The Why We Build Podcast!

Greg Woleck & Remodelers Advantage
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On The Why We Build Podcast, our mission is to empower motivated remodeling & building professionals with valuable insights, practical tips, and inspiring stories. Through engaging discussions and expert interviews, the podcast aims to foster collaboration, improve processes, and build stronger teams by sharing the stories of the people who make it all possible. Our vision is to become the go-to resource for remodeling & building professionals, creating a community where production and design teams thrive through shared knowledge, collaboration, and inspiration. We strive to elevate the industry by promoting sustainable innovation, efficiency, and a passion for building better spaces with stronger teams. And more than anything we want to hear and tell the stories of the people that make it all happen. https://remodelersadvantage.com/about-us/staff/greg-woleck/?contact=GWoleck

  1. Building the Future Workforce: Why Shop Class Still Matters with Noah Hughes

    4d ago

    Building the Future Workforce: Why Shop Class Still Matters with Noah Hughes

    In an industry constantly talking about the labor shortage, it's easy to focus on the problem and miss the people creating solutions. This week, Greg sits down with Noah Hughes, a carpentry and Career & Technical Education (CTE) teacher at Caroline High School in Virginia, to discuss the critical role shop classes play in developing the next generation of skilled trades professionals. Noah shares his unconventional journey from framing houses, trim carpentry, and running construction businesses to becoming a high school teacher. Along the way, he discovered a new mission: helping students see the trades as a viable, rewarding career path while creating meaningful connections between classrooms and the construction industry. The conversation explores the misconceptions surrounding the trades, the importance of making shop class visible, and why builders, remodelers, and industry leaders need to play an active role in supporting local CTE programs. Noah also shares practical ways companies can get involved, whether through guest speaking, mentoring, internships, or simply showing students what a successful career in construction can look like. If you've ever wondered where the next generation of builders will come from, this episode offers both hope and a challenge: stop waiting for someone else to solve the workforce problem and become part of the solution. In This Episode Why Noah left contracting to become a high school carpentry teacherHow modern CTE and shop programs are preparing students for real careersThe biggest misconceptions parents and educators still have about the tradesWhy students are eager to learn from industry professionalsThe importance of industry partnerships and community involvementHow social media is helping make shop class visible againLessons learned from building Habitat for Humanity homes with studentsThe role AI may play in the future of construction educationWhy companies that invest in young people today will lead the industry tomorrowPractical ways builders and remodelers can support local trade education programsResources & Links Follow Noah Hughes on Instagram: @we_learn_buildingListen to the Four Man PodcastLearn more about Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs in your local communityConnect with your local high school's shop or vocational programConnect With The Why We Build Podcast If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a builder, remodeler, educator, or industry leader who cares about developing the next generation of skilled trades professionals. The future workforce isn't someone else's responsibility. It's ours. And it starts by showing up. #WhyWeBuild #ConstructionLeadership #SkilledTrades #CTE #TradeEducation #WorkforceDevelopment #ConstructionCareers #RemodelingIndustry #ShopClass #FutureBuilders

    44 min
  2. The Cost of Keeping the Wrong Person

    Jun 1

    The Cost of Keeping the Wrong Person

    In this episode of The Why We Build Podcast, Greg tackles one of the hardest leadership decisions in remodeling: knowing when it is time to move on from an underperforming team member. This conversation is not about blame. It is about clarity. Many owners already know the decision they need to make, but fear, timing, sunk cost, and self-doubt keep them stuck. Greg breaks down the real cost of waiting, including lost productivity, management time, team morale, client risk, and cultural damage. In this episode: Why owners delay hard personnel decisionsThe hidden financial cost of keeping the wrong personHow underperformance affects your best peopleWarning signs that the decision has already been madeHow to have the conversation with honesty and dignityWhy moving on cleanly protects your cultureKey Takeaway: The cost of keeping the wrong person is rarely just one salary. It is financial, operational, emotional, and cultural. Strong leaders do not make perfect hires. They recognize when something is not working, act with integrity, and protect the team. Best Quote: “Your standard will only elevate to the worst possible behavior you will tolerate.”

