The Curious Builder

Latest Episodes:

Q & A | From Imposter Syndrome to Profit: Alumni Share Real Lessons from the Contractor Coalition Summit Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

On this Q&A episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark Williams sits down with alumni from the Contractor Coalition Summit—Brad Robinson, Danielle and Michael Gutelli, and Jared Miller—to talk about how the summit totally changed the game for their businesses and personal lives. They swap stories about learning from top builders, building real friendships, leveling up with new business strategies like pre-construction agreements, and even discovering the magic of setting boundaries. If you've ever wondered if investing in industry events is worth it, their stories say "absolutely!"

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life.

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

Contractor Coalition Summit: Website: https://www.contractorscoalitionsummit.com/

Adaptive Website: https://referrals.adaptive.build/u8Gkiaev

Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

#135 | Kali Sudbrook | Beachside Custom Gyms | Home Gyms Are More Than Dumbbells: How the Wellness Boom Is Changing Homebuilding Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark hangs out with Kali Sudbrook from Beachside Custom Gyms to talk all things home wellness and fitness spaces. They share Kali's wild leap from a cushy corporate job to designing killer custom gyms, and chat about how the wellness industry is exploding in homebuilding right now. If you're into building, designing, or just want your own awesome home gym, tune in for plenty of laughs, some great advice, and why wellness spaces are absolutely the next big thing.

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

Contractor Coalition Summit: Website: https://www.contractorscoalitionsummit.com/

Adaptive Website: https://referrals.adaptive.build/u8Gkiaev

Where to find the Guest: Website: https://beachsidegyms.com/ Beachside Custom Gyms' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beachsidecustomgyms Kali's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kalithecontractor

Q & A | Unlocking Success: Lessons Learned at the Contractor Coalition Summit Oct 09, 2025

Show notes

In this Q&A episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark flies solo to share how the Contractor Coalition Summit has seriously leveled up his business game. He chats about everything from getting paid for pre-construction work and using AI, to building a powerful brand and connecting with awesome industry folks. If you're on the fence about going, Mark's stories and practical tips make it sound like this Summit is a total game-changer for builders looking to up their game!

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

Adaptive Website: https://referrals.adaptive.build/u8Gkiaev

#134 | Alex Chou | Harnish Workwear | Wearing Your Brand (Literally): Harnish and the Power of Jobsite Style Oct 06, 2025

Show notes

How do you reinvent the world's most basic item—a T-shirt—and make pants that actually fight back against plumber's crack? In this episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark sits down with Alex Chou, co-founder of Harnish Workwear, to talk about premium workwear, design snags, field testing with framers, and why durability shouldn't mean looking like a walking sandbag. From sourcing Cordura to building a cult following in Canada, this episode has everything: branding, community, custom tags, and a spam-surfing sidetrack you didn't see coming.

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

Contractor Coalition Summit: Website: https://www.contractorscoalitionsummit.com/ **Anyone who signs up to CCS between 10/6/2025 and 10/13/2025 gets a free apparel kit from Harnish

Adaptive Website: https://referrals.adaptive.build/u8Gkiaev

Where to find the Guest: Website: https://www.harnishworkwear.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harnishworkwear/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harnishworkwear

Losers are Winners |Burnout, Boundaries, & the Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything with Tyler Grace Oct 02, 2025

Show notes

Builder. Dad. Almost burnout casualty. Tyler Grace joins Mark for a raw conversation on why "doing what you love" can still land you in the ER. They dive into stress, ego, profitability, and how Tyler finally drew a line between life and business. Come for the honesty, stay for the dad jokes—and leave with a better plan for your own business sanity.

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

Contractor Coalition Summit: Website: https://www.contractorscoalitionsummit.com/

Adaptive Website: https://referrals.adaptive.build/u8Gkiaev

Where to find the Guest: Website: http://trghomeconcepts.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trghomeconcepts/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-grace-25687a24

#133 | Todd Milburn | Edina Chief of Police | Break-Ins & Builder Blunders: Straight Talk with Edina's Police Chief Todd Milburn Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

In this out-of-the-box episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark sits down with Chief Todd Milburn of Edina to talk jobsite theft, neighborhood safety, and what builders and homeowners should really be thinking about when it comes to security. They dive into public safety tech (like license plate readers), the rise of crime-of-opportunity, and how the police force recruits like a modern business. Come for the garage door break-ins, stay for the chipmunk invasion and Faraday cage jokes.

