From The Ground Up Show - Entrepreneur and Leadership Success Stories from Blue Collar, and Unconventional Career Paths · From The Ground Up Show with Erick Loden

Mike Riddle - Losing it All and Building it Back

January 13, 2026·1 hr 30 min·5 clips
Mike Riddle admits he once saw blue-collar trades as a path for people who 'weren't smart enough' for college.
Mike Riddle, owner of Riddle Construction, shares his raw journey from elementary school teacher to custom home builder, detailing how he lost everything to bankruptcy after the 2008 market crash and a client lawsuit. He explains how he rebuilt his business with a focus on integrity, transparency, and building a team culture based on grace and trust, eventually expanding to luxury coastal homes.

As heard by us

A builder's comeback story about collapse, humility, and learning which opportunities deserve a yes.

Mike Riddle's path runs from elementary-school teaching into custom home building, then into a collapse that forces a business owner to decide what survives when the market and money give out.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

If you want a no-gloss comeback story, this one stays with the hard parts of a business collapse and rebuild.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
Listen to the show on