March 3, 2025 • 17 mins
This is a special episode!
Get ready for a deep dive into the disruptive changes in the lumber and building materials (LBM) market coming to Orlando March 18th through March 20th!
This episode explores the monumental merger between True Value and Do it Best, a game-changer for independent retailers seeking new opportunities. We talk about how this landmark collaboration enhances supply chain efficiency and strengthens vendor relationships, laying the groundwork for a robust future for independent businesses.
We’re also gearing up for the major March market in Orlando, where industry leaders will gather to share insights and forge connections. From engaging workshops to insightful discussions, you’ll learn how to adapt your strategies to thrive in an evolving landscape. We discuss key topics such as futures in pricing, effective marketing strategies, and the importance of personalization in today’s consumer-focused market.
Hope to see you at the Do it Best Spring Market March 18th through the 20th!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Ryan Cooley (00:00):
It was one of the most mind-blowing concepts for a
market.
Already we're stepping it up.
It's bigger and better than itwas.
Stefanie Couch (00:06):
Technology is changing every single day.
Ai is coming in.
What do we adopt?
How do we keep up?
How do we stand out?
We are going to have an expertthat will speak about actionable
strategies that really help youand your business be more
efficient and also moreprofitable.
We have tools, services andpeople that can help you level
(00:27):
up.
Ryan Cooley (00:27):
The way you use each of these tools will vary
based on if you're a yardcompared to a hardware store.
Everyone's going to havesomething they take away as a
really helpful piece ofinformation.
Stefanie Couch (00:39):
Welcome to the Grit Blueprint Podcast.
I'm your host, Stefanie Couch.
This podcast is about brandingbuilding and business.
It also highlights the gritthat it takes to be successful
in business and in life.
Let's get started.
Welcome to the Grit BlueprintPodcast.
I am your host, Stefanie Couch,and I am here today with a
(01:01):
special guest.
Ryan Cooley is here from Do itBest.
He is an LBM businessdevelopment specialist at the
LBM division, which I've beenpartnered with as a brand
ambassador and a what would wecall it speaker for the new
events.
So we are excited today to talkabout the up and coming March
(01:22):
market in Orlando, Florida.
Welcome to the podcast, ryan.
Ryan Cooley (01:26):
Yes, thanks for having me.
Stefanie Couch (01:28):
I'm really pumped about this market, and I
know you are too.
One of the reasons why it's soexciting is actually going to be
the first time ever that Do itBest and True Value are
combining to have one megamarket.
We'll call it, and we'reexpecting what?
Over 8,000 members to be inattendance in Florida.
Ryan Cooley (01:45):
As of now, only growing.
Stefanie Couch (01:48):
That's awesome.
Are we going to be able to fitall these people?
I mean how many?
How many does that conferencecenter hold?
Ryan Cooley (01:53):
I have no idea.
I haven't heard that concern.
I hope we're good there, butman, what a good problem to have
.
Stefanie Couch (01:58):
It is awesome.
I'm really excited and thisshow is coming up next month,
march 21st through the 23rd.
It's coming along very quicklyand it is like we said in
Orlando, florida, at theconference center there.
So if you are planning to go,make sure you've already got
your hotel and all of yourtravel plans.
We are going to dive in todayand talk a little bit about this
show, Some of the cool thingsthat we're doing for the first
(02:20):
time, especially in the LBMbooth, and we're going to have a
special learning day that'sgoing to be on Saturday for LBM
and Millwork members.
But first I want to talk abouta trending news topic that
involves Do it Best.
It is the True Value mergerwhich happened recently and it's
been kind of all over the news.
It's really exciting for bothDo it Best and True Value.
(02:41):
Tell me a little bit about that, ryan, and why that's so really
monumental for both brands.
Ryan Cooley (02:48):
Yeah, it's been a big year for us.
I mean we went from having ourlast acquisition pre-2024, it
was in 1998.
And that was when we mergedwith United Hardware and we
became Do it Best.
So fast forward, what you know.
26 years later we'll like we'resaying let's just do two in one
year.
So we had United earlier in theyear and then all the true
(03:08):
value stuff just unfurled hereat the end of 2024.
And it's been awesome.
I mean to think about all ofthese retailers we're bringing
on.
We're going to be able to helpand ideally the way it looks is
we're working on beefing up allof the infrastructure for the
warehouses on the True Valueside.
If you're a True Value retailer, nothing changes on that end
for you.
Everything stays the same.
(03:29):
But when it comes to the LBMprograms, all of that
opportunity comes over to do itbest and that works out great
because True Value had an LBMteam, but it was three people
and they did a fantastic jobwith the resources they have.
But we do over 2.6 billion eachyear in LBM, have over 70 team
members.
We're in four different sitesacross the country.
(03:50):
We are just scaled in a waywhere we're going to be able to
help all these True Valuemembers, especially ones with an
LBM focus, and that's why thismarket is so exciting just
getting to talk to these folksabout all of that.
Stefanie Couch (04:01):
And I know these True Value members are so
pumped to be at this show andhave a lot of new resources.
Meet all the people on theteams that are there to support
them, and I know Do it Bestmembers are really excited to
welcome them into the fold aswell.
