Mitchell Metz didn’t begin his career in construction, but an early interest in how businesses grow eventually led him there.
“When I was just out of college, I really got into economics,” Metz says. “I remember reading ‘The Wealth of Nations’ and being fascinated by the idea of a free market where small businesses can disrupt legacy entities by innovating and having a better feedback loop with their consumers.”
That curiosity about entrepreneurship eventually led him into marketing and, somewhat unexpectedly, into the construction industry. There, he discovered a field where business strategy, storytelling, and economic impact intersect in powerful ways.
Today, Metz is the founder of Rowan Builder Marketing, a consulting practice that helps companies in the construction industry bring clarity and structure to their marketing efforts. His work supporting builders across Western North Carolina recently earned him the 2025 Associate of the Year award from the Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains (BABRM).
“This award is meaningful because I feel seen and heard,” Metz says. “In my first year of business, I’ve been pushing in experimental directions and providing excess value for people. That’s what you have to do early on as you build a business—experiment and give generously.”
An Entry Into the Construction Industry
Metz began his career on the technical side of a small marketing agency shortly after college, working with local businesses and learning how marketing systems operate behind the scenes.
Over time, he noticed something unique about companies in the construction sector.
“I realized these pretty small companies have a massive impact on our local economy,” Metz says. “It’s such a massive business-to-consumer sale, and it really shifts a lot of marketing fundamentals.”
His connection to the industry deepened when he joined the Sullivan Family of Companies in Asheville, where he helped lead marketing efforts for brands including Living Stone Design + Build, Atelier Maison & Co., and ID.ology Interiors & Design. Working inside the company gave him a close look at how a construction business operates, from managing project pipelines to cultivating long-term client relationships.
That experience ultimately led Metz to launch Rowan Builder Marketing at the end of 2024.
A Relationship-Driven Approach to Marketing
Through Rowan, Metz works with builders to move beyond scattered marketing tactics and toward more structured, measurable systems.
His approach focuses on helping companies develop marketing frameworks they fully control, from their data and analytics to vendor relationships and long-term strategy. At the center of that work is a belief that relationships drive lasting success.
“Long-term relationships have compounding interest,” says Metz. “Good relationships have a deep return on investment over a long period of time—that’s one of the most valuable things you can have.”
That same emphasis on relationships carries into his involvement with BABRM. His volunteer work with the Association has involved everything from helping with marketing and communications for the Disaster Recovery Task Force to creating videos and supplying marketing advice to the Association’s staff.
“The Builders Association has given me a direct link to the industry,” says Metz. “It’s helped me stay in touch with what’s happening locally and nationally, connect with builders across the country, and stay current on trends. It’s also given me a way to give back in a mutually beneficial way.”
Join a Network of Industry Leaders
The Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains is powered by members who are committed to supporting Western North Carolina’s building industry. Join BABRM to connect with fellow professionals, expand your network, and take an active role in shaping the future of building in our region.
