Association of Professional Builders Spring, Texas

In 1983, at 19, Russ Stephens began his entrepreneurial path in South London, selling cleaning products from a van. By the 2000s, his company was a leader in productivity and ROI. Intent on moving to Australia, he sold his business in 2005 to apply for residency. By 2006, Australia was seeking entrepreneurs rather than investors, prompting Russ to acquire a residential building company. Despite initial challenges and the impact of the GFC, Russ pivoted to consulting, leveraging his 25 years of business experience. Alongside his daughter, Sky Kolade, Russ began providing specialized services to other home builders. They developed key systems and templates for the industry, including professional building contract proposals and safety documentation. The venture into safety documentation proved successful, albeit as a necessity for builders rather than a desired purchase. This business, however, opened doors to discussions about sales and marketing—something more exciting for builder. These discussions led to the creation of a digital marketing agency specifically tailored for builders, eventually culminating in the formation of the Association of Professional Builders. In 2021, Russ co-authored the Amazon best-selling book, 'Professional Builders Secrets,' which boasts over 3000 sales and 50 five-star reviews. That same year, he joined the Forbes Business Development Council, an invitation-only community for senior sales and business development executives.