Builder Straight Talk Podcast

Michael Krisa
  • 5.0 (1)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Real builders. Real stories. Real talk about what it takes to grow in this business. Builder Straight Talk is the go-to podcast for builders, remodelers, and tradespeople who want to scale their business, get projects funded, and learn from folks who've actually walked the job site and built something real. Hosted by Michael Krisa, each episode dives into honest conversations with builders who've figured out how to grow, fail forward, and keep things moving—through systems, smart money, and straight-up grit. If you're building more than just houses—if you're building a real business—this is the show for you. No suits. No filters. Just the stuff that works.

  1. No Degree, No Problem: Life Skills That Built a Career with Craig Neal

    FEB 17

    No Degree, No Problem: Life Skills That Built a Career with Craig Neal

    Craig Neal didn't come up through the usual channels. He has no degree. What he does have is a story that starts in Scotland, takes a sharp turn at a funeral, and winds through Thailand, the South of France, Fort Lauderdale, a decade on private yachts, and eventually into American home building. Craig was set up to take over his father's motorbike showrooms in Scotland. Then he attended the funeral of a vendor's infant child, and something shifted permanently. "When I saw it going into the cremation, I had to stand up and walk out. It was like a light bulb went off in my head that life's too short. Within three months I sold my house, sold my puppy, quit my job at my dad's company, and moved to Australia." That willingness to walk away from a comfortable path became a pattern. Thailand, back to Scotland, then dock-walking in the South of France and Fort Lauderdale, hoping to land work on private yachts. He got his break as a deckhand on a celebrity's yacht in the Bahamas, rose through the ranks over ten years, and ended up as first officer on John Henry's yacht (the Red Sox owner), managing crew, safety, customs, and daily operations. "The guests would be on deck holding the rail, looking out to sea, but once they left, you had to wait till they were out of sight and then come out to buff out the fingerprints on the stainless steel so it was perfect." After leaving yachting to start a family, Craig stumbled into residential construction almost by accident. A real estate agent in Nashville introduced him to new construction, he got hooked, and when the local builder got acquired by Meritage Homes, they offered him a job. He had two weeks to get his real estate license. He passed with no backup plan. From there he moved through Meritage, David Weekley, and other national builders, rising from sales assistant to senior management. He and Michael dig into what the big builders do differently during downturns, why overexpansion kills culture, and what it takes to protect your team. "Culture can be destroyed by one person. And the higher up that person, the more they can destroy the culture." Craig also talks about his new role at Stancil Services, a Charlotte-based trade company, his board seat chairing the NAHB membership committee in Charlotte, and what legacy means to him: "They are my legacy. I now have the opportunity to raise three children that are focused on helping other people." Connect with Craig Neal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-neal-6442b062/ Follow Builder Straight Talk: * Web: https://BuilderStraightTalk.com * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkrisa * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuilderStraightTalk * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/builderstraighttalk Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:03 Sound Capital 02:43 Welcome Craig Neal 03:34 From Scotland to the US 04:35 Life-Changing Moments and Travels 07:13 Adventures in the Yachting Industry 14:45 Family Life and New Beginnings 18:23 Entering the Construction Industry 26:28 Rising Through the Ranks in Home Building 28:05 Philosophy and Reflections on Life and Career 32:10 Unveiling the New Role 32:25 Joining Stancil Services 34:53 Reflecting on American Opportunities 35:34 Value of Hard Work 37:48 Generational Differences in Work Ethic 40:30 Importance of Trade Skills 47:57 Navigating Market Challenges 53:56 Leadership and Industry Involvement 01:01:29 Legacy and Family Values 01:03:46 New Opportunities

    1h 6m
  2. The Most Fragile Input: Rebuilding the Supply Chain of People with Renee Zentz

