PRO Cabinet Maker – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, Ken Kumph, founder and president of Premier Builders in Georgetown, MA, takes over hosting duties. He chats with Matthew Schroeder, wealth advisor and director of financial planning at Great Point Wealth Advisors. Together, they dive into the intricacies of succession planning, offering valuable advice for younger professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs. From establishing standard operating procedures to gaining a comprehensive understanding of business financials, they share practical strategies to enhance business performance and ensure long-term success. Tune in to gain expert insights on valuating your business and implementing effective business practices in today's dynamic market landscape.

In the season 2 premiere, James Fox, owner and president of Fox Woodworking at Darkhorse Woodworks in Phoenixville, PA, takes the hosting helm. He engages in a lively discussion with Jenny Rhead, Project and Marketing Manager at Designs of Distinction by Brownwood Incorporated in Chicago. Together, they delve into the recent success of the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) held in Las Vegas, exploring its appeal to the woodworking industry, uncovering the latest trends in kitchen and bath design, and pondering the future of KBIS.

PRO Cabinet Maker is produced by Association Briefings.

In episode 7, we give the hosting reins to Randy Niewind, president of Randy's Cabinets and Woodworks and board member of the Cabinet Makers Association. He chats with Guy Bucey, CEO of Inova Bed, about what it takes to be a great leader, hiring practices, leadership challenges, and the importance of personal goals. 

In episode 6, we give the hosting reins to Monika Soos, Chief "Fun" Officer for Sofo Kitchens and board member of the Cabinet Makers Association. She chats with Dominic Rubino, industry business coach, about time management, creating efficiencies in your shop, maintaining discipline, focusing on a vision for your business, and staying consistent. 

In episode 5, we give the hosting reins to Gregory Paolini, founder of Gregory Paolini Design and secretary of the board for the Cabinet Makers Association. He chats with Doug Tatum, chairman of Newport LLC and speaker at CMA's National Conference, about how to succeed in business, making the decision to remain a "small giant" in business or scale, managing overall growth of your shop, and teaching valuable employees how to run the business without you. 

In episode 4, we give the hosting reins to Lois Snyder, founder, designer and leader of Periwinklers, and board member of the Cabinet Makers Association. She chats with Paul Downs, president of Paul Downs Cabinetmakers and speaker at CMA's National Conference, about developing a company culture, why it's important, and the challenges of hiring the right people for your shop's culture.

Show notes

Paul Downs started making custom furniture in 1986, after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in engineering. Mr. Downs has only one line on his résumé, but he has a wide variety of skills gained in 30 years of running his business. His clients range from individuals and small businesses to Fortune 500 companies, all branches of the military, and domestic and foreign governments.  His company employs 20 superb craftsmen, producing all of their work in a 35,000 square foot shop in Bridgeport, Pennsylvania. Mr. Downs is also an accomplished author.  He started his writing career in The New York Times’ “You’re The Boss” blog, and is the author of “Boss Life:  Surviving My Own Small Business”, published in 2015 by Blue Rider Press.  He currently blogs on Forbes.com Mr. Downs is an experienced public speaker.  He has given educational presentations at the AWFS show in Las Vegas, at the Cabinets & Closets convention, and gave the keynote address at the Cabinetmakers Association convention in 2018.  He has also entertained audiences in numerous talks about his life, his books, and his work.

This episode is produced by Association Briefings.

In episode 3, we give the hosting reins to Brian Clancy, president of Clancy Woodworking in Sherman, CT, and board member of the Cabinet Makers Association. He chats with Kevin McNulty, opening keynote speaker for CMA's National Conference, about personal growth, transitions and the importance of networking in the woodworking industry.

In this episode, we give the hosting reins to Matt Wehner, co-owner of Cabinet Concepts by Design in Springfield, MO, and board member of the Cabinet Makers Association. He chats with Tim Coleman of SCE Unlimited about year-end financials and focusing on your shop's magic number.

Show notes

Tim Coleman founded his Closet Organization company in 1988 and ran his business for nearly 30 years. He sold his successful company in 2017 and was asked by that buyer to stay on to run the closet division, which he did for 3 years.  In October of 2020 Tim was delighted to take the helm of SCE Unlimited in the Chicagoland area, which is owned by Installed Building Products, a publicly traded $2.5 billion company. SCE offers both Wire & Solid Systems from melamine to veneered wood, Shower Doors & Mirrors, and Bathroom hardware.

Tim has run the business gamut from being a one-man shop to working with a team of over 50 employees. He was a Hunter Douglas Blinds, Shades, and Shutter dealer for 14 years and works with homeowners, custom builders, commercial developments, and retirement living centers. Tim believes that sharing knowledge and consistently seeking to learn new information is the only way people evolve and grow, and he endeavors daily to do both. 

This podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

In our inaugural episode, we give the hosting reins to Ken Kumph, founder and president of Premier Builders in Georgetown, MA, and president of the Cabinet Makers Association. He chats with Kelly Victor-Burke, CEO of Burke Architectural Millwork in Livonia, MI, about the workforce challenges impacting the woodworking industry and starting an apprenticeship program for your shop.

Show notes

Kelly Victor-Burke is an entrepreneur, woodwork manufacturing advocate & professor emerita who taught for 30-years at Eastern Michigan University as co-director of the Geotourism & Historic Preservation Bachelor of Science Program until her retirement in April 2020 to concentrate on her growing woodwork manufacturing business, Burke Architectural Millwork (BAM).

Kelly and her husband/business partner Barry founded BAM in 2016 to disrupt the status quo in the woodwork industry and bring positive recognition to the field of architectural millwork manufacturing. BAM is Michigan’s first and only WBENC Certified WBE in custom architectural millwork. While Kelly spends the majority of her time on administrative tasks & sales and is the company’s social media guru, she really loves being on the shop floor working on projects.

Ken Kumph Ken is president of Premier Builders and has an active role in the day-to-day operations with sales, estimating, and business management. He has been a team leader and frequent volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, is an active member of the Cabinet Makers Association, the National Association of Homebuilders, and a member of the National Kitchen and Bath Association. He is a continued supporter of local youth sports teams and educational endeavors. Ken currently serves as the President of The Cabinet Makers Association

This podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

The Cabinet Makers Association presents the all-new PRO Cabinet Maker podcast. Join various hosts from CMA as they chat with leaders in the woodworking industry about issues and challenges impacting their businesses, as well as success stories to inspire. Check out the trailer for season one!