In this episode, Henry Harrison welcomes Alexandre Teplitxky, a veteran in construction technology marketing with more than a decade of experience at industry leaders like Procore, Autodesk, and AI startups. Today, he leads marketing at SmartPM Technologies, a company revolutionizing construction project management through AI-driven schedule analytics. Together, Henry and Alexandre dive into the challenges of delays in construction, why they’re the root cause of cost overruns, and how SmartPM uniquely addresses these issues by providing neutral, data-driven insights. Alexandre shares the founder’s journey of transforming 20 years of manual consulting work into a powerful software platform, giving project owners and contractors the ability to identify and address risks before it’s too late. This episode explores not only the technology shaping construction but also Alexandre’s personal journey into marketing, his passion for optimization, his angel investing in prefabrication startups, and his adventurous hobbies like paragliding and traveling to over 60 countries.

Key Topics Covered

• Alexandre’s background: from Procore and Autodesk to SmartPM Technologies

• Why construction delays are the biggest cost driver in the industry

• How SmartPM’s AI transforms raw schedule data into actionable insights

• The importance of ease of adoption for construction software

• Missteps of many tech startups: disrupting vs. understanding the industry

• Real-world examples of how SmartPM saves time, money, and relationships

• Alexandre’s entrepreneurial mindset and investment in prefabrication technology

• Personal passions: travel, paragliding, and building empathy through new experiences

Memorable Quotes

• “SmartPM’s mission is really to fight delay in construction. Delay is the root cause of many issues—cost overruns, strained relationships, and lost time.” – Alexandre Teplitxky

• “We’re not trying to disrupt. We’re trying to understand. Construction needs solutions built by people who’ve lived the pain.” – Alexandre Teplitxky

• “Our system brings a neutral, data-driven approach so owners and contractors can talk about facts, not finger-pointing.” – Alexandre Teplitxky

About the Guest

Alexandre Teplitxky is a marketing leader with over 10 years in the construction tech industry. He has held roles at Procore, Autodesk, and AI startups before joining SmartPM Technologies. Passionate about optimizing workflows, Alexandre has also invested in prefabrication startups and continues to support entrepreneurs shaping the industry. Beyond business, he’s an avid traveler (60+ countries) and paragliding enthusiast based in Santa Barbara, California.

Resources & Links

• Learn more about SmartPM Technologies - smartpm.com/

• Connect with Alexandre Teplitxky on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/alexteplitxky/

• Follow Henry Harrison and the Entrepreneurs, Business & Finance Podcast at HenryHarrison.com

Episode Overview: In this episode of Entrepreneurs, Business, and Finance, host Henry Harrison sits down with bestselling author Harry Hunsicker, a Dallas native with a fascinating journey from commercial real estate appraiser to full-time novelist. With nine published crime thrillers—including the gripping The Life and Death of Rose Doucette—Harry shares insights into the business of fiction, the craft of storytelling, and the perseverance required to break into the publishing world.

Whether you’re a budding author, a lover of mysteries, or just someone chasing a lifelong dream, this episode offers practical lessons and real-world wisdom on turning passion into a profession.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Second Career Success: How Harry transitioned from real estate to writing while managing both for nearly two decades.
• The Business Side of Writing: Finding an agent, getting published, and why he opted not to self-publish.
• Childhood Dreams Realized: Harry’s lifelong desire to write fiction and his very first story written on a typewriter at age 10.
• Craft vs. Creativity: The importance of outlining, revising, and writing books he would personally want to read.
• Research and Realism: How Harry blends deep research, Texas history, and real-world details into thrilling crime fiction.
• Facing Rejection: The truth about sending out 117 query letters and learning to embrace persistence.
• The Power of Place: Why all of Harry’s books are set in Dallas and how that adds authenticity to his storytelling.
• AI and the Writing World: His perspective on using ChatGPT as a research tool but not for writing fiction.
• Legacy and Lineage: As a 6th-generation Texan, Harry’s roots run deep—and they often show up in his work.
• Advice for Aspiring Authors: Practical encouragement and life lessons on following your dream no matter your age.

Notable Quotes from the Episode:

“You’ve only got so much runway left in life. If you’ve got a dream, go for it.” — Harry Hunsicker

“Writing is rewriting. It’s a craft. You don’t write anything perfect the first time.” — Harry Hunsicker

“I wanted to write a book I would want to read.” — Harry Hunsicker

About the Guest – Harry Hunsicker: Harry is the bestselling author of nine crime thrillers and a lifelong Dallas resident. His latest book, The Life and Death of Rose Doucette, has been praised for its realism, twisty plots, and vivid Texas settings. Formerly a commercial real estate appraiser, Harry is now a full-time writer, speaker, and literary force in the crime thriller genre.

Explore his books and sign up for his newsletter at HarryHunsicker.com

Connect with Henry Harrison and the Show: Host Henry Harrison brings deep business insight and real-world experience to every episode. Tune in weekly for engaging conversations with authors, founders, financial experts, and entrepreneurs from all walks of life. HenryHarrison.com

Episode: https://henryharrison.com/chris-brown-rj-byrd-search-group/

In this engaging episode of Entrepreneurs, Business, and Finance, host Henry Harrison sits down with Chris Brown, founder of RJ Byrd Search Group (https://rjbyrd.com/) and a longtime friend. Together, they explore Chris's fascinating journey from Washington, D.C., to Texas, building a career in staffing and recruiting and his inspiring mountain-climbing adventures.

Chris shares insights from his upbringing in Arlington, Virginia, his family’s ties to politics, and the pivotal moments that shaped his professional journey. The conversation covers everything from lessons learned on Capitol Hill to starting his own business in the competitive world of staffing. Plus, Chris opens up about the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, his commitment to delivering quality over quantity, and how his company has weathered economic storms and industry changes.

As a bonus, Chris shares stories about his adventures climbing mountains like Kilimanjaro and Aconcagua, how those experiences translate into business lessons, and the importance of resilience and determination in both life and entrepreneurship.

Key Highlights:

- Early Influences: Growing up in a politically connected family (grandfather Jim Wright was the 48th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives) and it impacted Chris’s values and career decisions.

- The Journey to Entrepreneurship: How Chris founded RJ Byrd Search Group in 2007 and his mission to focus on quality staffing services for small to medium-sized businesses.

- Overcoming Challenges: Navigating the 2008 financial crisis as a new business owner and adapting to industry changes, including the rise of AI and digital tools.

- Leadership and Integrity: The importance of building trust with clients and maintaining ethical standards in business.

- Adventures in Mountain Climbing: How climbing peaks like Everest and Kilimanjaro with his daughter taught him invaluable lessons about perseverance, mental strength, and teamwork.

- Board Memberships: Chris’s role in various boards, including Catapult Partners, and his passion for helping others succeed through mentorship and collaboration.

Memorable Quotes:

“Every new technology claims it will replace the recruiting industry, but nothing can replace the human connection.”

“Entrepreneurship isn’t just about building a business; it’s about creating something better, more efficient, and impactful.”

“Climbing mountains isn’t just a physical challenge—it’s a mental game. That same grit applies to running a business.”