Building Wins LIVE!

Adam and Steve Thomas | 06012026

56 min · 1 jun 2026
aflevering Adam and Steve Thomas | 06012026 artwork

Beschrijving

Guests: Steve Thomas (President) and Adam Thomas [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-thomas-ab5826114/] (VP) - RJ Thomas Manufacturing / Pilot Rock [https://www.pilotrock.com/] Host: Randy Chaffee [https://www.sourceonemarketingllc.com/] Producer / Director / Co-Host: Wes Wyatt [https://www.weswyatt.com/] Episode Summary: Steve and Adam share the three-generation family business story of RJ Thomas Manufacturing, founded in 1959 by depression-era WWII veteran RJ Thomas and his wife Doris in Cherokee, Iowa (northwest corner, 60 miles from Sioux City). Steve, second-generation president raised in the business since high school (starting in 1972), and Adam, third-generation VP and Steve's nephew, who began work around age 14 (circa 2000), explain their evolution from a small welding shop with five employees hand-unloading steel to a 90-person operation with advanced automation and robotics. The company manufactures park equipment under the Pilot Rock brand—grills, picnic tables, fire rings, benches, and custom fabrication for municipal parks and campgrounds nationwide. Two years ago, they purchased Pilot Rock itself (a house-sized historic boulder 15-20 feet high used by pioneers and Native Americans as a navigation landmark, now listed on National Historic Register), anchoring their brand to authentic Americana. They emphasize technology investment without losing their family-first culture, retaining employees for 40+ years, treating non-family staff as family, and collaborating with federal/state customers on product development (including 1,400 PSF snow-load-tested picnic tables for mountain recreation areas). Key Takeaways: * Three-generation family business defies statistics: second-generation success rates drop dramatically, third-generation minuscule—RJ Thomas thrives by treating non-family employees as family, competing on culture, not just price. * Relationship-first sales model beats transactional, commodity thinking: factory-direct to loyal federal/state customers (50+ years), selective, non-exclusive reps, retail through Lowe's and Amazon—a mix of high-volume bidding (price-competitive) and direct relationships (relationship-competitive). * Technology adoption preserves the family feel: automation/robotics reduces manual labor and increases safety while maintaining 50-year employee retention—younger employees see "this place is different" and return after exploring competitors. * Customer collaboration drives product innovation: federal snow-load demand led to independent testing, resulting in picnic tables rated at 1,400 PSF (tested at 2.8x the spec requirement)—loss-leader R&D builds a moat competitors can't easily replicate. * Lost opportunity cost calculus tips toward existing customer care: losing $500 to fix a long-term customer's problem is cheaper than losing their lifetime value and word-of-mouth referrals—never quantifiable but catastrophic. Resources and Links: Adam Thomas [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-thomas-ab5826114/] (VP) RJ Thomas Manufacturing / Pilot Rock [https://www.pilotrock.com/] Randy Chaffee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randychaffee/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/randychaffee/] https://www.facebook.com/therandychaffee [https://www.facebook.com/therandychaffee] https://www.sourceonemarketingllc.com [https://www.sourceonemarketingllc.com] https://www.buildingwins.live [https://www.buildingwins.live/] Wes Wyatt: https://www.weswyatt.com [https://www.weswyatt.com] https://www.linkedin.com/in/weswyatt/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/weswyatt/] https://www.facebook.com/wesawyatt/ [https://www.facebook.com/wesawyatt/]

Reacties

0

Wees de eerste die een reactie plaatst

Meld je nu aan en word lid van de Building Wins LIVE! community!

Probeer gratis

Probeer 14 dagen gratis

€ 9,99 / maand na proefperiode. · Elk moment opzegbaar.

  • Podcasts die je alleen op Podimo hoort
  • 20 uur luisterboeken / maand
  • Gratis podcasts

