Welcome back to The Entrepreneur’s Journey. In this episode, Michael Pelosi speaks with Kevin Brenner, founder of Healthy Home Energy & Consulting. Kevin shares his unexpected journey from podiatry school to building luxury homes for billionaires, and ultimately to pioneering sustainable construction practices as a “building scientist.” He discusses his transition from Brenner Builders to Healthy Home, and how energy efficiency, education, and environmental stewardship have shaped his mission. Kevin’s story is a masterclass in evolving your career with purpose and principle.

Tune into this episode to also learn:

● How Kevin transitioned from medical school to multi-million-dollar homebuilding.

● What it means to be a “building scientist” and how that knowledge impacts home performance.

● Why Healthy Home focuses on education, not sales, to stand apart in the HVAC industry.

● How to approach energy efficiency and net-zero building practically and affordably.

What we discussed

● [00:01:12] Kevin shares how podiatry school led to carpentry, and eventually to starting Brenner Builders.

● [00:04:06] Why he left high-end homebuilding despite success: stress, pressure, and client dynamics.

● [00:07:26] The significance of building his first spec house and how it sparked exponential growth.

● [00:08:58] Most ambitious build: a 30,000 sq ft mansion for a hedge fund manager with extravagant amenities.

● [00:12:56] How passion for energy performance led to the founding of Healthy Home.

● [00:15:15] Kevin defines building science and how he teaches it across his company.

● [00:20:06] The ethos behind Healthy Home: "We give a shit." And how they train to that level.

● [00:22:17] Why 95% of HVAC installs are wrong — and how Healthy Home does it differently.

● [00:24:32] The importance of testing outcomes and guaranteeing measurable results in energy performance.

● [00:25:54] What “net-zero” really means and how Kevin achieved it in his own home.

● [00:28:17] Converting an existing home to net-zero — is it possible and practical?

● [00:29:41] Kevin's future plans: growing Healthy Home and focusing on education to fight climate change.

3 Things To Remember

1. Career paths don’t need to be linear — following your passion can lead to greater purpose and innovation.
2. Teaching employees the science behind their work results in better service and industry transformation.
3. Sustainable building isn’t just idealistic — it’s practical, measurable, and critical for future generations.

Useful Links

Connect with Michael Pallozzi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpallozzihfm/

Like what you’ve heard…

Learn more about HFM HERE

Schedule time to speak with us HERE

Welcome back to The Entrepreneur’s Journey. In this episode, Jason Gabrieli sits down with Michael Roth, Managing Partner of V&R Capital, to explore how business owners can thoughtfully prepare for one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives—selling their business. From his personal journey through entrepreneurship and tragedy to founding a firm focused on family-owned businesses, Michael shares the unique challenges and critical steps involved in planning a sale. Whether you're retiring, or just want to ensure your legacy, this episode offers valuable direction.

Tune into this episode to also learn:

• Why building a business “to sell” benefits you—even if you never sell.
• The major pitfalls business owners face when preparing for a transition.
• What private equity and family offices really mean for sellers.
• How VNR Capital invests alongside their clients to align long-term success.

What we discussed

[00:01:00] Jason introduces Michael Roth and the mission of V&R Capital.

[00:02:15] Why V&R focuses on family-owned businesses and their unique needs.

[00:03:29] Michael’s career journey from Anheuser-Busch to tech entrepreneur.

[00:05:09] How personal tragedy shaped his transition into business advisory.

[00:07:33] Founding V&R Capital with a mission to support underserved founders.

[00:09:31] The mindset shift: building a company for market value, not just personal preference.

[00:11:09] How early market feedback creates smarter business decisions.

[00:12:41] The truth about valuations—and why they often fall short.

[00:14:20] Why V&R invests their own capital alongside clients.

[00:16:11] Understanding private equity and family office dynamics.

[00:17:37] Common missteps in scaling or prepping a business for sale.

[00:19:25] The urgency of early planning—why 5 years from retirement means action today.

[00:21:02] How a good sale can benefit both your team and your legacy.

[00:23:25] Picking the right advisors for a once-in-a-lifetime event.

[00:24:43] What sellers often do next—and why many get back into business.

3 Things To Remember

1. A business built to sell is often a better-run business—even if you never plan to sell it.
2. Engaging a trusted advisor early gives you time to plan intentionally, not reactively.
3. Understanding your buyer’s perspective helps you make smarter growth and exit decisions.

Useful Links

Connect with Jason Gabrieli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasongabrieli

Like what you’ve heard…

Learn more about HFM HERE

Schedule time to speak with us HERE

In this episode of The Entrepreneur's Journey, host Michael Pallozzi sits down with Harrison Edwards, president of My Painter & Exteriors in Arlington, Virginia, to explore his remarkable journey from starting a business at age 20 to running a thriving painting and exterior contracting company by 29. Harrison shares candid insights about overcoming early challenges, understanding profitability, growing a scalable business, and learning critical lessons from tough projects. This conversation highlights practical strategies for contractors and entrepreneurs aiming to enhance their business acumen and accelerate growth.

Tune into this episode to also learn:

• How to accurately price jobs for profitability.
• Key differences between residential and commercial projects.
• The importance of investing in your employees beyond compensation.
• Strategies for scaling your business while maintaining quality control.

What we discussed

[00:01:15] Harrison’s background and how he started My Painter & Exteriors at 20 years old.

[00:03:17] The realization of how crucial understanding financials and pricing jobs correctly is.

[00:05:36] Harrison shares a business idea that didn't initially succeed and how he learned from it.

[00:07:36] Differences between managing residential versus commercial contracting projects.

[00:08:25] Experiences and challenges from handling a large, year-long commercial project.

[00:11:16] Launching his second company, Bright Bins, and navigating its unique market.

[00:14:55] Insights on scaling My Painter & Exteriors from startup to nearly $4 million annually.

[00:16:37] The importance of clearly communicating your vision and investing in your team.

[00:19:18] How consultants can accelerate your business’s growth and provide clarity.

[00:21:09] Harrison’s vision for his businesses over the next five years.

3 Things To Remember

1. Clearly understanding your overhead and accurately pricing jobs from the start is crucial for sustainable business growth.
2. Effective leadership involves investing in your employees' development and clearly communicating the vision and status of your business.
3. Working with the right consultants and mentors can dramatically accelerate your learning curve and enhance business outcomes.

Useful Links

Connect with Michael Pallozzi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpallozzihfm/

Like what you’ve heard…

Learn more about HFM HERE

Schedule time to speak with us HERE