What does it take to lead a team through real change in an industry that prides itself on tradition? We sit down with Kelly Scott, raised on a lumberyard, seasoned through multiple acquisitions, and now running a complex specialty distribution branch, to map the human side of operational excellence and the strategic moves that separate stagnant dealers from standout brands.

Kelly’s story begins with family: a Canadian mill and trim retail operation where product knowledge came from hands-on work and fearless selling. Her mother became a respected presence on major Toronto job sites, proving mastery beats bias when stakes are high. That foundation informs Kelly’s leadership playbook today, hiring for character, building trust that endures hard decisions, and creating a culture where the site runs smoothly even when she’s on the road. We dig into what branch management really looks like across logistics, sales, procurement, finance, and light manufacturing, and how clarity of roles plus strong feedback loops keep service levels sharp.

We widen the lens to the market’s inflection point. Building materials is an old industry, but the pace of change in technology, AI, consolidation, and shifting customer expectations is accelerating. Kelly explains why dealers who embrace change win more often: smarter assortments, reliable logistics, and data-informed decisions that protect margin and improve experience. We explore specialty building products as a strategic edge: millwork, doors, and decking that drive differentiation and higher profitability. The vision is simple and powerful: one truck, one invoice, deeper coverage, so independents can act bigger without losing their local touch. Partnerships with co-ops like Do It Best amplify this, unlocking buying power and access to categories smaller footprints can’t carry alone.

 Topics we cover:
• Growing up in a lumber family and learning on the counter
• Lessons from a trailblazing mother winning respect in sales
• Selling the family business and navigating multiple acquisitions
• Why people, trust and hard decisions define leadership
• How a modern branch runs across sales, logistics and light manufacturing
• The industry’s inflection point and pace of change
• Where AI, consolidation and specialty products create leverage
• One-stop service advantages for independents
• Partnering with co-ops to expand reach and assortments
• Practical upsell

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Grit Blueprint is a media and growth company for the building industry. We help ambitious businesses in the building materials and construction industries grow through visibility, storytelling media, and smart systems.

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