Sarah Allen, Sarah Allen Design

Vasyl Lukyanenko, Epure Millwork

Vasyl Lukyanenko left Ukraine two weeks before the war started and built a custom millwork business from nothing in the United States in just four years. In this episode of the Designers and Builders Podcast, host Steve Larosiliere sits down with the founder and owner of Epure Millwork to talk about precision craftsmanship, the realities of scaling a shop, and what it takes to say yes to every opportunity when failure is not an option. Vasyl's path to the trades was unconventional. With a background in tech, an MBA, and a first degree in marketing, he understood the business side long before he ran a shop floor. After arriving in the US, he and his former partner began installing Italian furniture in New York, where their European training in millimeter-precise work quickly set them apart. That reputation for precision led to their own fabrication shop, and when the partnership dissolved, Vasyl launched Epure Millwork with a team of craftsmen carrying over 40 years of combined experience. The conversation covers the real mechanics of running a small, high-end shop: how Vasyl learned the hard way that upholstery subcontracting costs can destroy a budget, why he now walks away from clients who push too hard on price, and how his 10-person team handles everything from luxury Manhattan townhouses to jewelry store buildouts in Nashville, Orlando, and Miami. He breaks down his project workflow, from weeks of shop drawing revisions to rapid fabrication and installation, and explains why he would rather take fewer projects and execute them flawlessly than overload his schedule. Steve and Vasyl also trade notes on the challenges of project management software in the trades, the wave-like seasonality of the business, and why the hardest part of running a shop is not the equipment but finding people you can trust. For designers, builders, and entrepreneurs, this is an honest look at what it takes to build a craft-based business from the ground up in a new country. Vasyl's story is a testament to the power of precision, relentless work ethic, and the willingness to say yes before you have all the answers. Whether you run your own shop or manage subcontractors, his insights on pricing, client trust, and team building are immediately applicable. Chapters: 00:00 From Ukraine to New York: Starting Epure Millwork 04:48 The Pursuit of Perfection in Every Detail 05:25 Product Evolution: From First Project Losses to Luxury Buildouts 09:07 Saying Yes to Everything and Traveling for the Work 12:03 Knowing When to Walk Away from a Project 15:06 Shop Drawings, Process, and Why Preparation Saves Everything 20:39 What Keeps You Up at Night Running a Millwork Shop 22:29 Running the Business: Software, Reporting, and Team Management 28:13 Seasonality, Market Waves, and the Year Ahead 31:29 High-End Clients, Privacy, and Marketing a Craft Business 35:09 Leaving Ukraine and Building a Life from Nothing The Designers and Builders Podcast shares stories from industry leaders transforming the world of design and construction: covering behind-the-scenes insights, real-world strategies, and the trends shaping the future of the industry. Empowering design/build professionals to grow and scale  buildergrowth.io shares the tools, strategies, and insights you need to take your business to the next level. Connect with us at:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designersandbuilders/ [https://www.instagram.com/designersandbuilders/] Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@designersandbuilders [https://substack.com/@designersandbuilders] You can connect with Vasyl at: https://epuremillwork.com/ [https://epuremillwork.com/] https://www.instagram.com/epuremillwork/ [https://www.instagram.com/epuremillwork/]

Chanae Richards, ọlọrọ Interiors

Chanae Richards turned a creative outlet into a thriving design practice that spans New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and beyond. In this episode of the Designers and Builders Podcast, host Alyssa Olson sits down with the CEO and Principal Designer of ọlọrọ Interiors to explore how intentional design, deep listening, and community investment create spaces that truly enrich people's lives. Chanae's path to design was anything but linear. Her first designed space was an art gallery in New York City, and from there, opportunities grew organically. From set design for brands like Unilever to curating the space where then-Senator Kamala Harris announced her vice presidential candidacy, Chanae's career has been shaped by bold pivots and the willingness to follow where the work leads. The conversation digs into what makes Chanae's approach distinctive. Her firm name, ọlọrọ, means "rich" in the West African language of Yoruba, and that philosophy runs through everything she does: visually rich, layered with intention, rich in how clients feel when a project is complete. She discusses her thorough client survey process that uncovers deeply personal associations with color and material, her commitment to sourcing locally, and her decision to work exclusively with returning clients for the past two years. Chanae also opens up about the real pressures facing designers today, from global supply chain disruptions and rising fuel costs to the role of AI in a relationship-driven profession. For designers, builders, and entrepreneurs, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on building a sustainable creative business without sacrificing authenticity. Chanae's four years leading an entrepreneurial resource center at a housing authority, her art practice born during the pandemic, and her philosophy that the best design starts at home all point to a designer whose impact extends far beyond any single project. Chapters: 00:00 The Meaning Behind ọlọrọ Interiors 01:20 From Criminology to Design: A Nonlinear Path 04:09 Key Projects: Set Design, Airbnbs, and a Vice Presidential Stage 06:32 Plants, Wellbeing, and Designing for How People Actually Live 09:28 The Importance of Seeing What You Can Become 13:04 Community, Local Sourcing, and Giving Back 16:30 Getting Clients: The Bold Move to Work Only with Returning Clients 18:11 Leading an Entrepreneurial Resource Center 22:12 Supply Chain Disruptions and Designing Through Uncertainty 27:02 AI, Analog Process, and What Technology Cannot Replace 30:37 Current Projects and the Sacred Nature of Home 36:48 Advice: Listen First, Build Relationships, Provide Solutions Whether you are rethinking your own career path, looking for ways to deepen client relationships, or searching for inspiration on how design can serve communities beyond the project scope, Chanae's story is one you will want to hear.  The Designers and Builders Podcast shares stories from industry leaders transforming the world of design and construction: covering behind-the-scenes insights, real-world strategies, and the trends shaping the future of the industry. Empowering design/build professionals to grow and scale  buildergrowth.io shares the tools, strategies, and insights you need to take your business to the next level. Connect with us at:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designersandbuilders/ [https://www.instagram.com/designersandbuilders/] Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@designersandbuilders [https://substack.com/@designersandbuilders] You can connect with Chanae at: https://www.olorointeriors.com/ [https://www.olorointeriors.com/] https://www.instagram.com/olorointeriors/ [https://www.instagram.com/olorointeriors/]

