NHPA’s Taking Care of Business

Episode 16 - Young Retailer of the Year: Katie DeMaris

On the next installment of our Young Retailer of the Year interviews we connect with Katie DeMaris from DeMaris Hardware in Iowa. We learn how Katie and her husband took the plunge into hardware retailing and quickly became fixtures in their local community. We also hear from Fluidmaster's Greg Galen on why sponsoring the Young Retailer of the Year program is so important to their business.

Episode 15 - Young Retailer of the Year: Matthew Holmes

In this week's podcast we talk to our first 2020 Young Retailer of the Year honoree, Matthew Holmes from Holmes Building Materials in Baton Rouge, LA. Holmes gives us insights into his transition from working in the contractor trades to leading this family business. We also talk to Glen Gevaart from Midwest Fastener about how his company proudly supports the Young Retailer of the Year Awards and the independent channel.

Episode 14 - Antoine Hinton

This week, we take a look at the importance of diversity and inclusion within the home improvement industry with our guest Antoine Hinton who is the chairperson of True Value's Diversity and Inclusion Council. We discuss some of the ways companies can help promote more inclusive and diverse teams and the value that brings to the industry as a whole.

SPECIAL SERIES - Pep Talk Episode 19

While we have all learned a lot living through this pandemic  some companies in the industry have been around to see other major events that have rattled the nation. This week, we talk with Jonathan Mize, CEO and president of Kansas-based distributor Blish-Mize. Next year, Blish-Mize will turn 150 years old and Jonathan shares some insights into how the company and its customers are making it through this pandemic and where he sees the industry heading post-COVID-19.

SPECIAL SERIES - Pep Talk Episode 18

On this episode we talk with Scott Wright, who head's up NRHA's Retail Leadership Institute. Scott shares how NRHA continues to help industry leaders hone their skills and stay connected during the pandemic. Scott also gives us a sneak peek into this year's Young Retailer of the Year award winners.

SPECIAL SERIES - Pep Talk Episode 17

There's no doubt that COVID-19 has presented small businesses with their share of incredible challenges. In this week's episode we talk to Bill Brunelle from Independent We Stand (www.independentwestand.org) who shares stories about how small businesses are coping with the pandemic. He also provides insights into how we can all band together to support small business moving forward.

SPECIAL SERIES - Pep Talk Episode 16

This week we check back in with long-time industry vet Jim Robisch from The Farnsworth Group to get his insights into the lessons we are all learning from operating a business during the time of COVID-19 and find out what he thinks might lie ahead for the home improvement industry.

SPECIAL SERIES - Pep Talk Episode 15

In this episode, we talk with Melanie Moul, Hardware Retailing's managing editor. She shares insights into what Hardware Retailing's editors are hearing from the field, talks about what readers can expect in upcoming issues and discusses how her team continues to explore new ways to communicate with retailers during the pandemic.

SPECIAL SERIES - Pep Talk Episode 14

In this episode of Taking Care of Business, the Pep Talk edition, we look at some recent research from NRHA that shows exactly how independent retailers are being impacted by the pandemic. We also hear from Grant Farnsworth with the latest research from The Farnsworth Group on how DIYers and contractors are behaving nearly three months into COVID-19. He also gives a sneak peek at The Farnsworth Group's upcoming free webinar with Kermit Baker from the Harvard University Joint Center. Register for the webinar by going to https://farnsworth.lpages.co/covid19-and-the-pros-response-webinar/.

SPECIAL SERIES - Pep Talk Episode 13

We've been getting a lot of questions from retailers about what they can, can't, should or shouldn't do when dealing with certain issues in the workplace that are related to COVID-19. So this episode's guest is Mick Terrell, a partner with Taft Law (taftlaw.com), who specializes in labor and employment issues. Mick will help us sort through some of the delicate legal concerns retailers are dealing with today and pass along some sound advice about how to protect your employees and your business.