The Grit Blueprint

Dave Ables shares how partnering with co-ops like Do it Best and True Value has enabled his independent lumber and hardware businesses to compete successfully against corporate giants. He discusses innovative strategies including building actual home structures inside his showroom and using technology to document product condition throughout the delivery process. • Purchased and transformed a True...

Randy's Hardware CEO, Christian Herrick, shares how his family business transformed from a single location to four thriving stores while successfully competing against retail giants like Walmart. His journey from part-time employee to chief executive reveals valuable lessons in brand building, marketing innovation, and quality differentiation. • Growing a generational business that can be pas...

Katie Cofer Irvine shares her experience as a fourth-generation leader at Cofer Brothers, a 105-year-old family lumberyard in Tucker, Georgia, where she discovered an unexpected passion for the lumber business. • Started working at the family lumberyard at age 19 during the recession to figure out her career path • Has learned every aspect of the business from operating forklifts to running the sh...

This episode is sponsored by Do it Best Group! Pat Sullivan with Sullivan Hardware and Garden, shares his journey of transforming a family hardware business into an award-winning retail destination by choosing entertainment over price competition. He reveals how creating emotional connections with customers has made Sullivan's Hardware successful despite big box and online competition. • Fami...

Chip Cofer of Cofer Brothers Inc. shares the remarkable 105-year journey of his family's lumberyard and building materials business in Tucker, Georgia. His insights reveal how balancing tradition with innovation creates a business that survives economic downturns while building deep community connections. • Founded in 1919, evolved from dry goods to building materials • Leadership philosophy...

Customer service excellence creates unshakable loyalty in the building materials industry, ensuring you're always the first choice for your clients.  • Windows and doors are often the first budget items cut in new construction, despite being critical to home efficiency and comfort • Upgrading front doors provides one of the highest returns on investment for home remodels • Product innovation...

Jacob Emery shares his remarkable journey from troubled teen earning $9/hour to becoming co-owner of R&R Pipeline. His story reveals how embracing adversity, overcoming fears, and building strong teams transformed his life and business. • Growing up overweight with learning difficulties and family struggles that led to acting out as a teenager • Starting at R&R Pipeline at 16 years old and...

Stefanie Couch sits down with Jacob Emery on The Iron & Infrastructure Podcast. She shares her journey from working in her family's lumberyard as a child to building a business that helps construction companies be visible and thrive in a challenging industry. She discusses how maintaining uncompromising standards and finding your purpose are essential for creating lasting success and pers...

Stefanie Couch shares her journey as a proud millennial in the construction industry and reveals how "competitive greatness" drives success in business and leadership. She discusses the three qualities that create exceptional teams: curiosity, resilience, and authenticity. • Growing up in a family lumber business provided foundational industry knowledge • Being labeled a "unicorn&qu...

Stefanie Couch talks with Jim Wilcox of Wilcox Associates about transforming sales approaches in the building industry through understanding customer value and following proven methodologies. • Price only matters in the absence of value – salespeople don't bring value, they must align with what customers truly value • Most salespeople qualify leads based on gut feeling rather than understandi...

What happens when artificial intelligence meets old-school relationship building in the construction and building materials industry? The answer might surprise you. In this illuminating conversation, Stefanie Couch talks with Syndi Sim, Director of Sales and Business Development at Q-Railing, about creating competitive advantages in a rapidly changing marketplace. Together they unpack the paradox...

Gina Schaefer shares her journey from building a multi-million dollar hardware store chain to becoming a professional speaker, offering insights on overcoming self-doubt and breaking barriers in male-dominated industries. • No one thought Gina would succeed as a woman in the hardware industry, which created initial self-doubt that she had to overcome • Branding is more than logos and colors, it&ap...

Eric Reidinger shares how Elevation Building Company creates distinctive luxury homes in Atlanta's North Metro area through their unique process-driven approach and design partnerships. Their custom home building strategy focuses on smaller, cohesive communities with meticulous attention to detail that sets their properties apart from production builders. • Started building in 2006 and founde...

LinkedIn represents one of the most efficient strategies for B2B companies to build visibility, attract talent, and drive business growth through executive personal branding. Melanie Borden, founder of The Borden Group and LinkedIn expert with 180,000+ followers, shares her journey from corporate executive to entrepreneur using the platform. • LinkedIn creates a wave of visibility when multiple te...

Kim Peffley, Regional Vice President at Nation's Best, shares her journey from working at her family's True Value store to preserving business legacies across the hardware industry. Her story showcases how the building and construction industry offers incredible opportunities for making meaningful community impact while building successful careers. • Began working at age 15 in her family...

Chris Miller of Nation's Best shares how the company has grown from zero to 64 stores across 18 states by immediately investing in store renovations that transform mom-and-pop hardware stores into professional retail environments. Their strategy centers on honoring retail legacies while modernizing operations through strategic investments, technology integration, and talent development. • Sta...

Erin Moore shares why being small and nimble in the lumber industry is a competitive advantage in today's market. We explore how independent lumberyards can thrive amid industry consolidation by leveraging their deep community relationships and service-oriented approach. • Third-generation owner of Moore Lumber and Hardware, operating 7 locations with 150 employees in Colorado • Largest indep...

Mark Blickenstaff, Divisional Director at Moore Lumber and Hardware, shares how their 75-year-old business is embracing AI to enhance customer service while maintaining personal relationships. His team has implemented innovative solutions including an AI paint ordering agent, financial analysis tools, and marketing content generation that's transforming how their independent lumberyards opera...

Deborah Everson shares how she transformed a struggling family hardware business into a thriving community hub before executing a successful exit strategy, despite having no prior retail experience. She details their journey from declining sales to creating a boutique-style store with community events that changed customer perception from "last resort" to "first choice." • Wome...

Branding in the building materials industry is the foundation of trust, growth, and legacy, not just logos and colors. Strong brands differentiate products in crowded markets, helping companies avoid competing solely on price while creating emotional connections that drive purchasing decisions. • Psychology of branding explains how emotions drive 95% of purchasing decisions, even in B2B transactio...

Stefanie and branding expert Beth Carr explore how storytelling transforms marketing in traditionally "boring" industries like construction and building materials. They uncover the psychology behind why humans connect with stories over facts and provide actionable strategies for businesses to craft compelling brand narratives. • Stories are hardwired into human psychology and create stro...

The building materials industry is evolving with technological advances and operational challenges, requiring dealers to execute strategically rather than rely on market tailwinds. The conversation explores how independents can compete with growing consolidation trends by identifying specific market needs and providing services that larger companies can't match. • The industry needs to improv...

Dan Starr, president and CEO of Do it Best Group, shares insights on strategic acquisitions, technology, and branding to help independent lumber yards and hardware stores thrive against big-box competition. • Discussing Do it Best's recent acquisition of True Value after many years of conversation between the companies • Spring Market in Orlando setting records with over 10,000 attendees from...

Are you ready to explore the dynamic world of construction through the lens of women making waves in the industry? This episode of the Builder Upper Show features the inspiring voice of Stefanie Couch, founder of Grit Blueprint and a trailblazer who shares her journey from a childhood steeped in the family's lumberyard to establishing her own growth and AI-marketing company aimed at empowerin...

This is a special episode!  Get ready for a deep dive into the disruptive changes in the lumber and building materials (LBM) market coming to Orlando March 18th through March 20th!  This episode explores the monumental merger between True Value and Do it Best, a game-changer for independent retailers seeking new opportunities. We talk about how this landmark collaboration enhances supply chain eff...