    FEB 10

    The Most Fragile Input: Rebuilding the Supply Chain of People with Renee Zentz

    Renee Zentz didn't come from construction. She came from horses. She got her degree in equine science from Colorado State, spent a decade training horses, ended up managing rodeo grounds, and somehow landed a job running a home building association without knowing what one was. Twenty-four years later, she's built one of the most effective workforce development programs in the country, and it started with a $20,000 check and a question nobody was asking loudly enough: where are the next tradespeople coming from? Michael sits down with Renee to talk about Careers in Construction Colorado (CIC Colorado), the nonprofit she now leads full-time. The program puts pre-apprenticeship curriculum into high schools, pairs students with career navigators from the industry, and tracks real outcomes like W-2s, certifications, and job retention. "What you measure matters. And it wasn't just about teaching skills, it was about true job skills for work." CIC Colorado is now in 91 high schools with 110 teachers delivering Department of Labor-certified curriculum to nearly 5,000 students. In 2025 alone, they placed 682 students directly into industry jobs. And 68 of those 91 schools are Title I, serving underserved communities. "I want your cutest, smartest, most tattiest, with the big truck, to show up, male or female, I don't care, because these kids need to see themselves there. You can't be it if you can't see it." They talk about the real barriers: missing shop facilities, instructor shortages, and parents who viewed the trades as a fallback. In 2019, only 13% of parents were favorable toward the trades. That number has climbed to 35%. "We told students if you weren't college bound, you were either military or McDonald's." Some of the best moments come from the stories of students whose lives changed because the industry showed up in the classroom. They also dig into the five-to-one ratio of retiring tradespeople to new entrants, and the early conversations with states like Kentucky, Massachusetts, Utah, and Oklahoma about replicating the model. "This nonprofit is doers. We're not facilitators or intermediaries. We have the actual outcomes. And people love that." "When somebody has a trade, they have confidence, they have competency. They're not afraid to take risks anymore." About Renee Zentz Renee Zentz is President and CEO of Careers in Construction Colorado, a nonprofit bringing hands-on vocational education back into high schools. She previously served as CEO of the Housing & Building Association of Colorado Springs for 23 years. Under her leadership, CICC has expanded to 92 schools, reaching over 4,600 students annually. She is a Colorado State University graduate and recipient of the NAHB Executive Officer Lifetime Achievement Award. Learn more at https://CICColorado.org Follow Builder Straight Talk: Web: https://BuilderStraightTalk.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkrisaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuilderStraightTalkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/builderstraighttalk Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:44 Sound Capital 02:52 Welcome Renee Zentz 03:26 Robert August and His Influence 03:54 Renee's Unique Role in the Building Industry 05:49 Renee's Journey from Horses to Housing 10:45 Crisis in Building Labor Shortage 13:05 Launching Careers in Construction Colorado 16:19 Program Success and Expansion 21:50 Challenges and Future of Trade Education 23:27 Importance of Hands-On Experience 30:02 Career Navigators: Connecting Students to Jobs 31:31 Success Stories 35:30 Industry and Community Support 39:19 Challenges and Solutions in Education 48:01 Expanding the Program Nationwide 54:57 Personal Reflections and Future Goals

    1h 3m
  3. What Builders Really Want from Their Subs with Don Bronchick

    FEB 3

    What Builders Really Want from Their Subs with Don Bronchick

    Don Bronchick has been in residential construction for 30 years. He's touched 68,000 new homes, signed over $300 million in contracts, and worked with close to 400 builders. He started in the hurricane shutter business in South Florida after Andrew changed the building codes, grew that company to $24 million a year, then moved into windows and doors. He's been a subcontractor, a dealer, and a general contractor. So when Don sits down with Michael Krisa, he's not theorizing. He's telling you what actually works. Don tells us how he got into construction through a side gig at Home Depot, and the hiring philosophy he learned early: character over resume. Don has a memorable story about a young man named David who had no experience and no tools, but came back days later with a brand new F-250 and a commitment that couldn't be taught. David eventually became an area manager. From there, the conversation digs into what builders actually want from subs. Don's take: most get it wrong. "If you were to ask a hundred subcontractors what's the biggest hurdle to getting into a builder, I think 90 percent would say price. They don't understand what builders truly want. So they default to price as an issue, and that's their crutch." Builders want consistency, communication, and no grief. Don shares his policy of never charging dry run fees across 68,000 homes. His reasoning: "If you get hired on price, you get fired on price." We also cover company culture, transparency with employees, and the difference between trade partners and transactional vendors. Don's core message to subcontractors: "You're in the service business. And the sooner you embrace that concept, you're going to be stuck." The contractors who win invest in relationships, communicate constantly, own their mistakes, and resist the urge to squeeze every dollar out of every interaction. "This industry is the proverbial marathon. It is never a sprint. Your reputation is your resume." About Don Bronchick Don Bronchick is the founder of BuilderBeast Consulting LLC and author of Built from the Ground Up. He has sold over $300 million in contracts and led organizations that installed work in more than 68,000 new homes. He has built and scaled multiple construction businesses from startup, spanning manufacturing, distribution, subcontracting, and direct-to-builder operations. Don holds general contractor licenses in multiple states and speaks nationally for home builder associations and industry conferences. Built from the Ground Up is available on Amazon. Website: https://builderbeastconsulting.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-bronchick-7968436 Follow Builder Straight Talk: Web: https://BuilderStraightTalk.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkrisa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuilderStraightTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/builderstraighttalk Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:58 Sound Capital 01:15 Welcome Don Bronchick 02:00 Don's Journey into Construction 04:06 Lessons from the Hurricane Shutter Business 06:39 Hiring for Character Over Resume 09:17 Building a Strong Company Culture 25:36 Consistency in Construction 28:29 Hiring the Right Subcontractors 35:23 Service vs. Experience: A Restaurant Analogy 36:14 Builder and Subcontractor Relationships 37:28 Service in Trades 39:25 Consistency in Construction 44:38 Handling Mistakes and Building Trust 56:04 Marathon of Construction Industry 01:01:10 Final Thoughts

