Building Dallas

Building Dallas

Stories from the ground to the roof featuring leading Dallas voices in commercial and residential real estate. Presented by Arrington Roofing.

  1. 5h ago

    Building Homes That Last with Billy Rousseau

    He started his construction company in 2010, in the teeth of the worst housing downturn in a generation - and today he still walks every job site himself to pick up nails. In this episode, Reese sits down with Billy Rousseau, Founder of RJA Construction, LLC, a Dallas-based custom home and renovation firm now celebrating 15 years in business and a two-time Remodeler of the Year and McSAM Award winner. Billy traces his path from a Texas Tech business degree he didn't know what to do with, to framing homes as a laborer in the mountains of New Mexico, to building RJA into an award-winning firm that partners with the city's top architects and design groups. Reese and Billy get into when saving a historic Dallas home beats tearing it down, how RJA sources and matches salvaged brick for century-old facades, why cost-plus contracts and contingency budgeting protect clients from surprises, and why Texas' lack of contractor licensing worries him after going through New Mexico's process himself. They also cover the case for trade schools over a four-year degree, the skilled-labor shortage the industry has faced since the 2008 recession, and how faith and servant leadership shape the way Billy runs his company. Full episode + show notes: arringtonroofing.com/buildingdallas TOPICS COVERED: * Starting RJA Construction in 2010, in the middle of the financial crisis * From a Texas Tech business degree to framing homes in New Mexico * Why the construction industry lost a generation of skilled trade talent * The case for trade schools over a four-year degree * Renovate vs. rebuild: when saving a historic Dallas home beats tearing it down * Sourcing and matching salvaged brick for historic renovations * Cost-plus contracts and building in contingency for budget surprises * Why Texas has no contractor licensing, and what that costs homeowners * The Disney Streets whole-home transformation and winning Remodeler of the Year * Faith, servant leadership, and picking up nails on every job site CONNECT WITH BILLY ROUSSEAU: Website: rjadallas.com Instagram: @rjaconstructiondallas Facebook: RJA Construction, LLCLinkedIn: RJA Construction, LLC ABOUT BUILDING DALLAS: Building Dallas is a podcast about the people making our city a better place to build, belong, and become. Produced by Arrington Media  Hosted by Arrington Roofing  (00:00) - Intro: Meet Billy Rousseau, Founder of RJA Construction Dallas (01:38) - From Business Degree to Construction Laborer in New Mexico (04:45) - Moving Back to Dallas & Founding RJA Construction (2010) (08:57) - How the 2008 Recession Reshaped the Construction Industry (11:06) - Trade Schools vs. College: Solving the Skilled Labor Shortage (13:39) - Renovate vs. Rebuild: Saving Dallas's Historic Homes (21:39) - Matching Brick & Sourcing Materials for Custom Renovations (26:02) - Scaling RJA Construction From 2010 Through COVID (37:09) - Cost-Plus Contracts & Managing Budget Surprises (41:30) - The Truth About HGTV: Reality vs. Renovation TV (44:58) - Experience vs. Expertise in Custom Home Renovation (50:47) - Servant Leadership: Why Trust Builds a Construction Business (56:07) - Award-Winning Renovations: McSAM Awards & Remodeler of the Year (59:39) - Case Study: The Disney Streets Home Transformation (01:02:35) - Dallas Home Tours & Preserving Historic Architecture (01:04:34) - Why Texas Needs Contractor Licensing (Lessons from New Mexico) (01:09:33) - Faith, Identity & Walking with God in Business (01:18:36) - What's Next for RJA Construction

