If you could go back to the start of your career… Before the long days, client calls, and change orders, what would you tell your younger self about building a business in this industry?
Would it be about managing clients, choosing the right jobs, finding good subs, or maybe just taking a breath once in a while?
Share the one lesson you’ve learned the hard way that every new builder should know.
If I could go back to the start, I’d tell my younger self that building a business isn’t really about the buildings. It’s about the people you meet. The relationships, the energy, how you show up when things get hard. You can learn the systems and budgets, but learning to lead with clarity, empathy, and presence is the real craft.
Choose projects and clients that align with your values, not just your bottom line. The right work feels alive and it it should fuel you instead of draining you.
Enjoy the process of it all. Trust that doing it your way, with integrity, creativity, and care, will take you farther than chasing every opportunity. In the end, it’s not just about what you build, but what you cultivate: trust, beauty, and a better way of working together.