Covered By NewLeaf Podcast

NewLeaf Service Contracts Inc

Welcome to "Covered by NewLeaf," the official podcast from NewLeaf Service Contracts Inc, hosted by NewLeaf’s CEO, Sean Hicks. In this insightful and engaging series, Sean pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to succeed in the fast-paced world of retail and supply chain management. From navigating evolving consumer expectations to optimizing product protection plans, Sean sits down with industry leaders, retail innovators, and logistics experts to uncover the secrets behind operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and sustainable growth.

Episodes

  1. Aug 21

    Furniture Sales and Succession Planning

    Welcome to this week's episode of Covered by NewLeaf, hosted by Sean Hicks, CEO of New Leaf Service Contracts. In this episode, Sean sits down with longtime friend and industry expert Thomas Balistreri, President of Balistreri Advisory Group. With over 40 years of experience in the home furnishings sector, Thomas is the former president of Colders and the former president of the Power Dealers Group within Brand Source. Join Sean and Thomas as they dive deep into the changing landscape of the furniture retail industry, discussing economic challenges, interest rates, financing strategies, and the critical role of technology and digital marketing for independent dealers. Thomas also shares invaluable advice on exit strategies, succession planning, and his new mission to help retailers optimize their businesses through Balistreri Advisory Group. Whether you are a small mom-and-pop retailer or a large independent dealer, this episode is packed with insights to help you avoid operational landmines, maximize profitability, and build a sustainable future for your business. Chaptering 00:00 - Intro & Show Mantra00:15 - Welcome Guest Thomas Balistreri01:31 - Current Trends & Headwinds in the Furniture Space02:37 - How Interest Rates & Financing Impact Retail Sales05:37 - Leveraging Buying Groups for Better Financing Rates06:48 - Keeping Up with Product Assortments & Color Trends08:56 - Curating the Showroom Floor with Intentional Room Design11:01 - Implementing Delivery Technology for the Post-Purchase Experience12:29 - The Digital Paradigm Shift: Websites & E-Commerce as Your "Fifth Store"15:18 - Navigating Customer Journeys & Digital Marketing16:35 - The Real Value of Buying Groups like Brand Source20:52 - Tariffs, Freight Costs, and Shifting to Domestic Sourcing24:30 - Succession Planning & Exit Strategies for Aging Ownership27:00 - Getting Your Financials & Inventory in Order Ahead of a Sale29:36 - The Power of Networking at Buying Shows and Fairs31:24 - Introducing Balistreri Advisory Group: Working On Your Business37:25 - Thomas' Background: From Motorola Engineer to Furniture Retail Leader40:38 - Connect with Thomas & OutroConnect with New Leaf Service Contracts on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-leaf-service-contractsConnect with Thomas Balistreri on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-balistreriContact Thomas via Email: tb2861@gmail.com #FurnitureRetail #RetailBusiness #BusinessSuccession #BuyingGroups #BrandSource #DigitalMarketing #RetailTechnology #Ecommerce #BusinessAdvisory #MergersAndAcquisitions #NewLeafPodcast #CoveredByNewLeaf

