The Build Line | Construction and Entrepreneurship

Heather Tankersley & Jerry Brewer
  • 5.0 (17)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Biweekly

Nobody teaches you how to run a construction business. You figure it out the hard way, usually by losing money, losing sleep, or losing good people before you finally find your footing. Heather Tankersley co-owns a luxury residential construction company. Jerry Brewer has spent decades as a drywall subcontractor. Between them they've lived most of what you're dealing with. The Build Line is where they talk about it honestly, without the polish, without the spin. New episodes every Tuesday.

  1. 1d ago

    E19: The Hardest Skill in Construction Isn’t Construction With Jennifer Edwards

    Episode 19 of The Build Line Podcast turns into a much deeper conversation than construction and business alone. Hosts Heather Tankersley of Tankersley Build Co. and Jerry Brewer sit down with Jennifer Edwards to talk about communication, structure, leadership, relationships, and the psychology behind how people operate at a high level. The conversation explores why the brain craves clear expectations, how structure actually creates more freedom, and why emotional intelligence and communication are becoming some of the most valuable skills in business today. Heather shares how parenting mirrors leadership inside a company, Jennifer explains why people perform better when expectations are clearly defined, and Jerry opens up about discomfort, growth, and learning to navigate different rooms and personalities. This episode covers: • Why structure reduces stress and improves performance • The connection between communication and leadership • Why people resist uncomfortable conversations and growth • How clear expectations create trust with clients and employees • The psychology behind routines, habits, and accountability • Why emotional intelligence matters more than ever in business • How successful people optimize their mornings, schedules, and energy • The role curiosity plays in communication and relationships • Why the best leaders know how to adapt to different personalities If you are a contractor, entrepreneur, leader, or someone trying to improve how you communicate and show up for others, this episode is a candid conversation about the human side of performance, relationships, and business growth. Special thanks to our episode sponsors: Buildertrend https://www.buildertrend.com Build Bar https://www.build-bar.com Panoramic Doors https://panoramicdoors.com Stream Episode 19 now. Where to find Jennifer: Website: https://howtobridgethegap.com/about-us/about-jennifer/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-edwards-hbg/

    1h 18m

  2. May 19

    E18: Why Contractors Lie to Win Jobs and Why It Always Backfires

    Episode 18 of The Build Line Podcast dives into one of the biggest problems in construction: telling clients what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear. Hosts Heather Tankersley of Tankersley Build Co. and Jerry Brewer break down the real cost of unrealistic budgets, impossible timelines, and cutting corners just to win a project. They share firsthand stories about losing jobs by being honest, why some contractors overpromise early, and how those decisions almost always catch up to the client later. This episode covers: • Why clients are naturally drawn to the lowest bid and fastest promise • The long term damage caused by unrealistic expectations • Why honest conversations often lose early but win long term • The difference between pre qualifying and pre judging clients • How experienced contractors communicate realistic budgets without killing the relationship • Why trust becomes one of the most valuable assets in construction If you are a contractor, business owner, or homeowner navigating a construction project, this episode is a candid conversation about why honesty matters more than ever in today’s market. Special thanks to our episode sponsors: Buildertrend https://www.buildertrend.com Build Bar https://www.build-bar.com Panoramic Doors https://panoramicdoors.com

    1h 4m

  3. May 12 ·  Bonus

    E17: Your Bank Account is Your Scorecard - and Why You're Losing - With Tom Reber

    Tom Reber from The Contractor Fight joins The Build Line for a blunt conversation about the uncomfortable truths contractors need to face around margins, money, mindset, and growth. Heather, Jerry, and Tom get into revenue versus profit, why being busy does not mean being profitable, how contractors underprice out of fear, and why your bank account is one of the clearest scoreboards in your business. This episode covers pricing, sales, cash flow, job costing, labor burden, client boundaries, and the head trash that keeps contractors playing small. If you are growing fast but still feel broke, defending your price, avoiding your numbers, or wondering why the business feels harder than it should, this one is worth the listen. Special thanks to our episode sponsors: Buildertrend https://www.buildertrend.com Build Bar https://www.build-bar.com Panoramic Doors https://panoramicdoors.com Find Tom: https://thecontractorfight.com/

    1h 9m

  4. May 5

    E16: Why A Players Quit Construction Companies - And How to Keep Them

    What does it actually take to build a strong management team in construction—and why do so many owners struggle to find great leaders? In this episode of The Build Line, we break down the real reason most companies can’t attract or retain high-level managers. It’s not a recruiting issue. It’s a leadership issue. The best operators evaluate your business before they ever consider joining it—and if there’s no clarity, discipline, or direction, they’re out. This conversation is about raising the standard—starting with yourself. We dig into what strong leadership actually looks like under pressure and why your habits set the ceiling for your entire organization. From there, we unpack why resumes can be misleading, how to spot true ownership and hunger in candidates, and what separates operators who drive results from those who just participate. We get into: What top-level managers are really evaluating before they join your companyWhy most hiring processes fail to identify ownership and accountabilityHow to distinguish polish from real hunger in interviewsWhat it takes to intentionally develop leaders instead of hoping they emergeHow to create accountability without killing cultureWhy many owners become the bottleneck—and how to fix itIf you’re trying to build a company that can run without you, this episode is a direct look at what’s required—and where most owners fall short. No shortcuts. No theory. Just how it actually works.

