“We are the immovable number two. And it’s okay being the immovable number two.” In this episode, Tim sits down with Dan Bonar (Vice President of Residential Sales, ICC Chimney) to unpack how a privately owned chimney company turned restraint into its sharpest competitive edge. Dan spent the last six Read more…
Audio Stream: “The most depressed, anxious, addicted, and self-destructive generation in American culture—we created this world.” In this episode, Matt Bradley (Partnership Manager at WhyFire and Editor of The Fire Time Magazine) makes a provocative argument from his 2026 HPBExpo class: the reason you can’t hire or inspire young workers Read more…
Audio Stream: “I can’t sell Harman because there’s a dealer too close to me, but I’d donate a kidney and my firstborn to get it.” In this episode, Tim sits down with Dane Harman, Karen Harman-Smeltz, and Peter Parsons to trace how a burn pot rooted in anthracite coal became Read more…
Audio Stream: “Core values allow us to lead to a standard—without those core values, things can slip.” In this episode, Tim speaks with Kyle Titsworth (General Manager and Partner, The Fireplace Showcase) about transitioning from manager to owner in a family business. Kyle shares insights from his journey taking over Read more…
The Fire Time Magazine | June 2026 Noel grew up in a house with an open fireplace and a wood stove. Wood stoves have also been the primary heat source in his last three homes, and he currently burns about three cords of wood per winter. As such, many of
Audio Stream: “It can never be too long, it can only be too boring.” In this episode, Tim shares a class he taught in Denver, Colorado at AES Dealer Days, where he explores why most marketing messages in the fireplace industry fail—and reveals a simple framework that can triple your
Noel Putaansuu The Fire Time Magazine | June 2026 Share Share on facebook Share on linkedin Share on email Listen to the audio article. There is a specific kind of magic found in the transition months—those weeks in mid-spring and late autumn when the weather can’t quite make up its
Danny Kahler (General Manager, Smokey’s Stoves) The Fire Time Magazine | June 2026 Share Share on facebook Share on linkedin Share on email Listen to the audio article. For the last few months, the economy has felt like it’s in a downturn in my area. With fuel prices high and
FEATURED ARTICLE Dave Anderson The Fire Time Magazine | June 2026 Share Share on facebook Share on linkedin Share on email Download Printable PDF Listen to the audio article. For many hearth retailers, service is still viewed as something that simply needs to be managed and survived rather than developed
June 2026 The Fire Time Magazine | June 2026 Share Share on facebook Share on linkedin Share on email Resource 1: “The Fire Time Podcast: HPBExpo Opening Session” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3v6SxkXC9w Watch the 2026 HPBExpo Opening Session on The Fire Time Podcast. Resource 2: “EntreLeadership Summit 2018 — Panel Discussion” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-2Qf1GesyI This