The Trades Accelerator: Women Leading Business Innovation
Dana Staszkiewicz and Melanie Sloane
63 episodes
17 hours ago
In this episode, we talk about what really happens during an on-site visit and why it’s one of the most eye-opening things you can do for your business. We walk through how we prepare, what we look for, and how each visit is completely different depending on the company’s size, structure, and challenges. Whether it’s talking with owners, meeting with managers, or sitting down with frontline staff, these visits reveal what’s working and where things are getting stuck. We also share what hap...
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In this episode, we talk about what really happens during an on-site visit and why it’s one of the most eye-opening things you can do for your business. We walk through how we prepare, what we look for, and how each visit is completely different depending on the company’s size, structure, and challenges. Whether it’s talking with owners, meeting with managers, or sitting down with frontline staff, these visits reveal what’s working and where things are getting stuck. We also share what hap...
In this episode, we talk about what really happens during an on-site visit and why it’s one of the most eye-opening things you can do for your business. We walk through how we prepare, what we look for, and how each visit is completely different depending on the company’s size, structure, and challenges. Whether it’s talking with owners, meeting with managers, or sitting down with frontline staff, these visits reveal what’s working and where things are getting stuck. We also share what hap...
In this episode, we open up about what our days actually looked like when we were running a 24/7 trades business. From early mornings spent reviewing reports to late-night Slack check-ins, the pace was steady and nonstop. We talk about how having structure and rhythm helped us stay sane, how walking the floor kept us connected, and why being visible as leaders made all the difference. We also share what it took to balance strategy and the daily grind—because every day came with a mix of pl...
In this episode, we talk about what it takes to get value out of masterminds and events. It's easy to show up, take notes, and get inspired, but the hard work starts when you go home. We share stories from our own experiences, including an impromptu mastermind that turned into two full days of collaboration, laughter, and problem-solving with business owners from all kinds of industries. It was a reminder that the best insights come from open conversations, curiosity, and a willingness to sha...
In this episode, we talk about why the 4th quarter is one of the most important times for any business. As the year winds down and the holidays approach, it’s easy to lose focus—but Q4 is where real leaders double down. We share how using this time to review what worked, tighten up your budget, and plan for next year can keep your business strong and steady. Dana walks through her “life in quarters” approach, explaining how thinking in three-month blocks helps her stay organized and always a ...
In this episode, we talk about one of the hardest transitions at work—going from being part of the crew to leading it. Getting promoted is exciting, but it can also feel awkward when you’re suddenly managing the same people you used to grab lunch with or joke around with. We share real experiences about how we handled that shift, how to set new boundaries without making it weird, and how being honest and clear can help everyone adjust faster. We also talk about what owners and leaders can d...
In this episode, we talk about how to spot employees who could grow into strong leaders—even the ones who might seem like a challenge at first. We share examples of finding people who are open to feedback and willing to grow, and why the loudest voice or the longest tenure doesn’t always make the best manager. We break down what to watch for when you’re looking across your team to see who’s ready for the next step. We also get into the common mistakes managers make, like promoting your best t...
In this episode, we sit down with Ergun Aral, owner of Best Buy Window Treatments in Florida, to hear his remarkable journey from immigrating to the U.S. to running a successful trades business. Ergun shares how long days of hard work led him into the window treatment industry, how he grew from an independent installer into a Costco-preferred vendor, and what it means to build a company that creates opportunities for others. His story highlights the grit and perseverance it takes to thrive in...
We know visionaries create the big ideas, and doers make them happen—but without someone in between, businesses often stall. That’s where we believe operators step in. In this episode, we share our experience of how operators bring order to daily chaos, keep teams accountable, and give owners the space to lead without getting pulled into every single decision. From revenues growing without profits to projects that never get finished, we talk about the clear signs that show when an operator is...
In this episode, we talk openly about what it really means to “be a badass” in business and leadership. For us, it isn’t just about toughness—it’s about how our personal struggles, life experiences, and even past trauma shaped the way we problem-solve, lead, and connect with others. We share how learning to read people, stay calm under pressure, and follow through on our word became skills we didn’t just pick up in school, but through lived experience. We also explore how being strong does...
