Welcome to “If Walls Could Talk” where Walls & Ceilings magazine is out to discover just that.
Listen as W&C talks with influencers in the industry who are making an impact. We are helping educate and entertain the wall and ceiling industry as only W&C can do. What brought these people to the industry? What’s in store for the contractor? And “If Walls Could Talk,” what stories would they tell? Find out all of this and more on each episode.
W&C Publisher Jill Bloom and Associate Editor Hannah Belloli got a chance to talk with the CEO of Trim-Tex, Joe Koenig. He discussed his start in the industry, his father’s invention of the vinyl cornerbead, women in the construction industry, and more. Koenig also talks about whether or not college is needed and Trim-Tex’s long standing tradition of drag racing dating back to 1999. And though his wife isn’t extremely happy about the fact that Koenig still goes drag racing, he just can’t keep himself away!
Dynamic community builder and unconventional problem solver Melissa Chapman had no idea that responding to a Help Wanted Ad in a newspaper for a marketing role at a building materials company would one day lead to co-founding The GLO Group, a marketing firm that through a holistic approach and 35+ years of experience in the building materials industry, helps businesses bridge the gap between what they perceive themselves to be and what the public perceives them to be. In this episode, Chapman discusses how The GLO Group helps businesses, some marketing must-haves and must-nots, and how businesses should approach marketing.
Trent Cotney, CEO of Cotney Attorneys & Consultants, breaks down some important contract provisions roofing contractors need to know about as they turn to substitute materials during an unprecedented supply shortage in this latest episode.
In today’s day and age, where technology is king and the world seems to live or die by it, it can be hard to figure out just what exactly you are supposed to post on social media, what information should be on your website, or simply: how to make your company shine and stand out against the rest. Thankfully for us, organizations like the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) exist to help us navigate this ever-changing world. W&C had the chance to talk with the CEO of PRSA, Linda Thomas Brooks, and the Chief Communications Officer, Karen Mateo to talk all things PR. Thomas Brooks and Mateo share insights, tricks and tidbits into navigating the world of PR. They share resources PR has to offer, how adding a public relations specialist to your team can alter the state of your business, how our industry specifically can benefit from PR and more.
Industry Influencer Herman Guevara has been all around the world doing work for this industry. Working in building materials, directing sales and marketing, and running Caribbean manufacturing branches. Being bilingual, Herman’s whole career has been based around language, giving him the ability to do business basically anywhere in the world. Join us as Jill Bloom and John Wyatt discuss with Herman his journey in the industry, job opportunities in the trades, his role with Plastic Components and more on this episode of “If Walls Could Talk.”
After months of speculation, the Biden administration issued a final decision eliminating the independent contractor status. Trent Cotney, CEO of Cotney Attorneys & Consultants, breaks down the impact to the construction industry on this episode of “If Walls Could Talk.”
Industry Influencer Steve Smithwick sat down with our team to discuss Master Wall’s business in its genesis to current day. Smithwick talks about the culture at Master Wall being intentional, his favorite books that have helped him navigate the industry, where he started and how his family has grown to the point where he and his wife are seriously considering an addition. Steve tells us how coaching basketball helped him be a boss to all four of his children when they started working at Master Wall, and he gives us an inside look to chicken farming. You wouldn’t believe the colors of eggs chickens can lay! And who is that adorable bulldog that serves as Master Wall’s mascot? Well, that’s Darby.