In the first installment of our new Emerging Leaders mini-series, NWFA CEO Stephanie Owen sits down with Alex Hamilton of Grain Design Flooring and his guest, 2026 Wood Floor of the Year winner Matthew Szyszka of Floor Master Company. Together, they discuss developing creativity and vision, learning from mentors, what's next for the future of their careers, and more. The Emerging Leaders mini-series joins the NWFA Real Answers Podcast every other month, bringing fresh perspectives and convers...

Chris Zizza and Stephanie Owen sit down with a group of NWFA regional instructors at this year's Expo for a wide-ranging conversation about boosting your career, using social media effectively, growing your brand, and more.

Oliver Barajas of Bridgebay Flooring joins the podcast to share his journey in the hardwood flooring industry and what drew him to the NWFA. Oliver opens up about his experience as a member of the NWFA Emerging Leaders Council, the value of finding a niche that fits your strengths, and the lessons he's picked up along the way. As one of the council's most active voices, Oliver has played a key role in recruiting new NWFA members and expanding the Emerging Leaders' reach across the industry. W...

Recorded at the recent 2026 NWFA Expo, Dana Cole from the Hardwood Federation and Jesse Joyce from Middle Tennessee Lumber join the NWFA Real Answers Podcast to discuss the Hardwood Federation's impact and updates on pending legislation that supports our industry.

NWFA President & CEO Stephanie Owen and Chris Zizza talk with Katie Magoon of People Solutions Center about the common roadblocks that keep wood flooring businesses from reaching their full potential. Learn practical processes to implement, how AI can streamline your operations, the importance of role clarity, building trust with your team, and the key differences between coaching and managing. Packed with actionable insights to boost profitability.

Reid Lambright, president of Lambright Flooring and chair of NWFA’s Emerging Leaders Council, joins Stephanie Owen and Chris Zizza to share his experiences with the council and why building relationships in the industry is key to growing a successful business. He reflects on how connecting with peers and leaders has shaped his journey and opened new opportunities. They also highlight the upcoming Emerging Leaders Panel Discussion and Reception on Wednesday, October 15 at NWFA’s Fall Leadershi...

Chris Moran of Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company joins Stephanie Owen and Chris Zizza to talk about what to look for when choosing insurance for your hardwood flooring business. He highlights common hazards contractors and manufacturers often overlook, including fire and weather-related risks. The discussion offers practical guidance to help business owners protect their operations and prepare for unexpected challenges.

Stephanie Owen and Chris Zizza are joined by Doug Howard of Growth Team Strategies and Jon Czeranna, co-owner of Wit & Craft and creator of the Brand Lab, to preview the Real Answers Small Business Workshop on October 16. They explore branding and marketing strategies for hardwood flooring businesses, emphasizing the importance of knowing your customer, overcoming the fear of losing bids, and learning to sell on value instead of price. Jon shares a proven framework to help you position yo...

Chris Zizza and NWFA President & CEO Stephanie Owen are joined by Doug Howard of Growth Team Strategies and Lynette Watson of the University of Missouri Extension-Small Business Development Center to talk about running your business proactively instead of reacting to challenges. They dive into managing cash flow, knowing when to invest in equipment, hire, or expand, and how to make decisions that set your business up for long-term success. The conversation highlights practical ways to gro...

Chris Zizza and NWFA President & CEO Stephanie Owen talk with Doug Howard of Growth Team Strategies about the upcoming NWFA Leadership Development Summit on October 15-17, 2025, at Live! by Loews – Ballpark Village in St. Louis. Tailored for business owners and contractors in the hardwood flooring industry, the event features training, networking, and Master Mind breakout sessions focused on overcoming challenges, developing brand strategies, and driving growth. They discuss finding ways ...