Becki’s projects have been featured in several publications including Good Housekeeping, Luxe Magazine, Wall Street Journal and Architectural Digest. She has worked with other prestigious designers such as Amber Fillerup Clark. Recently, Becki launched a lighting collection with Hudson Valley Lighting, signature home scents with Pura and a furniture and accessories collection in Home Goods retailers nationwide.Sponsors: Sub-Zero, Wolf, & CovePella Windows & DoorsTopics Discussed:[02:09] How Becki came to pursue design[05:59] What led Becki to take the leap and start her own design company[09:21] How new designers should go about using Instagram[15:53] What Becki would do differently if she could start her business over[17:02] Learning from experience and valuing yourself[22:12] How Becki’s team is structured and how she hires through social media[24:27] Developing a product line and learning the ins-and-outs of licensing[29:00] How much of Becki’s business goes beyond Southern California[31:04] Achieving work-life balance[33:00] Working with Amber Fillerup Clark[35:01] How Becki uses social media for business[37:20] How Becki’s blog has impacted her business[41:30] Collaborating with other brands[45:15] What’s next for Becki?Connect with Becki Owens:WebsiteInstagramFacebookPinterestConnect with Brad Leavitt:WebsiteInstagramFacebookHouzzPinterest YouTube Key Quotes by Becki:Reach out and get into a space where you can communicate with designers. Start building relationships. What helped me grow is sharing other people’s work.If you feel like you have the talent or if it’s something you’re just passionate about, I just say go for it and don’t be afraid. Start with your own home. Start with your friend’s home.When you’re picking your jobs, make sure it’s something that you can shoot.

Lauren herself has been recognized internationally and has been accepted into top design groups, including Leaders Of Design Council and the International Design Society (IDS).Listen in as Lauren discusses why she prefers referred clients over all others, how she was able to scale her business relatively quickly in the mid-2000s by embracing transparency in how she presented her services, and why she charges a high fixed fee upfront rather than relying on markups.She explains how she vets clients and how her approach to tackling residential projects has evolved due to the increased emotional connection that people now have with their homes thanks to the pandemic.Finally, Lauren shares her architectural and design styles and how she collaborates with clients, builders, and architects. Visit Our Sponsors: Sub-Zero, Wolf, & CovePella Windows & DoorsTopics Discussed: [01:52] How Lauren finds her clients and how prospects find her[03:19] Has being published led to greater lead generation for Lauren?[05:28] Getting clear on your fees and pricing structure[08:23] Negotiating with a client who is deciding between you and a “cheaper” option[11:13] Why Lauren charges a premium upfront instead of relying on markups[17:11] Lauren breaks down her typical budget for a project[20:33] How Lauren vets clients[30:09] Why Lauren prizes collaboration[34:14] How Lauren helps her clients manage their expectations from the very beginning[39:23] What it was like to be formally trained by Tigerman McCurry Architects[43:46] Why Lauren was inspired to dive into architecture alongside design[46:41] How Lauren works with builders and architects to set her budget[49:50] What makes a good architect or builder in Lauren’s eyes[54:04] Lauren’s favorite styles and how she helps clients settle on a design[57:37] How Lauren has adapted as design trends have changed over the years[58:58] Lauren’s favorite room to design[1:00:04] What’s next for Lauren?Connect with  Lauren Coburn:WebsiteInstagramFacebookHouzzLinkedInConnect with Brad Leavitt: Website InstagramFacebookHouzzPinterest YouTubeKey Quotes from Episode:The best clients are always referrals because they generally come from great people that you’d want to work with.The beauty of referrals is that anybody you’ve worked with is telling somebody they know how nice the experience was.I don’t want to charge for fixing problems for my clients.I’m always very cognizant of the fact that many clients are wary of designers who give them what the designer wants and not what they, the client, wants.I’m on a mission to make people love their space.Aside from being the designer, I try to be my clients’ advocate.

