TheBeardedFinisher Podcast

Summary: Jake Jevrick, a chemical engineer at LBB Specialties, dives into the world of specialty chemicals and their role in the formulation of paints and coatings. He explains how LBB Specialties provides key components like binders, colorants, pigment extenders, and additives. Jake discusses advancements in water-based polyurethane coatings, the shift from solvent-based systems, and the rise of...

Summary: In this episode, Kimberly and Jeremy from Red Tulip Designs share their journey from furniture finishing to cabinet refinishing. They began selling painted furniture for extra income and eventually shifted to cabinet painting. They emphasize the power of consistency in social media marketing and how it builds trust with clients. The conversation touches on the importance of word-of-mouth...

Summary: In this episode of The Bearded Finisher podcast, Zach Shrum talks with Ryan Randall, director at Elevated Finishing. Ryan shares his journey from working at a tobacco company to becoming an application engineer and product specialist in the finishing industry. They dive into the benefits of the Schubox heating system, designed to dry paint faster using long wave infrared technology for a...

Summary: In this episode of The Bearded Finisher podcast, Zach Shrum interviews Chrissy Rollison from Winegardener Fine Finishing and Coatings. Chrissy shares her journey from painting furniture to kitchen cabinets. She discusses her experience with different products and tools, such as Renner coatings, the Titan ED655 pump, and the Harbor Freight Black Widow gun. They explore the importance of co...

Summary: Dennis Rodriguez shares his journey from his family’s upholstery shop to cabinet refinishing, discussing challenges with solvent-based coatings and his switch to water-based alternatives. He emphasizes the importance of bulk ordering primers, stocking standard colors, and streamlining operations with efficient material coordination and job naming. The conversation touches on running a pai...

Summary: In this episode, Henry Meyes, owner of RH Solutions, shares his journey in the painting industry and his shift to focusing on kitchen cabinet refinishing. Henry discusses overcoming challenges like a major leg injury and COVID-19, all while growing his business and becoming a leader in the field. Drawing inspiration from entrepreneurs like Zach Shrum, he plans to expand and offer high-qua...

Summary: In this episode of the Bearded Finisher Podcast, Zach Shrum interviews Chris Salisbury from Nu Doors. They discuss their journeys in the painting industry, business challenges, and experiences with trade shows. Chris shares how he started his painting company at a young age, evolving it into Nu Doors. They discuss the benefits of using new doors over refinishing old ones, emphasizing scal...

Summary: In this episode of the Bearded Finisher Podcast, Zach Shrum interviews Konstantin from the Constanta Group. They discuss Konstantin's journey in the finishing industry, from his early days as an artist to starting his own finishing company. They talk about the benefits of refacing and replacing doors in cabinet painting, and the importance of following your passion in your work. He also t...

Summary:  In this conversation, Zach Shrum interviews Skyler Ferrara from Surf Prep Sanding. They discuss topics such as the benefits of waking up early, the importance of serving others, the unique setup of Surf Prep's booth at IWF 2024, the innovation in sanding tools, and the value of building relationships in business. Skyler also shares his advice for finishers and entrepreneurs, emphasizing...

Summary:  In this conversation, Zach Shrum and Moose Christian discuss their experiences at the IWF 2024 trade show. They talk about the new technologies and products they saw, including paint racks, spray twirlies, and UV-cured coatings. They also discuss the importance of networking and learning from others in the industry. Moose shares his journey into the painting business and how he found his...

Summary: In this episode of the Bearded Finisher Podcast, Zach interviews Matt Ryan, a paint industry veteran. They discuss their preference for interior or exterior painting, Matt's journey in the painting business, his transition to the distribution world, and his passion for water-based wood coatings. The conversation highlights the importance of finding passion in your work and the value of ti...

Summary: In this episode of the Bearded Finisher podcast, Zach Shrum interviews Corrie Leister from Inspired By You. They discuss how Corrie got started in the business, her journey from teaching to entrepreneurship, and the growth of her company. They also talk about the trends in kitchen cabinet refinishing and the importance of finding the right people for each role in the business. In this con...

