Meet the Aspire Team

Fred grew up in the family business in Ridgecrest, California – working after school and on weekends. After high school, Fred attended a trades-technical institute and returned home to take over the business. It did not take him long to realize there was much more to running a business than producing an excellent product for the customer's benefit alone. Working that long and hard only to struggle and break even or lose money was not acceptable to him.

He started a journey to find answers by researching, reading, and training on business operations. This journey led Fred to connect with Ken Brookings nearly two decades ago. He immediately recognized that Ken's systems and processes were exactly what he had been seeking. He received the answers to questions such as: "Why is business so difficult? Why am I killing myself just to scrape by?" and "Where is the logical path?"

Fred joined Ken's coaching program and turned his family business around for good. In less than two years, he took the company from a -4% annual loss to more than 27% annual net profit. It was life-changing. What started as a search for better business practices led to a deeper search for self-improvement and a passion for sharing this knowledge to help other small businesses thrive.

Fred co-founded The Aspire Institute with Ken, building on their shared vision of transforming how small business owners approach profitability and work-life balance. As CEO, Fred has led the company's evolution and growth, furthering the mission of improving the lives of small business owners and achieving next-level profitability that truly reflects their value and worth.

Now, after almost 20 years, Fred has imparted wisdom and proven business methods to thousands of business owners, with a laser focus on residential general contractors (GCs). Together with the Aspire Coaches, GCs learn how to fully take control of their bottom lines and achieve better work-life balance at the same time.

Fred found his true calling – helping others. Aspire is driven to reach and change the lives of as many remodelers and home builders as possible. "Our focus is genuinely to help our clients improve both their business and personal lives," says Fred. "While we're not perfect, you won't find another partner who cares as much or works as tirelessly to ensure general contractors have everything they need to be successful."

Be better than yesterday is Fred's mantra, and he instills this belief into every member of his family, business, and Aspire customers. Aspire is truly a purpose-driven company. The daily drive to improve the lives of GCs and other high-value, labor-intensive service businesses motivates Fred and the people around him.

Outside work, Fred loves spending time with his wife Courtney, four grown children, and grandchildren. Travel, golf, and flying his private plane top the list. More new adventures await as he and Courtney relocated to Sandpoint, Idaho, full-time from California in early 2020 to take Aspire and its amazing clients to the next level!

Anthony Rodriguez brings a lifelong understanding of small business leadership, shaped by growing up in a family of entrepreneurs. A former collegiate athlete, he carries the same competitive drive and discipline into his professional career.

After attending California State University–Sacramento, Anthony spent 14 years in the fitness industry with organizations such as 24 Hour Fitness, Crunch Fitness, and Les Mills. He specialized in developing high-impact training programs, building effective sales processes, and coaching small business owners throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

In 2018, Anthony returned home to Sandpoint, Idaho, joining The Aspire Institute. He quickly advanced through sales management, business development, operations, and employee engagement roles, consistently helping general contractors and the Aspire team reach new levels of performance. His results-driven leadership and commitment to client success ultimately led to his appointment as President.

Today, as President, Anthony oversees Aspire’s operational execution and strategic direction, including new client acquisition, coaching program performance, and organizational alignment. Known for his hands-on leadership style, he partners closely with CEO Fred Farris while staying deeply connected to the coaching team and the contractors they serve.

Anthony’s motivation comes from real client transformations; business owners gaining profitability, freedom, and quality of life they never thought possible.

Outside of work, Anthony enjoys time with his wife Kayley, their three children (Madison, Scarlett, and Anthony Jr.), and their American Bully, Tay Tay. He maintains an active lifestyle through weightlifting and golf, and appreciates great food, quality bourbon, and a good cigar.

Rory is a builder, athlete, coach, and teacher. The son of a highly skilled mason, he was remarkably familiar with construction sites by the time he was eight years old. Throughout his childhood, Rory continued to accompany his father and help on job sites, laying the foundation for his now broad building industry experience.

From an early age, Rory showed an extraordinary drive to succeed. As a young athlete, he was highly competitive in high school sports. His success on the gridiron led to a collegiate football career at the University of Idaho. He graduated with a Master’s Degree in Education and university endorsements in Business and Exercise Science.

While working through college, Rory gained deeper trade experience while working on new ground-up residential and commercial construction crews. Upon graduation, Rory and his wife Sheila owned and operated a successful house-flipping business. They completed multiple whole-house remodels and oversaw all aspects of construction and business operations.