Listen in as Charlie discusses how his strong faith in God led him to become a “soldier” in the media with a goal to bring light to an industry rife with conflict and controversy.He laments how mainstream media is contributing heavily to the divisiveness currently plaguing America, and why he believes authenticity and a willingness to talk to folks on both sides of the aisle is the key to true, respectable journalism.Finally, Charlie shares his personal ventures, including how he built his personal brand on social media, why he began his podcast, and his exciting upcoming adventures with his wife Amber J.Connect with Charlie Lapastora:Website InstagramFacebookLinkedIn Twitter YouTube TikTok Podcast Connect with Brad Leavitt: Website Instagram FacebookHouzz Pinterest YouTubeTopics Discussed: [02:25] Why Charlie decided to pursue a career in journalism[05:39] Charlie on the current state of the U.S. news media[12:36] How Charlie is able to report authentic stories working for big media companies[19:21] How Charlie stays neutral as a journalist when reporting on contentious stories[29:54] How Charlie builds trust and a relationship with the people he interviews[33:16] How social media has impacted Charlie’s brand and career[36:43] How Charlie became so confident as a speaker at a young age[42:28] Why Charlie started his podcast[45:39] How Charlie built relationships with sports giants throughout his career[47:17] Charlie’s upcoming missionary work with his wife around the world[49:24] How building up his personal brand over the years prepared Charlie for his futureKey Quotes by Charlie:I love the capability of telling stories for a living.I love people. People are amazing. People are crucial for our society to continue to grow and to become better, and we need to understand each other more to make that happen.Trust is everything; integrity is everything; character is everything—when it comes to relationships.Nerves are good. It means you care and you want to put out a good product. You want to make sure that you’re connecting with people and you want to do it the right way.

Today Brad speaks with Timothy Rethlake, Vice President of Trade Marketing & Sales Training at Hearth & Home Technologies, the world's leading producer and installer of hearth products. Its product line includes a full array of gas, electric, and wood burning fireplaces, inserts, stoves, mantels, and more.Listen in as Timothy discusses why high-integrity sales are essential to the lifeblood of any business and why many sales onboarding programs are actually setting salespeople up to fail. He also explains why ambiverts make the best salespeople and why he teaches his salespeople to be “lazy”.Timothy then touches on his view on organizational leadership, speaking on how to discover what motivates each individual member on your team and the crucial difference between a big ego and a strong ego and why the latter is a key trait of great leaders.Finally, Timothy shares how Hearth & Home Technologies creates lifestyle solutions by designing fireplaces that “give a robust, visually-appealing flame” while letting clients have full control over the placement of the heat.Visit Our Sponsors:Sub Zero-Wolf, & CovePella Windows & DoorsTopics Discussed: [02:35] What is “high-integrity sales”?[11:40] How anybody can become a better salesperson15:05 Educating sales team to become better listeners[23:03] What happens if the salesperson does not really believe in the product[26:15] Turn your clients into your assistant salespeople[33:03] Motivating salespeople beyond financial incentives[44:32] The Franklin Covey and Miller Heiman process[48:05] How to provide continuing education to your salespeople[52:17] Technologies that Timothy is currently excited about[1:08:59] How Hearth & Home Technologies designs their fireplacesConnect with Guest:Hearth & Home Technologies WebsiteTim Rethlake on LinkedInConnect with Brad Leavitt: WebsiteInstagram Facebook Houzz PinterestYouTube Key Quotes from Episode:Someone that has high-integrity is a whole person—the inside matches the outside.Building trust with customers is really simple: You do what you say you’re going to do every time over time. I didn’t say it was easy. It’s just simple.Often, if the expectation is not met, it’s because the expectation was not set or clearly defined.There’s a one-second difference between make the call and take the call. [...] Get ahead of it. Be proactive when things do go south.We’re all in sales to some degree. It’s just that not all of us do it professionally or have it on our business card.A lot of sales onboarding programs set salespeople up to fail. We set them up to go out talking, not to go out listening.Take the blame, give the credit, always, everyday.Often, the profession picks the person rather than the person picking the profession.

Located ​in Berkeley, California, Lane McNab Interiors infuses a sophisticated sensibility into residential and commercial interiors. The firm specializes in primary and secondary homes, boutique retail spaces, and large scale projects with a vast knowledge of historical architecture. Opened in 2012, LMI is known for its artful approach to sophisticated living. Although each project is the reflection of a deep collaboration between designer and client, all of Lane’s projects reflect an edited warmth that highlights the beauty of everyday life.Brad and Lane go on to talk about her firm’s best practices for environmental stewardship and the state of the industry as a whole with regard to its focus on ensuring sustainability throughout the supply chain.Finally, Lane shares how she built her own interior design firm and lessons learned through the years on running a business, including the importance of EQ and critical thinking.Topics Discussed: 01:58] What “sustainable” means to Lane[06:42] Creating timeless pieces[11:28] How Lane built up her knowledge of the industry over time[13:43] Dealing with pushback from customers regarding budget[15:57] Meeting environmental standards in California[18:28] How Lane sources and manufactures her pieces to ensure non-toxicity[28:21] Other companies that have a sustainability focus[30:08] Making sure material is actually as healthy and sustainably sourced as claimed[36:26] Designing with purpose to make products more beneficial to the environment[37:32] Defining microplastics[41:00] Getting on the same page with architects[43:14] How Lane started her own interior design firm and learning about business[45:58] Lane’s decision to hire her first employee[49:12] Developing your EQ as a business owner[52:48] How designers and contractors can work well together in service of the client[53:55] Lane’s Instagram marketing strategy[56:56] Being represented by Sloan Miyasato[59:03] Lane’s upcoming projectsConnect with Guest:Website ShopInstagramInstagram Connect with Brad Leavitt:WebsiteInstagram Facebook Houzz PinterestYouTube Resources & People Mentioned:SustainabilityGreenwashingCradle to Cradle by Michael BraungartLEED CertificationNet Zero Iconic HomeICF (Insulating Concrete Form) Material BankTitle 24 StandardGreenguard CertificationB CorporationsFSC CertificationOEKO - TEXGreen Business Bureau Sloan MiyasatoOutgassingWest Elm Sustaibale & FSC-CertifiedCrate & Barrel Environmental InitiativesThe CitizenryAvocado Mattress Armadillo Fireclay Tile Leather Working Group MicroplasticsVOCLMI San Francisco Design Center Sloan Miyasato ShopErik WaldorfKey Quotes from Episode:We can transform any industry by ensuring that the next life of a product is planned at its inception.I think antiques and vintage are probably the most affordable way to add sustainability to your design.We have two principles in designing the line. The first is quality and the second is environmental stewardship.Because it is a very overwhelming amount of work to do to ensure that everything you’re offering your clients has this level of environmental stewardship, just do one part of it. Just do a piece of it, because that alone makes a difference.The biggest indicator of whether or not you’ll be successful in this business has nothing to do with your talent, your experience, or your education. It’s whether or not you have a high EQ.

Chris is a registered California architect and member of the AIA with a Bachelor’s Degree from California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo. Since childhood, he’s been fascinated by the built environment and the creative possibilities that art and architecture have to offer. Spending his formative years in a small town in Northeast Oregon, Chris learned to value the beauty in nature at a young age. This continued to inspire him through his education and into his career. His talents have been most appreciated in the design of many beautiful custom homes and happy clients. His approach has always been to first better understand a client’s dreams and unique project constraints in order to create more informed and inspired designs. Chris has used his exceptional design talents and years of experience in Southern California to create a truly unique and progressive architectural practice.Listen in as Chris explains how he developed the company’s social media strategy and how it has influenced growth since its founding in 2009. He also shares what it was like to start a company in the aftermath of the recession.Chris also talks about his process for guiding clients through the process from beginning to end and how he nips common obstacles in the bud such as pushback around costs and setting expectations at the initial consult. Finally, he talks about using VR and renderings to raise his clients’ confidence and trust in his ability to deliver on their desires.Topics Discussed:[02:39] Chris’s social media strategy for Brandon Architects[04:48] How photorealistic rendering has impacted business for the better[08:26] The impact of social media on the company’s growth and ability to attract clients[11:37] Why Chris decided to start his company during the recession[12:42] The company’s tipping point[14:23] How Brandon Architects is able to take on a wide variety of project types[16:10] Chris’s favorite style or aesthetic as a designer[18:56] How Brandon Architects works with clients from beginning to end[22:25] Navigating the budget side of the process[28:22] Dealing with pushback or resistance from clients[30:33] Collaborating and building rapport and trust with designers and builders[35:32] Setting expectations with the client when giving virtual tours[41:33] How VR makes a huge difference from a client’s perspective early on[44:39] Developing designs and renderings in-house[47:24] Familiarizing yourself with the different codes and restrictions in different states[51:04] What keeps Chris up at night at this point in his career?[52:39] Brandon Architects’ upcoming projectsConnect with Brandon Architects: WebsiteInstagram Connect with Brad Leavitt & AFT Construction:WebsiteInstagramFacebookHouzzPinterestYouTubeKey Quotes by Christopher Brandon: At the end of the day, your best calling card is your work.We try to make our process very client-focused. I think that’s why our portfolio is very diverse: We enjoy our clients’ creativity and passion for their projects. I want them to be happy and emotionally engaged throughout the process.The core concept of keeping clients happy is managing expectations.I believe strongly that collaboration makes for better projects and I like to bring on partners and people who are just as passionate about what they do as I am about what I do.Finding good local partners is a cornerstone of success for our faraway projects.Produced by Koi Koi 