    Building Homes That Last with Billy Rousseau
  2. Aug 11

    Jason Nemes Survived, Sobered, and Scaled

    He drove himself to the hospital and died on the table, and it still was not the moment that changed his life. Today, Jason Nemes runs one of the fastest-growing roofing companies in Texas, and he is convinced the same discipline that finally got him sober is exactly what wins in business. In this episode, Reese sits down with Jason Nemes, Founder & CEO of Summit Solutions Roofing and Construction — a two-time heart attack survivor, bestselling author, and TEDx speaker known online as The Tatted Prez. Summit is not yet two years old and already expanding into six states, and Reese and Jason talk about company culture, warranties that actually mean something, and what two decades in network marketing taught him about building a team. Jason opens up about the night in Costa Rica that got him sober for good, the brother he lost to a heroin overdose, and why he thinks a college degree would not have taught him a single thing his own hustle didn't already cover. He and Reese also compare notes on pricing against fly-by-night roofing competitors, why AI is not about to replace a roofer anytime soon, and why he believes there is no such thing as work-life balance in entrepreneurship. Full episode + show notes: [arringtonroofing.com/buildingdallas](https://arringtonroofing.com/buildingdallas/jason-nemes-summit-solutions-roofing-and-construction?utm_source=transistor&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=jason-nemes-summit-solutions-roofing-and-construction&utm_content=show_notes) TOPICS COVERED: * Founding Summit Solutions Roofing and Construction from nothing * Surviving two heart attacks and finding sobriety * Losing his brother to a heroin overdose * Building company culture and hiring the right people * Online reviews, reputation, and the cost of one bad hire * Non-prorated warranties and F-Wave synthetic shingles explained * Pricing against fly-by-night roofing competitors * AI, robots, and the future of the roofing trade * Why there is no such thing as work-life balance in entrepreneurship * Faith, money, and what real success requires CONNECT WITH JASON NEMES: Website: roofsbysummit.com Instagram & TikTok: @TattedPrez (The Tatted Prez) Facebook: Jason Nemes / Summit Solutions Roofing and Construction ABOUT BUILDING DALLAS: Building Dallas is a podcast about the people making our city a better place to build, belong, and become. Produced by Arrington Media Hosted by Arrington Roofing  (00:00) - – Cold Open: "I Died on the Table" (00:41) - – Welcome to Building Dallas + Guest Intro (01:18) - – Why Two Roofing Companies, One Podcast (01:54) - – Why Jason Nemes Got Into Roofing (02:17) - – From Network Marketing to Founding Summit Solutions Roofing (03:46) - – Building Company Culture as a Brand-New Roofing Company (04:46) - – How to Build Trust and Value in the Roofing Industry (06:16) - – Online Reviews and Reputation Management for Roofers (07:46) - – Family, Loss, and Taking Over a Roofing Business (08:48) - – Protecting the Brand: Who Represents Your Company (10:36) - – The Referral That Proved Honesty Pays Off in Roofing (11:16) - – Building the Biggest Roofing Company in America (11:48) - – Expanding to Six States (12:28) - – Going Viral in the Blue-Collar Space (13:11) - – Jason Nemes's Journey to Sobriety (14:19) - – The Heart Attack That Almost Changed Everything (16:17) - – Losing a Brother to a Heroin Overdose (19:54) - – Why Jason Says College Was a Waste of Money (21:11) - – What It Takes to Be a Master Motivator in Sales (22:15) - – Handling Price Objections in Roofing Sales (23:11) - – Prorated vs. Non-Prorated Roofing Warranties Explained (24:17) - – How AI Is Changing the Roofing Industry (26:40) - – Will Robots Replace Roofers? (27:41) - – Scaling a Sales Team Fast (31:31) - – Retail vs. Insurance Roofing Jobs (32:04) - – Roofing Financing Options for Homeowners (32:40) - – F-Wave Synthetic Shingles: Are They Worth It? (34:16) - – Standing Seam Metal Roofing (44:42) - – Why There's No Work-Life Balance in Entrepreneurship (45:42) - – The Truth About Seasonality in Roofing Sales (47:40) - – The KPIs That Actually Matter in Roofing (48:20) - – Harvesting Past Clients for Repeat Business (50:19) - – The Real Overhead Costs of Running a Roofing Company (51:18) - – Should You Ever Rehire an Employee Who Quit? (53:36) - – JobNimbus vs. AccuLynx: Choosing a Roofing CRM (54:26) - – Closing Thoughts and Thank You (55:53) - – From a Trash Bag of Clothes to Eight Figures (56:47) - – Success Is a Choice (57:21) - – Money Doesn't Change You, It Reveals You (58:09) - – Keep God First: Jason's Final Advice

