August 28, 2025 • 16 mins
Lori Ables shares the story of how she transformed a nearly empty store into an award-winning True Value hardware destination at 3 Sons Hardware in Minnesota. Her journey from reluctant retailer to passionate hardware store owner showcases the power of listening to customers and creating a family legacy business.
• Initially reluctant to enter retail when husband bought first hardware store in Ohio
• Purchased Minnesota store in 2022 and completed extensive remodeling with True Value's help
• Named business "3 Sons Hardware" with all three sons working in family businesses
• Expanded fishing department with live bait and tackle to serve local lakes community
• Focuses on listening to customers to adjust product mix for local needs
• Leads by example by working alongside employees on all tasks
• Balances having experienced retirees and younger employees for knowledge and energy
• Successfully navigating the True Value transition to Do it Best ownership
• Exploring AI technology for creating store signage and other applications
• Working in tandem with family lumberyard business for economies of scale
If you're ready to turn visibility into growth, head to gritblueprint.com to learn more and book a call to talk about your growth strategy.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Lori Ables (00:00):
Tell me about the remodel process.
You know I worked seven days aweek for a few months and it was
exhausting, but it was like itwas so much fun getting to put
things where I wanted them to be, and True Value's design team
really helped in the process.
Stefanie Couch (00:15):
Where have you seen challenges and been able to
solve them in your business?
Lori Ables (00:18):
This store is a lot different than my other store
because our other store was morerural and this one is more.
It's still a small town butit's more in town and so I
really had to listen to thecustomers and what they're
looking for.
So since the remodel I've madea lot of changes, changed our
product mix a little bit, notdrastically, but enough to fit
(00:38):
what the locals are looking for.
Stefanie Couch (00:41):
Welcome to the Grit Blueprint Podcast, the
playbook for buildingunmistakable brands that grow,
lead and last in the built world.
I'm Stefanie Couch, the founderof Grit Blueprint, and I'm a
lifelong building industryinsider.
I was raised here, built mycareer here, and now my team and
(01:02):
I help others win here.
The truth is, you can be thebest option in your space and
still lose to someone else whosimply shows up better and more
consistently Each week.
On the Grit Blueprint, I'mgoing to show you how to stand
out, earn trust and turn yourbrand into a competitive
(01:22):
advantage that lasts.
If you're ready to be seen,known, chosen and become
unmistakable, you're in theright place.
Let's get started.
Hi, I'm Stefanie Couch and thisis the Grip Blueprint Podcast,
and I'm here today in Orlandowith Lori Ables from Three Suns
Hardware.
(01:43):
Thank you for joining me on theshow, lori.
Thank you, and you're herebecause you actually won an
award last night, one of theBeacon Awards, which was super
cool for your hardware store.
So I'm excited to talk a littlebit about what you're doing in
Minnesota and how you actuallygot into the business with your
sons All right.
So you won a big award lastnight, the Beacon Award for
(02:03):
Three Sons Hardware.
Tell me a little bit about yourstore.
You bought this store in 2022,but you've got a long history
with hardware, so how did youget started in the business?
Lori Ables (02:12):
We used to live in Ohio, okay, and my husband
wanted to buy a business and getout of the trucking industry.
So we started looking aroundand found a hardware store and
know at the time it's arecession proof business and
stuff.
So he thought, well, this isgreat.
So he, he ran it for a year andthen got a big opportunity in
(02:33):
trucking and said you know, well, I'm gonna need your help with
hardware store.
I'm like I know, I don't knowanything about hardware, I don't
want to work in retail, yeah,but I did it and then, like over
a few months, I like reallybecame to just love it.
I just I was surprised, but Ijust loved it.
It's.
(02:54):
What part of it did you lovethe most?
The customers and I loved beingable to pick out different
products, uh, differentcategories, for our store and
tailor them to our customers.
Yeah, and just the whole thing,just everything having a wide
variety.
Stefanie Couch (03:14):
Yeah, I love how everything's always different
in a hardware store Every day,the people that come in.
You never know who's going tocome in.
That's one thing that strikesme a lot about.
