Blueprints Podcast

In this episode of the Blueprints Podcast, Michael and Isabelle sit down to talk about Isabelle’s journey from growing up around job sites and door knocking neighborhoods… to becoming the Director of Sales & Marketing at Custom Built.
If you're a student figuring out your future, someone interested in entrepreneurship, or just curious what it’s really like building a family business — this episode is for you.

What does it really take to step into leadership at a young age? In this episode of the Blueprints Podcast, Michael sits down with Isabelle to talk about the mindset shifts, challenges, and lessons that come with leading a team in your early 20s.
Isabelle shares her journey from answering phones, running home shows, and door knocking as a teenager to building and leading the company’s marketing department. Together, they dive into topics like overcoming imposter syndrome, managing people older than you, building confidence as a leader, delegating effectively, and learning how to grow through discomfort.
They also break down how implementing inbound marketing, content creation, and HubSpot transformed the business — taking Custom Built from almost no online presence to a thriving educational content machine generating leads through blogs, videos, SEO, and social media.

In this episode of the Blueprints Podcast, Isabelle sits down with Michael to unpack two powerful mindset shifts that can completely change how you lead, think, and show up in your life and business. Drawing from personal experiences with trauma, a life-altering head injury, and years of leadership growth, Michael dives into the science of the subconscious mind—and why up to 95% of our daily thoughts, behaviors, and decisions happen automatically beneath the surface.
This conversation explores how hidden beliefs, internal stories, and “shadow” behaviors can quietly shape your results without you even realizing it. You’ll learn how language reveals what’s really going on internally, why certain patterns stop serving you as you grow, and how to recognize when you’re operating from stress versus your best self.
Michael also introduces a practical tool for rewiring your thinking: the “I Am” belief system—shifting from external validation to internal identity. If you’re a business owner, leader, or someone focused on personal growth, this episode will challenge the way you think about control, performance, and identity. It’s not about becoming something new—it’s about recognizing what’s already there and learning how to access it consistently.
If you're interested in mindset shifts for leaders, subconscious behavior patterns, overcoming limiting beliefs, emotional triggers, leadership development, personal growth, and building self-awareness - this one is for you.

In this episode of the Blueprints Podcast, Isabelle sits down with Heather Rivera, owner and founder of Wallflower Designs and lead designer at Carpet Studio Flooring America in Okemos, Michigan. Heather shares her unconventional journey from owning an auditing firm to becoming a sought-after interior designer, explaining how her natural eye for color, love of sourcing beautiful pieces, and willingness to experiment shaped her creative career.
The conversation dives deep into what true design really means, why biophilic design and bringing nature into the home creates calmer, more personal spaces, and why great design takes time, intention, and trust. Heather and Isabelle discuss the importance of living in a space before making major changes, avoiding rushed decisions, and creating a neutral “white box” when starting a remodel to better understand your home’s architecture and flow.
If you’re looking for real-world insight into design trends, flooring selection, remodeling decisions, and how to create a home that actually reflects who you are, this episode delivers practical advice and fresh perspective from two passionate industry professionals.

In this episode of The Blueprints Podcast, Isabelle and Michael deep dive into one of the most important topics in business today: how to build a strong, healthy, growth-oriented company culture.
Together, they unpack what “culture” really means inside a remodeling and construction company, why it starts with the entrepreneur, and how personal growth directly shapes the team’s success. Michael shares the lessons he learned scaling Custom Built from a handful of people to a 40-person design–build firm.
Whether you're a remodeling contractor, business owner, construction leader, or entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with actionable insights on building a team that grows together, supports each other, and makes a meaningful impact on families — both inside and outside the company.

In this episode, Isabelle and Michael talk about why right now is the perfect time to build a career in the construction and trades industry.
From a nationwide housing shortage to the mass retirement of baby boomers, the demand for skilled trades—like carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and HVAC—has never been higher. Michael and Isabelle unpack the reasons behind the skilled labor gap, what that means for future builders, and how schools, parents, and communities can help inspire the next generation of tradespeople.

In this episode of Blueprints, host Isabelle sits down with her dad, Michael, to unpack one of the most transformative practices for leaders and entrepreneurs — the Clarity Break.
Michael shares how taking intentional time away from the business has helped him process stress, refocus his vision, and reconnect with his purpose. From quiet reflection in the mountains of Utah to personal healing after a traumatic head injury, Michael opens up about what these breaks have taught him — about failure, choice, and resilience.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or anyone navigating the busyness of life, this episode offers a powerful reminder: stepping away might be the most productive thing you can do.

In this episode of The Blueprints Podcast, Isabelle sits down with Sara Majeske of Custom Built Design & Remodeling to talk about her journey from newcomer to Lansing to becoming one of the region’s “10 Over the Next 10” honorees.
Sara shares what this award means, how she’s integrated her career, community, and motherhood, and why she believes leadership is about growth, not titles. From her early years in restoration to building a career rooted in connection and purpose, Sara’s story is a powerful reflection on perseverance and community pride.
Tune in for an inspiring conversation about leadership, life balance, and building something meaningful — in work and at home.
#BlueprintsPodcast #Leadership #LansingMI #WomenInConstruction #CustomBuiltDesign #Inspiration

In this episode of The Blueprints Podcast, Isabelle and Michael trace his inspiring journey through the Home Builders Association (HBA). From joining as a young builder in 2004 to ultimately becoming President of the Michigan Home Builders Association in 2020, Michael reflects on the lessons, relationships, and leadership growth that shaped both his career and his company.
Michael opens up about navigating the housing crash of 2008, learning the value of community and mentorship through HBA committees, and the power of servant leadership in difficult times. He shares how his volunteer work evolved into meaningful advocacy for housing affordability, professional development, and unity within the building industry—especially during the challenges of the COVID-19 era.
Whether you’re a contractor, entrepreneur, or simply someone who believes in the power of giving back, this episode offers a raw and insightful look at how involvement in organizations like the HBA can transform not just your business, but your leadership and your life.

In this episode, Isabelle and Michael open up about the deeper meaning behind their work. For Michael, remodeling homes has never just been about construction; it’s about transforming lives, building stronger families, and giving back to the community.
Michael shares his personal story of resilience, surviving unimaginable childhood tragedy, and how that shaped his calling to impact families through both business and service. From supporting organizations like Ele’s Place, Hospice of Lansing, and Kristen’s Ride, to empowering his own team to get involved in local causes, Michael reveals how generosity and community involvement have become cornerstones of his leadership.
Whether you’re a homeowner, entrepreneur, or someone looking for inspiration, this heartfelt conversation reminds us that remodeling isn’t just about houses—it’s about people, purpose, and creating spaces where life’s most meaningful moments unfold.