At a conceptual level, most business owners understand that more volume should mean better pricing. In reality, turning that idea into something that actually works is a lot harder.

In this episode of From Grit to Growth, Mark Hasebroock and Jennifer DiMotta sit down with Bill Smithers, founder of CBUSA, to talk about how independent home builders discovered the power of collective buying.

Bill shares the story of moving from a large national builder with massive purchasing leverage to running a small custom building company that suddenly had none. That experience sparked the idea behind CBUSA, a network that helps independent builders band together to gain real negotiating power with suppliers.

But the journey from theory to execution wasn’t simple. It required convincing builders to trust each other, suppliers to rethink how they sold, and an entire industry to reconsider how purchasing power works.

The conversation explores the challenges of scaling a network-driven business, navigating the housing downturn, and eventually selling the company during the COVID era.

One takeaway: sometimes the biggest advantage isn’t scale alone, it’s collaboration.

Connect with us:

• Jennifer DiMotta on LinkedIn
• Mark Hasebroock on LinkedIn

About Dundee Growth Partners

Dundee Growth Partners provides E-commerce leaders with the strategy, systems, and tools they need to face growth challenges and scale with confidence. With deep industry experience and AI-powered platforms, we help leadership teams scale in a sustainable way. Interested in learning more? Click the link below to get started.

• Visit the Dundee Growth Partners website