Transcript
Speaker: Welcome back to another episode of Under the Vinyl, a rental management media podcast. As always, I've got Kyle. Kyle, how are you doing, buddy? I'm good, Nate. Thanks for joining us from vacation. I really appreciate it. you know You're such a great guy.
Speaker: I'm a little tired. You got on a little late, but i was talking that last night we went to bed after a couple of drinks about 11 o'clock and about one o'clock it started storming. So the kids started getting up and our nine year old got up this morning about five o'clock because the heat got to him and he's dehydrated. And so we've been up all night. So here's to a good day. Is that coffee in your cup or is that coffee Bailey's?
Speaker: I actually rolled out of bed probably 30 minutes ago, ran to the coffee shop with my youngest and my wife. And um yeah, and I actually thought about grabbing a high noon already.
Speaker: I'm at that point. So as soon as I get off this call, going to go straight over to the pool. I think we're going to a pool day instead of the beach just because everybody burned out. And so, yeah, so we'll high noon up here in a minute.
Speaker: Can't drink all day if you don't start in the morning. but We've been drinking all day and we've been starting in the morning, so I'm ah i'm there. But how's your how's your week going? It's good. You know, I've had some viewer questions reach out to me after ah the Gary Stansberry episode. um And some people have a question about you, Nate.
Speaker: Okay. They want to know if you're dying your beard because it looked real dark in that video. So the funny thing is if you look now at it and then you go back and look when I'm on my computer...
Speaker: Your dad didn't believe me, but I told him you can enhance the effects on the laptop. When you hit the laptop, you can go to the enhance hand enhanancy effects and the the lighting. But if you look, I'm on my iPhone now and it's not nearly as dark. So so you are enhancing your beard for looks.
Speaker: i' mean I'm putting the enhancement button on to enhance this beautiful face I have, and whatever it does from there is on it. It's not on me. Okay. But I can tell you one thing. It doesn't enhance his bolts while on top of my head, so we'll just keep rolling with it. Yeah, keep that hat on, it please. Yeah, I will. But speaking of balm, we got a great guy. What a great segue. We got a great guy on today to go over some great stuff today. So as as always, we got a friend of the show, Brian Bolt, on today. Brian, how you doing? Good, fellas. I'm great. are y'all?
Speaker: All good. Doing good, buddy. Doing good. So, Nate, you're telling me there's a Just for Men setting on your computer and that we didn't know about. Yeah, yeah. It's an enhancement. it's ah It's a male enhancement is what it is. Wait a minute.
Speaker: Yeah, you better be careful why you say that. Take it what it's worth. Does it enhance everything or is it just what if the computer sees? Again, Kyle, take it for what it's worth. We'll let the viewers use their own minds. We're all getting fired.
Speaker: yeah Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Tony Conan will be calling us to his office next week. Yeah, well, he just he just added me on the social, so i got to now it sounds like I've got to be careful of what I do and say. So I've got to be i gotta watch out. Yeah.
Speaker: But, Brian, what you got going on and over in your world? We've got some cool stuff coming up I know we're going talk about in some cool classes and things like that. what you got going on? my gosh. what and what What don't we? It's been – Been wild and crazy so far. Started off in, uh, was it April, I guess, with the, uh, safe tending, uh, certification training program. Um, Kyle was nice enough to kick that off in, in Madison with me. And since then we've done four, including Madison, we've done four of those events so far. We trained 117 people so far in 26.
Speaker: to level one certification So, far in twenty six so Hit the ground running, had a little bit of a summer lull and about to pick back up. ah The next one is going to be August 18th and 19th, and Nate's going be kind enough to host Kyle and I to come in and crash Nashville for a few days. You've the best trainers coming.
Speaker: Man, I couldn't imagine that it was that hard to pull you guys to Nashville. Yeah, right. Between the both of you. But, Brian, where have you guys been at so far? I know you mentioned Madison, but where have you guys been at kind of covering – Yep.
Speaker: In order, we went Madison, then we went to court in Seattle. um Then we went to special event rentals in Red Deer, Alberta, and for our first one in Canada.
Speaker: And then after that, we were just this past weekend, we were at ARA of Florida's summer. They do a summer getaway. And we did it in conjunction with that in Clearwater. So had 26, I think it was, put tents up on the beach. That's always fun laying out tents and sand. That's different level.
Speaker: What's that? That's a different level, especially with the anchoring there. Well, it's just, you know, we talk about laying everything out and then trying to paint don't work very well on sand. Did you imagine test the ground before you drove those stakes? We took the GT tool and was funny because it showed that that ground was worth about 1500 pounds. And we we we demoed it and everybody was saying, there's no way it's on sand. There's no way it can be that stiff a soil.
