LBM Talks

Managing social media today requires organization, creativity, adaptability, and the ability to develop original ideas across multiple platforms. In this episode of LBM Talks Social Media, Sally shares her candid experience as a social media manager in 2026. From changing algorithms and evolving audience expectations to content systems, collaboration, and creative workflows, she shares what's...

Credit is changing, but not in the ways many people expect. In this episode, Thea Dudley welcomes Sean Stevens , founder of  The Head of Credit , to discuss the future of the credit profession. They explore why credit leaders need to think beyond collections, how credit departments can become revenue drivers, what AI can and can't do, and why judgment remains one of the profession's most v...

In this episode of  LBM Talks Social Media , Sally Lacey sits down with Amber Little , Chief Human Resources Officer at Nations Best Holdings , to discuss how authentic content can create meaningful professional connections. Amber shares how she transformed personal reflections and journal entries into LinkedIn posts to connect with professionals across industries. Together, they explore why authe...

Credit management is becoming more challenging as economic uncertainty, rising costs, tariffs, and tighter lending conditions put pressure on businesses across the lumber and building material industry. In this episode of LBM Talks Credit, Thea Dudley welcomes Sid Malladi , CEO of Nuvo , to discuss the biggest trends shaping trade credit in 2026. They explore why credit teams are carrying more ris...

In Part 2 of Sally Lacey's conversation with Dakota County Lumber marketing specialist Sadie Hoyt, the two discuss the realities of social media management beyond algorithms and content strategy. They explore burnout, creativity, loneliness, content calendars, AI, and why building community matters for marketers who often work independently. It's an honest conversation about the challenges...

From the Labrador Retriever to the elusive Unicorn, every sales team is made up of familiar personalities. In this fun, solo episode of  LBM Talks Credit , Thea Dudley breaks down the 10 sales rep personalities that show up in the lumber and building materials industry and beyond. It's a lighthearted look at the quirks, habits, and chaos that make the credit-sales relationship both challenging...

What’s working on social media right now? In this episode of LBM Talks Social Media, Sally Lacey chats with Dakota County Lumber marketing specialist Sadie Hoyt about the realities of being a solo marketer in the LBM industry. From Instagram carousels and LinkedIn strategy to shadow bans, creator-style content, and building company culture online, this is an honest conversation between two markete...

Sales reps and credit managers have a complicated relationship, and in this episode, Thea Dudley says the quiet parts out loud. From incomplete paperwork and unauthorized terms to “just this once” policy exceptions, Thea breaks down the biggest frustrations credit departments face when working with sales teams in the lumber and building materials industry. Sponsored by Nuvo .

In this episode of  LBM Talks Social Media , Sally Lacey talks with David Strano and Leah Wallace from Ambridge Do It Best Home Center about how their funny, community-focused social media content helped make their store a local favorite. From employee-led reels to customer involvement, David and Leah share how they use social media to stay connected with their community and keep their business fr...

In this episode of  LBM Talks Credit , Thea Dudley sits down with Michelle Kelly , Senior Credit Manager at Mansfield Energy, to talk about the growing talent gap in credit—and how companies can start building their own pipeline. Michelle shares how her team transformed internships into a meaningful, structured program that delivers real value on both sides, creating job-ready analysts while givin...

In this solo episode, Sally Lacey shares her key takeaways from Social Media Week 2026 in New York City, and what they mean for social media managers. She covers five key takeaways, including why having fun with your content matters more than you think, how to stay agile in a fast-moving landscape, what’s really changing with the algorithm, and why long-form content still deserves your attention....

Most leadership teams don’t fully understand what their credit department is up against—and it’s costing them. In this episode of  LBM Talks Credit , Thea Dudley shares five things every leader needs to know about managing credit, including: Why your team is dealing with “data chaos” The shift to real-time credit data (and why it matters) Why credit needs a seat at the table The KPIs you should ac...

Social media isn’t just marketing—it’s communication. In this episode, Nathan Cain of Matt’s Building Materials shares how their company transformed its social media strategy after a major fire brought unexpected attention to their business. What started as inconsistent posting turned into a focused, people-driven approach that prioritizes authenticity and community. Nathan breaks down the realiti...