    Jason Nemes Survived, Sobered, and Scaled
  3. Aug 4

    From Fighter Jets to Water Wells - The Reinvention of Flowcore Water CEO Robert Reagan

    He hunted submarines from the sky, helped build self-driving cars at General Motors, and scaled a fintech startup to a 125 million dollar valuation. Today, Robert Reagan pulls water well pumps out of the North Texas ground, and he is convinced the same handful of principles win in every one of those worlds. In this episode, Reese sits down with Robert Reagan, CEO of Flowcore Water, a water well and plumbing company serving the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, to talk about discipline, faith, and what actually builds a business that lasts. Robert opens up about running mission crews on submarine-hunting aircraft off the coast of Libya during the fall of Gaddafi, engineering test vehicles for GM's autonomous vehicle program in the wake of the DARPA challenge, and coming on as employee number three at a Y Combinator-backed mortgage startup that grew from three guys on laptops to a 125 million dollar valuation. He shares why he hires for coachability instead of a perfect resume, how he builds his own talent when the skill does not exist to hire, why he refuses to compete on price, how he uses AI to train technicians and analyze every customer call, and how faith and excellence sit at the same table in the trades. TOPICS COVERED: Hunting submarines and flying missions off the coast of LibyaThe DARPA challenge and how self-driving cars were bornComing out of the Navy and into General Motors and Columbia Business SchoolScaling a fintech mortgage startup to a 125 million dollar valuationWhy you hire for coachability and humility, not a perfect resumeMaking your own talent when you cannot hire the skillFaith, excellence, and glorifying God through your workEscaping the commodity trap and never selling on priceUsing AI to train your team and analyze every customer callWhat is next for Flowcore Water across the Dallas-Fort Worth MetroplexCONNECT WITH ROBERT REAGAN: Website: www.flowcorewater.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-reagan-/ Serving the entire DFW Metroplex from between Keller and Haslet, north of Fort Worth ABOUT BUILDING DALLAS: Building Dallas is a podcast about the people making our city a better place to build, belong, and become. Produced by Arrington Media. Hosted by Arrington Roofing. (00:00) - Cold Open: "Speed Kills" — Why Fast Execution Wins in Business (00:49) - Welcome to Building Dallas: Meet Robert Reagan (01:41) - A 35-Year Friendship: Growing Up Together in Dallas (02:16) - Why Robert Chose the Naval Academy Over Texas A&M (03:45) - Naval Academy Discipline: Leadership Lessons for Business Owners (05:10) - Hunting Submarines: Life as a Naval Flight Officer (08:00) - Combat Missions Off the Coast of Libya (10:24) - From the U.S. Navy to Columbia Business School (11:44) - The GMAT, the MBA Decision, and Landing at General Motors (13:09) - Inside GM's Self-Driving Car Bet and the DARPA Grand Challenge (18:07) - What Is a SPAC? Special Purpose Acquisition Companies Explained (21:48) - Leaving Corporate to Build a Fintech Startup (24:11) - Scaling a Mortgage Startup to a $125 Million Valuation (25:10) - The Operational Challenges of Hypergrowth (30:29) - Using AI to Build Operational Discipline (33:00) - Launching a Water Well and Plumbing Company in DFW (34:16) - Hiring for Personality, Not Experience, in the Trades (39:41) - Ego Is the Ceiling: Humility, Faith, and Chasing Excellence (44:29) - Flowcore vs. Arrington Roofing: Comparing Two Dallas Home-Service Businesses (49:10) - Sales Strategy: Qualifying Buyers and Closing the Deal (56:54) - Six Sigma and Lean Principles Learned at General Motors (01:03:22) - Tracking KPIs in a Venture-Backed Startup (01:07:51) - Water Well, Roofing, or Plumbing: A Day in the Life of a Service Call (01:09:44) - Why Referrals Alone Won't Grow Your Home Service Business (01:12:03) - Marketing in the AI Era: SEO, ChatGPT, and Reddit's New Role (01:16:59) - Plumbing Licensing vs. Roofing: Why One Trade Is Regulated and the Other Isn't (01:24:48) - Where AI Is Headed Next in Home Service Businesses (01:29:08) - AI-Powered Training: Building Your Own Certification Course (01:32:12) - Closing Thoughts: Speed, Discipline, and Winning with AI (01:35:23) - Water Well and Plumbing Services in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area

