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
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Sponsors:
www.durationmillwork.com
@durationmouldingandmillwork
www.heavydutypocketdoorframes.com
@hdpocketdoors
Local Sponsor:
www.hiresmooth.com for all your spray foam needs!
@HireSmooth
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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
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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
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3:30:05
Episode 14 Nate Altheimer
Episode 14 brings in Nate Altheimer of A3 Builders, based out of Belgium, Wisconsin.
With 30 years in the game and still wearing his bags, Nate splits his time between running a young framing crew—where his oldest is now swinging a hammer—and supervising larger development projects.
We dig into what it means to build in a market where “high-end” doesn’t look like what you see on social media—and how chasing that illusion can lead to overbuilding in a landscape where that kind of demand doesn’t exist.
In Nate’s world, the goal is clear: build smart—for efficiency, longevity, and reputation.
It was great catching up with Nate, and I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.
Project Size: 2-3 Spec Homes, 1-2 Development projects & Supervision
Yearly Revenue: $5mil
Company size: 3-5 employees
Ep. 14 Guest:
@A3Builders
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
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Episode 13 Andrew Prchlik
Andrew Prchlik, owner-operator of Whalebone Homes in Osterville, MA, is one of the best-kept secrets in high-end residential construction. For the past 19 years, he’s quietly built a reputation for crafting exceptional homes—whether through spec builds, renovations, or ground-up custom projects—for a small, select group of clients.
I met Andrew a few years back and felt an instant connection rooted in a shared love for the craft, acts of service, deep relationships, and a passion for creating. This episode marks round two of our conversations—and this time, we’re bringing it to the podcast.
This isn’t a checklist of what makes Andrew great as a builder or person. You won’t find labeled chapters or step-by-step takeaways. Instead, the real value is laced throughout the conversation—layered in stories, insights, and subtle truths. That’s what I love about talks like this.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Project Size: 4-6 Custom Projects Yr
Yearly Revenue: $6-10mil
Company size: 2-4 employees
Ep. 13 Guest:
https://whalebonehomes.com
@whalebonehomes
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