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 Sean Westmoreland of Dixie Glass for a candid conversation about leadership, resilience, communication, and the future of the glazing industry.

Sean is a third-generation glazier who grew up around the glass shop and learned the trade the old-fashioned way: through hands-on experience, mentorship, and plenty of hard lessons. Today, Dixie Glass has grown to more than 30 employees across multiple locations, but the journey to get there has been anything but simple.

Sean shares how unexpected personal and business challenges forced him to step into leadership before he felt ready, and how those experiences changed the way he manages people, communicates with his team, and approaches growth. He talks openly about mistakes he's made as a leader and why learning how to communicate effectively became one of the most important lessons of his career.

Merv and Sean also dive into the future of glazing, including how AI could transform estimating, drafting, and other parts of the business while making skilled tradespeople even more valuable. Sean believes the trades are positioned for major growth. But only if companies invest in training, professionalism, wages, and the next generation of workers.

In this episode, you'll hear them discuss:

From leadership and mentorship to technology and the future of skilled labor, this episode offers an honest look at what it takes to build a strong company and help move an entire trade forward.

Learn more about Omni Cubed: https://omnicubed.com/

Learn more about Dixie Glass: https://dixieglass.com/

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 Brian Gambrell, a stone industry veteran with nearly 30 years of experience spanning sales, marketing, distribution, manufacturing, executive leadership, and now entrepreneurship with Pro Tool Haus.

Brian shares how he unexpectedly entered the stone industry as a 21-year-old and became the second employee at Braxton-Bragg during a time when granite countertops were only beginning to gain traction in the United States. What started as simply needing a job grew into a three-decade career that gave him a front-row seat to the evolution of stone fabrication.

The conversation explores the lessons Brian picked up along the way: from mentors who taught him the value of hard work and taking calculated risks to the importance of sharing knowledge with the next generation. Merv and Brian discuss why the stone industry's culture of collaboration is worth protecting and why experienced fabricators, business owners, and industry leaders have a responsibility to invest in the people coming behind them.

They also get into the realities of leadership, including making difficult decisions, developing employees, maintaining work-life balance, and learning how to build a company that can operate without everything depending on one person. Brian also shares the thinking behind his newest venture, Pro Tool Haus, and why he's focused on education, customer service, relationships, and carefully selecting tools that professionals can depend on. That leads into a larger discussion about price versus value, and why saving money on the wrong tool can cost a fabricator far more when quality, safety, or reliability is compromised.

In this episode, you'll hear them discuss:

From old-school business principles to the future of fabrication, this episode is packed with lessons from three decades in the industry. And a reminder that better tools, better training, and better relationships all contribute to a stronger trade.

Learn more about Omni Cubed: https://omnicubed.com/

Learn more about Pro Tool Haus: https://protoolhaus.com/

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 Josiah Lilly, CEO (or as he puts it, "Creative Energy Officer") of Epic Ceramic & Stone, for an inspiring conversation about craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, innovation, and building one of the country's premier luxury tile and stone companies. Josiah shares how he entered the trades at just 16 years old before launching Epic Ceramic & Stone at only 17.

From those humble beginnings, he has grown the company into a leader in high-end residential tile and stone, completing some of the most prestigious homes in the country while maintaining an unwavering commitment to quality, creativity, and client experience.

This episode explores what truly separates exceptional contractors from average ones—from meticulous planning and digital workflows to empowering employees and creating a company culture built around family, passion, and excellence. Josiah also explains why embracing technology doesn't replace craftsmanship—it enhances it, allowing his team to deliver more creative work while giving clients greater confidence throughout the process.

Merv and Josiah dive into the realities of installing multi-million-dollar projects, handling delicate materials, investing in new technology, and why the best companies never stop evolving. Whether discussing digital templating, custom shop drawings, or the importance of listening to installers when developing new tools, the conversation is filled with practical wisdom for anyone working in the trades.