Alle afleveringen

187 afleveringen

aflevering Rob Anspach | 07132026 artwork

Rob Anspach | 07132026

Guests: Rob Anspach [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ranspach/] of Anspach Media [https://anspachmedia.com/] Host: Randy Chaffee [https://www.sourceonemarketingllc.com/] Producer / Director / Co-Host: Wes Wyatt [https://www.weswyatt.com/] Episode Summary: 1. THE DISNEY WORLD MARKETING MASTERCLASS While many view theme parks solely through the lens of entertainment and rides, Rob approaches Walt Disney World as an immersive marketing classroom. * Selling Experiences, Not Products: Disney excels because it isn't merely selling candy or roller coasters; it's selling ingrained family memories and emotional connections that bring visitors back year after year. * Attention to Detail: Rob highlights historical and modern operational details, such as Walt Disney's rule of placing trash receptacles every 6 feet to maintain park beauty, which has evolved into integrated, solar-powered technology today. * Immersive Entrepreneur Tours: Rob hosts specialized mastermind experiences at Disney for entrepreneurs (including international attendees). He takes them behind the scenes, introduces them to cast members, and showcases how every distinct resort and park features its own targeted marketing personality. 2. SHIFTING FROM TRANSACTIONAL TO MEMORABLE BUSINESS Randy and Rob contrasted generic, short-sighted business tactics with ethical, impactful strategies: * The Power of the "Wow" Factor: Rob shared a story from a mastermind dinner at Steakhouse 71, where a waitress brought out complimentary, Instagram-worthy desserts upon learning two guests were Disney first-timers. This small act generated free social media exposure worth thousands. * Tangible Marketing vs. Digital Noise: In a world flooded with easily ignorable emails, both hosts and the guest advocated for old-school, physical touchpoints. Rob shifted a senior-focused client from email updates to a printed, interactive 4-page monthly newsletter, resulting in a direct spike in sales and referrals. * The Impact of Handwritten Notes: Randy shared a recent personal experience receiving a handwritten thank-you card from a friend after a dinner, noting that the physical effort made it highly memorable—proving that taking the time to mail something creates a lasting impression. 3. BOOK LAUNCHES & CONSUMER ADVOCACY Rob discussed his prolific writing career (producing books for 13 years) and highlighted his latest literary projects: * Wait, There's More!: Released in January, this book takes a provocative consumer-advocacy angle, pulling apart the "dirty secrets" that unethical marketers use to manipulate buyers into purchases they later regret. Rob emphasizes building foundationally ethical businesses rooted in trust. * Embracing the Magic: A book born of his experiences guiding entrepreneurs through Disney World's marketing frameworks. * 25 Days to a Better Marriage: Written by Rob's wife, Kim Anspach, celebrating their 37 years of marriage. Ranked 70th in their broader publishing circle, the book focuses on practical, real-world experience rather than textbook theory. 4. ORGANIC CONTENT CREATION & PODCASTING * Fueling Content with Real Life: Responding to newer influencers who frequently run out of content ideas, Rob and Randy explained that everyday life interactions are the ultimate fuel. Rob noted that a simple online debate about "bait and switch" tactics gave him enough material to script five highly viewed educational videos. * The E-Heroes Podcast: Rob shared the journey of his podcast, E-Heroes, which recently hit a milestone of over 400 episodes. Started in 2018 to highlight eclectic entrepreneurs, the show focuses on raw, unedited, high-value conversations without heavy production, intro bumpers, or theme music. ## MEMORABLE QUOTES & TAKEAWAYS > Randy Chaffee: "People don't remember what you did or what you have, but they remember how you made them feel. That's the key." > Rob Anspach: "I can take [Disney's] philosophies, marketing, and lessons and incorporate them into books or speeches... it makes my company more magical every time I go." * Randy's Closing Mantra: "Love what you do, do what you love, and live it, love it, own it. Go make today your best day ever!" Resources and Links: Rob Anspach: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ranspach/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ranspach/] https://anspachmedia.com/ [https://anspachmedia.com/] Randy Chaffee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randychaffee/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/randychaffee/] https://www.facebook.com/therandychaffee [https://www.facebook.com/therandychaffee] https://www.sourceonemarketingllc.com [https://www.sourceonemarketingllc.com] https://www.buildingwins.live [https://www.buildingwins.live/] Wes Wyatt: https://www.weswyatt.com [https://www.weswyatt.com] https://www.linkedin.com/in/weswyatt/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/weswyatt/] https://www.facebook.com/wesawyatt/ [https://www.facebook.com/wesawyatt/]

