1160: Bringing COLLABORATION, processes, and organization to fix an industry of chaos w/ Carl Nelson

Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business

What if the process of renovating or building your home could actually be smooth, collaborative, and even enjoyable? That’s the mission Carl Nelson is on. With a background in architecture for national giants like Starbucks and McDonald's, Carl is now transforming the residential construction industry through his company, Visual.

In this episode, you’ll discover how Carl is redesigning not just homes—but the entire process behind them. From developing smarter systems to embracing transparency and collaboration, Carl’s entrepreneurial journey is packed with insights for anyone looking to build a business that solves big, broken problems.

💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business

• 🛠 How to identify industry pain points and build a business that fixes them
• 💡 Why clarity, transparency, and systems are your secret weapons in any service-based business
• 🤝 How to build collaborative tools that streamline client experience and reduce overwhelm
• 🧠 Why mindset and self-awareness are key to staying resilient as a founder
• 🏗 How to bring enterprise-level professionalism into small business service models
• 🧭 Why patience is your biggest asset when building a business that disrupts the status quo

📝 About Carl
Carl Nelson is an architect and entrepreneur with experience in both residential and commercial construction. After working with household names like Starbucks and McDonald’s, Carl saw an opportunity to bring the same high standards of efficiency and clarity to the fragmented world of home construction. Through his company Visual, Carl guides homeowners through a four-step design and construction journey using custom systems and tools he developed from decades of experience. He’s on a mission to transform the customer experience in remodeling and building—and he's not afraid to challenge the outdated norms of the industry.

🎯 Carl’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs

“It takes longer than you think. You just have to have patience.” – Carl Nelson

Key Takeaways:
✔ Big impact takes big time—so set long-term expectations
✔ Patience isn’t passive; it’s a strategy for growth
✔ Progress comes through small, continuous refinements

📢 Memorable Quotes

“Most people expect remodeling to be a nightmare. We’re on a mission to change that.” – Carl Nelson
“Every time I get a new bid, it’s more expensive than the last. We need to make remodeling smarter and more affordable.” – Carl Nelson
“Skateboarding taught me everything about business—falling, learning, repeating.” – Carl Nelson

💡 Actionable Takeaways
✅ Build processes that make your client’s experience easier—not harder
✅ Use tools like Smartsheet or Notion to centralize communication and data
✅ Seek out collaborators who are aligned with your mission—not just your price point
✅ Focus on solving real problems, not chasing short-term trends
✅ Embrace the mindset of iteration: tweak, test, improve, repeat

🔗 Links & Resources

• Visit Visual’s Website
• Connect with Carl on LinkedIn