Beyond Walls: Building Your Business with Expert Construction & Design

What happens when construction and design work hand in hand from day one? In this episode, general contractor Matt Raine of Raine Building joins interior designer Robin Pasley to explore how integrated project planning goes far beyond looks—solving logistical challenges, keeping timelines on track, and creating high-impact spaces that support employee retention and client trust. Together, they reveal how thoughtful collaboration between builder and designer can lead to smarter, more efficient spaces that drive long-term business success.

📍 Learn more about Raine Building by visiting rainebuilding.com.

We welcome your questions! If you would like to learn more about us or connect for a conversation, please visit www.pasleycommercialinteriors.com.

Chapters

• 0:00 Meet Matt Rain of Rain Building
• 1:27 Construction Projects: Challenges & Rewards
• 3:10 Working Partnership & Meeting Deadlines
• 5:15 Smart Investment Decisions for Business Spaces
• 10:48 Matt's Background and Future Expansion

Transcript

Randi Lynn Johnson:

Hey, welcome back to Design to Help Your Business Grow with Robin Pasley. I'm Randi Lynn Johnson. And today we have Matt Raine with Raine Building. You're the owner. You're the big dog.‍

Matt Raine:

Yes. Thanks for having me. 

Randi Lynn Johnson: 

Our pleasure. We’re excited. Since 2012, you started this thing.

Matt Raine:

That’s correct.

Randi Lynn Johnson: 

When did you first know that you had a knack for general construction?

Matt Raine:

Well, so I didn't really have a... background in construction. I was kind of in an industrial environment for a while. And then I kind of gravitated towards construction because I was just interested in it. I always felt like

Randi Lynn Johnson:

You liked Lego growing up?

Matt Raine: 

I loved the Legos growing up.

I, you know, I just felt like I just really dealt well with people and could get a lot of things done. And so somehow I gravitated towards construction and, you know, the whole world of construction, you're, you're like this integrator of a whole bunch of different people from building departments to clients, to subcontractors, uh, to, uh, distributors and materials. And it's like, your hands are all over the place. And I just had a knack for getting a lot of other people. And so, um, I was successful at it. And I just, at some point I said, you know, I should just do this all by myself with my own company.

Randi Lynn Johnson:

Yeah. That's smart. That's awesome. What, um, what kind of, what are the biggest frustrations in working in general contracting and what are the things that you enjoy the most?

Matt Raine:

I think I'll start with the enjoy the most. I think it, The one good thing about construction is the projects only last so long. Like whether it be a 12 week project or whatever it might be, you start from maybe a blank slate and you have this beautiful project that you get to turn over at the end. And then you just move on to another client. And even if that client was difficult or you had challenges with that job, you get a, for whatever reason, you get to move on to another project that's brand new and shiny and has value. Uh, great opportunity. Exactly. 

Randi Lynn Johnson:

Is that true for you too? Cause you work, you know, in construction. It's very, very much the same thing.

Robin Pasley:

Yeah. Um, that, you know, it, they're not always that big. What's the longest project you've ever had?

Matt Raine:

Oh, I've been on projects that are year, year and a half. Okay. But like our average project is only say eight to 12 weeks. Yeah. So like, you know, some clients are a challenge. And like, if you have a challenging client, you don't have to deal with them forever. Yeah. I mean, you move on to the next project after that one's done.

Randi Lynn Johnson:

Yeah. And then you don't invite them to the Christmas

party. 

Matt Raine:

Yeah, exactly. And I think, uh, other challenges in our industry are like this, the subcontractor world. Uh, we at our company only have maybe two or three companies we work with in each trade. And like, God, we may not be the cheapest. We don't really want to be the cheapest, but we have subs that we can rely on. And they, they like look to us as like a partnership, not so much just a, here's, you know, here's your next job. I mean, we really work together. And so if I'm in a jam, I can get some horsepower from subs if I need it. It really helps.

Randi Lynn Johnson:

That’s great. So you guys kind of go way back. Can you tell the people that Where did you meet? How have, how long have you known each other?

Matt Raine:

So you go, you want to tell them? 

Robin Pasley:

We’ve actually been in business very similar amount of time because I started in 2013 and you're in 2012 and I, gosh, I think it was like 2019. We did a project together at the David C. Cook building here in Colorado Springs.

Matt Raine:

It was called bold.

