Overcoming Industry Barriers in Deck Building with Dan Waters | Good Contractor Podcast

This week, John Talman and Luke Hansen sit down with Dan Waters, owner of Decks Unlimited (now Deck City), to talk about breaking industry norms, growing a specialized business, and the power of mentorship in the trades. Dan shares how he built a deck-focused business despite industry skepticism, the challenges he faced when expanding into materials distribution, and how he continues to mentor and uplift the next generation of tradespeople. Whether you're a contractor, entrepreneur, or just looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with insights, humor, and hard-earned wisdom.

Key Takeaways:

• Defying Expectations: Dan built a deck-only business despite being told it would never work.
• Customer Service Wins: Personalized service and deep product knowledge helped him stand out in a tough market.
• Mentorship Matters: He believes investing in people is just as important as building great decks.
• Navigating Industry Pushback: As he moved into deck materials distribution, larger suppliers tried to shut him out, but he found ways to succeed.
• The Future of the Trades: Dan supports programs that help young people enter the industry and build careers without college debt.