Epic Entrepreneurs

Craft, Culture, And The Business Of Restoration In Asheville with Alex Nebe

• Bill Gilliland

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Old homes aren’t just charming—they’re built with materials and methods that can outlast anything at the big-box store. We sit down with craftsman and founder Alex Nebe of Retune Restoration to explore how careful preservation and thoughtful upgrades can give pre-1950s houses a second life without stripping away their soul. From window and door restoration to wainscoting and period details, Alex explains why saving original fabric is often the smartest, most sustainable choice.

We dive into the realities of running a one-person shop: wearing every hat, pricing complex work, and educating clients about the time and technique true restoration requires. Alex shares the lessons he’d apply if starting over—investing earlier in relationships and a values-driven culture—and why he’s launching an apprenticeship to grow skills locally. Quiet leadership shapes his approach: do what you say, communicate early, and adapt to different people and situations. That mindset, forged through years of travel and sailing, helps him guide clients through surprises that older homes inevitably reveal.

Looking ahead, Alex plans to expand into larger renovation projects with a focus on healthy, joyful living spaces. We talk practical boundaries for small business owners—vacations, expectations, and making room to breathe—while keeping standards high. If you care about sustainability, craftsmanship, and community, this conversation offers a clear blueprint for balancing quality with growth and turning heritage into an everyday advantage.

Enjoy the episode, then subscribe, share with a friend who loves old houses, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. Interested in working with Alex or learning the trade? Visit the site or connect on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn and keep an eye out for January hiring updates.

Guest Contact Info:

Email: alexn@retunerestoration.com

Website: www.retunerestalexoration.com 

IG https://www.instagram.com/retune_restoration/
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Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/

All the best!
Bill

Thanks for listening. Please hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review, and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/

All the best!

Bill

SPEAKER_01:

Welcome to this week's episode of Epic Entrepreneurs. My name is Cliff McCray. I'm filling in for Bill Gillan with your local business training and coaching firm Action Coach Business Growth Partners. I'm excited to have Alex Neeby with Retune Restoration as the focus for our Epic Entrepreneurs podcast today. So, Alex, please introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about yourself and your company and kind of what new products and services you offer for the community here in Nashville.

SPEAKER_00:

Sure. Thank you for having me. Yeah, so it's Alex Neeby. I'm the founder and the craftsman behind Retune Restoration. Our focus is basically working closely with clients to uh retune their older homes. Uh typically, you know, homes prior to like 1950s, where uh they have amazing uh architectural woodwork and certain details that need some uh you know attention to detail and and care to to to restore and preserve. So yeah, we sort of work with clients uh and do it in the most sustainable and responsible way, um, to sort of keep those homes looking beautiful and living forever.

SPEAKER_01:

Okay, perfect. Love it. So if you had to start your business from square one, what would you do differently?

SPEAKER_00:

Um, I mean, I'd definitely know a lot more. So um I think uh I mean, you know, the the the thing for me is uh I guess the I started when I first moved to Asheville, started the company. So it's the the main thing's been kind of growing the network and really finding out what uh what the best way of doing that is. Um so I think just spending as much time making connections, meeting people, um, and then uh my goal is to sort of start building a team uh of of classmen classmen to join myself. Um so yeah, just focusing on on the company culture and and and the goals and really push that forward to uh sort of uh communicate what what we're trying to achieve.

SPEAKER_01:

Okay, great, great. So, what have your biggest learnings been as an owner and employer since you started your business?

SPEAKER_00:

Um probably you know, the the the financial side versus the the the craft side is always uh a challenging one to negate navigate. Um you know, with these older homes, there's a lot of detailed work involved. So trying to um you know communicate the the amount of work that it takes to restore a home or a window or something like that, and the value that is provided by that. Um sort of being able to really know the best ways to do that would probably be, yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

Love it, love it. So, what are some common misconceptions about running a business and how do you address them?

SPEAKER_00:

Um I mean, I think uh the the thing for me is always you know the amount of time it takes if you are a smaller team. Um, you know, you you don't you have to be on all all sides of the the spectrum. Um you have to be the person you know interacting with the clients, you have to be the person on the job, making sure it runs properly, you have to be the person, you know, wearing all the different hats. Um the the idea of uh entrepreneurship is always uh a really good one. Um I've it's kind of what I've I've always leaned towards uh in my life, but um it's definitely something that takes a lot of uh attention, hard work, and you have to learn a lot of different skills and implement them on a daily basis. So just being open to anyone's advice um and being proactive about learning different, you know, uh methods, techniques, you know, uh practices, processes, that kind of thing. Um yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

Okay.

SPEAKER_00:

Okay.

SPEAKER_01:

So have you always been seen as a leader, even going through school and everything?

