Building a $75M Construction Company With John Gioffre

“Sometimes, the best thing you can do is let it cook.”

Most people think success in construction comes from hustle. The long hours, the 6 a.m. starts, the late-night emails.
But talk to John Gioffre — founder of Revent Builds and one of Austin’s top luxury contractors — and you’ll hear something different:

“Sometimes, the best thing you can do is let it cook.”

From Law School to Luxury Builds

John didn’t start out in construction. He was a law student flipping $35,000 homes in rough Houston neighborhoods, learning project management on the fly. He fell in love with the process — taking something broken and bringing it back to life.

By 2017, he’d moved to Austin and launched Revent Builds. Fast forward to today: over $75 million in active projects, from million-dollar pools to high-end spec homes that go viral online.

But he’ll tell you - growth isn’t glamorous.

“It’s terrifying,” he laughs. “We spent over a million dollars last month on construction alone. You’re managing cash flow, pre-construction docs, permits, architects, engineers… it never stops.”

Turning Cameras Into Cashflow

A huge part of John’s rise has come from one unconventional move: hiring a full-time videographer.
While most builders treat content as an afterthought, John went all-in. His YouTube channel — now with 45,000+ subscribers — documents everything from framing mistakes to million-dollar designs.

At first, it was a leap of faith.
“There isn’t a direct return,” he admits. “You can’t measure it like a rental property. But when it hits, it really hits.”

One of his projects, The Modern Victorian, pulled over 50 million views across platforms — and turned viewers into clients and investors.

“Someone won’t hire you until the seventh time they see you. That’s what the content’s for.”

Building Systems That Keep You Afloat

Behind the viral videos is a builder obsessed with structure. John paid Buildertrend for white-glove onboarding to systematize his entire company. He uses YNAB (You Need a Budget) to manage construction cash flow, and even bricks his phone after hours so he can be present with family.

“It’s easy to scale too fast,” he says. “Everyone wants to go from two jobs to twenty-five. But if you don’t have systems, you’ll drown.”

The rule he follows: always have six months of reserves before taking the next leap. “If you’re not at least three months ahead, you’re already in the red.”

Fail Forward, Then Let It Cook

John’s advice for other builders is refreshingly simple — and brutally honest.

“Everyone wants to start 20 companies. But you’ve got to see one child off to college before you have another.”

In an age of instant gratification, his message hits hard: success takes time.
“Sometimes the best thing you can do is just let it be. Like baking bread — don’t touch it. Let it rise.”

And for those still waiting for their first big break?

“You don’t have to be an expert to start. You become one by doing.”

Takeaway

Every builder wants the next project, the next big client, the next milestone. But the real pros — the ones who last — are the ones who build patience into their process.

Because in this business, like John says:

“You don’t fail until you stop showing up.”

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