    From Fighter Jets to Water Wells - The Reinvention of Flowcore Water CEO Robert Reagan
  4. Jul 28

    Why Bill Cawley Never Stopped Building

    He was broke, drunk, and driving Chicago land deals with a truck and a dream. Forty years later, Bill Cawley has built one of Dallas's most prolific commercial real estate firms - and he's convinced the deals were never the point. In this episode, Reese sits down with Bill Cawley, Chairman and CEO of Cawley Partners, to talk about faith, addiction, and building a real estate empire from nothing. Bill opens up about getting sober, the motorcycle accident that led him to Christ, and the 90-day handshake deal that launched his development career with zero dollars down. He also shares how he survived the 2008 financial crisis, why he only invests in what he understands, and what it actually looks like to make amends with the people you've hurt. TOPICS COVERED: Longevity, wellness real estate, and separating real health advice from BSGetting sober and rebuilding a life from the ground upThe Dallas Stars, the Mavericks, and the Luka Dončić tradeFinding faith and sharing it with familyBreaking into commercial real estate with no capitalSurviving the 2008 financial crisisDelegation, "unique ability," and building a business around your strengthsWhat's next for Cawley Partners - Uptown, the Tollway, and Plano CONNECT WITH BILL CAWLEY: Website: www.cawleypartners.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/cawley-partners Also hear Bill as host of TREC's Legends of Commercial Real Estate podcast ABOUT BUILDING DALLAS:Building Dallas is a podcast about the people making our city a better place to build, belong, and become.  Produced by Arrington Media. Hosted by Arrington Roofing. (00:00) - He Gave His Uber Driver Everything in Her Pocket — Here's Why (00:55) - Meet the Man Who's Built 15M+ Sq Ft Across Dallas (01:33) - They Drained His Blood and Put It Back In. Here's What Happened. (03:26) - Bill Cawley's Next Buildings Won't Have Gyms — They'll Have This Instead (04:06) - The One Question That Separates Real Health Advice From BS (05:52) - The Fitness Routine Bill Cawley Won't Give Up (Even at 70) (07:00) - "I Was a Quart of Scotch a Day" — Bill Cawley's Rock Bottom (13:54) - Run Off the Road, Bleeding Out, and Thinking: Where Am I Going? (17:30) - The Pool Cleaner Who Wouldn't Stop Talking About God (19:46) - He Handed His Brother Two Pieces of Paper at the Airport. It Worked. (29:44) - He Left the Family Business for a Vacation Spot. It Changed Everything. (34:46) - No Money, No Experience — Just a 90-Day Handshake Deal (37:06) - The Building No One Thought Would Lease. Two Fortune 500s Signed. (41:46) - He Sat on Bleachers for Four Soccer Practices Just to Land One Deal (45:09) - The 2008 Crash Wiped Him Out — Here's What He Learned (46:54) - "When Everyone's Scared, You Should Be Buying" — Bill Cawley's Playbook (48:26) - No Capital, No Connections? Here's How to Break In Anyway (50:41) - Why Bill Cawley Refuses to Do Anything He's Not Great At (57:00) - The Advice Bill Cawley Wishes Someone Gave Him at 25 (01:01:02) - Going to Three AA Meetings a Day to Stay Sober (01:02:01) - She Wouldn't Speak to Him. He Flew to Chicago Every Week Until She Would. (01:08:04) - How Bill Cawley Fires Someone He Loves Without Losing His Soul (01:09:18) - What He Does Every Time He Rides in an Uber Late at Night (01:12:19) - Bill Cawley Is Busier Now Than Ever — Here's What He's Building Next (01:13:34) - Inside Cawley Partners' Next Bets: Turtle Creek, the Tollway & a Dead Mall (01:14:13) - Is a Stadium Deal Bringing the Dallas Stars to Plano? (01:16:09) - Why Bill Cawley Quit the NBA Cold Turkey Over One Trade (01:16:42) - Closing Thoughts & Goodbye

