Specified: Building Materials Innovation Podcast

Charles Antis, founder and CEO of Antis Roofing & Waterproofing, became a roofer quite by accident. In fact, at first he was only a re-roofer. He then made the leap to full-time roofer. Established in Orange County, California, 30 years ago, the company promises to keep families safe and dry. Years ago, after an intense and awakening experience with poverty in Thailand and one in this country, he felt impelled to begin his philanthropic activities. He provides free roofing to Habitat for Humanity and Ronald McDonald houses in Orange County. He also serves on the board of Habitat for Humanity. His need to serve and live with purpose permeates his entire business, which resulted in his philosophy of people before profits. That combined with his goal of striving for excellence led to a 93 percent retention rate, unheard of in the roofing business. His employees share his feelings and work toward improving their community through service and excellent roofing. There’s even a director of cause and a marketing ma

Eric Lussier calls himself the Executor of Advancement at Precision Athletic Surfaces in Burlington, Vermont as a conversation starter. And he’s well-prepared for any conversation about all phases of construction. For his day job, he’s a manufacturer’s rep and contractor all over the East Coast for all kinds of athletic flooring, including cushioned sheet vinyl and synthetic turf. To give his customers the very best, he uses modern technology such as 3D modeling and CAD (computer-aided design). But his enthusiasm for the trade doesn’t stop there. He and Cherise Lakeside, Specifier for LSW Architects of Vancouver, Washington, representing the West, have created a website/blog, Letsfixconstruction.com, that covers all things construction. They write blogs and record podcasts just for the industry about construction gripes, concrete moisture, specs, project submittals and more. Two of their goals are to transfer knowledge from experienced practitioners to those who are new to the industry and to provide new kn

Edye Fox Abrams is the Director of Business Development at The Chemquest Group. Edye has been on a career journey her adult life and has learned specialty chemicals for construction and repair along the way. When she graduated from college, she struck out on her own even though she had a family manufacturing business she could easily have joined. Her brother already worked for the family business manufacturing paints, coatings and cementitious concrete restoration and protection for the construction and repair world. However, when her father suddenly died, her brother asked her to help him run the business. Of course, she joined and immediately helped the company improve. She also changed the business model from a manufacturer/contractor to a manufacturer/supplier. And Edye learned the chemical end of the business (from helpful staff members) and developed strategies to align different departments so everyone worked to one goal. After a while, the company reached a crossroads, and the brother and sister cou

Jeff Hayzlett is the C-Suite Network chairman and author of The Hero Factor: How Great Leaders Transform Organizations and Create Winning Cultures. Jeff has vast experience in marketing and other ventures such as TV and podcasts at both large and small companies. He also serves on the boards of many organizations. In this episode, he discusses great marketing and what makes a leader. Jeff emphasizes the importance of communication in marketing and in leadership. Businesses should use all venues of social media, especially Twitter and BombBomb video email, keep its promises, which will develop a clear brand, capture customer behavior and stay in front. He advises that the best marketing is to set the trend but not to get too far ahead or too far outside norms. Leaders must keep current on emails and other communications methods, show enthusiasm, remain organized by keeping lists and calendars and always feel adventurous about business. He also says it’s vital to set standards and values, which is to do the r

Joseph Hughes is the owner of Contractor Dynamics. He was in his family’s marine construction business for about 20 years, and with that broad, deep knowledge turned to marketing. He created his marketing business six years ago for the construction industry. His purpose is to help clients stay relevant, spend money wisely and find just the right consumers for his clients to reach. Hughes believes the best marketing starts with a partnership with the client. If the client knows about marketing, they start the plan there. They know their audience and have some idea about how to craft messages. If the client is in the dark, Hughes and his company use group coaching to help the clients get a snapshot of where it wants to go, define its audience, make plans and define projects. Using social media is of paramount importance. He particularly finds the best results from Facebook and YouTube. Audio content such as podcasts are also excellent avenues. Although posting often seems like overkill, he reminds us that not

Sarah Weiss is the COO of Elite Roofing Supply in Phoenix, Arizona. In this episode, Sarah tells us how she and her family have built a solid business following a belief in mutual respect and open learning. As COO she takes a very hands-on approach to dealing with everyone from employees to partners to customers. Weiss believes in building a consensus, letting everyone come up with new ideas. To do this, she visits the company’s branches frequently to share her enthusiasm with them and they with her. Her open leadership style invites everyone to participate fully in the company’s success. Having a properly trained team involves continuing education from employees knowing the distribution list to adopting a welcoming attitude from and for everyone inside and out of the company. This applies to customers and selling partners, the full spectrum. When everyone at Elite Roofing lives and breathes the company culture, everyone wins.  Please reach out if you have any feedback or questions. Enjoy!    Twitter: @Tats

