The Curious Builder

Latest Episodes:

Q & A | From Scroll to Sale: Building a Smarter Funnel Jul 03, 2025

Show notes

What's the point of a beautiful website or an aesthetic Instagram if no one takes the next step? In this episode, Mark and Alyssa explore the full sales funnel—from awareness to action—and how blogging, Pinterest, and email marketing each play a role. Plus: the hourglass sales strategy you didn't know you needed.

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:

Olive and Vine Socials: https://oliveandvinesocials.com/

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

#120 | Billy Beson | Billy Beson Company | Authentic Design, Family, and Setting Boundaries Jun 30, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Curious Builder, host Mark Williams sits down with legendary Minneapolis interior designer Billy Beson for a heartfelt and lighthearted conversation. They explore Billy's journey in design, the importance of setting boundaries for work-life balance, the value of mentorship and genuine relationships, and the impact of building with heart rather than just for scale. With touching stories, laughs, and some honest takes on today's design trends, this episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the people side of building beautiful homes.

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/

Olive and Vine Socials

Website: https://oliveandvinesocials.com/

Adaptive

Website: https://www.adaptive.build

Where to find the Guest:

Website: http://billybesonco.com/

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

Q & A | Part 2: Profits, Purpose & Positive Tornadoes: A Q&A with Mark Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

Mark's back with a quote-fueled episode series that covers everything from why your best clients are often the most profitable, to how slow seasons can set the stage for big growth. Plus, he explores how overachievers thrive, why goals matter, and what business builders can learn from training for a race.

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

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

Sponsors for the Episode:

Olive and Vine Socials: https://oliveandvinesocials.com/

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

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

#119 | Mark LaLiberte | Construction Instruction | Teaching Builders to Think Better with Mark LaLiberte Jun 23, 2025

Show notes

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

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

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella

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

Adaptive

https://www.adaptive.build

Olive and Vine Socials:

https://www.oliveandvinesocials.com

Where to find the Guest:

Website: https://constructioninstruction.com/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/constructioninstructionapp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/construction-instruction-inc.

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

Q & A | "Dad, Why Do You Build Houses?" A Father's Day Q&A with Mark & May Williams Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

What happens when your nine-year-old becomes the podcast host? In this special Father's Day Q&A, Mark's daughter May takes the mic to ask the big questions about business, building, and freedom. It's sweet, insightful, and unexpectedly hilarious—from chucking lumber out windows as a kid to explaining why relationships matter in custom home building. A fun, heart-forward listen for curious entrepreneurs and parents alike. Listen to the full episode now for some extra fun!

#118 | Zion National Park Boot Camp Recap | Wilderness, Wellness & Workouts: What We Learned in Zion Jun 16, 2025

Show notes

Zion Boot Camp was part retreat, part reset, and all about real growth. Tune in for a candid group recap of what went down—morning kettlebell circuits, canyon hikes, Jeffersonian firepit talks, and what it really means to lead a life that supports both wellness and business success.

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

https://www.adaptive.build

Olive and Vine Socials:

Website - https://www.oliveandvinesocials.com

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

Q & A | Part 1: Profits, Purpose & Positive Tornadoes: A Q&A with Mark Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

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

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

Sponsors for the Episode:

Olive and Vine Socials: https://oliveandvinesocials.com/

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

#117 | Nancy Weinman | Weinman Architectural Services | The Renaissance Woman of Architecture: A Conversation with Nancy Weinman Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

What do Macy's department stores, Harvard Business School, Sedona home builds, and mentoring women in construction have in common? Architect and designer Nancy Weinman. In this inspiring episode, Nancy chats with Mark about her multi-decade career, her thoughts on value engineering, building client trust, and why confidence—and kindness—are two of the most powerful tools in business.

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/

Olive + Vine Socials

Website: https://oliveandvinesocials.com/

Adaptive

Website: https://www.adaptive.build

Where to find the Guest:

Website: https://www.architect.vip/

Instagram: http://instagram.com/weinmanarchitecturalservices

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeinmanArchitecturalSvcs

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ramshead140/

Houzz: https://www.houzz.com/pro/nsuweinman/weinman-architectural-services

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

#116 | Melissa Oholendt | Oho Interiors | Creating Moments of Delight: The Oho Interiors Philosophy Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

In this heartfelt episode, Mark sits down with longtime friend and collaborator Melissa Oholendt of Oho Interiors. From wedding photography to running a full-service interior design firm, Melissa shares how personal experiences, creative resilience, and an obsession with "moments of delight" shaped the mission behind Oho. Expect laughter, vulnerability, and real talk about what it takes to build a brand—and a home—that changes lives.

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

https://www.adaptive.build

Where to find the Guest:

Website: http://ohointeriors.com

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/oho_interiors

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/oho_interiors/_saved/

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

Q & A | Crafting Homes with Intention, Not Just Tools May 29, 2025

Show notes

This week, Mark gets reflective—sharing the quotes that have stuck with him through 21 years in construction. He talks client psychology, setting realistic expectations, working as a team, and why square footage isn't nearly as important as how a home feels. A great listen for builders, designers, and anyone who's ever tried to get a vision off the ground.

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

https://www.adaptive.build

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/