The Modern Craftsman & Social Media at Kuiken Brothers Product Expo Thursday November 3, 2016
Thursday, November 3, 2016 – Sheraton Crossroads Hotel, Mahwah, NJ
10:00am – 11:00am
Join Us as we kick off this year’s Product Expo with a truly one-of-a-kind panel discussion: The Modern Craftsman & Social Media
This panel discussion will feature three craftsmen and social media experts that we discovered through their Instagram accounts, Tyler Grace (TRG Home Concepts) Nick Schiffer (NS Builders) and John Hourihan (RiverStone Custom Builders).
Shawn Van Dyke (Industry Business Coach & Consultant) will moderate the panel and focus on how these modern builders and remodelers are taking the trade by storm and creating a sense of pride and craftsmanship in what they do. Learn how they are utilizing social media to generate business by engaging and interacting with fellow trades from all around the world. Their focus on craftsmanship and “getting it right” is building their brand and generating high quality leads from clients that respect and appreciate their work. Hear them talk about successes, failures, and what they hope the future holds. While this is an all male panel, we do strongly encourage any current or aspiring craftsWOMEN to attend as well! Take away tips and tricks that you can use to build your brand and grow your own business.
Tyler Grace, TRG Home Concepts (Haddonfield, NJ)
Instagram: @trghomeconcepts
Website: http://trghomeconcepts.com/
Being immersed in a family construction business at an early age molded an interest in my major and a passion for my craft. After graduating from Drexel University in 2010 with a degree in Construction Management I immediately struck out on my own to pursue a career as a craftsman carpenter and formed TRG Home Concepts, a residential remodeling company specializing in kitchens, bathrooms & finish carpentry. I pride myself on my attention to detail and continue to invest in my business by using high quality tools and materials. A clean and well-organized workspace keeps me efficient and is a standard on all of my projects.
My projects have been featured on Design Sponge, in the Philadelphia Inquirer, and Fine Homebuilding Magazine in which I also act as a brand ambassador.
As a business entrepreneur today, I’ve put a strong emphasis on social media marketing and branding. Platforms such as Instagram have been a major factor for the development and progression of my business. My future goals are not necessarily for large scale growth, but to be able to maintain a small highly qualified team of professionals with the same passionate mindset as myself. My intention is to continue to provide my customers with a high quality product, but also a pleasurable experience unique to the construction industry.
Nick Schiffer, NS Builders (Boston, MA)
Instagram: @nsbuilders
Website: http://nsbuildersma.com/
When I was younger, I used to make my parents drive through new housing developments to see the construction worker’s progress. I also woke up early on weekends and watched the home improvement and woodworking shows. I even stalked every contractor that showed up at our house. It got to the point that I would do my best to wear the same clothes as them.
I insisted on going to a technical high school. I enrolled at Southeastern Regional Vocation Technical High School and focused in House Carpentry. I quickly excelled in the trade. I was often head of the group, but I respected my peers and we would work as team. Later, I went off to college at Fitchburg State University. There, I received a bachelor’s degree in Construction Management. Throughout school, I always kept my tool belt behind the seat of my truck and my hands ready to work.
With 11 years working for my father, 3 years working in multi-family high-rise construction and 9 years picking up my own projects, I decided it was only right to focus on what made me happy. I left the big city behind and started my business, with a focus in residential remodeling, building and custom millwork.
John Hourihan, Dir. of Operations Riverstone Custom Builders (Wellesley, MA)
Instagram: @heresjohnnyrcb
Website: http://www.riverstonegreen.com/
I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management and started my own building company where I was a boots-on-the-ground general contractor. If we were pouring a foundation, I was lumping forms. If we had 11 framers onsite, I made 12. When I joined RiverStone Custom Builders, I traded my tool belt for a phone and laptop, and now I manage projects with the same mentality: quality, efficiency, and always pushing the envelope with new ideas and techniques.
Shawn Van Dyke (Business Coach & Industry Consultant)
Instagram: @shawnvandyke
Website: http://shawnvandyke.com/
Shawn Van Dyke is a business coach and consultant to the construction industry. Before he became a business coach, Shawn owned a general contracting and construction management consulting firm. He also serves as the Chief Operations Officer for a residential specialty contractor. Shawn published The Paperwork Punch List: 28 Days to Streamline Your Construction Business as a way to help the skilled trade and construction industries create world-class businesses and change the way the world views the trades. You can find Shawn in all the regular places online – just Google “Shawn Van Dyke” and you’ll find him.