Description

In episode 33 of The Purpose-Driven Investor, Robert Howell interviews Pat Crowley, a Phoenix-based home building and operations professional with decades of experience spanning flooring, construction, supply chain, technology, and home building. He shared that his experience eventually led him and his business partner to build a flooring contracting company and develop technology that helped automate the home builder options process.

Tune in for an insightful conversation about the future of home building, affordable housing, real estate, operational efficiency, leadership, and purpose—and discover why challenging the way things have always been done may be the key to building a better future.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:01:35] Pat's journey from Shaw Industries to the home building industry.
[00:03:34] Why the home buyer became the center of the business model.
[00:04:41] Developing technology to automate home building options.
[00:06:04] Expanding automation beyond flooring into other home options.
[00:07:01] Why Pat believes this is an important time for home building.
[00:07:54] Housing supply, affordability, and construction efficiency.
[00:09:25] Manufactured housing vs. on-site construction.
[00:11:04] The $489,000 Phoenix housing market and affordability challenges.
[00:12:48] The real cost drivers behind housing affordability.
[00:14:08] Using data and collaboration to improve construction efficiency.
[00:15:41] Challenging convention and creating opportunities in home building.
[00:16:00] Reducing supply-chain costs and unnecessary margin layers.
[00:17:07] The importance of data and the goal of a $200,000 home.
[00:18:16] Pat's purpose and the childhood home that shaped his mission.
[00:20:38] Lessons from the past and the need to rethink traditional business models.
[00:21:17] Why entrepreneurs must challenge convention every day.
[00:22:02] AI, data, and the next major shift in business.
[00:23:26] What golf teaches us about business and surrounding yourself with the best.
[00:25:38] Pat's lightning round: advice, investment, books, and what's next.

QUOTES

• "Challenge convention always. We have to challenge convention every day with every part of the business." – Pat Crowley
• "The ability to change this is quite simple." – Pat Crowley
• "When you are around the best, you can become the best you can be." – Pat Crowley

WEBSITE:

Howell and Sons: https://howellandsons.com/