Trade Secrets: Remodeling with NARI

Trade Secrets: Remodeling with NARI is back for Season 2!

We're kicking things off by welcoming our new co-host, NARI Membership Director Carolyn Lawrence, alongside Anthony Lopez. Joining them for the season premiere is none other than NARI President Jonathan Kelly! What will the remodeling industry look like a decade from now? From emerging technologies and evolving homeowner expectations to the challenges and opportunities ahead, the conversation explores what the next 10 years could mean for remodelers and how businesses can prepare for the future.

What does designing a home have in common with leading a remodeling company? More than you might think.

In this episode of Trade Secrets: Remodeling with NARI, Anthony Lopez sits down with Monica Lewis, President of J.S. Brown & Co., to explore her unexpected journey from designer to company president and the skills that helped her make the transition.

Monica shares how design taught her to solve complex problems, listen to different stakeholders, accept feedback, iterate on ideas, and communicate a clear vision. She also discusses learning the business side of remodeling, building confidence as a new leader, creating a culture of mutual respect, and why leadership is ultimately about empowering your team rather than having all the answers.

For remodeling professionals considering their own move into leadership, Monica offers a simple reminder: you may never feel completely ready. Sometimes the skills you need are already being developed in the role you're in today.

• Monica's journey from design school to President of J.S. Brown & Co.
• Why designers need greater exposure to the business side of remodeling
• How you can become a leader before you ever receive the title
• Why teaching others can make you better at your own craft
• Monica's realization that leadership is "designing at a different scale"
• Moving from doing everything yourself to empowering your team
• How continuing education and peer relationships helped Monica build confidence
• Why admitting "I don't know" can make you a stronger leader
• Building a remodeling culture around mutual respect between design, sales, and production
• How design thinking translates directly to business problem-solving
• Why strong leaders need to accept feedback without becoming attached to their first idea
• How curiosity about the entire business can prepare you for leadership
• Why aspiring leaders should look for opportunities beyond their current job description
• Monica's advice for taking the leap before you feel completely ready

• Leadership can start before the title. When teammates begin trusting you for answers, guidance, training, and support, you're already developing leadership skills.
• Leadership is another form of design. Instead of designing with walls, materials, and floor plans, leaders work with people, systems, budgets, and processes.
• You don't need to have every answer. Strong leaders know where their expertise ends, ask for help, and empower talented people around them.
• Respect creates stronger remodeling teams. Design, sales, production, and operations may have different priorities, but the client benefits when everyone respects each other's expertise and works as one team.
• Don't wait until you feel ready. Training and education matter, but some leadership lessons can only be learned by stepping into the role and doing the work.

Strong remodeling businesses are built by professionals who continue learning, developing their teams, and raising the standard of the industry.

If you're looking for education, resources, certifications, and a community of remodeling professionals committed to continued growth, learn more about the National Association of the Remodeling Industry at NARI.org.

Subscribe to Trade Secrets: Remodeling with NARI on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts for more conversations with remodeling professionals and industry leaders.

What does it actually take to grow a remodeling business from zero to seven figures?

In this episode of Trade Secrets: Remodeling with NARI, Anthony Lopez sits down with Chris Lalomia, owner of The Trusted Toolbox and Chair of NARI's Marketing Committee, to discuss the lessons he's learned over nearly two decades of building a successful remodeling business.

Chris shares his journey from leaving a successful corporate career during the 2008 recession to building a thriving home services company through intentional marketing, repeatable systems, operational discipline, and a relentless commitment to training his team. Along the way, he explains why many remodelers focus on the wrong metrics, how to think differently about marketing, and why leadership, alignment, and continuous improvement are what truly allow a business to scale.

Whether you're just getting started or looking to break through your next growth ceiling, this episode is packed with practical advice you can implement immediately.

• Chris's transition from corporate executive to business owner during the 2008 recession
• Why growth requires systems, not just harder work
• The expensive lessons that shaped his business
• How marketing has evolved from Google to AI-driven search
• The difference between transactional and relational marketing
• Why networking and existing customer relationships still matter
• Building operational systems that support long-term growth
• The role of training in creating scalable businesses
• Creating alignment across every department
• Simple actions remodelers can take this week to improve their business

• Sustainable growth comes from building repeatable systems, not simply working harder.
• Marketing should create trust and relationships long before it creates sales.
• Consistent training creates stronger employees, better customer experiences, and healthier businesses.
• Everyone on the team should understand the company's mission, expectations, and what success looks like.
• Small improvements, repeated consistently, create significant long-term growth.

Learn more about the National Association of the Remodeling Industry: https://www.nari.org

Connect with Chris Lalomia:

📧 [email protected]

📘 From the Zoo to the Wild

🎙️ Small Business Safari Podcast

If you're looking to build a stronger remodeling business and connect with professionals committed to raising the standard of the industry, visit nari.org to learn more about NARI membership, education, and resources.

Subscribe to Trade Secrets: Remodeling with NARI on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts for more conversations with the industry's leading professionals.

Most remodelers focus heavily on sales, estimating, and getting projects in the pipeline. But according to Forrest Castile, profit isn't won when a project is sold. It's protected during production.

In this episode of Trade Secrets: Remodeling with NARI, Anthony Lopez sits down with Forrest Castile, owner of Castile Kitchen & Bath and presenter at NARI's Annual Conference in Tempe, Arizona, to discuss the systems and processes his company uses to consistently complete projects within 1% of the estimate, finish on schedule, collect 100% of the contract before project completion, and achieve zero-punch completions.