  2. Aug 7

    Returns Hurts Margins

    Welcome to another episode of Covered by NewLeaf! In this episode, host Sean Hicks (CEO of New Leaf Service Contracts) sits down with returns management expert Tony Sciarotta (Executive Director of RL Solutions Group). With over 28 years of industry experience, Tony shares critical insights into the reverse logistics world, the skyrocketing costs of e-commerce returns, and actionable tips for independent retailers to maximize their profitability.Discover how to pivot from simple "returns desks" to high-value "certified pre-owned" spaces, the power of human factor engineering, and how leveraging extended warranties can help keep products in the home. If you want to turn the challenge of returns into a capitalistic opportunity for sustainability and growth, this episode is a must-watch! Connect with Us: New Leaf Service Contracts: https://www.newleafsc.net RL Solutions Group: https://rlsolutions.group Connect with Tony Sciarotta on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-sciarrotta-235570/ ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 - Introduction & The Importance of Customer Experience 01:21 - What is RL Solutions Group? 02:28 - E-commerce Boom vs. Big Box: What Drives Retail Returns? 05:28 - The Trillion-Dollar Culture of Entitlement & False Defects 07:26 - The Independent Retailer's Challenge in the E-commerce Space 08:00 - Large Appliance & Open Box Return Realities 12:30 - Two Crucial Tips to Keep Products in the Consumer's Home 16:22 - How RL Solutions Group Optimizes Markdown Systems & Agent Training 18:33 - Managing Expectations: Delivery, Installation, and Post-Delivery Surveys 21:14 - Consumer Surveys & Flipped Reason Codes 25:00 - Monetizing the Secondary & Thrifting Market 27:06 - Creating Value: Certified Pre-Owned & Open Box Frameworks 31:54 - Boosting Return Value with Extended Service Contracts 33:42 - Tony’s Career Journey: From Sales Awards to Reverse Logistics Pioneer 39:50 - Industry Literature: "Going Backwards" to "Going Circular" 41:54 - Combating E-commerce Fraud & Promoting a Circular Economy 44:50 - Mentorship Shift: Focusing on Human Factor Engineering 48:44 - Influencer Videos, QR Codes, and Exceeding Expectations 51:30 - Net Promoter Scores (NPS) & Outro🏷️ TAGS #ReverseLogistics #ReturnsManagement #NewLeafPodcast #RetailReturns #EcommerceReturns #CircularEconomy #CustomerExperience #ServiceContracts #ExtendedWarranty #SupplyChain #BusinessStrategy #IndependentRetailers #CertifiedPreOwned #Sustainability #NPS #RLSolutionsGroup

  3. Jul 24

    The Surprising Innovation Making 130-Inch Home TVs a Reality in 2026

    Welcome back to Covered by NewLeaf! In this episode, host Sean Hicks (CEO of New Leaf Service Contracts) sits down with Dennis Holzer, the Executive Director of the Powerhouse Alliance. The Powerhouse Alliance is a premier business-to-business buying group in the electronic space, encompassing nine independent wholesale distributors across 74 locations nationwide. Serving over 31,000 custom home theater installers and dealers, they provide everything from home networking to residential security. Sean and Dennis dive deep into the changing landscape of home electronics—including the massive evolution of TV sizes, the revolutionary shift toward bezel-less, bending microLED technology, the rising demand for high-end headphones, and the critical importance of robust home networking systems. Dennis also shares the incredible, comedic story of his 40+ year career trajectory and how a "90-day temporary role" turned into an 18-year legacy leading the alliance. If you are a custom integrator, custom installer, or tech enthusiast, you won't want to miss these exclusive industry insights! Chapters: 00:00 – Preview: Bending Video Walls00:30 – Introduction & What is the Powerhouse Alliance?03:59 – The 4 Core Components of a Modern Home Theater05:17 – TV Brands and the Death of Tube TVs07:08 – TV Sizes Explode: From Projectors to 130-Inch Screens11:34 – The Next Frontier: Seamless, Bending MicroLED Technology17:49 – The State of Audio: Smartphones vs. Receivers20:22 – The Rise of $5,000 Luxury Headphones & Noise Cancellation26:47 – Home Networking: Routers, Access Points, and Overloading Systems32:37 – Competitive Advantage: Installer Training Programs36:10 – The Custom Integration Sales Process & TV Price Fluctuations40:19 – Surveillance Cameras & Security Market Demand41:13 – Dennis Holzer’s Backstory: Law School or Electronics?45:50 – Buying Out Hamburg Brothers: Becoming a Company Owner50:09 – The Limousine & The Wallet: How a 90-Day Gig Became 18 Years56:13 – Outro & Partnership with New LeafPowerhouse Alliance Official Website: Check availability on estimates and learn more about their 74 distribution locations here: https://powerhousealliance.com/New Leaf Service Contracts: Learn more about protecting your home theater inventory and electronics at https://www.newleafsc.net/portal/.Featured Brands: Samsung, Sony, LG, TCL, Hisense, Epson, JVC, Eero, and Loewe Tags:#HomeTheater #CustomIntegration #PowerhouseAlliance #NewLeaf #AVDistributor #MicroLED #SmartHome #AudioVideo #CustomInstaller #ConsumerElectronics #NetworkingSystems #SurveillanceCameras

