Shows
Bridging the Gap: If These Walls Could TalkMerging Trades & Building Culture with Chris Radi | Bridging the Gap: If These Walls Could TalkIn this episode of Bridging the Gap: If These Walls Could Talk, hosts Jim Williams and Zita Billman sit down with Chris Radi, General Manager at McVay—a Pittsburgh powerhouse formed from the merger of three legacy companies in plumbing, HVAC, sewer, and electrical services.Chris shares the story of McVay’s rapid growth, from trenchless sewer pioneers to a fully integrated service provider, and how smart leadership, intentional logistics, and a people-first approach have created a culture of collaboration across the Pittsburgh region.You’ll hear how McVay:✅ Grew from three distinct companies into one trusted brand✅ Maintains a strong c...2025-06-2027 minBridging the Gap: If These Walls Could TalkSevon Norman, Owner of KB Contracting Services | Bridging the Gap: If These Walls Could TalkIn this episode of Bridging the Gap: If These Walls Could Talk, Jim Williams and Zita Billman sit down with Sevon Norman, owner of KB Contracting Services (KBCS), to talk about his journey from warehouse work to general contracting—and how he's using social media and service-driven values to build a brand that resonates.Sevon opens up about the personal motivation behind starting his business, how he leverages platforms like Instagram and TikTok to build trust and visibility, and why intentional, purpose-driven content is transforming how contractors connect with clients. He also shares how investing in ongoing education—like comm...2025-05-2329 minBridging the Gap: If These Walls Could TalkTenika Deshawn, CEO of Lady Carpenter LLC | Bridging the Gap: If These Walls Could TalkIn this episode of Bridging the Gap: If These Walls Could Talk, Jim Williams and Zita Billman sit down with Tenika Deshawn, founder of Lady Carpenter LLC and Black Diamond Development. Tanika shares her inspiring journey from self-taught carpenter to CEO, detailing how her entrepreneurial drive, personal resilience, and passion for housing security fueled her rise in Pittsburgh’s construction and development scene.Join the conversation as Tenika talks about getting started in the trades to support her family, the transition from skilled labor to project management and development, and her mission to provide dignified housing solutions in...2025-05-0921 minBridging the Gap: If These Walls Could TalkReal Conversations In Realty | Bridging The Gap | Ep 12In this episode of Bridging the Gap: If These Walls Could Talk, Jim Williams and Zita Billman sit down with Nicole Merrill, a top-producing real estate agent with Coldwell Banker. Nicole shares her journey from stay-at-home mom to full-time agent, building a thriving business while raising five children—and doing it all with intentionality and heart.Join the conversation as Nicole breaks down what it really takes to succeed in real estate, especially as a working parent. She discusses her specialty in listings, the art and strategy behind prepping a home for sale, and how authentic communication an...2025-04-2534 minBridging the Gap: If These Walls Could TalkJuliane Mazzarella with Zuhause Interiors | Bridging The Gap | Ep 11In this episode of Bridging the Gap: If These Walls Could Talk, Jim Williams and Zita Billman sit down with Juliane Mazzarella, the owner of Zuhause Interiors in Swickley, PA. Juliane shares her journey of evolving her business, from Avenue Interiors to Zuhause, a name inspired by her Austrian heritage and passion for creating homes that feel truly at home.Join the conversation as Juliane walks us through her approach to interior design, from transforming the feeling of a space to making strategic design decisions that align with her clients’ lifestyles. She discusses the balance between personal style and in...2025-04-0930 minBridging the Gap: If These Walls Could TalkReal Estate & Social Media with Dora Rudick | Bridging The Gap | Ep 10In this episode of Bridging the Gap, Jim Williams and Zita Billman sit down with Dora Rudick, a top real estate agent at Coldwell Banker, to discuss how she’s mastered social media to build lasting client relationships and grow her business. Dora, recognized as one of Pittsburgh’s top 22 agents on social media, shares her insights on the power of staying consistent with stories and behind-the-scenes content to connect with past clients and attract new ones. With a background in real estate and appraisals, Dora knows the importance of being both rela...2025-03-2834 minBridging the Gap: If These Walls Could TalkScaling a Family Construction Business with Chris Law | Bridging The GapIn this episode of Bridging the Gap: If These Walls Could Talk, Jim Williams and Zeta Billman sit down with Chris Law, owner of Law Construction, to explore his journey from corporate America back into the family construction business.Join them as they discuss the transition from a small, hands-on operation to a growing company working with out-of-state real estate investors, tackling full-scale renovations, and expanding into the roofing industry. Chris shares insights on navigating Pittsburgh’s evolving housing market, the challenges of scaling a construction business, and the im...2025-03-1430 minBridging the Gap: If These Walls Could TalkExpert Handyman & Home Repair