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

In this episode, Emma Jane interviews Bob Mirman, CEO & Founder of Eliant, to explore his journey into the homebuilding industry and his lifelong commitment to improving the customer experience. Bob shares how Eliant helps builders strengthen relationships with trades, employees, andhomebuyers—driving exceptional satisfaction and loyalty. With over 1,800 clients worldwide, Eliant delivers customer experience monitoring, training, and consulting, making Bob one of the most sought-after voices in the industry.

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:

Bob Mirman, President and Founder Eliant

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFRCVl4zMevDMwZfG0ge8Sw

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobmirman/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eliant/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Eliantinc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eliantinc/?hl=en

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

In this episode, host Emma Wildermuth sits down with Kody Smith of NoviHome for a candid, in-person conversation about what’s changing in homebuilding, why marketing matters more than ever, and how builders can improve the buyer experience from first contact through warranty.

Kody shares his journey from tech entrepreneurship to homebuilding technology, the lessons learned from mystery shopping major builders, and why communication before, during, and after the sale is the real key to earning referrals and long-term success.

You’ll also hear:

• How the buyer experience shapes your reputation years after closing

• Why standing inventory demands better marketing and trained sales teams

• The one tool builders can use to stay connected and exceed expectations

Whether you’re a builder, sales leader, or marketing pro, this episode will help you think differently about how to engage your buyers and set your team apart.

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:

Kody Smith - President and Co-Founder, NoviHome

Podcast: https://www.novihome.com/podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kodysmith1

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

This high value session to cut through the noise, understand what the Fed’s decisions mean for the housing and mortgage industries, and provide home builders with clear, actionable insights on what to expect for the rest of 2025 and into 2026. Most importantly, we’ll explore what builders should be doing — and just as importantly, what they should avoid doing — in light of these changes.

Building More Than Homes: Leadership, Culture & Communication with Kim Cobb. In this episode of the Builder of Choice Insights podcast, Kim Cobb, Director of Field Operations and Warranty at Green Tech Homes, joins us for a powerful conversation on what it really means to be a Builder of Choice. From her early days as a building inspector to leading high-performing teams, Kim shares her journey through construction leadership, team building, and fostering a people-first culture.

Discover how intentional communication, community-focused systems, and leadership rooted in trust have elevated the homeowner experience—and internal collaboration—at Green Tech. From book clubs on job sites to quality forms that actually work, Kim’s insights offer practical takeaways for every builder striving to lead smarter and build better.

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

Kim Cobb - Director of Field Operations and Warranty at Green Tech Homes

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-cobb-48661418b

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

In this episode, join our host Emma Jane Wildermuth and guests Ed Hauck, Senior Consultant, Shinn Group and Jennifer Hoops, Solutions Consultant, Higharc, as they unpack what it really takes to become the Builder of Choice. Ed Hauck and Jennifer Hoops walk through practical product-development decisions—from right-sizing plans and matching product to land, to pricing, options, and cross-team collaboration—so your homes move faster with fewer surprises.

Ed Hauck, Senior Consultant, Shinn Group and Jennifer Hoops, Solutions Consultant, Higharc join the Emma Jane to dig deep into product strategy that sells—starting with how to get more out of strong floor plans and align product with specific parcels and communities. Ed Hauck breaks down small elevation tweaks that boost curb appeal, how to set standards versus options (and keep “options alike” across plans), and where pricing, incentives, and rate buy-downs help or hurt margins. In this episode, they talk about managing a clean product library, reading option take-rates, balancing spec and to-be-built inventory, and staying realistic about direct construction costs. Jennifer Hoops shows how cross-team collaboration tightens feedback loops and speeds better decisions, then close with a practical playbook—pre-brief estimating and purchasing before launch, position communities clearly, track sales-to-plan and velocity, and communicate changes early—so you can earn buyer preference and sell faster with fewer surprises.

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

Ed Hauck, Senior Consultant, Shinn Group

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-hauck-53360414/

Jennifer Hoops, Solutions Consultant, Higharc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-smith-hoops-22811326/

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