Join us as Amy Druhot, VP of Sales at Eastwood Homes, shares her remarkable journey from high school dropout and house cleaner to industry leadership. Learn how she transformed perceived weaknesses into strengths, discovered the power of authenticity in sales, and why she believes in 'braving it' rather than 'faking it.' Amy discusses her new book 'Just Brave It' and offers invaluable insights on building confidence, understanding your 'why,' and succeeding in new home sales regardless of your background.

Amy Druhot serves as Vice President of Sales for Eastwood Homes in Richmond, where she leads with authenticity and a passion for developing high-performing sales teams. With over two decades in the new home industry, Amy's unconventional path – from high school dropout to corporate leadership – has shaped her unique approach to sales management and team development.

Starting as a warranty administrator and navigating through various roles including house cleaning during the recession, Amy's resilience and determination led her to pioneering innovative sales strategies that consistently deliver results. Her leadership philosophy centers on identifying and nurturing talent based on cultural fit and drive rather than traditional credentials.

Amy is the author of "Just Brave It," a book that challenges conventional wisdom about success and encourages readers to embrace their authentic stories. As a mother of seven and industry leader, she frequently speaks on topics including sales leadership, personal development, and building confidence in corporate settings.

Known for her transparent leadership style and ability to transform teams, Amy advocates for creating inclusive workplace cultures where individuals can thrive regardless of their background. Her work focuses on helping others recognize their potential and "brave it" rather than "fake it" on their path to success.

Sneha Kumari, founder of Merlin AI, discusses how her company is transforming construction management with an AI-native ERP system that features seamless integrations, digital twins, and intelligent project tracking. Learn how this modern solution addresses traditional ERP pain points and helps builders optimize operations through AI-powered insights.

Sneha Kumari is the founder and CEO of Merlin AI, an innovative AI-powered ERP system for the construction industry. With over 12 years of experience in operational excellence across manufacturing, automotive, oil and gas, prefabrication, and retail sectors, she brings deep expertise in driving efficiency through technology. A Six Sigma Green Belt certified professional, Sneha has been recognized as one of the few Operations Women Leaders by McKinsey & Co. and named among the Top 50 Women to Follow in ERP by SourceDay. Her passion for lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement led her to develop Merlin AI, which is revolutionizing how construction companies manage their operations through AI-powered insights and digital twin technology. Beyond her work with Merlin AI, Sneha is an advocate for circular economy initiatives and leveraging supply chain innovations to promote sustainability in construction.

In this episode, Anya Chrisanthon interviews Melissa Morman, Principal at Built for the Future, about the digital transformation of the home building industry. They discuss the challenges builders face, the impact of AI and the "sheconomy," sustainability trends, and innovative solutions like neobanking. Melissa shares valuable insights on viewing home building as retail, adapting to changing customer demographics, and the importance of events like the TecHome Builder and Housing Transformation Summit for industry growth.

Melissa Morman is an accomplished executive whose career has spanned multiple industries. From executive roles in Fortune 500 companies to foundational roles in start-ups, Melissa has distinguished herself through her capacity to lead in highly dynamic environments. Melissa has held a broad set of executive responsibilities--from general management, to launching new divisions, to directing global business development/sales, leading marketing/sales/account management, as well as launching new products. The one constant in her success has been her unwavering advocacy of the customer experience, both B2B and B2C. Melissa was a member of the founding executive team of the homebuilding industry’s technology

consortium, BHI/BDX. BHI/BDX was the market leader in digital customer acquisition and experience, serving over 1,300 builders building over 60% of the homes in the U.S. For 22 years, Melissa served as the CXO (Chief Experience Officer), with responsibility for revenue as well as the client experience. In her role as CXO, Melissa holistically managed the entire lifecycle of the customer experience—starting with marketing messaging, continuing through the sales process, and culminating with ongoing relationship management. Melissa also held responsibility for executive collaboration within the consortium and led the launch of several BHI/BDX products, including the vision/funding/launch of Envision, the industry’s online options product/program. Melissa is a sought-after speaker, consultant, and is an active member on several boards.