Aryo Falakrou is an entrepreneur and architectural leader, and is the owner of myhomedesigner.com. The capacity to recover from setbacks is one of the most powerful skills an entrepreneur or innovator can have. Setting yourself up to be more successful under these conditions comes down to one key piece of advice. In this episode, Aryo will discuss the secret to being more resilient while pursuing your dream. Please reach out if you have any feedback or questions. Enjoy!    Twitter: @TatsuyaNakagawa Instagram: @tats_talks LinkedIn: Tatsuya Nakagawa  YouTube: Tats Talks www.tatstalk.com www.castagra.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Crystal Morrison is a global coatings and building materials innovation veteran and leadership development professional, and the Founder and CEO of EverRise. Many companies talk about innovation, but when it comes to execution, they achieve much less than expected. This shortfall is a result of not having the right environment for success. In this episode, Crystal will share her experiences on how to approach creating a productive environment.   Please reach out if you have any feedback or questions. Enjoy!    Twitter: @TatsuyaNakagawa Instagram: @tats_talks LinkedIn: Tatsuya Nakagawa  YouTube: Tats Talks www.tatstalk.com www.castagra.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Cullen is a sales expert, and the VP Sales at Castagra Products, which is a manufacturing and technology company that focuses on helping forward-thinking contractors and manufacturers solve difficult coating and building material challenges. Saying “no” to a shiny opportunity is difficult. But if you don’t, it’s easy to get distracted, and before you know it, you’re spread so wide that you’re not able to capitalize on anything. In this episode, Matt will discuss his thoughts on optimal sales strategy and teamwork.   Please reach out if you have any feedback or questions. Enjoy!    Twitter: @TatsuyaNakagawa Instagram: @tats_talks LinkedIn: Tatsuya Nakagawa  YouTube: Tats Talks www.tatstalk.com www.castagra.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clark Chow is an innovator and leader, and President of Plascon Plastics, which is a green technology development company with a basis in injection molding. It takes more than luck to engineer a perfect partnership. Curiosity and gaining trust from key players is critical in creating a great match. In this episode, Clark will detail his winning formula for solving difficult client challenges and creating new opportunities.   Please reach out if you have any feedback or questions. Enjoy!    Twitter: @TatsuyaNakagawa Instagram: @tats_talks LinkedIn: Tatsuya Nakagawa  YouTube: Tats Talks www.tatstalk.com www.castagra.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Estill is an entrepreneur, and the CEO and Owner of Danby Appliances. Scaling a business is about doing less not more. It sounds like a contradiction, but it’s true. Where entrepreneurs and innovators fall down is when they add things to their plate, and they forget to take something off. Overloading your plate leads to a lack of consistency, burnout and low-quality work. In this episode, Jim will reveal the blueprint that allowed him to achieve massive success in the marketplace and in life. Please reach out if you have any feedback or questions. Enjoy!    Twitter: @TatsuyaNakagawa Instagram: @tats_talks LinkedIn: Tatsuya Nakagawa  YouTube: Tats Talks www.tatstalk.com www.castagra.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Boycott is an international business expert, and the Co-Owner of Canadian Building Technologies Ltd., which is a technology company focused on improving building performance by offering materials and wall systems that are sustainable, durable, energy efficient, healthy, and non-combustable. Originality is overrated. Most ideas are borrowed, stolen or modified from other places and reapplied to create new streams of value. If you are only focused on your immediate area or industry, it’s easy to start thinking like everyone else. When you think like everyone else, your opportunity for progress is limited. In this episode, Eric will help you connect the dots between different cultures and industries to help you build a bridge to your next big idea.   Please reach out if you have any feedback or questions. Enjoy!    Twitter: @TatsuyaNakagawa Instagram: @tats_talks LinkedIn: Tatsuya Nakagawa  YouTube: Tats Talks www.tatstalk.com www.castagra.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brent Darnell is an Emotional Intelligence expert, and the Owner and President of Brent Darnell International. Most of us understand our weaknesses well but don’t know how to improve them. This lack of understanding can put us in a state of confusion or denial that can get in the way of reaching your true potential. In this episode, Brent will help identify and tackle obstacles that are holding you back from making a breakthrough.   Please reach out if you have any feedback or questions. Enjoy!    Twitter: @TatsuyaNakagawa Instagram: @tats_talks LinkedIn: Tatsuya Nakagawa  YouTube: Tats Talks www.tatstalk.com www.castagra.