Summary In this episode of the Why We Build Podcast, host Greg Waller and guest Gates Bryan discuss the evolution of the remodeling industry, focusing on succession planning, family dynamics in business, and the importance of maintaining company culture. Gates shares her personal journey into the family business, the challenges of balancing family relationships with professional responsibilities, and her vision for the future of Black Dog Builders. The conversation emphasizes the significance of mentorship, positive reinforcement, and the need to prioritize personal relationships alongside business success.

takeaways

• Remodeling is evolving, with many founders approaching retirement.
• Succession planning is crucial for maintaining company culture and legacy.
• Gates Bryan found her passion in design after a challenging start in marketing.
• Family dynamics can enhance or complicate business relationships.
• Maintaining a positive company culture is essential for employee satisfaction.
• Mentorship and learning from others are vital for personal and professional growth.
• Design philosophy can influence leadership style and business optimization.
• Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool in business management.
• Balancing personal and professional life is key to long-term success.
• Networking with peers in the industry can provide valuable insights.

Sound Bites

• "Remodeling as a profession is coming of age."
• "I really kind of like this. This is kind of super fun."
• "I love coming to work every day."
• "The culture that has been developed at Black Dog is great."
• "I think my design philosophy is, I'm a puzzle person."

Chapters

00:00Introduction to the Podcast and Guests

01:03The Future of Remodeling and Succession Planning

03:08Gates Bryan's Journey into Remodeling

05:48Family Dynamics in Business

09:45Maintaining Company Culture and Values

12:52Preparing for Leadership Transition

16:06The Role of Mentorship and Coaching

19:13Optimizing Business Processes

21:45Design Philosophy and Future Vision

25:01Final Thoughts and Advice

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this solo episode, Greg explores one of the most valuable—and most overlooked—practices in remodeling: the post-project lookback. As the year comes to a close and production teams push toward the finish line, Greg explains why companies should pause long enough to learn from the work they’ve already completed.

Using practical field experience and insights from coaching remodelers, Greg breaks down how simple lookbacks can uncover patterns, reduce recurring problems, and strengthen collaboration across departments. He then connects the same framework to a year-end company review, helping leaders enter the new year with focus, clarity, and intention.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

• Why remodelers often avoid lookbacks—and why it hurts performance
• A simple three-question framework that makes debriefs fast and effective
• Common patterns that show up when companies start reviewing their jobs
• How to apply the lookback method to your entire year, not just your projects
• How reflection—not speed—is what drives long-term improvement

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Most recurring issues are predictable; lookbacks make them visible.
• These conversations aren’t about blame—they’re about systems and alignment.
• Capturing what went well is just as important as identifying friction.
• A year-end review helps companies stop dragging old problems into a new year.
• Improvement only happens when teams reflect, decide, and act with intention.

MEMORABLE QUOTES

“Projects rarely fall apart in one big moment—they fall apart in the lessons we never take time to capture.”

“A lookback is where quiet problems finally get a microphone.”

“Companies don’t get better by accident. They get better by reflection, decision, and discipline.”

ACTION STEP FOR LISTENERS

Before the year ends, choose one completed project and run a quick lookback with your team:

1. What went well?
2. What caused friction?
3. What will we change going forward?

One conversation can shift the momentum of your entire next year.

CONNECT WITH GREG WOLECK

• Instagram: @whywebuild_ra
• LinkedIn: Greg Woleck
• Podcast: The Why We Build Podcast (available wherever you listen)
• Website: Remodelers Advantage

Why We Build Podcast – Thanksgiving Episode

Show Notes

Episode Title: Gratitude in the Grind: What Remodelers Can Be Thankful For Host: Greg Woleck

Episode Summary

In this Thanksgiving-week episode, Greg steps away from the usual project management and remodeling industry topics to focus on something more profound: gratitude. Not the fluffy holiday version—but the genuine, earned gratitude that remodelers discover through long days, tough clients, tight timelines, and the thrill of transforming homes.

