In this episode of The Commercial Builders' Network, I'm joined by Rick Ellis of Blest Trade Alliance, a workforce-development professional with nearly three decades of experience connecting people with employment opportunities.

Rick explains why completing a training program and being job ready are not necessarily the same thing—and what workers, training providers and employers can do differently.

We talk about the gap between the classroom and the jobsite, and why technical training alone may not prepare someone for expectations like:

⏰ Showing up consistently and on time
🤝 Being coachable
🚗 Having reliable transportation
🗣️ Communicating effectively
👷 Understanding jobsite expectations
📈 Knowing how to grow once you're hired

But this conversation isn't only about the worker.

Rick explains why employers also have a responsibility to create a stronger bridge into the industry—with mentoring, realistic expectations, structured 30/60/90-day plans, regular feedback and opportunities for entry-level workers to gain real experience.

We also discuss:

🏗️ How Blest Trade Alliance connects schools, workers and employers

💼 Why small construction businesses shouldn't assume they have to train new workers alone

🎓 Why a certificate doesn't automatically make someone employable

🛠️ How real jobsite experience can help close the workforce gap

📈 How employers can improve retention after hiring someone

🏠 Why transportation, childcare, housing and other barriers matter when helping someone transition into a career

💰 Why skilled trades can become a pathway to stronger income, entrepreneurship and long-term opportunity

🔧 Why electricians, HVAC professionals, construction workers and other skilled tradespeople shouldn't view these careers as “settling”

Rick makes an important distinction:

Everybody who will pay you isn't necessarily going to invest in you.

For workers, the goal shouldn't simply be finding someone willing to hire you. Look for employers willing to help you continue developing your skills and career.

And for employers?

Training is an investment.

If the construction industry wants to solve its workforce shortage, workers, training providers, employers and workforce organizations have to work together.

🎥 Watch the full episode and subscribe to The Commercial Builders' Network on YouTube.

Construction can change your life—and it's starting to look a lot like you.

#ConstructionCareers #SkilledTrades #ConstructionJobs #WorkforceDevelopment #Apprenticeships #ConstructionIndustry #CareerDevelopment #ConstructionTraining #TradeSchool #TheCommercialBuildersNetwork

In this episode of The Commercial Builders' Network, I'm joined by Jessica McMahan, Senior Supplier Opportunity Manager at Brasfield & Gorrie, to explain how subcontractors, suppliers, trade contractors and small construction businesses can position themselves for opportunities with a major commercial general contractor.

We take a deep dive into EQUIP, Brasfield & Gorrie's program designed to connect contractors with people, resources, training and real project opportunities.

In this episode:

🏗️ How to do business with Brasfield & Gorrie

🤝 How the EQUIP program works

📋 Brasfield & Gorrie's prequalification process

💻 How BuildingConnected is used for bidding

📍 Where to find upcoming project opportunities

📞 Who contractors should build relationships with

⚠️ Common mistakes contractors make when bidding

📈 What makes a subcontractor stand out

💬 When and how to follow up after submitting a bid

🎓 Training, networking and technical assistance through EQUIP

👷 Career, internship and apprenticeship opportunities in construction

One of Jessica's biggest lessons: don't bid one project, lose it, and walk away.

Commercial construction has a long bidding cycle. Contractors may participate in multiple rounds—from conceptual and schematic pricing through final documents—before an award is made. Building relationships, understanding the project schedule, bidding consistently and requesting feedback throughout the process matter.

And there's proof the process can work.

Jessica shares the story of a contractor that engaged consistently with EQUIP, secured an initial project worth approximately $222,000, and later received an award exceeding $1 million.

Whether you're a subcontractor, supplier, architect, engineer, trade contractor or small construction company trying to break into commercial construction, this conversation gives you actionable next steps.

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube Wednesday and subscribe to The Commercial Builders' Network.

Don't just learn about opportunities. Learn how to access them.

💬 What's your biggest challenge when trying to work with a major general contractor?

#BrasfieldAndGorrie #CommercialConstruction #ConstructionContracts #Subcontractor #GeneralContractor #ConstructionBusiness #Procurement #SmallBusiness #SupplierOpportunity #TheCommercialBuildersNetwork

🏠 HOUSE MEETING! The Commercial Builders' Network is evolving—and we need to talk about where we're going.

After all of the conversations we've had across commercial construction and real estate, I started asking one question:

When you finish watching an episode, what are you actually going to DO with the information?

Information is great. Inspiration is great. Stories matter. But at some point, we need instructions.

So consider this our first official TCBN House Meeting.

No guest this time. I'm explaining where The Commercial Builders' Network is going, what you'll be able to find here, and why we're changing the way we approach these conversations.

The mission isn't changing. It's getting clearer.

