Hardworking Happy Hour

Episode 123: Throwback Ep 3! Social Media Edition

July 22nd, 2024  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 7 mins

In this weeks episode, we are in week 3 of our mini hiatus! We are throwing it back to our 3rd episode about ALL THINGS SOCIAL MEDIA!

Episode 122: Throwback Design Edition!

July 15th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 2 mins

Hello listeners! For week two of our throwback hiatus summer vacation we bring back one of our favorite episodes all about designing with intention! Enjoy!

Episode 121: Throwback!

July 8th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 3 mins

Hello Hardworking Happy Hour listeners! After 120 episodes we have a decided to take a short summer break! For the month of July we will be reuploading some of our favorite older episodes to give ourselves some time to work on the behind the scenes things that goes in to running a podcast so we can continue to bring you guys the best content possible! This week will be revisiting our first episode, Thinking Outside The Box! Enjoy!

Episode 120: The Power of Dissent

July 1st, 2024  |  Season 1  |  38 mins 44 secs

backup plans, constructive criticism, cybersecurity, debates, differing opinions, dissent, guest appearances, keywords mushroom coffee, leadership styles, loyalty, open discussions, software hacks, team culture, workplace

In this conversation, Catherine and Sean discuss various topics, including mushroom coffee, leadership styles, and the importance of dissent in a team or business. Sean shares insights from a podcast interview with the former CEO of Netflix, Reed Hastings, who emphasizes the value of disagreements and cultivating an environment where dissent is encouraged. They also touch on the challenges of maintaining a balance between loyalty and constructive criticism within a team. In this conversation, Sean and Catherine discuss the importance of encouraging dissent and differing opinions in the workplace. They highlight the value of open discussions and debates in generating the best ideas and outcomes. They also touch on the topic of software hacks and the potential impact on businesses, emphasizing the need for backup plans and cybersecurity measures. The conversation concludes with a mention of upcoming guest appearances on the podcast.

Episode 119: Uh oh, are leads slowing down?!

June 24th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  57 mins 46 secs

1 million followers, ai, artificial intelligence, catch, community, connection, economy, engagement, experimentation, follower count, having a catch, heat, keywords technical difficulties, leads, risks, slowdown, slowing down leads, tips

This weeks conversation begins with a discussion about technical difficulties and the milestone of reaching 1 million followers. Sean and Cather debate the significance of follower count and emphasize the importance of community and engagement. They also touch on the topic of slowing down leads in the current economy. The conversation then transitions to a lighthearted discussion about having a catch and the joy it brings. They express the desire to experiment and deepen the connection with their community. In this conversation, Sean and Catherine discuss various topics including having a catch, the slowdown in leads, and the potential risks of artificial intelligence (AI). They share their experiences and perspectives on these subjects. Sean emphasizes the importance of enjoying the present moment and not panicking about the slowdown in leads. Catherine suggests not relying on air conditioning when working outside in the heat. They also touch on the potential risks of AI and the need for caution in its development.

Episode 118: Logo Design, Brainstorming, and clearing out the junk drawer!

June 17th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  56 mins 6 secs

brainstorming, branding, burnout, design crowd, guidelines, keywords communication, logo design, miscommunication, policies, premier stone, resolution

In this conversation, Catherine and Sean discuss a miscommunication they had and how they resolved it. They also talk about the importance of having clear communication in a business and the need for policies and guidelines. Sean shares his experience with logo design and recommends using Design Crowd for affordable and diverse logo options. In this part of the conversation, the hosts discuss the importance of logos and branding, the concept of burnout, and the value of brainstorming. They share their experiences with logo design and the impact it can have on a business. They also explore the idea of burnout and how it can sneak up on you when you least expect it. Finally, they delve into the process of brainstorming and the benefits of having different perspectives and ideas. The conversation ends with an exciting announcement about the availability of Premier Stone by Adorn.

Episode 117: Lessons Learned From Ex-Employees!

