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Tenting in the Vermont of Connecticut with Brittany Sherwood: Episode 61
115 Plays28 days ago
Nate and Kyle spent the afternoon with Brittany Sherwood, owner of Tents Unlimited! Brittany talks about how she and her husband acquired the business, setting fair expectations with quotes, how to deal with seasonality and income flow, and much more. Tune in!
This episode is brought to you by Anchor Clear Span Tents & Structures, learn more at www.anchorinc.com.
PS, if you want to join ARA and you tell them you heard about it from Nate and Kyle, you'll get 25% off your membership! https://ararental.org/join-ARA/promo/Podcast25
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Transcript
Introduction to 'Under the Vinyl' and Guest Tease
00:00:00
Speaker
All right, folks, welcome back. This is Under the Vinyl, a rental management media podcast. Nate? How doing, buddy? Good. We're having in a great day today. We are. Tuesday is the best day of the week down here in Florida. We don't need a therapist yet. and We don't.
00:00:11
Speaker
It rained a little bit, but we're inside at the ARA show, so can't complain. I'm loving it. Well, we've got a great guest on today. i hope We do. I'm excited. You want to introduce her?
Brittany Sherwood's Journey into the Tent Business
00:00:20
Speaker
I'm the one you call when you need a 10 up or down.
00:00:24
Speaker
I'm a 10-grittle man. I'm working on all day. Getting mistakes in the ground no matter what they say. From sunrise to the night, make sure everything's right.
00:00:34
Speaker
Yeah, I'm a 10-grittle man. I'm working on all
00:00:39
Speaker
No, think you got this one. Okay. We got Brittany Sherwood from Tents Unlimited up in Connecticut, also known as the Vermont of Connecticut. Correct. Yes. Yes, indeed. I grew up in Vermont, so mike can I feel like i'm ah I have a fair assessment of it.
00:00:54
Speaker
I grew up in the rural area, and it's very similar. Tell us a little bit about that, then, and how you got into this crazy business. um It fell into my lap, actually. So I graduated from college and I had met this tall redhead through mutual friends, my husband now, and he had moved back to Connecticut after living in Vermont where we met and basically moved here, ended up getting a job as a manager of a salon and spa. Okay. of all things, and um wasn't really thrilled with my job, because continuing to look for other things, because I have a degree in public relations. Yeah. and wanted a big girl job. I had like high aspirations of looking for a PR firm and wearing the suits and, you know, um
00:01:41
Speaker
And it didn't really work out that little different direction. Yeah. And so my husband was working for the company that we now own. And the former owner went to him and actually another employee and said, hey, I'm done.
00:01:52
Speaker
i want to sell. Would you guys be interested in buying it as partners? And my husband was very interested. And he started working towards purchasing and realized pretty quickly that the other employee wasn't really in it as much. yeah He didn't have his heart in it. Yeah.
00:02:08
Speaker
He came to me, we had been freshly married, and all the money we had saved and been gifted that we thought was gonna go into buying a house ended ended up going into buying Tents Unlimited.
Sponsorship Message from Anker Tents and Clear Spans
00:02:20
Speaker
This episode of Under the Vinyl is brought to you by Anker Tents and Clear Spans, a fifth generation family owned company making tents and clear span structures right here in the USA. Anker isn't just about selling the best products on the market. They share decades of experience and stand beside you as you grow your business. Anker's craftsmanship and engineering give you a peace of mind and will allow you to use the equipment for years to come, season after season.
00:02:42
Speaker
For the next generation of rental owners and installers, Anchor aims to not just be your supplier, but a trusted partner helping guide you into the right products to grow your business. Call to be connected to your sales rep today, 1-800-544-4445, or visit their website at
00:02:58
Speaker
and dawn gone And yeah, so. That was the day we opened a lot of credit. Yeah, yeah, it was ah it was terrifying, but it has since worked out. Do you regret it yet? ah No, well, some days, no. ah It depends on the
Working with a Spouse: Roles and Boundaries
00:03:12
Speaker
day, no. It's it's been fantastic.
