The Grit Blueprint

This is an episode recorded on the Specified Growth Podcast, where Stefanie was a guest.  Find out more here: https://tatstalks.com/specified-podcast On this episode, Stefanie and host Tatsuya "Tats" Nakagawa, explore the journey of personal branding in the building industry, where individuality meets traditional business practices.  The episode highlights the value of adapting to modern...

This episode was filmed live at WMA 2024.  Stefanie and John Wheeler from Paradigm delve into the significance of networking within the millwork industry and the rising role of AI in enhancing business practices. We discuss industry trends, knowledge gaps, and the importance of personal branding in creating a lasting impact. • Importance of events for networking and learning  • AI as a tool for ef...

In this episode of the Grit Blueprint podcast, Stefanie Couch emphasizes the importance of consistency in achieving personal and professional success. She discusses effective goal-setting strategies, particularly the concept of the 12 12-week year, which encourages setting fewer, more focused goals to drive productivity. Stefanie also highlights the significance of working backward from goals to i...

On this episode, Stefanie is joined by Marion Pulse.  Marion is a nonprofit leader with a diverse background in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors, currently serving as the Member Services and Engagement Manager at the National Fenestration Rating Council. With a master’s in public administration and a commitment to fostering strong relationships, Marion brings a wealth of experience in rela...

Stefanie sits down with Casey Ritter.  After 7 years in the firearms industry, Casey fell into construction by chance. She quickly felt right at home coming from a male dominated industry. Being the only female in the room wasn’t the hard part. Casey was young, hungry, and had absolutely no knowledge of anything construction related. She had to overcome everyone’s perceived notion of her knowledge...

Stefanie is joined by Keeley Ehrenreich. Keeley is an accomplished operations leader in the roofing industry, bringing a wealth of experience from her diverse professional background. Having also worked in the window and door industry and the medical field, Keeley’s career journey has equipped her with unique insights and a dynamic skill set that she shares in this episode of The Grit Blueprint po...

In this episode Stefanie is joined by Amy Roosa. Amy brings 2 decades of dedicated experience as a safety professional, with a rich background spanning various sectors of safety, from construction to general industry. Her journey has been marked by impactful collaborations with prestigious organizations such as the National Safety Council, where she played a pivotal role in establishing the Govern...

Judy Haney is the Region Commodity Procurement Manager for Boise Cascade’s Building Materials Distribution division. Her current responsibilities include helping develop new products with home center sales teams, supervising home center procurement specialists, overseeing external remanufacturing contracts, and sourcing composite panels for 38 branch locations. She is a graduate of the Company’s L...

Summary In this conversation, Stefanie Couch discusses the significance of goal setting and personal wants, emphasizing the need for individuals to define what they truly desire in life. She introduces the concept of a daily wants list and the 12-week year strategy to help break down larger goals into manageable tasks. Stefanie encourages listeners to reflect on their aspirations and prepare for t...

This week Stefanie has Hacia Atherton on the show. Hacia is a dynamic and visionary leader dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion in the skilled trades industry. As the CEO and Founder of Empowered Women in Trades (EWIT), Hacia has driven the organization to national recognition, earning accolades such as the Telstra Best of Business Vic Winner and National Finalist for Accelerating Women....

This week Stefanie is joined by Josh Luebker. Josh is the Owner of Sulphur Prairie Management, a Construction Management and Construction Financial consulting firm specializing in Subcontractors. Since joining the industry in 2014, Josh has been part of over 150 projects upwards of $300M+. As a project manager and master electrician, Josh has worked from the east coast to the midwest on data cente...

This week Stefanie has Cory Charles on the podcast.  In a world that thrives on the status quo, Cory Charles redefines what transformation means. He’s spent nearly two decades empowering leaders and teams to break free from conventional thinking. By merging bold creativity with practical growth strategies, Cory helps organizations unlock their potential and achieve unprecedented success. LINKS htt...

Stacy is a best-selling author, book coach, and speaker on a mission to help leaders clarify their ideas and harness their unique story to make an impact. Her background includes impacting more than 100 books in her 14-plus years in publishing; ghostwriting for a Nobel Prize winner in medicine; and leading as executive editor of Sam’s Club’s Healthy Living Made Simple, a publication that reached a...

