A journey through 2025.
As we enter the fourth quarter of 2025, I find myself reflecting on the inaugural Shed Week, which has now come and gone. I hope you were able to attend this exciting event, and if not, I sincerely hope you can join us next year.
I remember when it was just the Shed Show, then the Big Shed Show, back when we gathered every two years instead of annually. The opportunities surrounding Shed Week are abundant and inspiring, and most importantly, they provide the perfect reason for those of us living the Shed Life to come together. There truly is something for everyone!
I kicked off Shed Week by attending the Shed Sales Summit, hosted by Peter Miller and the fantastic team at Making Sales Simple. The content was not only helpful but also meticulously crafted and relevant. The keynote speaker and the entire lineup of presenters were exceptional.
I was honored to serve on the Q&A panel alongside industry giants, which took me back 4.5 years to when I first envisioned starting a podcast to interview these leaders. That time spent with such influential figures has undoubtedly contributed to any success I’ve achieved in this industry.
It was a blessing to sit alongside such a knowledgeable panel. They say that if you’re the smartest person in the room, it’s time to find a new room—well, I certainly found myself front and center with some brilliant minds, hanging on every word they shared. I would love the opportunity to interview that panel on the podcast someday.
I want to extend my gratitude to Rob Ball, Connor Dehlin, Joe Ignace, Peter Miller, Peter Boyle, Gary Boyle, Jim Kuhlman, Richard Marshburn, Eric Olson, and Craig Felker for allowing me to experience this event with all of you. A big thank you also goes to the many attendees and sponsors who made this event possible, as well as to the entire Shed Builder Expo and Shed Business Journal team for orchestrating such a wonderful venue.
Congratulations to Richard Miller and Sam Byler. It was a privilege to stand alongside you during the awards ceremony. You are both individuals I have always enjoyed getting to know and learning from, and winning an award together was truly humbling.
Fun fact: with over 350 episodes recorded in 4.5 years, Richard and Sam still hold the record for the most listened-to episodes of all time, and their awards are well-deserved.
To those who voted for me, I am deeply grateful for your generosity. I hope everyone will continue to participate in next year’s voting, as it’s exciting to see the industry celebrate those who contribute so much. I’m already looking forward to nominating some deserving individuals for next year.
Moving on to day two, I attended the NSRA (National Shed Rental Association) Conference. To describe it in one word: powerful. I have attended several of these events, and while I may not have the history that some of you do, this year was by far my favorite—no small feat considering last year was also fantastic.
Hearing speakers like Darren Tyler, John Felkins, and John Delony was simply inspiring. Their messages centered on putting people first and fostering a sense of belonging, which felt timely and relevant in our divided world. They provided an imaginary stage with their words of wisdom, allowing us all to stand together and feel like we belong.
I enjoyed everything from the food to the comedy, as well as the well-crafted advertising and itinerary displayed at our tables. Another shoutout to Craig Felker for his exceptional job as emcee, and to Kyle Summers and the planning committee for making this event memorable.
I also appreciated the breakout sessions this year, particularly the time spent with the good folks at RTO Smart as I learned more about their services. I wish I could have attended every session by those who stepped up to entertain and educate us—great job to all.
We were excited to become a member at this year’s event, laying the groundwork for a long-term commitment to advancing shed rent-to-own in our industry. I was thrilled to see the award presented to Leland Ulrich for his foundational role in the NSRA’s origin story. Many of us are here because of that early vision, and it’s incredible to see how it has persevered for 13 or 14 years now. This might have been my favorite event of the entire week.
The next two days were pure chaos—but in the best way possible. I always appreciate the networking opportunities that these events provide.
In my opinion, Shed Week is the premier networking opportunity for those of us immersed in the shed industry. I heard numerous comments this year expressing satisfaction with the number of product-focused booths at the event. Many procurement specialists mentioned how refreshing it was to have such a variety of selections all in one place. In a world where technology still looms large, it was nice to see products take center stage for a change.
Of course, I was still amazed by the amount of tech innovation present in our space. The venue and location were fantastic. As I said last year, it’s worth stopping by each booth and engaging with the vendors; you never know what you’ll discover. Plus, the giveaways are pretty cool. This might have been my favorite Shed Builder Expo to date.
Shed Week is now even bigger and more essential to attend, featuring everything from kangaroos to human claw machines—what clever booth ideas. The camaraderie among participants was in line with what I’ve come to expect from the Expo. It’s always gratifying to see people committed to learning more about the industry they work in.
As we wrap up 2025, what does Shed Week signify for me? A continued maturation of the industry. During my time there, I had the opportunity to be interviewed for a live Q&A by Matt Poe of the Shed Business Journal. He asked me about my thoughts on the future of the shed industry. I shared that my journey over the past 12 years has been nothing short of incredible.
The last five years, in particular, have had a profound impact. I can still remember my first demo with Shed Suite, The Shed App, Idea Room, and Shedpro less than a decade ago. Now, the influx of services available is evident in the growing number of vendor booths at the Expo.
It’s exciting to see more tech and product-focused vendors entering the industry, signaling the promising direction we’re headed. However, what does this growth cost? Only time will tell.
During the live interview, I noted that our path seems to be paved with a mix of acquisitions and mergers. Rumblings behind the scenes, and sometimes in public forums, suggest that larger players are eager to secure and maintain market share while mid-sized and smaller companies strive to compete. A regular collaboration between companies appears to dominate the scene, with many seeking to offer vertical integration and a “one-stop shop” solution for manufacturers, sometimes while being manufacturers themselves. Solution-based products and services are actively seeking competitive advantages and first-mover advantages, striving to build efficiencies.
One thing is for sure: it’s a great time to be a Shed Geek. There are more opportunities than ever to listen, learn, and engage through interviews. In fact, we plan to expand our roster with more hosting partners and co-hosts for many upcoming episodes.
After 4.5 years and nearly 400 episodes, I find myself gasping for breath amid the whirlwind of tireless nights, lengthy phone calls, and video chats that have kept me busy. For Shed Geek, it’s time to slightly shift our focus to include a broader range of perspectives and delve into more in-depth and challenging content. I’m thrilled to have some industry friends joining me for this much-needed hiatus, allowing me to realign my mission, vision, and values for the next five years.
In fact, you may not see me as frequently over the next 12 months—who knows how long this hiatus will last? But one thing is certain—I’ll be at the 2026 Shed Week, just as eager to watch, learn, and participate with the same excitement that first captured my attention more than 12 years ago. I hope to see you there, too.
As we look ahead, let’s continue to embrace the growth and opportunities within our industry. Shed Week is a testament to our collective passion, innovation, and resilience. Together, we can keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the shed industry. Here’s to another successful year ahead, and I can’t wait to see the incredible things we’ll achieve together.