Dan Starr, the president andCEO of Do it Best, actually
described this as a generationalopportunity, a move that will
strengthen all the vendorrelationships, enhance the
(04:23):
supply chain efficiency andreally provide independent
businesses with the resourcesthat they need to compete and
grow in the future.
And what I love the most aboutDo it Best I grew up in a small
family lumberyard and hardwarestore and I love independent
businesses and you guys arereally the champion of
independence and that is anawesome thing to be saying about
(04:46):
your business and you prove itwith the services and the value
that you bring.
So this market is going to be agreat way to prove that to the
True Value members.
This is really exciting for usbecause we are launching
something I want to talk alittle bit about.
On Friday, we're going to startwith the LBM lunch and a market
update A lot of crazy trendingtopics like tariffs and things
like that going on in the worldand people want to know what the
(05:09):
latest and the greatest news is.
So tell me a little bit aboutthat lunch and what people can
expect.
Ryan Cooley (05:14):
Yeah, so we're going to have a handful of folks
up on stage at any given time.
Basically, we have a lot ofspecialists who have their pulse
on different parts of the LBMmarket, whether what's happening
as an aggregate from theterrorist standpoint, what's
happening in independent speciesmarkets based on dimensional
number, whatever it is.
We have experts in each ofthese fields.
So you'll hear from our vicepresident of LBM, russ Kathrine,
(05:36):
our director of purchasing,mike Tremolin.
I'll actually help lead a smallpanel where we'll talk more
about trends emerging on thetariff side versus new products
and trends emerging in theindustry and basically how all
this comes together to wherethere will be solutions for
these at market and through Doit Best, something you won't
want to miss.
I mean there's lunch for one,but also some great content, for
(05:57):
sure.
Stefanie Couch (05:58):
Absolutely, and then, right after that wraps up,
you need to scoot right on overto the Learning Center with the
Knowledge Day at Friday.
It's all over.
Different speakers are going tobe throughout the day, but I am
actually going to be hosting asession at 1.30 on Friday and
that session is really for LBMmembers.
(06:20):
So it is about building yourLBM brand and leaving a legacy,
and I'm excited to share some ofthe things that I'm seeing with
my business and my customers.
I have a lot of customers allover the US and Canada that are
in the lumber and hardware andmillwork business and they are
struggling with some of thethings like.
Technology is changing everysingle day.
(06:40):
Ai is coming in.
What do we adopt?
How do we keep up?
How do we build a brand thatactually stands out in a sea of?
Sometimes what we're selling iscommodities, so pricing is one
of the only things we cancompete on.
How do we stand out?
And I believe that technologylike AI and automation and all
of these things that we haveaccess to, plus brand and
(07:04):
building a strong brand, areactually the only real, true
competitive edge in the moatthat will hold your castle for
decades and legacy building tocome.
So I'm gonna be talking aboutthat, specifically around LBM,
building materials and millwork,and I'm really pumped about
that.
Hopefully people will come andjoin us at 1.30 and the room
will be announced.
You'll see that on all thesigns and that's in the
(07:26):
knowledge sessions.
And then let's get to the realthing we're here to talk about
today.
So Saturday we have some bignews.
Ryan, tell me what we're doingthis year for the first time.
Ryan Cooley (07:37):
For the very first time in the LBM area, we're
doing LBM learning sessions.
So you talked about KnowledgeCentral.
A lot of great content there,including you, while in the LBM
booth on Saturday throughout theentire day, we're going to have
five separate sessions.
It's going to be LBM specificcontent.
Technically it's probablyrelevant to a lot of dealers,
not just LBM, but we're curatingit based on our content.
(07:59):
You'll be in the booth alreadyto see a lot of really good
stuff, which we'll talk abouthere in a minute, but additional
content to sit down, hear fromexperts on things like futures,
how to do it best, the futuresprogram and our reloads how you
possibly could, too, as a dealer, all the way from that to gosh
do it best marketing programs.
I don't know how deep you wantto go on each of these,
(08:20):
stephanie.
Stefanie Couch (08:20):
Yeah, let's talk a little bit about it.
So we're going to kick it offwith an operation session how to
grow your operations.
You know we all havebottlenecks in our business.
We have constraints and a lotof times I hear, hey, I have
this huge constraint in myoperations, especially if you're
manufacturing or light assemblylike in a door shop, or maybe
you have a trust plant or maybeyou're just doing a lot of
shipping and you've got tofigure all those things out.
(08:42):
We are going to have an expertthat will speak about actionable
strategies that really help youand your business be more
efficient and also moreprofitable and that's going to
keep your people happier.
You have all of these amazingtools that you can utilize to
grow your business throughoperations.
So that's going be the firstsession we're gonna kick it off
(09:03):
and then I'm gonna talk a littlebit more about AI for LVM
businesses.
This session is tactical.
It is something that you cantake from your session and go in
to your hotel room later thatnight and actually use some of
these tools.
It is something that any personin your organization can learn.
It's not really crazy pie inthe sky, it nerd stuff.
(09:28):
It's stuff that you could usein your business or even in your
email writing to really levelup.
And if you're scared of what AIcould do, I want you to know
that it is an approachable thingand you can get on the early
adoption right now it's stillsuper early for this and really
grow your business with it.
And then the next session, Iwant you to intro this one.
So you talked a little bitabout it.
Tell me a little bit more aboutthe LBM Futures training and
(09:49):
why that might be advantageousfor someone that has a lumber
business.
