The Builder Upper Show

In this She Builds Nation special episode, Irene Garcia shares her unique career path from an electrical apprentice to a project manager of a 60-story high rise, and how her experiences led to her founding a successful women in construction coaching business. Irene offers invaluable insights into overcoming challenges, building relationships, and leveraging opportunities for women in construction. Tune in to learn about emerging industry trends, essential career advice, and the steps to empower women in this dynamic field.

In this She Builds Nation Special episode, we talk to Andrea Janssen, a certified executive coach, founder and CEO of Ambition Theory, and host of the "Ambition Theory Women in Construction" podcast. Andrea shares her journey from career coach to construction industry leadership expert, despite having no prior construction background. She discusses the critical distinction between mentorship and sponsorship, common obstacles women face in male-dominated sectors, and the importance of transformational leadership in today's construction industry. Andrea's unique perspective as someone who learned construction through helping women advance into leadership positions allows her to coach differently, focusing on transformational approaches that yield exponential rather than incremental growth.

In this She Builds Nation Special episode, Stefanie Couch shares her journey as a women in construction, from growing up in her family's lumberyard to becoming a dynamic leader in the construction industry. She highlights the importance of branding and marketing in the sector, emphasizing the need for companies to tell their stories effectively. Stefanie also explores the transformative potential of AI technology in revolutionizing marketing and operations, highlighting its ability to enhance customer experience and provide a competitive edge. Additionally, she delves into her mission to empower women in construction through Build Women, sharing success stories and insights on promoting inclusion and innovation in the sector.

In this episode of the Builder Upper show, we speak with Josh Smyser, owner of TNT Tuckpointing & Building Restoration, LLC. Stepping into his family's business at just 12 years old, Josh's path came full circle when his father’s passing led him to leave his accounting career and rebuild TNT Tuckpointing & Building Restoration from the ground up. Josh highlights his focus on creating a strong company culture, investing in technology, and developing key employees. He also talks about the importance of character over skills in hiring and shares insights on using drones, construction cameras, and CRM systems to improve business operations.

In this episode of the Builder Upper Show, we talk to Kolby Butcher, Co-owner and Chief Idea Guy of Double Jack Industries. Kolby shares his early introduction to construction through his family, the inspiration from his mother, and the drive to own a construction company despite initial challenges. He discusses the importance of cultural fit in recruitment, his new innovative waste haul venture, and the impact of Build California’s workforce initiative. Kolby also highlights the value of networking, technology, and authenticity in business success while offering valuable advice to new construction business owners.

In this episode, Henry Nutt III shares his inspirational journey into the construction industry, influenced by his father's dedication and encouragement. From initially aspiring to be a mechanical engineer to becoming a sheet metal worker, he chronicles the challenges and triumphs of his career. He discusses the lessons in work ethic and resilience passed down to him by his late father, and how these have shaped his professional path.The conversation further explores his role as a Pre-Construction Executive at Southland Industries, the importance of technology and training in the field, his involvement with industry organizations like the Lean Construction Institute and AGC, and his advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through his experiences, he emphasizes the significance of believing in oneself, taking risks, and the power of mentorship and leadership in creating a successful career.

Kaitlin Frank, co-founder and CEO of eMOD Safety, shares her journey from construction superintendent to tech innovator. With her background as Superintendent at Dome Construction, Kaitlin discusses the challenges in construction safety, technology fatigue, and how eMod simplifies safety protocols in the field.