In this episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark and Stacy Eakman unpack the mindset shift from running a builder job to building an actual company you could step away from (or someday sell). Stacy shares why he joined Alair, how their system and software creates accountability, and why writing things down matters more than we admit. Bonus: an all-time excavation story that will make you laugh and also never start a side business ever again.

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:

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

Sauna Camp
Website: https://www.saunacamps.com/

Where to find the Guest:
Website: https://alairhomes.com/kirkland/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alairhomes/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacy-eakman/

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

In this Losers Are Winners episode, Mark sits down with Luciano Patiño of Elliano Design to talk about failure… and how it turned out to be the best gift of his career. From walking away from a business he co-founded to building his design firm with a true CEO mindset, this one is packed with real talk. We dive into business coaching, identity, collaboration, and the power of asking for help. If you've ever wondered whether your "loss" is actually setting you up for a bigger win, this episode is for you.

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:

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

Contractor Coalition Summit:
Website: https://www.contractorscoalitionsummit.com/

Where to find the Guest:
Website: https://www.ellianodesign.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellianodesign/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucianopatino/

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

Jude Charles flew in and basically flipped the mic on Mark — and they went deep. This episode of The Curious Builder Podcast isn't about countertops and cabinet pulls. It's about burnout, fatherhood, slowing down, and the real emotional "why" behind Mysa Hus. Turns out, the wood-burning fireplace means a little more than Mark thought.

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:

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

Contractor Coalition Summit:
Website: https://www.contractorscoalitionsummit.com/

Sauna Camp
Website: https://www.saunacamps.com/

Where to find the Guest:
Website: https://judecharles.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judecharles/

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