In this episode of Men of Influence, Tim Holloway sits down with Casey Ames, CEO of Taylor Jean Homes, a luxury home builder who’s weathered the highs and lows of the real estate market with resilience and clarity. From wholesaling over 100 homes a year to flipping and eventually building multimillion-dollar custom homes, Casey shares how his early wins taught him momentum; but his losses taught him wisdom. When $100 million in capital vanished overnight during a market crash, Casey was forced to pivot hard, embrace humility, and rebuild a more sustainable hybrid model focused on high-margin custom work. His story is a raw look into risk, scale, and the importance of contingency planning.
Casey unpacks the value of remaining teachable, building solution-oriented teams, and leading from a posture of faith and responsibility. His personal mission; building people’s lives by building homes; guides every business decision. Whether he’s designing a subdivision or mentoring his staff, Casey leads with vision and trust, empowering others to solve problems and take ownership. This episode is a masterclass in leading through crisis, building culture, and keeping your priorities straight: God first, family second, business third.
Key Takeaways:
Adaptability Over Ego: Sticking to a rigid plan in a shifting market can sink your business. Be willing to pivot with wisdom.
Build Leaders, Not Just Teams: Foster a culture where employees solve problems and grow in confidence. Faith Fuels Business: When your identity is rooted in Christ, business becomes a tool for expansion; not your source of worth.
Work Smarter, Not Just Harder: Personal excellence means doing high-leverage work and freeing up time for what matters most. Wisdom Is Earned in Loss: Failure isn't the end; it's often the soil where your best leadership fruit grows.
“God gives and God takes away. I lost $3 million, but gained the kind of wisdom no coach or book could ever teach.” - Casey Ames
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