    9 min
  3. More Than the Build: The Human Side of Remodeling with Mike Whalen

    May 26

    More Than the Build: The Human Side of Remodeling with Mike Whalen

    In this episode of The Why We Build Podcast, Greg sits down with longtime lead carpenter and industry leader Mike Whalen for an honest conversation about what remodeling really demands from the people doing the work. This isn’t just a conversation about tile layouts, production schedules, or project management systems. It’s about the human side of remodeling. The part that often gets overlooked. Mike shares his journey from building tree forts as a kid to working in commercial construction, running his own company, and eventually finding a long-term home at DBS Remodel, where he has spent more than two decades helping shape projects, teams, and company culture. Together, Greg and Mike explore: Why remodeling is as emotional as it is technicalThe importance of communication and empathy on the jobsiteManaging client expectations during stressful projectsThe balance between craftsmanship and customer experienceWhat separates healthy remodeling companies from unhealthy onesHow leadership evolves from “bags on” production to strategic thinkingThe role of organizational culture in long-term successWhy continuing education transformed Mike’s careerThe impact of industry communities like JLC LiveMike also shares practical insight into: Leading monthly production meetingsUsing client feedback to improve communicationReading client personalities and stress levelsManaging trade partner relationshipsHandling recurring project challengesMaintaining craftsmanship while scaling leadership responsibilitiesOne of the biggest themes in this episode is that great remodeling professionals are not just builders. They are guides, communicators, problem-solvers, and leaders helping clients navigate deeply personal experiences inside their homes. This episode is a reminder that success in remodeling is not just about technical excellence. It is about how you show up for people.

    43 min
  4. Why Skilled Trades Are the Future: Alvin Townley on Scholarships, Workforce Gaps, and Building a Skilled Nation

    May 11

    Why Skilled Trades Are the Future: Alvin Townley on Scholarships, Workforce Gaps, and Building a Skilled Nation

    In this episode of The Why We Build Podcast, host Greg Woleck talks with Alvin Townley, CEO of Skilled Nation, about the future of skilled trades, workforce development, and why career pathways in the trades deserve more respect, visibility, and support. For years, the common message around success was simple: go to college, get a degree, and follow the traditional path. For some people, that path works. But for many others, it can lead to debt, uncertainty, and work that does not feel meaningful. At the same time, industries like construction, remodeling, manufacturing, transportation, energy, and home services continue to need skilled people who can build, fix, install, create, and solve real problems. Alvin shares how Skilled Nation is working to close that gap by providing scholarships for people pursuing training in high-demand skilled careers. These scholarships help cover more than tuition. They can also help with tools, transportation, childcare, and other real-life barriers that often prevent people from completing training. Greg and Alvin also discuss the perception problem facing the trades. Too often, skilled careers are treated like a backup plan instead of a smart, honorable, and profitable path. But that conversation is beginning to change. More parents, students, educators, and employers are starting to recognize that skilled work offers dignity, stability, purpose, and opportunity. The conversation also explores the impact of AI, the importance of better storytelling, and the responsibility industry leaders have to help build a stronger talent pipeline for the future. Key Takeaways The skilled trades are not a backup plan. They are honorable, needed, and often highly rewarding careers. The workforce gap is also an awareness gap. Many people simply do not understand the opportunities available in skilled careers. Scholarships can remove real barriers. For many students, the issue is not motivation. It is affordability and access. Industry has a responsibility to help build the pipeline. Employers, educators, foundations, and trade partners all benefit when more people are trained and connected to meaningful work. Technology will change the trades, but it will not eliminate the need for skilled people. AI may reshape the workforce, but hands-on skilled careers remain essential. Featured Guest Alvin Townley is the CEO of Skilled Nation, an organization focused on expanding access to skilled career training through scholarships and industry partnerships. Alvin is a social entrepreneur, author, fundraising executive, and storyteller who is passionate about helping people discover meaningful opportunities and build better futures through skilled careers. Why This Episode Matters For those of us in remodeling and construction, this conversation hits close to home. We do not just need more workers. We need more people who can see a future in this work. That means better messaging. Better pathways. Better support. And a stronger commitment from business owners, educators, and industry leaders to tell the story of the trades with the respect it deserves. The future of remodeling depends on the people willing to build, fix, solve, lead, and carry the work forward. Resources Mentioned Skilled Nation skilled-nation.org Partners mentioned include The Home Depot Foundation, 3M, DeWalt, Ford Philanthropy, GE Vernova Foundation, Schneider Electric, Norfolk Southern, PulteGroup, Ball Corporation, and others.