June 10th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  55 mins 57 secs

ai, authenticity, consistency, follow-through, independence, initiative, keywords tan lines, kindness, leadership, organization, positive relationships, quitting job

In this conversation, Sean and Catherine discuss various topics, including tan lines, the use of AI in generating content, and an employee's decision to quit their job. Sean reflects on the lack of authenticity in using AI to generate responses and the degradation of authenticity on the internet. They also discuss the importance of putting one's own thoughts and perspectives out into the world. The conversation ends with Sean sharing a life lesson about the importance of follow-through and consistency in the workplace. In this conversation, Sean and Catherine discuss the importance of consistency and follow-through in leadership. They share examples of frustrating experiences with inconsistent leaders and the negative impact it can have on employees. They also discuss the value of fostering initiative and independence in employees, as well as the importance of maintaining positive relationships with former employees. Sean reflects on the need to find a system for staying organized and on top of tasks. The conversation concludes with a reminder to be kind and treat others well.

Episode 116: Risky Business and Summer Fashion

June 3rd, 2024  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 3 mins

autonomy, business strategy, decision-making, dog swimming, dress code, fashion choices, financial risk, footwear, innovative clothing, job site risks, keywords memorial day, personal safety, professional development, risk assessment, risk management, risk-taking, risky business, safety compliance, safety measures, summer fashion, tree cutting

This week's conversation covers a range of topics including Memorial Day weekend, teaching a dog to swim, risky business, cutting down trees, and summer fashion. The Catherine and Sean discuss their experiences and share insights on these diverse subjects. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including summer fashion, job site risks, and risk management. It delves into the challenges of summer fashion choices, the idea of implementing a fun Friday dress code, and the use of innovative clothing and accessories to beat the heat. It also explores the concept of risk-taking on job sites, the importance of safety measures, and the balance between autonomy and safety compliance. The conversation provides insights into the multifaceted nature of risk management and the need for a balanced approach to risk assessment. The conversation covers the topics of personal safety, financial risk, and business strategy risk. It delves into the decision-making process and the impact of risk-taking on personal and professional development.

Episode 115: Is Photography Even Worth It?!

May 20th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  55 mins 19 secs

audience perspective, construction industry, fake plants, furniture, high-quality photographs, keywords rain days, lighting, marketing materials, personal stories, pets, photo editing, photography, potential, skid steer, small touches, staging, trade magazines, websites

In this conversation, Catherine and Sean discuss various topics including rain days, Sean's interest in purchasing a skid steer, and Catherine's photo editing process. They also delve into the importance of staging and lighting in photography, and how to capture the best photos of outdoor projects. They emphasize the need to clean and stage the space, consider the lighting conditions, and think about the perspective of the audience. They also discuss the use of fake plants as a way to add flair and create a curated space in photos. In this conversation, Catherine and Sean discuss the importance of staging and photography in the construction industry. They highlight how small touches, such as fake plants and furniture, can make a big impact in showcasing the potential of a space. They also explore the various ways in which high-quality photographs can be used, including in marketing materials, on websites, and in trade magazines. The conversation takes a lighthearted turn as they share personal stories about their pets, including the recent loss of Sean's dog and Catherine's unexpected reunion with her missing cat.

Episode 114: Shane Herbert of Royal Stone Masonry!

May 13th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 1 min

art, building a portfolio, clean job sites, clean work site, delegation, design, finding your niche, hardscaping, keywords shane herbert, logistics, long island, passion, patio maintenance, royal stone masonry, unique designs, work-life balance

Shane Herbert from Royal Stone Masonry discusses his passion for creating unique and artistic designs in the hardscaping industry. He shares his journey from starting out in England to building his own successful business on Long Island. Shane's attention to detail and commitment to quality shines through in his work, and he takes pride in inspiring others in the industry. He also talks about the challenges of managing logistics on Long Island and the importance of staying clean and organized on job sites. Shane discusses the importance of maintaining a clean work site and shares tips for keeping patios clean during construction. He also talks about the role of the customer in maintaining the patio after the project is completed. The conversation then shifts to finding clients who appreciate and seek out unique designs, and the importance of building a portfolio to showcase your work. Shane emphasizes the need for practice and experimentation to find your niche and develop your skills. He also discusses the balance between work and personal life, and the importance of delegating tasks to avoid burnout.

