NWFA Wood Talk - podcast cover

NWFA Wood Talk

NWFA Wood Talk www.nwfa.org
Join Brett Miller, NWFA Vice President of Education & Certification, as he speaks with hardwood flooring experts about tips and tricks on how to run a successful business. If you want to-the-point, practical advice on how to advance your career in the hardwood flooring industry, then this podcast from the National Wood Flooring Association is for you. For more information on the National Wood Flooring Association visit nwfa.org.
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Episodes

A Conversation with Norman Kaswell of Kaswell Flooring Systems

Brett Miller chats with Norman Kaswell, a second-generation owner of Kaswell Flooring Systems, about the history and future of end grain flooring in commercial and residential applications. They also discuss tips on installation, finishes, fillers, and long-term care of this unique cut of wood flooring.

Nov 08, 202243 min

A Conversation with Greg Mihaich of Norton/Saint-Gobain Abrasives

Brett Miller chats with Greg Mihaich, an application engineer for Norton/Saint-Gobain Abrasives. In this role, he works in the professional floor sanding and DIY/Contractor markets on new product development, testing, and training. A second-generation wood flooring contractor, Mihaich has been active with NWFA, serving as an instructor at schools and assisting with updates to NWFA’s Sand and Finish Guidelines.

Sep 30, 202259 min

A Conversation with Mike Somodean of MSCS Inc.

Brett Miller and Mike Somodean of MSCS Inc. discuss the value of education, what it means to be credentialed in the wood flooring industry, and the responsibilities you carry as a qualified professional in your market.

Sep 07, 202237 min

A Conversation with City Floor Supply

Brett Miller and staff from City Floor Supply, including owners Mike and Joe Glavin, as well as Caran Baxter, and Amanda Fox-Rouch discuss distribution in today’s wood flooring industry. They talk about changes in today’s distribution business, the economic climate, supply chain issues, the importance of keeping in front of their customers through different marketing strategies, their annual nailing competition, the importance of training, and some of the continuous challenges distributors face,...

Aug 09, 20221 hr 1 min

A Conversation with Jared Fitzgerald

Jared Fitzgerald of Southern Oaks Flooring in Nashville, TN, talks with Brett about his career path in and through the wood flooring industry, the unspoken values of collaborating with other professionals to stay motivated, the importance of education, and what to expect with Spanish classes and technical publications through NWFA.

Jun 28, 202247 min

A Conversation with Russ Watts of Lägler/Palo Duro

Brett Miller and Russ Watts discuss the science of sanding, changes in customer expectations, how finishing furniture differs from flooring, the meaning of 'sand job topography' in relation to wood flooring, equipment maintenance, upcoming equipment maintenance class hosted at Lägler’s facility, and more.

Jun 13, 202248 min

A Conversation with Alex Korbut and Chris Yates

Brett Miller is joined by wood flooring professionals Alex Korbut and Chris Yates to discuss their experiences in Ukraine and how they are participating in relief efforts. Korbut discusses his experiences in Ukraine since the war began. And Chris Yates discusses his efforts to assist refugees.

May 24, 202242 min

A Conversation with Joe Rocco of Artistic Floors by Design

Wood Talk welcomes Joe Rocco of Artistic Floors by Design. Brett and Joe discuss Joe's background in the wood flooring industry, how he went from being an employee to building his business, the importance of investing in employee education, the purpose of NWFA Certification, finding artistic inspiration, Wood Floor of the Year projects, and more.

May 03, 202243 min

A Conversation with Andrew St. James

The guest on this week's Wood Talk episode is Andrew St. James. Andrew holds a Ph.D. in Physics and is a wood science enthusiast who is an independent consultant in the wood flooring industry. Andrew consults for manufacturers such as Goodwin Heart Pine, as well as others. In this discussion, Brett and Andrew talk about the relationship between relative humidity, temperature, and the moisture content of wood.

