

Builder Stories
Eric Fortenberry
Welcome to Builder Stories, the podcast where builders, remodelers, and contractors share their personal and business journeys. Come learn from the stories of successful entrepreneurs who share how they got started, how they found success, and the lessons learned along the way.
Your host, Eric Fortenberry, has successfully built two businesses, one in software and one in construction. He is now the Founder and CEO of JobTread Software, a construction estimating and project management platform that has helped thousands of builders and contractors sell and manage over $1 billion in construction jobs.
Your host, Eric Fortenberry, has successfully built two businesses, one in software and one in construction. He is now the Founder and CEO of JobTread Software, a construction estimating and project management platform that has helped thousands of builders and contractors sell and manage over $1 billion in construction jobs.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 10, 2025 • 58min
Strengthening Your Marketing Engine | Meysam Pourkaram of Enzo Design Build
Meysam shares how early challenges with lead flow pushed him to study marketing, create his own content, and eventually build a results-driven in-house team that reflects his company's vision. He reveals his winning strategy for attracting attention in a landscape that's increasingly driven by AI, and provides insight on how to use social media to produce the best results. A key component of Enzo's success lies in the company's carefully curated tech stack, and Meysam also outlines the solutions he relies on and how each of them fits into his overall business strategy. In this episode you will learn: Why Meysam brought his marketing in-house to protect the company's message How he developed a video strategy that builds trust before the first conversation What his sales funnel reveals about client fit and early red flags How his tech stack supports clear communication and smooth project delivery Why ongoing learning shapes his hiring approach and guides his best advice Listen to the episode to learn more. Resources: Learn more about Enzo Design Build here.

Dec 3, 2025 • 1h 2min
A Major Setback, A Stronger Business | Phill and Heather Oddo of Closer Look General Contracting
In this far-ranging conversation, Phill and Heather revisit a painful embezzlement that left them questioning every facet of the business. Rather than retreat in the face of that disruption, they used the moment as an opportunity to rebuild their systems with a trust-but-verify mindset, putting safeguards in place that protect the business from repeating past mistakes. The discussion also covers the success habits that strengthened their leadership and brought their team into full alignment. In this episode you will learn: How to identify the right moment to make early hires Strategies for using partners and systems to keep admin work organized Key numbers to follow when planning for long term growth What it takes to shift your energy toward the tasks that move the business forward The organization that changed how they approach business Listen to the episode to learn more. Resources: Visit Closer Look General Contracting here.

Nov 26, 2025 • 60min
Strengthening Operations With Support | Cody Reinke of Wings Construction
Cody Reinke, founder of Wings Construction in Minnesota, shares his journey from carpentry to scaling his own business. He discusses the pivotal moments of transitioning from storm damage to remodeling, while revealing how he balanced hands-on work with management duties. Key insights include the importance of knowing when to hire, structuring effective compensation, and leveraging tools like JobTread for operational efficiency. Cody emphasizes a customer-first approach and the value of honesty, aiming to build lasting relationships beyond insurance-dependent work.

Nov 19, 2025 • 1h 1min
The Power of Outside Expertise | Ben and Amy Wright of Center State Craftsmen
Ben and Amy Wright describe how a move to Nashville for music eventually led them into house flipping, and ultimately a thriving construction business. They share how years of working on their own homes helped them gain confidence, attract referrals, and step into larger projects. Coaching played a major role in shaping their mindset, improving their systems, and helping them grow into the high end work they now enjoy. Ben and Amy's story shows how thoughtful decisions, and the willingness to learn can completely reshape a business. In this episode you will learn: Which coaches accelerated their growth How they built a website that reflects the quality of their work Which marketing efforts created the strongest return How they use networking to gain projects The sales process that changed their approach Listen to the episode to learn more. Resources: Learn more about Center State Craftsmen here.

Nov 11, 2025 • 50min
Creating Order in Construction | Brandon Sinkler of Coastal Builders and Consultants
Brandon Sinkler traded firefighting for construction and built a successful remodeling company in Charleston, South Carolina. What began as a leap of faith into house flipping became a career grounded in consistency and service. Brandon shares how he grew from working solo to adding key hires who helped him bring structure and balance to his work. His story highlights how he developed clear systems and standard operating procedures that now guide every project. In this episode you will learn: How Brandon transitioned from public service to construction The lessons he learned pricing and managing his first flips Why building relationships has been key to his success How he created SOPs that keep his team aligned His future vision for building new homes in Florida Listen to the episode to learn more. Resources: Visit the Coastal Builders and Consultants website here.

