Ryan Derrer is a husband, father, builder, and lifelong student of personal growth. He and his wife, Callista, are the proud parents of three accomplished children—Mylanah, Landen, and Ellah. With a passion for construction, leadership, and helping others develop a growth mindset, Ryan has spent years turning ideas into action. A natural dreamer and creator, he has filled notebooks with thoughts, goals, observations, and lessons learned throughout his life. Those years of reflection ultimately inspired him to write his first book. Ryan previously dedicated much of his time to coaching, helping young people develop confidence, discipline, and character. Today, he continues to invest in others through mentorship, meaningful conversations, and sharing the lessons he has learned along the way. When he’s not working on projects or pursuing new ideas, Ryan enjoys traveling with his family, cheering on his college-aged children in their athletic pursuits, and creating lasting memories with those he loves most.
Ryan believes that growth begins with a single decision—to think differently, dream bigger, and take action. His hope is that this book encourages others to do exactly that.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
- How blending white-collar systems with blue-collar craftsmanship creates a 'grey-ate collar' mindset for business success.
- Why the construction industry's traditional labels are broken and need to be replaced with a new professional identity.
- That trusting your training and yourself is the foundation for taking ownership of your career.
- How to combine backend management with field expertise to lower costs and increase efficiency.
- Why the most educated person in the room isn't always the smartest and why questioning the status quo matters.
- That filling notebooks with thoughts, goals, and lessons can fuel personal growth and a published book.
- How to build with innovative materials like ICF instead of sticking to 'we've always done it that way.'
- Why field professionals like carpenters and electricians should learn financing, estimating, and business strategy.
- That workers deserve to have power and control back, not be treated as a spreadsheet cost.
- How to start a movement that empowers blue-collar workers to become lifelong students of their craft.
about the show
America’s Top Contractors is a cinematic business documentary series featuring the general contractors, trade experts, construction company owners, and industry leaders who bring projects to life through skill, leadership, and execution.
Each episode takes viewers inside the story behind a successful contractor, showing what it takes to win jobs, manage crews, solve problems, serve clients, and grow in one of the most demanding industries in business.
The series highlights contractors working across residential construction, commercial projects, remodeling, specialized trades, and large-scale service operations. These are the men and women who understand pressure, deadlines, budgets, safety, quality, and the responsibility that comes with leading teams in the field.
America’s Top Contractors goes beyond the finished project to show the decisions, setbacks, sacrifices, and lessons behind building a respected construction business.
For featured guests, the series provides a platform to share their story, build authority, and showcase the experience, standards, and leadership behind the work they do every day.
