Chad Hillweh builds decks in one of the most challenging construction environments in America. Based on Oahu's windward side, his company Hawaii Deck Builders faces 8-month permit waits, materials that cost double the mainland price, and freight timelines that stretch 6-8 weeks for basic supplies.

In this conversation, Chad shares his unlikely path from Vermont-born son of a Palestinian refugee to psychology graduate to licensed general contractor. You'll hear how his father's convenience store in Waikiki funded the family's real estate investments, why his graduating class had only 12 students, and the dangerous surf breaks where locals learn respect for the ocean.

Chad explains how he spent seven years turning over 26 new home builds for another contractor before starting Hillweh Builders in 2019—right before COVID hit. His wife Liana, a licensed CPA, handles everything from taxes to website design to social media. Together they've built a company that's now booked 4-5 months out despite being in business only a few years.

This episode covers island life, construction realities, and what it takes to build a deck business in paradise.

Levi Tibbetts from TC Decks joins Dr Decks to share his remarkable journey from Mormon missionary in Brazil to building a million-dollar deck company in Utah. This conversation goes deep into the personal side of construction entrepreneurship.

Levi opens up about his darkest days during the 2008 recession when he lost vehicles, equipment, and nearly everything he built. He shares how growing his framing company to 50 employees actually made less money than when he had six, the breaking point that almost ended his marriage, and the single deck project that redirected his entire career. You'll hear about his two-year mission in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, how an Ambien-fueled idea saved his business, and why he finally walked away from framing after 15 years.

This episode offers real talk about employee management struggles, the hidden costs of rapid growth, and finding your actual niche after years in the trades. Perfect for contractors questioning their current path or anyone interested in the human side of building a construction business.

Meet Marcello Guimarães, whose path through Brazilian advertising's highest levels led him to become marketing director for GMX Group and the brands underneath that umbrella including Maximo Wood. In this first hour, Marcello shares his unconventional upbringing; growing up as the son of a video rental empire owner in Brazil, spending two years in Orlando learning English through immersion and Hot Wheels rewards, and watching his family go from penthouse to sleeping on office floors after bankruptcy.

You'll hear about his father's pioneering video rental business (modeled after Blockbuster before Blockbuster came to Brazil), the decision to stay in Brazil for love while his entire family moved to the US, and his rise through Brazilian advertising agencies to win international awards. Marcello also shares the story of starting his own creative boutique and why he ultimately chose to leave that behind for a marketing role with a lumber company, a decision that seemed crazy at first.

This conversation covers international upbringing, creative excellence, family resilience through financial collapse, and choosing love over opportunity. Whether you're interested in advertising, Brazilian culture, or just appreciate stories about building a career across continents, Marcello's journey offers unique insights.