00:03:14
Speaker
It's been really great. what's it What's it like working at the husband and wife team, too? um Most days it's great. yeah ah Some days ah I have to access the tequila bar under my desk. yep yeah um And no, if most of the time, honestly, we work together really, really well, but our roles can conflict sometimes because I am the customer facing yeah position and I'm a people pleaser and I want everyone to be happy. And sometimes that means that him and my team have to do things they don't really want to do. As you said yes. Because I said yes. So we have great customer service, though. I do feel his pain. hey Yeah. So i have to I have to sometimes know my role. Do you have any advice for other couples out there who have to work together?
00:03:58
Speaker
You say have to. They have a choice, Kyle. This is true. um I think every couple is different. I would say if you can try to have a cutoff at at your house and say, like, well we're not talking anymore. Works work. Yeah. I mean, there's like one of our favorite phrases. We're talking about work anymore. We have to talk. Yeah, pretty much. And i mean, one of our favorite phrases as a couple is like, I just don't have it in me right now. Yeah. We say that to each other all the time.
00:04:22
Speaker
And you just have to respect that and be like, OK, you don't want to talk about this now. let's We got to set it aside and it can wait until tomorrow at the office. Absolutely. Yeah. And what's been some just growth and leadership things that you've had to learn and lessons that you've learned as an owner and coming into this?
00:04:39
Speaker
Um, I think that for me, especially initially when we bought the business, I wanted to say yes to every job, even if it wasn't financially worth it.
00:04:50
Speaker
Um, you know, there would be, we at one point we were sub renting dishes, for example. Yeah. And again, you know, new, you're fresh. You want everyone to be happy. You want every piece of business that you can take. Yeah. And I would take jobs. Yeah.
00:05:03
Speaker
I don't want to say out of desperation, but you know you're you're hungry, right? and You want to earn money and it would be tiny jobs. And I think reassessing what is worth it and and where the money is coming from and and what's worth your time. um On a leadership standpoint, I would say that ah you know employees that we have,
00:05:25
Speaker
I'm still learning. I feel like I need to be more assertive in addressing things that are going wrong and not letting things slide. But when you have good employees, you want them to stay happy. So it's this fine balance. So it's the game
Business Growth Challenges and Financial Focus
00:05:38
Speaker
we all have to play. We need them. So we need them to be happy. Yeah. It's a pick your battles. and i action Yeah. Yeah. And how many employees do you all have now?
00:05:45
Speaker
ah It ranges, you know, when you factor in the the season. So during peak season, I think we've been up as high as 14. We're not huge, but in the off season, it's usually around four or five full time year round. Okay, awesome. And has there been any early on challenges that you guys have kind of had to get past now? Because guys have been in the business for how long?
00:06:06
Speaker
ah So Ian has been doing it for something like 25 years because he he's worked for other tank companies as well. But myself, I'm coming up on 13 years. Okay. Biggest challenges. um Oh, goodness. ah Where should I start? I was just going to say, like, how long you got. Is there something that was in early that maybe was an early challenge that you finally got away from and and it's been great? I would say, OK, so we I mentioned that we sub rented tabletop ye and we had a great relationship with another vendor, but we were doing it because we thought that we had to be an all inclusive, offer everything company. We thought that that's what would make us more competitive. Right.
00:06:47
Speaker
And um after COVID, I was hiring a new event coordinator ye and training him. And he was fantastic. And he's asking all the right questions. And I'm kind of going through it with him. And I said to him, you know, we do tabletop. We sub-rent it. We don't mark it up much. We may even be losing money on it. But we want to be full service. Yeah, to get the job. Yeah. And... um And I was kind of almost going off like on a rant saying how much I hated it because if there was a mistake on a Saturday, I don't own that. So I can't fix it. Right.
00:07:17
Speaker
And he actually said to me, so why do you do it? And I slammed my hands on the desk and I looked at him and I said, Frank, why do I do it? And that's all it took. And I literally, we started. the shift Yeah. And we don't offer tabletop anymore. We just make referrals out.