13 jul 202657 min
aflevering Jared Ledford | 07062026 artwork

Jared Ledford | 07062026

Guests: Jared Ledford [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredledford/] of America Builds Better [https://americabuildsbetter.com/] Host: Randy Chaffee [https://www.sourceonemarketingllc.com/] Producer / Director / Co-Host: Wes Wyatt [https://www.weswyatt.com/] Episode Summary: Jared Ledford joins Randy Chaffee and Wes Wyatt for a hard-hitting conversation on how to actually win at trade shows instead of simply showing up and hoping the booth fairy drops leads in your lap. Coming off the York, Pennsylvania Shield Wall event, Jared and Randy unpack what exhibitors are doing right, what they are getting lazy about, and why companies need to treat every show as a full-blown relationship-building campaign before, during, and after the event. Jared challenges businesses to refresh stale booth setups, promote their presence in advance, send people who truly know the product, and stop blaming the show when they fail to invite customers, work the floor, attend sessions, or follow up. The conversation hammers one central truth: trade shows are not just about scanning badges. They are about creating relationships, strengthening existing partnerships, rekindling warm prospects, meeting decision-makers, and becoming visible in the industry. Jared admits his own mistake of arriving too late and setting up the morning of the show, turning it into a lesson for every exhibitor: get there early, set up the day before, and use that time to connect with other vendors, partners, and potential customers. Randy wraps the episode around one of the show's strongest lines: live in the industry, not off the industry. The real wins happen when you show up prepared, stay visible, serve others, and build trust long before you ask for the sale. Key Takeaways: Trade shows reward preparation, not attendance: If your plan is to pack the booth, show up, and wait for traffic, you already lost. Promote the event, invite clients, use free passes, schedule meetings, and create reasons for people to come see you. Freshness matters on the show floor: Jared warns exhibitors not to drag the same tired booth, flyers, business cards, and displays from show to show. Your business evolves, so your trade show presence should evolve too. Do not become a “badge bandit”: Scanning someone’s badge without a real conversation is lazy lead collection, not sales. Qualify people, build a moment, ask better questions, and earn the follow-up. The best trade show opportunities happen outside the booth: Setup day, educational sessions, coffee tables, hotel bars, dinners, hallway conversations, and after-hours gatherings often create stronger relationships than booth traffic alone. Get there early, set up early, and be visible: Jared openly admits that setting up on the morning of the expo was a mistake because his back was turned as potential conversations walked by. The day before the show can be one of the most valuable networking windows. Existing customers matter as much as new leads: Trade shows are not only for prospecting. They are also perfect for cementing relationships, reconnecting with warm prospects, and spending low-pressure time with people who already know you. If the show “sucked,” check the mirror first: Randy and Jared challenge exhibitors who blame the event without asking what they did to promote, prepare, engage, and follow up. Most shows offer opportunity, but only for people willing to work for it. Relationships are the real ROI: Jared points out that many of his strongest industry connections, including Randy and Gary from Shield Wall, began through trade shows and grew through repeated conversations, shared meals, and consistent follow-through. Sales is a lifestyle, not a time slot: Randy and Jared agree that great salespeople stay engaged, but also know when to recharge. You cannot disappear after the floor closes and expect to build deep industry relationships. * Live in the industry, not off the industry: The episode’s strongest message is that real players contribute, connect, teach, learn, and serve. The people who only extract money from the industry eventually disappear. The people who invest in it build lasting wins. Resources and Links: Jared Ledford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredledford/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredledford/] America Builds Better: https://americabuildsbetter.com/ [https://americabuildsbetter.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/company/americabuildsbetter/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/americabuildsbetter/] Randy Chaffee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randychaffee/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/randychaffee/] https://www.facebook.com/therandychaffee [https://www.facebook.com/therandychaffee] https://www.sourceonemarketingllc.com [https://www.sourceonemarketingllc.com] https://www.buildingwins.live [https://www.buildingwins.live/] Wes Wyatt: https://www.weswyatt.com [https://www.weswyatt.com] https://www.linkedin.com/in/weswyatt/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/weswyatt/] https://www.facebook.com/wesawyatt/ [https://www.facebook.com/wesawyatt/]