SPEAKER_00:

Um I think so. I mean, even in high school, uh that was definitely one of the the reviews that I've had. I'm not necessarily the most uh loud and in your face necessarily, but um I've always had that sort of role. Uh you know, I've I I I grew up I've spent a lot of time traveling, um, and specifically sailing. Um, so you always have to be able to work with a team regardless of where they come from, what their background is. So I think that's definitely helped me in the long run.

SPEAKER_01:

Um that's a that's a huge strength to have. You know, you you you when you learn how to work with different people or different backgrounds, it's huge, right? Because you can't treat certain people the way like you know, I was a trainer in, you know, I I couldn't train people in you know Connecticut the way I would train people in Arizona, right? Different lifestyle, the different background, the way they where they you know, the just the way they move in life is different. So yeah, I definitely understand what you mean. Agreed, agreed. So, what have you attributed to your growth so far in your business?

SPEAKER_00:

Um just uh uh you know you know deep down care for everything I do. Um specifically like just the seeing the value in older homes. Um there's in the in the construction world, you know, there's a always a big push to build new and and start from scratch, but especially with you know higher prices and materials and that kind of thing, the value that you can get from older homes if you know how to do it, um the the materials inside of a home are so much better quality-wise than what you can buy today. So if you can take that and make it into something that looks you know updated, retune it. Um yeah, just it just really brings it, brings it, uh brings new new value to it. So yeah. Okay.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, and that's it, and that's a perfect name. Right, right. Obviously, you chose the perfect name for your business, return restoration. Exactly what you're talking about. It matches perfectly.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, you're just taking an old thing and trying to make it, you know, bring it up to modern standards um while preserving the you know the charm and beauty of it.

SPEAKER_01:

Um I definitely, I definitely agree. You know, just those older homes, they just there's a charm to them that just your homes just can't can't copy.

SPEAKER_00:

Um I think everyone at some point in their life is driven to an historic neighborhood or district and and just been amazed at what they see. Um, whether that's what we built today or not, there's there's certain you know, enjoyment and joy that we get from that. So I think we need to do our best to preserve it and keep it going.

unknown:

Mm-hmm.

SPEAKER_01:

So, how do you balance your personal life with the demands of running a business? This is always a good one.

SPEAKER_00:

That's the that's the that's the the key right there. Um, I think uh especially you know working for yourself, it's very easy to to lose that balance. Um, I personally have have always struggled with it. Um I think it's just you gotta be you know thinking about it and being aware of it every day. Um being respectful for both the the people that you're working with and your own time and your your family's time is is a big one. Um and just taking a moment, it doesn't have to be much, but just a moment to sort of disconnect and calm everything down because when you're working for yourself, you definitely can kind of get on a hamster wheel and run yourself silly. So yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

How do you typically hand handle vacations?

SPEAKER_00:

Um I mean basically I'll I I try and just take, you know, I'll I'll keep an eye on uh everything, be that emails, phone calls, that kind of thing, but I'll I'll generally come about sometime and you know, put out no, you know, let people know that I'm gonna be out of town or something like that. But yeah, it's it's being a small team, it's it's really challenging. But um I I feel like I do a decent job at sort of disconnecting to a certain degree, you know. You know, you're never fully off the clock. Um because there's always something that could go astray and you gotta attend to it. But um yeah, it's just giving yourself uh a bit of time to breathe and and like think of something different. Okay. How many employees do you have at your business? Right now it's just myself. Just yourself, okay, just me. Um with the new year coming in. I'm looking to to hire uh a couple people, maybe one or two. Um would really like to do like an apprenticeship kind of role where I can share my knowledge and you know grow grow grow the community, the craftsman community. That's kind of one goal. So yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

Right, great, great. So you do you know so you're just looking for one person or is it two people? How many do you think you'll need?

SPEAKER_00:

I think probably ultimately two. Um right now, I think initially we start with uh someone that wants to learn, you know, the the basics of uh woodwork and uh window restoration. Um, and then moving forward, have someone to come in on more of the the skilled carpentry side. Um, and then you know, between the three of us, we kind of have all the bases covered. Um yeah. I I just you know, for me, I I I always want to do it intentionally and find the right person and make sure that they're getting as much value as I'm getting and share that. So yeah. Okay.

SPEAKER_01:

Right.

unknown:

All right.

SPEAKER_01:

So we're gonna head into the quick fire round. So I'm just going to say one word, and I kind of want you to just think of the first thing that comes to your head when you when you hear this word. Um, doesn't have to be one word that you respond with, just kind of what's the whatever the first thing is that you think of.

unknown:

Okay.

SPEAKER_01:

Education.