00:07:31
Speaker
We haven't lost any business. In fact, we increased. You're pulling God's heartstrings right now. Yeah. You love the no tabletop aspect. the table time Yeah. It's becoming more common. You know, I think that can be someone else's specialty. You can focus on what you're good at. Yeah. Your niche. Find your niche. Yeah. yeah didn't So when you guys bought the business, did you think that this was going to end up your long-term career path? Did you, is there been a, was there a point that you're like, maybe this might not be the the long game here, but we're going to try it? Or do you didn't know it the whole time? i I don't know. I would say I knew it the whole time. I would say that um I really hoped it would work out because we poured all of our money into it. you just put all on Yeah, I mean,
Gaining Confidence through Industry Connections
00:08:10
Speaker
it was a lot of risk, but, you know, we we didn't have kids yet. And it was kind of like, what else do we have to lose? um
00:08:17
Speaker
I would say, actually, if I'm being honest, I'm not trying to plug ARA at all, but I went to my first Gatorship conference. Yeah. And I met a group of people that today I still consider some of my best friends. Like every time I come to an ARA show or an event, that's my crew. Drink the ARA Kool-Aid. Yes. Here we go again. No, I have not yet. Yeah.
00:08:38
Speaker
I mean, we are ran by ARA. They kind of, I guess, I guess we, our boss, we drink. you Yeah. We're we're all, um drink we're all a couple of Kool-Aids in. Yeah. Um, but that was where it gave me an opportunity to kind of ask the questions of people who do what I do, you know, and that's, Something that in my you know friendship group at home, they have no idea what this business is like. Nobody can explain it to you.
00:09:01
Speaker
And so I got to, I mean, sometimes it's just commiserating with other people, you know, with customer. But it was, it gave me an opportunity to ask questions that I would almost be embarrassed to ask other people. You know, and it helped me identify some problems and what we were doing and some strategies of how we could be better. And i will every event, you know, take soak up all the education I can. And that's when I was like, I can do this. It gave me a ah confidence boost. You know, absolutely.
00:09:29
Speaker
What's been some of the seasonal challenges that you have had up there? Well, so when we were fresh and, yeah you know, just had invested, um when you come to slow season and there's no money in the bank, that can be terrifying. And it took a couple of years to kind of build ourselves up where we felt more confident in the off season in the winter months. And ah now, you know, we've been established ourself enough. But that that's something that, especially in the Northeast, it's hard to understand that there's going to be months where there could be no money coming it's ah It's like a faucet. Literally turns on and then off. yeah And I think a lot of people don't realize that. yeah You know, these guys from Florida, you know, it's nice weather 90% of the time. yeah
00:10:12
Speaker
So they could just get to rent stuff all year round. Hey, Ralph. How you doing, buddy? that's the Fan? He's got fan. He's got fan. He's got fan. Sorry, I'm autographs with Eric.
00:10:23
Speaker
Love it. um Yeah, no, it's it's the seasonality is really challenging. I actually just had someone recently. it's ah It's an event we do annually and it's great. um But she came to me and was like, hey, would you guys be interested in being a sponsor?
00:10:36
Speaker
And it's February in Connecticut. Oh, boy. And I am like using chat GPT, like how do I professionally say? yeah And, um you know, we want to we want to be sponsors. We want to get involved in a lot of community events, but it is also off season right now and we have to watch our pennies. Have you looked at different ways to diversify that winter? We have. ah We actually invested in a tent washer. So we offer tent cleaning for competitors, ironically.
00:11:04
Speaker
But that's been really nice. No, we're a friendly competition. Yeah, used to be. um So that's been helpful. That's been helpful
Improving Business Efficiency with Software
00:11:12
Speaker
in the off season. So people bring their their vinyl to us and we get that washed and turned around. And that's some nice thing from...
00:11:18
Speaker
Keeps our guys busy. um And we do. I mean, we still have some small things. as We actually had, let's say Tuesday, yesterday, our staff set up a 40 by 100. And we have an ice storm at the ah in Connecticut right now. So I'm thankful that... Are they out handling it They are handling it. I'm actually... How that feel? It feels good. It feels good. i know my husband's been going to his phone, just kind of checking in, making sure everything's okay. Yeah.
