The Glass Industry's Hiring Problem | Ashley Cline | Cutting Edge Installs Podcast Ep. 20

The Best Advice From Stone, Tile & Glass Pros | Cutting Edge Install Ep. 24

Welcome back to the Cutting Edge Install Podcast, brought to you by Omni Cubed — where innovation meets installation and everything in between. In this special highlight episode, host Merv Campbell revisits some of the best conversations from previous episodes with pros across the stone, tile, and glass industries. From jobsite safety and slab handling to customer service, training, craftsmanship, and building better teams, this episode brings together practical insights from the people who know the trade firsthand. The discussion highlights why stone, tile, and glass installation is far more complex than many customers realize. Whether it’s moving fragile slabs, handling razor-sharp thin materials, managing tight timelines, or making sure every person on the crew is trained and safe, the pros in this episode explain why communication, preparation, and the right tools matter on every job. Merv and the guests also dive into what it takes to grow in the industry — from mentoring younger employees and creating a culture of safety to improving sales conversations, listening to customers, and using great service as one of the strongest marketing tools a company can have. In this episode, you’ll hear them discuss: • Why slab, tile, and glass installation requires skill, planning, and precision • How safety training protects both new employees and experienced crews • Why communication is critical when handling heavy or fragile materials • What customers often misunderstand about fabrication and installation timelines • How better listening can improve sales, service, and customer relationships • Why customer service is one of the best marketing tools in the trades • How online training helps glazing contractors onboard new employees • What makes glass design, fabrication, and installation such a unique trade • Why relationships matter in recruiting, business growth, and long-term success • How craftsmanship, teamwork, and culture shape the future of the industry From unforgettable trade stories to practical advice for installers, fabricators, shop owners, and industry leaders, this highlight episode brings together some of the strongest moments from the Cutting Edge Install Podcast so far. Learn more about Omni Cubed: https://omnicubed.com/ [https://omnicubed.com/]

What Family Shops Know That Big Fabricators Don't | AVSONS Kitchens & Bath | Cutting Edge Install Ep. 23

Welcome back to the Cutting Edge Install Podcast, brought to you by Omni Cubed — where innovation meets installation and everything in between. In this episode, host Merv Campbell sits down with the team from AVSONS Kitchens & Bath for a practical, behind-the-scenes conversation about what it really takes to run a successful family-owned countertop business from start to finish. From templating and fabrication to final installation, this episode is packed with real-world lessons from the shop floor and the jobsite. The discussion dives into how a family business can maintain personal service while scaling operations, why attention to detail during templating can save major headaches later, and how the right tools open doors to bigger, more profitable projects. They also explore the realities of difficult materials, transporting oversized pieces, and the pressure that comes with high-value installs where one mistake can cost thousands. Merv and the team also unpack how craftsmanship, teamwork, and problem-solving remain the backbone of the stone industry — especially when dealing with uneven cabinets, tight jobsite access, complex miters, and demanding homeowner expectations. In this episode, you’ll hear them discuss: * How family-owned shops build trust through personal service * Common templating mistakes that create costly delays * Why fabrication accuracy makes installs smoother and faster * The best ways to handle seams, miters, and waterfall edges * Which countertop materials are easiest — and hardest — to work with * Why investing in better tools leads to more profitable jobs * How teamwork and planning improve jobsite safety * What homeowners should know before choosing slab sizes and layouts From practical shop wisdom to unforgettable install stories, this episode is full of insight for fabricators, installers, shop owners, and anyone working in the countertop trade. Learn more about Omni Cubed: https://omnicubed.com/ [https://omnicubed.com/] Learn more about AVSONS Kitchen & Bath: https://www.avsonskitchen.com/ [https://www.avsonskitchen.com/]