Ryan Cooley (09:53):
Yeah, I think the beautiful part about this
session is Futures as a concept.
You can get really deep reallyquick.
Futures as a concept, you canget really deep really quick.
And what we're doing here isyou're going to have a real
dummy of a moderator, me sittingup in a panel with a couple of
experts.
So one guy actually used to dopurchasing at a large lumber
yard and he used futures to kindof diversify the mix of lumber
(10:14):
he had on the ground.
The other guy helps manage ourreload inventory and uses
futures to kind of mitigate therisk that we see there manage
our reload inventory and usesfutures to kind of mitigate the
risk that we see there.
And between both of them and measking the most one-on-one
questions possible, we're goingto convey the concept and,
ultimately, how Do it Best canhelp you when it comes to
forward pricing, future pricing,lumber when you need to bid a
(10:34):
project or hit a basis orwhatever it is.
And if that didn't make sense,it will after you see the
session.
Stefanie Couch (10:44):
Yeah, absolutely , and one of the things I think
I love the most about Do it Bestand this co-op model that you
guys have is you can buy lumberfrom a lot of different places,
but we want to be the place thatyou come.
That makes your business better, that we have tools, services
and people that can help youlevel up, and that's really what
we're doing here.
This show is trying to justgive you more of that, and we're
going to be doing it throughoutthe day on Saturday, obviously,
(11:04):
and hopefully continue thisforever on.
But it's going to be excitingto see these people show up and
see what they find valuable, andI know that this lumber futures
one is going to be especiallyfor younger members that maybe
haven't ever seen this training.
We've done this in the past.
It's been extremely wellattended, so we're pumped about
this, and I know the moderatoris going to crush it, so I'm not
about that.
(11:25):
Next, we're going to talk aboutthe marketing strategies that we
would use and have availablethrough Do it Best for our
members.
You actually used to be in themarketing department, so tell me
a little bit about some of thepractical ways that people can
reach more customers andactually increase their sales
easier with these tools thatwe're going to be talking about.
Ryan Cooley (11:45):
Yeah, this will be a lot of fun.
We get to work with a gentlemanon our consumer marketing team.
His name's Josh, so Josh comesin and he has a lot of
perspective of helping a diversetype of members everyone from
actual hardware to lumber yards,home centers and we have a
large array of marketing toolsat our disposal.
But the way you use each ofthese tools, or if it's
(12:05):
applicable, will vary based onif you're a yard compared to a
hardware store.
So we'll dive a little bit intothat.
It's going to be a really goodmix because we'll also have you
there as well.
So, from the standpoint of doesDo it Best have the right tool
to help with a lumberyard or isthere a way that your expertise
can be leveraged here to helppeople figure out how do we
(12:26):
drive traffic?
So, from the mix of Do it Bestand you there, I think
everyone's going to havesomething they take away as a
really helpful piece ofinformation.
Stefanie Couch (12:35):
It's crazy to me .
There's so many marketing toolsout there and obviously with AI
, it's like every day somethingnew comes out.
But, it's overwhelming and thereare a lot of things you can do
and you don't know exactly whatshould be spent on each thing
and maybe there's seasonalityand all these things that come
into play.
Sometimes people forget reallygreat tools like direct mail is
crushing it right now for a lotof customers and we often forget
(12:59):
those things.
So we are going to serve,hopefully, as a little reminder
or maybe even where you can askquestions.
We're definitely going to haveQ&A sessions at all of these
sessions, after the speaking orthe panel, we will have Q&A and
you know you can kind of askanything Like.
I kind of love it when peoplesend me questions or ask me
questions that are kind of stumpquestions like stump the
teacher Maybe.
(13:21):
Maybe I won't know the answer,but somebody up there probably
will and if not, we'll find itout for you which is for sure,
and we're going to wrap up thesessions with my favorite topic,
which is the window door andmillwork business part of Do it
Best, and it is really about howour resources and our team can
help you elevate your millworkbusiness.
We're going to have one of ourMillwork team members, gavin
(13:43):
Weeks, up with us and he's goingto be talking about exactly how
we can support members in thatdepartment and, again, we're
going to have a lot of amazingvendors there.
They're going to be rightoutside the LBM booth, so
they're going to be there.
Once you get this information,you can probably go right out
and talk to them or talk tosomeone on our Do it Best team
about this.
These sessions are going to beawesome.
(14:05):
I can't wait for them and I'mreally pumped to hopefully give
a lot of value to our members.
Ryan Cooley (14:10):
Me too.
It's going to be fun.
Stefanie Couch (14:11):
Yeah, and there's something else amazing
that we had first at the show inIndy in the fall and it is
coming back.
Tell me a little bit aboutStudio 695 for those maybe who
haven't attended or didn't seeit in the fall.
Ryan Cooley (14:25):
Man.
In the fall it was One of themost mind-blowing concepts for a
market I mean to think of.
It's the first time we have alittle house built right and
it's just sitting out on themarket floor.
When you walk in you seeawesome examples of appliances.
You can get through usband-aids, you can get through
the warehouse, even flooring.
We even had fake walls up andthe fake window on the wall.
(14:48):
It's an actual window.
You can get through us and theintentionality and thought
behind this.
