Remodeling Mastery by Mark Richardson

Thank you for listening to Remodeling Mastery! Become one of the 50,000 listeners by subscribing today by searching for Remodeling Mastery on your podcast app of choice. (1:21) In This Episode: The 10 Commandments of the Successful Business What does it take to be a successful business? Definitions of success will vary, but to Mark, it’s having as many of the puzzle pieces as possible. In this episode of Remodeling Mastery, he shares 10 of these “puzzle pieces” gleaned through his writing and observations of the marketplace to help you take your business to the next level. (12:02) Thought Leader Interview With Andy Wells, President and CEO of Normandy Remodeling Mark turns to Andy for insights that business owners can use to guide them in reaching the scale that Normandy Remodeling has achieved over the years working with more than 5,000 design-build projects in Chicago ranging in cost from $50,000 to $1,000,000. Andy also offers a look at his roots and the career path he took until he became a part of the company, reiterates the importance of knowing your numbers to succeed in business and gives his market outlook for 2019. He and Mark also got to talking a bit about mistakes made and lessons learned along the way, plus tips for growth business owners should take to heart. Don’t miss out on these nuggets of business wisdom!

Thank you for listening to Remodeling Mastery! Become one of the 50,000 listeners by subscribing today by searching for Remodeling Mastery on your podcast app of choice. (2:06) In This Episode: Why Should You Make Cash Flow a Priority? Few players in the remodeling space are strangers to the cash crunch. It’s practically built into the business: cash flow goes up and down due to seasonality, remodeling trends and changes in the greater economy, among other factors. But one thing that separates successful businesses from those that lose track of their goals is their commitment to making cash flow a priority. In this episode of Remodeling Mastery, Mark delves into the hows and whys of cash flow: why it matters so much, how much cash you should have on hand, ways to improve your cash flow, and more. (14:57) Thought Leader Interview with Tom Kelly, President and CEO of the Neil Kelly Corporation Mark picks Tom’s brain on some of the things that made Neil Kelly the nationally recognized, multi-award-winning company it is today—from company culture to the many “potholes” they’ve run into in their 70+ years in business. We also hear about what gets Tom out of bed in the morning, what it takes to be a certified B Corp, what he’s most looking forward to in the next few years, and his thoughts on luck versus diligence. “Businesses are one of the most important vehicles for good social change.” —Tom Kelly

Thank you for listening to Remodeling Mastery! Become one of the 48,000 listeners by subscribing today at https://www.surefirelocal.com/remodeling-mastery-subscribe/ or by searching for Remodeling Mastery on your podcast app of choice. (1:45) In This Episode: How Do You Look at Things When It Comes to Your Business? A recent Reuters poll of economists says there is a 25% chance of a recession later this year or early into 2020. What does this mean for the home services vertical? According to Mark, it is critical that businesses learn how to look at forecasts like this—more so, in fact, than simply seeking outright answers from an expert. Tune in to hear his seven tips on processing and responding to growing concerns over a future recession. “You don’t have to abandon [your] priorities and goals just because you have to change how you get there.” —Mark G. Richardson. (13:06) Thought Leader Interview with Josh Kelly, Former Marketing Director for Parker & Sons and Founding Member of RevuKangaroo Josh talks us through what it took for a family-owned company to scale up what was essentially a “grudge purchase” service to a $100M-a-year business. He goes deep into the importance of locking down customers, strategies for making the most out of every lead, and the secrets to working with, for and around family members. We also get to hear his and Mark’s thoughts on industry disruptors: do they think home services business should ride the wave of disruption or stay the course? Stick around to find out!

Thank you for listening to Remodeling Mastery! Become one of the 45,000 listeners by subscribing today at https://www.surefirelocal.com/remodeling-mastery-subscribe/ or by searching for Remodeling Mastery on your podcast app of choice. (0:30) In This Episode: Do You Scream Value? One of the biggest mistakes a business can make is to assume everyone sees the value in you and your product or service. You may offer value, but are you actually communicating it to your customer? Ultimately, it is the perception of value that opens doors to brand recognition, stronger sales and customer loyalty. That’s why it’s more important than ever that your business screams value. In this episode, Mark offers a seven-point checklist that will help you do just that. “People buy when the value is greater than the price.” —Sales Adage (14:34) What’s Happening? with Kermit Baker, Chief Economist for the American Institute of Architects and Project Director of the Remodeling Futures Program at Harvard University Kermit is back with an update on the pulse of the remodeling industry. Right now, his “crystal ball” is showing headwinds ahead in the form of labor shortages and rising interest rates, wages and material prices. Tune in to to hear his tips on maintaining forward momentum while navigating current market conditions. (21:42) Thought Leader Interview with Chris Marentis, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Surefire Local Mark puts the spotlight on our very own Chris Marentis, who shares his success story along with key insights into digital marketing for remodeling contractors. How can a very high-touch business adapt to an increasingly online world? What baby steps should remodelers be taking to keep up with all the disruptions to the search landscape? This is one segment you don’t want to miss!

