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Jon, Founder, Partner at GreatBuildz, Maxable: Advize Career Interview
A career path built on a foundation of psychology and business administration led to founding GreatBuildz and Maxable.
The journey involved diverse experiences, from sales and marketing internships to a traveling consultant role, culminating in a dynamic leadership position requiring multifaceted skills and constant adaptation.
The daily work involves managing a team, overseeing operations, and tackling marketing and technical challenges in a competitive home remodeling market.
The most rewarding aspects are the rapid pace of innovation, the ability to directly impact clients, and addressing the industry's inherent pain points.
A key lesson learned was the importance of experimentation and embracing multiple "right ways" to approach business challenges.
For aspiring professionals, a diverse college experience, including internships and exploration beyond a chosen major, is highly recommended, with entry-level marketing roles offering opportunities in generalist or specialist paths within small businesses.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Jon Grishpul
Founder, Partner
GreatBuildz, Maxable
Cal Poly - SLO
n/a
Business Management & Admin, Marketing
Construction
Entrepreneurship and Business Owner
Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member, First Generation College Student
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Career Path of a Founder at GreatBuildz
Jon's career path was unconventional, starting with a business administration degree fueled by an interest in psychology, "marketing is essentially psychology, but with dollar signs next to it". After various internships and roles in sales and marketing, including a traveling consultant position for a fraternity, this experience culminated in founding GreatBuildz, a home remodeling service, demonstrating how diverse experiences shaped their entrepreneurial journey.
Main Responsibilities of a Founder at GreatBuildz
Jon's role as Founder and Partner at GreatBuildz and Maxable encompasses "everything," evolving from initial bootstrapping to managing employees, operations (website, blog, social media), and sales/customer experience improvements. The constant challenge involves "keep[ing] the ship afloat," while simultaneously growing the business and addressing daily issues.
A Day in the Life of a Partner at GreatBuildz
Jon's role as a partner at GreatBuildz and Maxable involves "puppeteering" various aspects of the business, from overseeing staff—whose roles range from writing content to recruiting contractors—to managing operations, marketing, and technical issues. The variability inherent in this leadership position means that no two days are alike, with Jon's weekly priorities constantly shifting to meet the evolving needs of the organization.
Most Important Skills for a Founder at GreatBuildz
For Jon's role as Founder and Partner, strong "people skills" are paramount, requiring the ability to "manage people" and "be a good leader," while adaptability and a willingness to "learn quickly" are crucial for navigating the dynamic challenges of a small company, often necessitating self-sufficiency and problem-solving.
Favorite Parts of Being a Founder at GreatBuildz
Jon, Founder and Partner at GreatBuildz, Maxable, most enjoys the "dynamic aspect" of a small organization, where ideas like a new graphic can be "launched on our site" quickly, unlike past experiences in larger companies with slow approval processes. This speed, coupled with the ability to "help people" and directly impact clients' experiences, is a key source of satisfaction.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Founder In A Small Company
Jon's biggest challenges as a founder stem from the relative isolation of their niche business, lamenting a lack of connection with peers facing similar issues: "I haven't been able to connect with too many people who are doing something similar." Further compounding this is the constant prioritization required in a small company where "everyone has to wear a lot of hats," demanding careful allocation of limited time and resources to achieve optimal business growth.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Marketing and Construction Industries as a Founder
Jon, Founder and Partner at GreatBuildz, finds the construction industry's "shady" nature and the resulting homeowner pain points rewarding to address, making the process "easier and increasing the level of trust." The constantly evolving landscape of online marketing also excites Jon, as "the same guiding principles always apply," allowing for continuous learning and adaptation within the field.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Entrepreneurship Industry According To A Partner At Maxable
To thrive in construction, marketing, and entrepreneurship, a "go-getter" attitude and self-motivation are crucial; the industry demands a willingness to "dive in" and juggle multiple tasks, requiring strong organizational skills and the ability to manage simultaneous projects effectively.
What A Founder At GreatBuildz Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Home Remodeling Industry
Jon, a founder and partner at GreatBuildz and Maxable, learned that the construction industry, specifically home remodeling, is incredibly competitive, "second to lawyers and attorneys," requiring continuous adaptation and problem-solving as the business scales, far beyond the initial expectation of simply handling incoming calls. This unexpectedly high level of competition, from established giants with decades of presence, presented a "David versus Goliath" challenge, although it did not deter their efforts.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Marketers
Jon, a founder and partner at GreatBuildz and Maxable, highlights that entry-level marketing roles offer a choice between "generalist" and "specialist" paths, recommending early career generalist experience to gain broad exposure. He also notes that smaller businesses frequently hire interns, sometimes leading to full-time employment; "I've had multiple interns that have stayed on the team."
Significant Career Lesson From a Founder at GreatBuildz
Jon's most significant career lesson is that while some aspects of business have definitively right answers, many decisions, such as "how should we run this business?", have multiple "right ways," emphasizing the importance of experimentation. The key is to "try it and see if it works," embracing mistakes as opportunities for learning and optimization, rather than fearing failure and analysis paralysis.
College Experiences That Helped A Founder At GreatBuildz Succeed
Jon, a Founder and Partner at GreatBuildz and Maxable, recommends a diverse college experience to prepare for a successful career, suggesting students "do everything," explore various classes beyond their major, and actively seek internships and campus involvement. This approach, including "trying something new and trying something different," allows students to discover their passions and build valuable skills applicable to future endeavors.
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