Hardworking Happy Hour

Episode 159: SINK OR SWIM!

April 21st, 2025  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 5 mins

celebrity culture, communication, construction, construction industry, creativity, deportation, employee onboarding, geo-membranes, human connection, immigration, machine financing, mental health, mentorship, passion career, personal growth, positivity, sacrificial anodes, space exploration, space travel, therapy, trivia, union support, updates, workplace culture

In this engaging conversation, Sean and Catherine explore the importance of positivity in daily life, share updates on their projects, and delve into the recent trend of celebrity space travel. They discuss the implications of financing new machinery for their work and critique the cultural significance of celebrity involvement in space exploration, emphasizing the need for genuine achievements over superficial recognition. In this conversation, Catherine and Sean explore various themes including the evolving perspectives on space travel, the human impact of deportation policies, and the challenges of onboarding new employees in the construction industry. They discuss the importance of mentorship, the need for clear communication, and the psychological aspects of workplace culture, emphasizing the need for kindness and support in professional environments. In this episode, Sean and Catherine discuss the importance of clear communication on job sites, engage in trivia that highlights historical construction facts, and delve into construction materials and techniques. They explore the significance of geo-membranes and sacrificial anodes in construction, and reflect on personal growth and the need for therapy in society.

Episode 158: Adam Santo of Lilly LLC!

April 14th, 2025  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 7 mins

anxiety, business growth, classic cars, client relationships, communication, construction challenges, craftsmanship, design philosophy, hardscaping, hobbies, landscaping, mental health, mindfulness, modern technology, passion, pool construction, solo operator, stress management, work-life balance

In this engaging conversation, the hosts explore the journey of Adam Santo and his business, Lilly Design Build. They discuss the transition from fine arts to hardscaping, the importance of building strong client relationships, and the challenges faced as a solo operator. The conversation delves into the personal touch in craftsmanship, the significance of communication, and the value of time in the design process. Adam shares insights on managing client expectations, navigating budgets, and the importance of finding the right client fit. The discussion also touches on the challenges of working with pool companies and the lessons learned along the way. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the challenges of pool construction, the passion for classic cars, and the importance of mindfulness in a fast-paced world. They discuss the balance between work and personal life, the impact of modern technology on mental health, and the shared experiences of anxiety and stress. The dialogue emphasizes the joy found in hobbies and the need for presence in everyday life.

Episode 156: Gordon South aka WoodBully!

March 31st, 2025  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 1 min

business growth, career choices, client satisfaction, communication, company culture, construction management, decision making, education, employee retention, entrepreneurship, hiring practices, keywords construction, passion, red seal certification, scheduling, trades, trades vs office jobs, work-life balance

Summary

In this conversation, Sean and Catherine discuss the evolution of Sean's construction business, focusing on growth, delegation, and hiring practices. They explore the importance of company culture, the challenges of firing employees, and the realities of working in the trades compared to office jobs. The discussion also touches on education and career choices, emphasizing the risks and rewards associated with different paths. In this engaging conversation, Sean and Catherine explore the complexities of career choices, particularly in the trades, the importance of effective communication in construction management, and the realities of scheduling in the industry. They discuss the challenges of transitioning from hands-on work to management roles, the significance of passion in one's career, and the hard truths about hard work. The dialogue emphasizes the need for flexibility, decision-making, and the value of experience in shaping a successful career.

Episode 154: Navigating Change

March 17th, 2025  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 18 secs

architectural process, audience engagement, authenticity, building codes, communication, construction industry, content strategy, contractor drawings, creative advertising, deep work, fitness, health trends, homeowner drawings, keywords outdoor living, marketing, marriage dynamics, mouth taping, operational excellence, organ meat, personal connection, personal growth, podcasting, sauna, self-improvement, social media, time audit, trivia, wellness, wellness trends, working from home

In this engaging conversation, Catherine and Sean discuss their experiences and challenges at Premiere Outdoor Living, focusing on the changes in their roles, the dynamics of working from home, and the importance of refining their content strategy to connect more deeply with their audience. They explore the balance between personal and professional life, touching on themes of marriage, wellness trends, and the evolving landscape of social media content. In this conversation, Catherine and Sean explore various wellness trends, including mouth taping for better sleep, the benefits of sauna use, and the intriguing marketing strategies behind unusual health products. They discuss the importance of self-improvement and the challenges of implementing new strategies into daily routines, emphasizing the need for mindfulness and gradual change. The conversation is light-hearted yet insightful, touching on personal experiences and creative observations. In this conversation, Sean and Catherine discuss the complexities of homeowner and contractor responsibilities in the architectural drawing process, the absurdities of building codes, and the importance of authenticity in communication. They also engage in a fun trivia segment that highlights interesting facts about the construction industry, leading to a deeper reflection on the nature of conversations and connections in today's world.

Episode 150: Are we even ethical people? Who can be sure.

