Tell Me More

Renee Changnon, NHPA’s retail outreach coordinator, talks to retailers across North America to learn about their careers, unique ideas and retail insights.

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Latest Episodes

2021 Young Retailers of the Year: Alexandria Lavaroni & Jonathan South
This episode of the podcast is the last in a four-part series highlighting the 2021 Young Retailer of the Year honorees. Renee talks with honorees Alexandria Lavaroni of Treat’s General Store and Jonathan South of Teghtmeyer Ace Hardware. She also chats with Ruben Muruato of Epicor and Bill Sokol of Arrow Fastener, two of the program sponsors. Tune in to learn all about these honorees and the program.

Episode 41 – Victoria Cook-Cranton
In this episode of “Tell Me More,” Renee has a conversation with Victoria Cook-Cranton of Annapolis Royal Home Hardware Building Centre in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. Tune in to hear them discuss the multi-store chain, her nearly 20 year career in the industry and what she’s gained from her involvement with the NHPA.

2021 Young Retailers of the Year: Ryan Rennells & Jay Donnelly
This episode of the podcast is the third in a four-part series highlighting the 2021 Young Retailer of the Year honorees. Renee talks with honorees Ryan Rennells of Home Central and Jay Donnelly of Flanagan Paint & Supply. She also chats with Mike Nelson of MiTek and Bill Sokol of Pony Jorgensen, two of the program sponsors. Tune in to learn all about these honorees and the program.

Episode 39 – Kim Peffley
In this episode of “Tell Me More,” Renee is joined by her colleague Kim Peffley. They talk about Kim’s journey in the industry, how she now serves retailers as a consultant with NHPA and they focus on soft skills and how they are viewed and improved upon with resources available from NHPA.

2021 Young Retailers of the Year: Robin Smith & Tyler Nowochin
This episode of the podcast is the second in a four-part series highlighting the 2021 Young Retailer of the Year honorees. Renee talks with honorees Robin Smith of Petersburg Hardware and Tyler Nowochin of Nowco Home Hardware. She also chats with Dave Lewis of Intertape Polymer Group and Glen Gevaart of Midwest Fastener, two of the program sponsors. Tune in to learn all about these honorees and the program.

Episode 37 – Brian Kabat
In this episode of “Tell Me More,” Renee has a conversation with Brian Kabat of Kabat’s Ace Hardware Stores, a chain of five stores in Arizona. They talk about his business, his time in the home improvement industry and have a conversation about the book “Remarkable Retail,” by Steve Dennis. Tune in to learn about Brian and his thoughts on the book.

2021 Young Retailers of the Year: Colton and Danielle Hallgren & Dani Estenger
This episode of the podcast is the first in a four-part series highlighting the 2021 Young Retailer of the Year honorees. Renee talks with honorees Dani Estenger of Center Hardware as well as double-nominees, Colton and Danielle Hallgren of Osage Hardware. She also chats with Keith Gallagher of Fluidmaster, one of the program sponsors. Tune in to learn all about these honorees and the program.

Episode 35 – Steve Dennis
In the latest episode of “Tell Me More,” Renee has a conversation with Steve Dennis, a strategic advisor, speaker and author on retail innovation. They talk about Steve’s career, his book Remarkable Retail: How to Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption, and his thoughts on the retail industry.

Episode 34 – Gina Schaefer & Ann Marie Buck
⁠In this episode of “Tell Me More,” Renee is joined by Gina Schaefer, co-founder and CEO of A Few Cool Hardware Stores, and her colleague Ann Marie Buck, the company’s human resources manager. They talk about how the team ensures they have a diverse group of employees that feel supported, included and recognized in their operation. Tune in to learn more and check out Gina’s webinar on the topic as well.

Episode 33 – Matt Woods
In this episode of “Tell Me More,” Renee has a conversation with Matt Woods, president and CEO of Woods Hardware, a four store chain in Cincinnati and one of the newest members of the NHPA Board of Directors. Tune in to the episode to learn about Matt’s career in the hardware industry and his family business, his involvement with the association over the years and why he was honored to become a board member.

Episode 32 – Ryan Ringer
In this episode of “Tell Me More,” Renee talks with Ryan Ringer, owner of Gold Beach Lumber, a seven chain operation in Oregon and one of the newest executive vice chairman of the NHPA Board of Directors. Learn about Ryan’s experience as a fourth generation business owner, his thoughts on how NHPA serves independent retailers and why he decided to become a board member for the association.

Episode 31 – Dave Westphal & Nick Perry
In this episode of “Tell Me More,” Renee chats with Dave Westphal and Nick Perry, friends and co-owners of Campbellsport True Value and Mayville True Value in Wisconsin. They talk about growing up in the business, becoming owners and adjusting to ownership during the COVID-19 pandemic. Listen to learn more about them!

