The uncertainty shed business owners are experiencing due to many factors is being felt across the business spectrum. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Optimism Index fell 3.0 points in March to 95.8, leaving it below its 52-year average of 98.0. The last time the Optimism Index fell below its historical average was April 2025. The Uncertainty[Read More…]
Articles
Managing Your Leadership Capacity: Make Room for Margin
The key to managing your capacity as a leader is creating enough margin to respond when the unexpected happens. In February, my mother died unexpectedly. Within a matter of hours, my calendar for the week was cleared—meetings canceled, commitments postponed, responsibilities either delegated or delayed. That included my article for[Read More…]
The Competitive Edge
Like most good things, H&S Portable Buildings in Danville, Alabama, was born after an economic recession that caused people to do extraordinary things. It was born out of a need. A need to provide. A need to support life. A need to supply a demand. And what I mean by[Read More…]
When Things Get Uncomfortable: Addressing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Sexual harassment in the workplace is a topic every business owner should be prepared to address. In the shed and metal building industry, we pride ourselves on hard work, strong relationships, and a “get it done” mentality. It’s a hands-on business whether you’re on a lot, in the office, at[Read More…]
Sage Shed Business Advice
Mistakes are a fact of life, and that’s never truer than in the world of business. For a variety of reasons, about half of new businesses are likely to fail in their first year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But how can a new entrepreneur be aware[Read More…]
Building on a Smaller Scale
I started making toys two years ago when business was slow at the Main Outdoor Living store in Honey Brook, Pennsylvania. I’ve always enjoyed working with wood. My uncle Joel Zook made Conestoga wagons to scale, and I was always fascinated by what he made. I have made toys such as[Read More…]
The Intimate Process of Sauna Building
We build outdoor, backyard saunas. They’re used to promote muscle relaxation, relieve stress, improve cardiovascular health, and overall wellness. We’re called Smart-Sauna, named after our original company brand and name, Smart-Shed. Our 8 by 12 Moderni model is our most popular sauna size. It features a mono-slope roof with a[Read More…]
From Promise to Reality
In the shed industry, we spend a great deal of time refining the early stages of the customer journey—marketing, sales conversations, design tools, and pricing strategies. These moments matter. They shape expectations and build anticipation. But there’s a critical point in the process that often receives far less strategic attention[Read More…]
When the Dog Runs the House
The day we picked up our golden retriever, I knew we were in trouble. She stepped out of the car, and I looked at the breeder and said, “Are you sure she’s 10 weeks old?” Because what just climbed into my arms looked less like a puppy and more like[Read More…]
Adaptive, Driven, Hyper-Detective
Welcome back to another column from the Shed Geek. Today, I want to talk about something that has been incredibly relevant in my own journey: ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). But before we get there, let me do what many of us do best—start one thought, chase three others, circle back halfway,[Read More…]
Current Issue