Robin Pasley: 

It was called bold. Yeah. And, um, That was our first introduction, and we worked really great together. And I remember your team was just awesome. And so next time I needed a DC, I called you. And then I just kept calling you. Yeah, we've been working together for years. I know. You know, one of the things I love about working with you and your team is, first of all, everyone's really kind. So that just goes a long way in construction to work with great people and know that it doesn't matter if I'm Project manager, they're just going to be easy to work with and solution minded. And the other thing I love about working with you guys, and this is how I promote you to people all the time, is that I've never, ever had you not make a deadline. Oh, that's good to hear. And that's awesome. That's a big deal. That is a big deal. Especially when we've been on some really tight ones. You know, a lot of times people don't really get all the pieces that they need to get into the project until we're like at... breakneck speed with our hair on fire. And I remember one of the owners calling me at like 4:30 and going, we're supposed to move in tomorrow. You have furniture coming tomorrow, right? And I was like, yeah. He goes, “it's not ready. It's not ready.” And I was like, “Just trust me. These guys are pros. It will be ready when we arrive with our truck tomorrow with furniture.” And he called me, he was like, “Oh my gosh, I can't believe it. You're right. They're totally pulled it out.” And it's because their, their speed was so high that your guys had to come in and do some overnight work. But I just loved it that you didn't make that difficult. Some, some GCs when you have to do overnight work are like drum screws, you know, make this hard on you, but yeah, you guys are awesome.

Matt Raine:

Thank you for that. That's great. Uh, so can I comment on her now? So, I mean, I think her designs are really attractive and I can see why clients are probably gravitate towards that. And like a lot of the stuff behind me is a testament of that, of what you can do in a space. I mean, your designs look great. Uh, and I think that one of the best things that I love about designers, interior designers, architects, and you have this is that as a GC, if I come to you and say, Hey, it's wonderful what you expect, but it's 10 weeks out and the client wants to be in an eight weeks. You're totally willing to work with us on what can we get into the space? What do we, um, or you go to the client and say, do you really want to wait for that? And do you want to wait that extra two weeks? Uh, So I appreciate that, that you are willing to do that.

Thanks. Yeah. 

Randi Lynn Johnson:

What is your favorite project you all have worked together on?

Matt Raine:

Betsy and Chris. Yeah. Yeah. Great people. Very nice couple. And it was just like a cool building. I always enjoy renovating old buildings. 

Randi Lynn Johnson:

That’s huge. I love the before and afters of that one because you all took this like really dated– accounting office and you turned it into a pediatric

therapy. Yeah.

Robin Pasley:

Yeah. And it turned out so great. And we didn't do major overhauls. Like we just gave it a facelift and it is amazing how it just really went a long way. Yeah.

Randi Lynn Johnson:

Super fun. Matt, one of the things that we like to do on this podcast is help business owners solve problems. What problems do you solve for business owners?

Matt Raine:

Oh, Oh, wow. There's a lot there. So I think that I would probably go back to just all the coordination of the logistics of getting materials to the job site. And are there challenges with lead times on those materials? And how can we avoid that? And if that client has a tight timeline, can we change that material into something else that is workable for the project schedule? You know, just a lot of... You know, navigating through the utility providers and the internet providers that always seem to be a challenge that people don't think about when they're moving into a space. Where's my internet going to come from? So I think just a lot of logistics and getting them into the space where they can actually function.

Randi Lynn Johnson:

Because you do everything, right? Like the term general contractor is you can oversee everything. All the things that need to be done and get the people. 

Matt Raine: 

Yep. It's not just the walls that go up and the paint. It's the, it's the building department things. It's their internet. It's their data. Everything that they need to function as a business owner. 

Robin Pasley: 

Working with CSU. Yep. Yeah.

Randi Lynn Johnson: 

And all those things that come up. That's great. You're like. The guy to know. From both a construction and a design perspective, what are the smartest investments a business owner can make when building or renovating their space to support long-term growth?

Matt Raine:

Okay, I'll go first. Well, so I think it kind of matters, like, do I own the building if I'm the business owner or am I leasing it? I see a... an amazing amount of people that spend a lot of money on lease space and we'll build it for them. And then five years later we come in and we rip it all out and we put somebody else in there. And it's just, you think about the money that they spent on that lease space. Did they really get their bang for their buck on that? I kind of think about that sometimes, but if I was, I mean, I own buildings and I really think through, okay, if I'm going to, expend the money on these fancy lights? Am I really going to, is it going to be worth it to me in 20 years when I sell the building? So I think like business owners should really think about that when they're going in dealing with people like us and what do they want it to look like? Uh, they also need to probably think about like when they bring someone like Robin in, who's their clientele and, and like, what's the look they're after. And it may be worth it to spend all that money because it means a lot to their clients. So it's kind of a, they have to know their market, uh, you know, way more than me, of course. So I think things like that.

Robin Pasley:

Yeah. I think the same thing. I think understanding your workforce as well as your clientele that are going to be engaged in that space. Um, because things like lighting can mean a lot for a workforce if they hate the lighting and, you know, want to turn their lights off when they work, that tells you something. Maybe we should have chosen differently. Um, and then same thing. I've watched people put, you know, 20 year carpet in a five-year lease and you're like, We didn't really have to do that. that's our work, right? To advise in that situation. But you, you want the guy that owns the building that that's a good choice for him. 20 year carpet. That’s great. You know?

Matt Raine:

I mean, we started in the last, Oh God, say seven or eight years. We've been putting in like beer taps and things like that too. That like 10 years ago, I would have never even dreamed of doing that. But now we're putting in these fancy bars with multiple kegs and, and like, so they, it's up to that business owner making a decision. Okay. I, this is something that means a lot to these employees, whatever age they might be. And, uh, I don't know. 

