In this episode of the Designers and Builders Podcast, host Steve Larosiliere sits down with Maurice Pennington of Pennington Perspective to talk about his unconventional journey from business consulting to interior design. Maurice shares how curiosity and “messy action” opened the door to a fulfilling design career. He discusses how he handled the challenges of building homes during COVID, the critical role of budgeting in design, and his approach to infusing personality and value into every project. The conversation explores the intersection of design and business, the importance of building community through content, and the long-term mindset needed for sustainable creative growth.

Top 5 Takeaways

1. Curiosity and imperfect action can lead to fulfilling, unexpected career shifts.
2. Interior design is a long-term learning process that thrives on detail and experimentation.
3. Budget-conscious design can still be beautiful—value doesn’t mean compromising on quality.
4. Tools like ClickUp and Canva streamline creativity and business operations.
5. Building community and sharing authentic content are key to expanding influence and impact.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to Pennington Perspective

03:06 – From Business Consulting to Interior Design

05:49 – Early Career and Entrepreneurial Drive

09:02 – Building Homes and Discovering a Passion for Design

11:54 – Navigating Custom Home Builds During COVID

14:54 – The Importance of Details in Home Design

17:58 – Organizing the Design Process with Digital Tools

20:57 – Budgeting and Finding Value in Interior Design

24:14 – Balancing Life and Future Aspirations

26:52 – Community Impact and Personal Fulfillment

28:01 – Viewing Design as a Long-Term Learning Lab

29:57 – Building Relationships to Grow a Business

33:04 – Leveraging Influence Without Losing Integrity

34:27 – Planning for Long-Term Business Success

35:55 – Creating Authentic Content That Connects

39:01 – Engaging with the Community Through Storytelling

40:57 – Why Details Matter in Both Design and Business

The Designers and Builders Podcast shares stories from industry leaders transforming the world of design and construction — covering behind-the-scenes insights, real-world strategies, and the trends shaping the future of the industry.

Empowering design/build professionals to grow and scale — buildergrowth.io shares the tools, strategies, and insights you need to take your business to the next level.

Connect with us at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designersandbuilders/

Join our newsletter: https://designersandbuilders.co/

Connect with Maurice at:

https://www.instagram.com/themauricep

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauricepennington/

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Designers and Builders Podcast, host Steve Larosiliere sits down with Jonathan Webster of JD Stairs to explore the evolution of his family-founded business. Jonathan shares how the company transitioned from its construction roots to become a standout in the custom home market. The conversation dives into the challenges of early growth, including meeting payroll and motivating a team, and how innovation—like 3D scanning and lean manufacturing—transformed their operations.

Jonathan also discusses the impact of market shifts, the importance of strong leadership, and JD Stairs’ expansion beyond Las Vegas. From organizational structure and project management to business development strategies and storytelling, this episode offers valuable insights into adapting, evolving, and growing a business in a changing economic landscape.

Takeaways

1. JD Stairs began as a family-run construction business, and Jonathan Webster entered the stair industry at a young age, learning the trade from the ground up.
2. The early years were marked by real challenges, including tight cash flow and the difficulty of transitioning from a family-run operation to a scalable business.
3. Adopting technology like 3D scanning and lean manufacturing has revolutionized their workflow, driving efficiency and continuous improvement.
4. Hiring a president and restructuring the organization helped JD Stairs grow, enabling Jonathan to focus on innovation and long-term strategy.
5. Storytelling, adaptability, and a strong company culture are central to JD Stairs’ success—and key to navigating market changes and expanding into new regions.

Chapters

00:00 – The Origin Story of JD Stairs

10:01 – Navigating Early Business Challenges

19:47 – Finding a Niche in the Market

27:31 – Navigating Market Changes

29:00 – Expanding Beyond Vegas

30:06 – Embracing Technology and Innovation

31:37 – Day-to-Day Operations and Leadership

32:53 – Business Development Strategies

39:58 – The Importance of Lean Manufacturing

41:11 – Innovations and Future Directions

The Designers and Builders Podcast shares stories from industry leaders transforming the world of design and construction — covering behind-the-scenes insights, real-world strategies, and the trends shaping the future of the industry.

Empowering design/build professionals to grow and scale — buildergrowth.io shares the tools, strategies, and insights you need to take your business to the next level.

Connect with us at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designersandbuilders/

Join our newsletter: https://designersandbuilders.co/

Connect with Jonathan at:

https://jdstairs.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/jd-stairs-inc/

https://www.facebook.com/JDStairs/

https://www.instagram.com/jdstairslv/

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Designers and Builders Podcast, host Steve Larosiliere and co-host Alyssa Olson dive into Alyssa’s journey in architecture and woodworking, highlighting how her diverse background fuels her passion for accessible, community-centered design. They discuss her current projects, including affordable housing initiatives, and share their vision for fostering collaboration and inclusivity in the design world.

Top 5 Takeaways

1. Alyssa Olson brings a unique perspective to the field with dual master’s degrees in Architecture and Landscape Architecture, bridging the gap between built environments and natural spaces.
2. 
   
3. With over a decade of woodworking experience, Alyssa integrates hands-on craftsmanship with thoughtful design, bringing authenticity to her architectural approach.
4. 
   
5. Her focus on accessible design reflects a powerful mission—to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability or background, has access to beautiful, functional spaces.
6. 
   
7. Through her work on affordable housing projects using reclaimed wood, Alyssa is making sustainability and equity a priority in her designs.
8. 
   
9. The Designers and Builders Podcast is more than a conversation—it’s a platform for building a collaborative community of designers, architects, and makers committed to learning from each other and creating meaningful impact.
10. 
    

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to Designers and Builders Podcast

01:55 – Alyssa’s Journey in Architecture and Woodworking

04:00 – The Importance of Accessible Design

06:00 – Future Aspirations and Community Impact

08:02 – Current Projects and Learning Opportunities

10:01 – Closing Thoughts and Community Engagement

The Designers and Builders Podcast shares stories from industry leaders transforming the world of design and construction — covering behind-the-scenes insights, real-world strategies, and the trends shaping the future of the industry.

Empowering design/build professionals to grow and scale — buildergrowth.io shares the tools, strategies, and insights you need to take your business to the next level.

Connect with us at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designersandbuilders/

Join our newsletter: https://designersandbuilders.co/

Connect with Alyssa:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssao/

Connect with Steve:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevelarosiliere/

https://www.instagram.com/thelarosiliere