I've interviewed a lot ofhardware store owners with Do it
Best and True Value and lots ofdifferent people.
Everyone's market is so unique,and so you, in 2022, you
purchased a store in Minnesota,yes, and you did a full remodel,
(03:37):
so it was in pretty bad shapewasn't it.
Lori Ables (03:39):
It was in bad shape, the previous owner had health
issues and it was pretty bare.
I'm surprised anybody shoppedthere.
It was so empty.
Yeah, and the building.
They didn't take care of muchof anything the last few years.
Stefanie Couch (03:53):
Yeah, so you guys gutted the whole thing.
Tell me about the remodelprocess.
It was a lot of work but it wasfun.
Lori Ables (04:01):
It was.
You know, I worked seven days aweek for a few months but it
was exhausting, but it was likeit was so much fun getting to
put things where I wanted themto be, and True Value's design
team really helped in theprocess.
They helped lay it out and Iwould want to make changes and
they were great about making itall work.
Stefanie Couch (04:23):
Yeah, and True Value is such an iconic,
legendary brand that everyoneknows that True Value logo with
that scripted font.
What has it been like?
You guys now have had atransition in the last few
months with Do it Bestpurchasing True Value.
There's been a lot in the newsabout all the things happening,
but now here in 2025, how arethings going?
And I know you've done so muchin the store.
You added a fishing departmentthat is awesome for your
(04:46):
Minnesota fishers and you haveall of these cool things.
But how has it been workingwith Do it Best and True Value?
Lori Ables (04:53):
It's going good.
They really Do it Best, hasreally done a lot of things in a
short amount of time and it'skind of it's really impressive
what they've done with TrueValue to help bring it back.
Stefanie Couch (05:05):
Yeah, and it's such a great brand, like I said,
so many years of history I'mglad that they revived it
because it would have beenreally sad to see that go away.
But you believe a lot in legacybecause you have three sons
that you have in the business.
Tell me a little bit about thefamily connection and how they
work in the business today.
Lori Ables (05:24):
My oldest son works for me, okay, and he went to
work for somebody else for awhile in the car industry and
stuff and then he used to workfor me when he was little, yeah.
So then he came back and hereally likes it a lot.
That's awesome he gets into.
We just redid our whole tooldepartment and he was a big part
(05:45):
of that in helping choose whatwent in where and stuff.
So that was kind of funwatching him get a picket and
like it as much as I do.
Stefanie Couch (05:54):
Yeah, and also to just see that you have
ownership in something Likeliterally their names are on the
door and that they're buildingsomething that's bigger than
them, but also it is theirs andI love that.
And family business is reallyspecial and also can be
challenging at times.
Lori Ables (06:09):
Yes.
Stefanie Couch (06:10):
It's always fun.
I grew up in a familylumberyard and hardware business
and you never know quite howthat dynamics is going to get as
kids get older and all thosethings.
But are you planning on thekids taking over the business?
Is that the plan?
Lori Ables (06:23):
That is the plan.
Our younger two work at ourlumberyard.
Stefanie Couch (06:26):
Okay, so all three sons are involved.
I love that and you have thelumberyard with your husband,
Dave, so you guys work togetherbut have two separate businesses
that you're running.
How much crossover is therebetween the hardware store and
the lumberyards?
I'm curious.
Lori Ables (06:41):
Their run is two totally separate, but we do.
You know, if they needsomething for contractors that
they ran out of or don't have,they send them to our store or
we deliver it to their store andthen vice versa.
We put some convenience lumberin our store and we get it, of
course, from the lumber yard andhe's now expanded power
(07:04):
equipment we'll share.
That's cool.
Have some at each one.
Stefanie Couch (07:08):
Yeah, it's nice to have economies of scale there
and convenience and all thosethings.
Well, tell me a little bitabout you as a person.
So you've won a hbs dealermagazine top woman award.
You're leading the charge hereat three sons.
What do you like to do andwhat's your day-to-day look like
in the actual store?
Lori Ables (07:27):
Well, I open up every morning with the rest of
my staff and just I like to do.
