Chris Zizza and NWFA President & CEO Stephanie Owen are joined by Doug Howard of Growth Team Strategies and Lynette Watson of the University of Missouri Extension-Small Business Development Center to talk about running your business proactively instead of reacting to challenges. They dive into managing cash flow, knowing when to invest in equipment, hire, or expand, and how to make decisions that set your business up for long-term success. The conversation highlights practical ways to grow strategically while improving processes and profitability.

Chris Zizza and NWFA President & CEO Stephanie Owen talk with Doug Howard of Growth Team Strategies about the upcoming NWFA Leadership Development Summit on October 15-17, 2025, at Live! by Loews – Ballpark Village in St. Louis. Tailored for business owners and contractors in the hardwood flooring industry, the event features training, networking, and Master Mind breakout sessions focused on overcoming challenges, developing brand strategies, and driving growth. They discuss finding ways to improve business, refine processes, understand profit and margins, and achieve lasting success.

The annual Hardwood Fly-In to D.C. is quickly approaching! This year, we will meet in Washington D.C. from May Tuesday, 13 through Thursday, May 15, to take our story to the Hill. Please make plans to join us as we advocate for the U.S. Hardwood industry in Washington, D.C!

https://nhla.com/news/the-hardwood-federation-fly-in-2025-join-us-in-d-c-and-make-your-voice-heard/

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza chat with Ryan Jazdzewski of Jazz Custom Wood Flooring about growing a wood flooring business, the importance of networking, using credit to your advantage, good debt vs. bad debt, and more.

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza chat with Dana Cole about the outcome of the 2024 presidential election last week. Dana Cole is the Executive Director at the Hardwood Federation, a Washington, D.C.-based trade association that represents and advocates for the hardwood industry on Capitol Hill. 

In this special summit wrap-up episode of the Real Answers Podcast, Chris Zizza and Michael Martin recap the highlights, insights, and impactful moments from the NWFA Leadership Development Summit. From expert presentations on marketing and business development to powerful networking opportunities, they dive into what made this event a game-changer for attendees in the wood flooring industry. Join them as they share key takeaways, memorable experiences, and actionable advice to bring back to your business. 

Chris Zizza and Michael Martin chat with Steve Haren, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Ring Ring Marketing. Steve shares valuable insights on how to effectively run your hardwood flooring business in today’s digital age. Learn why digital marketing is crucial, how to get your business discovered by consumers, and why relying solely on referrals isn’t enough. Plus, they discuss the power of business reviews and the importance of responding to customer feedback.

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In this episode of the Real Answers Podcast, Chris Zizza and Michael Martin chat with Steve Haren, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Ring Ring Marketing. Steve shares valuable insights on how to effectively run your hardwood flooring business in today’s digital age. Learn why digital marketing is crucial, how to get your business discovered by consumers, and why relying solely on referrals isn’t enough. Plus, they discuss the power of business reviews and the importance of responding to customer feedback. Don’t miss this essential guide to elevating your flooring business!

In this episode of the Real Answers Podcast, Chris Zizza and Michael Martin sit down with Chris Ruzicka, Director of Business Development at Carmody MacDonald P.C., a renowned St. Louis-based law firm. They dive into the essentials of creating a straightforward marketing plan and share practical tips on building a robust network for your wood flooring business. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, this conversation is packed with insights to help you strengthen your business and navigate today’s market challenges.

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza sit down with Chris Friest, Director of Client Relations at Floorzap, a sponsor of the NWFA Leadership Development Summit. In this episode, they discuss how Floorzap helps small businesses streamline their operations and how the fear of adopting new technology can hold companies back. They also explore the value of attending the upcoming Leadership Summit to gain practical tools for business growth.

In this episode, Michael Martin and Chris Zizza are joined by Caleb Unruh, Director of Marketing at RW Supply + Design, a sponsor of the NWFA Leadership Development Summit. Caleb shares insights into the company’s mission, its commitment to giving back to the community, and strategies for avoiding common small business mistakes. They also discuss the importance of attending the upcoming NWFA Leadership Development Summit in October, and how it can help wood flooring professionals grow their businesses.

https://nwfa.org/nwfa-leadership-development-summit/