NHPA’s Taking Care of Business

In this episode of "Taking Care of Business," NHPA podcast producer and retail engagement specialist Renee Changnon talks with Jared Hotop, vice president of retail operations, and Petrina Jannin, human resources director, for Buchheits, a farm and home company with 20 locations in five states. Learn about how NHPA's Kim Peffley was able to help the company develop an engaged team from top to bott...

NHPA podcast producer and retail engagement specialist Renee Changnon chats with Jeremy Melnick, vice president of hardware and facilities at JC Licht and former co-owner of Gordon's Ace Hardware. Jeremy shares the lessons he learned during the process of selling his seven store chain to JC Licht in 2022 and offers advice for preparing for business transition, whether that's now or many years down...

In this episode of "Taking Care of Business," NHPA senior editor Lindsey Thompson sits down with Luke Vander Linden, one of the speakers for the 2023 NHPA Independents Conference this August in Dallas. Luke, vice president of membership and marketing for Retail & Hospitality ISAC, shares cybersecurity best practices for keeping your operation protected online. If you're looking to find ways to int...

Listen in on NHPA senior editor Lindsey Thompson's conversation with digital strategist Chris Hood, one of the keynote speakers for the 2023 NHPA Independents Conference being held this August in Dallas. They talk about Chris' storied and exciting career in the movie, TV and music industries, and Chris gives a sneak peek of his keynote presentation and the concept of digital acceleration. Listen N...

In this episode of "The Taking Care of Business" podcast, NHPA senior editor Lindsey Thompson chats with former Amazon exec John Rossman on the lessons he learned from his time with the online retail giant and how he applies those to his consulting business today. Rossman also gives a sneak peek into the concept of innovating for leadership, a topic he'll cover as keynote speaker at the 2023 NHPA...

In this episode of "Taking Care of Business," NHPA COO Dan Tratensek speaks with Nick Talarico, Do it Best's executive vice president of sales and marketing, and Dent Johnson, executive vice president of operations, on the state of the industry and its continued growth over the past few years. From supply chain demands and member growth to e-commerce initiatives, hear what Do it Best is doing to h...

In this episode of the "Taking Care of Business" podcast, Dan Tratensek sat down with Beth Casson, National Hardware Show vice president, who shares highlights and takeaways from this year's show and what's in store for 2024. Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

On this episode, NHPA podcast producer and retail engagement specialist Renee Changnon has a conversation with siblings Amos and Lauren and their parents Buron and Sara Lanier. The group talks about how Amos and Lauren came together to take over Lanier Do it Best in Burgaw, North Carolina, and keep the business in their family. Sara and Buron talk about the process of transitioning ownership to th...

NHPA senior editor Lindsey Thompson shares key takeaways and insights from her trip to NRF 2023: Retail's Big Show held in New York City. From technology to the customer experience, Lindsey also chats with retailer Adam Gunnett from Busy Beaver Home Improvement Centers about his show highlights. Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

In this episode, Melanie Moul, communications and content manager for NHPA leads a discussion with Dan Tratensek, COO of NHPA and Grant Farnsworth, president of the Farnsworth Group and Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) about the state of the home improvement industry. They discuss their predictions of what retailers can expect in 2023 and what retailers should focus on as the year progre...

To wrap up the year, Renee Changnon, NHPA podcast producer and retail engagement specialist, highlights five of the most popular episodes of the Taking Care of Business podcast from 2022. Tune in to hear clips from these episodes featuring wholesale leaders and industry experts. Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

In this episode of the "Taking Care of Business" podcast, guest host and NHPA associate editor Lindsey Thompson sits down with Jared Brown, senior analyst for Aubuchon Hardware, and Mark Garland, president and CEO of 4R Systems. Jared and Mark share the journey the two companies have taken together to improve Aubuchon's inventory management systems and how fellow retailers can navigate current iss...

In today's episode, NHPA's Melanie Moul talks with National Hardware Show event vice president Beth Casson about the show highlights, which takes place in Las Vegas Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2023. To learn more about the National Hardware Show, go to  nationalhardwareshow.com . Then, NHPA podcast producer and retail engagement specialist Renee Changnon discusses an NHPA On the Road trip to Ohio from over th...

