, we learn about Zak’s story and how he created ZJ Building from the ground up. After starting his carpentry apprenticeship in January 2007. Zak immediately fell in love with the trade and all the opportunities to build and create. He gained a lot of experience in all aspects of the building trades including supervising architectural c...
Jul 14, 2022•32 min•Ep. 38
In episode 37 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, we’re joined by APB’s Head Coach, Andy Skarda. Throughout this episode, we get into how APB’s coaches help builders get into a results oriented mindset, and how they can actually measure those results. During this episode, Andy discusses the importance of utilising reporting tools, why a framework for results is necessary for builders and identifies specific problems within building companies that don’t get results. A result oriented fr...
Jul 07, 2022•35 min•Ep. 37
In episode 36 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, we’re joined by Duane Johns, Regional Partner with Alair Homes and Co-host of the Builder Nuggets podcast. Throughout this episode, we learn how Duane got into the construction industry, and the barriers he had to overcome in his career. During this episode, Duane uncovers the barriers he’s had to overcome in his career, his role at Alair Homes, and how he’s transformed his building company into what it’s become today. Duane also outlin...
Jun 30, 2022•35 min•Ep. 36
In episode 35 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, we’re joined by Michael and Vanessa, Co-founders and owners of HC Habitation, based in the south of Montreal, Canada. Throughout this episode, we go over how Michael and Vanessa got started in the building industry and learn the mistakes they made along the way. HC Habitation’s main goal is to give new home builders a truly personalised experience when making the biggest investment of their lives. They endeavour to streamline this proce...
Jun 23, 2022•35 min•Ep. 35
In episode 34 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, we’re joined by Co-founders of the Association of Professional Builders Russ Stephens and Sky Stephens, along with APB’s Head Coach, Andy Skarda. Throughout this episode, the trio tackle why a builders handover experience is so important to their clients. During this episode, Russ, Sky and Andy discuss what you should, and shouldn’t do during a handover, and of course, give some examples of what an exceptional handover looks like. The t...
Jun 16, 2022•38 min•Ep. 34
In episode 33 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, we’re joined by Co-founder of the Association of Professional Builders Sky Stephens. Throughout this episode, we go over why although difficult at times, it is so important to collect case studies from your clients. During this episode, Sky tackles why consumers are looking for reasons not to trust you, but how once you’ve gained that trust, the rewards are more than worth the effort you put in. Through a trusting relationship with your...
Jun 09, 2022•35 min•Ep. 33
In episode 32 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, we’re joined by Kevin Lovewell, Director of Negotia Group, based out of Brisbane, Queensland. Throughout this episode, we learn about Kevin, Negotia, and the blueprint of selling a business. Kevin delves into exactly what you and your business need in order to be sold, as well as the absolute best time to sell your building company. He also discusses the sort of timeframe you should expect when you decide to sell your building company. ...
Jun 02, 2022•31 min•Ep. 32
In episode 31 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, we’re joined by Co-founders of the Association of Professional Builders Russ Stephens and Sky Stephens, along with APB’s Head Coach, Andy Skarda. Throughout this episode, the trio go over how you can qualify your leads on the very first call. The trio explain the tough process of letting down clients you don’t want to work for, and conversely, review the questions you need to be asking in order to identify the quality leads you really w...
May 26, 2022•43 min•Ep. 31
In episode 30 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, we’re joined by Paul Vespia, founder of Hill & Harbor Design+Build, based in East Greenwich, United States. Throughout this episode, we learn about Paul's story and how he created Hill & Harbor Design+Build. Hill & Harbor Design+Build was founded on the idea that Homes on “the Hill” have a historical factor that make them unique and desirable, and that The “Harbor” is another quintessential trademark of their business, as Rh...
May 19, 2022•35 min•Ep. 30
In episode 29 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, we’re joined by APB’s Head Coach, Andy Skarda. Throughout this episode, we get into the fundamentals of construction financials, and how much of a part financial awareness can play in a builder's success. During this episode, Andy discusses the reason builders fail when it comes to their financials, and how they can start to take action, analyse their financials, and come out on top in the end. Its evident builders need to set targets, ...
May 12, 2022•47 min•Ep. 29
In episode 28 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, we’re joined by David Belman, President of Belman Homes Inc. based in Wisconsin, United States. Throughout this episode, we dig into the background of Belman Homes, and how David’s shaped it into the building company it’s become today. Belman Homes is Waukesha County’s premier custom home builder, and has served the Waukesha and surrounding Milwaukee communities as home builders, land developers, realtors, and green home building expert...
May 05, 2022•38 min•Ep. 28
In episode 27 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, we’re joined by Co-founders of the Association of Professional Builders Russ Stephens and Sky Stephens, along with APB’s Head Coach, Andy Skarda. Throughout this episode, the trio discuss how builders can manage the ever-growing jobs they undertake. During this episode, Russ, Sky and Andy delve into the reasons why builders struggle when juggling multiple jobs at once in the first place, and share the secret weapon builders can utilise ...
Apr 28, 2022•38 min•Ep. 27
In episode 26 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, our host, Bosco Anthony is joined by Co-founders Toby and Elizabeth Searle from Highwater Homes, based in NSW, Australia. Throughout this episode, Toby and Elizabeth share how to successfully work with your spouse. Toby Searle is the working Director and founder of Highwater Homes, Macarthur’s custom home building specialists. Partnered by his wife Elizabeth, they have established the foundations for a successful family run, highly moti...