Moving forward, every TCBN conversation will be built around three principles:

🔎 Clarity — Why does this information matter to you?
📚 Comprehension — What does it mean and how does the process work?
🎯 Credibility — Are we learning from someone who actually works in that area?

Instead of simply telling you opportunities exist, TCBN will go directly to the people and organizations who can explain how to access them.

On TCBN, we'll explore:

🏗️ Contracts & Small Business Opportunities
How to work with general contractors, government agencies, developers and major institutions—including procurement, prequalification, certifications and supplier development.

👷 Construction Careers & Workforce Development
Skilled trades, apprenticeships, training, salaries, career changes and pathways into construction.

🏢 Commercial Real Estate & Development
How projects move from an idea to reality—from evaluating property and hiring an architect to due diligence, permitting, selecting contractors and avoiding expensive mistakes.

💰 Financing & Access to Capital
Commercial lending, SBA financing, private capital, debt, equity, investors, underwriting and what actually makes someone financeable.

🏡 Housing & Homeownership
Affordable and attainable housing, homeownership programs, financial readiness, housing development and the connection between income, ownership and wealth.

🤝 Trust & Transparency
How institutions, businesses and communities can rebuild trust by making opportunities and processes more transparent.

These aren't separate conversations.

Exposure creates opportunity.
Opportunity creates careers.
Careers create income.
Income creates stability.
Stability can create homeownership.
Skills can create entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneurship can create ownership.
Ownership can create investment.
Investment can create wealth.
And wealth, protected and transferred, can become legacy.

That's the ecosystem we're building.

TCBN isn't becoming a different platform. It's becoming a more useful one.

🎥 Subscribe and use this channel as your resource for careers, contracts, commercial construction, commercial real estate, development, financing, housing and economic opportunity.

Don't just watch these conversations. Use them.

#CommercialConstruction #ConstructionCareers #ConstructionContracts #CommercialRealEstate #WorkforceDevelopment #SmallBusiness #EconomicDevelopment #SkilledTrades #RealEstateDevelopment #TheCommercialBuildersNetwork

In this episode of The Commercial Builders' Network, Jonathan Clark of Community Solutions by Design shares how nine Tennessee State University graduates came together around one vision and built a successful architecture and engineering firm through collaboration, trust, complementary strengths, and strategic partnerships.

Jonathan originally shared his entrepreneurial vision with dozens of classmates. Years later, eight of them answered the call to build with him.

They brought different experiences across architecture, engineering, construction, construction management, and owner's representation—and used those differences as an advantage rather than trying to do everything individually.

Their journey offers an important lesson for entrepreneurs: you don't always have to find someone ahead of you. Sometimes the people you need to build with are standing beside you.

In this episode, we discuss:

🤝 Why collaboration can accelerate business growth

🏗️ How nine college friends built an architecture & engineering company

💼 Why complementary strengths matter when choosing partners

🧠 How to divide responsibilities when you're surrounded by talented people

⚠️ Why character matters more than technical ability in a long-term partnership

💰 Why "not all money is good money"

🏢 Growing from residential work into major commercial projects

✈️ How relationships and partnerships created opportunities in aviation

📐 Architecture, engineering, construction and development

🌱 Why relationships you build today can create opportunities years later

Jonathan also explains why choosing the right partners matters just as much as choosing to partner at all. His advice: pay attention to someone's character when things aren't going well, because stress often reveals who you're really building with.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, contractor, architect, engineer, developer, small business owner, or professional considering starting a company, this conversation challenges the idea that success has to happen alone.

🎥 Watch the full episode and subscribe to The Commercial Builders' Network for conversations connecting people to careers, businesses, partnerships, and opportunities across commercial construction and real estate.

💬 Would you rather build a company alone—or build with partners who bring strengths you don't have?

#BusinessPartnership #Entrepreneurship #Architecture #Engineering #CommercialConstruction #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth #StrategicPartnerships #CommercialRealEstate #TheCommercialBuildersNetwork

In this episode of The Commercial Builders' Network, Yomi Adeyemo, Director of Community Engagement at Juneau Construction, explains exactly what his team looks for when selecting subcontractors, suppliers, and business partners. From prequalification and safety records to financial readiness, communication, and relationship-building, this conversation provides practical guidance for businesses looking to break into commercial construction.

You'll also learn how Juneau's Cultivate trade partner development program helps emerging businesses prepare for larger commercial opportunities and how the company is investing in workforce development through internships, work-based learning, and community engagement.

In this episode, you'll learn:

✅ How to become a subcontractor for a major general contractor

✅ What Juneau looks for during prequalification

✅ The biggest mistakes that keep companies from getting opportunities

✅ Why communication and preparation matter

✅ Certifications that can strengthen your business

✅ How emerging businesses can transition from residential to commercial work

✅ Workforce development and internship opportunities

✅ Why collaboration between small businesses creates more opportunities

Whether you're a subcontractor, supplier, consultant, architect, engineer, or small business owner, this episode offers practical strategies to help you compete for commercial construction projects.

