The Dr Decks Podcast

Leo Adorno was making six figures at 17 years old running a moving company through U-Haul's partner program. By 18 he was losing everything he'd built. By 26, he had his own deck company in Massachusetts with a website generating 2-10 leads per week, seven months after forming the LLC. In this conversation, Leo shares what happened in between: dropping out of high school at 16 after his school refused to sign the transfer papers for an early college program, working under the table as an electrical apprentice at 16 for a boss whose equipment kept getting repossessed, the moving business that made him more money than he knew what to do with, and the spiral that followed. His dad has been sober for 30 years and runs the largest homeless shelter in Boston. A backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail helped Leo find his way back. So did mountain biking, his dog, and eventually a job building decks for a house flipper who taught him the rest. This is a young guy who went the hard way before finding the right path.

Nick Waters from Waters Woodworking Corp joins Dr Decks, who we met at the International Builder Show at the FastenMaster Booth. Nick is 32 years old, born in Kentucky, raised in New Hampshire. His mother relocated constantly during his childhood: sixth grade in Florida, eighth grade in Mississippi, finally settling in Exeter, New Hampshire for high school. Nick graduated through an alternative program for students who couldn't function in a traditional school environment, got into drugs at 17, became a full-blown heroin addict, went through rehab and a sober house at 21, worked at Dunkin Donuts and a factory making giant Jenga blocks, discovered framing at 22, spent four years framing houses, three years in remodeling (including work on a $30 million home where every wall was a radius), and started Waters Woodworking Corp around age 28-29. He now builds 20 decks a year in New Hampshire with a small crew.

Keith Camacho's grandfather drove a school bus converted into a pizza restaurant. His grandmother drove a box truck converted into a calzone stand. They traveled state fairs and bazaars across the tri-state area and Keith grew up behind the counter. That's the kind of upbringing that makes someone impossible to stop. Keith shares the colorful path that eventually led him to deck building: making 700 weight loss muffins a day, spending two weeks inside airplane bellies loading luggage, ten years as a car mechanic, two years in Miami selling Coca-Cola from 5am to 11am, and a corporate territory management career cut short by 9/11. A chance encounter at Home Depot introduced him to deck building. Ten years working for Long Island Decking followed. Then Stellar Decks in 2010, built from the trunk of a Jetta. #KeithCamacho #StellarDecks #ArizonaContractor #DeckBuilder #NorthPhoenix #LongIslandDecks #TimberTech #PlatinumBuilder #EpisodeOneYear #9_11Story #CocaColaStory #BrooklynBorn #PizzaBus #CalzoneTruck #ContractorLife #DrDecksPodcast #ConstructionPodcast #FamilyBusiness #StateFair #StartingOver

In 2019, Lake Michigan hit the highest water level ever recorded in history. Shoreline bluffs were eroding, homes were sliding toward the water, and property values were collapsing. Mason Kuipers was a senior at Hope College when a family friend's house was about to fall into the lake.That emergency phone call started Lakeshore Customs.Mason and his brother Clayton began filling 50-foot-long geotextile sandbags using a sand-water slurry technique and Honda trash pumps to protect the toe of Lake Michigan bluffs from further erosion. They worked through winter nights, waded into the lake in wetsuits, and eventually bought the equipment themselves in April 2020, right as COVID shut everything down.Six years later, they have 20 employees, a new showroom with VR technology, and one of the most specialized luxury outdoor living companies on the Great Lakes.We met Mason at the International Builder Show after Mason donated $1,000 to Saint Jude's Children's Hospital. That kind of character demands a conversation and this episode delivers it.

Sam got expelled from three schools before he turned 16. He stole the master key at boarding school in Asheville. He skateboarded instead of studying and didn't care about traditional education. His Cuban mom and Mexican dad didn't know what to do with him.Now he builds some of the most technically sophisticated homes and decks in North Carolina and he's studying to become a certified passive home builder.In this conversation, Sam shares how his father's 100+ employee drywall business collapsed in 2008, how he worked at a car wash while bouncing through six different college majors, and how he finally decided at 24 that he wanted to be a builder. He pledged five years to a local contractor to learn the trade, got his license at 30, and started Crews Built with a neighbor's custom home and a one-and-a-half page contract that he's embarrassed about today.Sam explains why he prioritizes high-performance building over square footage, what passive home certification actually means, and why he'd rather build a small, scientifically advanced home than a big traditional one any day.#CrewsBuilt #SamCrewsBuilt #NorthCarolinaContractor #CustomBuilder #GreensboroNC #HighPerformanceHomes #PassiveHouse #DeckBuilder #ExepelledFromSchool #SecondChance #TradesCareer #ContractorLife #BoardingSchool #SkateboardingLife #CubanAmerican #MexicanAmerican #DrDecksPodcast #ConstructionPodcast #CustomHomes #BuildingScience

