Welcome to the premiere episode of From the Ground Up, the official podcast of OutdoorCoffeeShop™, where we dig into the trends, tools and transformations shaping the outdoor living construction industry. In this kickoff episode, co-hosts Heidi J. Ellsworth and Karol Weyman share the story behind OutdoorCoffeeShop.com and how this digital ...
In this Contractor Outlook Newscast, we’re tackling a topic that’s critical to structural safety but often overlooked: roof weight. Heidi J. Ellsworth visits with Mark Graham of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) to discuss how roof weight is evaluated, why it matters, and what can go wrong when it’s ...
In this Contractor Outlook Newscast, Heidi J. Ellsworth sits down with Alan Scott of Intertek to discuss the importance of heat, hail, wind and water safety. They explore the evolving intersection of resiliency, sustainability and smart construction. From understanding the real difference between code compliance and true resilience to educating ...
In this Contractor Outlook, Heidi J. Ellsworth is joined by Rocky Bleier, a former American professional football player, veteran of the United States Army and successful construction company owner. He shares the story of his impressive career, his military service and how he built a construction company from the ground ...
In this Contractor Outlook, Heidi J. Ellsworth meets with Alex Chausovsky, director of analytics and consulting at the Bundy Group. He is a highly experienced market researcher and analyst with more than twenty years of expertise across subjects including economics, industrial manufacturing, automation, talent and workforce issues and advanced technology ...
In this Contractor Outlook, Heidi J. Ellsworth meets with Paul Trombitas of FMI Research to discuss their 2025 North American Construction Outlook report. They will cover the key dynamics impacting the market, notable segments of growth and construction spending forecasts for the residential, nonresidential and non-building sectors. They’ll also touch ...
In this Contractor Outlook, Heidi J. Ellsworth meets with Duane Musser and Deb Mazol with the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) to discuss the political landscape since January 20, 2025, exploring the Trump Administration’s primary legislative goals for the new Congress and how they align with the agendas of both ...
In this Contractor Outlook, Heidi J. Ellsworth meets with Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues (RICOWI) Storm Investigation Program Coordinator Phil Mayfield, to discuss the effects of weather on roof performance. They will explore RICOWI’s mission and history, and their ongoing investigations into the impact of extreme weather on the ...
In this Contractor Outlook, Heidi J. Ellsworth visits with Chris Czarnik to discuss recruiting, retention and workforce development. With an amazing history working in vocational schools, recruitment and training, Chris is known for his book Winning the War for Talent, which addresses the challenges of talent acquisition in the roofing ...
In this Contractor Outlook, Heidi J. Ellsworth meets with Dr. Anirban Basu, chairman & CEO of Sage Policy Group, an economic and policy consulting firm, to discuss the current state of the construction industry. They will explore the latest economic trends and what contractors can do to position themselves for ...