Today Brad speaks with Christian Daw of Christian Daw Design.With a passion for beautiful homes and an appreciation for practicality and comfort, Christian Daw runs a successful boutique interior and architectural design firm. In addition to rethinking classic interior design, tailored to today’s homeowner, he creates spaces that are luxurious yet unpretentious. Christian’s aesthetic is timeless, a look he achieves by blending simplicity and modern lines with historic details and rustic elements.  His approachable affect is evident on Instagram, where he shares his life, work, and inspirations. Based in Washington, DC, Christian has projects across the United States and internationally.Listen in as Christian explains why he decided to make a shift from the legal profession into architectural design and which skills he was able to transfer over into his new career path. He also shares how he was able to hire five full-time employees and create a tight-knit team in a relatively short span of time.Christian also discusses how he builds his network on social media as well the approach he takes to vetting the countless potential clients who he and his team communicate with online. Finally, he talks about his current growth strategy for the firm entering 2021.Topics Discussed:[02:21] Did having a legal background prepare Christian architecture or design?[03:19] Why Christian switched career paths[06:00] How Christian developed his business model and learned to price his services[09:48] Managing the hiring process[15:23] Getting the hang of cashflow and compensating a team of five[23:50] Why Christian wanted to bring on two architecture students[27:18] Dedicating time for daily consults[29:50] How Christian vets clients[35:44] Delegating tasks as the company grows[38:00] Where Christian puts most of his focus on as the owner of his firm[39:36] Christian’s Instagram strategy[46:52] What Christian wishes he would have known at the start looking back[48:17] Handling business development for the firm[50:25] Working with local architects and builders[51:33] What’s next for Christian Daw Design?Connect with Christian Daw Design: WebsiteInstagramConnect with Brad Leavitt:WebsiteInstagramFacebookHouzzPinterestYouTubeKey Quotes by Christian Daw: I want to be the best, and in order to be the best, I have to realize that the company is not just me. I surround myself with people who have experience that I may not personally have.Time does cost money, and right now we have more work than we have time; so, if I can pay someone to do something that is better at that task than I am, I would love to do that.Produced by Koi Koi  

Today Brad speaks with Jim Spurlino, Founder of Spurlino Materials, a supplier of construction materials. He is also the author of Business Bullseye: Take Dead Aim and Achieve Great Success, a guide to establishing, scaling, managing, and creating an exit strategy for small- to medium-size businesses.Listen in as Jim describes the “three legs of the stool” that make up a successful professional in the construction industry, as well as the unique complexities of being a concrete supplier. He also shares how he, in his first entrepreneurial venture, was able to finance three brand new concrete plants and 45 brand new concrete trucks on day one.Jim dives deep into how he builds and retains company culture, especially when setting up remote locations and hiring out. He explains what it means to work on your business as opposed to just working in it, via the idea of “knowing your bullseye”—a concept he writes about at length in his book.Sub-Zero,  Wolf, and Cove: Locate a Showroom Near YouTopics Discussed:[02:46] What inspires Jim as an entrepreneur and how he fell into his current career path[07:18] How Jim came to start his own firm[11:51] The complexities of being a supplier in the concrete industry and Jim’s edge[16:51] Motivating the team, especially when they need to work through the night[19:31] How Jim dealt with finances and logistics when he started his new venture[27:51] Setting up remote plants for mobile work[37:24] Keeping track of and evaluating leadership and team members in remote plants[41:56] What company owners should prioritize[44:06] Keeping company culture intact when hiring out[45:36] What it means to “know your bullseye”[52:14] The importance of developing a close relationship with your banks[56:55] The pros and cons of owning a private company as opposed to a union company[01:01:05] Does Jim have an exit strategy?[1:05:44] Why Jim decided to enter politics at one pointConnect with Jim Spurlino: WebsiteLinkedInBusiness Bullseye BookConnect with Brad Leavitt: WebsiteInstagramFacebookHouzzPinterestYouTubeKey Quotes by Jim Spurlino:I’m inspired by the possibilities—what could be. It’s the challenges, the potential, and particularly the chance to be the best. That’s what always drove not just me, but the company.If you and, particularly, your folks aren’t very much attuned to how important it is to stay focused on that bullseye—maximum profits, maximum capacity, maximum quality—you’re going to start to lose. I’ve seen lots of companies go broke because they lost that focus.If you’re going to be competitive—if you’re going to be a successful business in this world today, you’d better have a good relationship with your employees. You’d better be striving to be the employer of choice in your market, in your industry. If you’re not, you’ve got bigger problems than just a union coming in trying to get you to pay better wages and benefits.Produced by Koi Koi 