🎥 Watch the full episode and subscribe for weekly conversations connecting people to careers, businesses, and opportunities in commercial construction and commercial real estate.

💬 What's the biggest challenge you've faced trying to work with a general contractor?

#CommercialConstruction #ConstructionContracts #GeneralContractor #Subcontractor #Procurement #SupplierDiversity #SmallBusiness #ConstructionBusiness #CommercialRealEstate #TheCommercialBuildersNetwork

In this episode of The Commercial Builders' Network, Jason Walker, National Engagement Manager for Building Talent Foundation, explains why the construction workforce shortage exists and how JobsToBuild, a free career platform, is helping connect students, career changers, veterans, returning citizens, women, and employers with meaningful opportunities in residential construction.

Jason also shares exciting news about Pell Grants now being available for eligible skilled trades training programs, making it easier than ever to start a construction career without taking on significant student debt.

In this episode, you'll learn:

✅ Why construction is facing a workforce shortage

✅ How the free JobsToBuild platform works

✅ Construction careers that don't require a four-year degree

✅ Apprenticeships and "earn while you learn" opportunities

✅ How Pell Grants can now help pay for skilled trades training

✅ What employers look for beyond technical skills

✅ Why HVAC, plumbing, and electrical careers have long-term demand

✅ Career pathways for students, veterans, women, and returning citizens

Whether you're exploring a new career, changing industries, hiring talent, or supporting workforce development, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you take the next step.

🎥 Listen to the full episode and subscribe for weekly conversations connecting people to careers, businesses, and opportunities in commercial construction and commercial real estate.

💬 If you could learn one skilled trade, which would you choose and why?

#ConstructionJobs #ConstructionCareers #SkilledTrades #WorkforceDevelopment #Apprenticeships #CommercialConstruction #CareerPathways #ConstructionIndustry #JobsToBuild #TheCommercialBuildersNetwork

In this episode of The Commercial Builders' Network, Shedra Jones, Program Manager at Develop Clayton, explains the difference between affordable housing and attainable housing, how first-time homebuyers can prepare for ownership, and why homeownership remains one of the strongest tools for building wealth.

You'll also learn about down payment assistance, home repair programs, rent and mortgage assistance, public-private partnerships, and how developers, contractors, and small businesses can help shape stronger communities.

In this episode:

✔ Affordable Housing vs. Attainable Housing

✔ From Renting to Ready

✔ First-Time Homebuyer Resources

✔ Down Payment Assistance Programs

✔ Home Repair Grants

✔ Rent & Mortgage Assistance

✔ Building Generational Wealth Through Homeownership

✔ Opportunities for Developers & Contractors

✔ Mixed-Use Development

✔ Public-Private Partnerships

✔ Housing and Economic Development

Whether you're a renter, homeowner, developer, contractor, real estate professional, or community leader, this episode provides practical insights into creating stronger communities through housing.

👇 Which housing topic would you like us to cover next? Tell us in the comments.

#AffordableHousing

#Homeownership

#FirstTimeHomeBuyer

#GenerationalWealth

#Housing

#CommercialRealEstate

#CommunityDevelopment

#EconomicDevelopment

#PublicPrivatePartnerships

#MixedUseDevelopment

#Construction

#RealEstate

#WorkforceDevelopment

#ClaytonCounty

#TheCommercialBuildersNetwork

In this episode of The Commercial Builders' Network, workforce development leader Angelia O'Neal, founder of MWI Workforce Institute and Talent Acquisition Coordinator, explains how construction, skilled trades, apprenticeships, and workforce development are creating life-changing career opportunities.

With more than 20 years of experience helping people connect to employment and long-term economic mobility, Angelia shares practical advice for job seekers, employers, and anyone looking for a better future.

In this episode you'll learn:

✔ Why skilled trades are one of America's fastest-growing career paths

✔ Careers that don't require a traditional four-year degree

✔ Opportunities for women, veterans, and returning citizens

✔ The soft skills employers want most

✔ How apprenticeships and certifications open doors

✔ Why workforce development is about building careers—not just filling jobs

✔ How hope, preparation, and opportunity change lives

Whether you're entering the workforce, changing careers, hiring talent, or building a business, this conversation offers valuable insight into today's workforce landscape.

🎥 Listen to the full episode and subscribe for more conversations connecting people to careers, businesses, and opportunities in commercial construction and commercial real estate.