Robin Pasley:

I think it's totally true because it is about the changes in workforce that happened after COVID. The top three investments that I think a building owner needs to think about are how to keep their best workforce and tenants. So if they own the building and they're renting spaces out, how do we keep the right people in here, the right mix of people? And then if they're a business owner, how do we keep the right workforce? And then how do we make that right impression on our clients that come engage us in this space. And that's through proper branding and integration of that. And that's where we work. And then partner with somebody like Matt to get it done right. 

Randi Lynn Johnson:

One, two, punch. Matt, tell us about you as a person. Do you have a family?

Matt Raine:

I do. I have a wife who I've been married to for... 23 years.

Randi Lynn Johnson: 

Awesome.

Matt Raine:

And, uh, two kids. Uh, my daughter is a junior in high school and my son is, uh, just finished his freshman year at Montana state. Uh, we're very outdoors family. We're going backpacking this weekend. We hike, we fish, we hunt, we do everything outdoors.

Randi Lynn Johnson:

Awesome. So that's a perfect segue to what I like to call speed round. I'm going to ask you a couple questions and you have to choose and you can help me ask the questions here, but we'll start with the first one. Fishing or hunting?

Matt Raine: 

Fishing.

Randi Lynn Johnson: 

Yeah. That's good. Cause you got, you got the, it's perfect. 

Robin Pasley:

Salty or sweet?

Matt Raine:

Salty.

Randi Lynn Johnson:

Coffee or tea?

Matt Raine:

Oh, coffee.

Robin Pasley:

Beach or mountains?

Matt Raine:

Mountains.

Randi Lynn Johnson:

Okay, this is a controversial one. When you eat string cheese, do you peel it or do you chomp it?

Matt Raine:

I just chomp it. Is that sickening?

Randi Lynn Johnson:

You’re an animal.

Robin Pasley:

Oh my gosh, no. Okay, final one. Putt, putt, or top golf?

Matt Raine:

Top golf, probably.

Randi Lynn Johnson:

Nice.

Matt Raine:

Well, I wish I had known that. I could have had some for you guys.

Randi Lynn Johnson:

Oh, well, you know, we just like to keep you on your toes. Matt, what makes you unique compared to other general contractors?

Matt Raine:

I think I'm a very humble person to start out with. But I also think I'm very, God, I'm just really calm and I just handle situations well. all around me really well. I think in the construction world, there's just so much chaos and issues happening all the time, whether it be in, you know, mature lead times or employees or subcontractors, there's just a lot going on all the time. And I'm a very, uh, you know, just laid back and calm person and can work through issues. I mean, I think that's where I've done very well in my career. It helps me handle staffing issues, anything that might be coming at me. I just handle it really well. 

Robin Pasley:

I’ve noticed that about you too. Yeah. I, he never, I never catch him where, cause we've, we've, I've called you a couple of times and caught you right in the middle of some major thing like you just discussed. And you're so chill. It's like, Oh, I've been pulling my hair out and run around in circles.

Matt Raine:

Not to keep talking about myself, but I think that I, I just, I think I, I treat everybody really well. You know, I know I'm not too big on myself. And so I think I make people feel like they're pretty damn important. Like every, it doesn't matter anybody, you know? Yeah.

Robin Pasley:

Well, I know that you just expanded up. You're in Denver.

Matt Raine:

So rain building, we've been around for, yeah, pushing 15 years and started out was just me in the company, just me, myself and I, and just slowly and surely added people on. We're almost 30 people now. We have offices in Colorado Springs, Denver, and in September/October timeframe, we're going to have our first person in Phoenix, Arizona. So that's kind of exciting. We, our projects are, we focus on medical, dental and office space. And I I would say that's 80, 90% of what we do. We also, uh, we do industrial and some education, but it's not our, not our focus. I would say it's mostly medical dental. Um, you know, we are, we're full of project managers and superintendents and we just have a really good team that we've worked on. Most of my people have been with me for years and it's good, good team we've built.

Randi Lynn Johnson:

That’s awesome. Great. Cool. Well, thank you so much for your time and joining us and I'm excited to collaborate on the next thing. Yeah. 

Robin Pasley:

We’re going to make sure they can get ahold of that. 

Randi Lynn Johnson: 

Yes. Matt, tell the people where to find you.

Matt Raine: 

So let's see a good email to get ahold of us is admin at rain building.com and rain is R A I N E. That's probably the best way. Just send us an email there and let us know what we can help you with.

Randi Lynn Johnson:

Awesome. Okay. And we'll put that in the show notes and at the bottom and Send people your way.

Matt Raine:

Thank you. 

Randi Lynn Johnson:

Thank you. In an increasingly competitive market, the merits of using interior design as a strategic growth tool can make all the difference in not just surviving but thriving. 

Robin Pasley:

Pasley Commercial Interiors- design to help your business grow.

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