I have office stuff to do, ofcourse, but I just love to do
everything that they're doing,like I like to see.
Have them see me do the stuffthat they do every day.
I am not against mopping thefloors.
(07:49):
There's several mornings whereI'll go in and I'll mop, or, you
know, I change the filter inthe bait tank or whatever needs
done and help customersalongside them and assist them.
Stefanie Couch (08:01):
It's always great to see your leader doing
the things and setting thatexample like literally with
their hands, and I think thatdoes breed a culture of really
just people will do anythingthat needs to be done and help
people wherever Customer serviceand customer experience is
really important in a small,local business.
I believe it's what really setsthem apart.
How do you guys focus on that?
(08:23):
What do you do in your store tomake sure people are wanting to
come back and choosing you?
Lori Ables (08:27):
Well, we try to greet them at the door with a
smile and ask them if they needassistance and then, even if
they say no, we always check onthem to make sure they're doing
good.
And then we go above and beyond, of course, to we don't have it
.
We see if we can get it, howsoon we can get it, how soon we
can get it, and if we just it'ssomething we can't get, it all
(08:48):
we try to help them find itwherever they can get it.
Stefanie Couch (08:50):
mm-hmm tell me about the fishing department
because I know it's kind of thehallmark.
You love what you did there andthat's a really cool standout.
It's also very local, so notevery hardware store has a lake
nearby or or any of that, butobviously Minnesota has a lot of
lakes.
So tell me a little bit abouthow you got the idea to do the
fishing department, whatinspired you and how did you
(09:11):
actually make that come to life?
Lori Ables (09:13):
well, there are a couple big lakes relatively
close to us.
One of them is within fiveminutes of our store and there
are a lot of fishermen, ofcourse, in the area.
So, um the previous owners,they did have a very small
fishing department and it was itneeded a lot of help.
I purchased a new bait tank sowe have the live bait as well as
(09:36):
now that worms all that yeahnormal stuff, but then the
actual like tackle the jigs, allthat kind of fun.
Stefanie Couch (09:45):
Do you know about all that now?
Like, do you know how to tellpeople what to use which jig,
with which fish, in which place?
Lori Ables (09:51):
well, not all of it, but I do have somebody on staff
that's very good at it, likeshe grew up fishing.
Okay, she just I let her takecharge of the fishing department
.
Now this it's been expanded andestablished because she really
does know what goes with what.
Good for her.
That's awesome.
If they know what they'relooking for, I can help them
(10:12):
find it.
But if they ask specificquestions, I'm like Sue, can you
come over here?
Stefanie Couch (10:16):
Well, there's a lot of like nuance that goes to
that, and I think there's a lotof lore that goes with it too.
Like is this really true, ordoes this bait really work the
best?
You don't know.
I think there's a lot of lorethat goes with it too.
Like, is this really true, ordoes this bait really work the
best?
You don't know.
Lori Ables (10:26):
I think there's a lot of opinions on that, well,
and there's always new stuffcoming out every year.
So it's you know, you got tokeep up with it, just like
everything else.
Yeah, absolutely.
Stefanie Couch (10:35):
And you have other areas of your store.
I'm sure that people love andcome in, but is there anything
in particular that you found tobe challenging about running a
local hardware store that youwould give advice on other for
other people maybe that arestarting or have a store?
Where have you seen challengesand been able to solve them in
your business?
Lori Ables (10:52):
well, this store is a lot different than my other
store because our other storewas more rural and this one is
more.
It's still a small town butit's more in town and so I
really had to listen to thecustomers and what they're
looking for.
So since the remodel I've madea lot of changes and changed our
product mix a little bit, notdrastically, but enough to fit
(11:15):
what the locals are looking for,and we try to really pay
attention to.
You know, if one person saysthat we pay attention, but then
we try to pay attention, youknow, is it just one person
that's looking for it or is itlike would a lot of people be
looking?
Stefanie Couch (11:30):
for the same item Are you tracking that
somehow, or you just kind ofwork like think about it and you
say, oh, I got asked that lastweek, or are you tracking?
Lori Ables (11:38):
that Some of my employees are very good at
telling me, so then I do trackit.
