PRO Cabinet Maker

The Value of Membership: Conversations with CMA Members

The mission of the Cabinet Makers Association is to uphold the highest level of professionalism in the industry by providing its members with networking opportunities, continuing education, and ongoing professional development. In episode 8, we talk to four CMA members with a variety of experience and expertise about the value of membership. Each brings a unique perspective on how the CMA has shaped them both professionally and personally, favorite memories, the importance of mentorship within the organization, and what aspects of membership are most valuable.
A special thanks to this episode's guests: Ken Kumph, Premier Builders; Amy Thrasher Price, D&H Quality Cabinets; Jim Falk, Progressive Wood Works; and Jeff Langford, Outlaw Woodworks.
 
This episode is produced by Association Briefings.

Getting Your Team to Follow: How to Be a Great Leader In Your Shop

In episode 7, we give the hosting reins to Randy Niewind, president of Randy's Cabinets and Woodworks and board member of the Cabinet Makers Association. He chats with Guy Bucey, CEO of Inova Bed, about what it takes to be a great leader, hiring practices, leadership challenges, and the importance of personal goals. 

Time Management: Making Your Shop Even More Profitable

In episode 6, we give the hosting reins to Monika Soos, Chief "Fun" Officer for Sofo Kitchens and board member of the Cabinet Makers Association. She chats with Dominic Rubino, industry business coach, about time management, creating efficiencies in your shop, maintaining discipline, focusing on a vision for your business, and staying consistent. 

Managing Growth: To Scale or Not to Scale

In episode 5, we give the hosting reins to Gregory Paolini, founder of Gregory Paolini Design and secretary of the board for the Cabinet Makers Association. He chats with Doug Tatum, chairman of Newport LLC and speaker at CMA's National Conference, about how to succeed in business, making the decision to remain a "small giant" in business or scale, managing overall growth of your shop, and teaching valuable employees how to run the business without you. 

Building a Culture: The Whys and Hows

In episode 4, we give the hosting reins to Lois Snyder, founder, designer and leader of Periwinklers, and board member of the Cabinet Makers Association. She chats with Paul Downs, president of Paul Downs Cabinetmakers and speaker at CMA's National Conference, about developing a company culture, why it's important, and the challenges of hiring the right people for your shop's culture.
 
Show notes
Paul Downs started making custom furniture in 1986, after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in engineering. Mr. Downs has only one line on his résumé, but he has a wide variety of skills gained in 30 years of running his business. His clients range from individuals and small businesses to Fortune 500 companies, all branches of the military, and domestic and foreign governments.  His company employs 20 superb craftsmen, producing all of their work in a 35,000 square foot shop in Bridgeport, Pennsylvania.Mr. Downs is also an accomplished author.  He started his writing career in The New York Times’ “You’re The Boss” blog, and is the author of “Boss Life:  Surviving My Own Small Business”, published in 2015 by Blue Rider Press.  He currently blogs on Forbes.comMr. Downs is an experienced public speaker.  He has given educational presentations at the AWFS show in Las Vegas, at the Cabinets & Closets convention, and gave the keynote address at the Cabinetmakers Association convention in 2018.  He has also entertained audiences in numerous talks about his life, his books, and his work.
 
This episode is produced by Association Briefings.

Making Transitions: Personal Growth and Creating Connections in the Woodworking Industry

In episode 3, we give the hosting reins to Brian Clancy, president of Clancy Woodworking in Sherman, CT, and board member of the Cabinet Makers Association. He chats with Kevin McNulty, opening keynote speaker for CMA's National Conference, about personal growth, transitions and the importance of networking in the woodworking industry.

Year-end Financials: Talking Magic Numbers for Your Shop

In this episode, we give the hosting reins to Matt Wehner, co-owner of Cabinet Concepts by Design in Springfield, MO, and board member of the Cabinet Makers Association. He chats with Tim Coleman of SCE Unlimited about year-end financials and focusing on your shop's magic number.
Show notes
Tim Coleman founded his Closet Organization company in 1988 and ran his business for nearly 30 years. He sold his successful company in 2017 and was asked by that buyer to stay on to run the closet division, which he did for 3 years.  In October of 2020 Tim was delighted to take the helm of SCE Unlimited in the Chicagoland area, which is owned by Installed Building Products, a publicly traded $2.5 billion company. SCE offers both Wire & Solid Systems from melamine to veneered wood, Shower Doors & Mirrors, and Bathroom hardware.
Tim has run the business gamut from being a one-man shop to working with a team of over 50 employees. He was a Hunter Douglas Blinds, Shades, and Shutter dealer for 14 years and works with homeowners, custom builders, commercial developments, and retirement living centers. Tim believes that sharing knowledge and consistently seeking to learn new information is the only way people evolve and grow, and he endeavors daily to do both. 
 
This podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Help Wanted: Starting an Apprenticeship Program for Your Shop

In our inaugural episode, we give the hosting reins to Ken Kumph, founder and president of Premier Builders in Georgetown, MA, and president of the Cabinet Makers Association. He chats with Kelly Victor-Burke, CEO of Burke Architectural Millwork in Livonia, MI, about the workforce challenges impacting the woodworking industry and starting an apprenticeship program for your shop.
Show notes
Kelly Victor-Burke is an entrepreneur, woodwork manufacturing advocate & professor emerita who taught for 30-years at Eastern Michigan University as co-director of the Geotourism & Historic Preservation Bachelor of Science Program until her retirement in April 2020 to concentrate on her growing woodwork manufacturing business, Burke Architectural Millwork (BAM).
Kelly and her husband/business partner Barry founded BAM in 2016 to disrupt the status quo in the woodwork industry and bring positive recognition to the field of architectural millwork manufacturing. BAM is Michigan’s first and only WBENC Certified WBE in custom architectural millwork. While Kelly spends the majority of her time on administrative tasks & sales and is the company’s social media guru, she really loves being on the shop floor working on projects.
Ken Kumph Ken is president of Premier Builders and has an active role in the day-to-day operations with sales, estimating, and business management. He has been a team leader and frequent volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, is an activemember of the Cabinet Makers Association, the National Association of Homebuilders, and a member of the National Kitchen and Bath Association.He is a continued supporter of local youth sports teams and educational endeavors. Ken currently serves as the President of The Cabinet Makers Association
This podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

PRO Cabinet Maker Podcast - Season 1 Trailer

The Cabinet Makers Association presents the all-new PRO Cabinet Maker podcast. Join various hosts from CMA as they chat with leaders in the woodworking industry about issues and challenges impacting their businesses, as well as success stories to inspire. Check out the trailer for season one!