Stone Chatter Podcast

Stone Chatter Team
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Management

Stone Chatter is a podcast covering every side of the stone fabrication industry. For too long, the stone industry has operated in silos. Wholesale talking to wholesale, fabricators staying in their own circles, installers isolated in the field. Stone Chatter brings everyone to the same table. Built for fabricators, installers, shop owners, wholesalers, and everyone connected to the stone world, it creates space for transparent conversations about fabrication realities, safety, business pressures, leadership, and what needs to change. Hear from new guests every month, from fabricators, shop owners, distributors, sales leaders, safety specialists, manufacturers. We don't avoid opposing opinions, we invite them. This is where learning happens. Because transparency drives growth, shared knowledge strengthens the industry, and everyone deserves a voice. JOIN THE COMMUNITY! NEW EPISODES EVERY MONTH!

  1. 5d ago

    MORE SALES BETTER MARGINS

    What Are Top Fabricators Doing Differently? Want more sales without sacrificing your margins? In Part 2 of Stone Chatter’s sales series, Rich, Erik, and Ed join industry pros Carmina Mendez, Lauren Westwood, and Cory Edd to reveal what top fabricators are doing differently—from targeting more profitable customers and transforming the showroom experience to improving marketing, follow-up, outside sales, and team incentives. Discover the overlooked upgrades, add-ons, and sales opportunities that can raise your average ticket, strengthen customer relationships, and stop money from slipping through the cracks. If you’re ready to sell smarter—not just work harder—this episode is packed with practical ideas you can put to work in your shop today. About Stone Chatter Stone Chatter is a podcast dedicated to open conversations about the stone industry covering fabrication, business, safety, technology, sales, industry news, and the people shaping its future. Three Perspectives. One Industry. Intro Music “Drink Away Your Love - Live at Johnny’s Place” by Travis Blaine, featuring Eric Knight Music used with permission from the artists.

  2. Aug 13

    Live from ALL SLAB FABBERS Meeting, Salt Lake City: Part 2

    PART 2 - Stone Chatter is broadcasting live from the All Slab Fabbers Workshop in Salt Lake City, Utah. Hosted on-site during one of the industry's most hands-on educational events, this special episode captures conversations with shop owners, fabricators, suppliers, industry leaders, and attendees from across North America. The All Slab Fabbers Workshop brings together professionals committed to improving craftsmanship, shop operations, safety, and business growth through collaboration and education.   In this special live episode Live interviews with industry professionals Highlights from the All Slab Fabbers Workshop Audience questions and live conversations And much more. Whether you attended the workshop or couldn't make the trip to Salt Lake City, this special episode brings you directly into the event, featuring real conversations with the people helping shape the future of the stone industry. Thank you to All Slab Fabbers (ASF) for hosting another outstanding event dedicated to education, collaboration, and advancing the fabrication community. Learn more about ASF and upcoming workshops at All Slab Fabbers.

  3. Aug 10

    How to Build a Sales Team that Sells

    In this episode of Stone Chatter, Rich, Erik, and Ed dive into one of the biggest challenges facing fabrication shops: How to Build a Sales Team That Actually Sells. Instead of simply quoting whatever business walks through the door, how do you develop salespeople who actively pursue opportunities, protect margins, build relationships, and consistently generate revenue? For this conversation, the Stone Chatter crew is joined by three guests with very different perspectives on sales, shop ownership, hiring, coaching, and performance. Guests Michael Ferguson - Former head of sales for Flowform, now with MSI. Michael has worked in nearly every role inside a fabrication shop and has experience building in-home sales teams across multiple states. Katrina Hora - Second-generation owner of Italian Marble and Granite in Buffalo, New York, a high-end residential and commercial fabrication business that has doubled its volume without relying on big-box work. Stevenson “Steve” Brooks - Professional sales coach and trainer with a background in mindset-driven sales training and competitive markets. In this episode Can you really turn an order taker into a hunter? How to hire sales reps who can actually sell—and where to find them What to look for when interviewing and testing sales candidates Why mindset may need to change before sales training can work How to create a real sales culture inside a fabrication shop Using data, CRM, and AI to evaluate sales performance Understanding close rates, ticket size, and margins Why closing too many or too few quotes can reveal a problem Practical approaches to role-playing, coaching, and riding along with sales reps Why authenticity beats “used-car salesman” tactics How managers can identify the specific weaknesses of individual salespeople How to build a sales organization that actively creates opportunities instead of waiting for them The guests also share specific real-world examples, including how AI helped identify patterns in an individual salesperson's performance, how sales metrics can expose problems that aren't obvious on the surface, and why testing candidates in realistic selling situations can tell you far more than a traditional interview. Whether you already have a sales team or you're trying to build one from scratch, this episode is about creating a repeatable, measurable sales function that protects margin and drives growth.

