Cutting Edge Installs

Welcome to another episode of the Cutting Edge Install Podcast — brought to you by Omni Cubed, where innovation meets installation and everything in between.

In this episode of the Cutting Edge Install podcast, host Merv Campbell sits down with Darand Davies, Founder and CEO of Black Line Glazing in Oregon. With over 40 years in the glass industry, Darand traces his journey from sweeping shop floors at 19 to running a company built on integrity, long-term relationships, and a culture where people actually want to come to work.

Darand shares what’s changed most in glazing over four decades—from single pane to high-efficiency systems, from aluminum to advanced European product lines and vacuum glass—and why estimating is more art than math. He talks candidly about big mistakes (including missing an entire floor on a job), why doing what you say you’ll do matters more than ever, and how strong communication and clear values can carry a shop through brutal market cycles.

You’ll also hear Darand unpack:

• How Black Line Glazing was born and why “Black Line” isn’t just a cool name

• The leadership lessons behind building a healthy, durable company culture

• Why owners need to know their blind spots and hire people smarter than themselves

• The future threats and opportunities he sees for glaziers in a changing construction landscape

• How faith, family, hunting, travel, and poker help keep him grounded outside of work

Whether you’re an installer, estimator, shop owner, or just curious how a trades business survives and thrives over the long haul, this conversation is packed with hard-earned wisdom, humor, and practical takeaways.

Learn more about Black Line Glazing: https://blacklineglazing.com/

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

Welcome to another episode of 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 Alana Staffel, a rising voice in the glazing world whose journey into glass is anything but ordinary. From managing electricians and plumbers, to being “poached” at a trade show, to suddenly cutting mirrors the day before a booth install — her story is full of unexpected twists, hands-on learning, and a whole lot of grit.

Together, Merv and Alana dive into:

• Falling into the trades (and loving it): how one weekend at a trade show changed her entire career path

• Life in glass as a woman in the trades: the challenges, the misconceptions, and why she encourages more women to join

• Craftsmanship that can’t hide: why she loves a trade where the quality is always visible

• Lessons from companies that didn’t survive: cash flow, communication, staffing, culture, and red flags owners should watch for

• Best practices for staying profitable: business development, follow-up, value-engineering conversations, and building trust with contractors

• Where the industry is heading: energy efficiency, retrofits, and a return to architectural character

• Faith, family, and attitude: how she stays upbeat in tough markets

• Her newest passion project: combining mirrors and stained glass (and learning it from YouTube)

This one is packed with humor, honesty, industry insight, and encouragement — for shop owners, installers, estimators, and anyone who’s ever been “thrown in” and had to figure it out on the fly.

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

Welcome 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, General Manager of Omni Cubed, sits down with Ryan Shoemaker, founder of Champagne Glass & Door, to talk about what it means to build a company from the ground up with heart, purpose, and craftsmanship. 

Ryan shares his journey from second-generation glazier to business owner, detailing how he turned a one-man operation in a van into a growing team and thriving shop. Through stories of risk, resilience, and relentless standards, he reveals what it takes to build a brand that lasts.

Throughout the conversation, Ryan provides insights on:

• Lessons from starting over and defining excellence on your own terms

• How customer service and reputation are the true foundations of success

• The value of mentorship, humility, and lifting others in the trade

• Using social media as visibility—not vanity—to elevate your craft

• Building company culture that attracts and retains people who care

• Why technology should enhance, not replace, craftsmanship

• How to turn fear, failure, and persistence into a legacy worth building

From personal reflections to industry insights, this episode captures the grit, gratitude, and growth mindset that define today’s best tradespeople.

Learn more about Champagne Glass & Door: https://www.champagneglass.ca/

Learn more about OmniCubed: https://omnicubed.com

Welcome 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, General Manager of Omni Cubed, sits down with Rich Katzmann, Executive Director of the Rockheads Group, to talk about the evolving landscape of the stone fabrication industry—and what it takes to lead through it. 

Rich shares his journey from construction and product development to leading one of the most influential professional networks in stone fabrication. He and Merv discuss the realities of running a shop, developing people, and staying resilient in uncertain times.

Throughout the conversation, Rich dives into:

• How the Rockheads Group helps fabricators grow stronger, safer, and more profitable businesses

• Why connection and collaboration—not competition—are the keys to long-term success

• How AI and automation are reshaping shop operations and workforce dynamics

• The importance of mentorship, communication, and benchmarking for sustainable growth

• Why transparency, continuous learning, and investing in people create a culture that lasts

From tariffs and workforce challenges to game-changing technology and leadership lessons, this episode is packed with real-world insights for anyone in the stone, surfacing, or fabrication industries.

Learn more about the Rockheads Group: https://www.rockheadsusa.com

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

Welcome 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, General Manager of Omni Cubed, sits down with Stuart Amidon, founder & CEO of Page50, for a no-fluff conversation on building brands, earning trust, and growing profit the patient, human way.

Stuart shares his journey from bivocational pastor and wedding shooter to running a boutique marketing agency serving clients worldwide—and why none of it was part of a “five-year plan.”

Throughout the conversation, Stuart digs into:

Human over Hype: Why good marketing sounds like a person and serves actual people (and how “social media is social”).

Brand ≠ Logo: Brand is your reputation—product quality + customer service—long before colors and typefaces.

First Impressions that Matter: Invest in aesthetics as you can, but never compromise the human first impression.

Avoiding “Design by Committee”: How to keep projects from turning into camels—and get decisive, effective creative.

Mentoring the Next Gen: Hire hungry young talent, pay them to learn, and build a culture of teaching.

Always Be Innovating: In the AI era, stagnation kills. Create weekly bandwidth for R&D and improvement.

E-E-A-T in Practice: Publish real expertise to win search—experience, authority, and trust beat generic AI fluff.

