In this episode of Chasing the Insights, I talk to inspirational CEO Mike Kaeding. Mike talks to us about building an aspirational business. Mike Kaeding is the CEO of Norhart. They design, build, and rent apartments. Mike and his team are transforming the way apartments are built and managed by incorporating technologies and efficiencies that have revolutionized other industries, and lead to high quality, cost effective projects. Mike's parents started the family business. But just a few years after joining the business, Mike's dad unexpectedly passed away. All of a sudden, Mike had what felt like the weight of the world on my shoulders. He had to lead this business. He had no preconceived notion of "the way things are done" in this industry. Mike was struggling to the point where the city briefly shut them down. This shattered his world. But Mike just naively started to solve problems. And that was the magic. They began changing the way construction is done. Starting with an attractive culture unique to the construction industry they hired the best talent. Together they solved chronic construction inefficiencies, applied techniques from manufacturing, and integrated traditionally unaffiliated trades. This resulted in higher quality and lower cost projects. Mike's mission is to solve America’s housing shortage by transforming the way apartments are built and managed. And in doing so improving the way we all live.