00:11:41
Speaker
um But it's got to feel good to be able to step away and you can come this far away from home and feel like somebody's still being able to take care of the business. And I know that that's a hard, it's hard for you um just in this industry, just to let go a little bit and let your employees kind of take care of this stuff. It is. It is. That was something in the first couple of years, you know, we were...
00:11:59
Speaker
trying to be really careful about spending. And when we finally only got to add to, you know, my my team on the front end, event coordinating, that sort of thing. And, um you know, now we've got some other leadership in place for for the logistics team, if you will.
00:12:13
Speaker
We can walk away. We can go on vacation. And there is, that's that's something that's... That's saying something yeah in this industry. Yeah, it feels good. It feels How have you put anything into the operation to help ah deal with efficiencies or improve your efficiency?
00:12:28
Speaker
Um, so I would say, jaez um, we invested in better software. That was one that was really big. Um, what are you guys using? Right now we're on party track. Uh, I don't even remember the name of the software when we bought the company because Literally, the company had gone out of business. You couldn't even update it anymore. It would freeze the computer. but got So that was one of the best investments. um You know, and looking at the financial reports and where you're spending and where, you know, what you're not making money on. I think that that's been something that we've really tried to focus on because a lot of people don't really take a look at their numbers. They just kind of, you know, based
Vendor Relationships and Competitor Cooperation
00:13:06
Speaker
on intuition and intuition only goes so far.
00:13:09
Speaker
I think that's in the industry right now. That is what is shifting the most. We've talked about this. People are buying on need now versus speculation. And that is because they're slowly people, the next generation of people care about the numbers. We're all looking at the numbers now. yeah all Whereas the guys like Brian, he just walks around the show.
00:13:27
Speaker
He walked up to me today. He goes, let's go spend money. like, no, that's not. But let's go back to to just what we were saying on the competitor aspect of it. I don't feel like people are as can not competitive, but not as much as competitors anymore. yeah I feel like more relationships are being built in the industry to help subrent. So you you talk about the tabletop and not making money and things like that. But like for me, I've developed a good relationship with ah a company in Nashville, Southern Events with Jill. And and we they do our tabletop stuff there and we've we've got good pricing with them. Same with me and Kyle.
00:13:58
Speaker
I mean, we still run a lot back and forth to each other and he's all the way up there. So it's like the relationships are becoming better. I feel like in that aspect of it it's not trying to be so cutthroat and people can develop those relationships and and make more together yeah rather than trying to laugh to the stuff. For sure. I actually, I had two separate conversations this week with people, exactly what you're saying. yeah um Talking about this industry and how it's a really unique industry because we do all help each other. And it's, sure, on paper we're competitors, but I got a competitor that's five minutes down the road from us. And we sub-rentied from each other all the time. So are you here?
00:14:34
Speaker
You don't have the ability to take every job. No, absolutely not. There's enough business to go around. Exactly. And if you if you have that kind of business alignment with good people, it only helps you both. Exactly. It also depends what size company you want to be to. Do you want to stay in this range or do you want to get to here? And if you're going get to here, then obviously it might be a little bit different. But, i mean, everybody's there to help each other as resources I feel like at this point. If you try to be everything to everyone, you're going to stretch yourself too thin. So if you can lean on those partnerships, it's
Empowering Staff through Decision-Making
00:15:02
Speaker
I think it's important. Good.
00:15:03
Speaker
And how is kind of the structure and leadership and the culture changed through the years for you guys and and your employees and things like that? So we actually have been, i do a little like pat on the back for us here, but we've been having meetings with our staff from like the ground level up. So the guys who are out out setting everything up to our office staff. And we try to coordinate between the two of us because a lot of us as, you know, rental companies, I think, you know, the the office team thinks one thing and then the, you know, The crew that goes out thinks another. And if you can collaborate and discuss the challenges so that everybody can be more efficient. And also really the teams can understand what challenges everybody else are facing. That can really help. So we've been giving our staff autonomy to kind of give us constructive criticism and suggestions of how we can be more efficient. And it's been really great. I mean, as simple as where do you want me to put the pickup slips, right? If instead of a delivery, we've got a pickup slip. I want this to be in a location where you're going to see it.
