NWFA Real Answers

In the first installment of our new Emerging Leaders mini-series, NWFA CEO Stephanie Owen sits down with Alex Hamilton of Grain Design Flooring and his guest, 2026 Wood Floor of the Year winner Matthew Szyszka of Floor Master Company. Together, they discuss developing creativity and vision, learning from mentors, what's next for the future of their careers, and more. The Emerging Leaders mini...

Chris Zizza and Stephanie Owen sit down with a group of NWFA regional instructors at this year's Expo for a wide-ranging conversation about boosting your career, using social media effectively, growing your brand, and more.

Oliver Barajas of Bridgebay Flooring joins the podcast to share his journey in the hardwood flooring industry and what drew him to the NWFA. Oliver opens up about his experience as a member of the NWFA Emerging Leaders Council, the value of finding a niche that fits your strengths, and the lessons he's picked up along the way. As one of the council's most active voices, Oliver has played...

Recorded at the recent 2026 NWFA Expo, Dana Cole from the Hardwood Federation and Jesse Joyce from Middle Tennessee Lumber join the NWFA Real Answers Podcast to discuss the Hardwood Federation's impact and updates on pending legislation that supports our industry.

NWFA President & CEO Stephanie Owen and Chris Zizza talk with Katie Magoon of People Solutions Center about the common roadblocks that keep wood flooring businesses from reaching their full potential. Learn practical processes to implement, how AI can streamline your operations, the importance of role clarity, building trust with your team, and the key differences between coaching and managing...

Reid Lambright, president of Lambright Flooring and chair of NWFA’s Emerging Leaders Council, joins Stephanie Owen and Chris Zizza to share his experiences with the council and why building relationships in the industry is key to growing a successful business. He reflects on how connecting with peers and leaders has shaped his journey and opened new opportunities. They also highlight the upcoming...

Chris Moran of Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company joins Stephanie Owen and Chris Zizza to talk about what to look for when choosing insurance for your hardwood flooring business. He highlights common hazards contractors and manufacturers often overlook, including fire and weather-related risks. The discussion offers practical guidance to help business owners protect their operations...

Stephanie Owen and Chris Zizza are joined by Doug Howard of Growth Team Strategies and Jon Czeranna, co-owner of Wit & Craft and creator of the Brand Lab, to preview the Real Answers Small Business Workshop on October 16. They explore branding and marketing strategies for hardwood flooring businesses, emphasizing the importance of knowing your customer, overcoming the fear of losing bids, and...

Chris Zizza and NWFA President & CEO Stephanie Owen are joined by Doug Howard of Growth Team Strategies and Lynette Watson of the University of Missouri Extension-Small Business Development Center to talk about running your business proactively instead of reacting to challenges. They dive into managing cash flow, knowing when to invest in equipment, hire, or expand, and how to make decisions t...

Chris Zizza and NWFA President & CEO Stephanie Owen talk with Doug Howard of Growth Team Strategies about the upcoming NWFA Leadership Development Summit on October 15-17, 2025, at Live! by Loews – Ballpark Village in St. Louis. Tailored for business owners and contractors in the hardwood flooring industry, the event features training, networking, and Master Mind breakout sessions focused on o...

The annual Hardwood Fly-In to D.C. is quickly approaching! This year, we will meet in Washington D.C. from May Tuesday, 13 through Thursday, May 15, to take our story to the Hill. Please make plans to join us as we advocate for the U.S. Hardwood industry in Washington, D.C! https://nhla.com/news/the-hardwood-federation-fly-in-2025-join-us-in-d-c-and-make-your-voice-heard/

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza chat with Ryan Jazdzewski of Jazz Custom Wood Flooring about growing a wood flooring business, the importance of networking, using credit to your advantage, good debt vs. bad debt, and more.

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza chat with Dana Cole about the outcome of the 2024 presidential election last week. Dana Cole is the Executive Director at the Hardwood Federation, a Washington, D.C.-based trade association that represents and advocates for the hardwood industry on Capitol Hill. 

In this special summit wrap-up episode of the Real Answers Podcast, Chris Zizza and Michael Martin recap the highlights, insights, and impactful moments from the NWFA Leadership Development Summit. From expert presentations on marketing and business development to powerful networking opportunities, they dive into what made this event a game-changer for attendees in the wood flooring industry. Join...

Chris Zizza and Michael Martin chat with Steve Haren, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Ring Ring Marketing. Steve shares valuable insights on how to effectively run your hardwood flooring business in today’s digital age. Learn why digital marketing is crucial, how to get your business discovered by consumers, and why relying solely on referrals isn’t enough. Plus, they discuss the power...

In this episode of the Real Answers Podcast, Chris Zizza and Michael Martin sit down with Chris Ruzicka, Director of Business Development at Carmody MacDonald P.C., a renowned St. Louis-based law firm. They dive into the essentials of creating a straightforward marketing plan and share practical tips on building a robust network for your wood flooring business. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or jus...

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza sit down with Chris Friest, Director of Client Relations at Floorzap, a sponsor of the NWFA Leadership Development Summit. In this episode, they discuss how Floorzap helps small businesses streamline their operations and how the fear of adopting new technology can hold companies back. They also explore the value of attending the upcoming Leadership Summit to gain pra...

In this episode, Michael Martin and Chris Zizza are joined by Caleb Unruh, Director of Marketing at RW Supply + Design, a sponsor of the NWFA Leadership Development Summit. Caleb shares insights into the company’s mission, its commitment to giving back to the community, and strategies for avoiding common small business mistakes. They also discuss the importance of attending the upcoming NWFA Leade...

In this episode, Michael Martin and Chris Zizza welcome Thomas Meyer from SCORE.org. Meyer provides a sneak peek into the essential strategies and tools he will be sharing at the NWFA Small Business Summit this October. Tune in as he breaks down the importance of having an organizational chart, crafting a business plan, and how often it should be updated to keep your company on track. Meyer also s...

Michael and Chris sit down with Lynette Watson from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to dive deep into the financial strategies and key skills that can make or break your wood flooring business. Lynette shares her expert insights on avoiding costly financial mistakes, the importance of reading and understanding financial balance sheets, and how effective coaching and counseling can hel...

Join Michael Martin and Chris Zizza as they chat with Thomas Yochim, Deputy District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration. In this episode, they dive into essential topics like securing loans, accessing resources for starting and growing a business, the ins and outs of selling a business, and crafting a solid business plan. They also explore how the SBA supports small businesses and...

Join Michael Martin, President/CEO of NWFA, and Chris Zizza, owner of C&R Flooring, as they talk with Doug Howard of Growth Team Strategies to discuss key strategies for growing your wood flooring business in 2024 and 2025. In this episode, they dive into practical tips for success and emphasize the importance of attending this October's NWFA Small Business Workshop in Saint Louis, MO. Wh...

Chris Zizza, Michael Martin, Steve Brattin, and Doug Howard discuss the upcoming NWFA Leadership Summit this October and guide a caller through his questions about employee staffing, compensation, organizational charts, and expenses to ensure his business remains profitable. 

Chris Zizza chats with new NWFA members at the NWFA expo to share concrete steps on how to grow a hardwood flooring business.

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza provide an overview of the upcoming 2024 NWFA Expo in New Orleans. They also delve into practical tips for enhancing your business during slower periods.