Episode 113: Do you have a fun job site?

May 6th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  57 mins 55 secs

challenges, color, design trends, fun, gray, gray tones, greenery, interior design, job site, keywords construction, millennial flip house, natural colors, othering, pool houses, simple patterns, warm colors

Summary

In this conversation, Catherine and Sean discuss various topics including the challenges of a construction project, the importance of having fun on the job site, and the trend of making people look dumb in internet videos. They also touch on design trends, specifically the use of color in interior design. The conversation explores the trend of moving away from gray tones in interior design and embracing warm, natural colors. The overuse of gray in recent years, particularly in the millennial flip house trend, has led to a desire for more unique and bold design choices. The conversation also touches on the concept of 'othering' and how it relates to design choices. Additionally, the resurgence of pool houses and the incorporation of greenery, both real and fake, into design are discussed. The conversation concludes with a mention of the trend towards simpler patterns and the balance between simplicity and complexity in design.

Episode 112: Building your best team!

April 29th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 1 min

co-visioning, communication, customer satisfaction, customer service, empathy, flexibility, going above and beyond, keywords handling issues, leadership, mindfulness, morale, motivation, old projects, ownership, self-motivation, strengths, unexpected problems, values, vulnerability, work environment

In this part of the conversation, Sean and Catherine discuss how to handle unexpected issues that arise in old projects. Sean shares a recent experience where they had to address several issues in a project from two years ago, including a broken door panel, uneven pavers, a burned landing, and a problem with the pool waterfall. Premier decided to fix all these issues for free, even though some of them were not their responsibility. Catherine, on the other hand, believes they should have charged for the additional work. They discuss the importance of setting a precedent and valuing their time and expertise. The conversation explores the importance of going above and beyond for clients and the value of exceptional customer service. It also delves into the concept of leadership and the need to connect with and motivate team members. The hosts discuss the book they recently read, which focuses on mindfulness and leadership, and how it relates to their own experiences in the business. They highlight the importance of understanding what motivates oneself and using that to connect with others. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the different approaches to work and how leaders can support and retain self-motivated employees. The conversation explores the importance of aligning values, creating a positive work environment, and fostering open communication. It emphasizes the need for leaders to understand and support their team members' individual motivations and strengths. The concept of co-visioning is highlighted as a way to boost morale and create a sense of ownership among employees. The conversation also touches on the significance of vulnerability and empathy in leadership. Overall, the discussion emphasizes the importance of creating a fulfilling and supportive work environment.

Episode 111: Productivity Hacks!

April 22nd, 2024  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 14 mins

1-3-5 rule, 5-second rule, 80-20 rule, 80/20 rule, attention to detail, book recommendation, clients, delegation, distractions, emails, focus, keywords productivity, multitasking, pomodoro technique, prioritization, projects, strengths, tasks, technology boundaries, time management, two-minute rule, unread messages, weaknesses

In this conversation, Catherine and Sean discuss their recent projects and the importance of productivity and time management. They acknowledge the need to improve in these areas and share their experiences with clients who have different levels of attention to detail. They also discuss the challenges of staying focused and avoiding distractions. They review a productivity cheat sheet that includes tips such as the two-minute rule, prioritizing tasks, and setting boundaries with technology. In this part of the conversation, Sean and Catherine discuss their unread text messages and emails. They also explore the concept of the 5-second rule, where you count backwards from five to force yourself to take action. They then discuss the 1-3-5 rule, which involves identifying one big task, three medium tasks, and five small tasks to accomplish each day. They also talk about the Pomodoro technique, which involves working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break, repeating this cycle four times before taking a longer break. Finally, they discuss the 80-20 rule, which suggests that 20% of your efforts yield 80% of the results, and encourage focusing on high-impact tasks. In this conversation, Premier and Catherine discuss the 80/20 rule and how it applies to their work and personal lives. They also explore the importance of focusing on the most important tasks, breaking tasks into smaller pieces, tackling challenging tasks first, eliminating non-essential tasks, and avoiding multitasking. Premier reflects on his strengths and weaknesses and emphasizes the need to be upfront about what one is not good at. They also mention the book 'Buddha and the Badass' and encourage listeners to share the podcast with others.

