NWFA Real Answers

The NWFA's "Real Answers" podcast series features NWFA President & CEO, Michael Martin and Chris Zizza, founder of C&R Flooring, Inc., and past Chairman of the Board of the NWFA.

Growing Your Wood Flooring Business - A Live Q&A from NWFA Expo

Chris Zizza chats with new NWFA members at the NWFA expo to share concrete steps on how to grow a hardwood flooring business.

05-21
25:23

Expo 2024 Preview and More

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza provide an overview of the upcoming 2024 NWFA Expo in New Orleans. They also delve into practical tips for enhancing your business during slower periods.

04-09
16:04

An 2024 Economic Update with the Elliot Eisenberg, the Bowtie Economist

Elliot Eisenberg, the Bowtie Economist, joins Michael Martin and Chris Zizza to discuss the state of the economy, labor and supply chain issues, inflation, and advice on reducing risk and staying ahead of the financial curve more.

01-04
27:06

A Conversation with Dan Pratt of Broadlume

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza chat with Dan Pratt, co-founder and CRO of Broadlume, about the importance of having a good website for your hardwood flooring business. They discuss do's, don'ts, what a good website should contain, and when is it time to update.

11-14
22:03

Running a Wood Flooring Business - Balancing a Marriage with a Successful Business

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza record on location at SVB Wood Floors in Kansas City. A trio of special guests joins them to discuss balancing marriage with building a successful wood flooring business.

08-08
22:00

NWFA Real Answers Podcast – Running a Wood Flooring Business - Estimates, Expectations, and More

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza chat with Dan Gorsegner of Gorsegner Brothers Hardwood Floors about the importance of following up on estimates, modern customer expectations, prioritizing customers, handling scheduling mishaps, margins, sustainable growth considerations, and more.

07-17
29:51

Running a Wood Flooring Business - Margins and Costs with Sam Cobb of RW Supply+Design

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza have an in-depth conversation on costs, margin, and building profitable long-term customer relationships with Sam Cobb from RW Supply+Design.

06-05
30:10

Running a Wood Flooring Business - A Conversation with Sprigg Lynn

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza sit down with Sprigg Lynn from Universal Floors, to explore the ins and outs of running a thriving hardwood flooring business. They delve into the secrets of success, offering valuable insights on avoiding common pitfalls, building effective systems, optimizing cash flow, and much more. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out in the industry, this podcast is your go-to resource for unlocking the keys to a prosperous hardwood flooring business.

05-22
46:40

Running a Wood Flooring Business - Building Business Contacts

Join Michael Martin and Chris Zizza in this episode as they share insights on finding and developing a list of necessary business contacts in your community. Discover how to leverage your network to expand your reach, save money, prepare for the unexpected, and grow your business.

04-03
23:43

Running a Wood Flooring Business - Financial Health and Planning for the Future

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza are joined by Jonathan Benner, CFP, Financial Planner, from LPL Financial. They discuss guiding principles for your business, saving money and paying yourself first, renting versus owning your building, planning for your business versus your personal life, and more.

03-06
28:18

Finding Focus in 2023

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza discuss gaining a renewed sense of focus in 2023, the significance of a positive attitude, making a positive impression, finding inspiration on the road, the importance of follow-ups, and other related topics.

02-14
17:37

End-of-the-Year Perspectives and Planning

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza share their end-of-the-year perspective on the economy, adjusting to the changing economy, setting personal goals, creating an annual personal financial statement, time management skills, plans for the Real Answers podcast in 2023, and more.

12-29
16:57

Attending Industry Trade Shows - Can You Afford Not to Go?

Why you should attend industry trade shows, tips to grow your business, trade show do and don'ts, and how to maximize your time.

11-28
23:31

Creating More Custom Work and Being More Competitive in Your Market

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza discuss setting yourself up for more custom work, being more competitive in your market, creating a showroom, and taking advantage of business opportunities for 2023.

09-19
18:53

Preparing for a Potential Slowdown

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza discuss staying busy with a potential recession looming, what to do if you see a slowdown in business, keeping a schedule, standing out from the competition, holiday-based marketing advice, remembering to read the labels, and more.

08-23
16:43

Protecting Your Business in Uncertain Times

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza discuss preparing for uncertain times, planning for an economic downturn, the importance of protecting your businesses' operating cash, staying organized, identifying hidden costs, reviewing client lists, characteristics of top customers, and more.

08-01
28:44

Radiant Heat and Hardwood Flooring - A Conversation with Sergey Shlyapintokh of Thermosoft

Sergey Shlyapintokh, Sales Manager of Thermosoft, Joins Chris Zizza and Michael Martin at the 2022 NWFA Expo to discuss radiant heat and hardwood flooring installation and why you should consider offering it to your customers.

07-18
20:02

A Conversation on Compliance with Elizabeth Baldwin

Elizabeth Baldwin, Environmental Compliance Officer for Metropolitan Hardwood Floors, discusses wood trade compliance issues, and why you should consider attending the upcoming IWPA Due Care Week, being held in St. Louis, MO on June 20-24.https://web.nwfa.org/events/IWPADue%20Care%20Week-433/details

06-07
20:43

The Benefits of Becoming a Certified Professional

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza are joined by Matt Casey of Bona US to discuss the future direction of the NWFA Certified Professionals program, the importance of being certified, separating yourself from competition, and more.

05-16
18:58

An Economic Update with the Bowtie Economist

Elliot Eisenberg, the Bowtie Economist, joins Chris Zizza just before his keynote presentation at the 2022 NWFA Expo Opening Session to discuss the state of the economy, surviving and thriving during a recession, and more. (Recorded April 12, 2022)

04-26
15:57

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