Audio Stream: “The customer doesn’t want to hear your story—they want to hear how you can solve their problem.” In this episode, Tim sits down with Robert Schnell (Principal, Arctic Sales) fresh from a StoryBrand marketing intensive in Nashville to unpack the messaging frameworks that actually drive sales. Robert brings Read more…
Audio Stream: “This is the conversation for you if you’ve been trying to think about how we ease the tension between retailers, distributors, and manufacturers.” In this episode, Tim shares exclusive content from the HPB Expo opening session in New Orleans, featuring insights that were too important to wait for Read more…
Audio Stream: “It was my feeder and burn pot, they decided to make their own burn pot and change the design. That’s where things didn’t work very well for very long…” In this episode, Tim sits down with Dane Harman (founder of Harman Stoves) and his daughter Karen Harman-Smeltz for Read more…
Audio Stream: “Leadership is a game of trust at the end of the day. If you cannot trust people doing what they do best and better than ourselves can do, you’re not going to move forward.” In this episode, Tim sits down with Chris Schroeter (CEO, Napoleon Products) to explore Read more…
Audio Stream: “If you don’t make the hard decisions, you actually make it worse for yourself—but they’re very difficult.” In this episode, Tim sits down with Don and Kris Richardson (founders of RPG Brands) to unpack their remarkable journey from humble beginnings to industry empire. Don started with his wife Read more…
Audio Stream: Show Notes: “I hate huge. I don’t like meetings. If I get sucked into a meeting, I always want to have a list of things that need to be addressed afterwards and a time frame from when you need to check in, to be able to get it Read more…
Audio Stream: Show Notes: “The purpose of your showroom is to sell the in-home visit.” In this episode, Tim sits down with Kenneth Walker (Owner, Firewalker Sales) at the HPBExpo in New Orleans to break down the five principles of a winning showroom. Kenneth’s approach transforms showrooms from overwhelming product Read more…
On his the way to the 2026 HPBExpo in New Orleans, Tim takes a break from Rapid Reactions to share an audio article from the upcoming 2026 Fire Time Journal, the yearly printed playbook for running a hearth retail business, featuring the best of the industry. Listen to Tim’s article titled, “Don’t Fall Asleep Read more…
While we prepare Season 16 of the podcast, Tim will be giving weekly rapid reactions to audio articles from The Fire Time Magazine. In this week’s episode, Tim reacts to an article by Ryan Przybylski titled, “5 Building Blocks of a Strong Company Culture” (released in the February 2025 issue of The Read more…
While we prepare Season 16 of the podcast, Tim will be giving weekly rapid reactions to audio articles from The Fire Time Magazine. In this week’s episode, Tim reacts to an article by Kim Davis titled, ” Value First, Discounts Second” (released in the November 2025 issue of The Fire Time Magazine). Read more…