Ross Brouse is the founder of Continuous Threat Check, a comprehensive and structured diagnostic tool designed to identify hidden gaps in your technology. Since its inception in 2018, Ross has engaged with hundreds of IT professionals, helping them uncover vulnerabilities that lead to unnecessary disruptions and frustrations. The Continuous Threat Check provides more than just peace of mind; it of...

Stefanie's guest this week is Andrew Brown. Andrew is the CEO and co-founder of Toolfetch, an extensive online eCommerce platform specializing in tools, equipment, and safety supplies for the industrial and construction supply industries. Founded alongside his brother, Toolfetch has grown into one of the largest suppliers in the sector, boasting over 6,000 partnerships with top industry brand...

This week's guest is Laura Workman. Laura is the CEO and founder of Thrive Leadership Coaching and the Hire & Thrive program, where she transforms leaders and organizations to reduce burnout and increase profitability. With over twenty years of experience, Laura excels in turning around sales and operations to boost profitability, enhance employee engagement, and improve brand image. Laur...

This week Stefanie has Katy Devlin on the show. Katy is content director for the National Glass Association, where she heads up the NGA’s magazine and digital publications, Glass Magazine and Window + Door, and leads conference programming for the BEC Conference, the GlassBuild Main Stage and the Glazing Executives Forum. Katy has 20 years’ experience in the glass and fenestration industries, all...

This week Stefanie has Megan Shapiro on the show.  Megan is a seasoned Construction Risk Strategist and attorney in California. She has extensive experience in mitigating risks in the construction industry, excelling in project management, risk assessment, insurance, contract negotiation, and safety protocols. Known for her proactive approach, Megan identifies potential risks early and develops ef...

This week Stefanie has Leah Hadley on the podcast.    Leah is dedicated to providing compassionate financial guidance through life's transitions. Having navigated many challenging financial times herself—such as becoming a parent of three overnight, going through a divorce, and building a business from the ground up—Leah understands the importance of resourcefulness and careful financial plan...

This week Stefanie's guest is Tina Breen.  Tina is a dynamic leader with a proven track record of success in the automotive and lumber/building materials industries. With over a decade of experience at Manufacturers Reserve Supply (MRS), Tina has consistently driven strategic growth and innovation. Beginning her career at ADESA, Tina played a pivotal role in pioneering online car sales in the...

This week Stefanie's guest is Amber Deimler.  Amber is the Vice President of Sales at DCI Group, where she leads sales teams across its three divisions: Demountable Concepts, Inc., MyGlassTruck.com, and DCI Fleet Service. She fosters an entrepreneurial environment that encourages innovation at every level, driving new product offerings and process improvements. With a background from the Univ...

This week's guest is Melanie Dettmer. Melanie is a Business Development Manager and leader at the National Glass Association (NGA), where she leverages her extensive experience in the glass industry. She began her career in customer service at Old Castle Building Envelope in Bloomington, thanks to a referral from a friend. Later, she moved to Bryn Glass in Minneapolis, expanding her role to i...

This week Stefanie talks with John Wheeler.  John is a distinguished Sales Leader at Paradigm, renowned for his deep passion for the Millwork industry and his innovative contributions to the field. With decades of expertise in distribution and sales, John's strategic insights and forward-thinking approaches have propelled significant advancements and growth within the sector. Outside of his p...

This week Stefanie is joined by Katie Allen. Katie is a passionate stylist who empowers women through fashion, helping them express confidence and style. Founder of Katie Just Styled and the Style Squad, she specializes in assisting female entrepreneurs to enhance their professional image. Katie also hosts a podcast where she discusses style strategies and insights, further expanding her platform...

In this episode, Stef interviews Deb Curtis about her journey on LinkedIn and her experience in acquiring established businesses with SBA loans. Deb shares her background and how she overcame challenges to achieve success in her career. They also discuss their shared love for music and the importance of taking risks and overcoming fear in entrepreneurship. Deb explains the opportunity in acquiring...