    1h 4m
  4. Scaling with Stability: How To Grow Without Losing Control with Jordan Brown

    JAN 27

    Scaling with Stability: How To Grow Without Losing Control with Jordan Brown

    Sometimes the best careers start with zero intention. Jordan Brown showed up to a Pulte Homes interview in 2005 just for practice. Twenty years later, he's Director of Sales and Marketing at Graham Hart Home Builders, guiding a 30-year custom builder through one of the trickiest transitions: scaling from boutique to production without losing what makes them different. In this conversation we get into the real mechanics of growing a homebuilding company when you care about more than just numbers. Jordan's hiring philosophy challenges conventional wisdom. He pairs green rookies with seasoned veterans intentionally: "I love bringing in fresh energy, folks you don't have to untrain. The seasoned veteran can pour into the new person, and vice versa, the new person brings technology, AI, fresh ideas that maybe a 20 year veteran never thought of." The Graham Hart story is happening right now. Shawn Goff built a reputation over three decades doing custom luxury homes in Colleyville, Texas. Then they asked: what if we could scale but not lose what makes us different? "We were very comfortable being a small, family run custom luxury builder. But we had the opportunity to start saying, maybe we want to scale up. Here's the tether: keeping the same culture and feel, because you can work years to put it where it needs to be, and it takes two seconds to lose it." Jordan brought structure fast: HubSpot CRM, strategic marketing partnerships, operational systems from national builders. They're closing in on 100 homes this year, with a pipeline supporting 300 annually by 2028. But the jump from 100 to 250 homes isn't just bigger numbers: "Everything changes. Your personnel, your SG&A, how you manage capital. Too many companies grew too quickly and fell apart. You need to be very careful and systematic." On overleveraged builders, Jordan's answer is perfect: the first sign is a silent sales team. When leadership stops listening, salespeople see the writing on the wall. His leadership philosophy: "My old sales leader said, 'My goal is to coach you to where other companies want to steal you away. But my goal is you want to stay.' It takes confidence to coach and grow people knowing they'll find great things for themselves." The post-sale experience at Graham Hart is worth noting. They hand keys personally, follow up multiple times in 30 days, and send surveys at 45 days to keep evolving. As Jordan says, most builders forget homeowners after closing. Jordan survived starting in 2005 right before the crash and joining Graham Hart in October 2023 when rates spiked to 8.5%. But that's the thing about rough seas and good sailors. About Jordan Brown Jordan is a recognized leader in homebuilding with over 20 years of experience in sales, marketing and executive leadership. Recently recognized as NAHB Silver Award winner for "Sales Manager/Leader of the Year", 2025 Dallas Builders Association "Sales Director of the Year" and Professional Builder's "40 Under 40". Part of Jeff Shore's Alumni Roundtable and Chad Sanschagrins Betterment Circle, Jordan believes in continuous self-improvement and projecting positive energy. Most importantly, he's a father of three girls and husband to a powerhouse wife. Connect with Jordan: Website: https://www.grahamhart.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorbrown Instagram: @jbrown_TX --- CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction 03:09 Jordan's Journey to Home Building 06:15 Hiring Fresh Talent 10:58 Mentorship and Team Dynamics 14:33 Scaling Up 30:36 Financial Strategies and Market Adaptation 36:28 Marketing and Brand Evolution 38:48 Planning the Year Ahead 39:17 Effective Sales Strategies 40:09 Starting from Scratch: CRM and Sales Tips 42:20 Internal vs. External Sales Teams 45:10 Celebrating Homebuyers 51:46 Community in Developments 53:39 Future Goals and Industry Insights 57:08 Rapid Fire Questions 01:00:50 Personal Reflections and Values 01:09:32 Final Thoughts

