Friends of Build Magazine

Building A Brand & Scaling A Business with Brad Leavitt of AFT Construction (Scottsdale, AZ)

Episode Summary

Ted speaks with Brad Leavitt, founder of AFT Construction in Scottsdale, AZ. Brad shares his failures and his successes and how he grew his company to where it is today.

Episode Notes

Ted speaks with Brad Leavitt, founder of AFT Construction in Scottsdale, AZ. From his beginnings as an electrician to running a successful and award-winning custom home building business, Brad shares his insights on leadership, hiring the best people, and building a brand. Through the many challenges and mistakes, Brad has persevered and learned how to overcome the obstacles in his path. Now a successful entrepreneur, he shares with Ted how he encourages the younger generation, how he retains a stellar staff, and where his company is headed next.

TOPICS DISCUSSED

• 02:20 Brad's Rise in the Construction Industry
• 04:40 Putting together a good team
• 07:50 The Role of Interior Designers in Construction
• 11:55 Building a Brand, Financial Management, and Systems and Processes
• 18:20 Allowing Yourself to Fail and Learning from Mistakes
• 20:55 Dealing with Shiny Object Syndrome
• 21:55 The Importance of Optimism in Leadership
• 26:25 Exciting New Relationships and Rising Stars
• 28:15 The Impact of AI on the Building Community
• 30:55 The Potential of Robots in Construction
• 32:35 The Toyota Five Principles of Problem-Solving
• 38:20 Managing client expectations and change orders
• 41:15 The Importance of Trade Skills for the Younger Generation
• 46:35 Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• 47:45 Building a Strong Online Presence through Social Media

CONNECT WITH GUEST

Brad Leavitt

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram

KEY QUOTES FROM EPISODE

• "Leadership is about showing empathy and caring for your team."
• "Building a brand is crucial for business growth and success."
• "AI is going to change... how manufacturers are operating."