From Field to Founder: How Sal Hernandez Scaled, Exited, and Now Coaches the Next Generation of Builders

In this episode of People-First Builders, host Fletcher Wimbush sits down with Sal Hernandez — a veteran, serial entrepreneur, and former owner of a successful design-build firm. From humble beginnings mowing lawns with his father to scaling a full-service construction company with multiple licenses, Sal shares how he went from technician to strategic leader — ultimately exiting the business to focus on coaching and supporting fellow veterans.

You’ll hear how Sal built a thriving business from the ground up, developed systems that enabled him to delegate and grow, and how he navigated the tricky process of finding, hiring, and retaining quality field talent — spoiler alert: Craigslist still works.

We dig into:
🔹 Why systems and processes are key to growth in the trades
🔹 How Sal leveraged subcontractors to scale without compromising quality
🔹 His grassroots hiring strategy (including bilingual outreach) that cut through the noise
🔹 The importance of vet-to-vet leadership and his work with the Capital Region Veterans Chamber of Commerce

Whether you're a contractor looking to scale or a builder aiming to transition into leadership, this episode is packed with practical insight, real talk, and powerful lessons from someone who's lived it.

🎧 Tune in to learn how to grow smart — and build a legacy that lasts.

In this episode of People First Builders, Fletcher Wimbush sits down with Sam Rockaway, Head of Sales at REDCOM Design & Construction, to unpack his remarkable journey from construction outsider to B2B sales powerhouse in the design-build space.

🔍 What You’ll Learn:

• How Sam turned a relationship-first mindset into an $8M average deal size

• The unusual way he was recruited—then left in charge when the owner moved to Italy!

• The strategies REDCOM used to scale from $25M to $70M in revenue

• Why coaches and culture were critical during rapid growth

• How REDCOM hires top talent through values-based interviews and DISC assessments

• How “fishing trips” and personal follow-ups helped Sam build a network that closed millions in deals

• Why saying no to the wrong projects became one of their most powerful growth strategies

From sales process design to culture-building and flexible work models, Sam offers a blueprint for growth that’s as much about people and purpose as it is about metrics and margins.

👷‍♂️ Ideal for leaders in construction, sales professionals, and founders scaling project-based businesses.

From Farm Life to Design-Build Leadership: Lance Cayko’s People-First Journey

What happens when a poor farm kid from North Dakota trades irrigation lines for blueprints? You get Lance Cayko, co-founder of F9 Productions—a thriving design-build architecture firm in Colorado—and one of the most intentional leaders I’ve met.

In this episode of People First Builders, Lance shares how a summer job with a general contractor sparked a lifelong passion, how mentorship shaped his entrepreneurial mindset, and why putting people first is the key to his firm's success.

We talk:
✅ Building teams through mentorship and teaching
✅ Cultivating leadership in young architects
✅ Creating true work-life harmony (not just lip service)
✅ Inspiring future builders through purpose and culture

This isn’t just a story about architecture—it’s about legacy, leadership, and building something bigger than yourself.

🎧 Catch the full episode and get inspired by a truly people-first approach to business.