00:16:04
Speaker
It's going to happen. It's not going to get missed. yeah So what's easier for you guys? Something as simple as that can actually help that week go way more smooth. so Absolutely. The never ending sales versus operations battle. Yeah. Oh, you go over with that every single day, I feel like.
00:16:21
Speaker
What's been kind of your biggest growth then from there over the past few years? Is there a certain area that you felt like has grown more than others? ah um Well, I think that something we've been focusing on more and has helped growth is those, you know, business alignments and and partnerships. um We have one that's new that's fantastic. They're more of a corporate planning company and we're partnering with them on the tenting. And that's going to be, i mean, we've been sort of watching this company for a few years and we've had a couple of jobs here and there, but it's really becoming more of a ah real partnership. Right. And I mean, event planners obviously as well.
00:16:57
Speaker
um That type of thing really helps us and get in markets we wouldn't have access to. And I think that that's going to be a really good ah growth opportunity for us. And it has been.
00:17:07
Speaker
um And then also kind of knowing, you know, where to invest. So if you if you're seeing that your sales loft towns are doing really well, let's get more of them. Let's get different sizes that can get different properties. Right. You know, clear top tents are a huge trend where we are. And so we've been investing more in those. um And I would, yeah, I would say the partnerships and and knowing what inventory is is important.
00:17:32
Speaker
What are you using to make your investment decisions? Are you tracking? We don't have these calls. So meaning you get call for something that you don't have. Are you tracking that throughout the We do. we do. Probably a little too loose. We should probably have like a running list of we've gotten this call this many times. But, you know, we're small team, so we can kind of really access that and say, hey, I got this phone call. Did you? umm small team. You're an efficient team.
00:17:57
Speaker
yeah Yes. Yes.
Guided Investments in Tents and Equipment
00:17:58
Speaker
I like that. um But, you know, I think that kind of knowing what trends, what inquiries are coming in we don't like saying no. So a lot of the time we'll say, hey, you know, we don't have that um in the jury, but let me see if I can get it for you. have Absolutely. Because then I can say, you know, to my husband, Ian, or to Frank in my office, i do you think this would be worth investing in? but You guys got any phone calls.
00:18:17
Speaker
And um he actually just had someone ask for a linen that we didn't have access to. And I told my my team, I said, don't tell him no. Tell them we're looking into it. You don't say no in this industry. don't like it. I don't like it. And sometimes I probably shouldn't say it no, but um but i will I will seek it out if it's worth it. Are you doing your own linens?
00:18:34
Speaker
No, we actually subrent. And that's something we've actually been shopping at the show here and to see, you know, what kind of suppliers are good for high end linens, for basic linens, that sort of thing.
00:18:45
Speaker
Where's your go to right now? Right now. So we're we've been using A1. Okay. and And they've been great. But, you know, I always like to to kind of see who else is out there because, you know, there's always opportunity for growth and and what's new and that sort of thing. Yeah.
00:18:59
Speaker
And then what are you guys using as far as tents? You guys are in the structure frame? Where are you at? So our primary focus lately has been frame and seal cloths. okay um whenever i see When I say frame, you know, we do both the white top and the clear top. Those have been really popular. um You know, we do get requests for asphalt installs. So the frame tents are really huge in that. yep um But seal cloth is still like I a i almost look sick of it.
00:19:24
Speaker
They're beautiful, but it's what everybody wants. And so it's also the moneymaker that is the toughest because the process of cleaning and keeping it dry and mildewing. feel like we go through a lot of sale cloth. Yeah, the vinyl, it it doesn't last as long as yeah some of the other vinyl. So but i mean, it's a trend. You can't really say no if people are asking for it. so Who's your primary vendor?
00:19:50
Speaker
ah So we've done Anchor. We've done Fred's. But I would say, I mean, we're, you know, we're non-partial.
Resilience through Personal Loss and Staff Changes
00:19:57
Speaker
It's whoever whoever has a great price and great product. tell And great just a great relationship is that I feel like most of my buying power is is off relationship.