Speaker: Then they put the Rhino on it, which I know the Rhino doesn't have as much rear end as some of the other drivers out there, but you could tell it was hard ground and those stakes held. And I mean, we were up closer to to hard ground anyway. wasn't like it it was out by the water or whatever, but um it held. I mean, it was it was incredible. ah Regular 40-inch stakes held just like they were in red clay. Yeah.
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Speaker: I've had a lot of people ask me about that just in anchoring on beaches and i don't do. Any anchoring on beaches very rare, or maybe. um Do you have to use auger-style anchor every time you anchor on the beach? Or like what you're saying, the ground's so hard you can use a regular anchor? i mean, we weren using we were using so a combination of single stakes, three-hole and five-hole bars on this. It was a 40-60 that we did.
Speaker: Even the single stakes performed like you would expect them to. um so I mean, if it was loose sand, I would certainly prefer somebody to use an auger. But, I mean, we didn't. I mean, the stakes did what they needed to do. Granted, it was that tent was up and down, but I would have felt fine looking that up over a weekend the way it went in.
Speaker: Did you guys just miss the hurricane storms that came through when you were down there? Must have been behind us because it was, I mean, it blew a little bit while we were there. actually blew well enough, blew just about the right amount to get a pole tent up. I'll say that.
Speaker: What's it looking like with your trainers? are you Are you getting more people to get trained on it or is it more has it has it been a lot on you? Well, it's been a lot on me. I would like to ultimately get to the point where we have, and we have a good many trainers. I'll explain that here in just a second, but um we've got,
Speaker: We've got kind of a cadre of kind of ah the deal between the three associations is we would have a group of of trainers that we can tap into as needed equally amongst all three associations. But Brian Stumpf and I, he was kind enough to help me with the training this past weekend.
Speaker: um And he and I were talking about we need to kind of keep a lid on it a little bit. ah It's great. There's a great trainer out there. But just to maintain the integrity of the program, too, we need to be a little bit diligent about how we go about selecting those trainers. Right now, just to give you a little bit of background and context, it's me, Brian Stumpf, and Matt Smith. It's kind of a one, ah Brian being with the ATA, more or less, and Matt being with MATRA. So kind of one of us from each of the three associations sit on kind of our own committee of
Speaker: ah Going through who who those trainers need to be. um And we've got, i don't know, there's 15, probably 10, 15 people in the mix right now. um So I am looking for somebody do College Station. Kyle, what you got coming up after... ah ah Look at that organizational chart over at ARA. There's a guy up there. His last name is Richardson. Take that up with him. I can hear him now. That's why I said it. My phone will probably be ringing here shortly. I might be good for College Station, Brian. We can talk. We can negotiate. often I'm down. All right. we'll We'll talk about it. Yeah. We can talk about it. and Well, you know, it's the the trainer thing is tough because not only do you need to be knowledgeable and be able to talk about the subject,
Speaker: It's a long two days, Brian, you know it. And if you get a trainer up there who can't keep people engaged, that could be an even longer two days. Well, it's going to take patience too. I mean, patience.
Speaker: Kyle, not everybody is as engaging as we are. You got to have the good banter. Well, the other thing is you just, I mean, you got to, I love how you said the integrity, because I feel like at this point, if you don't keep the integrity of about everything, um you know, you you just make it will and nilly to where anybody can do it.
Speaker: Then it becomes just another program. Right. So if we're going to make this thing true to the expectation and really, you know, not make it I don't want to say it in this way, I'm going to laughable. You got to make it something, yeah you got to make it worth it.
Speaker: You can't be just letting anybody do it. Well, there's a lot of involvement with fire marshals, building inspectors, et cetera. and want those people to know that we are completely legit between the three associations and what we're doing. I had some recent conversations too with the fire marshal associations talking about how to bring them some some educational content um for their own people. So ah look for look for us to be working on that here pretty soon. As you know, we talk about safe tending and safe tending is more than just the certification program. That's just one of the things that we're doing. And I want to talk, I'd like to talk before we get off specifically about the upcoming dates, obviously, and opportunities for that.
Speaker: But also I want everybody to know too, this the safe tending program, the safe tending standard with ARA is more than just the certification program. We're going to, We've got other programs and things that we want to bring to the tent industry. um And that's another reason talking, you know, it's kind of going back to who we want. ah We need people to help with this training because ultimately I need to be freed up to do some of these other things because it's got to be more than just the certification program. which, you know, that's in its own right. I mean, that's, we're we're obviously in uncharted territory, uh, among the associations right now, bringing this to the table.
Speaker: Um, and like I said, I don't know what the other two associations have trained number wise, but you know, my own personal goal was to try to get 300, 300 installers this year, uh, in 26 trained to that level one certification.
