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NWFA Real Answers

National Wood Flooring Association

118 episodes

1 month ago

Reid Lambright, president of Lambright Flooring and chair of NWFA’s Emerging Leaders Council, joins Stephanie Owen and Chris Zizza to share his experiences with the council and why building relationships in the industry is key to growing a successful business. He reflects on how connecting with peers and leaders has shaped his journey and opened new opportunities. They also highlight the upcoming Emerging Leaders Panel Discussion and Reception on Wednesday, October 15 at NWFA’s Fall Leadershi...

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Reid Lambright, president of Lambright Flooring and chair of NWFA’s Emerging Leaders Council, joins Stephanie Owen and Chris Zizza to share his experiences with the council and why building relationships in the industry is key to growing a successful business. He reflects on how connecting with peers and leaders has shaped his journey and opened new opportunities. They also highlight the upcoming Emerging Leaders Panel Discussion and Reception on Wednesday, October 15 at NWFA’s Fall Leadershi...

Show more...

Episodes (20/118)

NWFA Real Answers

Shaping the Future: NWFA Emerging Leaders at the Fall Leadership Summit

Reid Lambright, president of Lambright Flooring and chair of NWFA’s Emerging Leaders Council, joins Stephanie Owen and Chris Zizza to share his experiences with the council and why building relationships in the industry is key to growing a successful business. He reflects on how connecting with peers and leaders has shaped his journey and opened new opportunities. They also highlight the upcoming Emerging Leaders Panel Discussion and Reception on Wednesday, October 15 at NWFA’s Fall Leadershi...

1 month ago

23 minutes

NWFA Real Answers

A Conversation with Chris Moran of Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company

Chris Moran of Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company joins Stephanie Owen and Chris Zizza to talk about what to look for when choosing insurance for your hardwood flooring business. He highlights common hazards contractors and manufacturers often overlook, including fire and weather-related risks. The discussion offers practical guidance to help business owners protect their operations and prepare for unexpected challenges.

2 months ago

18 minutes

NWFA Real Answers

Positioning Your Hardwood Flooring Business Above the Competition: Small Business Workshop Preview

Stephanie Owen and Chris Zizza are joined by Doug Howard of Growth Team Strategies and Jon Czeranna, co-owner of Wit & Craft and creator of the Brand Lab, to preview the Real Answers Small Business Workshop on October 16. They explore branding and marketing strategies for hardwood flooring businesses, emphasizing the importance of knowing your customer, overcoming the fear of losing bids, and learning to sell on value instead of price. Jon shares a proven framework to help you position yo...

2 months ago

27 minutes

NWFA Real Answers

Running your Business Proactively and the 2025 NWFA Leadership Development Summit

Chris Zizza and NWFA President & CEO Stephanie Owen are joined by Doug Howard of Growth Team Strategies and Lynette Watson of the University of Missouri Extension-Small Business Development Center to talk about running your business proactively instead of reacting to challenges. They dive into managing cash flow, knowing when to invest in equipment, hire, or expand, and how to make decisions that set your business up for long-term success. The conversation highlights practical ways to gro...

2 months ago

24 minutes

NWFA Real Answers

2025 NWFA Leadership Summit This October - Why it is a Must Attend Event for Hardwood Flooring Business Owners

Chris Zizza and NWFA President & CEO Stephanie Owen talk with Doug Howard of Growth Team Strategies about the upcoming NWFA Leadership Development Summit on October 15-17, 2025, at Live! by Loews – Ballpark Village in St. Louis. Tailored for business owners and contractors in the hardwood flooring industry, the event features training, networking, and Master Mind breakout sessions focused on overcoming challenges, developing brand strategies, and driving growth. They discuss finding ways ...

3 months ago

23 minutes

NWFA Real Answers

Hardwood Federation Fly-in 2025

The annual Hardwood Fly-In to D.C. is quickly approaching! This year, we will meet in Washington D.C. from May Tuesday, 13 through Thursday, May 15, to take our story to the Hill. Please make plans to join us as we advocate for the U.S. Hardwood industry in Washington, D.C! https://nhla.com/news/the-hardwood-federation-fly-in-2025-join-us-in-d-c-and-make-your-voice-heard/

6 months ago

10 minutes

NWFA Real Answers

Lessons from the Leadership Conference - A Conversation with Ryan Jazdzewski of Jazz Custom Wood Flooring

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza chat with Ryan Jazdzewski of Jazz Custom Wood Flooring about growing a wood flooring business, the importance of networking, using credit to your advantage, good debt vs. bad debt, and more.

9 months ago

27 minutes

NWFA Real Answers

A Post-Election Update with Dana Cole of the Hardwood Federation

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza chat with Dana Cole about the outcome of the 2024 presidential election last week. Dana Cole is the Executive Director at the Hardwood Federation, a Washington, D.C.-based trade association that represents and advocates for the hardwood industry on Capitol Hill.

12 months ago

24 minutes

NWFA Real Answers

Key Takeaways from the NWFA Leadership Development Summit

In this special summit wrap-up episode of the Real Answers Podcast, Chris Zizza and Michael Martin recap the highlights, insights, and impactful moments from the NWFA Leadership Development Summit. From expert presentations on marketing and business development to powerful networking opportunities, they dive into what made this event a game-changer for attendees in the wood flooring industry. Join them as they share key takeaways, memorable experiences, and actionable advice to bring back to ...