February 17th, 2025  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 8 mins

business practices, communication, community responsibility, construction industry, craftsmanship, disability, dryer sheets, ethics, green building, historic preservation, keywords bare-knuckle boxing, line cutting, modern development, stealing for survival, super bowl, sustainability, travel woes

In this engaging conversation, Catherine and Sean explore a variety of topics ranging from the dangers of bare-knuckle boxing to the ethical dilemmas surrounding line-cutting in public spaces. They share personal anecdotes about the Super Bowl, travel mishaps, and the moral implications of stealing to feed a family. The discussion also touches on the nuances of ethics in everyday situations, including the treatment of individuals with disabilities and the light-hearted debate over dryer sheets. In this conversation, Sean and Catherine delve into the complexities of ethics in business, particularly in the construction industry. They discuss the balance between profit and quality, the importance of clear communication with clients, and the ethical implications of using lower-quality materials. The conversation then shifts to the topic of historic preservation versus modern development, exploring the community's responsibility in maintaining historical integrity while accommodating new growth. Finally, they touch on the ethics of green building and sustainability, emphasizing the need for ethical considerations in construction practices.

Episode 146: Do bonuses incentivize?

January 13th, 2025  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 7 mins

bonuses, california wildfires, communication, community impact, company culture, construction, construction trivia, employee motivation, job inquiry, keywords shop update, operational goals, personalized incentives, sustainability, travel considerations

In this conversation, Sean and Catherine discuss various topics including updates on their shop, a potential job inquiry that raises questions about travel, the devastating impact of recent wildfires in California, and the implementation of bonuses within their company. They share personal anecdotes and insights, emphasizing the importance of community and preparedness in the face of disasters. In this conversation, Sean and Catherine delve into the complexities of employee bonuses, discussing the balance between motivation and fairness. They explore the idea of personalized incentives, the importance of communication in bonus structures, and the sustainability of these systems. The discussion also touches on the challenges of traditional bonus systems and concludes with a fun trivia segment related to construction.

Episode 140: Working with Matt!

December 2nd, 2024  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 7 mins

branding, business growth, communication, community, content creation, entrepreneurship, high school business, hobbies, keywords landscaping, mental health, mindfulness, networking, online interactions, outdoor living, partnership, personal experiences, social media, trade shows

In this engaging conversation, Sean, Catherine, and Matt discuss Matt's journey from starting a landscaping business in high school to navigating the complexities of running a successful partnership in the landscaping industry. They explore the challenges of transitioning from a sole proprietor to a partner, the importance of communication, and the role of social media in business growth. Matt shares insights on finding his voice in content creation and the balance between professionalism and personality in branding. The discussion highlights the benefits and challenges of being visible online and the impact it has on business relationships. In this engaging conversation, Matt discusses the positive aspects of community support through social media, the challenges of attracting unwanted attention online, and the balance between content creation and running a business. He shares insights on the importance of mindfulness, hobbies, and the need to manage commitments effectively.

Episode 136: It all comes back to communication...

October 28th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  58 mins 7 secs

challenges, communication, concrete, concrete work, construction, diy, door-to-door sales, education, home depot, home improvement, hvac, imposter syndrome, keywords construction, learning, mistakes, personal experiences, project management, teamwork, trivia

In this conversation, Sean and Catherine discuss various personal and professional updates, including construction projects, experiences with door-to-door sales, and a new policy at Home Depot requiring executives to work in stores. They explore the importance of understanding different perspectives in the workplace, the significance of communication within teams, and the lessons learned from mistakes made during construction projects. The conversation emphasizes the need for better communication and collaboration to enhance team dynamics and project outcomes. In this conversation, Sean and Catherine discuss the challenges faced while working on concrete projects, emphasizing the importance of learning from mistakes and the educational value of trial and error. They also touch on feelings of imposter syndrome that can arise in leadership roles and the normalization of such feelings. The episode concludes with a fun trivia segment that tests their knowledge on various topics related to home improvement and construction.

Episode 128: Do we REALLY need more meetings?!

August 26th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  53 mins 4 secs

blame game, communication, construction, effective communication, equipment maintenance, goals, keywords team meetings, lumber, objectives, personal responsibility, politics, productivity, professional development, recognition, rewards, team cohesion, trivia gauntlet, working with family

Summary

In this conversation, Sean and Catherine discuss the importance of team meetings in a business setting. They highlight the benefits of setting objectives and goals, discussing equipment maintenance and upgrades, and promoting professional development and opportunities. They also touch on the significance of recognition and rewards in team meetings. However, they acknowledge that team meetings can be time-consuming and may lack focus if not properly managed. They caution against dominating personalities and decision fatigue. Overall, they find team meetings to be valuable for communication, productivity, and team cohesion. In this part of the conversation, Sean and Catherine discuss the challenges of working with family members and the importance of effective communication in a professional setting. They also express their frustration with the blame game in politics and the need for personal responsibility. The trivia gauntlet segment tests their knowledge on topics related to construction and lumber. The episode concludes with a preview of the next episode and a farewell.

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.