Travis Collins has been posting on Instagram for nine years. He started with 16,000 followers when companies first noticed him. Today he has nearly 2 million followers across platforms and creates the "F.U.K.I.T Friday" videos that contractors obsessively wait for every week. But he still shows up to remodel houses. In this conversation, Travis shares his journey from a small town in upstate New York where he learned to rebuild bikes in sixth grade, to getting a psychology degree at the University of Hawaii, to working seven years turning over 26 new homes for a general contractor, to accidentally becoming one of the most influential tool reviewers on the internet. Travis explains why he took tools apart to show internal build quality, how he changed his handle from an unpronounceable French word to "Tools by Design," why companies started sending him products but Instagram paid nothing for years, and how his wife Liana (a licensed CPA) runs the business side while he creates content and builds. This episode covers the reality of being a "tool influencer" while still living in the trades and why he wouldn't have it any other way.

Zach Burnop had full ride offers from Michigan, Florida State, Stanford, and Georgia Tech. He kicked a 57-yard field goal which is still one of the longest in North Carolina high school history. Then things went sideways.In this conversation, Zach opens up about leaving Appalachian State after two years, becoming a prison guard at a medium security facility (including getting pepper sprayed during training), and eventually finding his way to deck building through Doctor Dax's YouTube videos. He's now the owner of On Deck Construction where he builds 10-12 premium decks a year with a one-to-two man crew.Zach shares the story of reconnecting with his middle school sweetheart at a gas station, getting engaged two weeks later, and being married for almost 20 years. He talks about his father's 45 years of drywall work, his service in Vietnam, Agent Orange exposure, and the physical toll the trades took on his body. This episode covers small-town hustle, building in extreme cold, and why quality matters more than quantity.#ZachBurnup #OnDeckConstruction #NorthCarolinaContractor #DeckBuilder #AveryCounty #AppalachianState #FootballKicker #TimberTech #WesternNC #ChristmasTreeFarm #FraserFir #PrisonGuard #SmallBusinessOwner #DeckBuilding #ContractorLife #DrDecksPodcast #ConstructionPodcast #FamilyBusiness #TradesCareer #SmallTownHustle

Jeremy Wilkins woke up in a Baltimore jail cell on April 20th, 2004. He was 18 years old, and that morning changed everything.In this conversation, the man known online as Deck Master J shares the story he's kept private for over 20 years. You'll hear about the kid who was repairing computers with spare parts at age eight, building robots in middle school, and playing soccer year-round before depression and bad decisions nearly destroyed him.Jeremy explains how he cut off everyone he knew, moved to western Maryland alone, and rebuilt himself through construction. From Office Depot to Home Depot to insurance restoration to kitchens and baths to home inspections, he tried everything before landing at Legacy Decks and discovering his true calling.Now he's training the next generation of builders through the Deck Van Gogh brand and developing software tools to help contractors sell and manage projects more efficiently. This is an honest conversation about failure, reinvention, and the trades saving someone's life.

Mike Malkin spent 15 years installing doors for his parents' Home Depot contract; 35 stores, 15 crews, thousands of installations. In 2020, that all ended with a phone call. The corporate rep told him walking away would be the biggest mistake of his life. Instead, it became his best decision.In this conversation, Mike shares his journey from a skateboarding dropout to deck building business owner. You'll hear about skating with guys who became Olympians, dropping out in 11th grade before his dad convinced him to finish, and making $200 a day at 17 years old installing storm doors.The episode takes an unexpected turn when Mike reveals he met his wife in Mexico, proposed there, and actually lived in the country twice before settling back in Massachusetts. His company name, Malkin and Daughters, is a nod to his parents' Malkin and Sons, updated for his two girls.Now 37 and running his own deck business, Mike hasn't stopped working since he posted that first $50 wine rack on Instagram. This is a story about family legacy, taking risks, and building something of your own.

Robbin Havasi has only been in the United States for six years and the story of how he got here is unlike anything you've heard on this podcast. Born in Sweden to an Air Force family, Robin spent a decade working for Scandinavian Airlines before his construction side hustle took over. But here's the part that caught us off guard: Robin has made about 2,000 skydives, competed on the Swedish national skydiving team, and won a bronze medal at the Indoor Skydiving World Cup in Austin. In February 2020, Robin and his family packed 14 suitcases, flew to Los Angeles with nowhere to live, and landed two weeks before COVID shut everything down. His plan to become a commercial pilot evaporated overnight. So he grabbed the one bag that had his tools, bought a bike for $50, and started doing handyman work around Santa Monica with his tools in a backpack. This conversation covers his Swedish upbringing, the woman who gave him her business card twice before he took the hint, and the hustle that built MORE Design Build in one of America's most competitive markets. #MoreDesignBuild #SwedishContractor #LAContractor #DeckBuilder #Skydiving #SwedishNationalTeam #ImmigrantStory #COVIDStory #RedondoBeach #ConstructionBusiness #DesignBuild #ContractorLife #SkydivingLife #WorldCupMedal #StartingOver #AmericanDream #DrDecksPodcast #ConstructionPodcast #LADecks