Brian Messana, Messana O'Rorke

Brian Messana has spent 30 years proving that architecture is not about trends, square footage, or flashy materials. It is about how a space makes you feel. In this episode of the Designers and Builders Podcast, host Alyssa Olson sits down with the co-founder of Messana O'Rorke to explore what it means to build a practice rooted in clarity, craft, and an unwavering commitment to the human experience of design. Growing up in Southern California, Brian fell in love with design through his father's interior design practice, where hand-drafted renderings, the smell of markers, and physical model-making sparked a lifelong obsession. That early curiosity led him to New York City, where he walked into Richard Meier's office without a job and was hired by Thomas Phifer. The experience instilled a rigorous work ethic and a deep understanding of how light, volume, and the grid shape space. After a brief stint with Peter Marino, Brian and Toby O'Rorke launched their own firm at age 30, driven more by naivety and passion than a polished business plan. Brian walks through the firm's design philosophy of "interior urbanism," the idea that in dense cities like New York, every inch must earn its place. He details the Jewel Box project, a studio apartment transformed by a golden brass cube that conceals a bed, creates a hallway, and turns a single room into a sequence of spatial experiences complete with hidden kitchen, Carrara marble bathroom, and abundant storage. He also discusses the firm's monograph, Building Blocks, and how their pursuit of abstraction and reduction creates architecture that feels timeless. The conversation dives into the real tensions of modern practice: photorealistic renderings that are almost too real for schematic design, the efficiency of Zoom versus the loss of happy accidents, and the honest insecurity that keeps a 30-year firm hungry. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:26 Growing Up Around Design in Southern California 06:02 Happy Accidents and the Leap of Faith in Architecture 08:09 The Double-Edged Sword of Photorealistic Renderings 17:48 Software, Hand-Built Models, and the Craft of Process 21:16 The Jewel Box: Interior Urbanism in a Studio Apartment 29:30 Building Blocks: Abstraction, Light, and Timelessness 35:04 Mentors: Richard Meier, Thomas Phifer, and Early Career 41:40 The Productive Insecurity of Running a Creative Business 48:20 The Future: Scaling Without Losing Intimacy 50:29 Advice: Stay Naive, Stay Curious 56:26 Travel as Design Inspiration and Closing Whether you are an emerging designer figuring out your identity or a seasoned practitioner questioning your next chapter, Brian's candid reflections on craft, business, and creative courage make this an episode worth your time. Subscribe to the Designers and Builders Podcast wherever you listen, and follow along on Instagram for more conversations with the people shaping our built environment. The Designers and Builders Podcast shares stories from industry leaders transforming the world of design and construction: covering behind-the-scenes insights, real-world strategies, and the trends shaping the future of the industry. Empowering design/build professionals to grow and scale  buildergrowth.io shares the tools, strategies, and insights you need to take your business to the next level. Connect with us at:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designersandbuilders/ [https://www.instagram.com/designersandbuilders/] Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@designersandbuilders [https://substack.com/@designersandbuilders] You can connect with Brian at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-messana-7196252/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-messana-7196252/] https://www.messanaororke.com/ [https://www.messanaororke.com/] https://www.instagram.com/messanaororke/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/messanaororke/?hl=en]