  4. Aug 3

    The Biggest Change to the Stone Industry in Years [Cal/OSHA Meeting 07/31/26]

    President Trump has officially enacted the imported quartz tariffs—and the stone industry is entering a new chapter. In this special episode, Rich, Erik, and Ed break down one of the most significant developments to impact the stone industry in years. We discuss what the new tariffs mean, when they take effect, how they will work, and what fabricators, distributors, suppliers, and importers should expect in the months ahead. This episode also includes a recap of the latest Cal/OSHA meeting regarding the proposed quartz restrictions, making this a comprehensive update on two major industry developments happening at the same time. In this special update President Trump's imported quartz tariff decision When the new tariffs take effect How the tariff process will work Immediate impact on imported quartz products What fabricators should expect Pricing and supply chain implications Potential opportunities for domestic manufacturers Industry reactions and early market outlook Latest updates from the Cal/OSHA quartz meeting What's next for the stone industry Whether you're a fabricator, supplier, distributor, or stone industry professional, this episode provides practical insight into how these changes may affect your business and what to watch as the industry adapts.

  5. Jul 28

    Live from ALL SLAB FABBERS meeting, Salt Lake City: Part 1

    For the first time, Stone Chatter is broadcasting live from the All Slab Fabbers Workshop in Salt Lake City, Utah. Hosted on-site during one of the industry's most hands-on educational events, this special episode captures conversations with shop owners, fabricators, suppliers, industry leaders, and attendees from across North America. The All Slab Fabbers Workshop brings together professionals committed to improving craftsmanship, shop operations, safety, and business growth through collaboration and education. In this special live episode Live interviews with industry professionals Highlights from the All Slab Fabbers Workshop Audience questions and live conversations And much more. Whether you attended the workshop or couldn't make the trip to Salt Lake City, this special episode brings you directly into the event, featuring real conversations with the people helping shape the future of the stone industry. Thank you to All Slab Fabbers (ASF) for hosting another outstanding event dedicated to education, collaboration, and advancing the fabrication community.

  6. Jul 5

    What Is Your Fabrication Shop Really Worth?

    Many business owners assume the value of their company is based on equipment, inventory, or annual sales but the reality is often very different. In this episode hosts Rich, Erik, and Ed are joined by industry experts to discuss how fabrication businesses are valued, what buyers actually look for, and the practical steps owners can take today to increase the value of their companies whether they plan to sell next year or twenty years from now. Guests include Scott Hartman (KAT Fabricators), Chabun Hieblinger (Twin Shore Advisors) and Aaron Crowley (No Lift Install System).  Whether you're planning to sell your shop someday or simply want to build a stronger business, understanding how your company is evaluated can help you make better decisions today. This episode provides practical insights from professionals who work with acquisitions, valuations, and business growth within the stone industry.

  7. Jun 23

    Industry Updates: ITC Review, Silicosis and What’s Next

    In this episode, hosts Rich, Erik, and Ed discuss some of the latest developments affecting fabricators, suppliers, and industry professionals across North America. From updates on the ongoing ITC trade review to conversations around industry associations, upcoming events, silicosis developments, and other important industry news, this episode provides a broad look at the issues and trends shaping today's stone business. In this episode Latest updates from the ITC trade review process What the current trade discussions could mean for the industry Industry association news and developments Upcoming events and opportunities to connect with industry professionals Recent silicosis-related updates and conversations

  8. Jun 9

    ARE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS WORTH IT? What Every Shop Owner Should Know About Industry Associations

    The stone industry offers a variety of associations, organizations, buying groups, certifications, and networking opportunities but how do you know which ones are actually worth your time and investment? In this episode of Stone Chatter, hosts Rich, Erik, and Ed explore the strengths, weaknesses, and real-world value of some of the industry's most recognized organizations. Whether you're a shop owner, general manager, or industry professional, this discussion focuses on helping businesses understand what each organization offers, where they provide value, and where opportunities for improvement still exist. In this episode The strengths and weaknesses of today's industry associations What organizations like NSI, ISFA, SFA, ASF, Artisan, and Rockheads offer Which benefits are most valuable to shop owners and employees Networking opportunities and industry connections Silica and safety certifications Buying groups and purchasing advantages Regulatory support and industry advocacy Healthcare and employee-related benefits Which organizations may fit different stages of business growth What the industry still needs from its associations If you could change one thing, what would it be? Guests Kelly O`Connor – Former General Manager, Granite Mountain Montana Geoffrey Gran – Owner, The Countertop Factory Andrew Clyde – Owner, Ashcraft Granite & Marble

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Stone Chatter is a podcast covering every side of the stone fabrication industry. For too long, the stone industry has operated in silos. Wholesale talking to wholesale, fabricators staying in their own circles, installers isolated in the field. Stone Chatter brings everyone to the same table. Built for fabricators, installers, shop owners, wholesalers, and everyone connected to the stone world, it creates space for transparent conversations about fabrication realities, safety, business pressures, leadership, and what needs to change. Hear from new guests every month, from fabricators, shop owners, distributors, sales leaders, safety specialists, manufacturers. We don't avoid opposing opinions, we invite them. This is where learning happens. Because transparency drives growth, shared knowledge strengthens the industry, and everyone deserves a voice. JOIN THE COMMUNITY! NEW EPISODES EVERY MONTH!

Information

  • Creator
    Stone Chatter Team
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Stone Chatter Podcast

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