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

Contractor Coalition Summit: Website: https://www.contractorscoalitionsummit.com/

Adaptive Website: https://referrals.adaptive.build/u8Gkiaev

Where to find the Guest: Website: www.edinamn.gov/274/Police

Losers are Winners | From Massive Debt to Entrepreneurial Wisdom with Paul Krumrich Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

In this Q&A episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark Williams sits down with Paul Krumrich for a super honest chat about the rollercoaster of being an entrepreneur. Paul opens up about his own big mistakes, like taking on risky debt and being maybe a little too honest with his team during rough times. They both talk about why willpower matters more than skills, the funny (and not so funny) side of failure, and how learning from flops is actually the key to winning in business.

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

Sponsors for the Episode:

Contractor Coalition Summit: Website: https://www.contractorscoalitionsummit.com/

Lake Society Magazine: Website: https://www.lakesocietymagazine.com/

Where to find the Guest: Website: https://www.greenwaysolar.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenway_solar/

#132 | Martin Davies O'Connor | Mill City Restoration | Punk Rock, Paint, & Pivot Tables: Meet Construction's True Renaissance Man Sep 22, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark Williams sits down with Martin Davies O'Connor from Mill City Restoration for a lively chat about Martin's fascinating career path—from punk rock and Excel training to importing tequila from Mexico and ultimately running a successful commercial painting business in Minnesota. They dive into the realities of entrepreneurship, the challenge of cash flow (especially in commercial construction), the importance of work-life balance, and why understanding your numbers is key for any business owner. It's an energetic, honest conversation full of great stories and practical advice for anyone interested in building a business or just curious about unique career journeys!

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

Contractor Coalition Summit: Website: https://www.contractorscoalitionsummit.com/

Adaptive Website: https://referrals.adaptive.build/u8Gkiaev

Where to find the Guest: Website: https://www.millcityrestoration.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MillCityRestoration/

Losers are Winners | How Admitting Failure Built a Million-Dollar Business with Mike Weaver Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

In this Q&A episode, Mark sits down with his friend Mike Weaver for a really honest chat about learning from mistakes—both at work and in life. Mike opens up about a big blunder early in his career that taught him why being upfront with clients matters so much, and he also shares his incredible journey losing 170 pounds (seriously impressive!). It's a fun, down-to-earth conversation with plenty of laughs, hard-earned wisdom, and tips for turning your biggest fails into wins.

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

Contractor Coalition Summit: Website: https://www.contractorscoalitionsummit.com/

Adaptive Website: https://referrals.adaptive.build/u8Gkiaev

Where to find the Guest: Website: https://www.emser.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michealweaver289/

#131 | Jen Veralle and Sara Whicher | AIA Homes by Architects Tour | From Rejection to Revolution: The Tour That Changed Minnesota's Home Scene Forever Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, host Mark Williams chats with Jen Veralle and Sarah Whicher about the behind-the-scenes journey of launching the AIA Minnesota Homes by Architects tour, now celebrating its 18th year. They dive into how the tour started, what makes it unique, the challenges and successes they've experienced along the way, and how the event has fostered community, education, and a love for residential architecture. With stories from the early days, insights about building a successful home tour, and a look at how the tour continues to evolve, this episode is an inspiring peek into the power of collaboration and creativity in the architecture community.

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

Contractor Coalition Summit: Website: https://www.contractorscoalitionsummit.com/

Adaptive Website: https://referrals.adaptive.build/u8Gkiaev

Where to find the Guest: Website: https://www.homesbyarchitects.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homesbyarchitectstour/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hbatour Jen Veralle's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenveralle/ Sara Whicher's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chiselarchitecture/

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