    36 min
  5. Building the Future: Gregg Helmich on Trades Education, Mentorship, and the Power of Showing Up

    May 4

    Building the Future: Gregg Helmich on Trades Education, Mentorship, and the Power of Showing Up

    In this episode of The Why We Build Podcast, Greg Woleck talks with Gregg Helmich, Building Trades Associate Professor at North Iowa Area Community College, about trades education, mentorship, industry partnerships, gratitude, and developing the next generation of craftspeople. Gregg shares how his love for building began as a child, working beside his father, tearing down old barns, straightening nails, reusing lumber, and helping build an A-frame cabin with hand tools. Those early experiences gave him a lasting appreciation for craft, usefulness, and the pride that comes from making something with your own hands. He also reflects on the shop teachers who shaped him. They gave him extra time, saw potential in him, and made the shop feel like a place where he belonged. That same spirit now shows up in the way Gregg teaches and mentors his own students. A major thread in the conversation is the challenge and value of trades education today. Gregg talks about the difficulty of measuring hands-on learning, assessing soft skills, and balancing curriculum standards with the real-world nature of job-site training. He also shares his vision for an ideal program: a large facility where students could build full homes indoors, work from permanent mockups, and learn in a more controlled environment. Gregg and Greg also dig into job-site culture. Employers want technical ability, but they also need people who are willing to learn, work safely, clean up, support the team, and bring humility to the job. Gregg models that by working alongside his students, even in the simple tasks. One of the strongest parts of the episode is Gregg’s approach to industry partnerships. He explains how a fun student idea involving a rewritten Brooks & Dunn song led to a major Makita tool donation, and how that moment helped him see the power of intentional relationships. Since then, Gregg has helped build partnerships that have brought more than $1.7 million in equipment and in-kind support to the program. The conversation also touches on social media, generosity, and the importance of giving back. Gregg’s “attitude of gratitude” is clear in how he thanks partners, promotes their work, and continues nurturing relationships long after a donation or event. Key Takeaways The next generation does not happen by accident. People enter the trades because someone encouraged them, taught them, and helped them see what was possible. Trades education is about more than technical skill. Students need safety, communication, humility, teamwork, and a willingness to keep learning. Mentorship matters. Gregg was shaped by teachers who saw something in him, and now he is doing the same for others. Partnerships work best when they are relational. The strongest industry partnerships are built on mutual value, trust, gratitude, and long-term connection. Generosity has a ripple effect. When companies invest in students and educators, they help build the future workforce and strengthen the industry. About Gregg Helmich Gregg Helmich is a Building Trades Associate Professor at North Iowa Area Community College. Over his career in trades education, he has helped prepare students for careers in construction by combining hands-on skill development, leadership, soft skills, and meaningful industry partnerships. Outside the classroom, Gregg is also a musician, worship leader, woodworker, and custom guitar builder. Closing Thought This conversation is a reminder that the future of remodeling and construction depends on people who are willing to invest before there is an immediate return. The next generation needs skill, but they also need access, encouragement, relationships, and people who care enough to show up.

    36 min
  6. From Corporate Comfort to Remodeling Reality with Corey Plourde

    Apr 27

    From Corporate Comfort to Remodeling Reality with Corey Plourde

    In this episode of The Why We Build Podcast, Greg talks with Corey of Core Remodeling Services about leaving a stable corporate career, starting as a handyman business, and growing into a remodeling company. Corey shares the real story behind the leap: the early momentum, the pressure of being underfunded, the challenge of building a team, and the moment he realized he had hit the wall as an owner. The conversation digs into leadership, profitability, peer accountability, learning the numbers, working with family, and what it takes to build a company that can grow beyond the owner. This episode is a great listen for remodelers who are trying to move from survival mode to a more intentional, profitable, and sustainable business. Topics include: Leaving corporate America to start a remodeling businessThe early challenges of building Core Remodeling ServicesHitting the wall as a business ownerLearning what you don’t knowThe value of peer groups and accountabilityBuilding a family businessMoving from revenue growth to real profitabilityConnect with Corey: Corey@coreremodelingservices.com coreremodelingservices.com