👍 Like • Comment • Subscribe

#ConstructionCareers #WorkforceDevelopment #SkilledTrades #CommercialConstruction #CareerPathways #Apprenticeships #EconomicDevelopment #CommercialRealEstate #Leadership #TheCommercialBuildersNetwork

In this episode of The Commercial Builders' Network, host TaNeshia Reed sits down with Shannon James Sr., President & CEO of Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance, to discuss how workforce development, economic development, commercial real estate, and public-private partnerships are reshaping the communities surrounding the world's busiest airport.

From helping residents land careers to attracting major employers like Porsche, Delta, Chick-fil-A, Microsoft, and Prologis, Shannon explains how collaboration—not competition—is creating opportunities for both businesses and communities.

You'll also learn why banks evaluate more than just your business, how personal credit impacts commercial financing, why partnerships matter, and how workforce training is creating pathways into high-paying construction and infrastructure careers.

In this episode we discuss:

✔ Economic Development
✔ Workforce Development
✔ Commercial Real Estate
✔ Construction Careers
✔ Small Business Growth
✔ Access to Capital
✔ Commercial Lending
✔ Public-Private Partnerships
✔ Infrastructure Development
✔ Entrepreneurship
✔ Community Development
✔ Atlanta Business Opportunities

Whether you're a contractor, developer, entrepreneur, investor, workforce professional, student, or public official, this conversation provides a roadmap for creating stronger businesses, stronger communities, and stronger careers.

Subscribe for weekly conversations connecting people to careers, businesses, and opportunities in commercial construction and commercial real estate.

In Part 2 of my conversation with Kenneth Igwe, Co-Founder of Baker Collins & Co., we take a deep dive into commercial real estate financing, private lending, and what lenders actually look for before approving a deal.

With more than $1 billion in commercial real estate debt and equity originated, Kenneth explains how experienced investors structure deals, avoid costly mistakes, and position themselves to secure funding for commercial properties.

Whether you're purchasing an apartment complex, office building, warehouse, retail center, mixed-use development, or vacant land, understanding how lenders evaluate projects can make the difference between getting approved—or getting denied.

In this episode you'll learn:

✔️ How commercial real estate financing actually works

✔️ The difference between bridge loans, portfolio loans, SBA loans, acquisition & development loans, and lines of credit

✔️ Why lenders evaluate Location, Property, and Person (LPP) before approving financing

✔️ What new commercial real estate investors need before applying for funding

✔️ Why experience matters when raising capital

✔️ The biggest financing mistakes commercial real estate investors make

✔️ How to prepare your financial package before approaching lenders

✔️ What credit committees really look for

✔️ Why getting the lowest interest rate isn't always the best deal

✔️ The truth about private lending, commercial lending, and access to capital

✔️ Why social media "real estate gurus" often create unrealistic expectations

✔️ How to build a finance-ready real estate business

If you're a:

• Commercial real estate investor

• Developer

• Contractor

• Broker

• Small business owner

• Entrepreneur

• Real estate professional

...this episode will help you better understand how commercial financing decisions are made.

🎧 Want more conversations like this?

Subscribe to The Commercial Builders Network, where we restore trust, reclaim power, and build legacy through conversations with leaders in commercial real estate, construction, finance, workforce development, and entrepreneurship.

Watch Part 1 if you missed it, then come back for Part 2!

#CommercialRealEstate

#CommercialLending

#PrivateLending

#CommercialFinance

#BridgeLoans

#SBALoan

#RealEstateInvesting

#RealEstateDevelopment

#BusinessFunding

#CommercialBuildersNetwork

#Entrepreneurship

#WealthBuilding

In this episode of The Commercial Builders Network, TaNeshia Reed sits down with Kenneth Igwe, Managing Director of a real estate finance firm that has helped originate over $1 billion in commercial real estate debt and equity.

From starting in engineering to mastering finance, Kenneth explains how understanding capital, deal structure, and risk is what separates small investors from those operating at scale.

This conversation dives deep into commercial real estate financing, private lending, deal structuring, and investment strategy—giving you a real look at how deals are evaluated across the country.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why understanding finance is the key to understanding real estate
• The difference between private lending vs traditional bank financing
• How lenders evaluate risk, borrowers, and deal structure
• Why “playing with bigger deals” changes your outcomes
• Lessons from the 2008 financial crisis and market downturns
• How to pivot in business without losing everything
• Why community and relationships matter in entrepreneurship
• How real estate financing works across residential and commercial deals

Kenneth also breaks down how his firm reviews 50–100 deals per month, giving him a unique perspective on what actually works—and what fails—in real estate investing.

If you’re a:

• Real estate investor
• Commercial developer
• Contractor or builder
• Entrepreneur looking to understand capital

This episode will change how you think about money, deals, and opportunity.

▶️ The full episode drops tomorrow on YouTube — subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss it.

