From Boots to Blueprints: How Sal Hernandez Scaled, Systemized, and Served His Way to a Successful Exit

From Field to Founder: How Sal Hernandez Scaled, Exited, and Now Coaches the Next Generation of Builders

In this episode of People-First Builders, host Fletcher Wimbush sits down with Sal Hernandez — a veteran, serial entrepreneur, and former owner of a successful design-build firm. From humble beginnings mowing lawns with his father to scaling a full-service construction company with multiple licenses, Sal shares how he went from technician to strategic leader — ultimately exiting the business to focus on coaching and supporting fellow veterans.

You’ll hear how Sal built a thriving business from the ground up, developed systems that enabled him to delegate and grow, and how he navigated the tricky process of finding, hiring, and retaining quality field talent — spoiler alert: Craigslist still works.

We dig into:
🔹 Why systems and processes are key to growth in the trades
🔹 How Sal leveraged subcontractors to scale without compromising quality
🔹 His grassroots hiring strategy (including bilingual outreach) that cut through the noise
🔹 The importance of vet-to-vet leadership and his work with the Capital Region Veterans Chamber of Commerce

Whether you're a contractor looking to scale or a builder aiming to transition into leadership, this episode is packed with practical insight, real talk, and powerful lessons from someone who's lived it.

🎧 Tune in to learn how to grow smart — and build a legacy that lasts.