Show Notes
What happens when the business you're building almost ends before it really begins?
Phil and Lina Strati, the husband-and-wife team behind L.P StratiCo Builders and Aesthetic Developments, share the real story behind their journey from secure corporate and construction careers to building businesses of their own.
It wasn't a straight line. After quitting their jobs in the most unexpected way, they spent their early years taking on whatever work they could find, only to become caught in a builders worst nightmare, before their first project had barely started.
But the conversation goes well beyond business.
They talk openly about navigating fertility challenges, personal loss, the pressure behind a successful-looking business, and the shift from chasing growth to building something more intentional.
In this episode: — Why they quit their jobs at the worst possible time — The scam that nearly ended their business — How one difficult project led to six thriving opportunities — The unexpected path into insurance and remediation — How they competed with 9 figure builders as a small company — Balancing stable, commercial work with creative development — Building a business as a couple — How grief changed Lina’s definition of success
A conversation about resilience, partnership and what really happens behind a successful building business.
------------------------ Follow Phil and Lina Strati https://www.aestheticdevelopments.com.au/about https://www.instagram.com/aestheticdevelopments_/ https://www.instagram.com/lpstratico/ https://www.lpstratico.com.au/
Follow Unfolded: https://www.unfolded.com.au/ https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_ https://www.instagram.com/behindthedesignpod_/
Other resources: DHR Season 4 - Award Winning Homes: https://vimeo.com/1088921733/aed056c68e?share=copyFlorence i15 by Greenridge Publishing - Issuu: https://issuu.com/greenridgepublishing/docs/florence_i15 Architecture & Design: https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/projects/houses/the-fairview-aesthetic-developments
Chapters 00:00 - The Risky Decision That Started Their Business 02:47 - From Corporate Careers to Construction and Design 06:19 - Why They Quit Their Jobs on Their Honeymoon 12:42 - The Granny Flat Scam That Nearly Ended Their Business 16:07 - Discovering the Construction Scam and Starting Over 20:55 - How One Difficult Project Led to Six More Opportunities 21:47 - How COVID Changed Their Construction Business 23:37 - Finding Sustainable Revenue Through Insurance Work 24:28 - Becoming One of 12 Builders on a Major Insurance Panel 25:21 - Finding a Niche in Complex Insurance Claims 30:33 - Returning to Luxury Property Development 31:44 - The Fairview Project and Their First Major Development 32:23 - Winning a Master Builders Award 33:37 - Building a Brand Through Design and Storytelling 35:04 - Grief, Mental Health, and Redefining Success
Keywords building business Australia construction business Australia construction business owners builder business building company Australia property development Australia luxury home builder construction entrepreneurship starting a construction business building business journey construction business growth property development granny flat builder insurance construction insurance remediation business setbacks business resilience husband and wife business family business construction industry Australia luxury property development building industry Australia entrepreneurship Australia
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