#CommercialRealEstate
#RealEstateFinance
#PrivateLending
#CREInvesting
#BusinessFinance
#WealthBuilding
#RealEstateInvesting
#Entrepreneurship
#CapitalMarkets
#TheCommercialBuildersNetwork

In this episode of The Commercial Builders Network, TaNeshia Reed sits down with L’Tryce Slade, founder of a multi-state construction, environmental, and geotechnical firm, known as the “Dirt Lady.”

From starting her company while on unemployment to leading major projects across multiple states, L’Tryce shares the real story behind resilience, relationships, and building a business with purpose.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How L’Tryce built her company from scratch with no safety net
• Why internships and early experience matter more than you think
• The truth about certifications vs. real performance
• How due diligence and land analysis can make or break projects
• The role of relationships in scaling a construction business
• Why she believes “we don’t just build buildings—we build people”
• How her company creates opportunities to uplift families and communities

This conversation is for contractors, developers, engineers, students, and anyone interested in construction, real estate development, or entrepreneurship.

#ConstructionBusiness
#Entrepreneurship
#WomenInConstruction
#RealEstateDevelopment
#SmallBusinessOwner
#BlackOwnedBusiness
#ConstructionLife
#DueDiligence
#BusinessGrowth
#CommercialBuildersNetwork

In this episode of The Commercial Builders Network, Dr. Irish Horsey shares her journey through the construction industry, from project management and workforce development to policy, technology, and authorship. As the Director of Industry Advancement at Procore and the bestselling author of You Can Be Here: A Woman’s Guide to Construction Careers, Dr. Horsey is helping transform how people think about construction careers, construction technology, and workforce development.

This conversation explores the construction labor shortage, the future of the construction workforce, the role of technology in construction, and why more women and underrepresented groups must be included in the industry.

Dr. Horsey also speaks on mentorship, construction career pathways, apprenticeship opportunities, mental health in construction, and how companies can stay competitive over the next 10 to 20 years.

In this episode, we discuss:
• Why the construction industry needs more women and diverse talent
• How technology is reshaping construction careers and project management
• What companies must do to retain workers and stay competitive
• The current construction labor crisis and workforce gap
• Why mentorship and sponsorship matter in construction
• How students and career changers can get started in construction
• Why Dr. Irish Horsey wrote You Can Be Here

If you’re interested in construction careers, commercial construction, workforce development, construction technology, women in construction, apprenticeship programs, or leadership in the built environment, this episode is for you.

▶ Watch the full episode to hear how Dr. Irish Horsey is helping build a more innovative, inclusive, and future-ready construction industry.

Subscribe to The Commercial Builders Network for more conversations on commercial construction, commercial real estate, workforce development, leadership, and legacy building.

#DrIrishHorsey #WomenInConstruction #ConstructionCareers #ConstructionTechnology #WorkforceDevelopment #CommercialConstruction #FutureOfConstruction #ConstructionLeadership #Apprenticeships #SkilledTrades #Procore #ConstructionIndustry #TheCommercialBuildersNetwork #BlackWomenInConstruction #CareerDevelopment

In this episode of The Commercial Builders Network, Jessica Brown breaks down how redlining, appraisal bias, infrastructure, land acquisition, and AI all shape property values, business ownership, and access to opportunity.

Jessica shares her path from historian to oil and gas title research, infrastructure real estate, land rights acquisition, commercial appraisal, and AI-powered media.

She explains how utilities, eminent domain, right of way work, and appraisal practices affect homeowners and communities every day.

She also unpacks the lasting impact of FHA-backed redlining and why those racist valuation practices still influence property values in Black neighborhoods today. If you’ve ever wondered why some neighborhoods remain undervalued, why appraisals can feel unfair, or why representation matters in real estate valuation, this episode is for you.

You’ll also hear:
• How land acquisition and right of way work in infrastructure projects
• What homeowners should know before negotiating with utilities or public agencies
• Why more Black appraisers are needed in commercial and residential real estate
• How Jessica uses AI and why small business owners need to pay attention now
• Why newsletters and owned audiences matter for modern business growth

If you care about commercial real estate, appraisal, real estate development, infrastructure, property valuation, AI for small business, or community wealth building, this conversation gives you real insight and practical gems.

▶ Watch the full episode to hear Jessica Brown’s full story and learn how property values, infrastructure, appraisal, and AI are shaping the future of our communities.

Subscribe to The Commercial Builders Network for more conversations on commercial real estate, commercial construction, business ownership, valuation, economic mobility, and legacy building.

#JessicaBrown #CommercialRealEstate #Appraisal #PropertyValuation #Redlining #FHA #Infrastructure #LandAcquisition #RightOfWay #AIForBusiness #SmallBusinessAI #CommercialBuildersNetwork #BlackWealth #RealEstateEducation #BusinessOwnership

In this full conversation, Ionnie walks through the difference between debt vs. equity, what private debt deals actually are, and why she shifted from long-term, public-market investing to cashflow-focused strategies that can pay monthly or quarterly. She also shares how learning to invest as a child shaped her confidence, how Howard University reinforced her foundation, and why discernment matters just as much as numbers when you’re evaluating opportunities outside of SEC-regulated markets.