Episode 30 – Michael Stoddard
In this episode of “Tell Me More,” Renee talks with Michael Stoddard, owner and President of West Side Decorating Center in Saginaw, Michigan. Listen to the episode to learn about Mike’s journey in the paint and decorating industry, the family business he’s been a part of since 2000 and how the company stays connected to the community it serves.

Episode 29 – Todd Taber & Brett Thorne
In the latest episode of “Tell Me More,” Renee is joined by her colleague Todd Taber and together they welcome back Brett Thorne of Thorne Lumber Company in Chillicothe, Missouri. Brett shares updates on his business from the past year and he talks about what he’s learned from hosting his own podcast, “Building the Future.” He also discusses the importance of regularly reviewing key retail metrics.

Episode 28 – Ben Honeycutt
In this episode of “Tell Me More,” Renee has a conversation with Ben Honeycutt, owner of Oak Knolls Hardware in Orcutt, California. Ben talks about his previous career in the space industry working for companies including Space X and how those experiences translate into his business he recently took ownership of last June.

Episode 27 – Jim & Andy Wilkerson
The father-son duo, Jim and Andy Wilkerson of Blackhawk Hardware in Charlotte, North Carolina, chat with Renee about a variety of topics on this episode of “Tell Me More.” They talk about the history of the family business, their focus on creating unique shopping experiences, the store renovations they have made to the operation and why company culture is so important.

Episode 26 – Lesley Davies-Baptista
In this episode of “Tell Me More,” host Renee Changnon sits down to talk with Lesley Davies-Baptista of Paint Fair in Freeport, Grand Bahama. Lesley and her team recently incorporated Everything DiSC in their operation. She discusses the impact of the assessments on her and her colleagues, what it was like reviewing the results with Kim Peffley from NHPA and how she plans to implement Everything DiSC moving forward with her current and future staff members.

Episode 25 – Scott Wright
In this episode of “Tell Me More,” Renee chats with Scott Wright of NHPA to talk about his career in the association, to share all of NHPA’s great resources within the Academy for Retail Development and advice he has for those considering applying or nominating a retailer for the 2021 Young Retailer of the Year awards.

Episode 24 – New Year, New Focus
In the first episode of 2021, Renee hops on for her second solocast episode. In it, she looks back at 2020, she recaps the stories told in the last year and her goals for the podcast in 2021.

Episode 23 – Cody Goeppner
In the final episode of Tell Me More… of the year, Renee has a conversation with Cody Goeppner of Blehyl Co-op. Cody returns to the podcast to discuss the challenges and bright spots of 2020, as well as how retailers can focus on goals going in to 2021 and why younger retailers should consider applying for NHPA’s Young Retailer of the Year Award.

Episode 22 – Shayna Roberts
In this episode of “Tell Me More…”, Renee chats with Shayna Roberts of Morris Hardware in McConnelsville, Ohio. The store has been serving the community since 1845. Recently, the team was recognized for making serious contributions to preserve and promote the history of the longstanding family business. As the company celebrates 175 years in business and six generations of service, learn more about why preserving your history and working toward the future is important.

Episode 21 – Renee Tells You More
In this episode of the podcast, Renee tries something a little different and discusses about a topic that interests her. She introduces the listener to her journey in the industry and talks about the importance of visiting retailers stores while traveling for work or fun. If you haven’t made pit stops at home improvement stores in the past, you may be inspired to take it up during your next road trip.

Episode 20 – Adam Taylor
In this episode of Tell Me More…” Renee has a conversation with Adam Taylor of Trust Hardware in Indianapolis. He opened his first store in 2012 and later went on to become known as the operation open 24/7. Now he is in the process of opening a second store and is looking to the future to bring more Trust stores to the area.

Episode 19 – Bea’s Hardware
In this episode, Renee chats with Bea and Steve Fisher of Bea’s Hardware in Round Mountain, Nevada. Bea and Steve talk about how they’ve been running their business as a mobile operation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Episode 18 – Michael Wynn
In this episode of Hardware Retailing’s podcast “Tell Me More…”, host Renee Changnon talks with Michael Wynn, president of Sunshine Ace Hardware, a chain of 11 hardware store and one paint store in southwest Florida. Tune in to learn about how the operation has remained a helpful resource to its local customers and why Wynn says supporting employees has been a big priority, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Episode 17 – Ted McDonald
In the next episode, Renee Changnon welcomes Ted McDonald of Boltz Hardware in Martinsburg, West Virginia to the podcast. They talk about the history of the business, which opened in 1929, his decision to take on ownership and more. Renee brought Ted back on the show for the second half of the recording to provide an update, as the store had a electrical fire in February and then has had the process of getting back in business slowed due to COVID-19 hitting the country the next month. Listen in to hear how Ted has been moving forward and why he is more excited than ever for 2021.

