At Alair Homes Kirkland, leadership is not limited to the jobsite. It shows up in conversations, mentorship, and a willingness to share hard-earned lessons with the broader industry.
Recently, Stacy Eakman, Partner at Alair Homes and newly named Regional Partner for California, appeared on two of the best podcasts in residential construction and business leadership. These conversations went beyond surface-level success stories and into the realities of building homes, building teams, and building a company that lasts.
From innovative construction methods to delegation, failure, and rebuilding after disaster, Stacy’s voice on these podcasts reflects the values that guide Alair Homes Kirkland every day.
Below is a closer look at each episode.
Friends of Build Magazine: The Best Podcast
On one of the best podcasts covering innovation in construction today, Stacy joined Ted from Build Magazine to discuss the recent completion of The New American Home in Orlando.
The project itself was ambitious. A large-scale custom home delivered in just 14 months required disciplined planning, strong systems, and a high level of client trust. Stacy emphasized that speed alone does not drive success. Clear expectations, thoughtful sequencing, and transparency at every stage made the accelerated timeline achievable.
A key highlight of the episode was the discussion around steel construction. Stacy shared why the industry is seeing a shift away from traditional wood framing in certain applications. Steel offers long-term durability, resilience, and performance, particularly in markets facing climate pressure and rising insurance demands.
The conversation also touched on market conditions in Seattle and the emotional realities of rebuilding after disasters. Stacy spoke candidly about guiding clients through moments when uncertainty is high and emotions run deep. Transparency in pricing becomes critical in these situations. Open-book clarity builds trust, reduces fear, and creates a true partnership between builder and homeowner.
This episode reinforced why Build Magazine remains one of the best podcasts for builders who want both technical insight and real-world perspective.
One of the best podcasts featuring Stacy Eakman: Curious Builder
Episode 154 of The Curious Builder, titled Delegate to Elevate: How Stacy Eakman Bought Back His Time, is widely regarded as one of the best podcasts for builders who want to move from running jobs to running sustainable companies.
In this conversation with Mark, Stacy unpacked the mindset shift required to build a business you can step away from, and one that could eventually be sold. He shared why joining Alair was pivotal to that transformation.
With 108 Alair offices and 108 independent owners, the franchise model offers something rare. Collective wisdom without internal competition. Any challenge a builder faces today, someone else in the network has already navigated. That shared experience creates accountability, encouragement, and momentum.
Stacy also discussed his expanded role as Regional Partner for California. He now spends one week each month in Southern California, supporting rebuilding efforts after the Palisades fires. Many homeowners in these situations face underfunded insurance claims and overwhelming decisions. Stacy spoke about the responsibility builders carry in moments of loss and how structure and empathy must work together.
One of the most impactful takeaways from the episode was Stacy’s belief that sales is the biggest KPI. Without revenue, businesses stall. Teams shrink. Momentum disappears. Sales, when done ethically and consistently, keeps companies alive long enough to refine systems and improve profitability.
He also shared a candid excavation story from earlier in his career. A side excavation business failed quickly due to compliance and insurance issues. It felt like a major failure at the time. Yet it reinforced a lifelong lesson. Deliver bad news early. Honesty earns second chances.
Leadership, for Stacy, is not about loud motivation. He sees himself more of a coach. He leads by example and doesn’t shy away from having hard conversations. His personal motto is simple. Just do the next thing. Tiny steps add up.
When asked who believed in him before he believed in himself, Stacy pointed to his mom, his sister, and his dad, especially during his baseball years. Today, that belief is reinforced by his team. His project manager Erik often reminds him, “We’ve got this.” Still, Stacy is clear. Support matters, but confidence must ultimately come from within.
It is exactly this blend of humility, clarity, and experience that makes this episode one of the best podcasts for builders at any stage.
“Brick by Brick” Podcast with Tyler Webster
Another conversation worth listening to is Stacy Eakman’s appearance on the Brick by Brick Podcast, hosted by Tyler Webster, CEO of Old Mill Building Products. This one took place in Hawaii. The show focuses on construction leadership and entrepreneurship, making it a natural fit for a conversation about how builders grow and evolve in this industry.
In the episode, Stacy reflects on growing up in Yakima, Washington, where his father owned a construction company. As a kid, he did not necessarily see construction as a scalable business. To him, it looked more like a job. After moving to the western side of Washington, Stacy began taking on small remodeling projects. What started modestly began to grow. At one point his third employee was his own mom, who stepped in to help with accounting while the company expanded.
A major theme throughout the conversation is leadership. Stacy shares that he always aimed to hire people who were better than him in specific areas and then give them the space to do their work. Many founders struggle with this transition and fall into micromanaging, but Stacy intentionally stepped back so the team could grow alongside the company.
The conversation also touches on the moment that eventually led him to Alair Homes Kirkland. In 2020, during the shift brought on by COVID, Stacy moved from his Seattle office to the east side. A book left behind for him by Shane Waller, Leaders Eat Last, prompted a second read and sparked deeper conversations about leadership and company culture. Those discussions ultimately led to Stacy joining Alair Homes Kirkland.
Today, Stacy describes his primary role as protecting and sustaining the company’s vision. Much of his time is spent building relationships with architects, vendors, and partners while continuing to support the predictable building process that Alair is known for. One element he is especially proud of is the transparency within the system. The same software used by the Alair team is also available to homeowners, allowing clients to see estimates, vendor bids, and project updates as they happen.
When asked about the biggest challenges facing residential construction today, Stacy pointed to three realities: cost, labor shortages, and time. The timeline of a project often begins long before construction starts. Design development, planning, and permitting all take time before the first shovel ever touches the ground.
For builders, entrepreneurs, or homeowners curious about how thoughtful leadership shapes a construction company, Stacy’s conversation on the Brick by Brick Podcast offers a candid and insightful perspective.
A Vision Bigger Than Any Single Project
At the heart of Stacy Eakman’s work is a clear and consistent goal: to change the way clients experience and view residential construction. Not as a stressful transaction, but as a transparent, well-led partnership built on trust, clarity, and follow-through.
Stacy is deeply passionate about doing the right thing, even when it is difficult, and about mentoring the next generation of builders to do the same. He believes great companies are not built by cutting corners, but by teaching people how to lead well, communicate honestly, and take ownership of both success and failure. That commitment to mentorship is woven into how he shows up for his team, for fellow Alair partners, and for the broader construction community.
As a master of scaling a business, Stacy understands that systems, sales, and accountability are not restrictive. They are what create freedom. Freedom for teams to grow, for leaders to step back, and for clients to feel confident every step of the way. Most importantly, they allow a company to serve at a higher level without losing its values.
Simply put, Stacy loves what he does. That passion shows up in every conversation, every project, and every builder he invests in. At Alair Homes Kirkland, his vision continues to shape not just how homes are built, but how the entire building experience is redefined.