Andrew and Benjamin Schoonover are identical twins who built Twin Brothers Construction into a $2.5 million deck company before turning 26. Based in Minnesota's south metro, they've been hustling together since middle school; flipping limited Jordans on Facebook, buying and selling pickup trucks at 15, and finishing high school online in three months.This conversation goes deep into their journey from troubled kids to Timber Tech Platinum builders. Ben shares how he lost his Army Ranger contract to pneumonia days before shipping out. Andrew opens up about the workplace injury that lit a fire under both of them to start their own company. You'll hear about drawing their first logo on a napkin in their grandmother's kitchen, taking any job they could find on Next Door, and hitting platinum status at just 19 years old.This is a raw conversation about brotherhood, hustle, and building something that matters.

Sam Royer is 24 years old, French Canadian, and about to lead his own deck building crew for the first time. In this conversation, he shares his journey from shy kid who struggled in school to confident team leader at his father's company, Pro Deck, near Montreal.Sam opens up about the learning difficulties that made him feel different from other students, choosing carpentry over becoming a mechanic, and how COVID stretched his trade school from 18 months to three years. You'll hear about building an entire house inside a warehouse for his final project, why the stairs lesson mattered most, and starting at Pro Deck doing cleanup before earning his way to framing.The emotional core of this episode comes when Sam reveals that losing his best friend two years ago completely changed his outlook on life. That loss pushed him to stop being shy, start saying yes to opportunities, and embrace moments like appearing on this podcast.This is a conversation about growing up in the trades, finding your confidence, and building something that matters, both in decks and in life.

Chad Hillweh builds decks in one of the most challenging construction environments in America. Based on Oahu's windward side, his company Hawaii Deck Builders faces 8-month permit waits, materials that cost double the mainland price, and freight timelines that stretch 6-8 weeks for basic supplies.In this conversation, Chad shares his unlikely path from Vermont-born son of a Palestinian refugee to psychology graduate to licensed general contractor. You'll hear how his father's convenience store in Waikiki funded the family's real estate investments, why his graduating class had only 12 students, and the dangerous surf breaks where locals learn respect for the ocean.Chad explains how he spent seven years turning over 26 new home builds for another contractor before starting Hillweh Builders in 2019—right before COVID hit. His wife Liana, a licensed CPA, handles everything from taxes to website design to social media. Together they've built a company that's now booked 4-5 months out despite being in business only a few years.This episode covers island life, construction realities, and what it takes to build a deck business in paradise.

Levi Tibbetts from TC Decks joins Dr Decks to share his remarkable journey from Mormon missionary in Brazil to building a million-dollar deck company in Utah. This conversation goes deep into the personal side of construction entrepreneurship.Levi opens up about his darkest days during the 2008 recession when he lost vehicles, equipment, and nearly everything he built. He shares how growing his framing company to 50 employees actually made less money than when he had six, the breaking point that almost ended his marriage, and the single deck project that redirected his entire career. You'll hear about his two-year mission in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, how an Ambien-fueled idea saved his business, and why he finally walked away from framing after 15 years.This episode offers real talk about employee management struggles, the hidden costs of rapid growth, and finding your actual niche after years in the trades. Perfect for contractors questioning their current path or anyone interested in the human side of building a construction business.

Meet Marcello Guimarães, whose path through Brazilian advertising's highest levels led him to become marketing director for GMX Group and the brands underneath that umbrella including Maximo Wood. In this first hour, Marcello shares his unconventional upbringing; growing up as the son of a video rental empire owner in Brazil, spending two years in Orlando learning English through immersion and Hot Wheels rewards, and watching his family go from penthouse to sleeping on office floors after bankruptcy. You'll hear about his father's pioneering video rental business (modeled after Blockbuster before Blockbuster came to Brazil), the decision to stay in Brazil for love while his entire family moved to the US, and his rise through Brazilian advertising agencies to win international awards. Marcello also shares the story of starting his own creative boutique and why he ultimately chose to leave that behind for a marketing role with a lumber company, a decision that seemed crazy at first. This conversation covers international upbringing, creative excellence, family resilience through financial collapse, and choosing love over opportunity. Whether you're interested in advertising, Brazilian culture, or just appreciate stories about building a career across continents, Marcello's journey offers unique insights.

