J.J. Levenske

One of the things that was successful for me was always paying it forward. And that's a common phrase now. But when I saw someone in need, I would give, whether it was time, energy, knowledge, whatever. You know, you're talking about Kent and Al and all those people. Yeah. So it's one thing to ask. But other thing is don't keep score.

One of the things that was successful for me was always paying it forward. And that's a common phrase now. But when I saw someone in need, I would give, whether it was time, energy, knowledge, whatever. You know, you're talking about Kent and Al and all those people. Yeah. So it's one thing to ask. But other thing is don't keep score.

You do subconsciously, but I tell you what, you have tremendous freedom and opportunities open up exponentially when you do not keep score. Like I think of when I pay it forward, when someone calls and even if the answer is no, find a yes, right? Like, hold on, I can't take care of you, but give me 10 minutes and I'll find three other people that might be a befitting match.

You do subconsciously, but I tell you what, you have tremendous freedom and opportunities open up exponentially when you do not keep score. Like I think of when I pay it forward, when someone calls and even if the answer is no, find a yes, right? Like, hold on, I can't take care of you, but give me 10 minutes and I'll find three other people that might be a befitting match.

We get those calls all the time as general contractors. We just can't, we're not the right fit, right? but I might give it to 10 competitors. And then whammo, a year and a half from now, I get the call. Hey, do you remember me, JJ? I'm like, nope. Like, well, you paid it forward with Bob and Bob ended up remodeling my house because you don't do residential. Well, guess what? I own a business.

We get those calls all the time as general contractors. We just can't, we're not the right fit, right? but I might give it to 10 competitors. And then whammo, a year and a half from now, I get the call. Hey, do you remember me, JJ? I'm like, nope. Like, well, you paid it forward with Bob and Bob ended up remodeling my house because you don't do residential. Well, guess what? I own a business.

Now I'm adding on to my business. Will you do it for me? Whammo.

Now I'm adding on to my business. Will you do it for me? Whammo.

And you were a guest.

And you were a guest.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Well, thanks for having me on.

Well, thanks for having me on.

Great question. So like I said, I'm 52 now. So I've been in the business for over 30 years. And I did the proverbial and quintessential up through the ranks type thing. Started off, went to college, actually got a construction management degree from Midwestern College, and then dove right in. Started doing custom homes, whatever.

Great question. So like I said, I'm 52 now. So I've been in the business for over 30 years. And I did the proverbial and quintessential up through the ranks type thing. Started off, went to college, actually got a construction management degree from Midwestern College, and then dove right in. Started doing custom homes, whatever.

But I would say that was my second job that gave me kind of the oomph And that was, I was in Albuquerque, New Mexico back in the mid-90s. And I got a call from a buddy and said, hey, there's this global multinational company based... It just so happens their North American operation is back in Minneapolis. Would you ever move back? And I was like, yeah, that sounds exciting.

But I would say that was my second job that gave me kind of the oomph And that was, I was in Albuquerque, New Mexico back in the mid-90s. And I got a call from a buddy and said, hey, there's this global multinational company based... It just so happens their North American operation is back in Minneapolis. Would you ever move back? And I was like, yeah, that sounds exciting.

And I was the type of kid where I grew up in a community where when someone challenged you, you took it, right? And I know you can resonate. It's like, you go. You don't say no. You don't say maybe you say F yes. And then just figure it out as you go. So having jumped into that, I worked for a British firm. The main reason they hired me, I know, was because I had done a stint in the UK.

And I was the type of kid where I grew up in a community where when someone challenged you, you took it, right? And I know you can resonate. It's like, you go. You don't say no. You don't say maybe you say F yes. And then just figure it out as you go. So having jumped into that, I worked for a British firm. The main reason they hired me, I know, was because I had done a stint in the UK.