SPEAKER_00:

Uh vital. It's uh it's something that uh yeah, I mean, I I look at education as like the the golden ticket to to anything that you do. Um the more you know and the the broader uh view that you have on any subject, um, the better. Um in the line of work that we do, I'm always looking back at you know, stuff that people were doing 100 years ago, because there's there's trade skills there that we've lost uh on on the whole. Um so I'm always looking to books from a hundred years ago, catalogs and that kind of thing, and getting tips and ideas and tricks from from that from there. So it's yeah, it's a daily thing. I'm always doing some myself, you know, learning something on every day to some degree. So yeah, it's very important. Nice, love it. Uh planning. That is uh also a very important aspect. Um it's something uh that will either determine the success or the the enjoyment that you get out of something. So yeah, just being very diligent to plan ahead and uh be proactive about it. You know, don't don't wait till the day before and try and catch up. So yeah. Inspiration. Um I mean that's that's a big reason why I do what I do. The you know, my background was originally boat building. That's kind of where I came from, boat building and custom furniture. Um but I I just really enjoy and appreciate the old homes that we have in this country and the architectural detail, the the skill of you know woodwork that was around 100 years ago. Um, so that's that's why I get up every morning and go work on these old houses. That's not necessarily always glamorous, but uh they inspire me to really keep doing it and you know save as much as we can and preserve what we can and and then also uh share that knowledge and expertise as much as I can. So yeah. Perfect, perfect.

SPEAKER_01:

And commitment.

SPEAKER_00:

I mean, yeah, that that's something that I I feel like you have to have. Uh definitely in the construction world, you you you have to be both committed to your sort of your your goals and your mission, but also to the client that you're working with. Um it's a very close relationship that you have to have. So yeah, you have to be you have to show up, do do what you say you you're gonna do, and do it to the best of your ability.

SPEAKER_01:

Perfect. I love that. Yeah, doing what you say you're going to do is is huge. And I feel like that's you know, that that's huge. I mean, if you can really stick to what you're doing, what you say you're gonna do, that's huge, right? And if you can't do it, letting the person know that you can't, right? Communication.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, exactly. Um uh sort of sort of understanding of what your skills are. I mean, there's there's often days where I I'll I'll have someone come up to me with something that I'm not necessarily skilled at or I've done before, but I'm willing to learn to how to do that. And if they're willing to work with me on that, we'll do it. So yeah. Nice.

SPEAKER_01:

Nice. So what words of advice would you offer to other business owners who are looking to grow?

SPEAKER_00:

Um learn from your peers, uh, ask lots of questions, don't be afraid to to put yourself out there and kind of uh you know, see if you can try and get a learner skill or an idea from someone that's not necessarily related to your industry. Um I I I spend a lot of time with uh networking with other people, especially in Nashville. Um and I get a lot of feedback from that and ideas and and approaches that I normally wouldn't get from just reading one book or you know, searching something on the internet. So yeah, learn from others.

SPEAKER_01:

Gotcha. All right. Now, um, what's the next big thing for retune restoration coming into the new year?

SPEAKER_00:

Other than the hiring of a you know, people that just I mean growing the team, uh and and in doing so, kind of maybe taking on bigger projects. You know, right now we're doing mostly like uh smaller uh carpentry projects, be that like uh wainscoating inside of a home. Um we do a lot of window and door restorations. Um and you know, my my sort of vision with with the company is to keep doing that, but also move into more of the bigger renovations and restoration projects, um and really creating healthy living spaces for the people that live in the homes because we we spend so much time inside of our homes, you know, is that that space doesn't bring you joy and is not a healthy place to live in, and we're not getting the best benefit out of it.

SPEAKER_01:

So yeah, yeah, agreed, agreed. And lastly, you know, especially since you're hiring, uh, what's the best way for someone to get in contact with you?

SPEAKER_00:

Uh you can find me on uh my website. Uh my information's on there. Uh email, there's a contact form. Um, we're on uh both Facebook and Instagram, um, and then also LinkedIn. You can either search for ETN Restoration or Alex Neeby, you'll find me on there.

SPEAKER_01:

Perfect, perfect. And in regards to your hiring, are you hiring right now or would that be going into the new year?

SPEAKER_00:

It'll probably start the new year. I kind of want to start the the new year with with that. Uh so probably January. We can either uh keep an eye out for you know some some posts about that, or you know, if if you're interested, shoot me an email. I'm not I'm not opposed to it. I just want to, you know, be sure you be prepared in in terms of exactly what the the hiring process is going to be, what our goals is. I want to be able to communicate that as best of my ability.

SPEAKER_01:

So hey, perfect, perfect. Yeah, fantastic. Yeah, thank you so much for being a part of the community and all that you're doing. You know, we certainly wish you continued success.

SPEAKER_00:

Thank you. I appreciate you t having me on here, and uh yeah, look forward to uh the future with everyone.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, yeah, thank you very much. All right, have a great one. All right, you too. All right, that was done. Yeah, that was great. That was great. Yeah, I had to dig into that a little bit when you were talking about the uh