Meet Steele Roberts, whose name alone makes him unforgettable, but his story is what keeps you listening. Growing up in Eastern Washington's Tri-Cities with brothers named Stone and Sterling, Steel's mom knew exactly what she wanted when picking names for her sons. In this first hour, Steel shares his journey through Richland High School football (2017 state champions), his early days working demo on apartment complexes, and what it's like working for the family construction business. You'll hear about winning the Super Bowl in fifth grade peewee league, being the biggest kid in junior high before everyone caught up, and graduating in the largest class in Richland High history. Steel also talks about his first job right out of high school, just one week of summer before diving into construction full-time, and how the business grew during Covid when apartment work kept the crew busy with three major projects. #drdecks #drdeckspodcast #SteeleRoberts #RobertsConstruction #TriCities #EasternWashington #DeckBuilder #ConstructionStory #RichlandBombers #StateChampions #FamilyBusiness #ConstructionCareer #WashingtonBuilder #TradesLife #ConstructionBusiness #DeckConstruction #BuilderStory #ConstructionIndustry #PacificNorthwest #CareerJourney #ConstructionPodcast #TradesCareer

Meet Chad Furley, whose 30-year journey through lumber, windows, packaging, and engineered wood products led him to become Pacific Wood Tech's outdoor living specialist. In this first hour, Chad shares his path starting with a paper route at age 8 in Nebraska, running cross country in high school, and attending trade school where 98% job placement was guaranteed, not something you get with a four-year degree. You'll hear about his time managing 40 employees at Menards, selling Pella windows to architects and landing a $2 million dorm project by simply fixing a homeowner's service issues, and his decade in the packaging industry where he built businesses from $200k to over $1.4 million. Chad also shares the story of getting fired and immediately taking $1.6 million in clients with him, proving that relationships matter more than company loyalty when you treat customers right. This conversation covers entrepreneurship, sales mastery, and the power of building genuine relationships in business. Whether you're in sales, construction, or just appreciate stories about building your way to success, Chad's journey offers valuable lessons about persistence and customer service.

Meet Lainie Slevin, whose 25-year journey through the decking industry has taken her through manufacturing, distribution, and now territory sales for Decks and Docks. Lainie shares her unconventional path growing up taking city buses to school in Queens, moving to Lake Hopatcong where water sports became her passion, and eventually finding her way into the construction industry through a job selling contractor leads. You'll hear about her early days at Trex when composite decking was plagued with mold and mildew issues, her transition to distribution at Parksite, and the competitive drive that led her to bodybuilding competitions for six years. Lainie opens up about the extreme discipline required to compete: eating precisely weighed meals for 16 weeks, painting herself with tanning solution, and the moment she broke someone's arm during arm wrestling practice that ended that competitive chapter. This conversation covers career evolution, competitive sports, and the determination it takes to succeed in a male-dominated industry. Whether you're in the trades or just appreciate stories of perseverance and finding your niche, Lainie's journey offers insights about building expertise over decades while maintaining passion for life outside work.

Meet Jason Varney of Docks And Decks, whose journey through the construction trades led him to a unique specialty: building custom boat docks on Tennessee's waterways. Jason shares his path through framing carpentry in upstate New York, surviving the 2008 recession with eight employees, and discovering his niche in the specialized world of marine construction.You'll hear about his childhood building tree forts and flying RC airplanes, leaving college to pursue framing full-time, and the pivotal moment when someone asked him to build a boat dock; a request that changed everything. Jason opens up about starting with just a pontoon boat, slowly acquiring the barges and excavators needed to drive pilings into river bottoms, and developing a business model that now ships pre-cut dock systems nationwide.This conversation covers finding your specialty, the equipment investment required for marine construction, and building a social media presence that led to becoming a Stabila ambassador. Whether you're in construction or just appreciate stories about finding your niche, Jason's journey shows how specialization can set you apart in a crowded industry.

Meet Clint Holsing, a third-generation contractor whose path through the construction industry took him from framing and siding to becoming one of the top Aero Barrier dealers in the United States. Clint shares his unconventional upbringing, moving 11 times before age 15 as his builder father sold the family home repeatedly, always living in show-ready houses that felt like museums.You'll hear about his early passion for dirt bikes, his brief stint learning welding in Arizona, and the pivotal moment he cut off two fingers on the last day of his first custom home build. Clint opens up about working alongside his brother and the devastating loss when his brother died in a motorcycle accident in 2009, just as the economy crashed. These experiences shaped not just his career, but his approach to business and life.This conversation covers family legacy, personal tragedy, and the resilience needed to keep building when everything falls apart. Whether you're in the trades or just appreciate stories of perseverance, Clint's journey offers raw honesty about the highs and lows of a construction career.