It's really meant to helpmembers see this in real life
and think how can I do somethingsimilar in my store and drive
traffic?
So that's the concept.
In the fall it was awesome.
Already we're stepping it up.
It's bigger and better than itwas.
This year we're going to have afarmhouse theme including the
(15:11):
core items that match that, andthen we're also going to have a
garage concept attached toStudio 695, where we'll feature
a lot of different you know,organizational pieces, anything
you'd find in the garage newproducts, trusted products,
everything and if a member goesin and checks it out, it'll be
really easy to buy everythingthey're seeing.
Stefanie Couch (15:30):
I'm going to tell you from experience.
I love an organized garage.
Mine is not right now, but I dolove an organized garage, so
I'm excited to see what they'vecome up with and all the amazing
things that we've added andthat has been curated by an
incredible woman who is a teammember.
A beer at Do it Best.
And she is actually has adesign background.
(15:50):
She is a total professional atthis.
She always wows with what shecomes up with, so I can't wait
to see what it looks like.
Ryan Cooley (15:56):
Same.
She's too good.
Stefanie Couch (15:57):
Yeah, she's awesome.
All right, All work and no playmakes Stephanie a dull girl.
So tell me about Saturday night, because we're going to kick
off our shoes and put on thetennis shoes and show up at
Universal Studios.
Ryan Cooley (16:12):
Yes, so yeah, exactly.
Shoes, and put on the tennisshoes and show up at universal
studios.
Yes, so yeah, exactly.
Long day, a lot of fun, a lotof good stuff, best way to
unwind amusement park.
We'll be there um universal.
Start at 7 30 so you can startshowing up, hit the park up, go
through rides, grab food, allthat.
The best part, though, is atnine o'clock, the public gets,
gets kicked out, and it's justus, duo Best Market attendees
(16:34):
who have the whole park toourselves all the way until
midnight.
Stefanie Couch (16:38):
I can't wait, I've never been in a private
park before.
I haven't either so cool.
Ryan Cooley (16:43):
Yeah, it's going to be fun.
We're going to hit a lot of theHarry Potter stuff on our end.
Stefanie Couch (16:46):
I hear that your son is super excited about the
Harry Potter world.
Huh.
Ryan Cooley (16:50):
Yeah, we think we have a Gryffindor.
We're not sure yet, but we'lltry the sorting hat when we get
there.
Stefanie Couch (16:56):
And he's been prepping with all the movies, so
he is ready to go.
I'm going to love it.
I'm hoping you're going to havea little lightning bolt when
you show up.
Ryan Cooley (17:03):
Maybe I might just leave that to him, but we'll see
.
Stefanie Couch (17:07):
I might show up with one as well.
Ryan Cooley (17:09):
You can get the sorting hat.
Stefanie Couch (17:11):
I would love it, that would be, amazing.
I need another hat for mycollection.
72 is not enough.
Ryan Cooley (17:16):
I agree.
Stefanie Couch (17:18):
All right.
Well, let's roll into Sunday,where we're going to have one
last hurrah that morning for LBM.
It is actually our new LBMmarketing breakfast, so tell me
a little bit about the premiseof that, what we're talking
about and why people shouldattend.
Ryan Cooley (17:32):
Yeah, this will be fun.
I mean, again, there's freefood.
We know what's important, buteven beyond that, it's so easy
to look at LBM and think,product, product, product and
huge part of what we do.
Yes, but the reason why we'repartnering with marketing on
this is because we're so muchmore than that.
We're service as well.
So this whole breakfast is tomake sure that the membership
understands when you work withmarketing, when you work with
(17:54):
LBM, what kind of services andprograms can you leverage to
enhance your experience as ayard owner or retailer and
really take that product andprice to the next level?
So it's going to be a lot ofgood content.
You'll hear from a lot of greatmembers of the LBM and
marketing teams and then onceagain, get a free breakfast.
Stefanie Couch (18:13):
Yeah, from a lot of great members of the LBM and
marketing teams, and then onceagain get a free breakfast, yeah
, and that is gonna be kind ofthe last thing that we're gonna
plan for that day as far assessions.
So then you'll be free to do allthe other things for the rest
of the day, and I'm reallyexcited to have Do it Best and
True Value members combined,because this is their event,
this is just for them.
The connections, the education,all the strategies that they're
(18:37):
going to gain at this marketwill help them strengthen their
businesses.
They're going to help you standout in your market which
everyone is trying to do andbuild a lasting legacy that will
stand the test of time andhopefully bring in amazing
generational success for yourbusiness.
And I'm going to be there,ryan's going to be there, all
the 8,000 of your best friendsfrom Do it Best and True Value
will be there, so don't miss out.
It is March 21st through the23rd in Orlando, florida, and I
(18:59):
really appreciate you hoppingonto the Grit Blueprint with me,
ryan, to talk about this, and Ican't wait to see you in
Orlando.
Ryan Cooley (19:05):
Yeah, same here.
Thanks for having me.
I'll see you soon.
Stefanie Couch (19:08):
Thank you for joining me on the Grit Blueprint
podcast.
If today's episode fired you upand inspires you, subscribe,
leave a review and share it withsomeone who's ready to level up
.
But here's the real questionAre you ready to take bold
action and build somethingextraordinary?
At Grit Blueprint, we don'tjust create strategies.
