The Huddle Podcast

Some of the best opportunities for growth in the flooring industry may come from looking beyond flooring itself. In this episode of The Huddle en Español, host Jorge Orta is joined by professionals from the tile industry for a conversation about what different trades can learn from one another. Building on the discussion from last week's English episode, the group explores the value of collaborati...

TSome of the best conversations happen when the audience joins in. This week's episode of The Huddle turned into exactly that. What started as a discussion about what the flooring industry can learn from other trades quickly became a lively exchange of ideas, experiences, and opinions from viewers across the industry. The energy was high, the comments were rolling in, and the conversation touched...

There's a unique kind of credibility that comes from having done the job yourself. The best leaders in the trades often started in the field. They've worked through difficult installations, dealt with unhappy customers, managed jobsite challenges, and learned firsthand what it takes to get the work done. That experience can become a tremendous asset in leadership, but it doesn't automatically make...

Most leaders don't struggle with conflict because they lack the answers. They struggle because difficult conversations are uncomfortable. The challenge is that problems rarely solve themselves. A missed expectation, a performance issue, a disagreement between team members, or a customer concern can seem manageable in the moment. Left unaddressed, those same issues often grow into frustration, rese...

Most business owners know exactly where their revenue is coming from. The harder question is, do you know where your profit is going? This week on The Huddle, Daniel and Jose dig into the hidden issues that slowly drain profitability from flooring businesses. Rarely is it one catastrophic mistake. More often, it's a collection of small inefficiencies that compound over time. A callback here. Mater...

Sometimes the biggest thing hurting your business isn’t what you see, it’s what quietly slips through the cracks. This week on The Huddle, Paul, Daniel, and Jose break down the hidden “profit leaks” that slowly drain money, time, and efficiency from flooring businesses every day. From callbacks and poor communication to wasted material, underpricing, and disorganized systems, the guys dig into the...

This week on The Huddle, Paul and Jose lead a real and honest conversation about the challenge of growing a business without losing yourself, your relationships, or your family in the process. While Daniel joined in through the comments, this episode focused heavily on the realities many business owners in the trades quietly carry every day. From long hours and constant pressure to missed time at...

Training isn’t just something you attend, it’s something you live. This week on The Huddle, Paul and Jose dive into why the best installers and companies don’t treat training like a one-time event or a box to check. Real growth happens when education becomes part of the culture. And fittingly enough, Daniel couldn’t make the episode because he was actively leading a training course — but Scott Boh...

This week on The Huddle en Español, we celebrated in a BIG way! It was our host Jorge's birthday, our 200th episode, and a special Cinco de Mayo celebration all rolled into one, and the energy did not disappoint. Jorge was joined by an incredible lineup of guests including Angelica Gonzalez, Eddie Guillen, Joppe Aguirre, and Mauricio R. This episode turned into a true Spanglish special, blending r...

The Mental Load No One Talks About: Ownership in the Trades | The Huddle Podcast Being an owner in the trades isn’t just about the work you do, it’s about everything you carry. This week on The Huddle, Paul, Daniel, and Jose dive into the mental load of ownership. From the constant decision-making, pressure, and responsibility, to the stress that comes with running a business in the flooring indus...

f you could go back and start over… what would you change? This week on The Huddle, Paul, Daniel, and Jose take a step back and reflect on their journeys in the flooring industry — sharing the lessons they learned the hard way and what they’d do differently if they had the chance to start fresh today. From early mistakes to mindset shifts, this episode is packed with honest insight that can help y...

This week on The Huddle, Paul, Daniel, and Jose take on a topic that affects every installer, business, and organization in the trade — training, certification, and standards. With more programs, credentials, and expectations than ever before, the question becomes: who decides what actually counts? In This Episode: The role certifications play in today’s flooring industry Where training adds value...

Stress is part of the job, but it doesn’t have to control it. This week on The Huddle, Daniel and Jose take the mic for a real, honest conversation about the hidden strain of working in the flooring industry. From long hours and physical demands to tight deadlines and constant pressure, they break down how stress shows up — and how to manage it before it takes a toll. What You’ll Learn in This Epi...

