Today Brad speaks with professional MMA fighter Ryan Bader. He is the current Bellator Heavyweight Champion, the former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion, and the winner of The Ultimate Fighter.Listen in as Ryan dissects his success by reflecting on his path as an athlete, from football player to wrestler to the UFC and, finally, to Bellator.For Ryan, a solution-oriented mindset and the discipline to stay consistent are his two keys to his massive, ongoing success as a fighter.Having never taken more than two weeks off, Ryan shares why he believes so strongly in the power of the mind as well as the power of association in helping one level up in whatever field they are in.He also touches on the parallels between entrepreneurship and his training as a professional fighter, and his foray into business and joining the Kill Cliff team.Sponsors:Pella Windows & DoorsTopics Discussed:[01:01] Ryan’s journey as an athlete[05:12] What separates the top wrestlers from everyone else[07:34] Where the nickname “Darth Bader” came from[08:52] Ryan’s introduction to MMA[12:33] The road to the UFC[15:52] How Ryan made his own luck[18:48] Turning the fighter mentality on and off as the situation demands[20:29] How his first win at the UFC changed the trajectory of Ryan’s career[22:15] What Ryan’s UFC contracts covered in the way of living and training expenses[26:25] How Ryan balanced work and family life as a professional fighter[30:14] Which part of MMA training Ryan enjoys the most[32:32] How Ryan and his team prepare and strategize before a fight[36:18] How it feels win a fight[38:28] How Ryan stays focused in the high-emotion environment of fight day[44:15] How Ryan got involved with Kill Cliff[49:15] Ryan’s final thoughts on success and his upcoming fightsConnect with Ryan Bader:Instagram @ryanbaderRyan Bader WikipediaConnect with Brad Leavitt:AFT Construction WebsiteAFT Construction Podcast WebsiteInstagramFacebookHouzzPinterest YouTubeKey Quotes by Ryan Bader:Having the mindset together with being consistent will take you far in whatever you do.A lot of people quit or give up way before they have the chance to reap any rewards.One thing I live by is not only to have good people around me, but also the right people around me.I’ve waited for this moment for two to three months. I’m prepared. Why not go out there and win? Why not go out there and allow myself to be successful?

Today Brad speaks with Michael McCurdy, President of McCurdy Construction, LLC; Structures Cabinet & Design, LLC; and Noblessa Phoenix.An entrepreneur at heart, Michael shares why he decided to make the foray into the construction industry and why he specifically chose to start not one, but three businesses in Phoenix.Michael explains his rationale behind encouraging his team to own every win and every loss in the business, and at the same time taking full responsibility for every failure as President of the company.He talks about setting expectations with clients and the importance of keeping them informed throughout the process to maximize their freedom of choice over their home’s final outcome.Finally, Michael calls for more “sophistication” in the planning and implementation of systems and processes in more construction companies in order to raise all ships and, by extension, raise standards across the industry as a whole.Sponsors: Ledge LoungerPella Windows & DoorsTopics Discussed: [02:39] What makes a good business owner?[03:53] Managing the high risks of managing a construction company[06:06] Recovering from business mistakes[07:55] McCurdy Construction’s process from client onboarding to project completion[09:22] Motivating employees in different departments all working toward the same goal[12:00] Keeping all parties in a project on the same page with regard to pricing[20:24] The toughest part about running a business and keeping your team motivated[25:23] Why Michael almost never allows himself to talk business outside business hours[27:24] Why Michael decided to start a second business, and then a third[32:02] How Michael developed his expertise with cabinetry[40:40] Becoming a distributor in Phoenix[45:10] Helping clients choose an aesthetic for their cabinetry[47:49] How a great showroom translates into great sales[49:58] Why Michael decided to go into constructionConnect with Guest:McCurdy ConstructionStructures Cabinet & DesignNoblesaLinkedInConnect with Brad Leavitt:WebsiteInstagramFacebook HouzzPinterestYouTubeKey Quotes from Episode:If you’re giving your employees what they need to have to do their jobs, that’s what makes a good owner. A good owner owns their mistakes and encourages their employees to do better. Generally, if the company wins, everybody wins.I love construction; but I’m in love with business.