(19:28):
We actually create results.
Whether it's building yourpersonal brand, optimizing your
marketing and strategy in yourbuilding business or scaling,
we're here to make sure youdominate the industry and leave
a legacy.
Don't wait.
Visit GritBlueprint.
com to book a consultation andstart making your moves today.
(19:49):
Remember, success doesn't justhappen by chance.
It happens by grit.
Keep building and I'll see younext time on the Grit Blueprint
Podcast.
It was one of the most mind-blowing concepts for a
market.
Already we're stepping it up.
It's bigger and better than itwas.
Stefanie Couch (00:06):
Technology is changing every single day.
Ai is coming in.
What do we adopt?
How do we keep up?
How do we stand out?
We are going to have an expertthat will speak about actionable
strategies that really help youand your business be more
efficient and also moreprofitable.
We have tools, services andpeople that can help you level
(00:27):
up.
Ryan Cooley (00:27):
The way you use each of these tools will vary
based on if you're a yardcompared to a hardware store.
Everyone's going to havesomething they take away as a
really helpful piece ofinformation.
Stefanie Couch (00:39):
Welcome to the Grit Blueprint Podcast.
I'm your host, Stefanie Couch.
This podcast is about brandingbuilding and business.
It also highlights the gritthat it takes to be successful
in business and in life.
Let's get started.
Welcome to the Grit BlueprintPodcast.
I am your host, Stefanie Couch,and I am here today with a
(01:01):
special guest.
Ryan Cooley is here from Do itBest.
He is an LBM businessdevelopment specialist at the
LBM division, which I've beenpartnered with as a brand
ambassador and a what would wecall it speaker for the new
events.
So we are excited today to talkabout the up and coming March
(01:22):
market in Orlando, Florida.
Welcome to the podcast, ryan.
Ryan Cooley (01:26):
Yes, thanks for having me.
Stefanie Couch (01:28):
I'm really pumped about this market, and I
know you are too.
One of the reasons why it's soexciting is actually going to be
the first time ever that Do itBest and True Value are
combining to have one megamarket.
We'll call it, and we'reexpecting what?
Over 8,000 members to be inattendance in Florida.
Ryan Cooley (01:45):
As of now, only growing.
Stefanie Couch (01:48):
That's awesome.
Are we going to be able to fitall these people?
I mean how many?
How many does that conferencecenter hold?
Ryan Cooley (01:53):
I have no idea.
I haven't heard that concern.
I hope we're good there, butman, what a good problem to have
.
Stefanie Couch (01:58):
It is awesome.
I'm really excited and thisshow is coming up next month,
march 21st through the 23rd.
It's coming along very quicklyand it is like we said in
Orlando, florida, at theconference center there.
So if you are planning to go,make sure you've already got
your hotel and all of yourtravel plans.
We are going to dive in todayand talk a little bit about this
show, Some of the cool thingsthat we're doing for the first
(02:20):
time, especially in the LBMbooth, and we're going to have a
special learning day that'sgoing to be on Saturday for LBM
and Millwork members.
But first I want to talk abouta trending news topic that
involves Do it Best.
It is the True Value mergerwhich happened recently and it's
been kind of all over the news.
It's really exciting for bothDo it Best and True Value.
(02:41):
Tell me a little bit about that, ryan, and why that's so really
monumental for both brands.
Ryan Cooley (02:48):
Yeah, it's been a big year for us.
I mean we went from having ourlast acquisition pre-2024, it
was in 1998.
And that was when we mergedwith United Hardware and we
became Do it Best.
So fast forward, what you know.
26 years later we'll like we'resaying let's just do two in one
year.
So we had United earlier in theyear and then all the true
(03:08):
value stuff just unfurled hereat the end of 2024.
And it's been awesome.
I mean to think about all ofthese retailers we're bringing
on.
We're going to be able to helpand ideally the way it looks is
we're working on beefing up allof the infrastructure for the
warehouses on the True Valueside.
If you're a True Value retailer, nothing changes on that end
for you.
Everything stays the same.
(03:29):
But when it comes to the LBMprograms, all of that
opportunity comes over to do itbest and that works out great
because True Value had an LBMteam, but it was three people
and they did a fantastic jobwith the resources they have.
But we do over 2.6 billion eachyear in LBM, have over 70 team
members.
We're in four different sitesacross the country.
(03:50):
We are just scaled in a waywhere we're going to be able to
help all these True Valuemembers, especially ones with an
LBM focus, and that's why thismarket is so exciting just
getting to talk to these folksabout all of that.
Stefanie Couch (04:01):
And I know these True Value members are so
pumped to be at this show andhave a lot of new resources.
Meet all the people on theteams that are there to support
them, and I know Do it Bestmembers are really excited to
welcome them into the fold aswell.
Dan Starr, the president andCEO of Do it Best, actually
described this as a generationalopportunity, a move that will
strengthen all the vendorrelationships, enhance the
(04:23):
supply chain efficiency andreally provide independent
businesses with the resourcesthat they need to compete and
grow in the future.
And what I love the most aboutDo it Best I grew up in a small
family lumberyard and hardwarestore and I love independent
businesses and you guys arereally the champion of
independence and that is anawesome thing to be saying about
(04:46):
your business and you prove itwith the services and the value
that you bring.