6 jul 202640 min
aflevering Chris Miller | 06292026 artwork

Chris Miller | 06292026

Guests: Chris Miller [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-miller-71b78245/] of The Barndo Loan Pros [https://www.ffbkc.com/borrow/build-a-home/barndominium-financing] Host: Randy Chaffee [https://www.sourceonemarketingllc.com/] Producer / Director / Co-Host: Wes Wyatt [https://www.weswyatt.com/] Episode Summary: Chris shares his leadership of The Barndo Loan Pros (powered by First Federal Bank of Kansas City), which scaled from its Midwest roots to nationwide lending across 47 states (excluding Hawaii, Alaska, and New York) over four years. The bank's 90-year history of construction lending (since 1948) positions it uniquely to understand barndominium financing, where 90% of lenders remain confused. Chris emphasizes the critical importance of homeowners consulting bankers first—before architects, builders, or realtors—to understand the budget, qualification thresholds, desired payment structure, and the feasibility of the timeline. He defines barndominiums operationally by three characteristics: metal siding, metal roof, and a free-span structure (beams on the outside walls only, open interior) with an oversized attached garage/shop. The 60-40 conformity threshold (minimum 60% living space to 40% garage) ensures secondary market appeal (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac takeout loans) and lower long-term fixed rates; projects below this ratio or outside comparable sales (dubbed "unicorns") require 10-12% construction rates with no path to affordable refinancing. Cost-per-square-foot red flags trigger at $175 and below; Chris advises builders to avoid overpromising $350 budgets that materialize as $495, and instead have honest conversations early and build in 10% contingency. Key Takeaways: * Start with a banker before a builder or realtor to establish a budget, qualification level, payment comfort, and timeline feasibility: rushed discovery after plans/permits wastes weeks of builder time and creates no-win scenarios where funding doesn't exist for the dream scope. * Conforming barndominiums require a 60-40 living-to-garage ratio minimum with comparable sales in or near the market: unicorn projects (basketball court, 80% shop) lack comparables 100+ miles around and won't hit secondary market (Fannie/Freddie) even if approved initially, forcing 11-12% permanent financing—discuss market realities upfront with appraiser's eyes, not hope. * Builders must listen, ask discovery questions, and never over-promise to under-deliver: saying $350 when the scope costs $495 burns trust, wastes appraisal time, and forces mid-project funding calls—worst case, no comes as soon as possible so everyone stops wasting resources. * Cost-per-square-foot below $175 triggers red flags; banks are comfortable at $175+ (builder-grade) because subs, bids, and 4-month delays shift pricing: plan 5-10% contingency because builders can't hit exact marks, and don't confuse banker requests for appraisal/comparable research as "trying to kill the deal"—they're protecting buyer capacity. * Barndominium lifestyle is the primary driver of structure type: families seek 50-acre tracks split among generations, horses/ATVs/ponds, escape from neighborhoods/HOAs and political division—this cultural shift (multi-generational homesteads, rural enclaves) means design flexibility and open-span floor plans matter less than land, family autonomy, and peace. Resources and Links: Chris Miller [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-miller-71b78245/] The Barndo Loan Pros [https://www.ffbkc.com/borrow/build-a-home/barndominium-financing] Randy Chaffee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randychaffee/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/randychaffee/] https://www.facebook.com/therandychaffee [https://www.facebook.com/therandychaffee] https://www.sourceonemarketingllc.com [https://www.sourceonemarketingllc.com] https://www.buildingwins.live [https://www.buildingwins.live/] Wes Wyatt: https://www.weswyatt.com [https://www.weswyatt.com] https://www.linkedin.com/in/weswyatt/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/weswyatt/] https://www.facebook.com/wesawyatt/ [https://www.facebook.com/wesawyatt/]

29 jun 202640 min
aflevering Christine Harrington | 06222026 artwork

Christine Harrington | 06222026

Guests: Christine Harrington [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christineharringtonsavvysaleslady/] Host: Randy Chaffee [https://www.sourceonemarketingllc.com/] Producer / Director / Co-Host: Wes Wyatt [https://www.weswyatt.com/] Episode Summary: Guest: Christine Harrington (The Savvy Sales Lady / Sales Coach & Author) Host: Randy Chaffee Producer / Director / Co-Host: Wes Wyatt Episode Summary: Christine shares her 50+ year sales career spanning corporate insurance and road warrior territory, pivoting to sales coaching/training 12 years ago after a transformative crisis: her boss denied time off to be with her hospice-bound father despite having four weeks PTO, forcing Christine to resign on principle and spend his final 10 days together. This career inflection point, combined with her 1992 near-death experience (which revealed consciousness as separable from physical body), propelled her into mindset research and eventually authoring The Seller's Mind Manual. She discovered that 90% of coaching clients believe they have a selling problem (needing new scripts, techniques, magic words) when they actually have mindset problems rooted in sabotaging thought patterns. Christine identifies three salesperson categories: Reactor (emotionally dependent, inconsistent), Manager (willpower-driven, burning out from daily mental resistance), and Designer (habitual structure bypassing feelings, consistent without burnout). The core insight: bodies produce feelings, feelings produce thoughts, thoughts drive actions—hand control to unreliable emotional states and sales collapse. Key Takeaways: * Salespeople develop negative brain-wiring through repetition: worry → habit → mood → personality—negativity rewires neural pathways to only seek confirmation of problems, making self-fulfilling prophecy inevitable unless deliberately interrupted through daily positive anchoring. * Daily debrief retrains optimism through neuroscience, not affirmations: at day's end, identify one "win" (however small—a compelling email, one good call), attach feeling to it ("that was excellent"), then address one learning gap without self-criticism—repeated daily, this rewires brain from problem-seeking to opportunity-seeking. * Post-it note pre-programming bypasses morning worry: write an optimistic thought for the day, place it on the nightstand/phone/alarm so the first sight is a reprogrammed intention rather than anxiety—carrying it throughout the day creates a habitual override of the negative default programming. * Growth vs. Fixed mindset determines resilience: Fixed ("I'll never be a top performer") requires no effort but guarantees failure; Growth ("I suck now but will improve through effort") requires effort but opens the trajectory—people float between the two until consciously choosing Growth repeatedly. * Protect mindset at organizational cost: "Misery loves company" spreads depression through proximity—coworkers wallowing in negativity during trade shows/office life leak negativity onto even positive people; guard your mind by limiting time with chronic complainers who reject help; leaving a toxic environment entirely may be the only self-preservation option. Resources and Links: Christine Harrington [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christineharringtonsavvysaleslady/] The Savvy Sales Lady [https://www.christineharrington.com/] Randy Chaffee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randychaffee/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/randychaffee/] https://www.facebook.com/therandychaffee [https://www.facebook.com/therandychaffee] https://www.sourceonemarketingllc.com [https://www.sourceonemarketingllc.com] https://www.buildingwins.live [https://www.buildingwins.live/] Wes Wyatt: https://www.weswyatt.com [https://www.weswyatt.com] https://www.linkedin.com/in/weswyatt/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/weswyatt/] https://www.facebook.com/wesawyatt/ [https://www.facebook.com/wesawyatt/]