Why "Good at Tile" Isn't Enough to Survive | Woody Sanders | Ep 22

Welcome back to the Cutting Edge Install Podcast — brought to you by Omni Cubed, where innovation meets installation and everything in between. In this episode, host Merv Campbell sits down with Woody Sanders, owner of DW Sanders Tile & Stone Contracting in Marietta, Georgia, whose career in the industry spans over four decades. From starting as a teenage tile setter to leading a thriving contracting business, Woody shares hard-earned lessons on craftsmanship, leadership, and what it really takes to build a sustainable company in the trades The conversation dives deep into the transition from being a hands-on craftsman to becoming a true business owner — and why so many contractors struggle to make that shift. Woody opens up about early mistakes, the wake-up calls that forced change, and how mentorship, financial discipline, and community shaped his long-term success. Throughout the episode, Woody emphasizes a people-first approach — from investing in employees and prioritizing safety, to building trust within the industry and giving back through organizations like the NTCA. In this episode, you’ll hear them dive into: * The difference between being a contractor and running a real business * Why knowing your numbers is critical to survival and growth * Lessons learned from bad hires, setbacks, and industry challenges * The power of mentorship and learning from others in the trade * Why organic growth beats forced scaling every time * How to build a culture that values people, safety, and craftsmanship * The importance of industry relationships and contractor networking * Long-term thinking, financial discipline, and planning for the future Woody shares a grounded, no-nonsense perspective on the trades — one rooted in experience, humility, and a commitment to doing things the right way. He provides valuable insights for contractors looking to grow, young tradespeople entering the industry, and anyone trying to build something that lasts. Honest, practical, and deeply insightful, this episode is a must-listen for installers, contractors, business owners, and anyone serious about mastering both the craft and the business behind it. Learn more about Omni Cubed: https://omnicubed.com/ [https://omnicubed.com/] Learn more about DW Sanders Tile & Stone Contracting, Inc.: https://dwstile.com/ [https://dwstile.com/]

Why the Best Tile Contractors Never Stop Learning | Jeremy Sax | Cutting Edge Install Ep. 21

Welcome back to the Cutting Edge Install Podcast, brought to you by Omni Cubed — where innovation meets installation and everything in between. In this episode, host Merv Campbell sits down with Jeremy Sax, Deputy Executive Director of the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), for an insightful conversation about leadership, education, and the future of the tile industry. With more than two decades in the tile and construction world, Jeremy shares how his career evolved from warehouse trainee to industry advocate — and why he ultimately chose to return to the industry he loves.  The discussion explores how the NTCA supports contractors across the country through training, mentorship, and business resources designed to help installers work smarter, stay competitive, and build sustainable companies. From hands-on training events and technical support to mentorship networks and technology adoption, Jeremy explains how education remains the foundation for improving craftsmanship and profitability across the trade.  Merv and Jeremy also dive into practical innovation on the jobsite — from tools that protect installers’ bodies to emerging technologies like exoskeleton systems designed to help workers safely handle larger tile panels and demanding installations. Beyond tools, the conversation highlights the importance of continuous learning, servant leadership, and building a strong industry culture that welcomes the next generation of tradespeople.  In this episode, you’ll hear them discuss: * How the National Tile Contractors Association supports tile professionals nationwide * The role education and training play in raising installation standards * Why mentorship and community matter in the trades * How technology and innovation are changing jobsite efficiency * Business strategies that help contractors grow sustainably * The importance of continuous improvement and industry involvement * Why the next generation of tile professionals is already emerging From leadership lessons and industry insights to real-world tools that help contractors succeed, this episode is packed with practical knowledge for installers, contractors, shop owners, and anyone invested in the future of the tile trade. Learn more about Omni Cubed: https://omnicubed.com/ Learn more about the National Tile Contractors Association: https://www.tile-assn.com/

The Glass Industry's Hiring Problem | Ashley Cline | Cutting Edge Installs Podcast Ep. 20

Welcome back to the Cutting Edge Install Podcast, brought to you by Omni Cubed — where innovation meets installation and everything in between. In this episode, host Merv Campbell sits down with Ashley Cline of MR Davidson, a long-time recruiter in the glazing and construction industries who’s redefining what good recruiting actually looks like. Instead of chasing résumés, Ashley focuses on relationships, culture fit, and long-term success — for both companies and people. Ashley shares her journey into the glazing industry, how recruiting has changed since COVID, and why culture, potential, and personality now matter more than ever. Together, Merv and Ashley unpack the real challenges facing the trades today — from labor shortages and generational gaps to misconceptions about recruiters and what it actually takes to build strong, sustainable teams. You’ll hear them dive into: * Why relationship-driven recruiting outperforms job boards * Culture fit vs. technical skill — and why one matters more * How COVID and remote work reshaped estimating and project management roles * Why project managers and estimators are in such high demand * Bringing talent into glazing from other trades, military, and new industries * The role recruiters play in reshaping the future of the trades * Why you can teach skills — but not work ethic or attitude This episode is an honest, practical look at hiring, leadership, and building teams that actually last — packed with insight for shop owners, project managers, industry leaders, and anyone invested in the future of the trades.  Learn more about Omni Cubed: https://omnicubed.com/ [https://omnicubed.com/] Learn more about MR Davidson: https://mrdavidson.com/ [https://mrdavidson.com/]