Speaker: um, And then, you know, we can we can even talk about that if you want to kind of what that whole program looks like. We've talked about it, but it's been a little while. So I think it's good for people. Let's run through it. Yeah, let's run back through real quick. Yeah. So what happened, too, is we have ongoing calls between ah us, ATA and MATRA, to talk about how this program needs to evolve. And one of the things that we came up with was.
Speaker: yeah You know, the question is the next thing on the agenda or the flow chart, if you will, was this the structure program. Everybody's asking when there's going to be something for structure, because right now you've got foundations of safe tending. Just to kind of go back, some people may not have heard this. I'll start from the beginning. ah Foundations of safe tending is a free online course available to anybody through any of the three associations. That's the prerequisite that anybody needs to have satisfied.
Speaker: Yeah. Before they can go in and even take essentials of tent anchoring. So that's the first of the three paid courses, if you will. um And we also felt as a group that you've got that. you I don't care what tent you're putting up. If you don't anchor it properly.
Speaker: There's nothing else to talk about, right? So we're that's why we were very adamant that anchoring had to be first. And then that's a prerequisite. You've got to go through anchoring before you take anything else. So if you look at the flow chart on the top side, then you've got after anchoring, you go to either, well, you go to essentials of frame tents and essentials of pole tents. And then what we decided to do, so that's a level one certification in its own right. After you get through those three paid classes, be an anchoring frame and pole.
Speaker: But then what we're going to do is we're going to make essentials of structure. i don't know exact name of it yet. It's actually in rough draft um review right now. But the structure class will be its own level one certification because you all know there's so many people that do frame and pole tents that will never get into structure. And we felt like it wasn't right to necessarily keep those people from ever having a level one certification. The original...
Speaker: The original flowchart showed that you had to have anchoring, frame, pole, and structure just to get level one. So I kind of lobbied to let's separate that. And there's so many structure people that are not going to do, that don't even do frame pole tents, right? They're structure companies. on But it's good thing.
Speaker: It's a good help and a good segue for people that are thinking about getting into it. Maybe they get into this and I do the classes and they take the classes and they decide, you know what, maybe we'll try this now because we feel more comfortable honor and we get around and we get around these people that are doing it. And now we want to dive into it. Yeah.
Speaker: And as this or vice versa, or they go, oh, my God, I never want to do that. Correct. Yeah. i mean, anyway. Kyle, what was it that guy in Madison? he was He was saying he was buying a company. And after two days, Kyle's like, you sure you still want to do that? Yeah. He came to take the course because he was about to close on buying a rental company. He was coming from outside the industry. So when we were done, I went up to him. So you still think you want to buy tech company? He's still in. stuff So anyway, ah so ah As this thing evolves, then there'll be a master level certification. There's going to be a time commitment or time component, I should say, to that in terms of you need to be in the industry X amount of years even. And that's a a bit arbitrary. We're talking through some of that between the associations right now.
Speaker: But you can't be a master level installer if you just come in and take the in for a take the courses. There needs to be some sort of a time commitment and ah for you to be a master level installer.
Speaker: um But you will have had to to get the master level certification. Ultimately, you will have had to have both level one certifications, frame and pole and structure. Right. and So it goes to say, if going to be master, you got to know it all, just like ah a carpenter or electrician or whatever else. You know, if you're going be a master of it you got to know it all.
Speaker: So anyway, that's that's somewhat in development. And this thing is just, you know, it's building as we go. I think we're in a good place with all three associations to kind of work all work through that. And um finally, going as fast as we can go.
Speaker: Yep, we just got keep everybody working in the same direction. That's the that's the goal and that's the key. um so So Brian... We have to keep the goal in mind, Nate, which is we're doing this to better the industry.
Speaker: Yep, one rental. One rental, baby. um So Brian, we're we're moving now on to sites. Of course, we've got Nashville coming up 18th and 19th. That's correct. You ready? sixty c Oh, baby, we've been getting everything ready.
Speaker: been moving around, getting everything going. Um, if you listen to the podcast at all, I've been preaching about it a lot, uh, I'm pretty excited to get everybody up there, uh, to host everybody. So, um, where can we go to get everybody signed up and where can they see what's going on?
Speaker: Safe tending.com is your one-stop shop for, um so anything tending related. Um, ARA is good. You know, like I said, that's where we're going to build everything. under the sun, under that one big safe tending umbrella for ARA, that's where it's going to live.
Speaker: so And then what other what other locations do we have after Nashville? so there's a I actually wrote these down because I knew I would forget somebody if I didn't. So we have the week after that, a a day ARA Days of Alabama. We've got some events where we're going into some areas that we need to increase state association involvement. So we're going actually do ARA days about at ah in Alabama on August the 25th and 26th. On the 25th specifically, we'll be ah down in Daphne, Alabama, and doing and Essentials of 10 Anchoring only. So that's not all that's not the two-day, three-class combined event. so
Speaker: um Then after that, we're going to College Station, Texas. We mentioned a minute ago September 1st and second Uh, premier events is kind enough to host us. They've got a fine place down there. We actually did a, an anchoring event with them back in December.