00:20:08
Speaker
Good time. How do you curb customer expectations? All these brides call you. Managing expectations. Do tell. So i have a degree in public relations, and I...
00:20:19
Speaker
can spin anything from bad to good. um i try not to use the word unfortunately too much, but it can be challenging when someone has that champagne taste and beer budget. I don think that that's something that I deal with more often than not.
00:20:34
Speaker
yeah And that Pinterest mentality of like, this is what I want, but my budget's right here. right right So i think setting expectations fairly for a client is important. And making sure something I actually like to do isn't, you know, when our team is sending out a quote, we'll list what you want, but we'll list other options too. yeah Because I think a lot of the time, you know, most people haven't, A, gotten married. Let's use a wedding as an example.
00:20:58
Speaker
And Second wedding. I've had a couple. A lot cheaper. But, you know, they they really oftentimes don't know what tenting is going to cost. So they're putting their feelers out there because they think it's going to be less expensive than a venue.
00:21:11
Speaker
And so they see all these beautiful things online and then, you know, they see a quote and I don't want them to have that sort of panic attack of, wow, this is expensive, but here are the other options if you need them. So that's a good way to make sure that they're not going run away from you. Yeah, absolutely. um Yeah. So is there a hard season or has there been a hard season that's been really hard to navigate? And if so, why?
00:21:36
Speaker
And can't be COVID. No, actually, I'll tell you. So this past summer was really challenging because, um, We had a pretty major death in the family. okay And um so that's going to rock you. We're a small family business and you you want it to be separate. You want, you know, your business and your personal life to be separate. Yeah. But that's not realistic. um So that was really challenging to navigate. And then coinciding with that, our number two guy on our team ah for installers left. And so we kind of had to navigate who's going to take on those responsibilities. And so it was challenging. It was exhausting. It was a lot of work. But we got through it and we gave our staff an opportunity to step up. And we're really seeing who's willing to do that. And it's it's a pretty clear, you know, OK, I see what you're doing. This is great. So crazy because.
00:22:27
Speaker
you're One of your employees obviously left, and that hurts, and we're all scared of that. But when it happens, it allows the other crew members ye to backfill or, you know, kind of do the push and pull to decide who wants to step up. Yep.
00:22:41
Speaker
And you always wonder, like, all right, would that have ever happened if this bad thing didn't happen? It's kind of serendipitous the way it happened because I id really am impressed with our team and the way they have pulled through and... It also shows you that they can they can do it. Yeah.
00:22:55
Speaker
There's people there that are willing to step up and do it, just like you're talking about to go on vacation and different things and in times of need.
Recruitment Strategies in the Tent Business
00:23:01
Speaker
And yeah sometimes you've got to trim the fat or cut the cancer, and it's not bad. Yeah. Being in rural Connecticut, what's working for you to find your staff members? verse Oof.
00:23:11
Speaker
but um So I would say actually word of mouth for through our current employees has been the biggest. We actually have two sets of brothers that work for us. um And, you know, we'll get, you know, the college guys and their buddies, which is great.
00:23:24
Speaker
um You can put as many ads as you want, but you're always going to kind of get the same type of, you know, responses. And I think that if you have good employees that you love saying to them,
00:23:35
Speaker
Hey, if you've got any buddies that want to work this summer, that's been the biggest benefit deaf to finding good staff. Because if we know you're good, you're going to probably be aligning with other people that are good. Right. um Staff is always one of the biggest challenges. I think a lot of them. That's everyone. no matter how what size you are, that is your challenge. Yeah.
00:23:53
Speaker
As much as I love talking about labor on this podcast, I feel like we just harp on it all the time because it's the one topic like we have to continue to talk about. But it's going to continue to haunt us. think it's every industry. It's every industry. It's not even just us. But yeah. One day someone's going figure it out. And we're going to come up here and tell them what the answer is. Yeah.