Apr 05, 202255 min

A Conversation with John Yarema - Defining Your Niche

Brett Miller and John Yarema discus Yarema's path into the hardwood flooring industry, and the upcoming presentation on Tuesday, April 12, at the Pre-Expo Symposium - Define Your Niche and Tap Into a Million Dollar Market. https://www.nwfaexpo.org/NWFA2022/Public/Content.aspx?ID=2251

Mar 09, 202240 min

A Conversation with Kjell Nymark

Brett and Kjell discuss the NWFA Certified Professional program in depth. They discuss what the word certification truly means, the differences between professional certifications, product certifications, certificates of completion, other types of certificates, and more.

Feb 18, 202242 min

A Conversation with James Toal of Loba-Wakol

Brett Miller and James Toal of Loba-Wakol discuss his history in the industry, theories on the sanding process, finishes, and the importance of education...

Jan 10, 202236 min

A Conversation with Daniel Boone

Brett Miller is joined by Daniel Boone, Training Manager at American Sanders. Brett and Daniel discuss the history of industry training, the importance of mentors, sanding tips and tricks, unsung industry veterans who have shaped the hardwood flooring industry, and more.

Dec 13, 202138 min

A Conversation with Kayleen McCabe

Brett Miller is joined by Kayleen McCabe, general contractor, TV host, and trades advocate, to discuss apprenticeship, the importance of inspiring the next generation to get involved in the trades, and more.

Nov 10, 202132 min

A Conversation with Bryan Park of Footprints Floors - Part II

Brett Miller chats with Footprints Floors owner, Bryan Park. They discuss being a businessman versus being a craftsman and how to understand your market. Park also talks about understanding the vital role margins play in the success of your business.

Oct 26, 202144 min

NWFA Inspector School - How Becoming an NWFA Certified Inspector Can Benefit Your Career

Join Brett Miller as he talks with several students at the recent NWFA Wood Floor Inspector school. This school happens once each year and takes a heavy commitment from each of the students who attend. This five-day in-person course has been developed to prepare wood flooring professionals to earn the NWFA CWFI credential. Training involves learning about the inspector's role, their legal responsibilities, identification of wood flooring problems, testing methods, tools, report writing, and more...

Oct 14, 202124 min

A Conversation with Bryan Park of Footprints Floors

Brett Miller chats with Footprints Floors owner, Bryan Park. They discuss the importance of honing your sales skills and how they translate into company growth, how he took a leap of faith and started his business, his recent educational partnership with the NWFA, and more.

Sep 26, 202148 min

A Conversation with Jason Goldberg, Founder and CEO of America's Floor Source

Brett Miller chats with Jason Goldberg, founder and CEO of America's Floor Source. They discuss the labor crisis, addressing the shortage of qualified workers in the flooring industry, how trade associations should be playing a vital role, and combining forces to put trainers on the street to bring new installers to the trade. They also talk about the importance of investing in training, his passion for training for the wide variety of employees under his supervision, and the process he uses to ...

Sep 14, 202151 min

A Conversation with Steve Seabaugh

Brett Miller chats with Steve Seabaugh. They discuss his beginnings working with wood flooring, overcoming adversity, the biggest changes he's seen in the hardwood flooring industry, and more.

Jul 27, 202133 min

A Conversation with Tom Ourada of Ourada Designs

Brett Miller chats with Tom Ourada about his beginnings working with wood flooring, his passion for finding unique flooring material, his recent multiple 2021 Wood Floor of the Year Awards, including Best in Marquetry/Inlay, Circle/Curved Application, and Members' Choice, the importance of positive self-talk, and more.

Jun 15, 202147 min

A Conversation with Todd McDonald of Maple Ridge Handscraped

Brett Miller and Todd McDonald of Maple Ridge Handscraped discuss what it means to be a part of the hardwood flooring industry, why taking care of your health is important, hardwood flooring industry legends who made marks on his career, and more.

May 25, 202132 min

A Conversation with Tim Nathan of Basic Coatings

Brett Miller and Tim Nathan from Basic Coatings discuss the importance of increasing your skill level and being better than the competition, perspectives on industry innovation, water-based stains, the rise of UV stain technology, and more.

Apr 27, 202152 min
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