Later, Rory took a position as Production Manager with ARI Roofing in Coeur d’Alene where he managed several labor crews across Idaho. With ARI, he gained valuable experience in management, sales process development, implementation, and long-term client relationships. He was then promoted to Vice President of ARI to oversee day-to-day operations, including budget management, job estimates, materials procurement, and sub-scheduling and inspections. Rory also coached high school football, a position he held for eight years, culminating in his team winning a state championship in the Idaho 5A classification.

In 2018, Norcraft Cabinetry – a division of the MasterBrand Cabinetry family – recruited and relocated Rory to Michigan. He managed sales and customer relations for large building contractors in Grand Rapids and Lansing. A couple of years later, Rory jumped at the chance to join The Aspire Institute’s business coaching team with a roster of residential GCs, and so moved back to Idaho.

Aspire is fortunate to have Rory’s unstoppable energy and winning attitude to support our GC clients through business transformations. His passion for helping custom home builders and home remodelers reach their full business and personal potential drives him and GCs to the next level of prosperity.

Rory loves the outdoors, fitness, and family life with Sheila and their three young children, Zade, Remi, and Reiss. He soaks up all that life has to offer. The Aspire team and customers alike love his infectious enthusiasm for quality and excellence in business coaching and in the education classes he delivers!

Jim has the perfect combination of business coaching, hands-on general contracting, and a strong sports education to thrive as a Business Coach. He genuinely enjoys improving the lives of others and felt Aspire was a great fit when he joined the coaching ranks because “the company lives up to his promises and practices what it preaches in truly caring for GC clients and its own employees.”

Jim grew up in Missoula, Montana, where he loved playing all sports – particularly football and baseball. He pursued a college baseball career, playing at universities in Washington State and California. There, he developed a true belief in teamwork and always doing one’s best for team success.

When his baseball career ended, Jim cut his teeth in the construction industry as a laborer for a custom homes builder and then a large HVAC company in Moscow, Idaho. Upon graduating from the University of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Management and a Sports business minor, Jim joined the Department of Army in the Morale Welfare and Recreation division. He spent 13 years traveling across the U.S. creating more efficient, profitable, and sustainable army departments through better processes in budgeting, variance reports, standard operating procedures, employee recruitment, and career/skills development still used today.

In 2006, Jim moved back to the Pacific Northwest as a Project Manager for a large home restoration and remodeling business. He managed over 150 projects and an eight-person crew while building trade partner and subcontractor relationships. After moving to estimating and sales, he grew the remodeling business with a 20 percent lift in gross profit. The company promoted him to general manager to open a new division in Spokane, Washington. Once he fully established; made profitable; and hired, trained, and developed all the people, processes, and procedures – including his successor – Jim made his way to Aspire.

His knowledge of business construction field experience, dedication, and driven leadership attracted him to Aspire. “I have seen many hardworking individuals in the construction arena struggle to balance their trade with their business. I want to make their lives easier and see them rewarded for all of their demanding work.” His goal is to grow and maximize profits for his clients.

Jim spends time in Spokane and Sandpoint, enjoying the North Idaho lifestyle with golf, boating, and hiking adventure treks. He enjoys camping with his family and fishing the great lakes of the Pacific Northwest. He has coached men’s youth baseball for the last 18 years, driven equally to hone their baseball skills and further develop their characters alike.

He is passionate about family and spends his free time hanging out with his wife, Koryn, five children, and a great many friends!

Having lived across two countries and called more than ten cities home, Jason Kowalski has developed a unique perspective on adapting to new challenges and finding innovative solutions. This adaptability and broad perspective have become cornerstone strengths in his approach to business and life.

Throughout his career, Jason has focused on helping business owners overcome their operational challenges through smart technology solutions and improved business practices. His experience spans across various industries, working closely with senior management and business owners to transform their companies. Jason worked directly with General Contractors, where he gained hands-on experience with residential remodels and ADU projects. This experience gave him direct insight into the daily challenges and opportunities within the construction industry.

Now, as a Business Coach at Aspire, Jason combines his technology expertise and construction industry knowledge to support General Contractors in their business growth. He puts his skills to work by teaching contractors valuable business skills, creating strategies for steady business growth, and setting up processes that help their companies run smoothly. His mix of practical construction experience and technology expertise makes him particularly effective at helping contractors modernize their businesses while maintaining profitability.