00:24:14
Speaker
And we'll be over. We'll just keep drinking tequila and talking until then. Exactly. What's some advice for a smaller company looking to level up that you would give? Ask all of the questions. Don't be afraid. Do not be embarrassed. um That was something I wanted to kind of be presenting that I knew everything and I clearly did not. and I think when I felt that it was okay and comfortable to ask the questions of the bigger companies or even smaller companies who had been where we were. right That's when I really started to see growth and an opportunity beat a bigger company and have the better staff and, um you know, come to the ARA events. You can, there's, there's lots of different, you know, organizations you can join and whatever opportunity you have to learn. Do it. Take it. Because there's no dumb question. And, you know, I come to these things and I see the little guys. And I don't need to call them little guys. The new guys, you know, who are excited. They've got new businesses.
00:25:08
Speaker
And the ones who are asking the questions are typically the ones I see in a couple of years that are doing really, really well. And everybody's been there at one point. I think it's a matter of getting comfortable in your own skin to ask those questions and come out and say, hey, i know you're a bigger guy, but I want to ask you this and just have a mentor. And I feel like you can do that. I call you all the time with dumb questions.
00:25:26
Speaker
Yes. But once again, Kyle and I probably talk more than our significant others do. But yeah, yeah but I feel like once you start talking to these people and just knowing and understanding that they've been in the same position that you have been and it helps a ton. Yeah. No, I think that, you know, talking with your peers, talking with people who have been where you've been is is really important. And I would I would not be where I am without doing that. Absolutely.
00:25:50
Speaker
How do you go ahead? How do you handle the pressure of peak season? Um, other than drinking tequila, I would say- We should be sponsored by tequila at this point. There should be a couple of bottles, right?
00:26:04
Speaker
Um, no, I mean, it's, it's just grind time. You just put your head down and you focus. And, uh, I like the gym. That's where I like to get a lot of my anger out yeah and, uh, my focus. And, um, it is, it's just, you kind of have to get used to it. It's seasonality, it's, it's stress and you have to just know that it it comes with the territory. It's almost like an addiction though. It is is. when you're slow, you miss it. I get bored.
00:26:30
Speaker
But then I'm like overstimulated and overwhelmed. But you do. You get used to it. Your body is like in hyperdrive. I don't know what to do. Especially when you're at a show like this. Are you before work gym or after work gym? I'm after work, Jim. But I'm a night owl. That's my, like, decompressed time. So I wish I could go in the morning. But I've also got kids and I have to get them on the bus. get too hyped up at night. I feel like if I go work out night and then try and jump in bed, it just doesn't work.
00:26:55
Speaker
I understand that. Now, how do you handle, with two young kids, work-life balance, which really isn't a thing, but... Yeah, no, it's not. um I mean, i'm I'm really thankful and grateful to have a partner who can balance
Managing Work-Life Balance and Empowering Women
00:27:07
Speaker
with me. um So, you know, he he serves on one organization board. I serve on another. And our schedules don't conflict on those ends of things. But, you know, during peak season, it's definitely more on me because um he's he's out with the team. He's doing installations. And so it's just knowing your expectations and and knowing what's coming um
00:27:28
Speaker
Act together as a team at the end of the day, it feels like. And communicate. I know that's like a completely like stereotypical thing to say, but if you can communicate what you need and where you're at and, you know, like I'm really burnt out today. Excuse me, I could use your help. You know, I mean, I need some help.
00:27:45
Speaker
It's asking the questions. That's what I tell my wife all the time. I'm like, just tell me what you want. I'm happy to help. I'm not a mind reader. Yeah. Yeah. No, it's always going to be a challenge when you have kids and you're working with a partner. But I think if you can have that communication and say what your expectations are and what I need is really important.
00:28:05
Speaker
What's some the advice you'd give to women in rental or another woman coming into rental? um yeah Okay, so I really love it when women come into rental because we are a minority, not just in the world, but in this industry. It is, it's a lot of men. And i i i feel like the women in this industry tend to be really, really driven. And if you can, i mean, honestly, similar to what I was saying before, go to the education, go to the women in rental conference, go everything you can, because the more connections and networking you can do make, that it
00:28:42
Speaker
The other women are going to help you grow. And i actually just pursued someone to be on my state board. Yeah. um And she was excited and she's hungry. And I'm just I'm motivated by her excitement. yeah And just ask the questions and, sit if you know, say yes to, you know, whatever opportunities come your way. And you'd be surprised where it takes you.
