Just Make It Pretty

Sarah Haynes
  • 5.0 (2)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The slightly unhinged marketing podcast for homebuilders and beyond! It’s bold. It’s unfiltered. And if you’re in marketing, sales, OSC, or leadership in the homebuilding industry (or beyond), this podcast will shake things up in the best way. 💡 This podcast is for the ones who know that marketing is more than “just making it pretty.” It’s for the strategic thinkers, the problem-solvers, the ones who are tired of surface-level conversations and are ready for real talk about what actually works. If you're a home builder, or around home building marketing, you're going to love this podcast!

  1. FEB 11

    The Buyer Experience Builders Don’t Realize They’re Creating with Nate Edwards

    Builders put enormous effort into creating great experiences, yet many buyers still feel confused, overwhelmed, or disconnected once they’re under contract. Why does that gap exist? In this episode of Just Make It Pretty, Sarah sits down with Nate Edwards, Co-Founder and Head of Strategic Partnerships at Virtuo, to explore the buyer experience builders don’t always realize they’re creating. Drawing from Nate’s background in corporate relocation andhomeowner experience, this conversation looks at the homebuying journey through the buyer’s eyes. Together, Sarah and Nate unpack how internal processes, handoffs, and well-intentioned systems can quietly shape buyer trust,confidence, and perception often without anyone meaning to create friction. This episode is less about fixing one big problem and moreabout noticing the small disconnects that compound over time and how empathy, alignment, and clarity can fundamentally change the ownership experience. In this episode, we cover: What the homebuying process actually feels like for buyers after they’re under contractWhere confusion and anxiety most commonly show up in the journeyWhy builders often underestimate the emotional weight of this phaseHow internal misalignment quietly shows up for buyersThe small moments that have the biggest impact on trustWhy clarity inside teams creates confidence for buyersHow shifting perspective can improve the entire ownership experienceConnect with Nate: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-edwards-54596519/ Virtuo: https://www.virtuo.com/ Email: nate@virtuo.com

    30 min

  2. FEB 4

    How Young Professionals Are Redefining Leadership Norms with Emily Studenmund

    A new generation of leaders is changing how teams are led, supported, and motivated. In this episode, Sarah sits down with Emily Studenmund to talk about what it really looks like to lead as a young professional in a high-responsibility role. This conversation explores how Emily has challenged traditional leadership norms, earned trust and credibility, and built a leadership style rooted in clarity, empathy, and confidence, without burning out or trying to fit outdated molds. In this episode, we cover: What it’s like stepping into leadership early in your career How younger leaders are redefining credibility and trust Pushing back on “this is how it’s always been done” thinking Leading with communication, empathy, and accountability Balancing approachability with clear expectations Why effective leadership today looks different than it did even five years ago This episode is for emerging leaders, marketing professionals, and anyone navigating leadership while questioning the old rules. Connect with Emily Studenmund: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-studenmund/

    29 min

  3. JAN 28

    How VR and Visualization Are Redefining Builder Marketing with Nathan Nasseri

    What if buyers could feel connected to a home beforeit’s ever built? In this episode of Just Make It Pretty, Sarah sits down with Nathan Nasseri, founder of ResVR, to explore howvisualization, VR, and immersive technology are reshaping the way buyers discover, connect with, and purchase homes. This conversation goes beyond renderings and floor plans.Nathan breaks down how immersive experiences influence buyer confidence, emotion, and trust, and why visualization is no longer just a marketing tool, but a core part of the buyer journey. From selling homes that don’t yet exist to blending data with storytelling, this episode looks at where buildermarketing has been, where it is now, and where it’s headed next. If you’re a builder, marketer, or sales leader thinking about the future of buyer experience, this episode offers a clear and grounded look at how technology and humanity can work together. In this episode, we cover: How visualization in homebuilding has evolved over the past decadeWhy immersive experiences are changing buyer expectationsThe emotional impact of seeing and experiencing a home before it’s builtHow VR and visualization help buyers feel confident in their decisionsWhy connecting visualization to data matters for trust and accuracyWhat the future of virtual home design and buyer interaction looks likeHow builders can adopt new technology without losing the human touch Connect with Nathan & ResVR: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathannasseri/ Website: https://resvr.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ResVR_

    36 min

  4. JAN 21

    Marketing for Salespeople with Amanda Sheehan

    What if your personal brand is actually your strongest sales strategy? In this episode of Just Make It Pretty, Sarah sits down with Amanda Sheehan, Director of Sales at Bloomfield Homes and creator of the Homegirl Huddle newsletter, to talk about why visibility, authenticity, and consistency matter more than ever for sales professionals. Amanda shares her honest journey from resisting marketing to embracing it and how showing up imperfectly online helped her build trust, confidence, and real connection. Together, Sarah and Amanda unpack what personal branding actually means for salespeople and how thinking like a marketer can open doors without feeling self-promotional. This conversation is especially relevant for sales leaders, marketers, and anyone in a traditional industry who knows they should be visible but isn’t sure where to start. In this episode, we cover: Why so many salespeople resist personal branding (and what changes that mindset) How to show up online without feeling awkward or “salesy” The difference between marketing yourself and building genuine connection Common misconceptions about personal branding in sales How visibility can shift confidence, leadership presence, and team culture What leaders should consider when encouraging their teams to build a voice online One small, practical step you can take today to start building your brand Connect with Amanda: Homegirl Huddle newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/home-girl-huddle-7292945602244435968/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-sheehan-tague/