So this market is going to be agreat way to prove that to the
True Value members.
This is really exciting for usbecause we are launching
something I want to talk alittle bit about.
On Friday, we're going to startwith the LBM lunch and a market
update A lot of crazy trendingtopics like tariffs and things
like that going on in the worldand people want to know what the
(05:09):
latest and the greatest news is.
So tell me a little bit aboutthat lunch and what people can
expect.
Ryan Cooley (05:14):
Yeah, so we're going to have a handful of folks
up on stage at any given time.
Basically, we have a lot ofspecialists who have their pulse
on different parts of the LBMmarket, whether what's happening
as an aggregate from theterrorist standpoint, what's
happening in independent speciesmarkets based on dimensional
number, whatever it is.
We have experts in each ofthese fields.
So you'll hear from our vicepresident of LBM, russ Kathrine,
(05:36):
our director of purchasing,mike Tremolin.
I'll actually help lead a smallpanel where we'll talk more
about trends emerging on thetariff side versus new products
and trends emerging in theindustry and basically how all
this comes together to wherethere will be solutions for
these at market and through Doit Best, something you won't
want to miss.
I mean there's lunch for one,but also some great content, for
(05:57):
sure.
Stefanie Couch (05:58):
Absolutely, and then, right after that wraps up,
you need to scoot right on overto the Learning Center with the
Knowledge Day at Friday.
It's all over.
Different speakers are going tobe throughout the day, but I am
actually going to be hosting asession at 1.30 on Friday and
that session is really for LBMmembers.
(06:20):
So it is about building yourLBM brand and leaving a legacy,
and I'm excited to share some ofthe things that I'm seeing with
my business and my customers.
I have a lot of customers allover the US and Canada that are
in the lumber and hardware andmillwork business and they are
struggling with some of thethings like.
Technology is changing everysingle day.
(06:40):
Ai is coming in.
What do we adopt?
How do we keep up?
How do we build a brand thatactually stands out in a sea of?
Sometimes what we're selling iscommodities, so pricing is one
of the only things we cancompete on.
How do we stand out?
And I believe that technologylike AI and automation and all
of these things that we haveaccess to, plus brand and
(07:04):
building a strong brand, areactually the only real, true
competitive edge in the moatthat will hold your castle for
decades and legacy building tocome.
So I'm gonna be talking aboutthat, specifically around LBM,
building materials and millwork,and I'm really pumped about
that.
Hopefully people will come andjoin us at 1.30 and the room
will be announced.
You'll see that on all thesigns and that's in the
(07:26):
knowledge sessions.
And then let's get to the realthing we're here to talk about
today.
So Saturday we have some bignews.
Ryan, tell me what we're doingthis year for the first time.
Ryan Cooley (07:37):
For the very first time in the LBM area, we're
doing LBM learning sessions.
So you talked about KnowledgeCentral.
A lot of great content there,including you, while in the LBM
booth on Saturday throughout theentire day, we're going to have
five separate sessions.
It's going to be LBM specificcontent.
Technically it's probablyrelevant to a lot of dealers,
not just LBM, but we're curatingit based on our content.
(07:59):
You'll be in the booth alreadyto see a lot of really good
stuff, which we'll talk abouthere in a minute, but additional
content to sit down, hear fromexperts on things like futures,
how to do it best, the futuresprogram and our reloads how you
possibly could, too, as a dealer, all the way from that to gosh
do it best marketing programs.
I don't know how deep you wantto go on each of these,
(08:20):
stephanie.
Stefanie Couch (08:20):
Yeah, let's talk a little bit about it.
So we're going to kick it offwith an operation session how to
grow your operations.
You know we all havebottlenecks in our business.
We have constraints and a lotof times I hear, hey, I have
this huge constraint in myoperations, especially if you're
manufacturing or light assemblylike in a door shop, or maybe
you have a trust plant or maybeyou're just doing a lot of
shipping and you've got tofigure all those things out.
(08:42):
We are going to have an expertthat will speak about actionable
strategies that really help youand your business be more
efficient and also moreprofitable and that's going to
keep your people happier.
You have all of these amazingtools that you can utilize to
grow your business throughoperations.
So that's going be the firstsession we're gonna kick it off
(09:03):
and then I'm gonna talk a littlebit more about AI for LVM
businesses.
This session is tactical.
It is something that you cantake from your session and go in
to your hotel room later thatnight and actually use some of
these tools.
It is something that any personin your organization can learn.
It's not really crazy pie inthe sky, it nerd stuff.
(09:28):
It's stuff that you could usein your business or even in your
email writing to really levelup.
And if you're scared of what AIcould do, I want you to know
that it is an approachable thingand you can get on the early
adoption right now it's stillsuper early for this and really
grow your business with it.
And then the next session, Iwant you to intro this one.
So you talked a little bitabout it.
Tell me a little bit more aboutthe LBM Futures training and
(09:49):
why that might be advantageousfor someone that has a lumber
business.
Ryan Cooley (09:53):
Yeah, I think the beautiful part about this
session is Futures as a concept.
You can get really deep reallyquick.
Futures as a concept, you canget really deep really quick.
And what we're doing here isyou're going to have a real
dummy of a moderator, me sittingup in a panel with a couple of
experts.
So one guy actually used to dopurchasing at a large lumber
yard and he used futures to kindof diversify the mix of lumber
(10:14):
he had on the ground.