In this episode, you'll hear them discuss:

From leadership and innovation to craftsmanship and company culture, this episode is packed with valuable insight for tile installers, stone fabricators, contractors, shop owners, and anyone passionate about building a business that stands the test of time.

Learn more about Omni Cubed: https://omnicubed.com/

Learn more about Epic Ceramic & Stone: https://epicstone.net/

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 Wesley, Director of Digital Marketing at Precision Countertops, for a practical conversation about marketing, storytelling, customer relationships, and creating content that actually drives results in the stone industry.

With more than two decades of experience in the countertop world, Wesley has worked across templating, fabrication, installation, and marketing. He shares how that hands-on industry background shapes the way he communicates with customers, builds campaigns, and balances creative ideas with real performance data.

The conversation explores how companies can use social media as a testing ground, turn one customer project into multiple pieces of content, and build a marketing system that guides people from first discovering a company to becoming loyal customers and advocates.

Merv and Wesley also discuss the continued importance of showrooms, face-to-face communication, and customer interviews in an increasingly digital world. They examine how AI can support marketers without replacing creativity, experience, or human judgment, and why companies should use it as a tool rather than allowing it to take over the entire process.

In this episode, you’ll hear them discuss:

From content strategy and customer experience to AI, video, and brand storytelling, this episode is packed with practical insight for fabricators, installers, marketers, and business owners looking to build a stronger presence in the stone industry.

Learn more about Omni Cubed: https://omnicubed.com/

Learn more about Precision Countertops: https://www.precisioncountertops.com/

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 Stephen Mullins, founder of the Glass & Design Group, for an insightful conversation about entrepreneurship, innovation, and the future of the glass industry.

Stephen shares his unconventional journey from a decade-long career in banking to becoming a leader in the glazing industry and launching his own company in 2026. Along the way, he discusses the lessons he learned from sales, business development, and why building systems and relationships ultimately led him to take the leap into entrepreneurship.

The conversation dives deep into what separates great companies from average ones, the importance of understanding your ideal customer, and why so many businesses fail to adapt as industries evolve. Stephen also shares how emerging technologies like AI are already changing the way glass companies operate — from proposals and customer communication to efficiency and business strategy.

Merv and Stephen explore where the industry is headed, why glaziers need a seat at the design table, and how small, agile companies can use technology to compete in ways that were impossible just a few years ago.

In this episode, you'll hear them discuss:

This episode is packed with practical insights for glaziers, business owners, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to build a modern company in the trades.

Learn more about Omni Cubed: https://omnicubed.com/

Learn more about the Glass & Design Group: https://glassdesigngroup.com/

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 father-and-son team Jesse and Sebastian Murillo of Murillo's Tile & Marble for an inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship, craftsmanship, family business, and building a legacy that lasts generations.

Jesse shares his journey from learning construction techniques in Mexico as a teenager to immigrating to the United States, mastering the tile trade, and eventually launching his own company. Along the way, he opens up about the challenges of starting a business with limited resources, overcoming language barriers, earning credibility, and navigating difficult economic downturns while staying committed to quality workmanship.

Sebastian offers a unique perspective as the next generation stepping into the business. He reflects on growing up around the company, learning the trade from the ground up, and how modern technology, tooling, and innovation have transformed fabrication and installation compared to the early days of the industry.

Together, they discuss the lessons, values, and mindset that have helped their family business grow while maintaining the standards that built their reputation.

In this episode, you'll hear them discuss:

This episode is a powerful look at perseverance, family, leadership, and the evolution of the stone and tile industry — packed with wisdom for fabricators, installers, business owners, and anyone building something meant to last.

Learn more about Omni Cubed: https://omnicubed.com/ Learn more about Murillo's Tile & Marble: https://www.murillostileandmarble.com/

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/

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:

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/

Learn more about AVSONS Kitchen & Bath: https://www.avsonskitchen.com/

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:

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/

Learn more about DW Sanders Tile & Stone Contracting, Inc.: https://dwstile.com/

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:

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/