Today Brad speaks with Christopher Anderson, Founder and CEO at Ledge Lounger. The Houston-based company offers a line of in-water furniture built to withstand harsh pool chemicals, outdoor elements, and up to 16,000 hours of direct, overhead sunlight.Ledge Lounger has enjoyed four consecutive years on Inc. Magazine’s Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies in America and three years on Houston Business Journal's 100 Fastest Growing Companies in Greater Houston.Christopher describes how Ledge Lounger found success in the pool industry, having started out as being named for the original “Ledge Lounger” product to growing its brand to the point that, much like the word “Xerox” has become a sweeping term for photocopiers, “Ledge Lounger” has become its own category of furniture.He also discusses how Ledge Lounger was able to stay nimble in the past year and a half, having been focused on practicality over aesthetics, growing their internal resources, and solidifying their B2B cycle especially as COVID changed the nature of demand in the pool industry.Sponsors: SweetProcessLedge LoungerPella WindowsConnect with Christopher Anderson & Ledge Lounger:WebsiteInstagramFacebookPinterest LinkedInHouzzDownload Ledge Lounger 2021 CatalogConnect with Brad Leavitt:WebsiteInstagramFacebookHouzzPinterestYouTubeTopics Discussed:[03:17] An introduction to Ledge Lounger and its growth beyond a product into a brand[10:15] How Ledge Lounger nurtures its customer-centered company culture[13:11] How Christopher got into the outdoor furniture space[22:57] Staying versatile and on-trend as a business while having a specialty or niche[28:19] How Ledge Lounger found the perfect balance of style and durability[29:47] Choosing between speed, quality, and price[34:10] Where Christopher developed his appreciation for product quality[40:15] How COVID has changed Christopher’s business[48:14] Keeping the supply chain intact as the business scales[55:07] Staying innovative by focusing on the B2B cycle[58:06] Christopher’s favorite Ledge Lounger productKey Quotes by Christopher Anderson:You’ve got to stick with your core [as a business]. You’ve got to stick with what got you here. In my case, it was the pool—it got us into the backyard. But what else could I do in this space?As designers, we know that there’s practicality and function, and then there’s aesthetics. The further you go with aesthetics, the less practicality and function there is. You can’t have the extremes of both.We’re trying to touch on the emotions and engage the purchase through that, as opposed to a consumer that is just shopping through best price. Speed, quality, price: Pick two. You cannot pick three.Work on your business and not in your business. You work in your business all the time. Step away from it and work on it. Get out of it and think about it.

Dash reflects back on a childhood in Hawaii filled with turmoil and uncertainty, from being abandoned by his own parents literally without a name, to growing up around fight clubs and never having a home he could call his own. He then describes the turning point in his life when he was adopted by the Wong family.Down the road, Dash was inspired to join the Navy and, later, the SEALS. He talks about the challenges he faced as a scrawny kid surrounded by formidable athletes at BUD/S and how he was able to come out on top despite all odds.He touches on his near-death experience with adenocarcinoma as a young father and his departure from the military, and how it all led to his current involvement with Kill Cliff.Sponsors:SweetProcessLedge LoungerPella Windows & DoorsTopics Discussed:[04:06] The unique story behind Dash’s name and his turbulent upbringing[11:29] Going into foster care after his mother’s arrest and becoming adopted[16:22] Growing up in an Asian family and deciding to join the military[21:32] Lessons learned in the military[30:16] Why Dash decided to join the Navy specifically[31:28] The most challenging moments of training for BUD/S[36:52] Getting diagnosed with cancer and leaving the military[47:15] Starting a new chapter in life and joining Kill Cliff[55:22] What Dash loves most about Kill CliffConnect with Dash Wong:WebsiteInstagramLinkedInConnect with Brad Leavitt:WebsiteInstagramFacebookHouzzPinterest YouTubeKey Quotes by Dash:Love the person, not the action.Trust is the big one. You can’t expound upon a relationship without trust.You can sit there and wallow and hate on the world or your circumstances and where you’re at; or you can make the decision to grind. Change is never easy because it causes forced reflection upon yourself to get better. You’re going to have to dig deep.At Kill Cliff, we do know we have the best beverage, but that’s not the foundation that we stand on. We stand on something so much bigger and so much stronger. It’s the American spirit that we stand behind.The struggle will make you stronger, but you have to want it. You just have to keep wanting to push the limits.

