Real Answers Small Business Workshop

Join us at the upcoming NWFA Leadership Development Summit on Friday, October 11 to engage with top industry leaders and gain invaluable small business education. This is your chance to network with professionals, attend impactful education sessions, and connect with solution providers who can elevate your business.

Whether you’re looking to refine your estimating accuracy, improve your margins, ensure adequate insurance, optimize scheduling, or make informed equipment investments, this event has it all. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn the business fundamentals essential for your company’s growth. Take a significant step toward advancing your career and thriving in the industry you love.

Thursday, October 10, 2024

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm: Joint Networking Reception

5:30 pm – 7:30 pm: Joint Networking Reception with NWFA Board of Directors, Emerging Leaders Council, and Manufacturer’s Assembly attendees

Friday, October 11, 2024

7:30 am - 8:30 am: Breakfast

Light breakfast

8:30 am - 12:30 pm: Small Business Administration Presentations

Small Business Administration Overview

Thomas Yochim
Deputy District Director, Small Business Administration, St. Louis, MO

St. Louis District Office staff will present an overview of SBA and share how SBA programs can help your business grow. Find out about:

SBA’s resource partner network for counseling and technical assistance
SBA loan programs
Government contracting programs
Export assistance
SBA disaster programs
Other SBA programs available to your small business

Business Planning Overview

Tom Meyer
Volunteer, SCORE, Washington, D.C.

A good business plan guides you through each stage of starting and managing your business. It should serve as a roadmap for how to structure, run, and grow your new business. It also can help you get funding or bring on new business partners. Investors want to feel confident they’ll see a return on their investment. Your business plan is the tool you’ll use to convince people that working with you — or investing in your company — is a smart choice.

Decoding the Numbers: A Financial Statements Workshop for Small Business Owners

Lynette Watson
Regional Director, America’s SBDC, St. Louis, MO

Learn how to understand and utilize financial statements (Profit and Loss and Balance Sheets) to manage your small business according to current market conditions, ratio analysis, and industry benchmarks. By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

Create and explain fundamental financial statements, forecasts, and crucial financial ratios.
Perform and employ financial analysis and forecasts to assess a company’s financial robustness and capability.

How to Build a Simplified, Sensible Marketing Plan

Chris Ruzika
Director of Business Development, Carmody MacDonald Law Firm, St. Louis, MO

Learn how to create your own, short marketing plan. This seminar will provide step-by-step guidance for building an effective, concise, and actionable marketing plan.

1:30 pm - 4:00 pm: Real Answers Panel Discussion

The NWFA Real Answers Podcast addresses best practices for small businesses specifically engaged in the wood flooring industry. Now, for the first time, you can get real answers, in real time, live. Join a panel of successful contractors including podcast host Chris Zizza, C&R Flooring, and his regular podcast guests, Steve Brattin, SVB Flooring, John Lessick, Apex Wood Floors, and Kevin Mullany, Benchmark Wood Floors. The panel will be moderated by Doug Howard with Growth Team Strategies. This unique opportunity to get answers to the industry-specific and small business questions that are keeping you up at night will help you lean into growth and plan for 2025 and beyond.

Real Answers Panel Discussion

Chris Zizza
President, C&R Flooring Inc., Westwood, MA
NWFA Real Answers Podcast Host

Chris Zizza is the President of C&R Flooring. He currently is a member of the NWFACP Board of Directors and is a former Chairman of the NWFA Board of Directors. Chris has served on numerous NWFACP and NWFA committees, and is an NWFACP Certified Inspector. He also is the host of the NWFA Real Answers Podcast.

Real Answers Panel Discussion

Kevin Mullany
President, Benchmark Wood Floors Inc.
Albuquerque, NM

Kevin Mullany is the President of Benchmark Wood Floors. He is a member of the NWFA Education & Research Foundation Board of Directors, currently serving as its Vice Chairman. Kevin has served on the NWFA and NWFACP Boards, numerous NWFA and NWFA Certified Professionals committees, and is an NWFACP Certified Installer, Sand & Finisher, and Inspector.

Real Answers Panel Discussion

John Lessick
President, Apex Wood Floors
Chicago, IL

John Lessick is the President of Apex Wood Floors, a company specializing in highly customized wood floors for high-end clients in the Chicago area. He is a former NWFA Board Chairman, has served on numerous NWFA committees, and is an industry partner of the American Society of Interior Designers, Illinois Chapter. John has won an NWFA Wood Floor of the Year award.

Real Answers Panel Discussion

Steve Brattin
President, SVB Wood Floors
Kansas City, MO

Steve Brattin is the President of SVB Wood Floor Service. He is a member of the NWFA Board of Directors, currently serving as its Chairman. Steve has served on numerous NWFA and NWFA Certified Professionals committees, and is an NWFACP Certified Installer, Sand & Finisher, and Sales Advisor. He has won multiple NWFA Wood Floor of the Year awards.

Real Answers Panel Discussion

Doug Howard
President, Growth Team Strategies
Sykesville, MD

Doug Howard is the President of Growth Team Strategies, a consulting company specializing in growth planning, succession planning, and business improvement. He has worked with owners of growing businesses for more than 30 years to help them overcome challenges and develop strategies for successfully navigating growth.

Real Answers Panel Discussion

Michael Martin
President & CEO, NWFA
St. Louis, MO

Michael Martin is the President & CEO of the National Wood Flooring Association. Since joining the NWFA in 2011, he orchestrated rebuilding the association’s annual Wood Flooring Expo, recognized as one of the 50 Fastest-Growing Shows by Trade Show Executive magazine four times. Michael was named a Top Association CEO by CEO Update and serves on several not-for-profit Boards.

6:00 pm - 8:30 pm: Open House at new NWFA Headquarters

Event Information

Experience the NWFA Leadership Development Summit at Live! by Loews – Ballpark Village, a premier venue in the heart of St. Louis. With modern amenities, convenient access to local attractions, and stunning city views, this dynamic setting is perfect for networking, learning, and connecting with industry peers.

October 10-12, 2024
Live! by Loews – Ballpark Village
799 Clark Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63102