Thank you for listening to Remodeling Mastery! Become one of the 40,000 listeners by subscribing today at https://www.surefirelocal.com/remodeling-mastery-subscribe/ or by searching for Remodeling Mastery on your podcast app of choice. (0:29) Episode: Hope for the Best but Prepare for the Worst Hoping for the best but preparing for the worst is a simple adage that Mark believes all business owners and remodelers should be thinking about. In this episode, Mark talks through some of the storm clouds and issues facing the home contracting industry in 2019 and how they could affect your bottom line. The key, according to Mark, is to prepare and focus on making Q1 and Q2 of 2019 the best it can be. He offers a few proven tips for how you can do just that, such as focusing on sales training, being conservative with your forecasts and invest more in marketing to drive better leads. (8:25) What’s Happening with Erika Taylor, Director of Content at Professional Remodeler Erika joins Mark to share what she sees happening out there in the industry and the remodeling marketplace that should be on your radar. According to Erika, 2019 is going to be a transitional year for the industry, and she dives into a few new trends that are sure to make waves this year. Understanding these new trends could help you position your business for a strong year. (17:57) Thought Leader Interview with Larry Weinberg, one of the founders of BOWA, one of the largest design-build remodeling organizations in the country. Larry joins Mark on this episode of Remodeling Mastery to share his personal success story. During their conversation, Larry shares the history of BOWA, how their company got started and the trials they experienced, and then how they grew to become one of the best-known brands in the industry. Subscribe to Remodeling Mastery: iTunes | Google Play | SoundCloud | Stitcher In 2019, Mark G. Richardson is taking his popular podcast series to the next level with a fresh new format in store for listeners. Mark will be integrating interviews with thought leaders who have experienced tremendous success in the industry and growing their own businesses to share snippets of wisdom to help you achieve the same. Additionally, Mark is bringing in some experts to share key indicators that they're seeing out there in the marketplace that could have a monumental impact on your business.

Thank you for listening to Remodeling Mastery! Become one of the 40,000 listeners by subscribing today at https://www.surefirelocal.com/remodeling-mastery-subscribe/ or by searching for Remodeling Mastery on your podcast app of choice. (0:23) Episode: Time Mastery. One of the best habits you can learn and build into your everyday routine is the ability to control your day and mastering your time. As you get started, understand that not everyone is on the same level when it comes to time mastery, and that's okay! No matter which level you're at, this episode will help you get to that next level and higher. And it starts by asking yourself, “What percentage of your time is proactive (time you control) and how much is reactive (time others control)?” (12:40) What’s Happening? with Kermit Baker, Chief Economist for the AIA and head of Harvard’s Remodeling Futures Program. Mark Richardson welcomes back Kermit Baker for another segment of What’s Happening? to talk about the pulse of the current environment and what home improvement businesses can likely expect in the near future. In this particular segment, Kermit looks out at the horizon to 2019, 2020 and beyond and how you can position your business for the future. Knowing these factors can be a critical aspect of your planning and set you up for long-term success. (22:44) Thought Leader Interview with Todd Jackson, Jackson Design & Remodeling. Todd began the business about 15 to 20 years ago and has grown it to over a $20 million/year design-build business. In this interview, Mark and Todd talk about the business and some of the insights Todd has been able to learn as a result of his success. They also get into some mistakes and potholes and the lessons Todd has learned over the course of his story and how you can think about similar experiences in your own business. In 2019, Mark G. Richardson is taking his popular podcast series to the next level with a fresh new format in store for listeners. Mark will be integrating interviews with thought leaders who have experienced tremendous success in the industry and growing their own businesses to share snippets of wisdom to help you achieve the same. Additionally, Mark is bringing in some experts to share key indicators that they're seeing out there in the marketplace that could have a monumental impact on your business.