Stephanie speaks on her unconventional journey into the construction industry and how she came to innovate the space through The House That SHE Built project.Listen in as Stephanie shares how she made the transition from architecture, to the film industry, to construction and the skills that she carried over into each succeeding field; what it’s like to work alongside her dad in a small-scale construction firm; the evolving needs and expectations of clients; and the amazing story behind The House That SHE Built and its unveiling at the 2021 Utah Valley Parade of Homes.Sponsors: Pella Windows & DoorsLedge LoungerSweetProcessTopics Discussed:[03:22] Stephanie’s architectural background and doing marketing for Nitro Circus[08:35] Making the foray into construction with Symphony Homes[11:52] A typical day-in-the-life for Stephanie working with her dad in construction[13:41] How today’s clients have changed from yesterday’s[15:49] Finding clients, setting expectations, and staying hands-on with them throughout[20:02] Selecting clients[21:53] All about The House That SHE Built and Stephanie’s lessons learned[36:23] The search for the women who worked on The House That SHE Built[39:57] Acquiring donations, and charity efforts following the completion of the project[44:06] What to expect at the 2021 Utah Valley Parade of Homes[47:45] Staying on schedule with The House That SHE Built[50:17] Where Stephanie found the passion to serve as President of the Utah Chapter[54:20] What most people don’t know about Stephanie[56:02] What’s next for Stephanie?Connect with Stephanie Sharp:WebsiteInstagramFacebookConnect with Brad Leavitt:WebsiteInstagramFacebookHouzzPinterestYouTubePeople & Resources Mentioned:Steven Dailey ConstructionSteven Dailey Construction HouzzNitro CircusSymphony Homes in North Salt Lake CityRevitAutoCadUtah Valley Parade of HomesInternational Builder ShowBuilders FirstSourceAmsco WindowsPhoenix Children's HospitalLifestar VillageUtah Valley of Home BuildersKey Quotes by Stephanie Sharp: "Today’s clients require more attention. Customers used to make decisions fairly easily and now they demand more of your attention. That’s what you’re there for: You’re there to help them make biggest purchase of their entire life and build their dream home.""I probably sent out 500 messages to different tradeswomen I found on Instagram to end up with less than 20 that we actually flew here; but it was the best 20 I could have ever found. It would not have been the same experience with anyone else. It was amazing.""It’s really important to be part of your local home builders association. It’s important to have peers. It’s important to work side-by-side with people and create a good reputation for yourself."

Kimberly looks back on a career spanning over three decades, reflecting on how she discovered a love for travel when she entered her LAX for the first time as a child, and how she later volunteered to intern for free at a local travel agency as a college student just to be able to get her feet wet in the industry as soon as possible.Listen in as Kimberly shares the advantages of having a travel agent and gives her perspective on “budget” travel versus spending a little more for extra-special experiences. She then gives the pros and cons of timeshares, the primary effects that COVID has had on the travel industry, crucial facts about travel insurance today, and how to work around higher prices and change fees when traveling. Finally, Kimberly talks credit cards and travel and destinations that she considers to be hidden gems.Sponsors: SweetProcess: As a loyal listener of this podcast, you can try for 28 days, free of charge. You don't even have to enter a credit card to get started. SweetProcess is a simple but powerful tool that lets you create clear step-by-step instructions for every task in your company; from writing proposals to executing client work, to responding to client requests. Learn more by clicking the link. Pella Windows & DoorsTopics Discussed:[03:22] How Kimberly got started in travel[06:23] The advantages of having a travel agent in today’s travel industry[10:36] How Kimberly charges for group travels[12:49] How to find a good travel agent[13:41] What travel agents can help you with[17:11] How travel agents are able to find solutions to emergencies or last-minute issues[23:30] Deals that reputable travel agencies can get that you never could by yourself[24:54] Are there pros to buying a timeshare?[31:20] How COVID has changed travel and what to expect in the next several months[37:54] Navigating higher prices and change fees when travelling[42:10] The best days and times to travel[47:25] Which credit cards and reward systems are best for travel?[54:18] Tips for traveling in Europe[56:44] Underrated destinations[0102:39] What’s next for Kimberly?Connect with Kimberly Croft & Carefree Vacations:Website BlogFacebookTwitterYouTubeConnect with Brad Leavitt:Website Instagram Facebook Houzz Pinterest YouTubeKey Quotes by Kimberly:Generally, there are no disadvantages to using a travel agent.Most agents worth their salt are going to give you a 30-minute consultation where you just talk about what you’re thinking and decide whether the agent is  a good fit for you.A lot of clients tell me they want a good deal. Well, everyone wants a good deal. I tell them, “Do you want a good deal, or do you want the experience that you really, really planned and hoped for?”Most agencies have contracts with hotels that you don’t have, and that’s all over the world. That’s another great advantage of using a reputable travel agency. They have the ability to get you something that you may not be able to get on your own.Use the credit card that gives you back what you use the most.I suggest taking your ATM card when you travel internationally and not taking the currency of the country you’re going to because you’re going to pay a hefty fee on the front end. You just have to go to the ATM and get the bank rate.

