Hardworking Happy Hour

Episode 136: It all comes back to communication...

October 28th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  58 mins 7 secs

challenges, communication, concrete, concrete work, construction, diy, door-to-door sales, education, home depot, home improvement, hvac, imposter syndrome, keywords construction, learning, mistakes, personal experiences, project management, teamwork, trivia

In this conversation, Sean and Catherine discuss various personal and professional updates, including construction projects, experiences with door-to-door sales, and a new policy at Home Depot requiring executives to work in stores. They explore the importance of understanding different perspectives in the workplace, the significance of communication within teams, and the lessons learned from mistakes made during construction projects. The conversation emphasizes the need for better communication and collaboration to enhance team dynamics and project outcomes. In this conversation, Sean and Catherine discuss the challenges faced while working on concrete projects, emphasizing the importance of learning from mistakes and the educational value of trial and error. They also touch on feelings of imposter syndrome that can arise in leadership roles and the normalization of such feelings. The episode concludes with a fun trivia segment that tests their knowledge on various topics related to home improvement and construction.

Episode 135: OHSA, more like O-SHOOT!

October 21st, 2024  |  Season 1  |  59 mins 14 secs

branding, construction, construction incidents, construction news, construction safety, employee protection, fall protection, fines, ice cream maker, keywords osha, labor violations, ninja creamy, osha, personal updates, safety training, trench safety, workplace hazards, workplace safety, workplace violations

In this conversation, Catherine and Sean discuss various topics, starting with personal updates about their lives, including new clothing purchases and a cat named Tow Truck. They then transition into a discussion about OSHA's recent fines and violations in the construction industry, highlighting specific case studies of companies facing significant penalties for safety violations. The conversation emphasizes the importance of workplace safety and the consequences of negligence in the construction field. In this conversation, Sean and Catherine discuss various workplace safety violations reported by OSHA, highlighting the serious consequences of negligence in the construction industry. They reflect on the importance of safety measures and the role of OSHA in protecting workers. The discussion then shifts to a lighter topic about the Ninja Creamy, a countertop ice cream maker, exploring branding strategies and the appeal of niche products. The episode concludes with a trivia segment focused on OSHA and construction safety regulations, emphasizing the importance of knowledge in maintaining workplace safety.

Episode 134: We did a great job?? That can't be right...

October 14th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 6 mins

construction, creativity, goals, health, humility, keywords aging, knowledge, life lessons, organization, personal growth, project management, sagrada familia, self-reflection, teamwork, trivia

In this conversation, Sean and Catherine discuss the nuances of aging, particularly as Sean turns 36. They reflect on the importance of health and setting realistic goals for the year ahead. The discussion transitions into project management, where they share insights on staying organized and ahead of schedule in their current project. Sean emphasizes the significance of planning and learning from past experiences to improve efficiency. The conversation culminates in a light-hearted self-reflection on personal growth and the acceptance of imperfections in both work and life. In this episode, Sean and Catherine explore themes of humility and self-reflection, discussing the importance of recognizing our own ignorance and the value of lifelong learning. They also delve into the fascinating story of the Sagrada Familia, the world's longest construction project, and share their thoughts on the balance between creating beauty and helping those in need. The episode concludes with a light-hearted trivia segment that highlights their knowledge and camaraderie.

Episode 133: Lessons learned from our recent sales cycle!

October 7th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 5 mins

client behavior, construction news, economic insights, financing, home renovation, keywords italy, outdoor living, sales cycle, travel, trivia

In this engaging conversation, Catherine and Sean discuss a variety of topics ranging from Catherine's recent trip to Italy, cultural reflections on travel, insights from their latest sales cycle in the construction industry, and the importance of understanding client behavior in the current economic climate. They also touch on financing trends in home renovation, the significance of client expectations, and wrap up with a fun trivia challenge.

Episode 132: The Art of Systemizing ft James Reed of Affordable Patios

September 30th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  56 mins 50 secs

affordable patios, construction industry, customer education, data-driven decisions, entrepreneurship, keywords business systems, online presence, profitability, project management, transparency

Summary

In this conversation, HWHH and James Reed discuss the importance of systems and processes in business, particularly in the construction industry. James shares his journey from being an artist struggling with profitability to establishing Affordable Patios, a business focused on providing high-quality outdoor living spaces at an affordable price. They explore the significance of customer education, data-driven decision-making, and the value of transparency in pricing. James emphasizes the need for a strong online presence and the importance of tracking metrics to improve business operations. The conversation concludes with insights on creating a streamlined customer experience and the potential for future growth.