You’ll also hear her unfiltered take on the “too polished” deals people fall for online, the red flags new investors must watch for, and why she believes investing should create impact—not just returns.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Ionnie started investing at 7 and maxed out her Roth IRA starting at 14
• The real meaning of passive investing (and what the day-to-day actually looks like)
• Private debt deals explained in plain language
• What to evaluate in a deal beyond the paperwork: character, track record, and gut
• The mindset shift Black investors need to build global confidence
• How impact investing changes where you place your money
• Ionnie’s 1-year CD-style note concept that pays interest monthly (as discussed in the interview)

Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, capital, commercial real estate, and legacy-building strategies.

#TheCommercialBuildersNetwork #TCBN #IonnieMcNeill #Investing #PassiveIncome #PrivateCredit #PrivateDebt #WealthBuilding #FinancialLiteracy #BlackWealth #ImpactInvesting #RealEstateInvesting #CommercialRealEstate #Entrepreneurship #HowardUniversity #RothIRA #MoneyMindset #InvestorEducation #CapitalAccess #LegacyBuilding

We get into the real side of commercial real estate—the discrimination, the pushback, and the wins that come with refusing to fold.

Chiko shares:

• What it was like being rejected by landlords for being a single Black man
• Why rejection fueled his empire
• How he created opportunities not just for himself, but for others

His story is powerful, practical, and personal—and it’s a roadmap for any entrepreneur building in spaces not made for us.

🎙️ Episode is LIVE

Tap in and take notes.

Tommy Lester is the Atlanta Market Lead for Capital Impact Partners (a national CDFI) and President of Swann Development Partners. With 25+ years in real estate lending, community development, and commercial investment, he breaks down everything from capital stacking and syndications to how minority contractors can become owners instead of staying stuck in job-to-job cycles.

💡 Learn:

• What is a CDFI and why it’s a game-changer
• Creative ways to fund your first deal
• What’s in the “capital stack” and how to build yours
• Mistakes to avoid when applying for loans
• How to find REAL mentorship — not internet hype

Tommy also shares the five C’s of credit, the one deal he’s most proud of, and why creating a collaborative ecosystem is the only way forward for Black and brown developers.

✨ Whether you're flipping homes, building affordable housing, or just dreaming big — this conversation is for you.

📍 Watch now and build something powerful.

🔗 Connect with Tommy Lester:

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommylester/

🌐 Founders & Funders Club: https://foundersandfundersclub.com

🌐 Capital Impact Partners: https://www.capitalimpact.org/

🎧 Audio drops every Tuesday:

Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music

🎥 Full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube

#TheCommercialBuildersNetwork #TCBNPodcast #CDFI #RealEstateFunding #CapitalStack #BlackDevelopers #BuildLegacy #CommercialRealEstate #SwannDevelopment #ContractorsToDevelopers #BlackInvestors #WealthBuilding #TommyLester #RealEstateMentor #ConstructionFunding

Dr. Gina Merritt does it differently.

She’s a 30-year real estate veteran, principal of Northern Real Estate Urban Ventures, and founder of Project Community Capital® and WFL Collective—an ecosystem that connects underestimated residents to real jobs on real projects, with 94–98% retention on construction sites that once churned through local hires in days.

In this episode of The Commercial Builders’ Network (TCBN), Dr. Merritt shares how she:

• Went from growing up in affordable housing to structuring $5B+ in real estate deals
• Built large-scale projects from day one (288 units as her first deal)
• Created Project Community Capital® to fix the “we tried to hire locally” problem
• Uses social capital to plug residents into jobs and careers—not just temp work
• Works with CDFIs and institutions like Goldman Sachs & Morgan Stanley to fund community-rooted deals
• Bridges the gap between trauma, mental health, and job readiness
• Pushes back on stereotypes about “people from the projects” and missed potential
• Shows up as her full, authentic self in boardrooms, government meetings, and community rooms—no more code-switching to be accepted

If you’re a:

• 🏗️ New or emerging real estate developer
• 🧱 Contractor or GC trying to meet local hiring / CBA / Section 3 goals
• 🏘️ Affordable housing or community development professional
• 💼 Black/Brown builder who’s tired of being “invisible” in the system

…this episode will change how you think about access, social capital, and truly inclusive development.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Gina Merritt

• Project Community Capital® → projectcommunitycapital.net
• WFL Collective → wflcollective.org
• Dr. Gina Merritt → drginamerritt.net
• LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-gina-merritt-mba-7617ba6/

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with minority developers, lenders, brokers, and builders who are changing the face of commercial real estate and construction.