Today Brad speaks with Jennifer Glynn, co-founder, alongside Barbara LaVigna, of Space10 Interiors, an award-winning residential and small commercial interior design firm based in San Francisco.Having previously worked in the corporate event planning and marketing world for 15 years, she recalls her fateful decision to take an interior design course—initially just to fill in her spare time—and being hooked ever since.Prior to making her foray into design, Jennifer served as the Director of Global Communications and Events at Stryker Neurovascular, before lending her expertise, part-time, for another year as the organization’s Director of Brand Strategy.Listen in as Jennifer reflects on her journey from corporate life into the world of design and the valuable skills that she has carried over into her new career. She touches on homing in your ideal client, defining your brand voice, and maximizing your online presence as a small business.Sponsors: Pella Windows & DoorsTopics Discussed:02:07 - Marketing for a $10 billion company versus a small interior design firm05:09 - How Jennifer built her brand 06:45 - Why it’s so important to get as specific as possible about your ideal client13:01 - Establishing your brand voice17:41 - Business considerations that most new designers overlook or underestimate24:10 - How often a small business should be working on PR and their online presence38:11 - What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)?43:04 - How Jennifer and Barbara made their partnership work and how to write an operating agreement53:33 - The advantages of having go-to partners for various types of projects57:33 - Where Jennifer finds inspiration and her upcoming projectsConnect with Jennifer Glynn:WebsiteInstagramLinkedInConnect with Brad Leavitt: WebsiteInstagramFacebookHouzzPinterest YouTubeKey Quotes by Jennifer:Very often, when you ask people who their ideal client is, they can’t tell you—they can’t articulate it. It’s incredibly important because if you can narrow down what you want to do, what you like to do, what you’re best at and what that client looks like when you’re working at your best, it really hones in your marketing strategy and it allows you to let go of some marketing strategies that aren’t going to best suit you.Just because someone doesn’t become your client doesn’t mean they can’t become an advocate or a brand ambassador for you in a small way.[Design] is a service industry. [...] Granted, it’s a luxury service, but it’s still a service.You have to figure out what kind of designer you are and what kind of projects you want to do, and you have to go out and seek architects, contractors, and other partners who also like to do those types of projects, because that is where you’re going to have the most success and the most joy in doing your job.

Today Brad speaks with Jeff Echols. Jeff is on a mission to change the way you do business by helping you transform from a service provider to a trusted advisor. He's the President and Chief Strategy Officer of echoEngagement, the Director of Brand Strategy at EntreArchitect, and the Host of the Build Your Brand podcast and the daily live-stream show, Context & Clarity LIVE. Jeff works with architecture and engineering firms on branding, communication, leadership, marketing, and business development strategies based on nearly 30 years of experience working in, starting, and managing architecture firms.echoEngagement “helps organizations answer and act out the answer to the question, ‘Why should I choose you?’ by clarifying messaging, developing brand stories, and telling brand stories to win the right work and recruit the right talent.”Aside from his involvement in the business world, Jeff is an Instructor of Architecture at Ball State University and Executive Committee Chair at the AIA Indiana Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program.Sponsors:Pella Windows & DoorsTopics Discussed:[03:23] Fundamental elements of a business’s marketing and branding strategy that most companies are missing[10:32] Why Jeff has been tripling down on client experience lately[24:40] The value of hiring someone whose singular job is speak to current, previous, and prospective clients[34:26] Making sure that clients know (and remember) your story through your logo[46:27] Discovering your ideal client[55:38] Why getting as detailed as possible on your ideal client can be valuable[1:02:58] Where Jeff discovered his passion for marketing and brandingConnect with Jeff EcholsWebsite Instagram @jeff_echolsInstagram @echoengagement FacebookLinkedInTwitterYouTubeClubhouse PodcastConnect with Brad LeavittWebsite Instagram FacebookHouzz Pinterest YouTubeKey Quotes from EpisodeI like to view anybody’s business as a triangle: On one side of the triangle, you have your marketing, your business development, and your sales process. On another side of the triangle, you have your culture—your employee experience. On another side of the triangle, you have your operations and your customer or client experience. [...] Your brand sits in the center of that triangle. It both supports and feeds off of all sides of that triangle.Your brand is what other people say about you when you’re not in the room.There are basically three things that make up your ideal client: the demographics, the geographics, and the psychographics.The hardest question for anybody to answer is, “Why should I hire you?”