    1h 11m
  5. 32 Years, Three Developments, and a Fetal Position with John C Jones

    JAN 20

    32 Years, Three Developments, and a Fetal Position with John C Jones

    John Jones started selling real estate in 1993 with zero experience, no home of his own, and a fear of talking to anyone who wasn't a first-time buyer. Thirty-two years later, he's closed over 8,000 transactions, runs a 25-person team in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and develops land across the greater Nashville area. This conversation covers the full arc of how that happened, including the parts most people skip over. We open with John's first sales lessons from a builder named John Floyd. The advice was simple, scrappy, and it worked. From there, we learn what it took to build a real estate team in a market that had never seen one. "Fear is the absence of love. If you want to get rid of the fear of calling people, rejection, call reluctance, just get in the spirit of love. I usually never got cussed out if I was in that right spirit of love, because they felt it." The 2008 crash gets a lot of airtime. John had just opened his own brokerage that October and was carrying three developments when the market collapsed. He talks about capital calls, banks forcing him to dump rentals, and sitting in his closet wondering if bankruptcy was inevitable. "What's the worst thing that's ever happened to you in real estate? '08 through '13. What's the best thing? 2008 through 2012, because of what I learned and I didn't quit." We then shift into land development. John got into his first deal without putting up a dime by finding property for an established developer and earning sweat equity. "You find me the right piece of property that works for what I do, and you won't have to have one dime. I'll put you in there at 20%, but find it. Because the key is finding it." He explains why he now sticks to smaller projects, how to vet development partners, and why character matters more than contracts. "Find people with character. How I define it is who you are when nobody's looking. Those are the people I like to partner with. And they're hard to find." We wrap with John reflecting on what he still wants to accomplish: bringing practical business education back to local schools. --- About John Jones John Jones is a second-generation Realtor who started his career in 1993 at 24 years old. Before launching his own brokerage, he was a consistent top 1% agent nationally. In October 2008, he opened a boutique firm in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, becoming the first in his market to adopt a team-based model. John entered land development in 2000 and has been involved in numerous projects since. His current development, Riverview Cove, is Murfreesboro's fastest-selling luxury subdivision. Over his 30-plus year career, John and his team have helped more than 8,000 families buy and sell homes. Learn more at murfreesbororealestate.com --- Follow Builder Straight Talk: Web: https://BuilderStraightTalk.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkrisa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuilderStraightTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/builderstraighttalk Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:45 Sound Capital 02:09 Reconnecting with John C. Jones 02:30 John's Early Career in Real Estate 03:50 Mentorship and Development Beginnings 06:18 Sales Techniques and Training 08:34 Importance of Asking Questions 23:01 The 2008 Financial Crisis 30:15 Balancing Brokerage and Development 38:47 Nelson Family Land Deal 40:34 Role in Land Development 40:54 Funding Land Development Projects 42:40 Challenges in Land Development 44:15 Success Story: Riverview Cove 45:23 Navigating High Interest Rates 48:27 Impact of Immigration Policies on Real Estate 51:53 Advice for Aspiring Developers 54:30 Importance of Relationships in Business 01:04:43 Faith and Perseverance in Tough Times 01:09:20 Future Goals and Community Impact

