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Designing and Building the Midwest One Community at a Time
Welcome to Designing and Building the Midwest One Community at a Time with Big Dog Construction. The podcast you didn't know you needed. Join Chris Hartsook and Kaitlin Borgini as we explore the stories, expertise and projects shaping the future right here in Mid-Illinois. Whether you're planning to build, curious about the latest trends or just love innovative ideas, we've got insights and inspiration coming your way. And some laughs too.
Episodes
72 episodes
Designing and Building Mid-West through the Big Dog Gameplan: Where to Spend and Where to Save
SummaryIn this episode of Designing and Building, Chris and Kaitlin discuss the remodeling journey, focusing on how homeowners can maximize their investment by understanding where to spend and where to save. They emphasize the imp...
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Designing and Building the Midwest the Community Segment: Part 2 with Ryan Kleeman
SummaryIn this episode, Chris continues his conversation with Ryan Kleeman and they share insights on community involvement, business growth, and the importance of giving back. Discover how local businesses can make a big impact a...
Designing and Building the Midwest the Realtor Segment with 1st Choice Realty Pros: More From The Dark Side of Real Estate
SummaryIn this episode, Chris Hartsook and Lisa Miller delve into the often-overlooked aspects of real estate transactions, focusing on what sellers may not disclose about their properties. They discuss the importance of thorough ...
Designing and Building the Mid-West featuring Jarrod Glandt
SummaryIn this conversation, Jarrod Glandt, President of Cardone Enterprises, shares his journey from a young salesperson to a key player in a multi-million dollar business. He discusses the importance of work ethic, mastering sal...
Designing and Building the Midwest the Community Segment featuring Ryan Kleeman
SummaryIn this episode, Ryan Kleeman shares his journey from local business roots to community involvement, emphasizing the importance of people over profit, collaboration, and giving back to build a stronger community.T...
Designing and Building the Midwest the Realtor Segment with 1st Choice Realty Pros: The Dark Side of Real Estate
SummaryIn this episode, Chris, Kaitlin, Lisa, and Lydia delve into the often-overlooked challenges in real estate transactions, referred to as the 'dark side.' They discuss the importance of understanding contracts, the inspection...
Designing and Building Mid-West through the Big Dog Gameplan: The Design Process
SummaryIn this episode, Chris and Kaitlin discuss how to turn your home renovation ideas into a practical plan, emphasizing the importance of conversation, understanding your needs, and dreaming big. They share insights on design,...
Designing and Building the Midwest the Community Segment featuring Lynde Kleeman and Laura Convery
SummaryIn this episode, Kaitlin hosts Lynde Kleeman from SIPS Coffee Co. and Laura Convery from Brave Hazel Boutique. They discuss their special community event aimed at supporting a local family in need, emphasizing the importanc...
Designing and Building the Midwest the Realtor Segment with 1st Choice Realty Pros: Pros and Cons of Solar Panels
SummaryIn this episode, Chris, Lisa, and Lydia discuss the growing trend of solar panels in real estate, exploring their benefits and drawbacks. They delve into the reasons behind the popularity of solar panels, the financial impl...
Designing and Building Mid-West through the Big Dog Gameplan: Protecting Your Investment
SummaryIn this episode, Chris and Kaitlin discuss the importance of protecting your investment after a remodeling project. They emphasize that the completion of a remodel is just the beginning of a homeowner's responsibilities. Th...
Designing and Building the Midwest the Community Segment: Meet Lynde Kleeman from Sips Coffee Co
SummaryIn this episode, Kaitlin talks with Lynde Kleeman who shares her journey of opening three coffee shop locations in the Midwest, the importance of community involvement, and how her partnership with her husband and local bus...
Designing and Building the Midwest the Realtor Segment with 1st Choice Realty Pros: Around Carlinville
SummaryExplore the vibrant community of Carlinville, Illinois, with Kaitlin, Lisa, and Lydia, through local business stories, community spirit, and real estate insights. Discover what makes this town special and how its residents ...
Designing and Building Mid-West through the Big Dog Gameplan: Change Orders
SummaryIn this episode of 'Designing and Building the Midwest, One Community at a Time, Chris and Kaitlin delve into the often misunderstood topic of change orders in remodeling. They discuss the importance of planning, communicat...
Designing and Building the Midwest: Meet Lisa and Lydia from 1st Choice Realty Pros
SummaryIn this episode of Designing and Building Mid-Illinois, hosts Chris and Kaitlin reintroduce Lisa Miller and Lydia Emmons from 1stChoice Realty Pros. They discuss their journeys into real estate, the unique aspects of their ...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois through Grant Cardone's 13 Rules of Success
SummaryFresh off the 10X Business Summit, Chris Hartsook and Robert Ferriell discuss the 13 rules of success as taught by Grant Cardone. They emphasize the importance of showing up, committing fully, and giving generously in both ...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois: Realtor segment with 1st Choice Realty Pros: Things Zillow Won't Tell You
SummaryIn this episode, Chris, Kaitlin, Lisa, and Lydia discuss the limitations of Zillow as a real estate tool, emphasizing the importance of professional insights and in-person visits when buying or selling a home. They explore ...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois through What Really Happens During a Remodel
SummaryIn Part 6 of the Big Dog Game Plan, Chris and Kaitlin guide listeners through the remodeling process, detailing what happens from the moment a contract is signed to the final walkthrough. They emphasize the importance of co...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois: Realtor segment with 1st Choice Realty Pros: The House is Easy; The neighborhood is what you are really buying
SummaryIn this episode, Chris, Kaitlin, Lisa, and Lydia discuss the critical aspects of home buying, emphasizing the importance of evaluating the neighborhood rather than just the house itself. They share insights on how to assess...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois through Choosing the Right Contractor Before You Sign
SummaryIn this episode of the Big Dog Main Design and Build Podcast, hosts Chris and Kaitlin discuss the critical aspects of choosing the right contractor for remodeling projects. They emphasize the importance of understanding val...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois: Realtor segment with 1st Choice Realty Pros: Importance of Cleanliness in selling your home
SummaryIn this episode, Chris, Kaitlin, Lisa, and Lydia discuss the critical role of cleanliness in selling a home. They emphasize that buyers form opinions within seconds of entering a property, making first impressions vital. Th...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois featuring Kyle Dixon
SummaryIn this episode, Chris and Kaitlin interview Kyle Dixon, a local athlete who recently signed with the New England Patriots. They discuss his journey from a small-town athlete to a professional football player, exploring the...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois: Realtor segment with 1st Choice Realty Pros: National Trends and Local Insights
SummaryIn this realtor segment, the Chris, Kaitlin, Lisa, and Lydia discuss the current state of the housing market, comparing national trends with local insights in Illinois. They explore the importance of preparing homes for sal...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois through Clarity and Scope
SummaryIn this episode of the Design and Building Mid-Illinois podcast, hosts Chris and Kaitlin delve into the intricacies of home remodeling, focusing on the importance of project scope and clarity. They discuss how unclear expec...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois: Realtor segment with 1st Choice Realty Pros: Every Client is Different
SummaryIn this episode, Chris, Lisa, and Lydia discuss the various types of clients in real estate, emphasizing that no two clients are the same. They explore the unique needs and behaviors of first-time home buyers, clients who n...
Designing and Building Mid-Illinois with Special Guest Robert Ferriell
SummaryIn the first part of this special edition, Robert Ferriell and Chris Hartsook explore the seven types of people who can negatively impact your life and business. They discuss how to identify these individuals and set bounda...