The Curious Builder

Latest Episodes:

#31 Barak Steenlage | Anchor Builders | Quality & Integrity Oct 08, 2023

Show notes

Barak Steenlage a custom home builder in Minnesota joins Mark to discuss the evolution of Anchor Builders. They discuss the challenges of custom home design and keeping projects on budget. Barak describes his involvement with NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) and how it has helped him grow as a builder. They also cover topics like company culture, land development, and the future of the industry.

Sponsors for the Episode:

The Scout Guide Minneapolis

Pella Northland

Adaptive

Where to find the Guest:

Anchor Builders MN

The host of the Curious Builder Posdast 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.

Connect with Mark D. Williams:

#30 Desi Creswell | Desi Creswell | Reclaim your Spark Oct 02, 2023

Show notes

Desi Creswell, an interior designer turned life and business coach, shares how experiencing a career burnout from trying to balance her new life as a mom with her business helped reclaim her spark. She discusses how the switch flipped once she made the transition to coaching, and why this path was a more fulfilling option to her. With the mindset of giving the advice she needed herself when she was first starting out, she guides her clients to what's right for them and a healthier mindset to view their work with. She reminds us to approach relationships like the real people we are, with an open perspective and without selfish intentions. Tune in to the episode to hear more of Desi's story and the role interior design has in the building process.

Sponsors for the Episode:

The Scout Guide Minneapolis

Pella Northland

Adaptive

Where to find the Guest:

Desi Creswell

Connect with Mark D. Williams:

#29 Chad & Ryan Hanson | Sustainable 9 | Sustainable Home Building Sep 25, 2023

Show notes

Chad & Ryan Hanson have loved architecture since they can remember. After establishing their start in real estate by flipping houses, they left their corporate IT days behind and have never looked back. With the knowledge gained from their flipping experience as well as the following they developed because of it, they soon made the transition to building clients their own custom homes. Realizing there was not a market for sustainable building in their area, they founded Sustainable 9 Design + Build. Their company is dedicated to utilizing greener building science techniques to build healthy, sustainably focused, energy-efficient housing. Tune in as they break down why electric is the more sustainable option and specific changes you can make to start building greener. They also address the problem of greenwashing and how to identify false sustainable marketing, so be sure to tune for more!

Sponsors for the Episode:

The Scout Guide Minneapolis

Pella Northland

Manomin Resawn Timbers

Where to find the Guest:

Sustainable 9

Connect with Mark D. Williams:

#28 Ian Planchon | 515 Productions | Capturing your Story Sep 18, 2023

Show notes

Ian Planchon, half of the two person team of 515 Productions, discusses how he and his wife, Lynn got their start in the world of media, and how this led them to found their own production company. He shares the growth devolopment their business has seen over the past 20 years by continuing to follow their passion and constantly learning along the way. There is power in telling your story, and Ian proves that by documenting the values and visions of the people he works with. Tune in to hear more about Ian and Lynn's journey!

Where to find the Guest: Website: https://www.515productions.com/

Sponsors for the Episode:

The Scout Guide Minneapolis https://thescoutguide.com/minneapolis/

Pella Northland https://www.pellabranch.com/minnesota/

Adaptive https://www.adaptive.build

Connect with Mark D. Williams:

#27 Lance Anderson | Admit One | Home Tech Guru Sep 11, 2023

Show notes

Lance Anderson, CEO and founder of Admit One Home Systems joins Mark to share his journey from IT to founding his own company. He discusses how he found his niche in custom home technologies, and how essential it is to empower himself and his team to work confidently and independently. With a focus on the luxury residential market, Lance and his team are hands-on with essentially all aspects of technology in a home, including audio/video media rooms, security systems, lighting, and more. They install seamless, easy-to-use technology for the homeowner to have full control of their needs and make their home fully customizable. Listen in to hear more of Lance's journey and how Admit One continues to benefit homeowners.

NRD Landscape + Build Website - https://www.nrdlandscape.com/

Where to find the Guest: Website: https://admitonesystems.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/admitonehomesystems/ LinkedIn: inkedin.com/company/admit-one-home-cinema

Connect with Mark D. Williams:

#26 Ryan Lipchek | CBUSA | Buying Power Sep 04, 2023

Show notes

Ryan Lipchek visits Minneapolis to discuss bringing CBUSA to the local market. He shares how the purchasing group model benefits both builders and suppliers through increased buying power and access to new customers. Lipchek also explains CBUSA's process for launching in a new city and developing critical mass among contractors.

Sponsors for the Episode:

Where to find the Guest:

Ryan Lipchek Website: https://cbusa.us/

Connect with Mark D. Williams:

#25 Julia Miller | Yond Interiors | Pitching Interior Design Aug 28, 2023

Show notes

Interior designer Julia Miller sits down with Mark D. Williams to discuss her career path from social work to owning her design firm, Yond Interiors. She shares details about her creative process, expanding her business both locally and nationally, and her approach to collaborating with clients. Listeners are given an inside look at Miller's journey and strategies for success in the interior design field.

Sponsors for the Episode:

The Scout Guide Minneapolis https://thescoutguide.com/minneapolis/

Pella Northland https://www.pellabranch.com/minnesota/

Manomin Resawn Timbers https://mrtimbers.com/

Adaptive https://www.adaptive.build

Where to find the Guest: Julia Miller Website: https://www.yondinteriors.com/

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

Connect with Mark D. Williams:

#24 Rick & Amy Hendel | Hendel Homes | Building Relationships Aug 21, 2023

Show notes

Hendel Homes is a custom home-building company based in Minnesota. Rick and Amy Hendel share how they started their company, the importance of building relationships with clients, architects, and trades, and how they have grown their teams over the years. They also talk about the challenges of balancing work in the business with work on the business as an owner and how being part of builder groups has helped them improve. They discuss what they think is the secret to running a successful home-building business.

Pella Northland https://www.pellabranch.com/minnesota/

Manomin Resawn Timbers https://mrtimbers.com/

Adaptive https://www.adaptive.build

Where to find the Guest:

Website: https://hendelhomes.com/

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hendel-homes/

Connect with Mark D. Williams:

#23 Daniel Felt | Kura Home Maintenance | Keeping it Clean Aug 14, 2023

Show notes

Kura Home Maintenance provides routine maintenance and cleaning services for homes in the Minneapolis metropolitan area. Owner Daniel Felt started the company in 2016 with a focus on providing reliable and high-quality service. The company uses technology, systems, and processes to efficiently serve over 800 clients with 34 different services. Employees are young and well-trained to provide a positive experience for clients. Daniel values work-life balance and shares how he spends time with his family while still growing the business.

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Northland https://www.pellabranch.com/minnesota/

Manomin Resawn Timbers https://mrtimbers.com/

Adaptive https://www.adaptive.build

Where to find the Guest:

Website: https://www.kurahome.com/

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-felt-43272947/

Connect with Mark D. Williams:

#22 Chris Anderson | Monthend | Financial Control for Builders Aug 07, 2023

Show notes

Chris Anderson of Monthend provides accounting and bookkeeping services tailored specifically for builders. They organize financial data into meaningful statements and insights with their goal being to help builders gain a better understanding of their finances to improve decision-making and sleep better at night.

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Northland https://www.pellabranch.com/minnesota/

Manomin Resawn Timbers https://mrtimbers.com/

Adaptive https://www.adaptive.build

Where to find the Guest:

Website: https://www.monthend.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisandersonmonthendcpa

Connect with Mark D. Williams: