In this episode, Emma Shinn sits down with her dad, Chuck Shinn — co-founder of the Shinn Group and one of the industry’s most respected financial and operational voices — to break down what’s really happening in the 2025 housing market.

Chuck shares decades of perspective as he analyzes:

• Interest rate volatility and its impact on buyer demand

• Cost pressures, margins, and why many builders are feeling the squeeze

• Supply trends and how today compares to historic cycles

• The operational disciplines that matter most in uncertain markets

• What builders should stop, start, and double down on in 2025

This conversation offers practical, grounded guidance for leaders looking to navigate today’s challenges with clarity and confidence.

Whether you’re a builder, trade partner, or industry professional, you’ll walk away with actionable insights to strengthen your business in the year ahead.

Company Links:

🔗 YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@WillowBranchHomes⁠

🔗 Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/willowbranchhomestn⁠

🔗 LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/willowbranchhomes/

Emma Wildermuth sits down with Paul Winegar, COO of Willow Branch Homes, as he explains how his team breaks down silos and unites every department into a single, cohesive operating system. He shares how strength-based roles, process-driven headcount planning, and clearly definedhandoffs create smoother schedules and more predictable outcomes across the organization.

Paul discusses the importance of engaging mid-level leaders to solve constraints, building stronger collaboration through clear expectations and shared accountability, and using practical, hands-on training to build understanding between teams. The conversation also explores how proactive permitting preparation—aligning vendors and subcontractors early—reduces friction, shortens cycle times, and strengthens trade partnerships.

The result is a steady, collaborative workflow and a builder that home buyers and trade partners genuinely want to work with—achieved not through flash or slogans, but through practical systems, clear accountability, and disciplined teamwork.

Guest(s):

Paul Winegar

👉 Don’t forget to check us out and subscribe on:
🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theshinngroup
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-shinn-group/
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070280496939

👉 Check out our guest: 🔗 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/paul-winegar-2a212357 🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paul.winegar.988

Company Links:

🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WillowBranchHomes

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willowbranchhomestn

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/willowbranchhomes/

In this inspiring episode of Builder of Choice™ Insights, Emma Wildermuth sits down with Kelly Zitlow (EVP of Marketing & Sales) and Lisa Cortez (National Director of Builder Outreach) from Cornerstone Home Lending to discuss Women Building America — a movement dedicated to empowering women in homebuilding.

They share powerful insights on mentorship, representation, and redefining success in an industry long dominated by tradition. Whether you’re a builder, lender, or leader, this conversation will encourage you to lift others as you climb.

Speakers:

Emma Jane Wildermuth – President, Shinn Group

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@theshinngroup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-shinn-group/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070280496939⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest:

Kelly Zitlow, Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing

Cornerstone Home Lending

Email: kzitlow@houseloan.com

Kelly Zitlow, National Director of Builder Outreach

Cornerstone Home Lending

Email: lcortez@houseloan.com

Resources & Links:

Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theshinngroup.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to the Shinn Group Podcast wherever you get your podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/14IFTHthEqbXm09CqnhWRV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-the-builder-of-choice/id1705949297⁠