That's cool yeah.
Stefanie Couch (11:43):
Yeah, and I love having data in the business,
but I feel like we as owners, alot of times.
There's so many data points,it's hard to know what matters
and what doesn't, and it's a lotto track.
Are you using any technology?
Have you started using AI inyour business?
I'm always curious if peopleare, or even in your life, like
using anything, or are you stillcurious to see how that pans?
Lori Ables (12:05):
I started using AI to create signs around the store
and I would like to use it formore, but I'm relatively new to
it, so I'm figuring it out.
Yeah, it's always changing too.
Stefanie Couch (12:17):
The good thing I love about AI is you can't
really break it and it can trainyou how to use it itself.
It's like the only technology Iknow that you don't have to
read a manual.
You can just ask it how to useitself and it'll help you.
So it's pretty cool.
I'm curious to see howindependent hardware store
owners start to adapt and bringthis into their businesses,
because it is coming alongpretty quickly down the pipe.
Lori Ables (12:41):
I could see how it would help you create events and
create lists of what you needto do and all that kind of stuff
, stuff that you might not havethought of, and so, yeah, I am
excited to start using it moreand more.
Yeah.
Stefanie Couch (12:55):
You'll have to get back to me and let me know
what you're.
You'll have to send me an emailfrom chat GPT and let me know
how it's going for you.
Well, tell me a little bit moreabout your team and how you
lead your team and the thingsthat you do.
Maybe training your team.
Training is always something Ilike to ask people about,
because I feel like it's such astruggle, with so many items, so
many little things, like eventhe fishing department, to learn
(13:18):
all that and how to use it andwhat to do.
It's tough.
So how do you tackle trainingin your business?
Lori Ables (13:24):
I utilize True Values University online so I
utilize that and we carry steel,so we utilize their training as
well.
But a lot of it is done instore with employees that have
been there longer, so we getsomebody new, then we teach them
Whoever is the expert in thatarea, we have them train the
(13:46):
rest of the people Like my sonis really good at the tools and
nuts and bolts and electrical,so I have him walk them through
and they might not become anexpert like he is, but he can
tell them the basics.
You know enough to get answermost of people's questions.
Stefanie Couch (14:04):
Yeah, and most people come in and they they
want pretty basic information.
Sometimes people ask those 56questions and you're like I
don't know, Let me go findsomeone.
But I think it's cool to havethe spirit of being okay for
someone not to know somethingand having your team do that.
Do you have a lot of youngerpeople working in your store?
Lori Ables (14:23):
Yeah, right now I have about four of my people are
younger people and it's greatto have that mix.
Yeah, it's good.
I have the retirees that aremore knowledgeable and then the
younger people.
They just bring that extrabreath of fresh air to the store
, yeah, a little energy.
Yes, it's nice, and it's niceto see them grow.
They're usually shy when theyfirst come in because they don't
(14:44):
know much, and then, as theylearn, they really are so much
better at customer service, atgreeting customers and it's nice
.
Stefanie Couch (14:54):
What excites you the most about the future of
your business at Three Sons andwhat's coming next?
Lori Ables (15:01):
I love to just see people grow and I like to see
the relationships we're buildingwith the customers.
People come in and they know meby name, which is really nice
to know.
It's like, okay, I'm doingsomething right.
If people are recognizing usand they know our employees by
name, some of them will ask forthem and that is great.
(15:23):
That's a big deal, yeah, andwe're always looking to grow.
So, along with the lumber yardand adding another retail space
over there, we'll have moreavailable to add to our
available to our customers.
Stefanie Couch (15:38):
Basically, yeah you're doing great stuff in the
industry and I always love tosee people who are hungry and
also who are trying to buildsomething legacy wise for their
family hungry and also who aretrying to build something legacy
wise for their family.
And you and Dave obviously aredoing that with the name of your
company and also the work thatyou're doing every single day.
So thank you for all you'redoing in the industry and I'm so
excited that we got to chatCongratulations on your Beacon
(15:59):
Award.
I know that that was hardearned.
A lot of blood, sweat and tearswent into that, and to get to
that point, you have to do a lotto get there.
