In this episode of The Summit Podcast, host Bob Turner sits down with Joe Spak, owner of First Coast Renovations, to unpack what it really takes to scale a remodeling business with professionalism, profit, and purpose. Joe shares his journey from Connecticut to Florida, how COVID forced him to go all-in on contracting, and how he grew from a one-man operation into a structured team with project managers, designers, and field crews—while targeting $1.5M+ in annual revenue. This is an honest conversation about: The rollercoaster of lead flow Why “busy” doesn’t mean profitable How small scope misses quietly kill margins The leadership shift from tradesman to CEO Why professionalism is still a massive competitive edge in construction Joe also opens up about fatherhood, fitness, licensing challenges, and what “Joe 2.0” looks like heading into 2026. If you’re a contractor, remodeler, or trades business owner trying to grow without losing your life in the process—this episode is for you.

👇 Watch, listen, and drop a comment with your biggest takeaway.

00:00 – Welcome to The Summit Podcast

01:00 – Joe’s path from corporate life to contracting

03:00 – How fast growth really happens (and stalls)

04:30 – Florida remodeling realities & heat lessons

06:40 – Why the owner must stop “running trash”

07:30 – The hidden profit leak: scope gaps & job costing

09:30 – Change orders, discomfort, and giving money away

10:45 – Revenue vs net profit (the real scoreboard)

12:30 – Family, balance, concerts, and life outside work

13:30 – Scaling to $1.5M without adding employees

14:00 – Licensing challenges & long-term positioning

16:30 – Why community matters for entrepreneurs

18:30 – Fitness, discipline, and staying sharp

19:30 – Joe’s EDGE: professionalism as a weapon

21:00 – Fatherhood, legacy, and what really matters

22:00 – Final reflections & Joe 2.0 vision

🎯 Key Takeaways Growth without systems creates chaos Net profit matters more than top-line revenue Small scope misses quietly destroy margins Professionalism still separates winners in construction Community replaces isolation for business owners Leadership means doing what only you can do What’s ONE thing you need to stop doing in your business so you can grow?

construction business podcast remodeling business growth contractor leadership scaling a remodeling business construction profit margins job costing for contractors change orders construction contractor mindset from tradesman to CEO home remodeling business construction entrepreneurship Bob Turner podcast Joe Spak First Coast Renovations Rozenberg Group coaching

#TheSummitPodcast #ConstructionBusiness #RemodelingBusiness #ContractorLife #EntrepreneurMindset #LeadershipDevelopment #BusinessCoaching #TradesToCEO #ConstructionLeadership #BuiltNotBorn #ProfessionalismWins

In this episode of The Summit Podcast, host Bob Turner sits down with Roberto Rodriguez, owner of ARC Design and Construction, to unpack a powerful journey from professional baseball to building a successful construction business. Roberto opens up about the identity shift that came after COVID ended his baseball career—and how the lessons learned under pressure translated directly into leadership, contracting, and entrepreneurship. This conversation dives deep into: The real challenges contractors face (and why mindset matters more than tactics) How community and coaching accelerate growth Why self-awareness under pressure separates struggling contractors from leaders Defining success beyond revenue—as a father, husband, and business owner Setting intentional goals and building clarity heading into 2026 If you’re in the construction industry, running a contracting or renovation business, or navigating a personal reinvention, this episode will challenge how you think about success—and who you’re becoming in the process.

👉 Watch until the end for Roberto’s definition of being a “Major League Dad”—one of the most powerful moments of the conversation.

📌 Subscribe to The Summit Podcast for real conversations on leadership, business growth, mindset, and personal development.

🧠 KEY TAKEAWAYS Transitioning careers requires identity clarity, not just new skills Self-awareness under pressure is a competitive advantage in contracting Community and coaching shorten the learning curve dramatically Success isn’t just profit—it’s alignment with values Being in the right room accelerates growth faster than working harder Business growth starts with better questions, not better answers You don’t scale a company—you scale yourself first

00:00 – Why This Conversation Matters

02:44 – From Professional Baseball to Contracting

05:38 – The Reality of Pressure in Construction

08:12 – Why Community Changes Everything

10:35 – Redefining Success Beyond Money

13:08 – Structuring a Business That Supports Life

15:57 – Asking Better Questions as a Leader

18:35 – Balancing Family, Marriage, and Business

21:10 – What “Major League Dad” Really Means

25:46 – Growth, Teams, and Leadership Evolution

31:22 – Navigating Challenges in the Contracting Industry

34:08 – Financial Goals vs. Fulfillment

39:34 – Licensing, Vision, and Future Plans

42:15 – The Role of Coaching and Accountability

44:55 – Final Reflections on Growth & Identity

“You can change the list.” “I want to be a Major League dad.” “Success isn’t what you build—it’s who you become while building it.” “Pressure doesn’t expose weakness—it reveals truth.”

#ConstructionBusiness #GeneralContractor #Renovations #BusinessCoaching #ContractorMindset #ConstructionLeadership #PersonalDevelopment #EntrepreneurJourney #FromAthleteToEntrepreneur #BusinessGrowth #GoalSetting #SelfAwareness #CoachingForContractors #TheSummitPodcast

In this episode of the Summit Podcast, Bob Turner sits down with Mari Graham, a landscape designer turned realtor, to explore what it really means to evolve your identity, adapt your mindset, and grow through change. Mari shares her journey from landscape design into real estate — a transition driven by family, opportunity, and the willingness to embrace discomfort. Together, they unpack powerful lessons on personal growth, mindset shifts, networking, technology in design, and navigating today’s economic landscape, particularly in luxury and service-based businesses. This conversation is packed with practical insights for entrepreneurs, creatives, and professionals who feel the pull to reinvent themselves while staying grounded in gratitude and purpose.

🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How evolving your identity unlocks new levels of growth Lessons from bridging landscape design and real estate Why mindset matters more than circumstances The role of technology in modern design and business How networking creates unexpected opportunities Navigating economic shifts in high-end markets Using gratitude as a performance and leadership tool Finding your edge by leaning into your strengths

⏱ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Mari Graham 01:13 Journey into Landscape Design & Real Estate 02:52 Evolving Identity & Mindset Shifts 04:06 Bridging Design and Real Estate 06:03 Overcoming Challenges with Purpose 08:29 Market & Economic Insights 10:11 Technology in Modern Design 13:01 Networking & Collaboration 14:23 Preparing for the Future 15:27 Creating Beauty & Balance 18:52 Advice for Entrepreneurs 20:23 Finding Your Edge 23:34 The Power of Gratitude 👇 If this episode resonates, drop a comment with the word EDGE and share what season of growth you’re in right now. 👍 Like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more conversations on leadership, mindset, and business growth.

#SummitPodcast #MindsetMatters #PersonalGrowth #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurMindset #RealEstateJourney #LandscapeDesign #IdentityShift #NetworkingMatters #TechnologyInDesign #EconomicTrends #GratitudePractice #FindingYourEdge #WomenInBusiness #LeadershipDevelopment