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What happens when the desire to help people starts getting in the way of leading effectively? In this episode of The Blueprints Podcast, Michael and Isabelle dive into the hidden costs of people-pleasing in business, leadership, and personal relationships. From overpromising to clients and struggling to set boundaries, to navigating difficult conversations within a growing company, they share real-world experiences from leading and scaling Custom Built. Together, they explore how fear can drive people-pleasing behaviors, why growth often creates new challenges rather than fewer challenges, and how curiosity, communication, and accountability can help leaders break unhealthy patterns. They also discuss the importance of protecting key relationships, managing time intentionally, delegating responsibility, and creating space for honest conversations—even when they're uncomfortable. Whether you're a business owner, leader, entrepreneur, or simply someone who finds themselves saying "yes" too often, this episode offers practical insights on building healthier relationships, making better decisions under pressure, and leading with greater confidence and clarity.

As a father-daughter team working together every day, Michael and Isabelle pull back the curtain on the realities of family business. They discuss the rewards, challenges, and lessons they've learned while building a company together, including setting healthy boundaries, defining clear roles, maintaining professionalism, navigating conflict, and protecting relationships outside of work.Michael also shares insights from working alongside family members throughout his entrepreneurial journey, including partnerships, leadership transitions, and how personal growth directly impacts business success. Together, they explore practical strategies that have helped them build a strong working relationship while continuing to grow both the company and their family connection.Whether you're currently working with family, considering joining a family business, or simply looking to strengthen relationships within your organization, this conversation offers honest perspectives and actionable takeaways.

Every entrepreneur has moments when quitting feels easier than continuing. In this episode of The Blueprints Podcast, Michael shares the most difficult seasons he has faced while building Custom Built—and the decisions that helped him keep moving forward. From surviving the Great Recession and working unsustainable hours to investing in sales coaching, implementing leadership systems, and navigating major organizational changes, Michael reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped the company. He and Isabelle discuss the realities of entrepreneurship, the challenges of growth, and why building a successful business often requires personal growth first. This episode is packed with lessons on resilience, leadership, accountability, business systems, company culture, and the mindset required to navigate uncertainty. Whether you're running a business, leading a team, or pursuing a big goal, you'll find valuable insights from someone who has faced the temptation to quit—and chose not to. Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blueprints-podcast/id1808207660Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6X9qOMBX5LnXxOy7J2Xt8zAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/24570842-e629-468b-96bb-0f400a19a8b4

Every business has a moment that changes everything. In this episode of The Blueprints Podcast, Michael and Isabelle look back on the largest deal Custom Built had ever closed and how it arrived at exactly the right time. As sales slowed heading into the end of 2018, the company faced the same challenge many growing businesses encounter: how do you keep moving forward when the pipeline isn't where it needs to be? The answer came through a past client, an unconventional commercial project, and a willingness to step into an opportunity others had left behind. Michael shares the behind-the-scenes story of how a stalled dog rehabilitation facility became a landmark project for the company, the importance of maintaining relationships with past clients, and the lessons learned about resilience, sales, growth, and never giving up during difficult seasons. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating your own challenges, this episode offers practical insights and an encouraging reminder that persistence often creates opportunities where none seem to exist. Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blueprints-podcast/id1808207660Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6X9qOMBX5LnXxOy7J2Xt8zAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/24570842-e629-468b-96bb-0f400a19a8b4

On this episode of Blueprints, Isabelle and Michael share a behind-the-scenes look at how one trip to the International Builders' Show (IBS) turned into unexpected opportunities, valuable relationships, and a reminder of why getting around the right people matters.What started as a trip to discover new products and make industry connections led to a chance meeting with deck builder and content creator Kevin Croquette. Through a series of seemingly unlikely connections—including Custom Built's long-standing relationship with Northville Lumber, emerging decking products, and upcoming industry events.

In this episode of Blueprints, Isabelle and Michael pull back the curtain on the marketing journey behind Custom Built Design & Remodeling—from the company's earliest days of phone book ads, yard signs, and home shows to building a fully in-house marketing team focused on content, video, branding, and growth.But this conversation goes beyond marketing tactics.As the company enters a new season of growth, Michael and Isabelle explore the realities of scaling a business, leading through change, and navigating the unique dynamic of working together as both business partners and father and daughter.

In this episode of Blueprints, Michael Flory sits down with entrepreneur Dave Johnson to explore the highs, lows, and defining moments that shaped his journey from ministry leader to business owner.Dave shares how losing his job during the 2008 recession became the catalyst for building a thriving portfolio of businesses, including property management, cleaning services, jewelry, glass and screen shops, and more. Along the way, he opens up about the fear, uncertainty, and pressure of providing for a young family, the role mentors played in his growth, and the life-changing support of his wife during some of his most challenging seasons.

In this episode of Blueprints, Isabelle and Michael dive into one of the most overlooked parts of leadership: intentional connection with your team.Michael shares how a challenge from a business coach completely changed the way he leads at Custom Built Design & Remodeling — moving beyond meetings, metrics, and task lists to create meaningful monthly one-to-one conversations with his leadership team. Whether you lead a company, manage a small team, or simply want stronger relationships with the people around you, this episode offers practical insight into building a workplace where people genuinely feel seen, valued, and supported.Because great leadership doesn’t just happen in meetings — it happens in the moments in between.

In this episode of Blueprints, Isabelle and Michael dive into the changing landscape of the workforce and why "blue-collar" careers are becoming the new gold mine. For years, the narrative has been that a four-year degree is the only path to success, but as the demand for skilled trades skyrockets, we’re seeing a massive shift in where the real opportunity—and wealth—is being built. We explores why skilled work is not just a viable career path, but a strategic move for the next generation of entrepreneurs and millionaires. From the autonomy of mastering a craft to the high-earning potential of specialized trades, we’re breaking down why the future belongs to those who know how to build, create, and maintain the world around us.

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.