Speaker: Um, so there'll be, ah there'll be quality hosts for sure. We have Regina, Saskatchewan, believe it or not on December, uh, October the 6th and 7th. Got it on the books as well. So we'll be going for our back to Canada for a second time for the year.
Speaker: And then Valencia, California, in November 17th and 18th. And then we just added one for the year to make our ninth for the year. And that's in Columbus, Ohio, December 8th and 9th. The ARA of Ohio is going to host us. Nothing like putting up tents in Ohio and in December, right? Yeah. so Yeah, yeah we we we had that very conversation yesterday. ah Lasting Impressions is going to host us, J.P. Fritz and his crew. They're on a hell an operation up there, and it's going to be with ARA of Ohio. Anybody in Ohio that may be listening, I know there's going to be some subsidy for registration fees through the state association. So that's for the Ohio. Everybody's welcome to come, but you've got to be in Ohio to get the to get them to pay part of your bill. need secure access for your structure will right choice roll up service do a durable, easy to install s specifically for temporary and fa visit right choice ducting dot com to lear or call us and m receive right
Speaker: your first right choice ducing order some rules and restrictions apply right, and so Nate and I don't get screamed at next Tuesday after this comes out. There's also ATA is hosting one of Stephen Eisenstein's in August in Atlanta, the and 27th. Got it. Yep.
Speaker: got it yeah So everybody's working together there. And just another couple bullet points. ARA of Tennessee will be hosting our meeting on the 17th. So 18th and 19th is going to be the safe tending in our place, but we're going to do Topgolf on the 17th for ARA of Tennessee. So anybody involved, once you get involved with that, come out to Topgolf and we'll have a night on Monday. So hope to see both of you boys there. yep um And then also just want to hit back on Another friend of the show, Kevin Vasquez, last week he did the California fire prevention officers.
Speaker: um Went out and took the guy, the AHJs out there to do some teaching just about different things underneath the tent and to kind of get them educated in this big push to kind of show them that it's ah that what we got going on so they know what to look for under the ten tents with fire certs and things like that. So great for what Kevin's doing for California and pushing that around. And hopefully that'll kind of make its way.
Speaker: Awesome. And talking about the fire marshal associations and stuff. So um ARA actually is going to have a booth at the National Association of State Fire Marshals Symposium. Yeah. Did you see who ARA is sending to that booth? That was, you know why? i have to say we went to the bullpen on that one. Oh, my goodness gracious. I'm just kidding. He's going to kill me for saying that. But that's literally the same week, the same week I'll be in Nashville. So ah they didn't let me drop the ball for Nashville and take off and go to California. so So you're putting Brian Richardson in a booth to talk to fire. mark no No, no, no, no, no. Elizabeth Vigotti is going to represent. all right so He's free to roam around and do his. That might be worse. Well, fair, fair, fair, fair.
Speaker: Someone. I told him I need her talking about what the association could do and he can go and talk to fire marshals. Tell them everything they're doing wrong. What could ever come on over come on over here and look like let me tell you what know what could ever go wrong?
Speaker: Oh, Lord. i wanted Yeah, that is a bullpen move right there. But, yeah well, Brian. But that being said, real quick, sorry, Nate, I didn it didn't mean to interrupt. But so that being said, I just wanted to bring that up so everybody understands how committed we are to trying to change the way.
Speaker: And i said not change the way we all operate, but to support the way that we operate. I was on phone call with somebody yesterday talking about building inspectors and fire marshals and basically them.
Speaker: Exerting, imposing their will in areas because they don't know what they're talking about. And I mean that and the best way possible. So our job, my job, I feel like, is to help educate those folks because ultimately that's going to pay dividends in terms of how you all have to deal with them, we think.
Speaker: Well, it it is to change the way of how we're doing things. And it's not because we, we've always done it this way. That is the best saying, best, worst saying in this industry. Right. yeah And so now we need to change the way of thinking for the future. So everybody could take this more seriously. And again, we love the push that you're doing and we love the push that Kevin's doing with that stuff and, and that everybody keeps joining in to make it a better, a better industry. So yeah love it.
Speaker: Yeah, man. But thanks for coming on, Brian. got and love what you're doing. Thanks for giving us some quick notes here and, We'll be seeing you in about two, three weeks. Yeah, two, three weeks. So I'm going to go prep my liver now at the pool, and I'll see you guys in couple weeks. See you. right. This has been another episode of Under the Vinyl, a rental management media podcast.