Jason was drawn to Aspire by the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the residential remodeling industry. He believes that by teaching contractors strong business practices, he can help them build more successful companies while delivering better results for their customers. His ability to understand both the technical and practical aspects of running a construction business makes him an ideal coach for General Contractors.

When he's not helping contractors improve their businesses, Jason embraces his love for outdoor adventures through activities like hiking and ice climbing. He also prioritizes spending quality time with family and friends, demonstrating firsthand the work-life balance that he helps his clients achieve.

Rory joined the Aspire team out of a desire to help contractors achieve their full potential. With the experience he has gained through his military career and the time spent in construction management, Rory has the expertise to teach and coach clients to reach their full potential.

Rory grew up in a small town in northern California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, where he played soccer and wrestled throughout high school. In playing sports, Rory learned the importance of hard work, dedication, and discipline. During the summer months, Rory spent his time backpacking through the Tahoe National Forest and working on his family’s cattle ranch.

Rory’s first construction experience was at 20 years old, working for a small general contractor as a laborer doing everything from digging ditches to laying conduit for miles on rural roads. He later moved on to another small local GC to work as a laborer, equipment operator, and dump truck driver. At 22, Rory joined the United States Army as a heavy equipment operator. While in the Army, Rory deployed twice, once to Iraq for 15 months and once to Afghanistan for 9 months. Rory separated from military service with an honorable discharge after 6 years at the rank of Sergeant. During his time in the military, he learned the value of leadership, accountability, and teamwork. Rory led multiple teams and projects throughout his time in the Army and was directly responsible for hundreds of millions of dollars worth of equipment and 11 soldiers with zero losses.

After Rory’s time in the Army, he decided to attend college to advance his career in the construction field. He attended Edmonds Community College in Lynnwood, WA, where he graduated with a degree in Construction management. After graduating, Rory completed an internship with a commercial electrical contractor in Seattle. Upon completing his internship, he was immediately offered a Project Engineer (PE) position. He then worked as a PE for 2 years and ran his own projects before being promoted to Project Manager (PM). As a Project Manager, he attended Purdue University for an intense construction management certification course. As a PM, Rory managed anywhere from 6 to as many as 24 projects actively running at one time with an average gross profit throughout all projects managed of 30%, while the company had an average was 22%.

Rory and his wife, Chelsey love to travel and spend time outdoors. They took an 8,000-mile road trip through the western United States and enjoyed sightseeing and hiking in some of our beautiful national parks. Rory and his wife moved from the Seattle area to build their forever home in Cocolalla, Idaho. In his downtime, Rory spends his free time woodworking, gardening, hiking, and spending quality time with his wife.

Jeff Pike brings decades of hands-on construction experience and leadership to his role as a Business Coach at The Aspire Institute, where he helps residential contractors achieve their professional goals through our customized coaching program. His journey in the building industry began in Ohio, working alongside his grandfather who was a builder and cabinet maker. These early experiences instilled in Jeff a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and the fundamentals of running a construction business.
After serving 12 years in the U.S. Navy and attending various colleges during his service, Jeff built an extensive career across multiple sectors of the construction industry. He has worked as a carpenter, manager, executive, and business owner in cabinetry, remodeling, custom home building, and home improvement. Jeff successfully built and sold his own remodeling and gutter company, then joined a start-up gutter protection company as Director and Vice President, helping grow the operation to $6.8 million in annual revenues. He also served as supervisor and General Manager for a major luxury custom home builder, giving him insight into operations at every level of the residential construction industry.
This diverse background allows Jeff to deeply understand the challenges contractors face from multiple perspectives. Whether a client struggles with team performance, process improvement, or profitability, Jeff has lived through similar situations. He guides contractors through Aspire's proven coaching framework with the credibility that comes from real-world experience, helping builders see how the program's principles apply to their specific circumstances. This coaching helps builders operate with clarity and confidence, which ultimately benefits their customers through better communication, stronger project management, and higher quality finished products.
Jeff's approach to coaching is rooted in his own experience receiving business coaching as a construction management professional. That mentorship helped him become a better leader, and he's passionate about passing that same guidance forward to help other construction professionals achieve the success and lifestyle that's possible in the industry. He works directly with business owners to set and achieve meaningful goals, drawing on his comprehensive understanding of both construction operations and business management principles.
Outside of coaching, Jeff stays active in community volunteering in various ministries at his church. He enjoys motorcycle riding, hunting, and fishing—pursuits that reflect the balanced lifestyle he helps his clients build for themselves.

