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Behind the Build

How a 70 Year Old Millwork Shop Operates: Behind The Build at Magbee Contractors Supply, Part 1

Most lumber yards sell what their suppliers stock. Magbee Contractors Supply builds it. In this episode of Behind the Build, I head to Winder, Georgia with owner Bob Magbee, VP of Sales Stewart Brandon, and inside sales manager Melissa McDougald to walk a 20-acre, rail-served yard and the custom millwork shop that sits at the heart of the operation. You will see how Magbee runs a real custom wood door shop. We find door slabs in white oak, poplar, and maple, raised panels, shaker designs, and a 48-inch wide door with a custom lattice grid built in-house, that you will not find at a big box. You’ll learn about multi-point hardware, flush glaze exteriors, direct set vs sash set transoms, and the difference between true divided lite and simulated divided lite. These are the small details that separate a custom home from a cookie-cutter look. Bob shares how his dad and uncle started the company in Decatur in 1954 and why rail access still matters in 2026 when most framing lumber comes down from Canada. Stewart breaks down the rise of thermally modified wood, a heat-treated, chemical-free option that holds straighter, lasts longer, and gives clients the stain-grade look they want with very little maintenance. We also get a sneak peek at the Lew Oliver Collection, a curated set of doors, crowns, trim, casings, and plinth blocks designed by one of the Southeast's most respected designers, Lew Oliver, and built by Magbee Contractors Supply. What you'll take away today: A custom millwork shop can run custom wood doors, knives, moldings, and trim packages that most yards cannot offer. Thermally modified wood gives clients a chemical-free, low-maintenance option that lasts longer. True divided lite and simulated divided lite look similar, but solve very different jobs for high-end home building materials. The Lew Oliver Collection gives builders and homeowners a curated path to custom without starting from scratch. A 20-acre rail-served yard with custom wood doors built on site is how a family business competes with the giants. Explore Magbee Luxury's Beautiful Products: https://magbeeluxury.com/

with Stefanie Couch

Jun 10, 2026

Practical Ways That Independent Businesses Can Use AI To Compete With Big Box Giants | Live Session

Most independent hardware stores, lumberyards, and building materials dealers are the best-kept secret in their market. They have the knowledge, the people, and the service. What they do not have is visibility. In this session from the Do it Best Market in Denver, I break down how AI for hardware stores and intelligent branding can fix that. I grew up in a family lumberyard, scaled a door division inside a large two-step distributor from 4 million to 200 million, and now run Grit Blueprint. I speak straight to the real challenges dealers face every day. Big box giants are buying up the market. People quitting and taking product knowledge with them. New products sitting on the shelf because nobody knows how to sell them. Phones ringing with no one to answer. This session shows what to do about it. I give a live demo of AI training for retail employees built around a paint line in under ten minutes. You will hear a real AI voice agent selling a fiberglass door to a customer on a live call. You will get the numbers that matter: a five-minute response time makes you twenty-two times more likely to close, and sixty-eight percent of small business calls go unanswered. I'll also walk you through my four-step storytelling framework, Problem, Tension, Solution, Win, and explain why small business storytelling beats every paid ad you can run. We close with a 30 day playbook every dealer can start Monday morning. If you care about independent dealer growth, watch the full session and take the one action that fits your store first.

with Stefanie Couch

May 13, 2026

Grit Blueprint Podcast

Building a Million Dollar Network: How to Make Better First Impressions With Confidence

If networking events feel awkward, this episode will show you how to network with confidence, start better conversations, and build real business relationships that last. Stefanie and Ben Couch break down practical networking tips for remembering names, making a strong first impression, reading body language, following up on LinkedIn, and knowing when to turn a conversation into an opportunity. You’ll learn how to stand out without sounding salesy, avoid common networking mistakes, and use personal brand, business cards, and simple follow-up systems to grow your network faster. This is tactical advice for business owners, sales leaders, and building industry professionals who want more visibility, stronger relationships, and more opportunities from every room they walk into. What you'll take away today: How to start conversations without feeling awkward How to ask better questions and make people feel seen How to read body language and leave conversations the right way How to follow up fast so good meetings turn into real relationships How to stand out through confidence, style, and personal brand

with Stefanie Couch

May 13, 2026

Behind the Build

How Custom Luxury Windows And Doors Are Made: Behind The Build at Panda Windows & Doors in Las Vegas

with Stefanie Couch

May 13, 2026

Grit Blueprint Podcast

Independent Retailers Need Better Data. Do it Best Has The Tools.

Grit Blueprint Podcast

The Real Reason Customers Buy Again