Episode 131: Are you paying attention to your backlog?

September 23rd, 2024  |  Season 1  |  59 mins 16 secs

advantages, backlog, business operations, challenges, client perception, construction industry, disadvantages, dismantling dams, emotional roller coaster, hiring a salesperson, keywords backlog, maintaining infrastructure, manpower needs, opportunities, peace of mind, sales cycle, stability, strategic planning, tracking, tracking trends, trivia, unique selling proposition

Summary

The conversation revolves around the topic of backlog and its impact on business operations. The hosts discuss the advantages and disadvantages of being booked out for a long period of time. They also touch on the importance of tracking the sales cycle and using backlog as a future indicator. The conversation highlights the need for strategic planning, managing manpower needs, and making informed decisions based on backlog data. The hosts also mention the potential impact of backlog on client perception and the benefits of having peace of mind and stability. They briefly discuss the idea of hiring a dedicated salesperson and the unique selling proposition of their business model. Overall, the conversation provides insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with backlog management. In this episode, Catherine and Sean discuss the concept of backlog in the construction industry and how it can affect businesses. They explore the emotional roller coaster that comes with not knowing when the next job will come in and the importance of tracking and analyzing trends. They also touch on the dismantling of dams in the United States and the challenges of maintaining and restoring them. The episode concludes with a trivia segment where they test each other's knowledge on construction-related topics.

Episode 130: Mental Health in the Trades! ft Suzi Mallon, LCSW

September 16th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 37 secs

boundaries, construction industry, coping strategies, emotional well-being, keywords mental health, seeking help, self-care, suicide prevention, therapy, vulnerability

Summary

In this conversation, the hosts discuss the critical issue of mental health, particularly in the construction industry, which has alarmingly high suicide rates. They explore the stigma surrounding mental health, the importance of seeking therapy, and practical strategies for managing mental well-being. The discussion emphasizes the need for vulnerability, the role of boundaries in maintaining mental health, and the significance of open communication. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to prioritize their mental health and seek support when needed.

Episode 129: Boomtown or Busttown??

September 9th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 3 mins

boomtown, bust towns, construction industry, decline, emergency readiness, financial reserve, financial responsibility, gary indiana, infrastructure, keywords boom towns, kyle texas, rapid growth, sustainability, tech industry, texas, trivia, water shortages

The conversation discusses the concept of boom towns and bust towns, using examples of Gary, Indiana, and Kyle, Texas. It explores the rapid growth and subsequent decline of these towns, highlighting the challenges they face, such as water shortages, lack of infrastructure, and emergency readiness. The conversation also touches on the influx of businesses and population to Texas, particularly in the tech industry. It raises concerns about the sustainability of these boom towns and the need for long-term planning and solutions. In this conversation, Sean and Catherine discuss the potential impact of a boomtown on the construction industry. They explore the challenges and opportunities that arise when a small town experiences rapid growth due to an influx of new residents. They also discuss the importance of financial responsibility and having a solid financial reserve in the construction business. The conversation concludes with a trivia segment on construction-related topics.

Episode 128: Do we REALLY need more meetings?!

August 26th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  53 mins 4 secs

blame game, communication, construction, effective communication, equipment maintenance, goals, keywords team meetings, lumber, objectives, personal responsibility, politics, productivity, professional development, recognition, rewards, team cohesion, trivia gauntlet, working with family

Summary

In this conversation, Sean and Catherine discuss the importance of team meetings in a business setting. They highlight the benefits of setting objectives and goals, discussing equipment maintenance and upgrades, and promoting professional development and opportunities. They also touch on the significance of recognition and rewards in team meetings. However, they acknowledge that team meetings can be time-consuming and may lack focus if not properly managed. They caution against dominating personalities and decision fatigue. Overall, they find team meetings to be valuable for communication, productivity, and team cohesion. In this part of the conversation, Sean and Catherine discuss the challenges of working with family members and the importance of effective communication in a professional setting. They also express their frustration with the blame game in politics and the need for personal responsibility. The trivia gauntlet segment tests their knowledge on topics related to construction and lumber. The episode concludes with a preview of the next episode and a farewell.