Elizabeth grew up in Southern California and spent most of her career in intense high-tech customer-facing roles for Sprint and Best Buy. Among her many strengths are customer service, data analytics and program management – making her an excellent addition to Aspire’s Coaching Team.

Elizabeth has a couple decades of strong administrative and operational experience in the retail tech sector. She spent a few years with Best Buy where she ran retail point-of-sale, daily sales, and payroll reports. With an eye for computer-driven data automation and data, she quickly moved up the ranks to an Operations Supervisor. She led departmental training, scheduling and resolved customer inquiries including credit applications, merchandise returns and exchanges.

Within a couple of years, she built on her passion for front-line customer experience, and joined Sprint in their Corporate Retail function – meaning phones, connectivity, and accessories for business customers. She ensured all local stores met Sprint’s corporate branding and customer excellence standards. She learned the value of enterprise-wide scale with ready-made templates and tracking systems to ensure the success of teams nationwide. She developed strong product knowledge, then moved fully into Sales support training Sprint employees and business customers alike on account activations and billing processes.

In the last phase of her Sprint career, she moved to an Executive Administration role supporting the Western Region and Northwest Sales specifically, she further developed her data analytics and reporting expertise to ensure Sprint executives received clear and simplified views on the state of the business – both externally and internally. Those insights everything from travel, expense and fleet car management to social media escalation and corrective actions.

In a few words, Elizabeth is tech-savvy, data-driven and customer-obsessed. She is very fluent and a true lifelong learner when it comes to new business intelligence, databases, software programs and marketing platforms to become more impactful and efficient. During her 17 years at Sprint, she also pursued and completed an Associate Degree in Business Administration from American Intercontinental University,

She moved to Idaho in 2017 working remotely for Sprint, then was hired by Idaho’s Bonner County Planning Division.

Aspire welcomed Elizabeth to the team in 2021 where she worked directly with our Business Development and Marketing team. Now, in her new Aspire Program and Coaching support role, General Contractors will benefit from her amazing Microsoft Excel and other technology skills (which she loves). She will be hands-on with your overall Aspire Experience including customized Aspire Intelligence (AI) Dashboard set up, Cloud-based tools and templates, Class schedules and registration. She is one of the first people you will meet in joining the Aspire Business Mastery Program, as she manages personal coaching schedules across new, existing, and graduate Home Remodelers and Custom Builders.

A mother of two young adults – a son and a daughter – Elizabeth is always on the go. She loves the outdoors, gardening, and all kinds of animals. It’s a good thing she lives in rural Sagle with a lot of outdoor space and big views!

Corrie is the main line of contact for all Accounts Payable, Receivable, Client Invoicing and Payment Processing, Company Budgeting and Projections, Human Resources, and Payroll. She has been with Aspire for 7 and loves that we help many small business contractors with their businesses. Her favorite part of working for Aspire is meeting our clients face to face at client classes. Hearing how we have helped them achieve new goals and have better lives is very rewarding.

Corrie is originally from Elk Grove, California, and was raised on an Angus cattle farm. She grew up Barrel Racing in Rodeos all over California. Her father was a Doctor running a private practice, and Corrie was his Office Manager for 15 years. The family Business was a wonderful place to work and help others; it was also where she learned bookkeeping, office management as well as budgeting for small businesses. Corrie moved to North Idaho with her husband and son in 2003 and now has her own ranch with horses, dogs (2 Lab puppies, a full-time job!), and cats. Corrie loves horseback riding in the beautiful northern Idaho mountains, hiking, skiing, boating – just about anything outdoors with her family!

Sierra serves as the Director of Operations at The Aspire Institute, overseeing daily business functions and strategic initiatives that support the organization's growth. Her role includes managing company operations, coordinating with senior leadership, and implementing systems that improve efficiency across the business.

Sierra's operational background began with helping her father run their family-owned insurance agency. This experience taught her how to manage multiple priorities, maintain detailed systems, and understand the operational needs of a growing business. She later formalized this practical foundation with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from Eastern Washington University, giving her both the hands-on experience and theoretical framework needed to build effective operational systems.

Sierra manages the logistics and execution of the one-day Aspire workshops and multi-day client classes held in The Aspire Institute's Sandpoint headquarters. Her approach balances strategic planning with operational detail, ensuring programs run efficiently while maintaining quality standards. She focuses on building systems that work for both the team and clients.