  4. Jul 10

    Leadership Lessons From a Skilled Trades CEO

    In this episode of Covered by NewLeaf, host Sean Hicks, CEO of New Leaf Service Contracts, sits down with Josh Zolin, CEO of Windy City Equipment Service and author of Blue is the New White. Together, they dismantle the "college-only" myth and explore the lucrative, fulfilling opportunities within the blue-collar skilled trades.Josh shares his journey from Hollywood stuntman to leading a multi-state commercial kitchen and HVAC service empire. He offers actionable advice for business owners struggling with the labor shortage, including how to build a visual gated career path to attract talent and why your current employees are your best recruiters. Chapters: 00:00 - The Power of Transferable Skills 00:22 - Introduction: Meet Josh Zolin 01:10 - From Stuntman to Windy City CEO 02:22 - Scaling Through Relationships & Client Demand 03:51 - The Technician Shortage Reality 05:03 - Creating "Blue is the New White" 07:05 - Targeting the Next Generation 09:38 - Solving the Labor Bottleneck: Building vs. Finding Talent 10:30 - The Visual Gated Career Path Strategy 12:45 - Turning Every Employee into a Recruiter 13:39 - Competitive Compensation & Benefits in Trades 16:02 - Transitioning to the "Everything They Don't Tell You" Podcast 18:22 - Leadership & Personal Development for Entrepreneurs 21:04 - Using Transparency to Build Customer Trust 24:34 - BITNW Academy: Teaching Soft Skills & Financial Acumen 29:16 - Advice for Retailers Starting Repair Operations 32:40 - Guidance for 18-Year-Olds: College vs. Trades 35:46 - How to Connect with Josh Zolin Resources Mentioned: Josh Zolin’s Website: joshzolin.com Windy City Equipment Service: windycityequipment.com Josh’s Podcast: Everything They Don’t Tell You New Leaf Service Contracts: newleafsc.net Book: Blue is the New White Tags: #SkilledTrades #BlueIsTheNewWhite #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #HiringTechnicians #BlueCollar #Podcast #NewLeafSC #WindyCityEquipment #JoshZolin

  5. Jun 19

    How Fred's Appliance Academy Is Shaping The Future Of Appliance Repair

    In this episode of Covered By NewLeaf, host Sean Hicks, CEO of New Leaf Service Contracts, sits down with Adam Butcher, Director of Fred’s Appliance Academy, and Chad Phillipp, the academy’s lead instructor. They dive into the history of the academy, the critical need for new technicians in the appliance industry, and how their hands-on training program is shaping the next generation of trade professionals. From learning basic electrical theory to mastering complex refrigeration repairs, Adam and Chad explain how their curriculum prepares students from all walks of life for high-paying careers. They also discuss the importance of "soft skills" like customer service and professional courtesy, which are often the deciding factors in a technician's success. Chapters: 0:00 – Introduction 1:21 – History of Fred’s Appliance Academy 3:53 – Growth and International Reach 4:15 – Current Course Offerings: On-site and Online 5:46 – Class Sizes and Learning Philosophy 6:48 – Real-World Experience: Live Tech Rides 8:00 – Independence and Vocational School Licensing 9:55 – Funding and Student Sponsorship11:41 – Marketing and Social Media Success 14:02 – Meet Instructor Chad Phillipp 18:02 – Teaching Soft Skills and Customer Relations 21:54 – Inside the Classroom and Lab Environment 24:55 – Hands-On Training with Major Brands 31:18 – Student Demographics and Career Changes 34:43 – Income Potential for Appliance Technicians 37:05 – Small Business Ownership and Consulting 41:46 – The On-Campus Experience and Housing 45:34 – Success Stories and Challenges Website: www.fredsacademy.com Phone: 1-800-781-181420 Email: school@fredsappliance.com Tags:#ApplianceRepair #TradeSchool #FredsApplianceAcademy #NewLeaf #Podcast #CareerInTrades #TechnicalTraining #SmallBusiness #VocationalEducation #ApplianceTechnician