The company currently has around 150 active projects spread across different regions, each of which has its own Vice President of Finance. A financial reporting group accumulates data from all of these regions each month.Listen in as Kris speaks on the finance side of running a large commercial contractor that she has had the pleasure of working for over the past 15 years. She describes how contracts are negotiated and why she expects field staff to have a high level of financial acumen to run the business that is their construction project. She also explains how McCarthy’s employees are able to literally own a part of the company via their ESOP.Finally, Kris shares her experience finding success as a woman in a male-dominated industry and how she balances her immense responsibilities at work with time at home with her husband and six kids.Topics Discussed: [00:44] How often Kris evaluates the company’s performance financially[03:46] How McCarthy acquires new projects and negotiates budgets with clients[17:04] The most important metrics to track when looking at the overall balance sheet[19:42] Dealing with slow-paying clients and building those relationships[25:51] Why field staff should have an extensive understanding of the financials[27:59] How incentives for all involved parties are decided on[31:16] Deciding who to assign to different projects[34:58] Monitoring the sweep account[38:02] Managing the complex multi-region company structure from a cash perspective[43:14] The challenges of working with unions[45:03] The purpose of McCarthy’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)[51:34] Finding success as a woman in the male-dominated industry of construction[56:56] How Kris achieves work-life balance with a demanding career and a large familyConnect with Kristine Newman & McCarthy Building Company:Website Instagram (Kristine Newman) Instagram (McCarthy) Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn Connect with Brad Leavitt of AFT Construction:Website Instagram Facebook Houzz Pinterest YouTube Key Quotes from Episode:One of the things that makes us successful is this mindset of continuous improvement and learning from past projects and past situations. They’re never identical, but there are always lessons to pull through from various scopes of work.We think of every one of our projects as a small business. We expect our superintendents and project managers to have a high level of financial acumen to run the business, not just build.Every single day, our projects are trying to kill someone. What we do is really, really humbling. We build America, and it’s risky; not just financially—it’s risky from a safety standpoint as well.Male or female, finding an edge in your career is all about relationships, personalities, and communication.Find someone to emulate, male or female. What characteristics of that leader do you want to become, and how do you go about developing yourself and finding those blind spots within yourself to meet that?

Brad, Renee, and Mark have joined forces on a project started by Mark himself called the Net-Zero Iconic Home, also known as the Desert Comfort Home. Simply put, this is a home that produces as much energy as it consumes.Mark, one of the foremost experts in the country on building science and sustainability, has decided to apply his expertise into building a sustainable house that he can call his own. He has selected Brad to be the builder of the Desert Comfort Home, while Renee and Iconic Life have been chosen to lead the project’s marketing efforts.Listen in as Renee, Brad, and Mark define their vision for a net-zero home and how a house can be comfortable and aesthetically pleasing while being sustainable and energy-efficient all at the same time.* Follow the Year-Long Sustainability Journey Topics Discussed: 02:41 What is a net-zero home?08:20 How the Desert Comfort home captures rain to water the landscaping10:50 Promoting the project13:11 Why education on the benefits of net-zero homes starts with builders15:34 The long-term savings of investing in a net-zero home25:29 The incredibly unhealthy conditions of traditional indoor environments28:35 Creating healthy water in a net-zero home29:55 Making an impact using your platform32:50 How this project has inspired Brad in his business38:00 Optimizing the interior space41:22 Where we are on the project timeline right now and where we are headed Connect with Renee Dee of Iconic  Life: Website Podcast InstagramFacebook Pinterest YouTube TwitterClubhouse @ReneedeeConnect with Mark LaLiberte of Construction Instruction: WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterKey Quotes:A net-zero house, or a net-zero-ready house, is a house that, for the future, allows the energy consumption to be low enough that an alternate system like a solar system can actually provide the ancillary energy needed that the building doesn’t consume in terms of thermal performance. ~MarkWe have to create houses that are stunningly efficient and really durable; but the only way to do that is to really focus on how the building enclosure is more than just an enclosure. It’s a place for family and it’s a place for comfort. ~MarkA net-zero home creates as much energy as it consumes. ~ReneeThe more we educate the public on net-zero homes, the more that they’re going to gravitate to it, and it doesn’t have to be mandated by the government. ~Brad