    46 min

  5. JAN 14

    Leadership, Motherhood, and Choosing Yourself with Morgan Lurz

    In this episode of Just Make It Pretty, Sarah sits down with Morgan Lurz, President of Cannonball Moments for an honest conversation about stepping into leadership roles you never expected, especially as a woman in a male-dominated industry. They talk about the moments that shape confidence, the internal work required to claim your seat at the table, and the courage it takes to redefine success on your own terms. In this episode, we talk about: Career pivots and saying yes before you feel ready Learning to trust yourself in rooms where you once felt unqualified The role mentorship and perspective shifts play in growth Balancing leadership, ambition, and motherhood Why self-awareness and courage matter more than perfection How redefining success can change everything Connect with Morgan: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-lurz-670579173/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morg0127/ Website: https://cannonballmoments.com/ Email: morgan@cannonballmoments.com

    37 min

  6. JAN 7

    Standing Out in a Sea of Sameness with Mick Fabar

    When every builder says they offer “quality, service, andvalue,” how do you actually stand out? In this episode of Just Make It Pretty, Sarah sits down with Mick Fabar, founder of Green Homes, to talk about what real differentiation looks like in an industry that’s been saying the same things for decades. Mick shares how Green Homes is changing the conversationaround sustainability by making energy-efficient building simpler, more accessible, and more profitable for builders. From debunking the myth that green building is expensive or complicated to exploring why buyers are craving something genuinely different, this conversation challenges long-heldassumptions in homebuilding. If you’re a builder, marketer, or industry leader who’s tired of blending in, this episode offers a practical mindset shift and a clearer path forward, one that proves homes can look good and do good. In this episode, we cover: Why most builders struggle todifferentiate and what’s driving industry samenessThe disconnect between what buyerssay they want and what builders deliverHow Green Homes simplifiessustainability for builders and buyersWhy energy efficiency doesn’t haveto mean higher costs or added complexityWhere U.S. builders are missingmajor opportunities compared to global marketsHow marketing plays a criticalrole in helping buyers understand real valueLeadership lessons from scaling aninnovative model in a traditional industry Connect with Mick: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickfabar/ Green Homes: https://ghbuildersusa.com/

    45 min

  7. 12/10/2025

    Episode 33: Confidence in the Chaos: Leadership, Anxiety, and Hospitality with Jenna Skuza

    Leadership is not about being fearless. It is about staying steady when everything around you feels loud and overwhelming. In this episode, Sarah talks with Jenna Skuza, VP of Sales and Marketing at M/I Homes Tennessee, about the emotional side of leadership that most people never see. They explore how to stay grounded during moments of anxiety, how to lead with warmth and hospitality, and why emotional regulation shapes the way people experience us at work. This is a relatable, honest conversation for anyone navigating the pressure of leadership. Connect with Jenna:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-skuza/

    44 min

  8. 12/03/2025

    Episode 32: How Builders Can Stand Out in a Sea of Homes with Marisa Kennerson

    In a world where buyers scroll past hundreds of homes beforeever speaking to a sales team, your online listing is your firstimpression. So how do you make that moment count? In this episode, Sarah sits down with Marisa Kennerson,National Account Director of New Construction at Realtor.com, to talk about how builders can create listings that actually stop the scroll and motivate buyersto take action. From photo strategy to content gaps to data insights, Marisa brings years of national-level experience and breaks down what really separates high-performing listings from everything else in the market. Whether you are a builder, marketer, or sales leader, thisconversation will help you rethink how you present your communities online and how small improvements can create big movement in buyer engagement.   In this episode, we cover: ·  Why Listings Matter More Than Ever ·   How to Build a Better Listing ·   Smarter Targeting and Data Insights PLUS Practical Takeaways • The one thing builders should fix first• Tools and resources to benchmark what “good” looks like• How to refine your listing strategy even with limited time   Realtor.com Research:https://www.realtor.com/researchConnect with Marisa: marisa.kennerson@realtor.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/marisakennerson/ Enjoying the show? Subscribe, share it with someone in the industry, and tag uswhen you listen. Your support helps us bring more conversations like this to the builder community. New episodes drop every Wednesday!

    27 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The slightly unhinged marketing podcast for homebuilders and beyond! It’s bold. It’s unfiltered. And if you’re in marketing, sales, OSC, or leadership in the homebuilding industry (or beyond), this podcast will shake things up in the best way. 💡 This podcast is for the ones who know that marketing is more than “just making it pretty.” It’s for the strategic thinkers, the problem-solvers, the ones who are tired of surface-level conversations and are ready for real talk about what actually works. If you're a home builder, or around home building marketing, you're going to love this podcast!

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Haynes
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Sarah Haynes
  • Show Website
    Just Make It Pretty