Episode 127: Lessons from the MEGA RICH!

August 19th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 48 secs

Summary

Diane Hendricks, the co-founder of ABC Supply, is the richest person in the construction industry with a net worth of $20.9 billion. She started the company with her husband and grew it to a $6 billion revenue before his tragic death. Since then, she has taken the company to new heights, with over 695 locations and a net worth of $23 billion. Hendricks offers valuable advice for entrepreneurs, including being open to different paths to achieve your goals, doing thorough research and planning before starting, and having a passion and commitment to your business. She emphasizes the importance of thinking outside the box and not being afraid to take risks. In this conversation, Sean and Catherine discuss various topics related to their personal experiences in the construction industry. They touch on the importance of building a portfolio and skill set, balancing work and family life, seizing opportunities, and the significance of labels for environmentally friendly construction materials. They also engage in a trivia game about construction-related topics.

Episode 126: Will the trades take over college enrollment?!

August 12th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 1 min

advantages, apprenticeship, career exploration, challenges, clt, college, construction, cross-laminated timber, perception, student loans, trade, trivia, union

The conversation explores the debate between going to college or pursuing a trade, with statistics showing a decline in college enrollment and an increase in interest in the trades. The availability of student loans and the perception of different career paths play a significant role in decision-making. Union membership in the trades has been declining, and there is a growing interest in advanced degree tech schools. The use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) as a new wood product in construction is also discussed. In this conversation, Catherine and Sean discuss the use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) in construction. They explore the advantages of CLT, such as its renewable nature and lighter weight compared to steel and concrete. They also discuss the challenges and limitations of using CLT, including its current higher cost and code restrictions. The conversation transitions to a trivia segment where they ask each other questions related to construction. They reflect on the importance of allowing young adults to take time to explore different paths before committing to a career.

Episode 125: WE'RE BACK BABY!!

August 5th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  56 mins 13 secs

community, construction, construction news, construction trivia, cost, education, entertainment, favorite events, heat safety, infrastructure, keywords podcast, olympics, osha, reuse, trinity rodman, undocumented workers, waste reduction, worker safety

After taking a month off, Catherine and Sean discuss the changes they made to improve their podcast. They explore the topic of building infrastructure for the Olympics and the efforts to reduce waste and be more environmentally friendly. They discuss the construction process, the use of undocumented and migrant workers, and the controversy surrounding worker safety. They also touch on the cost of hosting the Olympics and the reuse of facilities after the games. The conversation concludes with a discussion about their favorite Olympic events and which events they would participate in if given the chance. In this conversation, Sean and Catherine discuss various topics including Trinity Rodman's performance in the Olympics, new heat safety rules in construction, and a construction trivia game. They aim to create a sense of community for listeners in the construction industry and provide both educational and entertaining content.

Episode 124: Throwback Ep 4, Special Guest Anthony Lombardo!

July 29th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  52 mins 50 secs

We are on the home stretch of our summer vacation break! For our last throwback episode we decided to treat the people to what they want, Anthony! We will be back with original new revamped content NEXT WEEK!

Episode 123: Throwback Ep 3! Social Media Edition

July 22nd, 2024  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 7 mins

In this weeks episode, we are in week 3 of our mini hiatus! We are throwing it back to our 3rd episode about ALL THINGS SOCIAL MEDIA!

Episode 122: Throwback Design Edition!

July 15th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 2 mins

Hello listeners! For week two of our throwback hiatus summer vacation we bring back one of our favorite episodes all about designing with intention! Enjoy!

Episode 121: Throwback!

July 8th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 3 mins

Hello Hardworking Happy Hour listeners! After 120 episodes we have a decided to take a short summer break! For the month of July we will be reuploading some of our favorite older episodes to give ourselves some time to work on the behind the scenes things that goes in to running a podcast so we can continue to bring you guys the best content possible! This week will be revisiting our first episode, Thinking Outside The Box! Enjoy!