So, and to get to that point,you have to do a lot to get
there.
So congratulations on that,thank you.
And thank you so much forjoining me.
Yeah, thank you.
Thank you for listening to theGrit Blueprint Podcast.
If this episode helped youthink a little differently about
how to show up, share it withsomeone in your building world
(16:21):
who needs it.
If you're ready to turnvisibility into growth, then
head to gritblueprintcom tolearn more and book a call to
talk to us about your growthstrategy.
Until next time, stayunmistakable.
Tell me about the remodel process.
You know I worked seven days aweek for a few months and it was
exhausting, but it was like itwas so much fun getting to put
things where I wanted them to be, and True Value's design team
really helped in the process.
Stefanie Couch (00:15):
Where have you seen challenges and been able to
solve them in your business?
Lori Ables (00:18):
This store is a lot different than my other store
because our other store was morerural and this one is more.
It's still a small town butit's more in town and so I
really had to listen to thecustomers and what they're
looking for.
So since the remodel I've madea lot of changes, changed our
product mix a little bit, notdrastically, but enough to fit
(00:38):
what the locals are looking for.
Stefanie Couch (00:41):
Welcome to the Grit Blueprint Podcast, the
playbook for buildingunmistakable brands that grow,
lead and last in the built world.
I'm Stefanie Couch, the founderof Grit Blueprint, and I'm a
lifelong building industryinsider.
I was raised here, built mycareer here, and now my team and
(01:02):
I help others win here.
The truth is, you can be thebest option in your space and
still lose to someone else whosimply shows up better and more
consistently Each week.
On the Grit Blueprint, I'mgoing to show you how to stand
out, earn trust and turn yourbrand into a competitive
(01:22):
advantage that lasts.
If you're ready to be seen,known, chosen and become
unmistakable, you're in theright place.
Let's get started.
Hi, I'm Stefanie Couch and thisis the Grip Blueprint Podcast,
and I'm here today in Orlandowith Lori Ables from Three Suns
Hardware.
(01:43):
Thank you for joining me on theshow, lori.
Thank you, and you're herebecause you actually won an
award last night, one of theBeacon Awards, which was super
cool for your hardware store.
So I'm excited to talk a littlebit about what you're doing in
Minnesota and how you actuallygot into the business with your
sons All right.
So you won a big award lastnight, the Beacon Award for
(02:03):
Three Sons Hardware.
Tell me a little bit about yourstore.
You bought this store in 2022,but you've got a long history
with hardware, so how did youget started in the business?
Lori Ables (02:12):
We used to live in Ohio, okay, and my husband
wanted to buy a business and getout of the trucking industry.
So we started looking aroundand found a hardware store and
know at the time it's arecession proof business and
stuff.
So he thought, well, this isgreat.
So he, he ran it for a year andthen got a big opportunity in
(02:33):
trucking and said you know, well, I'm gonna need your help with
hardware store.
I'm like I know, I don't knowanything about hardware, I don't
want to work in retail, yeah,but I did it and then, like over
a few months, I like reallybecame to just love it.
I just I was surprised, but Ijust loved it.
It's.
(02:54):
What part of it did you lovethe most?
The customers and I loved beingable to pick out different
products, uh, differentcategories, for our store and
tailor them to our customers.
Yeah, and just the whole thing,just everything having a wide
variety.
Stefanie Couch (03:14):
Yeah, I love how everything's always different
in a hardware store Every day,the people that come in.
You never know who's going tocome in.
That's one thing that strikesme a lot about.
I've interviewed a lot ofhardware store owners with Do it
Best and True Value and lots ofdifferent people.
Everyone's market is so unique,and so you, in 2022, you
purchased a store in Minnesota,yes, and you did a full remodel,
(03:37):
so it was in pretty bad shapewasn't it.
Lori Ables (03:39):
It was in bad shape, the previous owner had health
issues and it was pretty bare.
I'm surprised anybody shoppedthere.
It was so empty.
Yeah, and the building.
They didn't take care of muchof anything the last few years.
