NHPA’s Taking Care of Business

Listen to the 2022 NHPA Top Guns Award winners take the stage in a panel discussion at the NHPA All-Industry Conference. Hear their business best practices, their insights into competing as independents and how they are creating operations that attract customers and top talent.   Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

In this episode, we welcome back Do it Best President and CEO Dan Starr to the podcast to talk about growth in the industry, the importance of markets combining a virtual and in-person presence and more.   Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

On this episode of the podcast, Dan has a conversation with Mark Lipton, a thought leader in the independent paint and hardware retailing channels. As a former independent paint retailer, Lipton shares his thoughts on the industry today. He also talks about his history of writing and creating content through his blog, podcast and vlog, as well as sharing about the consultation services he provides...

Are you ready for the National Hardware Show next month? On today's episode, Dan catches up with Beth Casson from NHS to talk about all the exciting things coming to the show in a few weeks in Las Vegas. They also talk about the future of the National Hardware Show and how it continues to evolve.   Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

On this week's episode of Taking Care of Business, Dan connects with Nick Talarico, vice president of e-commerce for Do it Best. They discuss how retailers should consider e-commerce as more than just one part of their business and view it as a crucial piece to the success of their operation. They also share ways retailers can let go of the fear of perfection that's holding them back from the onli...

On this episode, Dan talks to Ryan Staggs from High Cotton Brewing Co. and Orgill president and CEO Boyden Moore about the companies' unique partnership ahead of the wholesaler's 175th anniversary.

In this episode, we welcome back Gary Pittsford of Castle Valuation - a Division of Creative Planning. Dan and Gary discuss what has changed since the start of the pandemic for business owners and how a surge in sales has impacted everything from business valuations to retirement planning and more.   Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

In this episode of "Taking Care of Business," Dan catches up with NHPA staffers Renee Changnon and Melanie Moul to find out what's on the horizon for the Member Services and Communications teams at NHPA.   Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

To start off the New Year, the focus of the first episode of Taking Care of Business for 2022 is technology. We talk to Grant Morrow and Stephanie Lee who head up Orgill's e-commerce and product data programs to get some insights into how independent retailers are building their omnichannel presence.   Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

On today's episode of Taking Care of Business, Dan goes over some of his predictions for the industry in 2022. We look at everything from employees' changing demands to supply chain updates.   Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

On this episode, Melanie Moul talks to Sarah Kalloch, executive director of the Good Jobs Institute, to learn more about the strategies companies can implement to become employers of choice in their communities.

In today’s podcast, we are coming to you live (on tape) from the National Hardware Show where we sat down with show director Beth Casson to learn about how this year's show is going and where the industry’s event is headed.

On this installment, we talk to E-comm expert Garrett Schwegler of Lucidworks about how more consumers are embracing contactless commerce and what small to mid-size retailers can do to react to these changing demands.   Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

On today's episode we talk with the folks from Live Oak Bank about how they can help small businesses through the SBA process. We also chat with NHPA's Melanie Moul about what's in store for the National Hardware Show and NHPA All-Industry Conference.   Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

If you're looking at selling your business, or growing your business, you might want to listen in to this episode as we talk to NHPA's Dave Gowan who tells us all about the recently launched NHPA Retail Marketplace.   Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

Today we visit with friend of the show, Bill Brunelle, co-founder of Independent We Stand, who talks about how locally owned businesses are doing across the country and discuss the sixth annual America's Main Streets contest that is getting ready to kick off in September.   Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

Today we talk to Mike MacKay, owner of Vassar Building Center in Vassar, Michigan. Together with his wife, Brenda, the MacKay's made the decision to build their dream store right before the pandemic hit. Learn how they worked with their distributor to push through the challenges to unveil an innovative store that doubled the size of their business.   Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Roseve...

In this episode, we circle back with Stacy Mitchell from the Institute for Local Self Reliance to catch up on some of the latest developments in her group's efforts to lobby for pro-small business initiatives.   Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

On this episode we talk about all the things that keep you up at night -- the emerging threats that could forever alter your business. Our guest is Scott Reynolds, CEO of American Hardware and Lumber Insurance and he is going to share some tips that just might help you sleep a little better.   Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

On this edition of Taking Care of Business we lighten it up a little bit and talk to Rob Stolzer, who recently launched a website ( www.misteroswald.com ) dedicated to honoring the legacy of the long-running Hardware Retailing comic strip.   Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

On this week's episode, we connect back with Grant Farnsworth to get updates on the industry outlook for the last half of the year, discuss how consumers' buying habits are changing and learn a little about how vaccinations are impacting shopping patterns.   Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

With the surge in home improvement projects and spending, paint and coatings are center stage on most home owner's to-do lists. On this edition of Taking Care of Business we talk to someone who knows a thing or two about paint, John Vanderpool, True Value's Divisional President of Paint and General Manufacturing. We touch on supply chain, color trends and what it takes to run a profitable paint an...

Normally around this time of year, we would all be getting ready to head to the National Hardware Show. While we won't be heading to Vegas this May, in this episode we talk with Beth Casson from the National Hardware Show to learn about all the changes at the industry's biggest event and what to expect in October when the show will take place.   Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

On this episode of Taking Care of Business we are talking supply chain and ketchup with Dent Johnson, Do it Best's vice president of merchandising. Johnson gives us the low-down on what's caused the kinks in the supply chain, where we are headed and how commodity prices could impact project demand in the coming months.   Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

In this episode, Dan talks to Scott Wright, Executive Director of NHPA’s Retail Leadership Institute, and Katie McHone-Jones, NHPA's Event and Retail Support manager, about this year's Young Retailer of the Year honorees. They talk about the impact of the awards, what they represent and what everyone can learn from watching them   Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere