Oct 17 2024 43 mins
Ted speaks with Christian Nickum, president of Rocky Mountain Hardware, discussing the journey of taking over the family business, navigating economic challenges, and the importance of brand identity. Christian shares insights on adapting to design trends, educating dealers and customers, and the significance of collaborations with designers in the longevity of his business. The conversation also touches on production techniques, staffing challenges, and the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, culminating in a vision for the future of the company.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
- 01:15 Introduction and Background
- 01:55 Taking Over the Family Business
- 04:40 Growth and Challenges in Business
- 06:25 Navigating Economic Downturns
- 11:10 Brand Identity and Market Positioning
- 14:15 Educating Dealers and Customers
- 18:40 Production Techniques and Custom Work
- 20:20 The Traveling Road Show
- 21:50 Success in High-End Markets
- 25:05 Timeless Design and Natural Materials
- 27:45 Design collaborations
- 31:40 Learning from Failure and innovation
- 36:30 Staffing Challenges in a Specialized Industry
- 38:30 Managing Sales and Production
- 40:15 Lessons from COVID-19
- 41:05 The future and wrapping up
CONNECT WITH GUEST
Christian Nickum
KEY QUOTES FROM EPISODE
- "I wanted to do this for years."
- "Rocky Mountain is a household name."
- "We never attempt not to make mistakes."