Listen to Renee Changnon, NHPA podcast producer and retail engagement specialist, and Clara Collins, operations manager of S.W. Collins Co., as Collins discusses her family's 178-year-old five-store lumber and hardware business in Maine. The two talk about being the sixth generation in the business, the family's continued focus on bettering the community and how the team works to attract and retai...

On this episode, Dan has a conversation with two leaders at Central Network Retail Group (CNRG): David Mills, EVP of Operations; and Phillip Helms, SVP of Supply Chain. CNRG is a multi-format, multi-brand retailer operating 144 hardware stores, home centers and lumberyards throughout 16 states in the U.S. The three talk about inventory management, supply chain issues, discuss pricing and more. Mus...

Come along as NHPA associate editor Lindsey Thompson recaps her visit to the 2022 EISENWAREMESSE International Hardware Fair, held in Cologne, Germany. She shares the trends and hottest products coming out of the show and her experience catching up with several Retailers' Choice Award winners and meeting show director Matthias Becker. Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

In this episode of Taking Care of Business, NHPA's communications and content manager Melanie Moul sat down at the True Value Reunion in Denver with Jake Kalnitz, senior vice president of merchandising, inventory and pricing, and Eric Lane, senior vice president of sales, to hear behind-the-scenes details about Reunion and all the biggest takeaways. They share the benefits of a live show, the comp...

In this episode, NHPA staffers Renee Changnon and Melanie Moul have a conversation with Travis Detter, president of Spectrum Paint Company, which he co-founded in 1986. The company has grown to over 600 employees with 92 stores in 10 states (and growing), making it the largest independent paint dealer in the United States. Melanie also has a conversation with Grant Farnsworth of the Farnsworth Gro...

In this episode of Taking Care of Business, Dan and Renee have a conversation with Gina Schaefer, founder and CEO of A Few Cool Hardware Stores, a chain of 12 hardware stores in the mid-Atlantic. Gina talks about her memoir, "Recovery Hardware: A Nuts and Bolts Story About Building a Business, Restoring a Community, and Renovating Lives,” her experiences hiring employees who are in recovery from a...

On this episode, Dan has a conversation with Michael McLarney, founder and president of Hardlines, Inc. The two talk all about the 26th Annual Hardlines Conference, which will take place in Ontario, Canada, Oct. 18-19. They also talk about the differences and similarities between Canadian and U.S. retailers, what factors are impacting our members north of the border and more.   Music Credits: "Let...

On this episode of the podcast, Dan Tratensek and Scott Wright discuss the 2022 Young Retailer of the Year program and the eight honorees. This program identifies the next generation of aspiring independent home improvement and paint retailers who are 35 years of age or younger throughout the U.S., its territories and Canada. Learn more about each honoree and their operation at  YourNHPA.org/yroty...

On this episode of the podcast, Dan has a conversation with Geff Lynch, president of Lancaster, a paint sundry supplier that services more than 10,000 independent paint stores, national and regional paint chains, hardware stores and home centers. The two discuss the importance for retailers to have an online presence. They also talk about the supply chain and the paint industry overall.   Music Cr...

As Pedrotti Ace Hardware celebrates 100 years in business, owner Gene Pedrotti talks with associate editor Lindsey Thompson about the store's storied history and long-time involvement in the community.   Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

In this episode, podcast producer and retail engagement specialist Renee Changnon has a conversation with Walker Tanner of Tanner Paint Co. in Tampa, Florida. The two discuss his business, which has been owned and operated by his family since 1933. Walker also discusses his love of the independent paint industry and his plans to open a second location.   Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Ro...

In this episode, Dan has a conversation with Todd Gatesy, the general manager of U.S. dealer and retail for PPG’s Architectural Coatings business. They talk about how the past few years have impacted the paint industry, new product lines coming from PPG and the future of the industry as a whole. Dan also chats with Brett Polachek, the national account manager with Sakrete. The company recently lau...