Launching a New Business: Month 33 Update, Part 2
Four lessons from the messy middle of building a business.
When I launched Trinity Builder Solutions, a new business, in January 2023, I didn't know much.
But what I did know was that there were many lessons I'd be learning in the years to come.
And that's what drives me: the never-ending challenge that business and leadership bring.
Last week, I shared the first part of this post, describing the evolution of TBS. I'd recommend going back and reading that post for context before diving into this one.
Today I'll highlight four lessons I learned from this new adventure. Here we go!
Forecasting a New Business is Very Difficult
My proforma for the new business, completed in 2022, was beautiful. It was detailed, it was convincing, it was color-coded. All the things.
It was also wildly inaccurate.
My biggest mistakes were
Not accounting for the exceptional lag time between bidding on large, multi-family projects and actually installing countertops. I figured 6-9 months, in real life it's 12-18...
Putting no thought into the macro-economic impacts that printing all that new money during COVID was going to have on the economy in 2023 and beyond. Which leads to...
The Macro-Economic Effect on Commercial Construction
Those who develop large multi-family projects only green-light them when they'll make an adequate return.
And interest rates hovering at 7% make it much more challenging to generate a return.
So what do developers do? They push pause and wait.
We know this because nearly every job that "came to life" in 2024 and 2025 clearly was designed and went through plan check 2-5 years prior. And many of them were flagged as "re-bids."
In fact, we're seeing some of this right now, as the bid flow starting in Q3 2025 has really tailed off. My guess? The expected reduction in interest rates in September has developers waiting to lock in financing and move forward with construction.
A 3rd business at 40+ Comes with Different Challenges
When I started my first business in my late 20s, and my second as I turned 30, I was a different person.
I was much less experienced, much more difficult to deal with, strapped for cash, and heavily invested in raising three young kids.
Things are different now.
I am slightly more experienced, people tell me a bit less on edge (probably from getting kicked in the teeth the last 15 years, as happens when you're starting a business), am financially comfortable, and, while still significantly involved in raising three kids, they are older now and need a less time-intensive version of us.
The problem with all this is that it's challenging to maintain vigor, energy, and drive when you simply don't have the same level of pressure at 40+ that you did when starting out.
Quite frankly, I have gotten smarter but softer.
And in my opinion, starting a business from scratch is easier when you're dumber but maniacally driven.
My takeaway: This is likely my last start-up unless a partnership is involved. And you know how I feel about partnerships...
More likely: The next adventure will be an acquisition. Already softly exploring this concept as I write.
Business is About Relationships, Always and Forever
I discounted this wisdom when starting TBS.
In my mind, I was coming from a business-to-consumer organization (kitchen & bath CRATE) to a business-to-business environment, and relationships would mean very little in the "new world."
Boy, was I wrong.
While "low bid rules" is a legitimate maxim in the world of commercial subcontracting, decision-makers still clearly give preference to those they like and are confident in.
When I realized this starting in mid-2024, I changed our approach and have seen exceptional results since.
As Joey Coleman says, "Yes, it's business-to-business, but it's still human-to-human."
Wrap Up
I'm looking forward to seeing TBS flourish in the years to come, and I'm certain there will be many more lessons along the way. And I look forward to sharing those lessons with you as we learn and grow together!
PS: While this newsletter is my most thorough piece of weekly content, I'm very active on over on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and X.
If you enjoy any of these platforms, please, by all means, give me a follow! My goal is to make your journey in business and/or organizational leadership just a bit easier along the way.
Thanks for reading.
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