22 jun 202655 min
aflevering Oakland McCulloch | Best Of #3 artwork

Oakland McCulloch | Best Of #3

Guests: Lieutenant Colonel Oakland (Oak) McCulloch (Retired U.S. Army) [https://ltcoakmcculloch.com/] Host: Randy Chaffee [https://www.sourceonemarketingllc.com/] Producer / Director / Co-Host: Wes Wyatt [https://www.weswyatt.com/] Episode Summary: Oak shares his 23-year active-duty career spanning infantry (5 years) and armored cavalry (18 years), culminating in his service as commander of the Army ROTC program at the University of South Alabama in Mobile before retiring on October 1st. He discusses his leadership philosophy rooted in servant leadership—emphasizing that leadership is a privilege, never about personal titles or pay, but always about developing and caring for people under your command. Oak recounts pivotal leadership moments, including commissioning 62 lieutenants annually, reminding each that "after we pin those bars on your shoulder tomorrow, it will never be about you ever again—it's about the people you lead." He shares his tenure running a food bank covering 52 counties across Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle (starting one month before the BP oil spill), where he reframed employee motivation by reminding staff of their mission's human impact: when a young mother can't feed her two-year-old because the team didn't get the work right, that's the why. His book Leadership Legacy eschews leadership theory entirely, offering practical, everyday actions leaders can implement immediately, with principles applicable across military, business, healthcare, and nonprofit sectors. Key Takeaways: * Servant leadership demands "walking around" and daily human connection: leaders must leave their desks, get their own coffee (showing they're no better than anyone), and learn one new personal fact about someone each day—spouse/children's names, sports interests—to build authentic trust. * Trust is the non-negotiable foundation of followership: soldiers will follow orders under coercion, but only trust makes them willing to risk lives and exceed minimum requirements—"they will follow you wherever you want to go if they trust you." * Purpose and mission supersede compensation in organizational motivation: at the food bank, employees earning low wages stayed late after being reminded that their work prevents mothers from feeding hungry children—money doesn't motivate when purpose is clear. * Leadership skills transfer across industries regardless of context: hospital administrator, software company, nonprofit—the principles (integrity, communication, trust, team-building) don't change, only delivery methods adjust to organizational culture. * Self-discipline drives success where motivation fails: motivation is unreliable; discipline makes you act when unmotivated—distinguish between external discipline (a leader enforcing it) and self-discipline (internal commitment), which separates achievers from bystanders. Resources and Links: Lieutenant Colonel Oakland (Oak) McCulloch (Retired U.S. Army) [https://www.linkedin.com/in/oakland-mcculloch/] https://ltcoakmcculloch.com/ [https://ltcoakmcculloch.com/] Randy Chaffee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randychaffee/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/randychaffee/] https://www.facebook.com/therandychaffee [https://www.facebook.com/therandychaffee] https://www.sourceonemarketingllc.com [https://www.sourceonemarketingllc.com] https://www.buildingwins.live [https://www.buildingwins.live/] Wes Wyatt: https://www.weswyatt.com [https://www.weswyatt.com] https://www.linkedin.com/in/weswyatt/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/weswyatt/] https://www.facebook.com/wesawyatt/ [https://www.facebook.com/wesawyatt/]

15 jun 202642 min