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephanie Chizik is the Editor in Chief of CoatingsPro Magazine, and NACE Digital News. For those who work day-to-day in a construction business, client projects can begin to seem routine. But, many times, seemingly straight forward projects and client case studies can contain a spark of inspiration that can become a compelling story. In this episode, Stephanie will reveal how to uncover and develop a great feature story.   Please reach out if you have any feedback or questions. Enjoy!    Twitter: @TatsuyaNakagawa Instagram: @tats_talks LinkedIn: Tatsuya Nakagawa  YouTube: Tats Talks www.tatstalk.com www.castagra.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Devon Tilly is a construction entrepreneur and podcast trailblazer, and hosts the popular podcast The Art Of Construction. We are all suffering from information overload. As a result, it has become harder to stand out as an individual/company and to have your voice heard. One strategy is to go in the complete opposite direction that everyone else is going... but it takes guts, knowledge and the right support system to do this. In this episode, Devon will highlight his experience and strategies to keep everything moving forward at warp speed.   Please reach out if you have any feedback or questions. Enjoy!    Twitter: @TatsuyaNakagawa Instagram: @tats_talks LinkedIn: Tatsuya Nakagawa  YouTube: Tats Talks www.tatstalk.com www.castagra.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Peter Roosen is the CEO and Chief Innovator at Castagra, which is a manufacturing and technology company that focuses on helping forward-thinking contractors and manufacturers solve difficult coating and building material challenges. Believe it or not, we all possess the ability to change in the world. Whether you’re an innovation leader or pushing change on the front lines, we can make a huge difference. A passing thought, a curious question, or a key insight can spark an idea that could transform the world forever. In this episode, Peter will outline his methodology and share his key habits for success. Please reach out if you have any feedback or questions. Enjoy!    Twitter: @TatsuyaNakagawa Instagram: @tats_talks LinkedIn: Tatsuya Nakagawa  YouTube: Tats Talks www.tatstalk.com www.castagra.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Todd Dawalt is the host of the The Construction Leading Edge Podcast, one of the top rated podcasts for construction business owners. Life is good. You’re making good progress towards your goal every day. Everything seems fine - Or is it? Todd will discuss a possible roadblock you may be unknowingly hurtling towards. Listen in and find out how to avoid this troubling situation.   Please reach out if you have any feedback or questions. Enjoy!    Twitter: @TatsuyaNakagawa Instagram: @tats_talks LinkedIn: Tatsuya Nakagawa  YouTube: Tats Talks www.tatstalk.com www.castagra.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Mitchell is a consultant, and author of Building Materials Channel Marketing. He's known as the Wizard of building materials sales and marketing. Selling in the building materials and construction industry is complicated. It’s complicated because many stakeholders influence the buying process. Knowing where to focus your time and resources is a challenge for any company. Mark, a building materials marketing pioneer, will dissect this problem and give practical advice on how to move forward.   Please reach out if you have any feedback or questions. Enjoy!    Twitter: @TatsuyaNakagawa Instagram: @tats_talks LinkedIn: Tatsuya Nakagawa  YouTube: Tats Talks www.tatstalk.com www.castagra.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jef McCurdy is the founder of Coo Roo Co, which provides consulting for contractors, building owners, and property managers. Every building materials and coatings manufacturer feels like their products are the best. They claim to have the best quality, the highest performance, and the best price. The process of selecting the best solution can be especially confusing for the contractor, specifier or property owner, who hears the same story from virtually everyone. Expert contractor and trainer Jef McCurdy will share some of his secret on how to cut through the clutter and get the real deal.  Please reach out if you have any feedback or questions. Enjoy!    Twitter: @TatsuyaNakagawa Instagram: @tats_talks LinkedIn: Tatsuya Nakagawa  YouTube: Tats Talks www.tatstalk.com www.castagra.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

They say, “Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork,” but is it always the case? When you’re launching a building products innovation is it better to partner early or build it out? In this episode, I will share my thoughts on this and share a story that may shed some light on the matter.   Please reach out if you have any feedback or questions. Enjoy!    Twitter: @TatsuyaNakagawa Instagram: @tats_talks LinkedIn: Tatsuya Nakagawa  YouTube: Tats Talks www.tatstalk.com www.castagra.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices