Podcasts for independent retailers.
News and commentary on the closing of Kelly-Moore, and tracking THE lies of Charles Gassenhemier.
Join me and my co-host Steve Rice as we test a new format created just for you. If you're a paint geek! This episode I'll introduce you to both Steve and our new format, starting you off with some tips for dealers about diversifying their businesses. And the one about my daughter Miranda. Join us for the laugh!
In THE News! With News and analysis for independent paint retailers for August 21, 2023. THE earnings! With coverage of earnings and sales results from Sherwin-Williams, PPG and Masco. And guess what? Dealers are doing better!
As a paint retailer it's hard to distinguish your stores from other retailers in the space, often leaving price and location as the only reason a customer favors you over S-W, HD or even another independent. To ensure I stood above THE crowd while calling on NY's industrial coatings users, I stood on my certification NACE Level III Coatings Inspector. THE strategy paying off to the tune of million's of dollars in additional sales over the course of my career. Almost all of which were at a higher GP than anything I was making selling Regal to NYC painters! Recent, industry veteran Steve Rice reached out to say hello and as we chatted it became clear that Steve had used NACE certification to advance his career in the same way I had and so I asked him to join me on a podcast so we could share the strategy which made us both so successful in the industrial coatings markets. Whether you're a small dealer looking to make your stores stand out in a crowded market or a larger retailer looking to grow industrial to what it should be, 30% of your total coatings sales, this episode is for you!
My analysis of the paint industry's performance so-far this year. Plus the one about the time John Morikis got caught stretching THE truth! Results and analysis on SW, PPG, Ace, Masco & HD, and THE independent channel! THE best 13-minutes in paint!
Mother-daughter painting contractors Billie Machain and Veronica Tucci made time in their busy schedules to record a podcast with me recently. THE women are so busy because in addition to managing their rapidly expanding Philadelphia-based commercial painting business the pair were recently named one of Behr's top "Women in Paint" for 2023! In this entertaining 15-minute episode Billie and Veronica do all the talking, sharing their paint bonafides with stints at Sherwin-Williams, Duron as well as time in THE independent channel while working for Buten's! Now teaming up as painting contractors, THE pair share their secrets for success, including how they take advantage of laws and other policies which give advantage to women, veteran, minority-owned businesses. If you're a female, minority, veteran-owned dealer, you need to listen to this episode!
Now the chain's paint department manager Jon Dazey began his career at White's as an OSR: an all-expenses paid outside sales rep for the chain of lumberyards compliments of Benjmain Moore. (Pssst, they'll give you one too!) And while interesting, we don't spend much time discussing Jon's career path because dealers want will want to hear how White's is using industrial products and a focus on governments to grow his paint sales. And he wants to tell you how to do it!
Join me as I talk insurance with Matt Rogers of Papenhausen Hardware in San Francisco. Matt is an accidental expert on what insurance independent paint and hardware retailers need: Rogers had to rebuild Papenhausen after a fire destroyed the 100+ year-old business. TWICE! When he was done rebuilding his store the second time, Matt started a trade organization for independent home improvement retailers and a LinkedIn group where paint and hardware dealers can connect with other independents. To offer or obtain advice and support, share experiences or just tell a tale from behind THE counter.
Join me as I discuss hiring and retention with Gina Schaefer of the 13-store Washington, DC ACE retailer "A Few Cool Hardware Stores" Despite chronic nationwide labor shortages and high turnover rates for retail employers, Gina continues to hire and retain employees. Gina's strategies, plus her efforts in employee training and development, has driven her turnover rate as low as 25% in some stores! Gina said all THE work, All you have to do is listen! (Sorry btw about the reduced audio quality. I'm not sure what happened there but I'll get right on that.)
In THE News! February 16, 2023. In the news this week are earnings reports from Sherwin-Williams, PPG and RPM. As well as forecasts from all three for a challenging 2023 for paint sellers! Plus, what body part Sherwin chief executive John Morikis most resembles when he bullies his employees!
If you're a Benjamin Moore dealer or employee you're not going to want to miss this episode with recently retired BM executive Budweiser Jim Gorman! Join me as Jimmy and I discuss the modern history of the Montvale paint maker, including the sale to Berkshire Hathaway and Jimmy's perspective on the six Benjamin Moore CEO's he served. Including our very own, #Dan!
Why does the chemical foundation of paint and its dependence on petroleum and heavy-metal mining remain unchanged for more than 150-years despite revolutionary advances in chemistry and technology during that time? And with the increased cost of shipping adding 2% to THE inflation rate, when will paint be made as a concentrate so we can stop paying to ship all this water? Chemist John Minerowicz has the answers, get 'em here!
Join me as as Garrett Florent of Rainguard shares how dealers can tap into the lucrative market for clears and anti-graffiti coatings. Garrett also shares how dealers can attract masons into their stores with just a small mix of products. Coatings which masons generally acquire at lumber yards or another building supplier!
Episode 67 with Grant Farnsworth of the Farnsworth Group by Mark Lipton
EARNINGS EARNINGS EARNINGS!! Sherwin-Williams, PPG and Masco report earnings and in ten-minutes, you can hear it all here! Spoiler alert....it's better to be an independent!
Join me as I talk recycled content paint with Dustin Martin, CEO of recycled content paint maker Up Paint.
Paint manufacturer Kelly-Moore is announcing that their paint brand is being made available for the first time in the northeast. Kelly-Moore also announcing that their brand will be dealer-only in that region! And if you're thinking "I never saw an announcement like that from Kelly-Moore?" you're right! Because you heard it hear first!
Join me as I discuss the recently announce acquisition of Kelly-Moore.
Industry news for paint retailers (with a little lumber and hardware thrown in). Making the news are the continued struggles at Sherwin-Williams, the housing market and the effect it will have on our segment and S-W and Ben Moore have been sued by THE state of NJ for environmental law violations.
Join me as I talk paint, decor and designers with single-store retailer Thoma Doehring! finding success as a single store dealer dealer is no easy task. Listen to how Thoma makes it happen!
Details of the poor results at Sherwin-Williams. And word on how dealers can hang onto the business which troubles at S-W has brought to dealer's doors.
Join me as I speak with Kim Peffley. Kim is the director of organizational consulting for the NHPA (North American Hardware and Paint Association). Kim and her group support retailers by bringing expertise and experience to bear on their greatest challenges, to help dealers get the most from their businesses.
Join me as I discuss work lights with Tom Perry of Rich Power. The painters and drywallers who already shop in your stores represent 40% of the growing market for work lights! Sell more to the customers already coming in to your stores!
All the news independent paint and hardware retailers need, only I do all the work of finding it. All you need to do is sit back, relax and let me read it to you for 15-minutes!
Join me as Andy Zobell, the owner of Launch Social Media discusses using social media to drive traffic to your stores and web sites.
News highlights for independent paint and home improvement retailers for May 5, 2022.
Join me as I learn the bad news about how long inflation will be with us in the price of paint. Did I say bad news? What's worse than bad?
Join me as I speak with Ace retailer Gina Schaefer. Gina and her husband own 13-stores in the Washington DC area and she shares her secrets to being a successful retailer in an urban setting, and how to use your retail business to do good!
Join me as I discuss uber-premium paints and shiny ceilings with the owner and coo of Fine Paints of Europe John Lahey.
Join me as independent paint dealer James Pace shares his secrets for operate a one-store business in a multiple-outlet retailer world and come out on top.
All the new independent retailers need, delivered in 15-minutes! Plus; What did Dan Calkins get right? And what is John Morikis getting wrong?
Join me as I talk hiring during a labor shortage with NHPA Chief Operating Officer Dan Tratensek. The North American Hardware & Paint Association executive shares the group's best practices for paint, hardware and lumber dealers to hire AND retain staffing during prolonged labor shortages.
In THE News for February 24, 2022 by Mark Lipton
Join me as color technology expert Carl Minchew and I discus how technology will effect the color selection process.
All the news you ignored because you're too busy to read it. Read to you by me!
Join me as Alison Dowell the president and general manager of Emery Jensen shares her hacks for keeping the shelves full during a supply chain crisis! And, what the distributor owned by Ace has planned for dealers looking to grow their business online.
News for independent home improvement retailers
Join me as I talk with the division president of True Value Manufacturing and General paint John Vanderpool. John is a 30+ year executive in the channel and he shares his perspectives on the channel then and now and what True Value is doing to help support their dealers.
My bi-monthly news program for independent paint dealers, "In THE News." These 15-minute episodes get you all the news you need to stay up on the independent channel.
Join me as I speak with Grant Farnsworth president of the market research group the Farnsworth Group. The Farnsworth Group is providing the best data available regarding changes in DIY and professional purchasing behavior since the onset of the pandemic. If you can only listen to two episodes each year, pick the two I make with Grant. Without a doubt the most informative!
Join me as I talk with independent paint dealer Russell Brasher of the Paint Garden in Riverside, CA. Russ is one of the newest dealers, having opened his first store less than 2-years ago as part of the New Entrepreneur program at Benjamin Moore. Russ has recently opened his second store and he shares that experience.
Join me as I hop through my bi-monthly news program for independent paint dealers, "In THE News." These 15-minute episodes get you all the news you need to stay up on the independent channel. And a little #DanCalkinsHumor!
THE Podcast Episode 49 with Frank Cohen-5 Tips to Improve Decor by Mark Lipton
In THE News! News for independent paint dealers
Join me as I chat with President of Wooster Brush, Ben Maibach. Ben and I discuss shortages, Wooster's big expansion as they look to more than double their size.
News for independent paint dealers, October 7, 2021.
Listen in as I discuss the PaintCare program with PaintCare CEO Marjaneh Zarrehparvar. PaintCare is an industry sponsored program currently running in 11 states allowing for proper stewardship of paint through it's lifecycle, allowing for collection and recycling thus removing post-consumer wasted paint from the waste stream.
Paint industry news for independent paint dealers and others in the independent dealer channel.
Join me as I discuss ICP, owners of California Paint and many other brands independents are familiar with. Matt and I discuss the company's plans to offer more of their line of specialty finishes (like their tennis court paint) to the independent channel.
Listen up and I share all the news paint dealers need. And a little paint comedy!
Join me and Dan Tratensek from the NHPA as we discuss their 2020 Cost of Doing Business Study. Find a copy of the study we discuss here: https://therevolution.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/Marks_Stuff/Blog/2020%20CODB%20Study%20Paint%20Only.pdf
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