Hardworking Happy Hour

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.