Stefanie Couch (03:53):
Yeah, so you guys gutted the whole thing.
Tell me about the remodelprocess.
It was a lot of work but it wasfun.
Lori Ables (04:01):
It was.
You know, I worked seven days aweek for a few months but it
was exhausting, but it was likeit was so much fun getting to
put things where I wanted themto be, and True Value's design
team really helped in theprocess.
They helped lay it out and Iwould want to make changes and
they were great about making itall work.
Stefanie Couch (04:23):
Yeah, and True Value is such an iconic,
legendary brand that everyoneknows that True Value logo with
that scripted font.
What has it been like?
You guys now have had atransition in the last few
months with Do it Bestpurchasing True Value.
There's been a lot in the newsabout all the things happening,
but now here in 2025, how arethings going?
And I know you've done so muchin the store.
You added a fishing departmentthat is awesome for your
(04:46):
Minnesota fishers and you haveall of these cool things.
But how has it been workingwith Do it Best and True Value?
Lori Ables (04:53):
It's going good.
They really Do it Best, hasreally done a lot of things in a
short amount of time and it'skind of it's really impressive
what they've done with TrueValue to help bring it back.
Stefanie Couch (05:05):
Yeah, and it's such a great brand, like I said,
so many years of history I'mglad that they revived it
because it would have beenreally sad to see that go away.
But you believe a lot in legacybecause you have three sons
that you have in the business.
Tell me a little bit about thefamily connection and how they
work in the business today.
Lori Ables (05:24):
My oldest son works for me, okay, and he went to
work for somebody else for awhile in the car industry and
stuff and then he used to workfor me when he was little, yeah.
So then he came back and hereally likes it a lot.
That's awesome he gets into.
We just redid our whole tooldepartment and he was a big part
(05:45):
of that in helping choose whatwent in where and stuff.
So that was kind of funwatching him get a picket and
like it as much as I do.
Stefanie Couch (05:54):
Yeah, and also to just see that you have
ownership in something Likeliterally their names are on the
door and that they're buildingsomething that's bigger than
them, but also it is theirs andI love that.
And family business is reallyspecial and also can be
challenging at times.
Lori Ables (06:09):
Yes.
Stefanie Couch (06:10):
It's always fun.
I grew up in a familylumberyard and hardware business
and you never know quite howthat dynamics is going to get as
kids get older and all thosethings.
But are you planning on thekids taking over the business?
Is that the plan?
Lori Ables (06:23):
That is the plan.
Our younger two work at ourlumberyard.
Stefanie Couch (06:26):
Okay, so all three sons are involved.
I love that and you have thelumberyard with your husband,
Dave, so you guys work togetherbut have two separate businesses
that you're running.
How much crossover is therebetween the hardware store and
the lumberyards?
I'm curious.
Lori Ables (06:41):
Their run is two totally separate, but we do.
You know, if they needsomething for contractors that
they ran out of or don't have,they send them to our store or
we deliver it to their store andthen vice versa.
We put some convenience lumberin our store and we get it, of
course, from the lumber yard andhe's now expanded power
(07:04):
equipment we'll share.
That's cool.
Have some at each one.
Stefanie Couch (07:08):
Yeah, it's nice to have economies of scale there
and convenience and all thosethings.
Well, tell me a little bitabout you as a person.
So you've won a hbs dealermagazine top woman award.
You're leading the charge hereat three sons.
What do you like to do andwhat's your day-to-day look like
in the actual store?
Lori Ables (07:27):
Well, I open up every morning with the rest of
my staff and just I like to do.
I have office stuff to do, ofcourse, but I just love to do
everything that they're doing,like I like to see.
Have them see me do the stuffthat they do every day.
I am not against mopping thefloors.
(07:49):
There's several mornings whereI'll go in and I'll mop, or, you
know, I change the filter inthe bait tank or whatever needs
done and help customersalongside them and assist them.
Stefanie Couch (08:01):
It's always great to see your leader doing
the things and setting thatexample like literally with
their hands, and I think thatdoes breed a culture of really
just people will do anythingthat needs to be done and help
people wherever Customer serviceand customer experience is
really important in a small,local business.