The other guy helps manage ourreload inventory and uses
futures to kind of mitigate therisk that we see there manage
our reload inventory and usesfutures to kind of mitigate the
risk that we see there.
And between both of them and measking the most one-on-one
questions possible, we're goingto convey the concept and,
ultimately, how Do it Best canhelp you when it comes to
forward pricing, future pricing,lumber when you need to bid a
(10:34):
project or hit a basis orwhatever it is.
And if that didn't make sense,it will after you see the
session.
Stefanie Couch (10:44):
Yeah, absolutely , and one of the things I think
I love the most about Do it Bestand this co-op model that you
guys have is you can buy lumberfrom a lot of different places,
but we want to be the place thatyou come.
That makes your business better, that we have tools, services
and people that can help youlevel up, and that's really what
we're doing here.
This show is trying to justgive you more of that, and we're
going to be doing it throughoutthe day on Saturday, obviously,
(11:04):
and hopefully continue thisforever on.
But it's going to be excitingto see these people show up and
see what they find valuable, andI know that this lumber futures
one is going to be especiallyfor younger members that maybe
haven't ever seen this training.
We've done this in the past.
It's been extremely wellattended, so we're pumped about
this, and I know the moderatoris going to crush it, so I'm not
about that.
(11:25):
Next, we're going to talk aboutthe marketing strategies that we
would use and have availablethrough Do it Best for our
members.
You actually used to be in themarketing department, so tell me
a little bit about some of thepractical ways that people can
reach more customers andactually increase their sales
easier with these tools thatwe're going to be talking about.
Ryan Cooley (11:45):
Yeah, this will be a lot of fun.
We get to work with a gentlemanon our consumer marketing team.
His name's Josh, so Josh comesin and he has a lot of
perspective of helping a diversetype of members everyone from
actual hardware to lumber yards,home centers and we have a
large array of marketing toolsat our disposal.
But the way you use each ofthese tools, or if it's
(12:05):
applicable, will vary based onif you're a yard compared to a
hardware store.
So we'll dive a little bit intothat.
It's going to be a really goodmix because we'll also have you
there as well.
So, from the standpoint of doesDo it Best have the right tool
to help with a lumberyard or isthere a way that your expertise
can be leveraged here to helppeople figure out how do we
(12:26):
drive traffic?
So, from the mix of Do it Bestand you there, I think
everyone's going to havesomething they take away as a
really helpful piece ofinformation.
Stefanie Couch (12:35):
It's crazy to me .
There's so many marketing toolsout there and obviously with AI
, it's like every day somethingnew comes out.
But, it's overwhelming and thereare a lot of things you can do
and you don't know exactly whatshould be spent on each thing
and maybe there's seasonalityand all these things that come
into play.
Sometimes people forget reallygreat tools like direct mail is
crushing it right now for a lotof customers and we often forget
(12:59):
those things.
So we are going to serve,hopefully, as a little reminder
or maybe even where you can askquestions.
We're definitely going to haveQ&A sessions at all of these
sessions, after the speaking orthe panel, we will have Q&A and
you know you can kind of askanything Like.
I kind of love it when peoplesend me questions or ask me
questions that are kind of stumpquestions like stump the
teacher Maybe.
(13:21):
Maybe I won't know the answer,but somebody up there probably
will and if not, we'll find itout for you which is for sure,
and we're going to wrap up thesessions with my favorite topic,
which is the window door andmillwork business part of Do it
Best, and it is really about howour resources and our team can
help you elevate your millworkbusiness.
We're going to have one of ourMillwork team members, gavin
(13:43):
Weeks, up with us and he's goingto be talking about exactly how
we can support members in thatdepartment and, again, we're
going to have a lot of amazingvendors there.
They're going to be rightoutside the LBM booth, so
they're going to be there.
Once you get this information,you can probably go right out
and talk to them or talk tosomeone on our Do it Best team
about this.
These sessions are going to beawesome.
(14:05):
I can't wait for them and I'mreally pumped to hopefully give
a lot of value to our members.
Ryan Cooley (14:10):
Me too.
It's going to be fun.
Stefanie Couch (14:11):
Yeah, and there's something else amazing
that we had first at the show inIndy in the fall and it is
coming back.
Tell me a little bit aboutStudio 695 for those maybe who
haven't attended or didn't seeit in the fall.
Ryan Cooley (14:25):
Man.
In the fall it was One of themost mind-blowing concepts for a
market I mean to think of.
It's the first time we have alittle house built right and
it's just sitting out on themarket floor.
When you walk in you seeawesome examples of appliances.
You can get through usband-aids, you can get through
the warehouse, even flooring.
We even had fake walls up andthe fake window on the wall.
(14:48):
It's an actual window.
You can get through us and theintentionality and thought
behind this.
It's really meant to helpmembers see this in real life
and think how can I do somethingsimilar in my store and drive
traffic?
So that's the concept.
In the fall it was awesome.
Already we're stepping it up.
It's bigger and better than itwas.
This year we're going to have afarmhouse theme including the
(15:11):
core items that match that, andthen we're also going to have a
garage concept attached toStudio 695, where we'll feature
a lot of different you know,organizational pieces, anything
you'd find in the garage newproducts, trusted products,
everything and if a member goesin and checks it out, it'll be
really easy to buy everythingthey're seeing.