Daniel Monteiro, Reidy Contracting Group

What does it take to build a career, and a reputation, in one of the most demanding construction markets in the world? Daniel Monteiro, Managing Partner at Reidy Contracting Group, has figured it out, and in this episode he breaks down exactly how. In this episode of the Designers and Builders Podcast, host Steve Larosiliere sits down with Daniel to trace his path from a childhood obsession with Legos to leading complex, high-stakes construction projects across New York City. Daniel shares how joining a startup contracting firm early in his career forced him to learn fast, take ownership, and develop the kind of problem-solving instincts that no classroom can teach. Daniel gets candid about what makes building in New York City unlike anywhere else, from layered regulations and tight timelines to the logistical puzzle of working in dense urban environments. He talks about the projects that shaped him, the pride he takes in craftsmanship, and how he thinks about building a team and a business that can scale without losing quality. He also shares a genuinely optimistic take on AI in construction, not as a replacement for skilled people, but as a tool for reducing errors, managing project details, and freeing up mental bandwidth for the work that actually matters. Chapters:  00:00 Introduction to Daniel Monteiro and His Journey  02:08 Career Highlights and Growth at Reidy Contracting Group  06:01 Challenges and Lessons from a Startup Environment  10:10 Significant Projects and Their Impact  12:05 The Unique Challenges of Building in New York City  15:53 Pride in Craftsmanship and Its Ripple Effects  18:57 Managing Workflows and Looking Ahead  20:50 Incorporating AI into Construction Management  24:53 The Future of AI in the Industry  28:03 Growth, Relationships, and What Comes Next  29:58 Final Insights and Advice for Aspiring Builders The Designers and Builders Podcast shares stories from industry leaders transforming the world of design and construction: covering behind-the-scenes insights, real-world strategies, and the trends shaping the future of the industry. Empowering design/build professionals to grow and scale  buildergrowth.io shares the tools, strategies, and insights you need to take your business to the next level. Connect with us at:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designersandbuilders/ [https://www.instagram.com/designersandbuilders/] Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@designersandbuilders [https://substack.com/@designersandbuilders] You can connect with Daniel at: https://reidygroup.com/ [https://reidygroup.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-monteiro-4b0418168/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-monteiro-4b0418168/] https://www.instagram.com/reidygroup/ [https://www.instagram.com/reidygroup/] https://www.facebook.com/people/Reidy-Contracting-Group/100054445511727/# [https://www.facebook.com/people/Reidy-Contracting-Group/100054445511727/#]

Lance O'Donnell, o2 Architecture

What does it take to design buildings that feel as natural as the landscape they sit in? Lance O'Donnell, FAIA, founding principal of o2 Architecture and newly elevated Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, has spent decades answering that question in one of the most demanding climates on earth: the Coachella Valley desert. In this episode of the Designers and Builders Podcast, host Alyssa Olson sits down with Lance to explore how growing up among date and citrus ranches in Indio, California shaped his deep, almost instinctive understanding of desert living. From lessons learned watching his rancher grandfathers work lightly on the land, to studying the Cahuilla Indians' seasonal migration patterns, Lance has built a design philosophy rooted in climate responsiveness, material honesty, and a genuine love of place. Lance and Alyssa cover a wide range of terrain, from the principles of regional modernism and resilient material selection to the realities of running a small architecture firm in a resort town. Lance opens up about building and leading a creative team that draws talent from across the globe, shares his optimism about how AI might finally untangle the regulatory bottlenecks slowing down construction, and tells the story of a bold, cold letter he wrote to a tribal chairman that turned into one of his most beloved projects. This conversation is for anyone who cares about thoughtful design, sustainable building, craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, and the enduring relationship between architecture and the natural world. If you believe great design should work with the land, not against it, this episode is for you. Follow the Designers and Builders Podcast so you never miss a conversation like this one. Chapters:  00:00 Introduction to Lance O'Donnell and His Journey  02:19 Growing Up in the Desert  09:40 Materiality and Desert Resilience  12:42 Defining Regional Modernism  18:32 Client Relationships and the Design Ethos  23:20 Building and Leading a Global Team  29:51 AI, Technology, and the Future of Practice  38:54 The Boldest Risk: A Letter to a Tribal Chairman  43:54 What's Next and Parting Words The Designers and Builders Podcast shares stories from industry leaders transforming the world of design and construction: covering behind-the-scenes insights, real-world strategies, and the trends shaping the future of the industry. Empowering design/build professionals to grow and scale  buildergrowth.io shares the tools, strategies, and insights you need to take your business to the next level. Connect with us at:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designersandbuilders/ [https://www.instagram.com/designersandbuilders/] Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@designersandbuilders [https://substack.com/@designersandbuilders] You can connect with Lance at: https://www.o2arch.com/ [https://www.o2arch.com/] https://www.instagram.com/o2architecture/ [https://www.instagram.com/o2architecture/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/lance-o-donnell-3aa1499 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lance-o-donnell-3aa1499]