Episode 96: Blueprints for Resilience

In this episode of Marketing Moves, we sit down with Scott Hernandez, founder of Hernandez Building Corporation, to discuss his journey from bankruptcy and $50 repair jobs to leading a construction firm with a $150M bond limit. Scott shares how mentorship, trust, and integrity shaped his company’s national growth, renovating 150 projects across 25 states, while staying true to his values. We also dive into his personal transformation through guided psilocybin therapy, how it redefined his leadership style, and his next venture, Shifting Perspectives, a podcast dedicated to resilience, healing, and purpose beyond profit.

When you think of resilience, what comes to mind? For Scott Hernandez, founder and president of Hernandez Building Corporation, resilience isn’t just a trait—it’s the foundation upon which he built his life and his business. From bankruptcy at 20 to leading a construction firm with a $150 million bond limit, Scott’s story is one of faith, mentorship, and relentless perseverance.

In a recent episode of Marketing Moves, hosted by Ashtyn Morris, Scott opened up about his unconventional path to success, the people who took a chance on him, and how integrity and purpose continue to drive his next chapter.

Scott’s journey didn’t begin with blueprints or big contracts, it started with survival.

“I was bankrupt by the age of 20,” he shared. “At 15, I was living on my own. My senior year, I moved 17 times.”

While many might have folded under such instability, Scott’s early hardships became his greatest teachers. Growing up in a home with limited means and few opportunities, he learned to rely on his faith and intuition. “I leaned on God,” he said. “Every day I prayed for wisdom. I just wanted to be around good people.”

That discernment, knowing when to walk away from negative influences, was one of his earliest leadership lessons. It allowed him to “gentrify” his own path and start building a better future, one decision at a time.

Every builder needs a foundation, and for Scott, that came in the form of mentorship. His first was his father-in-law, John Stamper, who saw potential in Scott before he saw it in himself. “He told me, ‘Someday you’ll have anything you want.’ I didn’t believe it then, but he did, and that belief changed everything.”

Later, mentors like Dr. Krishna Baron Wall, Jason Friedman, and Greg Perlman would each play pivotal roles in his evolution. Dr. Baron Wall took a chance on him when Scott’s “average job” was $50, offering him a $2,500 project and the confidence to scale his craft. Jason Friedman helped him transition from small renovations to multimillion-dollar developments. And when Scott couldn’t secure a $2 million bond for a crucial project, Greg Perlman stepped in and posted the bond himself, a rare act of trust that became the turning point in Scott’s career.

“People don’t do that in this industry,” Scott reflected. “I wouldn’t have the bond limit I have today without Greg taking that chance.”

Today, Hernandez Building Corporation is known for renovating large affordable housing communities across the U.S., over 150 communities in 25 states. What sets his company apart isn’t just the scale of the work, but how they do it.

Scott’s team renovates while residents remain in their homes, a complex process that requires empathy, precision, and strong systems. “It’s not common, but we’ve crafted an approach that puts the resident experience first,” he explained. “That’s why we’ve succeeded in every single one of those communities.”

This commitment to integrity runs through every layer of his company. “I’ve never been in it just for the money,” Scott said. “If I say I’m going to do it, I do it. Long after I’m done with construction, my integrity will be what lasts.”

Like many entrepreneurs, Scott faced near-breaking moments. The 2008 recession forced him to lay off nearly all his staff, a devastating experience that left a lasting mark. “I had employees who could’ve lost their homes,” he recalled. “That feeling made me determined to build a company that could weather any storm.”

That same resilience carried him through another major test during the COVID-19 pandemic, when his company’s projects in senior housing were at risk. “I thought it was over,” he admitted. “But we got through it, and the systems we put in place after that made us stronger than ever.”

His philosophy on hardship is both practical and profound: “The Navy SEALs have this concept called Full Benefit. When something’s hard, you have an opportunity to learn. The only way around is through.”

For Scott, success isn’t defined by buildings or balance sheets, it’s defined by the people he impacts. From his subcontractors and employees to his own children, his focus is on creating something that lasts beyond himself.

“The day my sons decided they wanted to work at my company, I started looking through a lens of succession and legacy,” he said. “That’s my legacy.”

As his professional life continues to evolve, Scott is also embarking on a new journey, launching a podcast called Shifting Perspectives. The show explores resilience, healing, and purpose beyond profit, themes deeply connected to his personal transformation through guided psilocybin therapy.

“It changed how I lead,” he shared. “It’s about seeing life and business through a new lens, one rooted in compassion, connection, and growth.”

Scott Hernandez’s journey is a powerful reminder that success is never linear, and resilience is forged in the face of adversity. From personal struggles to professional milestones, his story shows that integrity, mentorship, and purpose are the true foundations of lasting achievement. Whether you’re building a business, navigating career challenges, or simply striving to grow, Scott’s blueprint offers a guide: embrace hardships as lessons, surround yourself with the right people, and lead with both courage and compassion. In the end, resilience isn’t just about surviving—it’s about building a life and a legacy that can stand the test of time.