Stefanie Couch (15:30):
I'm going to tell you from experience.
I love an organized garage.
Mine is not right now, but I dolove an organized garage, so
I'm excited to see what they'vecome up with and all the amazing
things that we've added andthat has been curated by an
incredible woman who is a teammember.
A beer at Do it Best.
And she is actually has adesign background.
(15:50):
She is a total professional atthis.
She always wows with what shecomes up with, so I can't wait
to see what it looks like.
Ryan Cooley (15:56):
Same.
She's too good.
Stefanie Couch (15:57):
Yeah, she's awesome.
All right, All work and no playmakes Stephanie a dull girl.
So tell me about Saturday night, because we're going to kick
off our shoes and put on thetennis shoes and show up at
Universal Studios.
Ryan Cooley (16:12):
Yes, so yeah, exactly.
Shoes, and put on the tennisshoes and show up at universal
studios.
Yes, so yeah, exactly.
Long day, a lot of fun, a lotof good stuff, best way to
unwind amusement park.
We'll be there um universal.
Start at 7 30 so you can startshowing up, hit the park up, go
through rides, grab food, allthat.
The best part, though, is atnine o'clock, the public gets,
gets kicked out, and it's justus, duo Best Market attendees
(16:34):
who have the whole park toourselves all the way until
midnight.
Stefanie Couch (16:38):
I can't wait, I've never been in a private
park before.
I haven't either so cool.
Ryan Cooley (16:43):
Yeah, it's going to be fun.
We're going to hit a lot of theHarry Potter stuff on our end.
Stefanie Couch (16:46):
I hear that your son is super excited about the
Harry Potter world.
Huh.
Ryan Cooley (16:50):
Yeah, we think we have a Gryffindor.
We're not sure yet, but we'lltry the sorting hat when we get
there.
Stefanie Couch (16:56):
And he's been prepping with all the movies, so
he is ready to go.
I'm going to love it.
I'm hoping you're going to havea little lightning bolt when
you show up.
Ryan Cooley (17:03):
Maybe I might just leave that to him, but we'll see
.
Stefanie Couch (17:07):
I might show up with one as well.
Ryan Cooley (17:09):
You can get the sorting hat.
Stefanie Couch (17:11):
I would love it, that would be, amazing.
I need another hat for mycollection.
72 is not enough.
Ryan Cooley (17:16):
I agree.
Stefanie Couch (17:18):
All right.
Well, let's roll into Sunday,where we're going to have one
last hurrah that morning for LBM.
It is actually our new LBMmarketing breakfast, so tell me
a little bit about the premiseof that, what we're talking
about and why people shouldattend.
Ryan Cooley (17:32):
Yeah, this will be fun.
I mean, again, there's freefood.
We know what's important, buteven beyond that, it's so easy
to look at LBM and think,product, product, product and
huge part of what we do.
Yes, but the reason why we'repartnering with marketing on
this is because we're so muchmore than that.
We're service as well.
So this whole breakfast is tomake sure that the membership
understands when you work withmarketing, when you work with
(17:54):
LBM, what kind of services andprograms can you leverage to
enhance your experience as ayard owner or retailer and
really take that product andprice to the next level?
So it's going to be a lot ofgood content.
You'll hear from a lot of greatmembers of the LBM and
marketing teams and then onceagain, get a free breakfast.
Stefanie Couch (18:13):
Yeah, from a lot of great members of the LBM and
marketing teams, and then onceagain get a free breakfast, yeah
, and that is gonna be kind ofthe last thing that we're gonna
plan for that day as far assessions.
So then you'll be free to do allthe other things for the rest
of the day, and I'm reallyexcited to have Do it Best and
True Value members combined,because this is their event,
this is just for them.
The connections, the education,all the strategies that they're
(18:37):
going to gain at this marketwill help them strengthen their
businesses.
They're going to help you standout in your market which
everyone is trying to do andbuild a lasting legacy that will
stand the test of time andhopefully bring in amazing
generational success for yourbusiness.
And I'm going to be there,ryan's going to be there, all
the 8,000 of your best friendsfrom Do it Best and True Value
will be there, so don't miss out.
It is March 21st through the23rd in Orlando, florida, and I
(18:59):
really appreciate you hoppingonto the Grit Blueprint with me,
ryan, to talk about this, and Ican't wait to see you in
Orlando.
Ryan Cooley (19:05):
Yeah, same here.
Thanks for having me.
I'll see you soon.
Stefanie Couch (19:08):
Thank you for joining me on the Grit Blueprint
podcast.
If today's episode fired you upand inspires you, subscribe,
leave a review and share it withsomeone who's ready to level up
.
But here's the real questionAre you ready to take bold
action and build somethingextraordinary?
At Grit Blueprint, we don'tjust create strategies.
(19:28):
We actually create results.
Whether it's building yourpersonal brand, optimizing your
marketing and strategy in yourbuilding business or scaling,
we're here to make sure youdominate the industry and leave
a legacy.
Don't wait.
Visit GritBlueprint.
com to book a consultation andstart making your moves today.
(19:49):
Remember, success doesn't justhappen by chance.
It happens by grit.
Keep building and I'll see younext time on the Grit Blueprint
Podcast.
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