Hardworking Happy Hour

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 142: Special Guest John Lea of Deck South!

December 16th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 8 mins

business evolution, business growth, construction industry, curiosity, daily routines, design in construction, employee loyalty, entrepreneurship, fatherhood, keywords deck south, leadership, origin story, project management, recession lessons, small business, team building

In this engaging conversation, John Lea shares his journey of building Deck South, a successful deck-building business. He discusses his early experiences with carpentry, the challenges of starting his own company, and the importance of team building and leadership. John emphasizes the value of caring for his employees and creating a supportive company culture, which has led to long-term loyalty and success. In this conversation, John discusses the evolution of his business, the lessons learned from the 2008 recession, and the importance of maintaining a balanced daily routine. He shares insights on fatherhood, emphasizing the joy and responsibility it brings, and highlights the significance of instilling curiosity in the next generation. The discussion also touches on the value of design in construction and the need for continuous improvement in business practices.

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 138: Is It The Right Time To Hire?

November 18th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  56 mins 13 secs

branding, business growth, client acquisition, construction, construction industry, creative projects, entrepreneurship, hiring, keywords deck expo, leadership, outdoor living, personal development, photography, risk management, self-belief, strategic planning, team building

In this engaging conversation, Sean and Catherine discuss their recent experience at the Deck Expo, sharing insights on networking, promotional strategies, and the importance of building a strong visual portfolio. They delve into the challenges of acquiring unique clients for creative projects and emphasize the significance of staging and photography in showcasing work. The discussion also touches on the complexities of growing a team and knowing when to hire, providing valuable advice for entrepreneurs in the construction industry. In this conversation, Sean and Catherine discuss the challenges and considerations involved in hiring for a growing business, particularly in the construction industry. They explore the emotional and practical aspects of making significant hiring decisions, the importance of embracing risk, and the value of surrounding oneself with capable team members. The discussion also touches on the journey of self-belief and the realization that many successful individuals are simply navigating their own uncertainties.

Episode 132: The Art of Systemizing ft James Reed of Affordable Patios

September 30th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  56 mins 50 secs

affordable patios, construction industry, customer education, data-driven decisions, entrepreneurship, keywords business systems, online presence, profitability, project management, transparency

Summary

In this conversation, HWHH and James Reed discuss the importance of systems and processes in business, particularly in the construction industry. James shares his journey from being an artist struggling with profitability to establishing Affordable Patios, a business focused on providing high-quality outdoor living spaces at an affordable price. They explore the significance of customer education, data-driven decision-making, and the value of transparency in pricing. James emphasizes the need for a strong online presence and the importance of tracking metrics to improve business operations. The conversation concludes with insights on creating a streamlined customer experience and the potential for future growth.

Episode 97: Customer Service, Drama, and Learning How To Read People

December 11th, 2023  |  Season 1  |  58 mins 4 secs

customer service, entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, self help, small business

In this weeks episode, Sean and Catherine recap their week which includes a slight client hick up. In an effort to see what they can learn from the experience, they dive deep in to customer service and what that means for the business. Also, for this weeks book club selection, Sean and Catherine share the lessons learned from 'Read People Like a Book' by Patrick King. Tune in!

Episode 96 - Cyclical freak-outs and what goes in to being a creative!

December 4th, 2023  |  Season 1  |  59 mins 54 secs

business, creativity, entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, rick rubin, small business owner, the creative act, trades

In this weeks episode, Sean and Catherine discuss whether it's normal or not to have cyclical freak outs in business. Is it a part of doing business, or a disruptive distraction? They also discuss Rick Rubins book, The Creative Act and how it could benefit anyone who wants to up their creativity! Tune in!

Episode 63 - Kevin Choquette from Ravin Builders!

March 27th, 2023  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 7 mins

build, builder, business, business owner, carpenter, carpentry, deck, deck builder, entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, small business owner, tradesmen, tradesperson

In this weeks episode, Sean and Catherine got a chance to catch up with Kevin Choquette of Ravin Builders up at the JLC Live show! Kevin is not only a really incredible builder and businessman, he is also a really solid guy! This is a must listen!

Episode 62 - Big Jobs vs. Little Jobs, Taking the BEST Photos, and Women in Construction Week!

March 20th, 2023  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 5 mins

build, builders, business owners, carpentry, construction, content marketing, entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship, framing, tradesmen, tradespeople, tradeswomen

Sean and Catherine are back to their regular programming! In this weeks episode, they touch on the never ending debate of doing fewer but bigger jobs vs more but smaller jobs. They also do a recap on Women in Construction week. And lastly they give their best pointers and stress the importance of getting the best quality pictures you can get! TUNE IN!

Episode 56 - Code Guru, Glenn Matthewson!

February 6th, 2023  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 5 mins

build, builder, building code, business owner, carpenter, carpentry, deck, deck design, entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, in the trades, inspiration, motivation, small business owner, tradesmen, tradesperson, tradewomen

In this weeks episode, Sean and Catherine chat with Glenn Matthewson, the founder of code Building Code College and notable code expert. This episode gets deep in to why we need codes and how the code is and should always be adapting to what society dictates. Glenn offers a fresh and interesting perspective to something we regard often regard as 'dry' but all have to deal with. Definitely a must listen!