Description:
In this episode of The Builders Podcast, Matt sits down with Tina Larsson, founder of The Folson Group, to explore how one frustrating experience serving on her own co-op board uncovered an overlooked problem… and ultimately became the foundation of a thriving business. From her Wall Street background to coaching volunteer boards, Tina shares how trust, thoughtful systems, and a willingness to solve problems others ignored shaped her entrepreneurial journey.
Along the way, Tina shares how analytical thinking, networking, coaching, and continuous learning shaped her business. She discusses the value of building systems instead of simply providing services, why writing a book became a powerful credibility builder, and how AI and automation have dramatically changed the way her company operates. It’s a conversation about finding opportunity where others see frustration and building authority through consistent action rather than shortcuts.
Whether you’re building a niche consulting business, leading an organization, or simply looking for ways to create more value through systems and relationships, Tina’s story offers practical lessons on identifying overlooked problems and turning them into lasting opportunities.
Key Takeaways:
- Build businesses by solving expensive, overlooked problems that others accept as “just the way things are.”
- Networking compounds over time and often becomes the foundation for sustainable business growth.
- Coaches can accelerate growth by helping you develop new skills and expand your visibility.
- Systems, benchmarks, and data help people make more confident decisions than intuition alone.
- A well-written book can become one of the most effective trust-building tools in your business.
- AI and automation create leverage by allowing builders to spend more time serving customers and less time managing repetitive work.
Tina Larsson
Tina Larsson is the co-founder of The Folson Group, New York’s premier co-op and condo consultancy.
She organized a board coup in her own NYC building, uncovered a $340,000 financial drain nobody was tracking, and accidentally built a 12-year business out of it.
She and her husband Mark Foley now help co-op and condo boards across NYC run their buildings like the businesses they actually are.
She is the author of Living the High Life, frequent podcast guest and speaker, and holds a LEED Green Associate designation.
Tina is on a mission to support NYC condo and co-op boards optimize their buildings, because smart coop and condo boards don’t go it alone.
THE MEAT OF IT!
- From Sweden to Wall Street Moving to New York and starting a finance career
- Returning to college while working full-time
- Building analytical thinking through investing
- The Hostile Takeover That Changed Everything Taking over an underperforming HOA board
- Saving hundreds of thousands of dollars
- Discovering an underserved market
- Building a Business One Relationship at a Time Growing through networking and referrals
- Transitioning from a side business to a full-time company
- Creating systems instead of simply offering services
- Creating Authority Through Coaching and Publishing Working with business, LinkedIn, and speaking coaches
- Writing a book to educate clients and build trust
- Why expertise needs visibility
- Scaling with Systems, Automation, and AI Leveraging virtual assistants and GoHighLevel
- Using AI to dramatically increase productivity
- Building a business around focus rather than busy work
- Lessons for Builders Confidence comes from preparation
- Solve meaningful problems others overlook
- Build systems that make better decisions easier
Check out these related Episodes:
- Episode 287: Allan Glanfield – Building a Snack Brand by Turning Travel Problems Into Kids Snacks
- Episode 286 – Matt Levenhagen – Still Building Me: Business, Art, a Custom AI LifeOS, and a Better Life
- Episode 285: Amy Foley – When Growth Stalls or Reverses: Building Through Change Without Losing Yourself