Thank you for listening to Remodeling Mastery! Become one of the 40,000 listeners by subscribing today at https://www.surefirelocal.com/remodeling-mastery-subscribe/ or by searching for Remodeling Mastery on your podcast app of choice. In this episode: (0:24) How Fit: What defines a fit business? It’s easy to tell what health fitness looks like and the factors that play a role, but what is less clear is what are the defining factors that determine whether or not a business is fit. This has been a topic Mark has talked about for the past 15 to 20 years, and he’s been crafting the process to serve as the ultimate guide to help you understand what is a fit business. Take a listen as Mark walks through the fitness criteria that’ll help you determine how capable your business is for long-term growth. (17:13) What’s Happening with Kermit Baker: Mark welcomes back Kermit Baker (Chief Economist for the AIA and head of Harvard’s Remodeling Futures Program) for another thought-provoking discussion on 2019 predictions and what he believes will be beneficial in the marketplace for home improvement contractors. They dive into economic factors like increases in interest rates, wages, and material prices caused by new tariffs and trade wars threatening to emerge and how that is influencing the way homeowners think about their home projects. (24:03) Interview with Remodeling Thought Leader, Vince Nardo: Vince is the President of Reborn Cabinets, a large kitchen and bath focused remodeling organization. They go back in time to when Reborn Cabinets first started and Vince talks through how they grew into the organization they are today, the paths he took, and how their family dynamic defines their business. One of the biggest lessons from Vince’s story is learning how to run a “family with a business” dynamic. In 2019, Mark G. Richardson is taking his popular podcast series to the next level with a fresh new format in store for listeners. Mark will be integrating interviews with thought leaders who have experienced tremendous success in the industry and growing their own businesses to share snippets of wisdom to help you achieve the same. Additionally, Mark is bringing in some experts to share key indicators that they're seeing out there in the marketplace that could have a monumental impact on your business.

Thank you for listening to Remodeling Mastery! Become one of the 40,000 listeners by subscribing today at https://www.surefirelocal.com/remodeling-mastery-subscribe/ or by searching for Remodeling Mastery on your podcast app of choice. In 2019, Mark G. Richardson takes his popular podcast series to the next level with a fresh new format in store for listeners. Mark will be integrating interviews with thought leaders who have experienced tremendous success in the industry and growing their own businesses to share snippets of wisdom to help you achieve the same. Additionally, Mark is bringing in some experts to share key indicators that they're seeing out there in the marketplace that could have a monumental impact on your business. In this episode… (0:23) The theme of this episode is: Are You Ready. It's all about how you get into 2019. One of the interesting things about 2019 and New Year’s, in particular, is that 92% of New Year’s resolutions fail. They don't fail because they're stupid ideas or for a lack of trying. As Mark thinks about the topic of "Are You Ready", he breaks this concept down into 3 key factors: 1) Taking inventory of the past, 2) Plan and 3) Launch. The likelihood of success is going to be so much greater if you can accomplish these 3 things. "If you don’t act fast, you’re not going to come out of the gate as strong.” - Mark G. Richardson (12:47) Listen to an interview with Kermit Baker, Chief Economist for the AIA and heads the Harvard’s Remodeling Futures Program in this new segment coined “What’s Happening?” Kermit and Mark take a look back at 2018 by reviewing economic conditions and why the industry is in a strong spot that has led homeowners to feel confident investing in home improvement projects. “2018 has been a good solid year for home improvement activity. We estimate we’ll see 7.5% to 8% growth.” - Kermit Baker (18:30) Check out a new interview with Brian Gottlieb, Founder & President of Tundraland - a remodeling organization based in Wisconsin. Their conversation touches on Brian’s journey and experiences, starting with Tundraland’s beginnings and how he got out of the gate and fast forwards to where he is today. Brian shares a few keys to success and how to take your business to the next level and then really explode it. “Find positive people who are growth focus and believe they can accomplish something fantastic and hang out with them.” - Brian Gottlieb “When we look inside ourselves to find out who are we, who are we really, and we apply those principles, that’s when nobody can compete with us and that’s how we built an enormous business.” - Brian Gottlieb

Meetings are a key element in building a company, improving a business, and accomplishing goals. Mark G. Richardson offers various insights into how to hold successful meetings in his last episode of 2018.

The last thing you want to do when ending the year is chasing yourself around in a tailspin. Use the 3 tips in this episode to make sure you finish out the year on a strong note so you can set yourself up for success in the new year.