President, Founder and CEO, Marnie Custom Homes
Marnie Oursler is the Founder and President of Marnie Custom Homes based in Bethany Beach, Delaware, which specializes in building sustainable beach homes using locally sourced materials. Marnie hosted Big Beach Builds, which aired for two seasons in 2017 and 2018 on DIY Network. She was also the host of HGTV Dream Home 2018.
Marnie’s story is unconventional and inspirational as she’s built a growing custom home company in a very male-dominated industry. Not only does she build custom beach homes, she also designs them, adding one-of-a- kind touches along the way. She built the first LEED-certified home in Delaware, implementing energy-efficient practices before it was cutting edge. She then began using reclaimed and recycled material to make her clients’ homes unique, later building one of the first American-made homes in the country, using 95% of the products Made in the USA. Marnie’s innovative use of materials, impeccable craftsmanship, creative design sense, and unparalleled work ethic have earned her a thriving business, and she continues to revolutionize the industry with a fresh approach to established building practices and processes.
A graduate of the prestigious Global MBA program at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, she is a frequent speaker on such issues as building a business, cultivating a mentor and creating working relationships that truly benefit all involved. Marnie was a member of the Board of Advisors for The Center of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. She played Division I soccer at the US Naval Academy before transferring to East Carolina University where she played Division I softball and earned her undergraduate degree.