Taking Care Of Business With Dan Tratensek

As the third-generation of the Hassett family to lead Hassett Hardware, Eric Hassett is building on the history of service, culture and innovation the company is known for in the Bay Area. Hear from Hassett, a 2023 Top Guns honoree, on how technology and customer service intersect in the company and why company culture is a major key to the operation's successes. Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

In this episode of "Taking Care of Business," NHPA podcast producer and retail engagement specialist Renee Changnon talks with Jared Hotop, vice president of retail operations, and Petrina Jannin, human resources director, for Buchheits, a farm and home company with 20 locations in five states. Learn about how NHPA's Kim Peffley was able to help the company develop an engaged team from top to bottom. In the episode, they share practical tips on how to use Everything DiSC® assessments to support organizational growth and development. Do you want to learn more about how to incorporate Everything DiSC® in your operation? Contact NHPA's Kim Peffley at kpeffley@yournhpa.org or visit YourNHPA.org/development/everything-disc/. Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

NHPA podcast producer and retail engagement specialist Renee Changnon chats with Jeremy Melnick, vice president of hardware and facilities at JC Licht and former co-owner of Gordon's Ace Hardware. Jeremy shares the lessons he learned during the process of selling his seven store chain to JC Licht in 2022 and offers advice for preparing for business transition, whether that's now or many years down the road.   Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

In this episode of "Taking Care of Business," NHPA senior editor Lindsey Thompson sits down with Luke Vander Linden, one of the speakers for the 2023 NHPA Independents Conference this August in Dallas. Luke, vice president of membership and marketing for Retail & Hospitality ISAC, shares cybersecurity best practices for keeping your operation protected online. If you're looking to find ways to integrate technology into your business, you will not want to miss the NHPA Independents Conference in Dallas Aug. 2-3. Go to YourNHPA.org/Conference to learn more and register today to take $400 off your ticket price! Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

Listen in on NHPA senior editor Lindsey Thompson's conversation with digital strategist Chris Hood, one of the keynote speakers for the 2023 NHPA Independents Conference being held this August in Dallas. They talk about Chris' storied and exciting career in the movie, TV and music industries, and Chris gives a sneak peek of his keynote presentation and the concept of digital acceleration. Listen Now. If you're looking to find ways to integrate technology into your business, you will not want to miss the NHPA Independents Conference in Dallas Aug. 2-3. Go to YourNHPA.org/Conference to learn more and register today to take $400 off your ticket price! Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

In this episode of "The Taking Care of Business" podcast, NHPA senior editor Lindsey Thompson chats with former Amazon exec John Rossman on the lessons he learned from his time with the online retail giant and how he applies those to his consulting business today. Rossman also gives a sneak peek into the concept of innovating for leadership, a topic he'll cover as keynote speaker at the 2023 NHPA Independents Conference this August. Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

In this episode of "Taking Care of Business," NHPA COO Dan Tratensek speaks with Nick Talarico, Do it Best's executive vice president of sales and marketing, and Dent Johnson, executive vice president of operations, on the state of the industry and its continued growth over the past few years. From supply chain demands and member growth to e-commerce initiatives, hear what Do it Best is doing to help members improve their business and keep up with technology demands. Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

In this episode of the "Taking Care of Business" podcast, Dan Tratensek sat down with Beth Casson, National Hardware Show vice president, who shares highlights and takeaways from this year's show and what's in store for 2024. Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

On this episode, NHPA podcast producer and retail engagement specialist Renee Changnon has a conversation with siblings Amos and Lauren and their parents Buron and Sara Lanier. The group talks about how Amos and Lauren came together to take over Lanier Do it Best in Burgaw, North Carolina, and keep the business in their family. Sara and Buron talk about the process of transitioning ownership to their children, give advice for other retailers and more. Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

NHPA senior editor Lindsey Thompson shares key takeaways and insights from her trip to NRF 2023: Retail's Big Show held in New York City. From technology to the customer experience, Lindsey also chats with retailer Adam Gunnett from Busy Beaver Home Improvement Centers about his show highlights. Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

