Episode 3 - Reed Watterson, Owner, Watterson Excavating Inc - From Dirt Work to Commercial Real Estate

Episode 3 - Reed Watterson, Owner, Watterson Excavating Inc - From Dirt Work to Commercial Real Estate

☑️ In this episode of Built From The Ground Up 🎙️, I sit down with Reed Watterson — Owner of Watterson Excavating Inc. Reed shares his journey from graduating high school in Enumclaw to building a massive excavation business and a diverse commercial real estate portfolio. TOPICS WE COVER: ➡️ Starting from the Ground Up: Transitioning from a laborer to owning a specialized excavation business. ➡️ Strategic Scaling: How staying small and keeping overhead low allowed them to thrive during the 2008-2010 economic crash. ➡️ The Power of "Mailbox Money": Transitioning business profits into commercial strip malls and land development for passive income. ➡️ Management and Growth: The impact of hiring a General Manager and scaling to 100+ employees. ➡️ Branding and Reputation: Why keeping the "cleanest trucks in the business" is a core part of their company identity. ➡️ Entrepreneurial Advice: The importance of maintaining good credit and treating employees like family. Whether you're looking to start a blue-collar business 🚜 or you're interested in the long-term benefits of commercial real estate 🏢, this conversation is packed with real talk on how to build a lasting legacy through hard work and smart investments. 🔔 Don’t forget to like and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Built from the Ground Up! → → → CONNECT WITH BRIAN ON SOCIAL MEDIA: ← ← ← ‎⁠➡️ INSTAGRAM [https://www.instagram.com/hoppergroup]⁠ ‎⁠➡️ LINKEDIN⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/briandhopper/] ‎⁠➡️ YOUTUBE⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@Hoppergroupre] ‎⁠➡️ WEBSITE [https://brianhopper.com/]⁠ Visit Watterson Excavating Inc website: wattersonexcavating.com ‎ ‎🛠️What is -Build from the Ground Up??? ‎Here is a bit about what we talk about: ‎Behind the Empire: The raw truth about what it takes from the ground up. STR's, Investing and more! ‎Power Moves & Success Stories: Real wins from real players. ‎Mastering Longevity in Business: Strategies to stay ahead. ‎The Client-First Formula – Mastering customer service, retention, and relationships. ‎Real Estate: Hustle, Deals, strategies, and PNW market insights. ‎Leveling Up: Mindset, money, generosity and mastery. ‎Strength & Stamina: Workouts that build both body and discipline. ‎Fuel for Greatness: Eating to win in life and business. ‎ ‎#LuxuryRealEstate #InteriorDesign #RealEstatePodcast #LuxuryLiving #DesignInspiration #hoppergroup #STR's #investing #realestate #HighEndHomes #design #RealEstateTips #businessgrowth

Episode 2 - Mike Baiocchi, CEO of Stay Roam - All About Investment Properties

☑️ In this episode of Built From The Ground Up 🎙️, I sit down with Mike Baiocchi — CEO of Stay Roam — to uncover how Mike (aka Mikey B) transformed a single property into a thriving short-term rental empire. TOPICS WE COVER: ➡️ How to get started with STR investing ➡️ The mindset and strategy behind scaling fast ➡️ Tools and tips to boost your rental revenue ➡️ Why having fun is just as important as working hard Whether you're just starting out in real estate 💼 or you're a seasoned Airbnb host 🌍, this conversation is packed with real talk, expert insights, and the entrepreneurial energy you need to level up. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe so you never miss an episode of Built from the Ground Up! → → → CONNECT WITH BRIAN ON SOCIAL MEDIA: ← ← ←  ⁠➡️ INSTAGRAM⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/hoppergroup?igsh=ZTJueWdoODh2OHJ1&utm_source=qr]   ⁠➡️ LINKEDIN⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/briandhopper?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app]   ⁠➡️ YOUTUBE⁠ [https://youtube.com/@hoppergroupre?si=kJERjTCnv69nHCdq] ⁠➡️ WEBSITE ⁠ [https://Www.BrianHopper.com] Follow our guest Mike B! Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mikebaiocchi?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] Stay Roam [https://www.instagram.com/stayroam_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] 🛠️What is -Build from the Ground Up??? Here is a bit about what we talk about: Behind the Empire: The raw truth about what it takes from the ground up. STR's, Investing and more! Power Moves & Success Stories: Real wins from real players. Mastering Longevity in Business: Strategies to stay ahead. The Client-First Formula – Mastering customer service, retention, and relationships. Real Estate: Hustle, Deals, strategies, and PNW market insights. Leveling Up: Mindset, money, generosity and mastery. Strength & Stamina: Workouts that build both body and discipline. Fuel for Greatness: Eating to win in life and business. #LuxuryRealEstate #InteriorDesign #RealEstatePodcast #LuxuryLiving #DesignInspiration #hoppergroup #STR's #investing #realestate #HighEndHomes #design #RealEstateTips #businessgrowth

