A peer group of PNW operators serious about systems.
The Builder Circle is a curated community of owners running $1M–$10M service businesses in the Pacific Northwest. Monthly peer sessions, a private member channel, and direct access to the Cornerstone team — so you stop guessing and start building with people who’ve already done it.
Or call us: (425) 530-0155·Talk to us
What The Builder Circle IS
It is not a coaching program. It is not a course. It is not a tanda or a financial product. The Builder Circle is a paid, invite-only peer group for service business owners — monthly group sessions plus a private member channel where you trade real plays, vendors, hires, and numbers with operators in your weight class.
Format
Monthly peer sessions (90 min) + private member channel for async problem-solving between calls.
Audience
PNW service business owners running $1M–$10M in revenue. Trades, auto, professional services, local service.
Frequency
12 group calls a year + ongoing async + 1 private intro call with Ted Lopez when you join.
How a Meeting Actually Runs
Structured. Confidential. No fluff.
Hot Seat (30 min)
One member brings a real problem — a stuck hire, a margin issue, a deal gone sideways. The room works it.
Round Robin (40 min)
Each member shares one win, one stuck, one ask. You leave with at least two concrete next moves.
Topic Deep-Dive (15 min)
Pre-picked topic — pricing, hiring, AI rollouts, GC management. Cornerstone brings the framework, members bring the receipts.
Async Channel (ongoing)
Drop a question between meetings. Other members and the Cornerstone team respond — usually inside a day.
Who This Is For
Membership is curated. We say no often.
- You run a PNW service business doing $1M–$10M in annual revenue.
- You’ve been in business 3+ years and you’re past the survival phase.
- You want to build systems, not just complain about not having them.
- You’re willing to share real numbers with peers under confidentiality.
- Pre-revenue or sub-$500K businesses (start with our Free Audit instead).
- People looking for free advice or networking happy hours.
- Anyone who can’t commit to showing up to monthly calls.
- Direct competitors of an existing member — we curate to avoid overlap.
What Members Say
Real outcomes from real members. We’re adding more as the second cohort wraps.
“[Member testimonial — Trades operator]”
Owner — Trades company in Snohomish County
Saved 6 months of trial-and-error in my first quarter.
“[Member testimonial — Auto operator]”
Owner — Auto shop in Bellevue
Made one connection that paid for the year of membership.
Current Members
Members are discreet by default. We’ll surface profiles only with their permission — the value is the room, not the marketing.
Member 1
Member 2
Member 3
Member 4
Member 5
Member 6
Member 7
Member 8
Membership & Terms
Straight pricing. No upsells inside the room.
Frequently Asked
If we missed yours, ask us directly.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes — month-to-month after the 90-day minimum. We ask for 30 days notice so the cohort can plan. Annual members can switch to monthly at renewal.
What if I miss a month?
Sessions are recorded for members. Miss a call, watch the replay, drop your question in the channel. We’d rather you stay engaged async than feel guilty about a calendar conflict.
Are members confidentially scoped?
Yes. Every member signs a mutual NDA at onboarding. What’s shared in the room stays in the room — numbers, hires, deals, mistakes. That’s the only way the room is worth anything.
Do members compete with each other?
No. We curate to avoid direct overlap — same trade in the same market, same client base, same niche. If a competitor of yours applies, you’re notified before any decision.
What’s expected of me as a member?
Show up to the monthly call. Bring one real ask per quarter. Respond when peers ask for input in the channel. Keep what you hear inside the room. That’s it.
Bilingual?
Yes. Calls are run in English with live Spanish support when needed, and the async channel is bilingual. Per Cornerstone’s standard — EN/ES parity is non-negotiable.
How is this different from the Fractional GM service?
Fractional GM is Ted Lopez working inside one business as your part-time operator. Builder Circle is a peer room with 11 other owners, with Ted facilitating. Many members use both — the Circle for perspective, Fractional GM for execution.
Do members get a discount on other Cornerstone services?
Yes. Members receive a 10–20% credit toward Tusk Discovery, Systems & AI Audit, and Fractional GM engagements during their active membership.
What if I want to leave?
30 days’ notice. No exit fee. Your access ends at the next billing cycle and we offer a 20-minute exit call so we know how to make it better for the next member.
What happens if my application is declined?
We’ll tell you why and point you to the right next step — usually the Free Audit or a specific service. No hard feelings, no waitlist gimmicks.
How We Protect The Room
Confidentiality is the product.
Mutual NDA at Onboarding
Every member signs a mutual NDA before their first call. What’s said in the room is legally protected.
Curated Membership
We screen every applicant — references, business verification, no direct competitors. The bar is intentionally high.
Recorded For Members Only
Replays live in a private member portal. No public posting, no clips, no marketing use without explicit consent.
Right to Remove
Break confidence and your membership ends — immediate refund of unused months, no second chances. The room’s integrity comes first.
Other ways to work with Cornerstone
If the Circle isn’t the right fit, here’s where most owners start.
Apply to the next cohort
We open seats twice a year. Applications take about 5 minutes. We respond personally inside 48 hours — yes or no, with a reason.
Or call us: (425) 530-0155
About the Builder Circle
The Builder Circle is a private peer membership operated by Cornerstone Intelligence Co. for PNW service business owners. Membership fees pay for facilitation, the member channel, and the Cornerstone team’s time. The Circle is not financial, legal, or investment advice. Members sign a mutual NDA and a standard membership agreement before their first call.