    1h 15m
  6. From Ledger to Level: Ed Berlanga on People, Profit, and Purpose

    JAN 13

    From Ledger to Level: Ed Berlanga on People, Profit, and Purpose

    What does it take to build 7,000 homes over three decades while keeping the same team together through multiple companies and market crashes? Ed Berlanga shares the real story: the midnight decision that shifted his career from tax accountant to home builder, the moment at 117 homes when he knew his company would implode, and why peace of mind beats hundred-hour work weeks. "I remember it like it was yesterday. It was exactly at 117 homes. I said, the wheels are coming off... I said, it's going to explode." When Ed started Texas Homes in 2014, every employee from his previous company followed him. His philosophy: "I hire to retire, not to fire." "You treat people with dignity and respect and they give it back to you in droves." Ed discusses scaling without losing your soul, banking relationships, managing debt ratios, and why overleveraging is a trap. He's candid about the learning curve with childhood friend Gordon Hartman. "We joked, if you work a hundred hours a week, you're two and a half times smarter than the guy who works 40 hours a week. I don't know if we got smarter, but we sure accelerated our learning curve." We explore the broader impact builders have on generational wealth and communities. Ed's involved with Catholic Charities and built 100+ homes for San Antonio's chronically homeless, plus 80 more units under construction. "The most selfish thing you can do is be selfless... you get the satisfaction that's like, I feel a little selfish, I'm really happy, I'm really fulfilled, but you're doing it for the right reasons." Ed shares wisdom on mentorship, family business, and leadership: "Most people do not listen to understand, they listen with the intent to reply." About Ed Berlanga Ed leads Texas Homes as CEO and President across San Antonio. University of Texas grad, former CPA, 30+ years in construction. Built 7,000 homes, developed 10,000+ lots through Gordon Hartman Homes and McMillin Homes before acquiring Texas Homes in 2014. 2021 President of Greater San Antonio Builders Association, HomePac Chairman for Texas Association of Builders. Serves on boards including Central Catholic High School and San Antonio Food Bank. Married to Kitty, two sons: Jack (CFO at Texas Homes, former PwC) and Travis (family restaurant business). Both Central Catholic graduates who took their own paths before returning home. Texas Homes website: https://www.texas-homes.com Follow Builder Straight Talk: Web: https://BuilderStraightTalk.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkrisa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuilderStraightTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/builderstraighttalk Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:37 Sound Capital 02:14 Welcome Ed! 03:10 Ed's Background and Career Journey 04:02 Philanthropy and Community Projects 12:10 Scaling the Business 17:52 Transition to Ownership and Leadership 19:55 Company Culture and Employee Relations 29:23 Philanthropy and Nonprofit 33:48 Independence in Family Business 35:17 Lessons from Other Family Businesses 37:34 Value of Practical Experience 41:26 Trades and Hands-On Work 50:01 Financial Strategies for Builders 56:45 Mentorship and Personal Growth 01:02:59 Reflecting on Life and Legacy #builderstraighttalk #MichaelKrisa #SoundCapital

    1h 8m
  7. 400,000 Open Construction Jobs That No One Is Talking About with Mark Pursell

    JAN 6

    400,000 Open Construction Jobs That No One Is Talking About with Mark Pursell

    Mark Pursell has had one of those careers that makes you wonder how it all fits together. Hockey player in Michigan. Door-to-door 401k salesman. Construction finance guy who traveled to 85 countries. CEO of the Premium Cigar Association. And for 14 years, he ran the International Builders Show, the largest annual construction trade show in North America. These days, Mark serves as President and CEO of the National Housing Endowment, the philanthropic arm of NAHB. And that's where this conversation gets into territory that matters for anyone trying to build homes right now. "There's roughly three to four hundred thousand empty jobs in the home building industry in the United States. And we're not unique. We're competing with other industries that are also in a shortfall of people." How did we get here? "As a country, we kind of got away from the skilled trades and everyone had to go to a four year school and get a degree. We're all paying the price for that right now." Mark references Mike Holmes: "He says we're spending money we don't have to educate kids for jobs that don't exist." "This shouldn't be plan A and plan B. This should be the other plan A." The National Housing Endowment is working to fix this through what Mark calls "planting the seed" and "growing the seed" - running career events that put tools in kids' hands, funding construction management programs at over 60 universities, and bringing shop class back to high schools through the Schools to Skills program. We also cover practical tips for attending the International Builders Show in Orlando. Mark ran that show for 14 years, so he knows what he's talking about. "If you get up every morning and you help somebody, you've had a good day." If what they're doing resonates with you, visit https://nationalhousingendowment.org/ --- About Mark Pursell Mark Pursell is President and CEO of the National Housing Endowment, the philanthropic arm of the National Association of Home Builders. The Endowment supports residential construction education, training, and research. Previously, Mark served as CEO of the Premium Cigar Association and spent 14 years managing the International Builders Show for NAHB, where he orchestrated the co-location with the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show. He has a background in construction finance and is a graduate of the University of Michigan. National Housing Endowment: nationalhousingendowment.org International Builders Show: buildershow.com Follow Builder Straight Talk: Web: https://BuilderStraightTalk.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkrisa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuilderStraightTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/builderstraighttalk Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 03:24 Early Life and Leadership Journey 08:24 Career Beginnings and Sales Experience 10:44 Transition to Trade Associations 16:43 Premium Cigar Association 33:10 Maximizing Trade Show Experience 36:42 Plan Your Builder Show Visit 39:20 New American Home: A Showcase of Innovation 42:51 History and Evolution of the Builders Show 43:57 Challenges in the Builders Show 47:07 National Housing Endowment 50:09 Skilled Labor Shortage 52:25 Education and Training Programs 56:09 Career Connections and Skilled Labor Fund 01:04:22 Youth Participation in Home Building 01:08:13 Final Thoughts

