About this episode

Chris Hawley shares his journey of building Craftwell Architecture + Construction and the lessons learned along the way.

In this episode of The Greatness Garage , Brad welcomes Chris Hawley, founding principal of Craftwell Architecture + Construction , a 22-person design-build firm based in Fargo, North Dakota. Chris shares his journey from starting his firm at just 32 years old to leading projects across the Upper Midwest and beyond. Chris opens up about the lessons he's learned along the way—the importance of asking better questions earlier in his career, the grit it took to push through sleepless nights in the firm's early days, and the pivotal role of mentors, family, and community support. He also reflects on the value of building a team like the '90s Chicago Bulls—where every role matters—and how Craftwell's philosophy of elevating the ordinary drives their work. From $40,000 cabins and treehouses to $60 million developments, Chris shows how vision, persistence, and people-first leadership can transform a business. If you've ever wondered what it takes to grow a boutique firm without losing its soul, or how to balance passion with responsibility, this conversation is packed with wisdom you won't want to miss.

People in this episode

Host: Brad Borkhuis

Guest: Chris Hawley

Topics covered

• entrepreneurship
• architecture
• business growth
• mentorship
• team building
• leadership

Keywords

• Craftwell
• architecture
• business
• mentorship
• team building
• leadership
• entrepreneurship
• Fargo

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Craftwell Architecture + Construction

Places: Fargo, North Dakota, Upper Midwest

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