#CommercialBuildersNetwork #DrGinaMerritt #ProjectCommunityCapital #AffordableHousing #CommunityDevelopment #SocialCapital #BlackWomenInRealEstate #RealEstateDevelopment #EconomicEmpowerment #CommunityWealthBuilding #CDFI #WorkforceDevelopment #CommercialRealEstate #LegacyBuilding #TCBNPodcast

In this episode of The Commercial Builders’ Network, Charles Wilson of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) explains how small businesses can position themselves for real procurement opportunities inside major airport systems.

He breaks down:

• How MWAA builds trust with small businesses

• The certification process and why it matters

• Common bid mistakes that cost companies contracts

• Opportunities beyond construction

• How to get on the vendor list and stay informed

If you’re a contractor, supplier, consultant, or service provider, this episode gives you a practical look at how to access airport opportunities.

📲 Subscribe to The Commercial Builders’ Network on YouTube for video of weekly interviews.

#TheCommercialBuildersNetwork #AirportContracts #MWAA #GovernmentContracting #SmallBusinessSuccess #CommercialConstruction #DBE #MinorityBusiness #SupplierDiversity #ConstructionIndustry

It’s not pretty, polished, or performative—it’s real. From being burned in real estate to watching so many of our people get boxed out of opportunities, this episode is for the dreamers, the doers, and the builders who’ve had enough.

You’ll hear my blunt truth and my deep love for my people—especially those trying to make it in commercial construction, real estate, and business.

This is where it begins.

🎙️ Tap in, feel it, and share it if it hits.

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of The Commercial Builders Network, host TaNeshia Reed sits down with cultural strategist and nonprofit leader Taneshia Nash Laird to talk about:

🔹 Carrying generational dreams

🔹 Building legacy after loss

🔹 Creating access in commercial real estate

🔹 How Project REAP is transforming the industry

🔹 Developing future leaders in sports and real estate

🔹 Being “the only one” in the room — and holding the door open for others

🔹 Rest, resilience, and what it really means to deserve the life you’re building

If you've ever questioned your place in the room, struggled to keep going, or felt the weight of purpose… this conversation is for you.

📍 Subscribe to the channel to support and stay updated.

#CommercialBuildersNetwork #TCBNPodcast #TaneshiaNashLaird #ProjectREAP #BlackWomenInRealEstate #LegacyBuilding #AccessMatters #WomenInLeadership #EntrepreneurshipJourney #CulturalLeadership

➡️ Hear her plans to expand to the UAE and MENA region, what it takes to be a woman in construction, how to get full MBE credit on jobs by combining materials and labor, and her legacy mission to build futures for the next generation of young girls.

👷🏽‍♀️ It’s not just about the buildings. It’s about the women who build them.

🔗 Learn more at: https://buildherlegacy.org

📍 Follow Glinda: LinkedIn – Glinda Jackson

#BuildHerLegacy #WomenInConstruction #CommercialBuildersNetwork #BlackWomenInConstruction #GeneralContractor #UAEConstruction #JacksonManagementGroup #MinorityContractor #STEMforGirls #ConstructionLeadership #LegacyBuilding

In this powerful episode of The Commercial Builders' Network, we unpack the mindset shifts and due diligence required to build — or buy — a business that’s worth the legacy.

Tune in as we discuss:

• Why your upbringing and calling matter more than a business plan
• The 3 key traits that signal a business is worth buying
• Overcoming trust gaps in real estate and entrepreneurship
• The difference between being ready to own and ready to exit
• What it means to lead with integrity in high-stakes environments

This isn’t just about construction or commercial real estate — it’s about answering your call, living your purpose, and building something that outlives you.

🎧 The audio is now live — available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and all major podcast platforms.

🎥 Full video also available on YouTube — just search The Commercial Builders' Network and hit subscribe.

#JamesKynesJr #Entrepreneurship #CommercialRealEstate #BusinessBroker #LegacyLeadership #TrustInBusiness #TheCommercialBuildersNetwork #TCBNPodcast #CREBuying #PurposeDrivenBusiness #BarberToBroker

In this powerful episode of The Commercial Builders Network (TCBN), host TaNeshia Reed sits down with Ivy Hall (Ivy The GREAT) — SBA lending expert, business funding strategist, and legacy-builder — for a no-fluff conversation about money, credit, succession planning, and how business owners can stop operating in survival mode.