1 year ago

27 minutes

NWFA Real Answers

Boosting Your Flooring Business: Digital Marketing, Customer Reviews, and Getting Noticed with Steve Haren

Chris Zizza and Michael Martin chat with Steve Haren, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Ring Ring Marketing. Steve shares valuable insights on how to effectively run your hardwood flooring business in today’s digital age. Learn why digital marketing is crucial, how to get your business discovered by consumers, and why relying solely on referrals isn’t enough. Plus, they discuss the power of business reviews and the importance of responding to customer feedback.4oYou said:description ...

1 year ago

30 minutes

NWFA Real Answers

Building a Stronger Network: Simple Marketing Strategies for Your Wood Flooring Business with Chris Ruzicka

In this episode of the Real Answers Podcast, Chris Zizza and Michael Martin sit down with Chris Ruzicka, Director of Business Development at Carmody MacDonald P.C., a renowned St. Louis-based law firm. They dive into the essentials of creating a straightforward marketing plan and share practical tips on building a robust network for your wood flooring business. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, this conversation is packed with insights to help you strengthen your business an...

1 year ago

16 minutes

NWFA Real Answers

Overcoming the Fear of Technology with Chris Friest from Floorzap

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza sit down with Chris Friest, Director of Client Relations at Floorzap, a sponsor of the NWFA Leadership Development Summit. In this episode, they discuss how Floorzap helps small businesses streamline their operations and how the fear of adopting new technology can hold companies back. They also explore the value of attending the upcoming Leadership Summit to gain practical tools for business growth.

1 year ago

13 minutes

NWFA Real Answers

Avoiding Small Business Mistakes and Giving Back with Caleb Unruh of RW Supply + Design

In this episode, Michael Martin and Chris Zizza are joined by Caleb Unruh, Director of Marketing at RW Supply + Design, a sponsor of the NWFA Leadership Development Summit. Caleb shares insights into the company’s mission, its commitment to giving back to the community, and strategies for avoiding common small business mistakes. They also discuss the importance of attending the upcoming NWFA Leadership Development Summit in October, and how it can help wood flooring professionals grow their b...

1 year ago

18 minutes

NWFA Real Answers

Building a Blueprint for Success: Business Planning and Organizational Structure

In this episode, Michael Martin and Chris Zizza welcome Thomas Meyer from SCORE.org. Meyer provides a sneak peek into the essential strategies and tools he will be sharing at the NWFA Small Business Summit this October. Tune in as he breaks down the importance of having an organizational chart, crafting a business plan, and how often it should be updated to keep your company on track. Meyer also shares his insights on how to create a simple, effective one-page business plan and structure your...

1 year ago

15 minutes

NWFA Real Answers

Outpacing the Competition: Growth and Financial Mastery for Wood Flooring Businesses

Michael and Chris sit down with Lynette Watson from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to dive deep into the financial strategies and key skills that can make or break your wood flooring business. Lynette shares her expert insights on avoiding costly financial mistakes, the importance of reading and understanding financial balance sheets, and how effective coaching and counseling can help you operate more efficiently and sustainably. Whether you're looking to streamline your operati...

1 year ago

25 minutes

NWFA Real Answers

Small Business Administration Basics and the NWFA Small Business Workshop this October

Join Michael Martin and Chris Zizza as they chat with Thomas Yochim, Deputy District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration. In this episode, they dive into essential topics like securing loans, accessing resources for starting and growing a business, the ins and outs of selling a business, and crafting a solid business plan. They also explore how the SBA supports small businesses and what to expect at this October's NWFA Small Business Workshop.

1 year ago

26 minutes

NWFA Real Answers

NWFA Leadership Summit - Increasing Your Profitability in 2024 and Beyond

Join Michael Martin, President/CEO of NWFA, and Chris Zizza, owner of C&R Flooring, as they talk with Doug Howard of Growth Team Strategies to discuss key strategies for growing your wood flooring business in 2024 and 2025. In this episode, they dive into practical tips for success and emphasize the importance of attending this October's NWFA Small Business Workshop in Saint Louis, MO. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this conversation will equip you with the i...

1 year ago

39 minutes

NWFA Real Answers

Listener Questions Answered - NWFA Leadership Summit, Staffing, Compensation, and Increasing Profits

Chris Zizza, Michael Martin, Steve Brattin, and Doug Howard discuss the upcoming NWFA Leadership Summit this October and guide a caller through his questions about employee staffing, compensation, organizational charts, and expenses to ensure his business remains profitable.

1 year ago

30 minutes

NWFA Real Answers

Growing Your Wood Flooring Business - A Live Q&A from NWFA Expo

Chris Zizza chats with new NWFA members at the NWFA expo to share concrete steps on how to grow a hardwood flooring business.

1 year ago

25 minutes

NWFA Real Answers

Expo 2024 Preview and More

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza provide an overview of the upcoming 2024 NWFA Expo in New Orleans. They also delve into practical tips for enhancing your business during slower periods.

1 year ago

16 minutes