Greg reflects on the people who make this industry what it is—lead carpenters, production managers, designers, project developers, office managers, trade partners, and everyone behind the scenes. He talks about the trust clients place in remodelers, the craft that gives the work visible meaning, and the challenges that shape professionals into stronger leaders and better humans.

He also shares what he is personally thankful for this year: the Remodelers Advantage community, the teams he serves, and the future of a profession that is becoming more intentional, collaborative, and professional every year.

This episode is a heartfelt reminder of why we build—and why every remodeler has something to be grateful for.

Key Takeaways

• People are everything. Your team, your trade partners, your designers, your office staff—the work only succeeds because of them.
• Clients give remodelers something rare: trust. Even tough clients offer lessons worth appreciating.
• Craft matters. Remodelers get to create something tangible, beautiful, and lasting.
• Challenges are teachers. The surprises, delays, and change orders sharpen leadership, communication, and resilience.
• The remodeling community is special. Remodelers lift each other up—through peer groups, networks, and shared experience.
• The industry is evolving. More professionalism, better systems, stronger alignment between design and production, and intentional leadership.
• Gratitude fuels growth. Taking time to appreciate the work, the people, and the mission helps shape stronger companies and healthier lives.

Links & Resources

• Remodelers Advantage: https://remodelersadvantage.com
• Email Greg: greg@remodelersadvantage.com

Episode Title

Orientation vs Onboarding: Why the Difference Matters More Than You Think

Episode Description

In this episode of the Why We Build Podcast, host Greg Woleck sits down with Erin Longmoon of Zephyr Connects to unpack a common gap in the remodeling world: the difference between orientation and onboarding.

Recorded just before Greg spent two days with the Office Manager Intensive attendees at Remodelers Advantage HQ, this conversation hits home for anyone responsible for hiring, training, or leading teams. From that time with office managers—the true heartbeat of their companies—one theme kept surfacing: most companies don’t have an onboarding problem as much as they have an expectations problem.

Erin and Greg dig into how intentional, well-designed onboarding can dramatically improve retention, culture, and performance—and why a quick tour and a handbook will never be enough.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Orientation vs Onboarding
• Expectations and Clarity
• Social-Emotional Onboarding
• Culture, Core Values, and Storytelling
• Building a Better Hiring & Onboarding System

About Our Guest – Erin Longmoon

Erin Longmoon is a workplace matchmaker, systems builder, and full-time toxic-culture exterminator. Through Zephyr Connects LLC, ZephyrHR, and PeepSmart (her new culture-driven platform for the trades), she helps small businesses attract the right people, manage them wisely, and build teams that don’t just work—they work well together.

Her team acts as a recruiting department for small businesses, with a strong focus on culture fit, values alignment, and long-term retention—not just filling seats. With the launch of Zephyr HR, Erin is expanding that impact into managed HR services to help owners build healthier, more intentional workplaces.

Connect & Learn More

• Learn more about Remodelers Advantage Roundtables, Production Manager and Design Manager Groups, consulting services, and other programs at: RemodelersAdvantage.com
• Email Greg with questions, ideas, or guest suggestions: greg@remodelersadvantage.com
• Learn more about Erin and Zephyr Connects: www.zephyrconnects.com

Call to Action

If this episode sparked ideas about improving your hiring, onboarding, or culture, share it with your leadership team and make it the starting point for a real conversation.

Subscribe, leave a review, and send in your ideas for future episodes— and we’ll catch you on the next Why We Build Podcast.

Episode Overview

When most people think about construction, they think dust, noise, delays, and stress. In this episode of The Why We Build Podcast, host Greg Woleck sits down with Leyah Valgardson Hostetter, founder of Leyah & Co., to talk about why it doesn’t have to be that way.

They unpack how exceptional client experience can transform “just another project” into a trusted, memorable journey – and how that shift can change not only your company, but the reputation of our entire industry.

