Episode 28 - Building Legacy Through Heart: The Michael Menn Story

Transcript

00:01 – Wendy
Hello Powerhouse Smart friends and colleagues. We’re here on another blessed day where I get to share people who are nearest and dearest to my heart. Today, I have a phenomenal person you’re going to meet in just a second. I truly love sharing these individuals with you. They are unique souls who have made a real difference in our industry.

00:30 – Wendy
I always like to start by explaining that the Powerhouse Cool Collabs podcast was created so we could share these incredible individuals with you. They all share three common pillars. First, they are cool leaders in the industry—people you’ll want to know and connect with. Second, they believe deeply in collaboration, which is near and dear to everything I do. Third, they live with an attitude of gratitude and love giving back to help humanity in different ways.

01:19 – Wendy
I’m so grateful to have my dear colleague and friend Michael Men with us today. I’ll introduce him briefly, and then Michael, I’d love for you to share your story with us.

01:35 – Wendy
Michael, you’ve built an incredible career in architecture and design-build, long before design-build became common in our industry. You’ve also shown leadership at both national and local levels in the building industry. I’d love for you to take a few moments to share your journey and some key relationships that shaped your path.

02:13 – Michael
Thanks, Wendy. Hi, I’m Michael Men. I’m an architect and a licensed general contractor. I graduated from college in the mid-1970s and began my career doing commercial work—hotels and shopping centers—but it just wasn’t my passion.

02:37 – Michael
In the early to mid-1980s, I took a leap of faith and went out on my own. I had several large commercial clients, but after a couple of years, a recession hit and those projects fell apart. Around that time, a close friend asked me to design their new home. I spent almost a year designing it.

03:02 – Michael
Right before looking for a general contractor, they asked me why I couldn’t build it myself. So in 1986, I opened my practice as a residential design-build contractor and jumped in headfirst.

03:29 – Michael
Around that same time, I joined a national peer group called Remodelers Advantage. Through that, I learned a tremendous amount about business, community involvement, and giving back. One major lesson was understanding the business side—profit and loss statements and balance sheets—things I never learned in school.

04:13 – Michael
About 25 years ago, I was on a property early one Saturday morning when a young woman walked up and asked who I was and what I was doing. That was Wendy.

04:31 – Michael
Since that day, we’ve been best friends, collaborators, and colleagues. Wendy was one of the people who truly understood giving back, and because of her, I learned how to pay it forward. Everything you give forward comes back three or fourfold.

05:25 – Michael
About 15 years ago, my partnership dissolved, and I went out on my own again. Today, we’re a design-build firm of six people, and I enjoy every minute of it. We interview our clients just as much as they interview us. If they’re not willing to commit fully, we’re not the right fit.

05:51 – Michael
We give 120 percent. That’s who we are, and that’s how we pay it forward.

06:12 – Wendy
Wow. I love this story. I now clearly remember when we first met. From that moment on, it just unfolded—we knew we were kindred spirits.

06:45 – Wendy
Michael, you’re incredibly humble. Through Powerhouse and everything we’ve done together, we’ve both learned the value of giving back, compassion, and elevating others. We’ve done that together.

07:22 – Wendy
You fell into residential work naturally because you love what you do. But when your first partnership dissolved, it took real courage to start again. Can you share how you navigated that leap of faith?

08:15 – Michael
I believe there are two things people are born with: entrepreneurship and the ability to give back and move forward. You can be taught these, but when you’re born with them, they’re part of who you are.

08:36 – Michael
I remember when my kids were young and we had just remodeled our home. They proudly showed their friends what I had built. That moment meant everything to me.

09:50 – Michael
Learning is lifelong. Powerhouse has been a great collaborative learning platform for me. Every meeting, coffee, or symposium is a chance to learn and meet new people.

10:38 – Michael
Just last week, I met two young women, and we’re already talking about collaboration. That’s what I live for—giving forward.

11:18 – Wendy
When you started Michael Men Limited, you could have joined another firm as a partner, but you chose to reinvent yourself. You weren’t alone—you had collaborators who believed in you. Can you share one collaboration that truly made a difference?

13:18 – Michael
About 15 years ago, I joined a small breakfast group that met monthly. Most of us were connected through Powerhouse. We supported each other for many years, and those relationships remain some of the most important in my life.

14:49 – Michael
I believe this spirit of generosity comes from deep inside. If you look for it and use it, it always comes back—through introductions, opportunities, and meaningful relationships.

16:00 – Wendy
You formed a mini-board within a larger community and never isolated yourself. You always believed there was enough business for everyone, and that mindset became your magic.

17:34 – Michael
I once helped connect a friend’s son to a job opportunity, and today he’s a general manager. That brings me more joy than almost anything else.

18:51 – Wendy
Everything you’re saying resonates deeply with me. Watching you grow MM Limited and build a strong team has been incredible.

19:48 – Wendy
As you think about the future and passing on your legacy, what are your goals for the company?

20:09 – Michael
I love what I do, but I do want to slow down. I’ve been working on a plan to sell the business and transition over the next two to three years, while staying on as a mentor.

21:56 – Wendy
That’s wonderful. I know how much you value your team and relationships. Your annual subcontractor appreciation event is a perfect example of who you are.

23:54 – Wendy
Michael, I love you. Thank you for sharing your wisdom today. I’ll include follow-up links so people can reach out to you.

24:30 – Michael
Thank you, Wendy, and thank you everyone for listening. Please reach out—you won’t be disappointed.