Summary In this episode of the Bearded Finisher podcast, Zach Shrum interviews Jacob from Sivam North America and Brian from Focal Finishes. They discuss their backgrounds in the coatings industry and how they ended up in their current positions. Jacob shares his journey from being a third-generation finisher and woodworker to working for Sivam North America. Brian talks about his experience as a...

Summary In this episode of the Bearded Finisher podcast, Zach Shrum interviews Jacob from Sivam North America and Brian from Focal Finishes. They discuss their backgrounds in the coatings industry and how they ended up in their current positions. Jacob shares his journey from being a third-generation finisher and woodworker to working for Sivam North America. Brian talks about his experience as a...

Summary: In this episode, Zach Shrum interviews Peter Cutrona from Ravago Chemical North America. They discuss Peter's background in the coatings industry and his experience working for different companies. They also talk about the dynamics of the coatings industry, the importance of relationships, and the challenges of working for global companies. Zach and Peter discuss the importance of trust a...

Summary: Jim Carrigan, owner of Jeco Finishing, shares his journey into the world of finishing and the benefits of pre-finishing cabinets. He emphasizes the importance of systemizing processes and using a consistent product line to maintain high quality and craftsmanship. The conversation covers various topics related to the woodworking and finishing industry. Some of the main themes include the c...

Summary: Robert Chickey shares his journey in the coatings industry and how he got involved with Vero Metals. He started as a painting contractor and transitioned to wood finishes, specializing in historically accurate coatings. After a career-ending injury, he shut down his company and became a consultant. He later became the trainer for Vero Metal and worked on getting the product spec'd by arch...

Summary: Robert Chickey shares his journey in the coatings industry and how he got involved with Vero Metals. He started as a painting contractor and transitioned to wood finishes, specializing in historically accurate coatings. After a career-ending injury, he shut down his company and became a consultant. He later became the trainer for Vero Metal and worked on getting the product spec'd by arch...

Summary: In this episode of the Beard and Finisher podcast, host Zach interviews Alex Koves, the founder of Markov, a company that specializes in ERP software for manufacturing. They discuss Alex's background and how Markov focuses on simplifying complex manufacturing processes, particularly in the coatings and batch processing industry. They talk about the challenges of ERP implementations and th...

Summary: In this episode of the Bearded Finisher Podcast, host Zach Shrum interviews Kevin Shimmer, a high-end finisher in the cabinet industry. Kevin shares his journey from being a cabinet maker to becoming a full-time finisher. They discuss the tools and equipment they use, including drum sanders and spray guns. They also talk about the challenges and trends in the finishing industry, such as w...

Summary In this episode of the Bearded Finisher Podcast, host Zach Shrum interviews Chad Khalaf from Surf Prep Sanding. They discuss Chad's journey in the painting business, his transition to working at Surf Prep, and the importance of relationships and having fun in the industry. They also touch on the core values of Surf Prep and the innovative products they offer. The conversation highlights th...

Summary In this conversation, Zach Shrum and Denny Jahnz discuss various topics related to coatings and woodworking. They talk about Denny's background as a mayor and EMT, and his journey into the coatings industry. They also discuss the advantages of water-based coatings, including their compatibility, environmental benefits, and the ability to achieve different effects and finishes. They highlig...

Summary Joe Julian, owner of Julian and Sons Fine Woodworking, shares his journey in the cabinet woodworking field and the challenges and successes of running a family business. He discusses the process of creating custom gun rooms and trophy rooms for clients all over the world, highlighting the importance of understanding the client's needs and creating a space that reflects their personal style...

Rob Martinez, owner of Rob's Kitchen Remodel and Cabinet Painting, shares his journey in the finishing industry and the challenges he faced when starting to paint cabinets. He emphasizes the importance of learning from mistakes and seeking guidance from experienced professionals. Rob also discusses the evolution of wood coatings, particularly water-based products, and the advantages they offer in...

In this episode, we delve into the world of painting and refinishing with Tyler Thompson, owner of Old To New Fine Finishes. Starting with small furniture projects, Tyler quickly evolved his passion into a full-time business in a small town in Indiana. Alongside Zach Shrum, they discuss their experiences and insights in the finishing industry. Key Takeaways: Starting Small: Tyler's journey began w...