Episode 110: Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

April 8th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 1 min

acquisition, change, construction industry, craftsmanship, earthquake, efficiency, home depot, keywords rainy weather, monopolies, monopoly, new headquarters, off-site construction, opportunities, pole barn, prefab, prefabrication, quality, srs distribution, srs distributors, waste reduction

In this conversation, Sean and Catherine discuss their week, including the rainy weather and an earthquake. They then shift to talking about Premier's plans to build a new headquarters on his property. After considering a pole barn, Sean decides to go with a prefab option. He explains that the building will be designed and prefabricated off-site, with panels and roof trusses delivered to the site for assembly. This method is expected to save time and make the construction process more efficient. They also briefly discuss Home Depot's acquisition of SRS distributors and the future of construction. The conversation explores the changing landscape of the construction industry, with a focus on the rise of prefabrication and the acquisition of SRS Distribution by Home Depot. The hosts discuss the benefits and drawbacks of prefabrication, including increased efficiency and reduced waste, but also concerns about craftsmanship and quality. They also speculate on Home Depot's strategy and the potential for monopolies in the industry. The conversation concludes with a lighthearted discussion about playing Monopoly and the importance of embracing change and seizing opportunities.

Episode 109 - Spring has sprung!

April 1st, 2024  |  Season 1  |  55 mins 28 secs

Summary

In this conversation, Premier and Catherine catch up after missing a week and discuss their excitement for spring. They talk about waking up early and joining a gym to stay fit. They apologize for promoting the 5 AM rule and share their upcoming projects in the spring. They also discuss their personal plans for the season, including boating and cookouts. Overall, the conversation revolves around the themes of fitness, outdoor activities, and the joy of springtime. In this episode, the hosts engage in casual conversation about springtime and their personal preferences. They then reflect on different career paths and the motivations behind them. The conversation shifts to the recent Baltimore bridge collapse and its impact on infrastructure. Finally, they provide an update on their book club and encourage listeners to join in. Overall, the episode covers a range of topics from lighthearted banter to more serious discussions.

Takeaways:

Waking up early and joining a gym can help maintain a fitness routine.
Spring is an exciting time for outdoor activities and projects.
It's important to apologize and correct any misconceptions or mistakes.
Personal plans for spring, such as boating and cookouts, can bring joy and relaxation. Springtime brings a sense of joy and excitement.
People have different motivations for their career choices.
Infrastructure plays a crucial role in society and its collapse can have far-reaching consequences.
Engaging in book clubs can be a fun and enriching experience.

Episode 108: Special Guest Andy Mulder of Mulder Outdoors!

March 18th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 6 mins

Summary

In this week episode, Sean and Catherine have a chance to sit down with Andy Mulder of Mulder Outdoor! Andy discusses the importance of running a debt-free business and the impact it has had on his life and company. He shares his journey to becoming debt-free and the mindset shift that occurred after taking Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University class. Andy emphasizes the freedom and flexibility that being debt-free provides, allowing him to make smarter decisions for his business. He also highlights the importance of having a clear vision and principles to guide decision-making and the need to remove emotion when making financial choices. In this conversation, Andy Mulder discusses his podcast and hardscape mastery course, highlighting his passion for teaching and helping others. He explains the purpose of the hardscape mastery course and the value it provides to small business owners. Andy emphasizes the importance of surrounding yourself with experts and learning from others to improve your business skills. He also discusses the power of networking and building relationships in the industry. The conversation concludes with a discussion on celebrating wins and avoiding the constant pursuit of leveling up, and the importance of authenticity in business.