Episode 98: Build Magazine: Living the American Dream with Ted Bainbridge
Today Brad speaks with Ted Bainbridge, President of Build Magazine. After launching the first edition in Central Oregon in 2016, Build Magazine quickly became regarded as a must-have resource for anyone looking to build or renovate their custom dream home.
Build has since grown into a curated collection of the region's most talented and inspired tradespeople in the building industry.
Listen in as Ted reflects on the history of Build Magazine and his foray into the construction industry. He talks about the publication’s accompanying podcast, Friends of Build Magazine, and how it has served as a valuable tool for Ted to build and nurture relationships with the best of the best in the industry.
Speaking on the power of branding in the digital age, Ted touches on some of the most overlooked crucial keys to success for any builder or architect, including the importance of having a strong website with flawless photography.
Finally, Ted dives deep on one of his favorite topics: The American Dream, and why it’s achievable for anyone who dares to dream and take massive action in this amazing country.
Topics Discussed:
01:56 How Ted got into the publication space
04:53 Ensuring that Build only highlights the cream of the crop
08:56 Deciding to go all-in on construction
11:29 The power of an abundance mindset and how to bounce back from setbacks
16:13 Why branding is job security
18:02 Embracing sales and improving your communication skills as a business
27:11 About Ted’s podcast, Friends of Build Magazine
29:55 How Build Magazine has changed since 2016
40:18 Why it’s vital that a builder or architect nail their bio, copy, and images
44:31 Why your website as a builder is more important than your social media
49:20 What Ted most enjoys about running Build Magazine
53:45 What Ted does for fun
58:16 Doing what you love and dropping expectations
01:04:06 Immigrating from Canada to the U.S.
01:05:36 What’s next for Ted and Build Magazine?
Connect with Ted Bainbridge & Build Magazine:
Connect with Brad Leavitt:
Key Quotes from Episode:
In a market that most people say is dwindling, bad print is dying; good print, people love it.
I never look at other magazines as competition. It’s just not my DNA. I can only be the best Ted I can be. [...] Just be the best you that you can be and let the competition do whatever they want to do. I’m a firm believer in abundance. There’s always room for somebody else to do a good job, and it just makes the whole playing field better.
If you follow through on what you say you’re going to do, you’re going to have long-term relationships. I always tell people: “I don’t want you for a year. I want you for a decade.”
It’s harder to be given an opportunity than it is to roll up your sleeves and just carve it out yourself.
Photography, for any business, is critically important. They need to spend for that because that is the sex appeal that gets people’s attention.
I love money, but money is not my driver. Money is the byproduct of doing a good job.