Leyah shares why client experience isn’t about what you build, but how people feel while you build it – and why every client really wants the same three things: to be seen, heard, and to belong.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Construction’s reputation problem
• Standing out in a “sea of sameness”
• What “client experience” actually is
• Designing a great client experience
• Beginning with the end in mind
• Human moments on the jobsite
• Measuring client experience
• Client experience and the numbers
• Designing the client journey
• Non-negotiable touchpoints
• Employee experience as the foundation

Connect with Leyah on LinkedIn to learn more about her work and resources on client experience.

Connect with The Why We Build Podcast

• Have an idea for a topic or guest? Email greg@remodelersadvantage.com
• Learn more about Remodelers Advantage Roundtables, Production Manager and Design Manager Groups, consulting services, and other programs at RemodelersAdvantage.com

If you enjoyed this episode:

• Subscribe to The Why We Build Podcast
• Leave a review to help more remodelers find the show
• Share this episode with a teammate who shapes your client experience every day

Episode Description

In this episode, Greg Woleck dives deep into one of the most underrated disciplines in the remodeling business — the annual budget.

It’s budget season at Remodelers Advantage, and Greg pulls back the curtain on how great remodeling companies use budgets not just as accounting tools, but as strategic maps for growth, clarity, and accountability.

He argues that budgeting is second only to consistent marketing in importance — because while marketing drives opportunity, the budget drives sustainability.

You’ll learn what goes into a healthy budget, who should be involved in the process, common mistakes to avoid, and how tactical team members (PMs, DMs, and Production Leaders) can use financial awareness to elevate their performance.

Whether you’re an owner, a manager, or an aspiring leader, this episode will help you understand how to turn numbers into confidence — and confidence into results.

💡 Key Takeaways

• The annual budget is second only to consistent marketing in importance for remodeling businesses.
• A budget is not an accounting tool — it’s a strategic roadmap that connects goals, people, and profit.
• Overhead isn’t waste — it’s infrastructure. It supports quality, efficiency, and scalability.
• Transparency builds alignment. Even tactical leaders should understand how the company budget works.
• A strong budget rhythm includes quarterly reviews, realistic forecasting, and clear accountability.
• Companies that lead with clarity and numbers outperform those that rely on intuition alone.Pull Quotes

“A well-built budget doesn’t just guide spending — it guides decision-making, accountability, and confidence.”

“Marketing fills your pipeline. The budget makes sure you can build profitably once the work begins.”

“Overhead isn’t waste — it’s infrastructure. It’s how you build the business, not just the projects.”

“If you know your numbers, you control your destiny.”

“Budgeting isn’t about predicting the future — it’s about preparing for it.”

Keywords: remodeling business, budgeting, profit planning, overhead, cash flow, marketing, financial management, remodelers advantage, production management, leadership

Hashtags: #WhyWeBuildPodcast #RemodelersAdvantage #RemodelingBusiness #ProductionManagement #DesignBuild #BusinessBudgeting #ProfitPlanning #LeadershipInRemodeling

Episode Summary

In this episode, Greg Woleck and Steve Wheeler sit down with nationally recognized Sandler Trainer and keynote speaker Jeff Borovitz to talk about the most powerful tool in business — your mindset.

Jeff unpacks the three “uninvited advisors” that hold so many leaders back — Fear, Doubt, and Worry — and how to fire them once and for all. He shares practical tools and memorable stories (from Spanx, Starbucks, and Netflix) that show how courage, confidence, and calmness can transform not only your sales results but your leadership and life.

If you’re a remodeler, project manager, or business owner stuck in hesitation or overthinking, this conversation will help you reset your mental playbook and take action with conviction.

