“If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.”
That timeless gem from the legendary Zig Ziglar is among my favorite quotes. A framed version of that quote hangs on our 16-year-old son’s bedroom wall—my one contribution to a room that’s otherwise all his.
That determination to learn and to share drives everything we do at LBM Journal. There are a couple of notable examples in this issue that are packed with opportunities to learn from innovative members of the LBM community.
The most obvious is the LBM 100, which begins on page 36. Lots of information can be gleaned from the listings themselves, but in my view, the real takeaways are in the accompanying article written by Associate Editor Wendy Sturges. Her analysis includes verbatim quotes from many of the LBM 100 companies, sharing what they view as their challenges and opportunities as we move further into 2024.
If you look over the listings and believe we missed some companies, you’re likely correct. Participation in the LBM 100 is 100% voluntary. We don’t pull numbers from other sources or “guesstimate” what a company’s revenues might be. There are some companies we know would have earned a spot on this list—but they prefer not to share their topline revenues. And we respect that. If you’re company isn’t included and you’d like to be notified for 2025, just email Rick@LBMJournal.com, and I’ll make sure we reach out to you directly.
Another learning opportunity is “Lights, Camera, Action!” on page 26. This piece by Editor Mike Berger details how the team at Rhode Island’s Arnold Lumber Company is leveraging YouTube videos as a marketing tool. The family-owned company—which comes in at #75 on the LBM 100, and whose founding in 1911 earned them membership in the LBM Century Club—uses their “Breaking Ground” videos to promote their builders, while showcasing their products and supplier partners.
This story came to being when Thom Cafaro, Arnold Lumber’s director of sales and marketing, reached out to me to see if LBM Journal would be interested in sharing what they’re doing with other members of the LBM community. That was the easiest question I’d been asked all day. Thanks to Thom and the Arnold Lumber team for sharing.
If your company has an innovative approach to serving its customers and market to share, feel free to drop me a line.
— Rick Schumacher
Executive Editor & Publisher