Sierra and her husband, Carter, made Sandpoint their home after relocating from nearby Spokane, Washington. They've quickly embraced the area's outdoor lifestyle, spending their time on local lakes during summer months and exploring the mountains by snowmobile in winter.

Courtney came to Aspire with over 20 years of Marketing and Management experience. She spent 10 years as a Marketing Coordinator at Colliers International in Southern California. Courtney also worked as a Data Management Specialist for the Department of the Navy. She was directly responsible for quality control, production, and distribution of metrics for formal inspections to the Engineering department heads using custom-built Atlassian software configurations. 

Courtney has an innovative spirit and a unique ability to learn software quickly. This has helped her become proficient with the Adobe Creative Suite, Database Management, Quickbase, and Atlassian software. She also has advanced knowledge of most Microsoft Office products. 

Courtney has supported Aspire in multiple capacities over the last few years, recently relocating from Southern California to Sandpoint, ID, with her husband Fred Farris and joining Aspire full-time. Courtney’s favorite thing to do is Facetime with her family and friends. Being miles apart does not stop her from being active in the lives of family and friends spread all over the country. Whenever possible, she takes time to adventure with her husband, Fred, or visits her family and friends in person.

Ashley Pulido provides crucial support to CEO Fred Farris and VP Anthony Rodriguez. Her role is pivotal in ensuring smooth day-to-day office functions and empowering the team with the resources they need for success.

Hailing from a small farming town in southern Idaho, Ashley's background is rich with diverse experiences. Her early years were spent assisting her father with field irrigation, instilling in her a strong work ethic from a young age. Summers were dedicated to her family's electronic sign business, where she cultivated her skills in signage, production, and project management.

Ashley's professional journey began with earning her AA degree from Boise State University. She then embarked on a successful 10-year career in banking, further developing her financial acumen and customer service skills.

Drawn to The Aspire Institute for its exemplary workplace culture and commitment to fostering business success, Ashley brings a unique blend of rural work ethic, practical business experience, and professional expertise to her role.

Outside of work, Ashley cherishes time spent outdoors with her husband and two daughters. On pleasant Idaho summer days, you might find the family at their favorite lake spot, swimming and hunting for interesting treasures.

Zack TenBrink is a West Michigan native who has built his career around two core passions: the outdoors and helping people succeed. After earning his Bachelor of Science from Central Michigan University, Zack spent four years as a fly-fishing guide in Dubois, Wyoming, where he honed his skills in teaching, leadership, and reading people's needs. Zack and his wife relocated to Sandpoint, Idaho in 2023 to further pursue their love for mountain and water adventures.

Zack's professional background combines sales leadership with a proven track record of building relationships and driving results. As a Territory Sales Manager at Chemsearch FE, he managed 120 accounts while consistently prospecting for new business. At Guidesly, Inc., he excelled in consultative selling, networking, and CRM systems to build a strong pipeline of clients across the fishing and hunting guide industry. His experience at The Orvis Company as Assistant Manager gave him hands-on team leadership experience, where he coached sales associates, organized growth-driving events, and built valuable partnerships with local organizations.

At The Aspire Institute, Zack leads the business development team with the same approach he's used throughout his career: understanding people's needs, teaching best practices, and building systems that deliver consistent results. His background in consultative sales and team coaching allows him to mentor sales representatives effectively while maintaining the high-volume pipeline needed to connect general contractors with resources that can transform their businesses. Zack brings both the strategic thinking to refine outreach approaches and the hands-on experience to lead by example.

Outside of work, Zack stays active through hunting, rafting, surfing, snowboarding, backcountry snowmobiling, and hiking with his wife, new baby, and two dogs. His love for travel continues to fuel his curiosity and connection to the world around him.

Darrel is responsible for outreach to General Contractors to share with them the benefits of attending our one-day workshops in their local area so they can reap the benefits of working with ASPIRE. Darrel studied Architecture but went into sales at an early age. He studied Vineyard Development and Wine Making later in Life.

Darrel was raised in Southern California. He and his wife Carol moved to North Idaho to enjoy all North Idaho has to offer, Fun, Family, Faith, and All Things Outdoor. He loves boating, sailing, camping, fishing, and hiking.

Darrel joined Aspire to help Aspire make a difference in General Contractors' lives. Darrel believes in changing lives for the better, one contractor at a time.