Episode 1 - Award winning Interior Designer, Nicole Hopper, CEO of Nicole Hopper Interiors

☑️In this episode, Brian sits down with the incredibly talented award winning, magazine cover gracing Nicole Hopper. Nicole is a sought-after luxury interior designer and CEO of Nicole Hopper Interiors known for creating the most stunning transformations of exclusive homes through out the Pacific Northwest. Together, Brian & Nicole pull back the curtain on the synergy between high-end real estate and interior design—revealing the details and process of a well-designed space and the client experience. 🎬 Chapters for Episode 1: Nicole Hopper – Interior Design CEO 0:00 – Intro & Guest Reveal Brian’s intro, Meet Nicole Hopper, award-winning designer and CEO of Nicole Hopper Interiors. 0:40 – Early Beginnings How Nicole got started with design (and the $10,000 umbrella story). 2:15 – From Side Hustle to Full Business Transitioning from small projects to full remodels. 5:00 – Building the Brand Creating a logo, website, and branding with help from a coach. 6:45 – Finding Confidence Through Coaching Personal growth and professional breakthrough moments. 8:00 – First Magazine Feature Landing a COVER & a five-page spread in Portrait Magazine + Kirkland Lifestyle Magazine. 9:15 – Winning Designer of the Year How local recognition kicked things into high gear. 10:25 – Growing the Team Nicole's support crew and the roles they play. 14:00 – The Client Experience Creating personalized, white-glove service in every project. 16:15 – Design Intuition & Discernment Reading clients, understanding their lifestyle, and nailing the design. 17:55 – The Power of Professional Design Why even great DIY lacks the magic of a designer’s eye. 19:00 – Project Portfolio Highlights Nicole shares a peek at some standout projects (Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland). 21:30 – Behind-the-Scenes Process What happens before the final reveal: renderings, mood boards, and more. 23:30 – From Construction to Reveal Furniture installation, photo shoots, and the big “wow” moment. 25:00 – Real Estate Meets Design How Nicole and her husband (Brian) merge their worlds. 26:10 – Buying Our Dream Home The story of buying a client's house — and making it their own. 28:30 – Expanding to NYC How the Upper East Side became her next big design canvas. 29:30 – Advice for Aspiring Designers Nicole’s heartfelt advice to young creatives entering the field. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe so you never miss an episode of Built from the Ground Up! → → → CONNECT WITH BRIAN ON SOCIAL MEDIA: ← ← ←  ➡️ INSTAGRAM [https://www.instagram.com/hoppergroup?igsh=ZTJueWdoODh2OHJ1&utm_source=qr]   ➡️FACEBOOK   ➡️ LINKEDIN [https://www.linkedin.com/in/briandhopper?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app]   ➡️ YOUTUBE [https://youtube.com/@hoppergroupre?si=kJERjTCnv69nHCdq] ➡️ WEBSITE  [https://Www.BrianHopper.com] Follow our guest Nicole: Instagram: @NicoleHopperInteriors Portfolio: NicoleHopperInteriors.com 🛠️What is -Build from the Ground Up- all about and what we talk about: Behind the Empire: The raw truth about what it takes from the ground up. Power Moves & Success Stories: Real wins from real players. Mastering Longevity in Business: Strategies to stay ahead. The Client-First Formula – Mastering customer service, retention, and relationships. Real Estate: Hustle, Deals, strategies, and PNW market insights. Leveling Up: Mindset, money, generosity and mastery. Strength & Stamina: Workouts that build both body and discipline. Fuel for Greatness: Eating to win in life and business. #LuxuryRealEstate #InteriorDesign #RealEstatePodcast #LuxuryLiving #DesignInspiration #hoppergroup #Nicolehopperinteriors #HighEndHomes #design #RealEstateTips #businessgrowth