Services with John Hartle | Bridging The GapIn this episode of Bridging the Gap: If These Walls Could Talk, Jim William's and Zeta Billman sit down with John Hartle, owner of Mr. Handyman Pittsburgh, to explore his transition from corporate America to the construction and home improvement industry.Join them as they discuss the importance of skilled trades, the challenges of hiring and training professionals, and the evolving needs of homeowners and businesses alike. From drywall repairs to full remodels, John shares how Mr. Handyman has built a reputation for trust, quality, and community engagement. Whether you're a homeowner needing small fixes or a business owner...2025-02-2832 minBridging the Gap: If These Walls Could TalkFoundations of Community and Real Estate with Ty Allen | Bridging The GapJoin us on Bridging the Gap as we dive into the inspiring stories of entrepreneurs, leaders, and change makers making a difference in their industries and communities. In this episode, we sit down with Ty Allen, founder of Unity Concord Real Estate, and Zeta Billman from Lux10, to explore the power of vision, core values, and serving underrepresented communities in real estate. From empowering veterans and disadvantaged populations to the hidden stories within Pittsburgh’s homes, we uncover what it truly means to build trust, legacy, and opportunity in the housing market. Tune in for a conversation filled with au...2025-02-1428 minBridging the Gap: If These Walls Could TalkTransforming Homes into Smart Havens with Elite Media Installations | Bridging The GapIn this episode of Bridging the Gap, Jim Williams from Top Contractor School and Zita Billman with Lux10 sit down with Bryan from Elite Media Installations, a company that specializes in creating smart home solutions and cutting-edge audio and video systems. Brian shares his journey from a part-time job at Best Buy to building his own business over the past 20 years, offering smart home automation and home theater services.
The conversation dives into the differences between DIY smart devices and fully integrated smart homes, the growing importance of home automation, and the evolution of...2025-01-3135 minBridging the Gap: If These Walls Could TalkCorporate Job to Custom Woodworking: The Journey of Perfect Pallet PittsburghFrom Corporate Job to Custom WoodworkingIn this episode of Bridging the Gap, Dave Man from Perfect Pallet Pittsburgh shares his transition from a corporate career to starting his custom woodworking business. Specializing in accent walls, barn doors, mantels, and reclaimed wood pieces, Dave discusses how he grew his business, the challenges of scaling, and the unique history behind his materials. From sourcing old beams to designing personalized home features, this episode highlights the creative journey of turning passion into a thriving business. Tune in to learn more about his work, inspiration, and the evolution of Perfect Pallet Pittsburgh.2025-01-1729 minBridging the Gap: If These Walls Could TalkPainting the Future: Matt Burns' Journey from Hospitality to Four Pillars PaintingIn this episode of Bridging the Gap: If These Walls Could Talk, hosts Jim Williams and Zita Billmann sit down with Matt Burns, co-owner of Four Pillars Painting. Discover how Matt transitioned from managing restaurants to building a thriving painting business during the pandemic. From starting with just an idea to managing a team of 16 painters, Matt shares insights on the challenges and rewards of the painting industry, including the importance of networking, delivering top-tier service, and maintaining quality craftsmanship. Whether you're curious about full house repaints, cabinet transformations, or the latest color trends, this episode is packed with...2025-01-0331 minBridging the Gap: If These Walls Could TalkReal Estate Insights with Robyn Jones | Bridging The Gap: Episode 32024-12-2025 minBridging the Gap: If These Walls Could TalkCrafting Custom Spaces with Josh Tohey of 3Rivers General Contracting | Bridging The Gap: Episode 2In this episode of Bridging the Gap, Jim Williams from Top Contractor School and Zita Billman with Lux10 sit down with Josh Tohey, the owner of 3Rivers General Contracting. Josh shares his journey from managing large-scale property rehabs to founding his own business, offering custom residential and commercial remodeling services. They dive into the challenges and rewards of transforming historic Pittsburgh homes, discussing everything from kitchen remodels to full home renovations.2024-12-0625 minBridging the Gap: If These Walls Could TalkHow Contractors and Realtors Create Value Together 🤝 Bridging The Gap: Episode 1In the debut episode of Bridging the Gap: If These Walls Could Talk, hosts Jim Williams from Top Contractor School and Zita Billmann of Lux10 share their vision for the podcast. They discuss their backgrounds, the inspiration behind their respective businesses, and their mission to create a platform that connects contractors, realtors, and homeowners. Discover how they plan to bridge gaps across industries, communities, and ideas, bringing value to everyone involved—from field professionals to end consumers. Tune in to hear how they're transforming challenges into opportunities and why collaboration is at the heart of their mission.2024-11-2218 min