Born and raised in Sandpoint, Idaho, Stephanie Le Roy spent a lot of time with her aunt and uncle, working on drywall jobs. She gained early exposure to the construction industry and insight into the hard work that goes into building projects.

After high school, Stephanie served in the military, completing two campaigns in Afghanistan before receiving a medical discharge. In 2018, she moved to North Carolina where she earned certifications in heavy equipment operations and discovered her passion for crane work. She returned to Sandpoint in 2021, working as a crane operator while pursuing her business education.

Stephanie holds an Associate's Degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Entrepreneurship and a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management. Currently, she's working toward a Master's Degree in Organizational Design and Development at Purdue Global University.

At Aspire, Stephanie combines her construction industry knowledge with her business education to help residential contractors improve their operations. Her background in organizational design helps her understand how small changes in business structure can lead to big improvements in efficiency and profits. Having worked alongside contractors in the field, she genuinely understands their daily challenges.

Her military experience taught her discipline and problem-solving skills, while her entrepreneurship studies gave her insight into what small business owners need to succeed. This combination allows her to connect contractors with resources that can transform how they run their businesses.

When not helping contractors, Stephanie enjoys her creative side as a self-published author of two fantasy novels, with a horror debut coming in 2026. She's also a devoted mother of three boys, and they love playing video games together and throwing dance parties in the kitchen.

Todd Capps was born and raised in Yakima, Washington, where his family operated an orchard. Working on the farm taught Todd the value of hard work, while his father's introduction to golf at age five instilled patience and precision that would shape his career approach.

After studying Business Management at Central Washington University while playing golf, Todd became a PGA Golf Professional. With two young daughters, he transitioned to sales for a better work-life balance – a decision that taught him firsthand how the right career move can transform family life.

Over 25 years in sales, Todd has helped business owners solve pressing challenges through customized software, marketing tools, and insurance solutions. His experience taught him to listen carefully to business owners' concerns and match them with resources that make a real difference.

At Aspire, Todd connects with general contractors ready to take control of their business challenges. His approach focuses on understanding each contractor's situation and helping them discover resources that transform their operations. Having made his own work-life balance transition, Todd relates to contractors who feel trapped by their businesses instead of empowered by them.

Todd's coaching background in golf, combined with decades of helping business owners implement solutions, allows him to identify contractors ready for positive change. He understands that sustainable growth comes from strong foundations and efficient systems – principles he learned both on the golf course and in business.

When not helping contractors discover better business practices, Todd enjoys North Idaho's outdoor lifestyle through camping, nature activities, and golf – reflecting the balanced approach he helps clients achieve.

Danial Hanes brings a unique combination of customer service expertise and coaching experience to his role at The Aspire Institute. His background in helping people navigate significant financial and business decisions has taught him how to guide clients through challenging moments with patience and understanding, a skill that proves valuable when working with contractors who are evaluating their business practices.

Before joining Aspire, Danial spent years selling coaching and educational packages for real estate investors. He primarily worked with newer investors; everyday people looking to build retirement plans, who trusted him to help establish their financial futures. This experience taught him how to explain complex concepts in relatable terms and build long-term relationships based on trust. Danial also worked at Secured Investment Incorporation and spent four years in regional truck routes and route service sales, giving him a well-rounded understanding of different business operations.

At Aspire, Danial connects residential contractors with resources that can help them improve their businesses and quality of life. His previous coaching and investment sales experience prepared him to understand the emotional side of business growth. When contractors face uncomfortable truths about their current processes, Danial knows how to manage that energy and guide them toward solutions. His ability to work with people from different backgrounds and situations helps him relate to contractors facing various challenges, whether they're struggling with profitability, operations, or work-life balance.

Danial's daily interactions with contractors in different situations continue to refine his approach, allowing him to better understand what resonates with business owners who are ready to make positive changes.

Outside of work, Danial stays active as an avid hunter, runner, and weightlifter. He has volunteered with the National Wild Turkey Federation, contributing to conservation efforts by building nesting grounds, planting trees, and reestablishing habitats for wild turkeys.

Mike Larsen is a North Idaho native who grew up in Spirit Lake and graduated from Lakeland High School. After college, Mike took over his family's business and ran it successfully for seven years before selling. This early experience as a business owner taught him firsthand the challenges that come with running a company and the importance of having the right systems in place.

