Nav Singh left city life behind to buy and rebuild a struggling hardware store in Leader, Saskatchewan. This episode is about resilience, risk-taking, and what it really means to build both a business and a community from the ground up.

In this episode, Nav sits down with Liz to share his journey from immigrating to Canada at 18, to working construction jobs across Western Canada before stepping into entrepreneurship. He opens up about the setbacks, financial uncertainty, and steep learning curve of running a small-town hardware store where the owner wears every hat, from cashier and delivery driver to estimator and bookkeeper. The conversation also explores the realities of rural retail, the importance of supporting local communities, mentorship, succession planning, and why small businesses remain the backbone of towns across Canada.

If you care about entrepreneurship, leadership, community building, small business growth, and taking risks before you feel fully ready, this conversation is worth your time.

Enjoy the show!

Links:

Supply-Build Canada: https://supplybuild.ca/

Leader Hardware & Building Centre: https://www.facebook.com/leaderhardwareACE/

Sponsor info:

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by DeckRite Canada Sundecks – a smarter product for your yard.

Learn more at deckritecanada.com

This episode is also brought to you by Burrows Lumber.

Proudly serving Western Canada and Ontario—Trusted for generations!

Learn more at burrowslumber.com

Marketing is louder, faster, and more measurable than ever, but does that actually make it better? This episode is about building a brand people feel something for, not just one that converts.

In this episode, Stephen Bailey, Chief Marketing Officer at John Fluevog Shoes, sits down with Liz to unpack what it really takes to stand out in today’s crowded market. Drawing on more than 20 years with one of Canada’s most unconventional retail brands, Stephen shares why differentiation isn’t about having the best price or product, it’s about having the courage to be distinct. From embracing “weirdness” and creative risk-taking to resisting the pressure to chase every trend, this conversation dives into the balance between data and instinct, short-term results and long-term brand building. They also explore how retail has evolved, why emotional connection still drives real loyalty, and how partnerships, community, and a strong founder influence continue to shape a brand’s identity.

If you care about building a brand that stands out, creating meaningful customer connections, and thinking differently about marketing in retail or distribution, this conversation is worth your time.

Enjoy the show!

Links:

Supply-Build Canada: https://supplybuild.ca/

Stephen Bailey: linkedin.com/in/baileystephen

John Fluevog Shoes: https://www.fluevog.com/

Sponsor info:

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by Burrows Lumber.

Proudly serving Western Canada and Ontario—Trusted for generations!

Learn more at burrowslumber.co

Also brought to you by Regal Ideas. Inspiring homeowners, one deck at a time!

inspiring homeowners, one deck at a time!

After the sudden passing of their father in 2020, sisters Melissa Jensen, Marissa Wolfe and Kristie Mueller faced the challenge of stepping into a leadership role at their third-generation family-owned business. This episode is about growing through that transition and how it earned them a nomination for the Supply-Build Canada 135 Forge & Form Gala’s Women of Influence award.

In this episode, you’ll learn what goes behind the scenes of what goes on in a family-owned business when transitioning ownership. You’ll learn how these ladies got to learn their role and how to support the business, especially when Marissa and Kristie pursued their own degrees outside of the building material industry. The importance of communication between the family and the team, and how that leads them to the success of the proud on-going legacy of a third-generation business. Along with the process of transition on both ends of the ladder, from modernizing internal systems to picking up and keeping relationships with previous customers and builders.

If you care about business succession planning, transitioning into family-owned businesses, creating a strong team, and modernizing your business, this conversation is worth your time.

Enjoy the show!

Links:

Supply-Build Canada: https://supplybuild.ca/

Melissa Jensen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-jensen-05501914a/

Marissa Wolfe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-wolfe-b9257096/

Swift Current Building Supplies: https://www.linkedin.com/company/swift-current-building-supplies-1970-ltd/

Sponsor info:

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by HELI Canada – Giving Canadian Business a Lift.

Discover dependable material handling solutions at heliforklift.ca.

If you’re running a retail yard or building centre, you don’t have time for trends that don’t translate to the bottom line. This episode is about a model that has quietly delivered for nearly 50 years.

Rob Forbes built Exchange-A-Blade Tool Company on a straightforward idea: contractors bring in used blades, get credit, and leave with remanufactured ones on the spot. No waiting. No landfill. Just a system that keeps jobs moving and brings customers back through your doors.

