The Builder’s Edge - Mastering the Business Side of Building

• From Side Hustle to Startup: Building a Business While Life Keeps Moving

  What if the leap you’ve been dreaming about didn’t need to be perfect, just courageous?In this powerful episode of The Builder's Edge, we're catching entrepreneur Cain McWilliams right in the middle of his jump from employee to business owner. No hindsight wisdom here, just raw honesty, real strategy, and the mindset shifts happening in real time. After years in law enforcement, manufacturing, and managing major steel fabrication projects, Cain is stepping out to launch his commercial and residential painting company: Action Plan Painting.Why painting? Why now? What’s it really like to walk away from security to bet on yourself? Cain shares the personal and professional journey behind this bold move, how years of “painting on the side” laid the groundwork, what it took to finally say yes, and how he’s navigating everything from startup fears to finding the right crews.Whether you're in the early planning stages of your own business or teetering on the edge of your first big leap, this episode will both inspire and equip you.Here’s what you’ll take away:Why “too much planning” can kill a dream, and how action is the antidoteHow Cain is self-funding his launch (and why he skipped the loan route)The power of a name: what “Action Plan” really meansSmart moves for building trust in a saturated industryWhy certifications and systems matter more than you think—especially early on“You can talk all day long, but action is what proves things.” - Cain McWilliams Call to Action: If you’re planning your own move, take 15 minutes today to evaluate one part of your business. Ask: “Is this set up to support growth, or will I have to fix it later?” Then make one small change to build it right. And don’t forget to subscribe and share this episode with a friend who’s on the edge of launching something new!Learn more about Deanna Lucas through the following links:DND WebsiteFacebook GroupFacebookBuilders Visibility Blueprint

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• From Layoffs to Legacy: Building Spaces That Multiply Impact

  How do you turn five layoffs into a thriving business that empowers others to succeed? In this episode of The Builder’s Edge, host Deanna Lucas sits down with Jeff Wisdom, founder of Wise Design & Management, to explore the power of resilience, design strategy, and kingdom-minded building.Jeff shares how his 18-year journey in the AEC (architecture, engineering, construction) world, and five unexpected layoffs, led him to a faith-filled leap into entrepreneurship. Now, he's helping new business owners, franchisees, and nonprofits turn empty spaces into income-generating, mission-driven environments. From tenant improvements to church builds, Jeff’s full-service firm simplifies the complex maze of permitting, design, and construction management so clients can focus on growth.In this episode, you’ll learn:The biggest hurdles in tenant improvement projects, and how to clear them fastHow to scale a small business or franchise with smart design standardsWhy churches and nonprofits need future-focused designs that grow with themThe surprising impact of a single restroom code, how it cost one project $20K!What you can do this week to move your renovation or build forward wisely“I truly believe it was God kicking me in the butt, saying you’re not supposed to work for someone, you’re supposed to be out there helping people make things happen in their lives.” -Jeff WisdomIf you're dreaming of scaling smarter, this conversation is your blueprint. Hit subscribe, share with a fellow builder, and take one action step this week, because at The Builder’s Edge, the edge is your action.Learn more about Deanna Lucas through the following links:DND WebsiteFacebook GroupFacebookBuilders Visibility Blueprint

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• Why the Sales Funnel Is Broken, and What to Do Instead