I believe it's what really setsthem apart.
How do you guys focus on that?
(08:23):
What do you do in your store tomake sure people are wanting to
come back and choosing you?
Lori Ables (08:27):
Well, we try to greet them at the door with a
smile and ask them if they needassistance and then, even if
they say no, we always check onthem to make sure they're doing
good.
And then we go above and beyond, of course, to we don't have it
.
We see if we can get it, howsoon we can get it, how soon we
can get it, and if we just it'ssomething we can't get, it all
(08:48):
we try to help them find itwherever they can get it.
Stefanie Couch (08:50):
mm-hmm tell me about the fishing department
because I know it's kind of thehallmark.
You love what you did there andthat's a really cool standout.
It's also very local, so notevery hardware store has a lake
nearby or or any of that, butobviously Minnesota has a lot of
lakes.
So tell me a little bit abouthow you got the idea to do the
fishing department, whatinspired you and how did you
(09:11):
actually make that come to life?
Lori Ables (09:13):
well, there are a couple big lakes relatively
close to us.
One of them is within fiveminutes of our store and there
are a lot of fishermen, ofcourse, in the area.
So, um the previous owners,they did have a very small
fishing department and it was itneeded a lot of help.
I purchased a new bait tank sowe have the live bait as well as
(09:36):
now that worms all that yeahnormal stuff, but then the
actual like tackle the jigs, allthat kind of fun.
Stefanie Couch (09:45):
Do you know about all that now?
Like, do you know how to tellpeople what to use which jig,
with which fish, in which place?
Lori Ables (09:51):
well, not all of it, but I do have somebody on staff
that's very good at it, likeshe grew up fishing.
Okay, she just I let her takecharge of the fishing department
.
Now this it's been expanded andestablished because she really
does know what goes with what.
Good for her.
That's awesome.
If they know what they'relooking for, I can help them
(10:12):
find it.
But if they ask specificquestions, I'm like Sue, can you
come over here?
Stefanie Couch (10:16):
Well, there's a lot of like nuance that goes to
that, and I think there's a lotof lore that goes with it too.
Like is this really true, ordoes this bait really work the
best?
You don't know.
I think there's a lot of lorethat goes with it too.
Like, is this really true, ordoes this bait really work the
best?
You don't know.
Lori Ables (10:26):
I think there's a lot of opinions on that, well,
and there's always new stuffcoming out every year.
So it's you know, you got tokeep up with it, just like
everything else.
Yeah, absolutely.
Stefanie Couch (10:35):
And you have other areas of your store.
I'm sure that people love andcome in, but is there anything
in particular that you found tobe challenging about running a
local hardware store that youwould give advice on other for
other people maybe that arestarting or have a store?
Where have you seen challengesand been able to solve them in
your business?
Lori Ables (10:52):
well, this store is a lot different than my other
store because our other storewas more rural and this one is
more.
It's still a small town butit's more in town and so I
really had to listen to thecustomers and what they're
looking for.
So since the remodel I've madea lot of changes and changed our
product mix a little bit, notdrastically, but enough to fit
(11:15):
what the locals are looking for,and we try to really pay
attention to.
You know, if one person saysthat we pay attention, but then
we try to pay attention, youknow, is it just one person
that's looking for it or is itlike would a lot of people be
looking?
Stefanie Couch (11:30):
for the same item Are you tracking that
somehow, or you just kind ofwork like think about it and you
say, oh, I got asked that lastweek, or are you tracking?
Lori Ables (11:38):
that Some of my employees are very good at
telling me, so then I do trackit.
That's cool yeah.
Stefanie Couch (11:43):
Yeah, and I love having data in the business,
but I feel like we as owners, alot of times.
There's so many data points,it's hard to know what matters
and what doesn't, and it's a lotto track.
Are you using any technology?
Have you started using AI inyour business?
I'm always curious if peopleare, or even in your life, like
using anything, or are you stillcurious to see how that pans?
Lori Ables (12:05):
I started using AI to create signs around the store
and I would like to use it formore, but I'm relatively new to
it, so I'm figuring it out.