    Why Bill Cawley Never Stopped Building
  5. 11/20/2025

    Building Dallas #15 Jerry Mooty on Christie's Luxury Real Estate & Building Dallas

    On this episode of Building Dallas, presented by Arrington Roofing, hosts Reese Arrington and Chris Arrington sit down with Jerry Mooty, CEO and principal broker of @properties Lone Star | Christie’s International Real Estate, to talk about what it really takes to build a winning culture in Dallas real estate. From Springfield, Missouri to SMU football, from co-founding McCathern | Mooty to scaling Blue Star Sports with the Dallas Cowboys organization, Jerry’s journey is a masterclass in risk, reinvention, and resilience.  Click here to watch a video of this episode. Jerry shares how “culture eats strategy for lunch,” why he hires for mindset before production, and how his team has grown from just a handful of agents to nearly 300 across DFW and Austin. He opens up about the pressures of big-family expectations, recovering from financial hardship, and building a brokerage where agents “eat what they kill” but still feel truly supported. You’ll also hear how technology and AI in real estate are changing the game, why North Texas remains a magnet for high-net-worth buyers, and where Jerry sees the biggest opportunities in Dallas, Fort Worth, Southlake and Austin over the next few years. And because this is Building Dallas, we connect it all back to the homes themselves—from luxury listings to the Dallas roofers and Roofing Dallas experts who protect those investments from hail, wind, and Texas storm season. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, agent, or homeowner, this conversation will give you a clearer picture of how Christie’s International Real Estate, @properties Lone Star, and Arrington Roofing are all playing a role in building a stronger, smarter North Texas. (00:00) - – Intro & Welcome: From Law to Real Estate (01:30) - – Jerry Mooty’s Journey to SMU and Dallas Roots (03:00) - – Launching @properties and Christie's in Texas (04:45) - – Building the “Love Campaign” and Real Estate Branding (07:00) - – Culture Over Strategy: Building Loyal Teams (10:00) - – Hiring for Values and Coaching Through Conflict (13:00) - – Influences from Jerry’s Grandfather and Service Mindset (15:45) - – How Relationships Drive Real Estate Success (18:30) - – Building Social Capital: Community & Outreach (21:00) - – Teaching Confidence and Sales as a Learned Skill (24:00) - – Partnering Styles and Operating in Your Strengths (27:00) - – Jerry’s Entrepreneurial Start with McCathern Mooty (30:00) - – Launching Blue Star Payments & Cowboys Partnership (33:30) - – Blue Star Sports, Private Equity, and Tech Acquisitions (36:30) - – Exiting, Burnout, and Bouncing Back from Failure (39:00) - – Learning to Let Go of the Rearview Mirror (41:30) - – Family Business, Assistant Impact & Productivity (45:00) - – Vision for Involving His Sons in the Business (48:00) - – Raising Capital: Pitching to VCs & High Net-Worth Investors (51:00) - – Scaling @properties: Agent Growth & Culture Fit (54:00) - – Leadership Questions Jerry Always Asks in Hiring (56:30) - – Morning Routines: Cold Plunges & Productivity (59:30) - – Parenting and Building Strong Father-Son Relationships (01:02:30) - – Entrepreneurial Vision & Rolling Joe’s Beverage Concept (01:05:30) - – Real Estate Investment Fund Plans (01:07:00) - – What Really Drives Jerry Mooty at 56 (01:09:00) - – Creating Room to Think, Boredom & Focus (01:12:00) - – Dallas, Austin, and Fort Worth Market Trends (01:15:00) - – Real Estate Growth Despite Economic Downturn (01:18:00) - – Culture, Collaboration, and Community Impact (01:21:00) - – Final Thoughts: Vision, Values, and What’s Next

    Building Dallas #15 Jerry Mooty on Christie's Luxury Real Estate & Building Dallas
  6. 11/06/2025