  Is your marketing stuck in the past? Here’s why your funnel isn’t working, and how to fix it.For years, contractors and service pros have been taught to rely on the trusty old sales funnel, awareness, interest, decision, action. But if you’ve ever had a lead ghost you after a quote or disappear after saying “I’ll think about it,” you already know something’s off. In this episode of The Builder’s Edge, Deanna Lucas challenges one of the most sacred cows in marketing: the linear sales funnel. Spoiler alert, it’s not how real people buy anymore.Deanna introduces a game-changing idea straight from Google’s latest research: “The Messy Middle.” Instead of a straight path, buyers now loop through exploration and evaluation, often for weeks or months. Think figure-eight, not funnel. This episode breaks down what that means for your marketing strategy and gives you actionable tools to stay relevant, trusted, and chosen, even when the buyer seems to disappear.You’ll also learn:Why customers ghost quotes and how to keep them engagedHow to stay top-of-mind during the “explore and evaluate” loopWhat kinds of free resources build trust (and which don’t)A better way to structure lead magnets using scorecards, quizzes, and moreHow to assess your own visibility with Deanna’s free AI-powered scorecard“Your job isn’t to push people down a funnel. It’s to stay visible, stay credible, and give them reasons to keep coming back until they’re ready to say, ‘I pick you.’” -Deanna Lucas Call to Action: Take Deanna’s free AI Visibility Scorecard today and find out exactly where your business is standing strong, and where you're getting lost in the messy middle. Then share this episode with a fellow builder who’s tired of hearing crickets after sending a quote.Learn more about Deanna Lucas through the following links:DND WebsiteFacebook GroupFacebookBuilders Visibility Blueprint

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• Building Trust, Building Legacy: How Trauma-Informed Leadership Transforms Construction with James Miller

  Homeowners everywhere have felt the anxiety. Can I really trust this contractor? Horror stories of unfinished projects, hidden costs, and broken promises echo through the industry. But what if building a home addition could feel different, not just structurally sound, but relationally solid? That’s the story today’s guest is living out.In this episode of The Builder’s Edge, host Deanna Lucas sits down with James Miller, founder of Valiant Home Additions in Northwest Arkansas. James isn’t just building homes, he’s reshaping what it means to build trust in an industry where trust doesn’t come easy. From his painful childhood watching his father abandon jobs and clients, to building a family-run company rooted in transparency, James shares how honesty, communication, and customization are the real foundations of his work.But James’s vision extends beyond construction. As he transitions leadership of Valiant to his son, he’s also stepping into a new calling: speaking on trauma-informed leadership. He reveals how his own healing journey has shaped the way he leads, connects with clients, and sees the power of hope in any situation.5 Key Takeaways:Why ignoring distrust in the construction industry only makes it worse, and how James tackles it head-on.How asking “What problem are we really solving?” transforms client relationships and project outcomes.The difference between building a home and building a lifestyle.What it really takes to pass a family business on as a gift, not a burden.How being trauma-informed helps leaders spot self-sabotage and unlock hope for themselves and others.“The bigger the problem you solve, the more impact you make. For us, that means building spaces where families can lay down the weight of the world and finally feel at peace.” - James MillerDon’t forget to subscribe, share this episode with a fellow builder, and journal one way you’ll build with purpose this week.Learn more about Deanna Lucas through the following links:DND WebsiteFacebook GroupFacebookBuilders Visibility Blueprint

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• Break Free from Procrastination: The One Small Step That Changes Everything

  What if your next breakthrough in business wasn’t about doing more, but doing less, more consistently?So many builders, contractors, and entrepreneurs find themselves stuck, not from laziness, but from trying to do everything perfectly. In this powerful episode of The Builder’s Edge, host Deanna Lucas sits down with coach Jesse Holmes, a master at helping six-figure entrepreneurs overcome the #1 hidden obstacle to growth: procrastination. But what if procrastination isn’t the problem... just a symptom?Jesse unpacks the real reasons even high-achievers get stuck and shows us how to break through by taking just one embarrassingly small, consistent step each day. This isn’t about hustle or hype, it’s about building momentum that lasts without burning out. Whether you're launching a new system, revamping your operations, or just trying to send that one email you’ve been avoiding, this episode will reframe how you move forward.5 Takeaways to Build With Today:Procrastination is a symptom, not the root problem.Perfectionism often masks fear and delays action.Failure is not final, it’s just feedback to guide your next move.The best habits start with tiny, daily steps you could do on autopilot.Sustainable momentum is built by being pulled by your goal, not pushing toward it."Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly, just get started." – Jesse HolmesPick one tiny step you can take today. Complete it. Repeat it. Then, subscribe to The Builder’s Edge, share this episode with a fellow business owner, and start stacking progress like a pro. Builders don’t wait, they build.Learn more about Deanna Lucas through the following links:DND WebsiteFacebook GroupFacebookBuilders Visibility Blueprint

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