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#111: David Gerstel on Building, Business, and Turning 80
Episode 11118th May 2026 • Building Optimal • Jared Gossett
00:00:00 00:58:30

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In this episode of Building Optimal Radio, I sit down with our most listened-to guest ever...one of the greats, builder and author David Gerstel. Now at 80 years old, David shares what decades in business taught him about running a successful construction company and living a meaningful life.

Previous conversations with David Gerstel:

#90: Financial Freedom with David Gerstel

#58: A Builder’s Path to Financial Freedom with David Gerstel

#19: Bidding, Estimating, and Achieving Financial Freedom with David Gerstel

Book recommendation:

Small Giants: Companies That Choose to Be Great Instead of Big, 10th Anniversary Edition, by Bo Burlingham

Edit: Thanks to our friend Ian Schwant, of Nails to Numbers on Substack, for pointing out that the idea I attributed to Munger is actually called Hanlon’s Razor.

A Special Thanks To Our Brand Partners:

Subzero Wolf

Quaker Windows

Home Depot Pro Xtra Program

And Be Sure To Check Out:

Investnext (our platform to raise and manage investor capital)

The Building Optimal Shop (for systems and processes to help run your home building company)

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