    1h 12m

  5. Apr 21

    E15: The Psychology Behind Million Dollar Advertising With Anh Phoong

    Everybody knows the name. Not everybody understands the business behind it. In this episode of The Build Line, we sit down with Anh Phoong, one of the most recognizable personal brands in Sacramento, to break down what it actually took to build it. From starting out with nothing but grit and showing up face to face in the community, to becoming a household name through bold marketing and consistency, Anh shares what most people never see. The early work, the risk of putting your name on the business, and the pressure that comes with it. We also get into what happens after the growth. Building systems to support scale, expanding into new markets like Houston, and why more opportunity doesn’t fix broken operations, it exposes them. This conversation goes beyond marketing. It’s about responsibility, leadership, and not forgetting where you came from. Anh opens up about her family’s experience immigrating to the United States and how the Sacramento community shaped her commitment to giving back. If you’re a business owner trying to grow, build a real brand, or scale without losing what made you successful in the first place, this one hits. In this episode, we cover: • Building a personal brand with intention • The reality of running a business with your name on it • Marketing that actually drives growth, not just attention • Scaling systems and expanding into new markets • Community, philanthropy, and long term impact The Build Line is about real conversations with real operators. What’s working, what’s not, and what we all wish we knew sooner. Official Website: https://phoonglaw.com Instagram (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/anhphoong/ Instagram (Phoong Law): https://www.instagram.com/phoonglaw/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/phoong-law

    1h 12m

  6. Apr 7

    E14: Why Most Builders Never Break Into Ultra Luxury with David Kasavan

    What does it really take to break into ultra luxury construction markets like Pebble Beach and Carmel? In this episode of The Build Line, we sit down with David Kasavan, founder of Kasavan Construction, to talk about the real path from early hustle to building a company in some of the most competitive and relationship driven markets in the country. This is not about overnight success. It is about risk, visibility, leadership, and the moments that either push you forward or almost take you out. David shares what the early days actually looked like before the brand, the momentum, and the high end projects and the decisions that helped him earn trust in markets where reputation is everything. We get into: What it actually takes to break into ultra luxury and legacy marketsThe risks and decisions that almost broke the business and the ones that changed everythingHow trust is built with high net worth clients where expectations are higher and margins for error are smallerThe role of visibility and social media in creating opportunity and authorityLeadership lessons from scaling a company under pressureIf you are trying to move into bigger projects, better clients, and higher level work, this episode gives you a real look at what it takes to get there and what it costs along the way. No shortcuts. No theory. Just how it actually works. https://www.instagram.com/kasavan_construction_inc/ https://www.kasavanconstruction.com/

    1h 16m

  7. Mar 24

    E13: The Addiction to Risk in Entrepreneurship With John Moore

    In Episode 13 of The Build Line, Heather Tankersley and Jerry Brewer sit down with John Moore, founder of JM Environmental, one of California’s leading demolition and environmental abatement companies. John shares the story behind building a high risk business in one of the most demanding sectors of construction. From the early days of grinding through uncertainty to scaling a company with real systems, leadership, and accountability, he breaks down what it actually takes to grow in a high consequence industry. The conversation explores the mindset behind taking big risks in business, the moments where those bets paid off, and the times they did not. John talks candidly about leadership mistakes, growth challenges, and the lessons learned while building a company from the ground up. Outside of business, John lives life at full speed. As a racer with deep roots in motocross and NASCAR, he shares how the discipline, adrenaline, and focus required on the track mirrors the mindset needed to lead and scale a company. This episode is about betting on yourself, building something real, and learning how to operate when the stakes are high. If you are a contractor, entrepreneur, or leader trying to grow a business while managing risk and pressure, this conversation will resonate. In this episode: • The origin story of JM Environmental • When a hustle turns into a real company • The biggest risks John Moore has taken in business • Leadership lessons from growth and failure • How racing influences decision making and discipline • Defining success, legacy, and living life at full speed Learn more about John Moore and JM Environmental: Website: https://jmenvironmental.net/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jm27.thelegend/ Follow The Build Line: Instagram: @thebuildlinepodcast YouTube: The Build Line Podcast New episodes featuring builders, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders shaping the future of construction.

    1h 7m

  8. Mar 10

    E12: Why People Buy YOU Before Your Company With Rob Laird

    What if the thing holding your business back isn’t systems, leads, or capital - but your brand? In Episode 12 of The Build Line, Heather and Jerry sit down with Rob Laird, a multi-industry entrepreneur who has built businesses across real estate, lending, and consumer products by leading with trust, visibility, and reputation. Rob breaks down why brand must come before scale, how a visible leader creates confidence in uncertain markets, and why most construction and service business owners struggle to show up publicly. They dig into failure, pressure, and what happens when your reputation is tested—and how strong brands recover faster. The conversation also explores what Rob learned building Dios Azul and which consumer-brand lessons directly apply to contractors, builders, and service professionals. If you want growth that compounds, and not just attention, this episode will change how you think about branding. Contact Rob: https://www.instagram.com/lairdlife/ Dios Azul Tequila: https://diosazul.com/tequilas

    1h 3m
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5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Nobody teaches you how to run a construction business. You figure it out the hard way, usually by losing money, losing sleep, or losing good people before you finally find your footing. Heather Tankersley co-owns a luxury residential construction company. Jerry Brewer has spent decades as a drywall subcontractor. Between them they've lived most of what you're dealing with. The Build Line is where they talk about it honestly, without the polish, without the spin. New episodes every Tuesday.

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