Following the sale of the family business, Mike built his career in business development across multiple industries. Most recently, he owned and operated a flooring and home interior business where he worked closely with contractors and installers, giving him direct insight into the residential construction industry. He also spent time at a local title company, where he worked with realtors and loan officers to help them grow their businesses and build valuable connections in the community.

At The Aspire Institute, Mike brings this diverse business experience to his role connecting residential contractors and remodelers with resources that can help them succeed. His background as a former business owner allows him to relate to the challenges contractors face every day. Whether it's managing money, improving lead generation, or streamlining business processes, Mike understands these struggles because he's lived them. His experience working alongside contractors in his flooring business gives him credibility and helps him quickly build trust with the business owners he talks to.

Mike's approach focuses on understanding each contractor's unique situation and helping them see how better business practices can reduce their stress and increase their profits. He enjoys making connections and helping people discover solutions that can transform their businesses.

Outside of work, Mike stays active in his community by heading up food drives and fundraisers for the local food bank. He and his family love spending time outdoors through kayaking, camping, biking, spear fishing, and rock climbing, enjoying all that North Idaho has to offer.

Born in Glendale, California, Eric Hawk moved to Idaho at age four and grew up in the small town of Harrison. Living in a close-knit community taught Eric the importance of building strong relationships and helping neighbors succeed, values that shape his approach to connecting with people today.

Eric's background in music and sports marketing has given him unique skills in communication and relationship building. After high school, he earned a scholarship to perform with the North Idaho College Symphony Orchestra, demonstrating his dedication and discipline. He went on to work in sales and marketing for major sports teams, including the Spokane Chiefs and Idaho Steelheads hockey organizations, where he learned how to engage audiences and create excitement around programs that deliver real value.

At The Aspire Institute, Eric brings his sales experience and community-focused approach to helping residential contractors discover coaching resources that can transform their businesses. His ability to build genuine connections allows him to understand what business owners need and match them with workshop opportunities that address their specific challenges. Eric's background in marketing helps him communicate clearly about how better business practices can reduce stress and increase profits for construction company owners.

Eric's genuine, hardworking nature and strong communication skills make him effective at building trust within the construction community. He approaches each conversation as an opportunity to provide educational value. His goal is to generate interest in workshops that can genuinely improve the lives of contractors through proven business strategies.

Outside of work, Eric stays connected to his community through music and entertainment. He volunteers as the Emcee and DJ for the Big Back-IN lawnmower races held in Spirit Lake each Father's Day, along with other community functions. His passion for bringing people together through entertainment reflects the same relationship-focused approach he brings to helping contractors find the resources they need to succeed.

Born in Pennsylvania and with family roots on the East Coast, Emma discovered her true connection to North Idaho early in life. After her early childhood in San Diego, where summer visits to Sandpoint became cherished family traditions, Emma and her family permanently relocated to the area when she was nine years old. Since then, Sandpoint has been the place she proudly calls home, with its stunning landscapes and abundant outdoor recreational opportunities.

Emma's connection to the construction industry began at a young age. Growing up as the daughter of a General Contractor, she spent countless hours after school and during summers helping her father's business—running errands, cleaning job sites, and learning the ins and outs of construction projects firsthand. This early exposure gave her a unique perspective and appreciation for the challenges faced by custom builders and remodelers.

Her professional journey continued through diverse roles in sales, customer service, logistics, and production management, complemented by her academic pursuits in general studies and Wildlife Biology at colleges in Boise, Coeur d'Alene, and Missoula. These varied experiences honed Emma's ability to understand complex problems, coordinate solutions, and build meaningful relationships with clients—skills that now prove invaluable in her role at The Aspire Institute.

At Aspire, Emma helps custom home builders and remodelers take their first steps toward greater profitability and financial stability. Her personal connection to the industry runs even deeper now, as her partner is also a General Contractor. This dual perspective—from both childhood memories and her current relationship—gives Emma a profound understanding of the challenges faced by construction business owners and fuels her passion for helping them improve their businesses and livelihoods.

Outside of work, Emma embraces the outdoor lifestyle that North Idaho offers. She enjoys walk-and-wade fly fishing, while her partner prefers the traditional boat approach. Together, they spend time hunting upland birds with their two black Labradors, exploring hiking trails, and camping in the region's beautiful wilderness. Emma also finds joy in gardening, cooking, and various creative art projects that allow her to express her appreciation for the natural world that surrounds her.