00:29:02
Speaker
i wait We should make up the tagline of this podcast. What's that? Say yes. Yeah. Seriously. Say yes. But I also feel like over, um it's been over a short amount of time, but recently I feel like there's been ah just a bunch of fierce women in rental. And it's been great to see in the leadership aspect of it, not just working in the companies, but just leadership here in general.
00:29:24
Speaker
Whatever board you're on, whatever association you're with, just in general, it's been good to see women come to the top. yeah And it's well-deserved. Well, I think one of the themes that I keep hearing this week is, and and it it's something that resonates with me because it's exactly what I experienced, is, you know, I had a female in the industry and she's the one who pulled me in and she saw something in me and I had crazy.
00:29:47
Speaker
crazy imposter syndrome. I'm like, why me? Oh, yeah, this is exciting. And now it's my opportunity to kind of pay that for and bring bring more women and not just women, but, you know, bring those young professionals into this industry and give them that boost of confidence. Like, you can do this. You really can. Don't don't have that self-doubt because if you, you know, dive in feet first, you're going to do it. Absolutely. yeah I love that. And that's what...
00:30:13
Speaker
I had a great conversation today with someone who didn't even know who was on the board of their state. Didn't know any of the members. He's like, but I really want to get involved, but I don't know anything that's going on. i was like, well, let's fix that. Yeah.
00:30:24
Speaker
Yep. And that is what's great about these shows is you get to meet people. Yep. And get them involved. Yep. Because it's going to just do everyone bounds. up Yeah. that's and Just yesterday, I was at the one of the regional receptions and met a young woman from actually a different region than my own. Yeah.
00:30:41
Speaker
Had that exact same conversation. She was like, I want to join. I'm interested. And I know someone on that board. I took her card and I went across the room and I handed it over and I said, you need to call her. She's interested. Absolutely. Because I know we're all looking for new board members and new people who are interested and want to help and if you can make those connections, you know, and that's why the networking can be so important because I know someone who knows someone who could help you be in the right position. Well, and some people take it as, well, i feel like it's imposter syndrome and it's like, it's not, it's not, you are a badass. Jump in. yeah So, ah well, before we close out here, let's do some rapid fire questions. So what's your favorite tent size? 40 by 80. Stakes or ballast?
00:31:20
Speaker
Stakes. Money maker ballast. Hardest install memory? Oh, God. All right. We had an engineered tent. we Well, not even, i mean, it's an engineered tent, ah but for a permanent golf course that it had burned down.
00:31:33
Speaker
i spent a lot of time in the building department office with that one Biggest business lesson? um You don't always have to say yes.
00:31:44
Speaker
What excites you most about the future? Oh, God. um Retirement?
00:31:54
Speaker
um No, I mean, I look forward to growing and, you know, seeing where we can take our business and and what happens with it and what the trends are going to be. there's You know, you can never anticipate what's going to happen in this industry. So I kind of like seeing what's going happen. Absolutely. Where can we find you online?
00:32:09
Speaker
ah So we're Tents Unlimited. It's tents-unlimited.com if you want to check us out. What about socials? Socials. We are Tents Unlimited CT on Instagram and ah Facebook.
00:32:22
Speaker
Perfect.
Final Advice and Contact Information
00:32:23
Speaker
And what about your restaurant business? A restroom. ah So we actually luxury lose. I don't even remember. We might even have a Facebook page specifically for that. but Instagram. Yeah. Yes, we do. We do. If you if you go to our our website, you can find the links as well. but Nice. yeah And what's the final piece of advice for any listeners out there coming into the industry or new to the industry?
00:32:43
Speaker
ah Go to the shows and see the vendors and see what's out there. Don't don't go. Don't fly by in intuition and what you think you should get. and Go see what the trends are. Talk to people and and talk with the vendors and and get involved because you're going to learn more than you'll really anticipate.
00:32:59
Speaker
Perfect. Well, thank you, Brittany, for coming on today. And that's been another episode of Under the Vinyl, a rental management media podcast.