Nov 5, 2025 • 60min
Better Team, Better Clients | Brady Bankston of Popularis Construction
Brady Bankston built Popularis Construction by leading with deliberate action. He shares how early mistakes shaped the way he hires, manages, and motivates his team today. His approach to clients is equally thoughtful and relies on a unique set of requirements that every prospect must meet before becoming a customer, including visiting his office to review a sample project inside JobTread. Through consistent systems and clear communication, Brady has learned how to grow his company while keeping every project and person aligned. In this episode you will learn: How Brady uses a unique client process to build trust before every project The steps that helped him win larger and more complex projects The biggest hiring mistakes that nearly derailed his early growth The strategy he uses today to identify and develop the right people How his performance reviews strengthen accountability and communication Listen to the episode to learn more. Resources: Learn more about Popularis Construction here.

Oct 29, 2025 • 58min
The Strategy for Team-Driven Leadership | Jeff and Brian Shelburn of Remodelex
Jeff and Brian Shelburn, co-founders of Remodelex, share their inspiring journey from small home projects to a thriving remodeling business. They discuss their unique approach to team-driven leadership, highlighting an unconventional pay model that fosters collaboration. The brothers delve into the benefits of a four-day workweek and how it enhances productivity. They also emphasize the power of word-of-mouth referrals and using technology like LiDAR scans to streamline their operations. Their insights on maintaining quality while growing their business are both practical and motivational.

Oct 22, 2025 • 55min
When Taking a Chance Pays Off |Logan Judiscak of Gorilla Exterior
When Logan Judiscak left the car business for roofing, he did not expect to be running a multimillion dollar company just six years later. After learning hard lessons from previous employers, including how poor documentation can hurt cash flow, he started Gorilla Exterior in 2023 with only $4,000, a clear vision, and an even stronger work ethic. In this conversation, Logan shares how he built a profitable roofing company from the ground up, what he learned about leadership, and why he believes in growing people before profits. He explains how his team culture is built on trust, flexibility, and ownership, and why his ultimate goal is not just revenue but impact. In this episode, you will learn How Logan turned $4,000 into a multimillion dollar roofing business in under two years The biggest mistakes roofing companies make when scaling Why documenting jobs properly protects both profits and people How Logan develops his team by finding the right people and the right roles His long term vision for steady, sustainable growth Listen to the episode to learn more. Resources: Visit the Gorilla Exterior website here.

Oct 15, 2025 • 49min
From $50K to $30M and Counting | Fares Elsabbagh of Canadian General Contractors
Fares Elsabbagh, founder of Canadian General Contractors, transformed a $50K startup into a $30M construction empire. He dives into lessons from rapid growth, including dealing with theft and operational chaos. Discover how he established effective systems to boost client satisfaction and the five key priorities homeowners care about. Fares also shares his journey into the business, hiring strategies that prioritize attitude, and insights on acquiring design-build companies to scale further. Tune in for a masterclass on building a successful construction company!

Oct 8, 2025 • 31min
The Future of Marketing for Builders | Danielle Russell of Builder Funnel
Danielle Russell has spent over a decade helping builders and remodelers grow through more strategic marketing. She's seen how new technologies, and changing homeowner behavior, are transforming what it takes to stand out online. In this conversation, Danielle covers a range of topics that, taken together, form a blueprint for building a stronger marketing foundation. Broader themes include the seismic shifts happening in search, what contractors can do to make their content rise above the noise, and how to use, rather than misuse, AI as part of a broader marketing strategy. On a more granular level, she strategies for pricing transparency on your website, how to make every click count, and the ideal marketing budget. In this episode, you will learn How to calculate a marketing budget that drives consistent growth Mistakes to avoid when using AI to generate website or blog content How to design your website to convert visitors in two or three clicks Ways to use video to build credibility and connection with prospects How to structure your pricing online to attract the right clients Listen to the episode to learn more. Resources: Learn more about Builder Funnel here.