Payment portals are becoming more common in the LBM industry—but they’re not always making life easier. In this episode, Thea Dudley and Robert Tiffin discuss how AP-side portals are changing the invoicing and payment process, often leading to delays, added complexity, and new risks for dealers. They explore the real-world impact on credit teams, the challenges of training and adoption, and what t...

In this episode of  LBM Talks Social Media , Sally Lacey talks with McCoy Clark of Gifford Lumber about how humor is driving engagement and helping their business stand out. At just 21, McCoy has built a strong social media presence by focusing on authentic, entertaining content instead of overly polished posts. He shares how he comes up with ideas, adapts content for different platforms, and turn...

Credit isn’t black and white. It’s gray. In this episode, Thea Dudley breaks down the reality of credit management in the LBM industry: making high-pressure decisions with incomplete information. From navigating risk and relationships to relying on instinct and experience, she shares how credit professionals operate when there are no clear answers. Learn how to approach uncertainty, apply the 4 C’...

In this episode of  LBM Talks Social Media , Kevin Nice Jr. of San Lorenzo Lumber shares how partnering with a social media agency helped transform their digital presence. After deciding to invest in digital marketing, their team worked with Madison Street Studios to build a strategic approach focused on video content, employee and customer features, and strong collaboration with vendor partners....

In this episode of LBM Talks Credit , Thea Dudley sits down with James Brown, founder of BK Wire , to discuss what bankruptcy data is revealing about risk across the construction and building materials economy. For LBM dealers, bankruptcy filings aren’t just headlines — they’re early warning signals that can impact customers, suppliers, and receivables. Thea and James explore how credit teams can...

In this episode of  LBM Talks Social Media , host Sally Lacey sits down with  Maddy Hayley, Marketing Manager at Ashby Lumber , to talk about the evolving role of authenticity in digital marketing for the lumber and building materials industry. Maddy shares how Ashby Lumber has grown its digital presence by focusing on real people, real stories, and genuine connections with customers. Drawing on m...

What happens when a CEO treats credit management as a core business strategy? In this episode of  LBM Talks Credit , Thea Dudley speaks with Mike Craven of Red River Lumber about building a culture where credit, sales, and leadership work in alignment. They discuss: • Navigating volatile markets and cash flow challenges • Holding customers accountable without sacrificing loyalty • Weekly AR strate...

In this episode of  LBM Talk Social Media , Sally is joined by Nancy Wischmeier, Vice President of Hopson Lumber , a fourth-generation, family-owned LBM dealer serving Missouri communities since 1880. Together they discuss why authentic, people-focused content is outperforming highly polished promotions, how consistent reels are strengthening trust with both contractors and homeowners, and what ha...

AI adoption doesn’t fail because people don’t want to use it — it fails because they don’t know how. In this episode, Thea Dudley is joined by  Shane Soule , President of  ProTec Panel & Truss , to explore what actually helps teams adopt AI in a practical, sustainable way. They discuss why vague encouragement doesn’t work, how leaders can provide better structure and coaching, and why AI shoul...

Welcome to the last episode in our 2026 Dealer of the Year highlight series! In this episode of LBM Talks Social Media, Sally Lacey talks with Adam Pettit, Marketing Director at  Red River Lumber , about how lumber dealers can use social media to build trust, grow their brand, and see real returns. They cover what types of content actually perform, how Red River Lumber balances organic and paid so...

We're one month into Q1 and the consensus seems to be that business is slow. A lot of dealers are scrapping for sales, which doesn't always bring in the best customers. In this episode, Thea breaks down the top three forces that are shaping your AR, risk tolerance, and credit managers blood pressure in this first quarter of 2026. Tune in for data, trends, and advice to help you protect you...

Alex Armstrong is a 2023 40 under 40 member and the manager of  Peter Lumber Company 's Pitman location, a 2026 Dealer of the Year (category: $10MM-$50MM). As the manager, Alex also creates content to promote his store on Facebook and Instagram.  In this episode, we discussed why Peter Lumber has different profiles for two of their locations, how they create authentic content, what it's li...