  6. Jun 5

    Retail Leader, Industry Challenges, and the Role of AI

    Welcome to another episode of Covered by NewLeaf, where we dive into the world of service contracts and retail excellence. In this episode, host Sean Hicks, CEO of NewLeaf Service Contracts, sits down with Pete Theran, the CEO of the Home Furnishings Association (HFA). Theran shares his extensive journey as a "career retailer," from his early days in the Macy’s executive training program and serving as a float participant in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to leading Boston Interiors and the Bose Corporation retail division. Now at the helm of the HFA, Theran discusses the association's mission to be "indispensable" to furniture retailers of all sizes. In this episode, you’ll learn about: The HFA Mission: How the association serves over 10,000 storefronts through education, qualifying industry partners, and government relations.Navigating Industry Challenges: Theran provides insights into the impact of shifting tariffs and how the HFA assists members in interpreting complex legislative changes.The Future of AI in Retail: A discussion on how "Agentic AI" is being used to supplement human talent in the high-touch furniture industry.Servant Leadership: Theran explains his leadership philosophy of inspiring organizations while "coaching like crazy" from the back.Upcoming Events: Information on the HFA Resource Center and seminars at the High Point Spring Market.Website: nahfa.orgEmail: ptheran@nahfa.org#HomeFurnishings#RetailLeadership#FurnitureIndustry#NewLeafServiceContracts#BusinessEducation#AIRetail

  7. May 22

    Navigating the Digital Transformation in Retail

    Sean Hicks, CEO of New Leaf Service Contracts interviews Chad Evans, the Executive Vice President of Merchandising at BrandSource, a leading buying group for independent retailers. They discuss BrandSource's mission to support its members in staying profitable, the transition of independent retailers to the digital age, and the various services offered, including marketing, credit card processing, and inventory financing. Chad also highlights the importance of engaging members to maximize the benefits of their services, the role of AI in retail, and how BrandSource assists in business transitions and supports young professionals in the industry.#BrandSource, #independentretail, #digitaltransition, #merchandising, #businessservices, #AIinretail, #vendorpartnerships, #memberengagement, #businesstransitions, #youngprofessionals

  8. 10/03/2025

    Training for Excellence in Retail

    In this conversation, Shawn Buffum, CEO of Orville's Home Appliance, discusses the importance of appliance warranties, the role of service departments in retail, and his unique journey into the appliance industry. He emphasizes the need for customer loyalty and the challenges of managing service departments as profit centers. Shawn shares insights into his leadership philosophy, the significance of succession planning, and his vision for the future of Orville's, focusing on growth and sustainability. #retail #tariffs #holidaysales #independentretail #salesteam #training #supplychain #buying groups #COVID19impact #appliancewarranties #customerservice #retailstrategy #leadershipjourney #successionplanning #servicedepartment #applianceindustry #businessgrowth #customerloyalty #OrvillesHomeAppliance #NewLeafServiceContracting #NewLeaf #servicecontracts #3PL

  • 8 Episodes

About

Welcome to "Covered by NewLeaf," the official podcast from NewLeaf Service Contracts Inc, hosted by NewLeaf’s CEO, Sean Hicks. In this insightful and engaging series, Sean pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to succeed in the fast-paced world of retail and supply chain management. From navigating evolving consumer expectations to optimizing product protection plans, Sean sits down with industry leaders, retail innovators, and logistics experts to uncover the secrets behind operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and sustainable growth.

Information

  • Creator
    NewLeaf Service Contracts Inc
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © NewLeaf Service Contracts Inc
  • Show Website
    Covered By NewLeaf Podcast