Owned Media is Back: Why email lists, podcasts, and repeatable content engines outperform fickle brand pages.

Quick Win Example: Turning on Google Merchant Center (even for digital goods) to unlock discoverability at scale.

Your Story, Ready to Go: Craft an elevator (15 sec) and stump (2–3 min) speech so every team member can sell the why.

Serve & Leave a Legacy: “Business is serving others at scale”—build something that outlasts you.

Whether you run a fab shop, lead installs, or own a growing trade business, this episode is packed with field-tested moves you can implement today—without losing the human touch.

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

Learn more about Page50: https://page50.com

Welcome to the Cutting Edge Install Podcast, brought to you by OmniCubed—where innovation meets installation and everything in between.

In this episode, host Merv Campbell, General Manager of OmniCubed, sits down with Nathan Parsons, founder of the Porcelain Slab Company. Nathan will give us all his insight on his journey, challenges, and success using porcelain material.

Nathan goes through his story in the industry and his road to success in his business.

Throughout Nathan’s journey, we find out that: He learned through trial, error, and costly mistakes he made along the way.

It is essential to have the right knowledge, equipment, and expertise when dealing with porcelain material. Focussing on communication, teamwork, and understanding material behavior is key in this industry.

Whether you’re a tile expert, a stone shop owner, or just curious about where the industry is headed, this conversation is packed with insight, experience, and advice from someone who learned a lot.

Learn more about The Porcelain Slab Co: https://www.theporcelainslabcompany.com/

Learn more about OmniCubed: https://omnicubed.com

Welcome to the Cutting Edge Install Podcast, brought to you by OmniCubed—where innovation meets installation and everything in between.

In this episode, host Merv Campbell, General Manager of OmniCubed, sits down with Keith Daubmann, co-owner of My Architectural Glass and the well-known My Shower Door brand. Keith shares his remarkable journey from a family crisis to building an award-winning glass business with 11 brick-and-mortar stores, manufacturing capabilities, and a reputation for excellence.

Throughout the conversation, Keith opens up about:

• How a life-changing childhood illness sparked his family’s entrepreneurial path

• The power of empathy in leadership and building strong workplace culture Why soft skills and emotional intelligence are essential in sales and customer relationships

• Lessons in patience, brand building, and doing the right thing—even when it costs you

• Using reciprocity in business and social media to open doors to new opportunities

• From personal stories about working alongside his children to hard-earned insights on listening, adapting, and leading with heart, Keith offers valuable takeaways for business owners, sales professionals, and anyone in the glass and glazing industry.

Learn more about OmniCubed at: https://omnicubed.com

Learn more about My Architectural Glass: https://myarchitecturalglass.com

Learn more about My Shower Door: https://myshowerdoor.com

Welcome to the Cutting Edge Install Podcast, brought to you by OmniCubed—where innovation meets installation and everything in between.

In this episode, host Merv Campbell, General Manager of OmniCubed, is joined by Alex Buechel, Creative Director at LearnGlazing.com. The two look at the changing landscape of training in the glass and glazing industry, comparing traditional on-the-job methods with modern online learning.

Alex kicks things off by sharing his origin story with LearnGlazing.com—a free, self-paced online training platform for current and potential glazing professionals. 

Throughout the conversation, he highlights:

- The importance of retaining knowledge over rushing through courses

- Encouraging students to observe real-world installations to reinforce learning

- How outdated mindsets can hold the industry back

- Why safety is rooted in proper technique, not just strength

This episode serves as a reminder of the value of lifelong learning, safety, and staying adaptable in the rapidly changing glass and glazing industry. Slow down, absorb the training, and never stop improving—because in this line of work, doing it right the first time truly matters.

Learn more about LearnGlazing.com- https://learnglazing.com

Learn more about OmniCubed- https://omnicubed.com

Welcome to the Cutting Edge Install Podcast, brought to you by OmniCubed—where innovation meets installation and everything in between.

In this episode, host Merv Campbell, General Manager of OmniCubed, is joined by Syndi Sim, Director of Sales and Business Development at Q-railing.

The two dive into Sydni’s 12-year journey in the glass and glazing industry—a journey she describes as “an absolute honor.” Syndi highlights how mentorship and industry support have been pivotal in her career, while also sharing how rest and recharging are essential for long-term success.

From leadership insights to installation innovation, this conversation offers a thoughtful and inspiring look into the world of glass and railing systems.

Whether you're exploring a career in the glass/glazing industry or just curious about what goes on behind the scenes—you’re in the right place.

Learn more about Q-railing: https://q-railing.com/en-us/

Learn more about OmniCubed: https://omnicubed.com/

Welcome to the Cutting Edge Install Podcast, brought to you by Omnicubed, where innovation meets installation and everything in-between.

If you spec, fab, or install glass—or want a career in the trades—you're going to want to listen to this episode.

In this episode, Mervyn Campbell sits down with industry fixture Andrew Haring—CMO at FHC and creator of the “Not a Glass Nerd” brand—to unpack his glass-and-glazing know-how in one fast-moving episode.

Haring traces his unlikely path from art-school grad and demolition worker to writing specs for architects, leading CRL’s marketing machine, steering the National Glass Association, and now driving marketing and story-telling at FHC. Along the way he tackles:

Why the labor shortage in glazing is the #1 threat—and how mentorship, CTI training, and on-site demos can fix it

The business case for diversifying services and supply chains before the next recession hits

How Omni Cubed material-handling carts and vacuum lifters help crews install ever-larger IG units without wrecking backs

Practical advice for young pros: ditch the ego, ask questions, learn to cut glass, and say yes to tough jobs

Frameless Hardware Company's website: https://fhc-usa.com/

Check out our fab tools lineup on our website: https://omnicubed.com/