In this episode, Melanie Moul, communications and content manager for NHPA leads a discussion with Dan Tratensek, COO of NHPA and Grant Farnsworth, president of the Farnsworth Group and Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) about the state of the home improvement industry. They discuss their predictions of what retailers can expect in 2023 and what retailers should focus on as the year progresses. Also, get a sneak peek into the National Hardware Show with insights from event vice president Beth Casson. Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

To wrap up the year, Renee Changnon, NHPA podcast producer and retail engagement specialist, highlights five of the most popular episodes of the Taking Care of Business podcast from 2022. Tune in to hear clips from these episodes featuring wholesale leaders and industry experts. Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

In this episode of the "Taking Care of Business" podcast, guest host and NHPA associate editor Lindsey Thompson sits down with Jared Brown, senior analyst for Aubuchon Hardware, and Mark Garland, president and CEO of 4R Systems. Jared and Mark share the journey the two companies have taken together to improve Aubuchon's inventory management systems and how fellow retailers can navigate current issues with supply chain and inventory management. Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

In today's episode, NHPA's Melanie Moul talks with National Hardware Show event vice president Beth Casson about the show highlights, which takes place in Las Vegas Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2023. To learn more about the National Hardware Show, go to nationalhardwareshow.com. Then, NHPA podcast producer and retail engagement specialist Renee Changnon discusses an NHPA On the Road trip to Ohio from over the summer with NHPA associate editor Lindsey Thompson and graphic designer Olivia Adam. Together they talk about the stand-out moments and highlights from Hartville Hardware, Summit Paint and E&H Hardware. They also chat about their tour of the Wooster Brush Company headquarters. To learn more about NHPA On the Road, visit YourNHPA.org/on-the-road. Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

Listen to Renee Changnon, NHPA podcast producer and retail engagement specialist, and Clara Collins, operations manager of S.W. Collins Co., as Collins discusses her family's 178-year-old five-store lumber and hardware business in Maine. The two talk about being the sixth generation in the business, the family's continued focus on bettering the community and how the team works to attract and retain employees. Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

On this episode, Dan has a conversation with two leaders at Central Network Retail Group (CNRG): David Mills, EVP of Operations; and Phillip Helms, SVP of Supply Chain. CNRG is a multi-format, multi-brand retailer operating 144 hardware stores, home centers and lumberyards throughout 16 states in the U.S. The three talk about inventory management, supply chain issues, discuss pricing and more. Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

Come along as NHPA associate editor Lindsey Thompson recaps her visit to the 2022 EISENWAREMESSE International Hardware Fair, held in Cologne, Germany. She shares the trends and hottest products coming out of the show and her experience catching up with several Retailers' Choice Award winners and meeting show director Matthias Becker. Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

In this episode of Taking Care of Business, NHPA's communications and content manager Melanie Moul sat down at the True Value Reunion in Denver with Jake Kalnitz, senior vice president of merchandising, inventory and pricing, and Eric Lane, senior vice president of sales, to hear behind-the-scenes details about Reunion and all the biggest takeaways. They share the benefits of a live show, the company's relationship with its vendors and much more. Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

In this episode, NHPA staffers Renee Changnon and Melanie Moul have a conversation with Travis Detter, president of Spectrum Paint Company, which he co-founded in 1986. The company has grown to over 600 employees with 92 stores in 10 states (and growing), making it the largest independent paint dealer in the United States. Melanie also has a conversation with Grant Farnsworth of the Farnsworth Group and HIRI. The two chat all about what retailers can expect in the home improvement industry heading into the final quarter of the year.   Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere

In this episode of Taking Care of Business, Dan and Renee have a conversation with Gina Schaefer, founder and CEO of A Few Cool Hardware Stores, a chain of 12 hardware stores in the mid-Atlantic. Gina talks about her memoir, "Recovery Hardware: A Nuts and Bolts Story About Building a Business, Restoring a Community, and Renovating Lives,” her experiences hiring employees who are in recovery from addiction and the rewarding experience of giving second chances. Learn more about the writing experience, her inspiration for the book and how retailers can apply her hiring practices in their own operations. To pre-order the book, which will be available on Sept. 1, visit recoveryhardware.com.   Music Credits: "Let That Sink In" by Lee Rosevere