Episode 16 – Renee Zaman
In this episode of Hardware Retailing’s podcast “Tell Me More…”, host Renee Changnon has a conversation with Renee Zaman, owner of Mazo Hardware & Rental in Mazomanie, Wisconsin. Renee has been running her hardware store since she took ownership in 2009. With the help of her close-knit team, she serves her community with a smile on her face and laughs through the fun videos they share on the store’s Facebook page.

Episode 15 – Susan Wasko
In this episode of “Tell Me More…” Renee chats with Susan Wasko, co-owner of Wasko Hardware in Keosauqua, Iowa. During the episode, we will talk about the business she has run with her husband Joe since 2005, their deep roots in the hardware industry and how the company has continued to serve its community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Episode 14 – Brett Thorne
In this episode, Renee has a conversation with Brett Thorne of Thorne Lumber Company, based in Chillicothe, Missouri. Brett talks about his experience in the industry, his own show, “Building The Future Podcast,” and how his company has been managing the operation and serving the community during the pandemic. Tune in to the episode and then find Brett’s podcast to listen to as well.

Episode 13 – Blake Burgess & Ryan Lindner
On this episode of “Tell Me More…” Renee has a conversation with Blake Burgess and Ryan Lindner, two Ace Hardware store owners and the creators of the PAL POD. They talk about their different retail operations with locations in Wisconsin and Nebraska, the story of each of their journeys in the hardware industry and how they came together to start their own podcast, where they interview other Ace dealers. Tune in and then be sure to find their podcast!

Episode 12 – Nikiski Hardware & Supply
In this episode of “Tell Me More…” Renee talks with four of the five owners of Nikiski Hardware & Supply in Nikiski, Alaska. The group came together to open the business less than a year ago in order to support the local community and provide products, support and act as a place for people to come together. Learn how their trip to the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas and their background in the home improvement industry has led to their new business venture.

Episode 11 – Cody Goeppner
In the first episode of the year, Renee welcomes Cody Goeppner of Blehyl Co-op back to the podcast. Cody shares a few of the new initiatives the company has launched, he talks about where he sees technology taking retail and much more.

Episode 10 – Dan Tratensek
In the final episode of the year, Renee sits down with Dan Tratensek, NRHA’s executive vice president and executive editor of Hardware Retailing. The two talk about Dan’s 24 years serving the independent hardware industry through the NRHA, what he predicts in the decade ahead and why he is so passionate about serving the industry. If you want to hear more from Dan, make sure to subscribe to his podcast, “Taking Care of Business.”

Episode 9 – Gina Schaefer
Renee’s guest this week is Gina Schaefer, co-founder and CEO of A Few Cool Hardware Stores. Tune in to hear Gina’s journey from one store to eleven.

Episode 8 – Kevin Hancock
Renee sits down with Kevin Hancock, CEO of Hancock Lumber in Casco, Maine. Kevin shares an incredible story about how his speech disorder set him on a path to develop new management skills and a company culture that encourages all employees to be leaders.

Episode 7 – New England Road Trip
Renee shares some highlights with retailers she met during her road trip across the New England area. They discuss how each operation is a vital part of their communities and how some retailers have found unique niches.

Episode 6 – Josiah Gates
Renee is joined in this episode by the Vice President of Aubuchon Hardware, Josiah Gates. Headquartered in Westminster, Massachusetts, Aubuchon operates 104 stores across the country.

Episode 5 – Franklin Cloninger
Join Renee in this episode as she chats with Franklin Cloninger, General Manager of Triangle Hardware and one of NRHA’s 2019 Young Retailer of the Year nominees.

Episode 4 – Jamie Gentner
In this episode of “Tell Me More…”, Renee chats with Jamie Gentner, COO of Center Hardware & Supply in San Francisco. Listen along as they talk about how the family business has evolved through four generations. Plus, learn why social media and events are a key part of her business’s customer outreach.

Episode 3 – Pat Sullivan
Renee speaks with Pat Sullivan this week, owner of Sullivan Hardware in Indiana. They talk about how Pat took over the business and continues to help the store thrive through services and special events.

Episode 2 – Tasha Hilderman & Sarah Rurka
On this episode of Tell Me More…, Renee Changnon is joined by Tasha Hilderman and Sarah Rurka of Home Hardware Lloydminster. Tasha and Sarah both manage the social media and marketing of their family-owned business in Canada. They talk about their journey through online social platforms like Instagram and Facebook and how they use them to connect with their customers and the community.

Episode 1 – Cody Goeppner
Welcome to the first episode of Tell More More… hosted by Renee Changnon, Retail Outreach Coordinator at NRHA. In this episode, Renee speaks with Cody Goeppner of Blehyl Co-op. They discuss Cody’s upbringing in hardware retailing through a family business, how he transitioned into his current role with Blehyl, and his thoughts on how retailers can stand above the competition in a world with growing e-commerce. Subscribe today to get the latest episodes!