Professionalism isn’t just a logo — but your image still matters. This week on The Huddle, Paul, Daniel, and Jose are joined by special guest Brandon Wilson for a real conversation about what professionalism actually looks like in the trades. Plus, Daniel and Jorge are coming to you LIVE from Coverings in Las Vegas, joined by Kevin Keefe, bringing an on-the-ground perspective from one of the bigge...

This week on The Huddle, Paul, Daniel, and Jose take a real, no-filter look at the skilled labor crisis in the flooring industry. From the gaps in training and recruitment to the disconnect between expectations and reality, they break down what’s broken — and more importantly, what’s actually working. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The real reasons behind the labor shortage Where training and...

One of the most dangerous phrases in any trade is: “That’s how we’ve always done it.” This week on The Huddle, Paul, Daniel, and Jose dig into how outdated mindsets and resistance to change can quietly hold the flooring industry back. From installation methods and training to technology and business practices, the guys explore why challenging old habits is necessary if the industry wants to grow a...

Hosted by Jorge Orta, The Huddle en Español continues the mission of bringing real conversations from the flooring industry to the Spanish-speaking community that plays such a vital role in our trade. In this episode, Jorge is joined by special guests Eddie Guillen and Melinda Rodriguez for a great conversation about experiences in the flooring industry, the challenges installers face, and the opp...

The future of the trades depends on the next generation — and that future includes more women choosing careers in skilled trades. This week on The Huddle, Paul, Daniel, and Jose are joined by Rachel Lesczynski from TISE for an important conversation in recognition of Women’s History Month. Together, they explore how the flooring and construction industries can do a better job of encouraging, suppo...

Real confidence isn’t loud — it’s earned. This week on The Huddle, Paul, Daniel, and Jose are joined by Matt Welner from NTCA to talk about what truly builds credibility in the trades. From training and certifications to consistency and professionalism, this episode dives into how installers earn trust on the jobsite and in the industry. Confidence doesn’t come from ego, it comes from preparation,...

A strong company culture doesn’t happen by accident — it’s built with intention. This week on The Huddle, Paul, Daniel, and Jose dive into what it really takes to create a healthy, high-performing culture in the flooring industry. From leadership and accountability to communication and trust, the guys share real-world experiences on how culture impacts retention, quality, and long-term success. Wh...

Great installs don’t happen in isolation, they happen through teamwork. This week on The Huddle, Daniel and Jose take the mic for a real-world conversation about how team collaboration directly impacts efficiency on the jobsite and in business. From communication breakdowns to strong workflows, they break down what separates chaotic projects from smooth ones — and how better teamwork leads to bett...

Flooring isn’t just a job — it’s a career with real opportunity. This week on The Huddle, Paul, Daniel, and Jose sit down with Chad Swift, Kaye Whitener, and newly graduated installer Adam Miller for an honest conversation about what it really looks like to build a future in the flooring industry. From education and mentorship to real-world jobsite experiences, this episode highlights the power of...

This episode is all about confidence, leadership, and representation in the flooring industry. LIVE from TISE, The Huddle hosted and streamed the WIFI (Women in the Flooring Industry) Power Hour from the Women’s Lounge — bringing together an incredible panel of women leaders to have an open, honest conversation about navigating confidence in a male-dominated industry. Paul, Daniel, and Jose led an...

This week on The Huddle, Jose and Daniel take the mic for a real, boots-on-the-ground conversation about installing challenging flooring materials. From unpredictable products to tough site conditions, they break down what makes certain materials difficult — and how installers can approach these jobs with more confidence and less risk. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Flooring materials that con...

This week on The Huddle, Paul, Daniel, and Jose dig into one of the most common (and costly) traps in the flooring industry: confusing busyness with profitability. Long hours, full schedules, and nonstop work don’t matter if your margins are thin and your stress is high. This episode breaks down what actually moves the needle and how flooring pros can shift from grinding nonstop to building a busi...