In this episode, you’ll hear how the exchange model creates repeat traffic and gives dealers a clear, simple answer to “what do we do with used blades?” You’ll learn why in-store service still matters in a world of automated ordering and drop shipping. Rob also shares what decades of housing cycles have taught him about staying steady when construction slows and demand shifts to DIY.

We also dig into what sustainability looks like when it’s tied to performance and profitability. From robotic manufacturing to recycling carbide shavings down to the last particle, this is about running lean, competing with global brands, and doing it as a Canadian company.

If you care about margin, loyalty, and building a business that holds up through the ups and downs, this conversation is worth your time.

Enjoy the show!

Links:

Supply-Build Canada: https://supplybuild.ca/

Rob Forbes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-forbes-08846b352

EAB Tool Company: https://www.exchangeablade.com/

Sponsor info:

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by HELI Canada – Giving Canadian Business a Lift.

Discover dependable material handling solutions at heliforklift.ca.

This week’s episode is recommended for anyone interested in innovative ways to recycle and reduce waste in construction or using reclaimed wood.

Have you ever wondered what happens to the wood from demolished homes? What if much of it could be recovered and put back into use?

In this week’s episode of Across the Yard, Liz Kovach sits down with Jay Sanderson, President & Operations Lead at Northmark Materials Ltd., to explore the growing role of reclaimed wood in the supply chain. They dive into the process of reclaimed wood, how advocacy can play a role, and how this wood can be more accessible at a local level. They discuss how wood can be salvaged, processed, and reintroduced into the market, the importance of industry advocacy, and how reclaimed materials can become more accessible at the local level.

Jay also shares plans for expansion into Calgary and eventually across Canada, and highlights the many applications for reclaimed wood, including siding, flooring, and furnishings.

Tune in for an insightful conversation on reducing lumber waste and giving quality materials a second life.

Enjoy the show!

Links:

Supply-Build Canada: https://supplybuild.ca/

Jay Sanderson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-sanderson-80a6651a7/

Northmark Materials: https://northmarkmaterials.com/

Northmark Material’s white paper on “Infrastructure for Circularity”: https://northmarkmaterials.com/infrastructure-for-circularity/

Sponsor info:

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by HiLine Treated Wood by West Fraser.

Elevate inventory, elevate sales.

Learn more at hilinetreated.com

Long known as a male-dominated field, the lumber industry is undergoing meaningful change — but what does that transformation actually look like? Who is leading it, and how?

In this week’s episode of Across the Yard, Liz Kovach sits down with Kaitlyn and Lauren Chimko, Lumber Traders, Partners at Dakeryn Industries, and recipients of the Women of Influence Award at the 135 Forge & Form Gala. Together, they share their journey into the industry through their family roots, what life as a lumber trader really looks like, and how WOLF (Women of Lumber and Forestry) was founded to create stronger representation, connection, and opportunity for women in lumber.

This conversation offers an insightful, behind-the-scenes look at the lumber side of the industry and the women helping shape its future.

Enjoy the show!

Links:

Supply-Build Canada: https://supplybuild.ca/

Kaitlyn Chimko: linkedin.com/in/kaitlyn-chimko-17674a12

Lauren Chimko: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenchimko/

Dakeryn Industries: https://dakeryn.com/

Sponsor info:

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by Brandt. Whatever you need to succeed, Brandt delivers. Let us do the heavy lifting.

Learn more at brandt.ca

Also brought to you by HiLine Treated Wood by West Fraser.

Elevate inventory, elevate sales.

Learn more at hilinetreated.com

This episode is for anyone in the forestry and building materials industries who are interested in attracting more youth or general public into the industry, and how you can get involved in the effort.

The industry is facing a significant skills gap due to a lack of youth interest and new hires, but people are taking action. So, what can we do about it?

In this week’s episode of Across the Yard, Liz Kovach sits down with Allison DeFord, Executive Director at the North American Forest Foundation (NAFF), to discuss NAFF’s initiatives on educating the public about the forestry industry. They discuss NAFF’s “Truth About Trees” teaching kit, a free, renewable resource for K-5 classrooms, as well as an exciting new educational app for junior high students that could impact millions of students, teachers, and parents. They also touch on ways companies can get involved in these efforts.

Tune in for an insightful conversation about how we can all play a part in raising awareness and fostering a future workforce in the forestry and building materials sectors.