Forrest shares practical insights on project wrap-up strategies, the power of a 60-day tune-up process, real-time job costing, team accountability, and why giving production teams visibility into company metrics can dramatically improve performance and profitability.

Episode Highlights

• The four "impossibles" in remodeling and why they may actually be achievable
• Why protecting profit during production is more important than generating new sales
• Common communication breakdowns between sales and production teams
• How a completion list differs from a traditional punch list
• Why a 60-day tune-up process leads to happier clients and stronger reviews
• The importance of involving production teams in estimating and budgeting
• How visibility into project metrics removes the "blindfold" from field teams
• Reframing accountability from punishment to simply measuring and improving performance
• Why open-book management can strengthen culture and increase ownership

Key Takeaways

• Profit is not something you hope remains at the end of a project. It must be intentionally protected throughout production.
• Leaving money on the table at project completion unintentionally encourages clients to search for problems.
• Production teams perform better when they understand budgets, schedules, and expectations.
• Accountability should focus on metrics and improvement, not blame.
• Visibility empowers teams to make better decisions and take ownership of results.

Resources & Links

Learn more about NARI and the resources available to remodeling professionals: https://www.nari.org

Connect with Forrest Castile:

📧 [email protected]

📞 (541) 554-6974

📍 Eugene, Oregon

If you're looking to strengthen your business, improve profitability, and connect with professionals committed to raising the bar in remodeling, visit nari.org to learn more about the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

Subscribe to Trade Secrets: Remodeling with NARI on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts for more conversations with industry leaders helping remodelers build stronger, more profitable businesses.

What clients remember most about your remodeling business isn't just the finished project—it's the experience of working with you.

In this episode, Anthony Lopez sits down with Ashley Blaesing of FrameReach Studio to explore why process, communication, and thoughtful client experience are what truly define a remodeling company's reputation.

From small personal touches—like supporting clients during disruptive renovations—to building repeatable systems that create consistency, Ashley breaks down how remodelers can turn their process into a competitive advantage.

If you want more referrals, stronger reviews, and a reputation built on trust, this conversation highlights what actually makes the difference.

• Why clients remember the experience more than the final project
• How small personal touches can create lasting impressions
• The emotional side of remodeling projects and why it matters
• Why improving your process doesn't have to be overwhelming
• How to break down your systems into manageable improvements
• The importance of quick wins when refining your client experience
• How a strong process creates trust, referrals, and long-term growth

• The client experience is often more memorable than the finished work
• Small, thoughtful gestures can significantly improve client perception
• Process improvements should be approached in manageable steps
• Consistency matters more than complexity
• A strong, intentional process builds long-term trust and differentiation

If you're serious about building a remodeling business known for professionalism and trust, explore the resources and community available through the National Association of the Remodeling Industry at nari.org.

Subscribe to Trade Secrets: Remodeling with NARI on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen so you don't miss future conversations with leaders across the industry.

Homeowners are researching longer, comparing more companies, and forming opinions long before they ever pick up the phone. In this episode, Anthony Lopez sits down with Bob Vance of Home Remodeler SEO to break down what remodelers need to do today to stand out online and attract better clients.

Bob shares practical, experience-driven insights on how digital visibility, brand credibility, responsiveness, and consistent marketing influence whether a homeowner chooses you — or someone else. From Google Business Profiles and reviews to storytelling through project photos and follow-up systems, this conversation focuses on what actually works for remodeling businesses right now.

If you want your company to be seen as professional, trustworthy, and worth contacting before competitors, this episode provides a clear roadmap.

Episode Highlights

• Why competition starts weeks before a homeowner ever calls you
• The concept of "omnipresence" and why visibility across platforms matters
• Common ways remodelers waste money on digital marketing
• Why marketing cannot be turned on and off like a switch
• The critical role of reviews, case studies, and project storytelling
• How responsiveness and follow-up function as marketing
• Why Google Business Profiles are often the highest-impact starting point
• How trust, authority, and credibility will shape the future of marketing

If you're serious about building a professional remodeling business, explore the education, resources, and community available through the National Association of the Remodeling Industry at nari.org.

Subscribe to Trade Secrets Remodeling with NARI on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts so you don't miss future conversations with leaders across the industry.

What separates a professional remodeling business from one that struggles to scale? In this inaugural episode of the Trade Secrets: Remodeling with NARI podcast, Anthony Lopez, Director of Business Development at NARI, explores the foundational elements that build long-term trust, stability, and success in today's remodeling industry.

Great craftsmanship is essential, but it is no longer enough on its own. Today's homeowners look for structure, reliability, and clear standards before they ever sign a contract. Professional systems, documented processes, and ongoing education reduce risk, increase confidence, and distinguish serious companies from those operating informally.

Anthony explains how professionalism protects both remodelers and consumers, why industry organizations exist to elevate standards across the field, and what practical steps business owners can take right now to strengthen their operations.

If you want a remodeling business that grows sustainably — not just one that survives on hustle — this conversation provides a clear starting point.

Episode Highlights

• Why skill alone does not build a sustainable remodeling business
• How professional standards create leverage and trust
• The role of structure in reducing conflict and uncertainty
• Why education shortens the path to growth
• How industry organizations help elevate professionalism across the field
• Three immediate actions remodelers can take to strengthen their business

If you're looking for education, resources, and a community committed to doing things the right way, you can learn more about the National Association of the Remodeling Industry at nari.org.

Subscribe for future episodes featuring insights from leaders across the remodeling industry, and share this episode with someone who could benefit from building a stronger, more professional business.

Learn more at https://www.nari.org and subscribe for new episodes on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen.

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