This episode covers:

• Why cash flow matters more than revenue
• When to apply for loans (and when NOT to)
• SBA 7(a) vs. SBA 504 explained clearly
• DSCR & global cash flow made simple
• Why MCAs destroy businesses
• How tax write-offs can block millions in funding
• Why legacy requires documentation, not just intention
• Life insurance, real estate, and business ownership as wealth tools
• What lenders and underwriters actually look for
• Why access — not ambition — is the real barrier

This conversation is mandatory viewing for:

✔ Business owners

✔ Real estate investors & developers

✔ Contractors & government vendors

✔ Founders thinking about succession & exit

✔ Anyone serious about generational wealth

🎙 Watch, learn, and share this episode.

Legacy isn’t accidental — it’s structured.

📌 Subscribe to TCBN for more conversations at the intersection of business, capital, and community.

In this episode of The Commercial Builders’ Network, I sit down with Aisha J. Thomas — a Commercial Real Estate Broker and Real Estate Attorney (Thomas Agency & AJT Law) — to break down the legal mistakes that cost people their buildings, their businesses, and their peace.

Aisha has 20+ years in the game, has sat in every seat at the table, and is licensed in Michigan, Georgia, and California. She’s seen it all — from zoning disasters and bad leases to financing clauses that let banks call loans even when payments are current.

We talk about:

🔹 Why REOs (real estate owned / foreclosures) still matter — and how to approach them

🔹 The zoning mistakes that can shut your business down after you’ve built out

🔹 Why “commercial” isn’t specific enough (and how to really check use & parking requirements)

🔹 The truth about using agents vs “going straight to the bank”

🔹 How to build the right team: attorney, CPA, contractors, mentors, partners

🔹 Structuring partnerships & protecting yourself when things go wrong

🔹 Key red flags in leases and loan documents most small owners never catch

🔹 Fear after being scammed & how to move forward without letting fear guide you

🔹 Building legacy, not just doing deals — especially for Black owners and minority-led businesses

If you’re a:

🏗️ Small developer

🏢 First-time commercial buyer

🧱 Minority-owned business owner signing your first lease

🏦 Nonprofit or community developer

…this episode might save you thousands of dollars and years of stress.

In this episode, KB Yabuku, Vice President at Colliers and 20-year CRE veteran, breaks down the truth about entering the industry, surviving downturns, building real relationships, and creating generational opportunity through commercial real estate.

KB has worked across brokerage, investment sales, underwriting, retail, industrial, tenant representation, and corporate strategy — making him one of the most versatile voices in the field. He opens up about:

• How he got into CRE with no connections
• Navigating the 2008 market crash
• The power of relationships (and how to build them the right way)
• How to vet partners & avoid scammers
• Why mentorship, networking & humility matter
• What minorities overlook in CRE
• Self-storage, flex, and emerging opportunities
• Building a legacy with intention — not survival
• Why representation matters in appraisal, lending, and brokerage
• Why CRE is not a get-rich-quick industry and how to build a career that lasts

Whether you’re considering CRE as a career, want to invest in commercial deals, or need to understand how the game truly works — this episode gives you clarity, strategy, and truth.

👉 Free Contractor’s Business Health Checklist

https://bit.ly/4l6GTRq

🔥 CONNECT WITH KB

LinkedIn: KB Yabuku

Instagram: @CRE_Chronicles

From mixing personal and business money, to running payroll the right way, to setting up systems that build wealth (not stress), this conversation is full of real, actionable nuggets you don’t want to miss.

Whether you're swiping your personal card for materials or scrambling to manage project costs, this is your financial wake-up call.

📓 Bring a notebook. Merrewilned is THAT CPA.

🎧 Stream it NOW

In this episode, I interview Amber Lawson, Founder & Principal of Aspire Construction & Design in Atlanta, GA — a boutique commercial design-build firm delivering excellence from concept to permit to reality.

Amber breaks down:

✨ What it means to create a company without limits

✨ Building a space where your talent, not your identity, determines your ceiling

✨ Design-build vs. traditional GC process

✨ How due diligence protects your money & vision

✨ Budgeting for soil testing, environmental studies & conceptual design

✨ Vetting contractors through licensing, quality and values

✨ Turning one project into multi-million dollar community impact

✨ Why trust, education, and exposure change everything

✨ Protecting your reputation, money, and relationships in the field

✨ Saying “no” to the wrong clients — even when the money looks good

✨ Scaling through systems, values, and disciplined leadership

If you’re a contractor, developer, architect, or entrepreneur stepping into commercial real estate… this conversation is a masterclass.

Guest: Amber Lawson

Aspire Construction & Design

Atlanta, GA

Follow Amber:

LinkedIn: Aspire Construction & Design

Instagram: @aspire_construction_design

Connect With Us

📌 YouTube: The Commercial Builders' Network

📌 Free Contractor Business Health Checklist (build & protect your construction company)

📌 Instagram: @thelegacybuilder

📌 LinkedIn: The Commercial Builders' Network

New episodes every Tuesday.

We’re building legacy, structure, and opportunity — one contractor at a time.