    1h 13m
  8. From Fighting Fires to Building Systems with Cody Clark

    12/30/2025

    From Fighting Fires to Building Systems with Cody Clark

    Cody Clark was pulling people out of burning buildings when he decided to build his own house. The builder he found was too expensive, so he figured he could do it cheaper himself. That first build went fine. Then a friend offered him $40,000 to build another house. When you're making $60,000 a year as a paramedic, that's hard to turn down. For five years, Cody juggled both jobs. His CPA told him to start an LLC before the IRS came calling. He posted a few pictures on Facebook, thinking he'd do two houses a year and retire from the fire department after 30 years. That didn't happen. What started as a side hustle grew into Clark Custom Homes. But leaving the fire department wasn't easy. "I sat for that position. There was 2,000 people there and they were hiring six or maybe ten. You have a better chance of getting struck by lightning than you do getting hired." Cody talks about the parallels between running a fire department and running a business. The fire chief organizes chaos and delegates positions. That realization changed everything. But getting there almost broke him. "I was all things to all people, but I was nothing to anyone. I was trying to be everything to everyone and I was failing in all aspects." The turning point came through bringing in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), reading obsessively, and hiring a business coach. "I'm just really smart enough to listen when somebody says, 'Hey man, you look like you're drowning over there. You want a life raft?'" In Texas, there's no licensing requirement for builders, so banks create their own rules. Early on, Cody couldn't get financing without enough builds, but couldn't do builds without financing. Classic catch-22. Now banks send him steaks at Christmas. The marketing conversation gets practical. Cody hired professional videographers, but it felt fake. Then he started shooting raw videos on his porch with his phone. Wind blowing, dogs barking, whatever. People actually watch those. "Everybody has eye candy. That's a given. The differentiation isn't in the finished product photos anymore. It's in letting people actually know you." Right now, Clark Custom Homes does exclusively custom homes at about a million-dollar potential annually. He's watching land prices and thinking about $2 million specs in 2026. The conversation circles back to this: all the information is out there. One of Cody's wealthy clients told him, "Those secrets are safe. Everybody's too lazy to execute on them." That's the real difference. Not talent or connections. Just the willingness to actually do the work everyone else talks about doing. Cody Clark is CEO of Clark Custom Homes, a company built on craftsmanship and integrity. Growing up, he learned construction working alongside his dad, who learned from his grandfather, a homebuilder. Years later, while serving as a firefighter paramedic, he built his own home. What began as a one-time build evolved into something bigger. Over the past seven years, Clark Custom Homes has grown into a trusted brand. Cody's leadership style is mentorship-driven and systems-focused. Outside of work, he finds balance outdoors through mountain biking, hunting, and working with his hands. Facebook: facebook.com/Clarkcustomhomesllc Instagram: instagram.com/clarkcustomhomes.llc YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCFa3KMKztlnAtAepSuK9WUg Google: g.co/kgs/p2Z4PL4 Follow Builder Straight Talk: Web: https://BuilderStraightTalk.com CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction 03:04 Paramedic to Builder 05:22 Transition to Full-Time Builder 07:20 Learning and Growing the Business 14:41 Navigating Financial and Regulatory Hurdles 25:52 Delegation and Business Structure 32:24 Power of Authenticity in Video Marketing 32:41 Balancing Polished and Raw Content 34:14 The Importance of Trust in Marketing 36:02 Sales Strategies and Team Dynamics 39:14 Marketing Channels 41:01 Creating Engaging Content 55:09 Leadership and Teamwork 58:12 Challenges and Growth

    1h 4m
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About

Real builders. Real stories. Real talk about what it takes to grow in this business. Builder Straight Talk is the go-to podcast for builders, remodelers, and tradespeople who want to scale their business, get projects funded, and learn from folks who've actually walked the job site and built something real. Hosted by Michael Krisa, each episode dives into honest conversations with builders who've figured out how to grow, fail forward, and keep things moving—through systems, smart money, and straight-up grit. If you're building more than just houses—if you're building a real business—this is the show for you. No suits. No filters. Just the stuff that works.

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