    Building Dallas #14: Transforming the Laundry Business with Patrick Elverum

    Fast wash, five-star service, and a purpose-driven culture in Oak Cliff. Operator Patrick Elverum takes us inside Tide Laundromat & Tide Cleaners Dallas and the Oak Cliff launch—smart washers, 400G extraction, spotless spaces, and a “Take Laundry, Give Life” culture. Hosted by Arrington Roofing, serving Dallas & North Texas for 42 years. Operator and entrepreneur Patrick Elverum takes us inside Tide Laundromat & Tide Cleaners in Oak Cliff (Jefferson & Adams)—where smart machines, spotless spaces, and a “Take Laundry, Give Life” culture are redefining laundry in Dallas. We cover site selection, hiring for heart, why 400G spin matters, and the surprising overlap between laundromats and roofing: trust, quality, and a great on-site experience. Plus: Oak Cliff pride, commercial accounts, and scaling from 4 stores toward 30+ across DFW. Quick Links • Tide Laundromat & Tide Cleaners – Dallas • Arrington Roofing (Dallas & North Texas) Chapters 00:00 Welcome & mission: Take Laundry, Give Life 02:00 What Tide is building in Dallas: cleaners + laundromats 04:45 Oak Cliff store: spotless, attended, full-service 09:30 Smart washers: auto-dosed detergent, hotter water, 400G spin 11:30 Faster in, faster out: halving laundry time 13:30 “Nerdy clean”: why suds ≠ clean and how dosing works 15:15 Restoration & specialty textiles (when life happens) 16:45 Roofing × laundry: product, experience, relationship 20:00 Site selection: density, visibility, Oak Cliff pride 23:40 Customer journeys: DIY vs. Wash-Dry-Fold (same-day/next-day) 26:30 Workwear & comfort: cleaning that helps pros feel better on the job 27:45 Construction realities: utilities, permitting, 3-month buildouts 29:40 Culture & hiring: giving life, 5-star service, growth stories 34:45 Capital partners & purpose beyond spreadsheets 40:05 What’s next: growth across the DFW metroplex Guest Patrick Elverum — Operator/owner of Tide Laundromat & Tide Cleaners (Dallas). Former Navy submariner and SaaS leader; husband and father of five. Leads with a clear mission: Take Laundry, Give Life. Presented by Arrington Roofing — 42 years serving Dallas & North Texas. Clean job sites, honest guidance, residential & commercial. Book a roof checkup before the next Texas storm. Learn more

    Building Dallas #14: Transforming the Laundry Business with Patrick Elverum
  7. 11/04/2025

    Building Dallas #13: Rene Gracia Design and Build

    The Art of Home Design: A Journey with Renee Gracia In this episode of Building Dallas, host Chris Arrington sits down with Renee Gracia, the founding principle of RGDB. Renee shares his inspiring journey from his roots in Mexico City to becoming a leading architect and builder in North Texas. Amid personal tales, like a life-changing experience on Mount Kilimanjaro, Renee discusses his passion for 'mindful modern living,' combining architecture, construction, and interiors to create homes that reflect the unique lifestyles of their owners. Learn about the challenges and rewards of designing residential spaces, and how every detail—from the overall architecture to the smallest materials—tells a story. Join us for this in-depth conversation that reveals the heart and soul behind crafting beautifully intentional homes. (00:00) - A Life-Changing Encounter on Kilimanjaro (01:02) - Welcome to Building Dallas (02:01) - Meet Renee Gracia: From Mexico City to Dallas (03:47) - Renee's Journey: Education and Early Career (07:53) - The Shift to Residential Architecture (18:54) - A New Beginning: Designing a Home in Dallas (27:18) - The Philosophy of Mindful Modern Living (34:14) - Finding Joy in Construction (34:54) - The Importance of Relationships on the Job Site (36:14) - The Art of Skilled Trades (39:12) - Challenges in Modern Architecture (51:18) - The Role of Mentors and Inspirations (01:00:14) - Advice for Aspiring Architects (01:09:30) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    Building Dallas #13: Rene Gracia Design and Build

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Stories from the ground to the roof featuring leading Dallas voices in commercial and residential real estate. Presented by Arrington Roofing.