    38 min
  7. Why More Revenue Is Not Always the Answer with Steve Heintzelman

    Apr 6

    Why More Revenue Is Not Always the Answer with Steve Heintzelman

    In this episode of The Why We Build Podcast, Greg sits down with Steve Heintzelman, owner of Odyssey Financial and Accounting Solutions, for a practical conversation about one of the biggest traps in remodeling and construction: assuming more revenue will solve every problem. They dig into what really happens when a business feels busy but still feels tight, and why growth alone cannot fix weak financial systems. Steve shares his path from Ernst & Young to starting Odyssey, along with the influence of growing up around both a family lumber business and entrepreneurship. That background shaped the way he works with owners today, especially in construction, where cash flow, job costing, and financial visibility can make or break the business. A big theme in this conversation is the difference between bookkeeping and financial visibility. Steve explains that clean books are only the beginning. The real value comes when owners and leaders use those numbers to make better decisions, consistently review job performance, and close the feedback loop between operations and finance. Greg and Steve also discuss the warning signs owners should watch for, especially when the P&L says one thing but the bank account tells a different story. They discuss accounts receivable, underbilling, messy invoicing, weak job costing, and why the balance sheet is often the most overlooked but most revealing financial report in the business. The episode also explores what profitable construction firms tend to do differently. Steve points to consistent review rhythms, simplified systems, strong feedback loops, and the discipline to follow the process rather than constantly making exceptions. He makes the case that strong financial systems are not just compliance tools. They are value drivers that improve profitability, reduce stress, and increase the company's long-term value. The conversation wraps with a lighter round of rapid-fire questions covering job costing cadence, common bad habits, lessons from golf and the lumber business, and the financial superpower Steve wishes every owner had. It is a grounded, useful episode for owners, production leaders, and managers who want to run a healthier, more profitable company with less guesswork. About the Guest Steve Heintzelman is the owner of Odyssey Financial and Accounting Solutions. He founded Odyssey in 2022 to help business owners gain the financial support, clarity, and insight they need to run stronger, more profitable businesses. Before launching Odyssey, Steve worked at Ernst & Young, where he earned his CPA and gained experience auditing companies ranging from startups to billion-dollar enterprises. Today, he works closely with construction businesses, especially builders and remodelers, helping them improve job costing, accounting processes, and financial decision-making. Key Takeaways: More revenue is not always the answer when a business is tight on cash. Weak job costing, unclear margins, poor invoicing, and messy financial processes can all hide underneath top-line growth. Steve makes the point that owners need more than bookkeeping. They need clean information, consistent review, and the discipline to use their numbers as a management tool. Greg also highlights two themes that stood out in the conversation: simplification and the feedback loop. Both are essential if companies want to improve profitability and stop repeating the same mistakes from job to job. Connect with Steve. Steve can be found at Odyssey Financial and Accounting Solutions (OdysseyFAS.com) and on LinkedIn, where he spends most of his time.

    43 min
  8. When Growth Gets Heavy: Using EOS to Build a Stronger Business with Eliot Wajskol

    Mar 30

    When Growth Gets Heavy: Using EOS to Build a Stronger Business with Eliot Wajskol

    Episode Summary Growth can look good from the outside while creating strain inside the business. More jobs, more people, and more moving parts often still run through the owner. In this episode, Greg talks with Eliot Wajskol, Certified EOS Implementer with EOS Worldwide, about why growth gets harder, where businesses start to break down, and how EOS helps bring more clarity, accountability, and traction. Eliot shares practical insight on leadership teams, right people in the right seats, meeting discipline, and how a stronger operating system can help owners step out of the day to day without losing momentum. In This Episode Early signs growth is outpacing the ownerWhy owners become the bottleneckThe six key EOS componentsHow accountability and culture connectWhy the Level 10 Meeting mattersSelf-implementation versus working with an implementerHow better systems create more freedomAbout the Guest Eliot Wajskol is a Certified EOS Implementer with EOS Worldwide and a former founder and operator with more than 25 years of experience. He has built and scaled multiple businesses and now helps leadership teams create stronger structure, clearer accountability, and healthier growth. Key Takeaways Growth creates complexity faster than many owners expectEffort alone eventually stops workingThe bottleneck is often at the topCore values only matter if they are truly usedGreat meetings help teams solve real problemsSystems should reduce chaos, not create rigidityResources Mentioned EOS WorldwideTractionGet A GripPeopleFight Less, Win MoreConnect with Eliot Wajskol EOS Worldwide Implementer Page: https://implementer.eosworldwide.com/eliot-wajskol/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliotwajskol/Closing Thought If your company is growing but still depends too heavily on you, this episode offers a practical look at how better structure, clearer roles, and stronger leadership habits can help you scale with less chaos.

    50 min
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On The Why We Build Podcast, our mission is to empower motivated remodeling & building professionals with valuable insights, practical tips, and inspiring stories. Through engaging discussions and expert interviews, the podcast aims to foster collaboration, improve processes, and build stronger teams by sharing the stories of the people who make it all possible. Our vision is to become the go-to resource for remodeling & building professionals, creating a community where production and design teams thrive through shared knowledge, collaboration, and inspiration. We strive to elevate the industry by promoting sustainable innovation, efficiency, and a passion for building better spaces with stronger teams. And more than anything we want to hear and tell the stories of the people that make it all happen. https://remodelersadvantage.com/about-us/staff/greg-woleck/?contact=GWoleck

Information

  • Creator
    Greg Woleck & Remodelers Advantage
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Remodelers Advantage & Greg Woleck
  • Show Website
    The Why We Build Podcast!

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