Mike Michalowicz joins the show! Author of Profit First, Pumpkin Plan, Clockwork, Fix This Next, All In—and more.
Mike wrote his first book back in 2008, but he landed on my radar closer to 2018 when Profit First shifted the way I thought about business. That book—and honestly, most of his others—should be required reading whether you’re running a business or managing a single job site.
Every project is a business in itself. If you don’t treat it like one—with structure, systems, and accountability—you might be delivering great-looking work while running a failing operation behind the scenes.
In this episode, we hit on several of Mike’s key concepts:
1. Profit First – Create margin first so you can build systems and hire support.
2. Pumpkin Plan – Identify your best clients and prune what no longer serves you.
3. Clockwork – Build repeatable systems so the business runs even when you're not on site.
4. Fix This Next – Diagnose what’s really broken before making your next move.
5. All In – Hire the right people to fit your business and your values.
It was an awesome conversation with a guy who’s helped thousands of entrepreneurs work on the business, not just in it. Enjoy the episode!
Additional Resources below!
Ep. 19 Guest:
@mikemichalowicz
Mikemichalowicz.com
Profit First Resources:
Profitfirstbook.com
Pumpkin Plan Resources:
Pumpkinplan.com
Clock Work Resources:
clockworkbymikemichalowicz.com
Fix This Next Resources:
fixthisnext.com
All In Resources:
allinbymike.com
Listen • Subscribe • Review
@apple
@spotify
Sponsors:
www.durationmillwork.com
@durationmouldingandmillwork
www.heavydutypocketdoorframes.com
@hdpocketdoors
Local Sponsor:
www.hiresmooth.com for all your spray foam needs!
@HireSmooth
--------
35:27
--------
35:27
Episode 18 Joe Langlais
EP18: Joe Langlais — From Apprentice to Owner of Langlais Custom Builders
In Episode 18, we sit down with Joe Langlais of Langlais Custom Builders — a true “mom & pop” New England contractor. Joe runs the field, while his wife Emily keeps everything moving behind the scenes. Together, they’ve built something special.
Joe also has one of the best origin stories in the business. As a student at a local vocational school, he was selected for an apprenticeship on This Old House — and his first interview? None other than Tom Silva. What followed was a decade-plus of mentorship under Tommy at Silva Brothers before Joe stepped out on his own to launch Langlais.
Now nine years in, we dig into the “why” behind the company, the goals, the boundaries, and the systems that bring stability to an otherwise chaotic industry. We talk backlog, team building, and how to create something sustainable — not just successful.
Hope you enjoy this one!
Project Size: 5-8 Projects
Yearly Revenue: $1-1.3mil
Company size: 1-3 employees
Ep. 18 Guest:
@Langlaiscustombuilders
Langlaiscustombuilders.com
Listen • Subscribe • Review
@apple
@spotify
Sponsors:
www.durationmillwork.com
@durationmouldingandmillwork
www.heavydutypocketdoorframes.com
@hdpocketdoors
Local Sponsor:
www.hiresmooth.com for all your spray foam needs!
@HireSmooth
--------
3:49:39
--------
3:49:39
Episode 17 Paul Charett
Episode 17: Paul Charett of Wood Theory Design
Paul is the perfect mix of woodworker and artist—bringing true artisan energy to life through his use of reclaimed wood, salvaged doors, and materials with soul. He gives old pieces new purpose in some of the sexiest builds across New England.
We dig into what it’s like to narrow your focus to such a specific niche—how that tight client funnel forces you to be intentional about who you work with, and why finding the right client to “marry” matters more than ever. We also talk about setting boundaries, honoring craft, and building a business that stays true to who you are.
Great conversation with an amazing dude and a wildly talented maker I’m proud to call a friend. Hope you enjoy it!
Project Size: 25-30 Projects
Yearly Revenue: $500k
Company size: 1-4 employees
Ep. 17 Guest:
@woodtheorydesign
Listen • Subscribe • Review
@apple
@spotify
Sponsors:
www.durationmillwork.com
@durationmouldingandmillwork
www.heavydutypocketdoorframes.com
@hdpocketdoors
Local Sponsor:
www.hiresmooth.com for all your spray foam needs!
@HireSmooth
--------
3:44:08
--------
3:44:08
Episode 16 Ian MacFayden
Ian MacFayden—Canadian Red Seal carpenter turned COO of HummingBird Hill Homes—joins the podcast! We dive into the evolution of the trades, from where we started to where things stand today. Ian shares insights on attracting and retaining top talent as your projects scale and your team needs grow.
High performance isn’t just about house wraps—it’s about understanding the materials and systems that will outlast the families living in these homes. We get into how to integrate sustainability, Passive House, Net Zero, WELL AP, and carbon-conscious design into your everyday building practices.
Then we shift to the craft itself—and what’s missing in the handoff between generations. Why is there still a gap between young talent and seasoned builders? Ian’s answer: Projekt Network—a new platform bridging that gap, like a ZipRecruiter built for residential construction.
Great conversation, real insight—and a ton to take away. Hope you enjoy it!
The RED List: https://living-future.org/
Project Size: 15-18 Builds
Yearly Revenue: $40-50mil
Company size: 60+ employees
Ep. 16 Guest:
@HummingbirdHillhomes
@timbersolutions_hh
@projektnetwork
Hummingbirdhillhomes.com
projektnetwork.com
Listen • Subscribe • Review
@apple
@spotify
Sponsors:
www.durationmillwork.com
@durationmouldingandmillwork
www.heavydutypocketdoorframes.com
@hdpocketdoors
Local Sponsor:
www.hiresmooth.com for all your spray foam needs!
@HireSmooth
--------
3:33:18
--------
3:33:18
Episode 15 Lenny Gimmelfarb
Episode 15 we sit down with Lenny Gimmelfarb of Echelon Builders in Smithfield, RI. We dive into what a small-scale model looks like—an owner-operator with no employees, building a brand and reputation one project at a time. Lenny shares how he’s cultivated relationships with designers and architects to secure one flagship build and a couple of smaller projects each year—his ideal rhythm. Great to catch up with Lenny and see what he’s building and why. Hope you enjoy the convo!
Project Size: 1 Large scale project & 2-3 smaller Renos
Yearly Revenue: $2-4mil
Company size: 0 employees
Ep. 15 Guest:
@Echelon_builders
Listen • Subscribe • Review
@apple
@spotify
Sponsors:
www.durationmillwork.com
@durationmouldingandmillwork
www.heavydutypocketdoorframes.com
@hdpocketdoors
Local Sponsor:
www.hiresmooth.com for all your spray foam needs!
@HireSmooth
Hosted by Johnny Hourihan a New England based builder w/ 29yrs experience. He wants nothing more than authentic conversations w/ experienced builders, contractors, architects, designers and makers. These conversations spark energy, inspiration, creativity along with some do's and don'ts to help create a more successful project, career & life.
Hope you enjoy these conversations as much as he does.
Find us on instagram: @theglorifiedcarpenter
Want more info and knowledge: glorifiedcarpenter.com
USA