Enjoy the show!

Links:

Supply-Build Canada: https://supplybuild.ca/

Allison DeFord: linkedin.com/in/allisondeford

North American Forest Association: https://northamericanforestfoundation.org/

Canopy Club: https://northamericanforestfoundation.org/canopy-club/

Sponsor info:

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by Durabuilt Windows & Doors.

Take the next step to grow your business at durabuiltwindows.com

Also brought to you by HiLine Treated Wood by West Fraser.

Elevate inventory, elevate sales.

Learn more at hilinetreated.com

Today’s episode is a must-listen for anyone working in a lumberyard—or in sales of any kind.

Have you ever stepped into your customers’ shoes to see your business from their point of view?

In this week’s episode of Across the Yard, Liz Kovach sits down with Marc Atiyolil, designer, builder and co-host of The Marc & Mandy Show, to explore the pain points manufacturers are still facing today, the importance of delivering a strong customer experience and how that experience can lead into meaningful, long-term relationships. Along with how media training can be valuable in any environment, even in the lumberyard. Drawing from his own experience as a builder, Marc shares real-world examples that bring these conversations to life.

Tune in for an insightful discussion on understanding and elevating the customer experience.

Enjoy the show!

Links:

Supply-Build Canada: https://supplybuild.ca/

Marc Atiyolil: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-atiyolil-07b8393a/

Canadian Home Trends: https://canadianhometrends.com/

Marc & Mandy’s PD Session at the 2026 Showcase: https://supplybuildshowcase.ca/pd-trade-secrets/

Sponsor info:

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by HiLine Treated Wood by West Fraser.

Elevate inventory, elevate sales.

Learn more at hilinetreated.com

Also brought to you by Brandt. Whatever you need to succeed, Brandt delivers. Let us do the heavy lifting.

Learn more at brandt.ca

Today’s episode is for anyone in sales or marketing, old school, new school, or somewhere in between, as well as anyone preparing to exhibit at a trade show. No matter your experience, you’ll walk away with something useful.

Have you ever felt stagnant in your style of work or struggled to find success in it?

In this week’s episode of Across the Yard, Liz Kovach sits down with returning guest R.M. Caligiuri, CEO, lecturer, and keynote speaker at Caligiuri Leadership, to break down old school vs. new school sales and marketing tactics: what works, what doesn’t, and everything in between. They also share tips for exhibiting at trade shows and making impactful impressions, and much more.

Tune in for a productive and fun conversation about navigating the sales and marketing world with genuine heart.

Enjoy the show!

Enjoy the show!

Links:

Supply-Build Canada: https://supplybuild.ca/

R.M. Caligiuri: www.linkedin.com/in/rmcaligiuri/

R.M.’s Website: www.calileadership.com/

R.M. Caligiuri's PD Session at the 2026 Showcase: https://supplybuildshowcase.ca/pd-sell-smarter/

Sponsor info:

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by Brandt.

Whatever you need to succeed, Brandt delivers. Let us do the heavy lifting.

Learn more at brandt.ca

Also brought to you by Durabuilt Windows & Doors.

Take the next step to grow your business at durabuiltwindows.com

Today’s episode is recommended for anyone who aspires to lead or is ready to step up their game.

Have you ever wondered what “real leadership” looks like in today’s workplaces?

In this week’s episode of Across the Yard, Liz Kovach sits down with Eileen Dooley and Wahaj Awad, Principal & Coach and Consultant at Humance, to explore the latest shifts in leadership, with emotional intelligence taking center stage. They also dive into what accountability really means and navigating through tough conversations and challenging situations with clarity and confidence.

Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about growth, resilience, and the everyday behaviors that make leadership feel more human.

Enjoy the show!

Links:

Supply-Build Canada: https://supplybuild.ca/

Eileen Dooley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dooleyeileen/

Wahaj Awad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wahaj-awad/

Humance: https://humance.ca/

Humance's PD Session at the 2026 Showcase: https://supplybuildshowcase.ca/pd-real-leadership/

Sponsor info:

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by Brandt.

Whatever you need to succeed, Brandt delivers. Let us do the heavy lifting.

Learn more at brandt.ca

Also brought to you by HiLine Treated wood by West Fraser. Elevate inventory, elevate sales.

Learn more at hilinetreated.com