Running a business can easily slide into chaos without the right structure in place. In this episode of The Trades Accelerator, Dana and Melanie share the core items that kept their company running strong and helped them grow into a place people wanted to stay and thrive. From budgets and daily number tracking to onboarding, accountability, and quarterly planning, they walk through the tools and systems that created real stability and long-term results. You’ll hear stories of what worked, ...
In this episode, we talk about what it really means to stay relevant in today’s fast-changing world of business and the trades. We share how paying attention to shifts in customer needs, industry changes, and new opportunities has helped us adapt and continue to grow. From leadership lessons to branding, customer service, and team development, we open up about the moments that taught us the value of keeping our eyes open to what’s happening around us. We also highlight the power of learning...
In this episode, we talk about one of our favorite tools for learning and growth—podcasts. From business insights to personal development, podcasts have become a daily part of our lives. They’ve been like free coaching sessions, helping us shift our mindset, find inspiration, and pick up strategies we can actually use in real life. We share the shows that left the biggest impact on us, why certain voices stick, and how those lessons found their way into the way we lead, grow, and even think...
In this episode, we dig into what it really means to be a versatile employee. We share stories of saying yes to new opportunities, stepping into unfamiliar roles, and how cross-training can make you both more valuable to your team and more secure in your career. From customer service to dispatch, and even jumping between divisions, we talk about how flexibility builds confidence and keeps doors open that might otherwise stay closed. We also look at it from the employer’s side—why having cross...
In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Jennifer Gardner, the heart and mind behind Organized Joy. From her beginnings as an extremely shy single mom to building multiple successful businesses, Jennifer’s story is packed with moments where curiosity, intuition, and genuine connection changed everything. She shares how a chance night out at Topgolf—where she unknowingly walked into a hiring event—sparked an unexpected journey into networking, relationship building, and eventually, professi...
What does it really take to build a business from the ground up? In this episode, we sit down with Mike Seidi of REI Capital Guys, a serial entrepreneur who’s built—and sold—multiple companies, starting with nothing but grit, hustle, and a credit card. From working out of a basement to doing multimillion-dollar deals, Mike walks us through what it means to figure things out as you go, ask the right people for help, and trust your ability to learn what you don’t know. We talk about starting...
In this episode, we dive into what it really looks like to build better systems for your field teams. We share how one missed ice machine spiraled into a bigger realization—that our team needed more than hustle and good intentions. They needed clear processes, better tools, and leaders who actually listened. From checklists to communication shifts, we break down what worked, what didn’t, and why the smallest changes often make the biggest difference. We also talk about how building better ...
In this episode, we talk about what real customer service looks like when it’s done with heart. From sending a simple thank-you card to bringing a soda to a hot job site, we share the small, intentional touches that helped our team build trust and long-term relationships with clients. These aren’t huge gestures—they’re thoughtful habits that became part of how we do business. We also share how we trained our team to care deeply, communicate clearly, and go above and beyond without burning ou...
In this episode, we flip the script and talk about interviewing from the manager’s seat. Whether you’re hiring for the first time or rebuilding a team, how you show up in the interview says just as much about your business as the candidate’s resume does. We get into the nitty-gritty: from prepping for interviews and creating a solid first impression, to what questions to ask and how to spot a good fit (even if they’re a little nervous). We also talk about why communication matters before, ...
In this episode, we’re talking about something that often gets overlooked—vendor relationships. When things go sideways in the supply chain, the quality of your vendor partnerships can make or break your business. We share real examples from the field, like how regular meetings with suppliers helped us stay ahead during shortages and why vendor support isn’t just about transactions—it’s about trust, clear communication, and showing up. We also talk about co-op programs, shared marketing dol...
In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to add a new service to your business—and why it’s not just about saying yes to opportunity. Expanding can be exciting, but if you don’t plan ahead, it can also stretch your team too thin, confuse your customers, and cost more than it brings in. We share what questions to ask before you move forward, what roles and systems need to be in place, and how to avoid rushing a rollout just because demand looks good on the surface. We also dig in...
The Trades Accelerator: Women Leading Business Innovation
In this episode, we talk about what really happens during an on-site visit and why it’s one of the most eye-opening things you can do for your business. We walk through how we prepare, what we look for, and how each visit is completely different depending on the company’s size, structure, and challenges. Whether it’s talking with owners, meeting with managers, or sitting down with frontline staff, these visits reveal what’s working and where things are getting stuck. We also share what hap...