Previously, John was an executive at TerraGo, a venture-backed software company specializing in SaaS and PaaS mobile applications. He also led business development at Eurasia Group, a predictive analytics startup providing global risk information products to subscribers.John was a founding member of Control Risks GS, Inc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Control Risks and the fastest growing business unit worldwide.Listen in as John offers a glimpse into his experience training with the Navy SEALs and the carryovers he sees between the military and the business world. He then does a deep dive into Kill Cliff’s unique story as a company and how they scaled up to become one of the most exciting brands in the beverage sector today.Sponsors:Sub-Zero, Wolf, & CovePella Windows & DoorsTopics Discussed:[02:56] Similarities between being a Navy SEAL and a business owner[07:04] The hardest part about becoming part of the SEAL teams[12:12] What separates those who succeed and those who fail in becoming SEALs[15:39] The dangers that follow your initial success as an entrepreneur[17:49] An introduction to Kill Cliff[23:24] Kill Cliff’s appeal[25:51] Kill Cliff’s unique foray into the beverage sector[31:03] How John helped investors see the potential in Kill Cliff[36:44] The value of interdependence among teams[42:53] Having conversations with investors about the big picture, not just the bottom line[48:28] Using non-traditional marketing strategies to scale Kill Cliff[55:06] What’s next for John and Kill Cliff?Connect with Guest:Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Connect with Brad Leavitt: Website Instagram Facebook Houzz Pinterest YouTube Key Quotes by John:The cornerstone of teamwork is interdependency.Alignment is a key part of business. It’s part of interdependency, teamwork, and focus.

Heather is also a project manager at Amstar Construction Services, a service-disabled veteran-owned general contracting firm specializing in government and agency projects.Prior to her current role at Tankersley Construction, Heather managed complex electrical projects for some of the largest electrical contractors in the United States.Her prior project experience includes new student housing at Sacramento State University, new six story classrooms for UC Hastings, medical facility expansion at Folsom State Prison, and multiple VA and healthcare projects throughout Northern California.Sponsors:Sub-Zero, Wolf, & Cove Pella Windows & DoorsTopics Discussed: [01:48] How Heather’s commercial background informs her current residential projects[04:16] Heather and Steve’s history and why they started their own company[08:14] Building the pipeline[11:41] Tankersley’s pre-construction process[16:41] Creating project timeframes and setting client expectations[19:57] Working with trade partners[20:53] Tankersley’s Personal Service Agreements (PSA)[24:09] Creating the first budget and how it transforms over the course of the project[30:55] How often Tankersley’s clients use the owner portal[33:13] How Tankersley chooses its designers[35:55] Staying on the same page with trade partners throughout the project[37:41] Setting up the job site binders and what they entail [38:34] Tankersley’s management process and dealing with scope changes[43:28] Managing Work In Progress (WIP)[47:12] Conducting an audit with the project manager[48:23] Lump sum versus cost plus and dealing with unknowns[51:26] Tankersley’s approach to deposits[55:46] What’s next for Tankersley?Connect with Guest:Website InstagramFacebookHouzz Connect with Brad Leavitt: Website InstagramFacebookHouzz PinterestYouTube Key Quotes from Episode:We’ve really built a network in our area with local designers just by asking what’s a pain point for them and what’s a pain point for us.Hats off to you if you do cost plus. I did it back in my day and you never can capture all the time. It’s inevitable. Give me the lump sum all day.