Yeah, it's always changing too.
Stefanie Couch (12:17):
The good thing I love about AI is you can't
really break it and it can trainyou how to use it itself.
It's like the only technology Iknow that you don't have to
read a manual.
You can just ask it how to useitself and it'll help you.
So it's pretty cool.
I'm curious to see howindependent hardware store
owners start to adapt and bringthis into their businesses,
because it is coming alongpretty quickly down the pipe.
Lori Ables (12:41):
I could see how it would help you create events and
create lists of what you needto do and all that kind of stuff
, stuff that you might not havethought of, and so, yeah, I am
excited to start using it moreand more.
Yeah.
Stefanie Couch (12:55):
You'll have to get back to me and let me know
what you're.
You'll have to send me an emailfrom chat GPT and let me know
how it's going for you.
Well, tell me a little bit moreabout your team and how you
lead your team and the thingsthat you do.
Maybe training your team.
Training is always something Ilike to ask people about,
because I feel like it's such astruggle, with so many items, so
many little things, like eventhe fishing department, to learn
(13:18):
all that and how to use it andwhat to do.
It's tough.
So how do you tackle trainingin your business?
Lori Ables (13:24):
I utilize True Values University online so I
utilize that and we carry steel,so we utilize their training as
well.
But a lot of it is done instore with employees that have
been there longer, so we getsomebody new, then we teach them
Whoever is the expert in thatarea, we have them train the
(13:46):
rest of the people Like my sonis really good at the tools and
nuts and bolts and electrical,so I have him walk them through
and they might not become anexpert like he is, but he can
tell them the basics.
You know enough to get answermost of people's questions.
Stefanie Couch (14:04):
Yeah, and most people come in and they they
want pretty basic information.
Sometimes people ask those 56questions and you're like I
don't know, Let me go findsomeone.
But I think it's cool to havethe spirit of being okay for
someone not to know somethingand having your team do that.
Do you have a lot of youngerpeople working in your store?
Lori Ables (14:23):
Yeah, right now I have about four of my people are
younger people and it's greatto have that mix.
Yeah, it's good.
I have the retirees that aremore knowledgeable and then the
younger people.
They just bring that extrabreath of fresh air to the store
, yeah, a little energy.
Yes, it's nice, and it's niceto see them grow.
They're usually shy when theyfirst come in because they don't
(14:44):
know much, and then, as theylearn, they really are so much
better at customer service, atgreeting customers and it's nice
.
Stefanie Couch (14:54):
What excites you the most about the future of
your business at Three Sons andwhat's coming next?
Lori Ables (15:01):
I love to just see people grow and I like to see
the relationships we're buildingwith the customers.
People come in and they know meby name, which is really nice
to know.
It's like, okay, I'm doingsomething right.
If people are recognizing usand they know our employees by
name, some of them will ask forthem and that is great.
(15:23):
That's a big deal, yeah, andwe're always looking to grow.
So, along with the lumber yardand adding another retail space
over there, we'll have moreavailable to add to our
available to our customers.
Stefanie Couch (15:38):
Basically, yeah you're doing great stuff in the
industry and I always love tosee people who are hungry and
also who are trying to buildsomething legacy wise for their
family hungry and also who aretrying to build something legacy
wise for their family.
And you and Dave obviously aredoing that with the name of your
company and also the work thatyou're doing every single day.
So thank you for all you'redoing in the industry and I'm so
excited that we got to chatCongratulations on your Beacon
(15:59):
Award.
I know that that was hardearned.
A lot of blood, sweat and tearswent into that, and to get to
that point, you have to do a lotto get there.
So, and to get to that point,you have to do a lot to get
there.
So congratulations on that,thank you.
And thank you so much forjoining me.
Yeah, thank you.
Thank you for listening to theGrit Blueprint Podcast.
If this episode helped youthink a little differently about
how to show up, share it withsomeone in your building world
(16:21):
who needs it.
If you're ready to turnvisibility into growth, then
head to gritblueprintcom tolearn more and book a call to
talk to us about your growthstrategy.
Until next time, stayunmistakable.
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