Hardworking Happy Hour

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 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 139: Is it even possible to get better?!

November 25th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  59 mins 55 secs

business strategies, conflict resolution, construction, construction industry, construction trivia, creative tasks, economic uncertainty, economy, gratitude, keywords communication, labor costs, material sourcing, tariffs, time management, workplace dynamics

In this conversation, Sean and Catherine discuss their recent experiences, focusing on their communication styles, workplace dynamics, and conflict resolution strategies. They delve into time management techniques, the importance of separating creative and logical tasks, and the impact of tariffs on the construction industry. The discussion highlights the need for effective communication and adaptability in business, especially in response to economic changes. In this conversation, Sean and Catherine discuss the various economic challenges facing the construction industry, including labor shortages, material costs, and the impact of tariffs. They emphasize the importance of understanding material sourcing and the need for ethical pricing practices. The discussion also touches on the significance of gratitude during tough economic times and the uncertainty that lies ahead. They conclude with a light-hearted trivia segment that highlights interesting facts about the construction industry.

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 131: Are you paying attention to your backlog?

September 23rd, 2024  |  Season 1  |  59 mins 16 secs

advantages, backlog, business operations, challenges, client perception, construction industry, disadvantages, dismantling dams, emotional roller coaster, hiring a salesperson, keywords backlog, maintaining infrastructure, manpower needs, opportunities, peace of mind, sales cycle, stability, strategic planning, tracking, tracking trends, trivia, unique selling proposition

Summary

The conversation revolves around the topic of backlog and its impact on business operations. The hosts discuss the advantages and disadvantages of being booked out for a long period of time. They also touch on the importance of tracking the sales cycle and using backlog as a future indicator. The conversation highlights the need for strategic planning, managing manpower needs, and making informed decisions based on backlog data. The hosts also mention the potential impact of backlog on client perception and the benefits of having peace of mind and stability. They briefly discuss the idea of hiring a dedicated salesperson and the unique selling proposition of their business model. Overall, the conversation provides insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with backlog management. In this episode, Catherine and Sean discuss the concept of backlog in the construction industry and how it can affect businesses. They explore the emotional roller coaster that comes with not knowing when the next job will come in and the importance of tracking and analyzing trends. They also touch on the dismantling of dams in the United States and the challenges of maintaining and restoring them. The episode concludes with a trivia segment where they test each other's knowledge on construction-related topics.

Episode 130: Mental Health in the Trades! ft Suzi Mallon, LCSW

September 16th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 37 secs

boundaries, construction industry, coping strategies, emotional well-being, keywords mental health, seeking help, self-care, suicide prevention, therapy, vulnerability

Summary

In this conversation, the hosts discuss the critical issue of mental health, particularly in the construction industry, which has alarmingly high suicide rates. They explore the stigma surrounding mental health, the importance of seeking therapy, and practical strategies for managing mental well-being. The discussion emphasizes the need for vulnerability, the role of boundaries in maintaining mental health, and the significance of open communication. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to prioritize their mental health and seek support when needed.

Episode 129: Boomtown or Busttown??

September 9th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 3 mins

boomtown, bust towns, construction industry, decline, emergency readiness, financial reserve, financial responsibility, gary indiana, infrastructure, keywords boom towns, kyle texas, rapid growth, sustainability, tech industry, texas, trivia, water shortages

The conversation discusses the concept of boom towns and bust towns, using examples of Gary, Indiana, and Kyle, Texas. It explores the rapid growth and subsequent decline of these towns, highlighting the challenges they face, such as water shortages, lack of infrastructure, and emergency readiness. The conversation also touches on the influx of businesses and population to Texas, particularly in the tech industry. It raises concerns about the sustainability of these boom towns and the need for long-term planning and solutions. In this conversation, Sean and Catherine discuss the potential impact of a boomtown on the construction industry. They explore the challenges and opportunities that arise when a small town experiences rapid growth due to an influx of new residents. They also discuss the importance of financial responsibility and having a solid financial reserve in the construction business. The conversation concludes with a trivia segment on construction-related topics.

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.