Biz/Build by Diamondback

The Finale is here.  

We began with a few things to discuss with our accountant, Bryce, but once we got rolling we soon discovered there was so much to unpack with this episode. This conversation was a big one. It doesn't end here. More coming next week with Part 3. 

In this episode we talk to business accountant Bryce Fletcher about everything accounting and how he went from an English major to a Framer to a number crunching nerd. Learn why having a quality accountant can help you gauge the health of your business and give you peace of mind.

How does operations data different than marketing data? How did we even manage this conversation for so long? 

The convo continues...

In possibly the craziest episode yet, Damani and Connor discuss what numbers matter to you and your business when you are analyzing data. Someone pops in unexpectedly to say hello and Damani talks about having a celebrity crush.

In part two of our conversation we take lessons learned from the successes and failures of retail outlets and apply them to the trades industry. Learn how to maximize your value in a society that has been conditioned to want the biggest faster and at the cheapest cost.

Welcome back and thank you for joining us on Season 2. We kick this season off exploring how a simple post-holiday shopping trip Connor took with his wife inspired him to dig deeper into why retail stores are closing around the country. 

In the finale of Season One we leave you with a song...not a very good one, but a song nonetheless.We will return in mid January with Season Two. Thanks for tuning in. P.S. if you are interested in some of the music you can find it here: https://iamnotfromhere.bandcamp.com/album/i-am-not-from-here-2

In the finale of Season 1 we change things up a bit and let Connor interview Damani about his involvement with Diamondback and the winding road that brought him there. 

In Part 2 of our 80/20 Rule conversation we give you the wisdom you need to determine how to make your business most profitable. Also Connor makes a Coming To America reference that Damani thinks is from Ferris Bueller. Ultimate Fail.

The 80/20 Rule is a way to look at what your doing to determine what is most profitable and what is...well, a waste of your time. In part one of this conversation we break down the specifics of what exactly the 80/20 Rule refers to.

In part two of our conversation on the Anatomy of a Lawsuit we discuss the complexities of big boy court and the most effective ways to make your case in a courtroom.

This episode focuses on the most common types of construction lawsuits. We discuss the difference between big boy court and little boy court and the costs associated with each. We also discuss the pros and cons of going into litigation. 

In part two of our conversation we discuss how to manage relationships with those in direct competition with your business. We also discuss tools and tricks for managing relationships long terms. We also tackle the difficult question of how to dissolve an unhealthy relationship.

One of the keys to building a successful business is forming strong relationships with people and the ability to network in your industry and adjacent industries. In part one of this conversation we discuss how positive networking and maintaining a failed relationship helped create Diamondback Toolbelts.

Don't miss the conclusion of our epic conversation on everything you need to know to understand the business of bankruptcy. 

In part two of our Broke or Nah conversation we examine how bankruptcy affects the construction and trades industry. We talk about how to protect yourself as a person in the trades if the contractor or developer you work for declares bankruptcy.

Does declaring bankruptcy mean you are broke? Find out what bankruptcy is, why it exists, what the different types of bankruptcy are and what role it plays in encouraging potential business owners to take risks. 

In part two of our conversation we discuss scalability as it applies to the trades and the building of homes. We get in depth with understanding the process behind current home building trends. We also compare the movie industry to woodworking. Sound crazy? Tune in to find out why it all makes sense...

Growing a business can be a challenge especially if you haven't decided exactly how you want to present your product. Do you want to make everything to order? Do you want to have predetermined options for the consumer to choose from? Or is you product a one-size-fits-all operation? We discuss the pros and cons of the ways you can scale up.

As the textile industry continues to move production overseas we discuss why it is difficult starting, growing and maintaining a textile company in the United States. We begin the conversation when Connor first purchased Diamondback and end with the myriad of possibilities about where the company can go. And who knows, Connor might streak the Super Bowl somewhere along the way.

Part three of this conversation brings everything to a close. As a business owner or a person looking to start a business be sure you do further research into the advantages and disadvantages of each business entity type. You might find there are better ways to protect yourself...and make more money!

In part two of this conversation we dig deeper into LLC's and Corporations. Learn how to best protect you and your business in liability cases. Also, get a deeper understanding of how you are taxed based off what business entity you choose.

So you want to go from being a businessman to a business, man. Well, deciding which type of business designation you should have for yourself can be tricky. It helps to know the pros and cons of them before making a decision. Should you be a Sole Proprietor? How do you form a successful Partnership? When should you form an LLC or Corporation? We cover all these topics and a more. 

As a business owner it is important that you identify competition and determine whether you want to directly compete with them or forge your own lane. We discuss ways you can exit the fray and create your own destiny.

A business trip to Atlas Tools and Machinery in Toronto, Canada leads to so many conclusions about the state of the trades and the changing face of those spending money in the tool industry.Correction: The Atlas Tool Show started as a kickoff sales event when the company moved into it's new facility. Social media did help boost the profile of the event but the Grand Opening Sales event was already planned by Atlas.

In the finale of the Perils of Today conversation we look toward the future and what it will take to expand the labor force, understand the division of labor among employees and better serve the growing demand for Diamondback Tool Belts. It's a crazy ride and it has only just begun. Thanks for joining us...and tune in for more in future episodes.

In part two of our Perils of Today conversation we tackle company re-branding and how Diamondback is moving away from Trade Specific Tool Belt Systems to a more modular structure for their products. We also discuss interactions with customers and how to have effective customer service. 

Diamondback Toolbelts is in the midst of a huge transition from a small mom and pop company to a globally distributed company. This has happened in the short span of three years. In this 3-part episode we look at the challenges we have faced during this time and the solutions we have come up with to deal with those challenges. This is your inside look at the business of building Diamondback.

Contracts can protect you and your customer from unwanted grief and strife. Enforcing contracts and, if it is necessary, getting out of contracts can be as tricky as putting a good contract together. We cover these issue specifically right here on Part 2 of our Contracts conversation.

How well do you understand contracts is business? If you are not very familiar or would like a deeper look into how to protect yourself and your business through writing proper contracts then this podcast is for you. Body odor? Antique Chairs? What does that have to do with contracts? Find out in this two part conversation. 

Part 2 of our Hanging a Shingle conversation dives into the benefits (or lack thereof) of mass marketing, how you can benefit from a referral network, determining what jobs to choose, cheap vs expensive tools and materials, choosing employees and retaining employee.  

Episode 1 begins where you begin: The moment you decide you want to start your own business. What do you need to know to venture out on your own? What are the most important steps to take first? How do you distinguish yourself from your competition?All these questions and more are answered in this, Part 1, of our "Hanging a Shingle" conversation.