Apr 21, 2022•30 min•Ep. 26
In episode 25 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, our host, Bosco Anthony is joined by APB Co-founder, Russ Stephens to talk about the State of Residential Construction Industry (SORCI) report. Throughout this episode, Russ uncovers some of the most insightful data in the 2022 report that’s benefiting builders across the world. In The State of Residential Construction Industry report, we reveal invaluable industry insights in operations, marketing, sales and financials from hundreds of...
Apr 14, 2022•34 min•Ep. 25
In episode 24 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, our host, Bosco Anthony is joined by Jimmy McKinney, owner of J&R Construction Services, based in Kentucky, United States. Throughout this episode Jimmy shares how to use storytelling to grow a building company. J&R Construction is an award winning remodelling company serving Lexington, KY, Owensboro, KY and parts of Central KY. The building company has been operating since 2003, specialising in residential design/build home rem...
Apr 07, 2022•35 min•Ep. 24
In episode 23 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, our host, Bosco Anthony is joined by Co-founders of the Association of Professional Builders Russ Stephens and Sky Stephens, along with APB’s Head Coach, Andy Skarda. Throughout this episode, the trio reveal how builders can manage their most valuable resource: Time. During this episode, Russ, Sky and Andy share some of the tips and secrets behind buying more time as a builder, the form of hiring support and employees, so you can get th...
Mar 31, 2022•44 min•Ep. 23
In episode 22 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, our host, Bosco Anthony is joined by Rachael Boyer, President and CEO of The Home Authority building company based in Minnesota, United States. Throughout this episode Rachael shares why you don’t need an MBA to run a successful building company. Rachael Boyer is a results-oriented, transformational leader, and business executive with more than 20 years of experience in construction, healthcare, and numerous industries. Rachael’s entrep...
Mar 24, 2022•47 min•Ep. 22
In episode 21 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, our host, Bosco Anthony is joined by one of the executive business coaches at APB, Dennis Wong. Throughout this episode, Dennis shares the secrets to building a winning team for a building company. Dennis works with business owners to grow their businesses, help their managers and team members to achieve higher levels of performance, and attain results faster by combining training to impart knowledge and develop new skills and coaching ...
Mar 17, 2022•32 min•Ep. 21
In episode 20 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, our host, Bosco Anthony is joined by Scott Bywater,expert lead generator, email marketing strategist and world-class copywriter retained by many of the world’s best direct marketing companies. Throughout this episode of the podcast, Scott uncovers how builders can create great content! As a sought-after speaker Scott Bywater has spoken at important digital marketing events such as The Collective Digital Marketing Summit and has facilita...
Mar 10, 2022•34 min•Ep. 20
In episode 19 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, our host, Bosco Anthony is joined by Co-founders of the Association of Professional Builders Russ Stephens and Sky Stephens, along with APB’s Head Coach, Andy Skarda. Throughout this episode, the trio reveal the proven sales process that all builders must follow. During episode 19 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, Russ, Sky and Andy share the secrets that every builder should be implementing into their sales process to sign ...
Mar 03, 2022•48 min•Ep. 19
In episode 18 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, our host, Bosco Anthony is joined by Ryan Stannard, Director of Stannard Family Homes. Throughout this episode Ryan reveals the systems that transformed his building company. Ryan has a young family and has worked in the industry for over 25 years, and opened Stannard Family Homes to supply high-quality custom family homes with exceptional customer service at affordable prices to families of Adelaide. Before Ryan found APB, the years le...
Feb 24, 2022•28 min•Ep. 18
In episode 17 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, our host, Bosco Anthony is joined by one of the executive business coaches at APB, Jacob Oelofse. Throughout this episode, Jacob shares the secrets to building a winning team for a building company. Jacob’s background includes creating and selling five companies in 12 years across different industries including manufacturing, agriculture, e-commerce, and government. Jacob has personally coached hundreds of business owners over the last ...
Feb 17, 2022•36 min•Ep. 17
In episode 16 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, our host, Bosco Anthony is joined by Ryan Lipchek, VP of Sales/Region President at CBUSA. Throughout this episode of the podcast, Ryan shares some of the purchasing best practices to help builders maximise their profits. Ryan’s role at CBUSA includes homebuilder purchasing consulting. Ryan works with builders to help them strengthen their bottom line through more efficient purchasing. CBUSA was founded in 2004 by a group of custom and i...
Feb 10, 2022•39 min•Ep. 16
In episode 15 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, our host, Bosco Anthony is joined by Co-founders of the Association of Professional Builders Russ Stephens and Sky Stephens, along with APB’s Head Coach, Andy Skarda. Throughout this episode, the trio discuss how builders should be pricing their jobs, the difference between net profit vs gross profit, markup vs margin, how to stay on top of fixed expenses and SO much more! The traditional method of pricing jobs is to apply a margin to t...
Feb 03, 2022•39 min•Ep. 15
In episode 14 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, our host, Bosco Anthony is joined by Rocky Simmons, owner of Vision Homes based in West Virginia, United States. Throughout this episode of the podcast, Rocky shares advice on building a reputation in the construction industry. Rocky is the owner of Vision Homes and is in charge of the Sales/Marketing and Financial cash flow and profitability of the business. He has been a member of APB since 2019. Vision Homes has been building new cus...
Jan 27, 2022•35 min•Ep. 14