Key Takeaways

• Fire your advisors. Fear, doubt, and worry don’t deserve a seat at your leadership table.
• Replace them intentionally:
  • Fear → Courage
  • Doubt → Confidence
  • Worry → Calmness
• Action creates confidence. You can’t buy it; you earn it through momentum.
• Conviction beats hesitation. Success comes from belief and persistence — Sarah Blakely, Howard Schultz, and Netflix all prove it.
• Clarity dissolves panic. Calmness brings clear thinking when others freeze.
• Reflection matters. Use journaling and meditation to separate intuition from fear and regain control of your thoughts.
• Ask three questions before acting:
  1. Will I regret not doing this?
  2. What problem am I trying to solve?
  3. If I fail, what’s the worst that can happen?

💬 Notable Quotes

“Fear, doubt, and worry show up early, stay late, and work overtime — but they don’t get a seat at the table anymore.” — Jeff Borovitz

“Action delivers confidence. It’s the only thing you can’t order on Amazon.” — Jeff Borovitz

“Calmness clears the path when everyone else is panicking.” — Jeff Borovitz

“Regret isn’t a weakness — it’s a compass.” — Greg Woleck

🔗 Connect with Jeff Borovitz

• Instagram: @SellingWithJeff
• Website: SellingWithJeff.com
• Email: SellingWithJeff@Sandler.com

Episode Summary

In this solo episode, host Greg Woleck takes a humorous and honest look at one of the most common challenges in both life and remodeling: procrastination. After admitting he procrastinated on recording the very episode you’re about to hear, Greg dives deep into why we procrastinate, how it quietly erodes profit and trust in remodeling companies, and what leaders can do to overcome it.

Through laughter, Latin phrases, and leadership lessons, Greg shows that procrastination isn’t laziness — it’s often protection, perfectionism, or plain old fear. You’ll hear real-world examples from design-build life and walk away with practical tools to break through inertia and build momentum.

🧱 Topics Covered

• Why procrastination feels productive (and why it’s not)
• “Head-trash”: what it is and how it drives avoidance
• Five root causes of procrastination — from perfectionism to the illusion of “Future You”
• Where procrastination hides in remodeling companies
• The true cost of “We’ll figure it out in the field”
• Five ways to beat procrastination with clarity, structure, and motion
• Why leadership procrastination quietly drains culture and accountability

💡 Key Takeaways

1. Procrastination isn’t laziness — it’s head-trash. It’s everything you think that makes things harder than they really are.

2. Fear wears disguises. Perfectionism, overwhelm, and avoidance are all forms of self-protection.

3. In remodeling, procrastination costs real money. A late estimate, a half-finished checklist, or an unspoken conversation each erode margin and trust.

4. The best antidote is motion. Shrink the task. Do one small thing. Action shrinks anxiety.

5. Done beats perfect. Momentum creates mastery — you can’t improve what you never start.

🛠️ Practical Tools Mentioned

• Shrink the Task: Start small — one step creates momentum.
• The Five-Minute Rule: If it takes less than five minutes, do it now.
• Schedule the Hard Stuff: Creativity and strategy need structure.
• External Accountability: Tell someone. Deadlines need witnesses.
• Reward Progress: Celebrate completion, not perfection.

🗣️ Memorable Quotes

“Procrastination isn’t a time management problem — it’s head-trash management.”

“Perfectionism isn’t about high standards; it’s about fear. Fear that what we produce won’t be good enough.”

“Procrastination on preparation doesn’t save time — it borrows it from the future, with interest.”

“Leadership procrastination spreads faster than drywall dust.”

“The best way to beat procrastination is to build something worth not delaying.”

🧩 About This Episode

Host: Greg Woleck Podcast: The Why We Build Podcast Episode Length: 18:00 – 20:00 minutes (solo) Theme: Leadership, Productivity, Mindset in Remodeling

🔗 Connect with Greg

• Website: RemodelersAdvantage.com
• Podcast: Why We Build Podcast
• LinkedIn: Greg Woleck
• Instagram: @whywebuild_ra