The Grit Blueprint Podcast
Building Better Brands Through Resilience: Lumber King, Sponsored by Do it Best
September 4, 2025 Length: 40 min Watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)
On The Grit Blueprint Podcast, sponsored by Do it Best, Matt Spinks of Lumber King in Danville, Kentucky, talks with Stefanie Couch about building better brands through resilience. He traces his path from a family lumber business, through the hardships of the recession, to becoming an award-winning young retailer.
About This Episode.
Sponsored by Do it Best Group!
Matt Spinks shares his journey from growing up in a family lumber business through the recession's hardships to becoming an award-winning young retailer at Lumber King in Danville, Kentucky. His story demonstrates how personal resilience and strategic innovation can transform traditional building supply businesses for modern consumers.
- • Growing up in the lumber industry as the son of an 84 Lumber manager
- • Experiencing the collapse of the family business during the 2008-2010 recession
- • Developing a leadership philosophy that balances growth with stability
- • Creating a work environment where employees feel valued rather than managed by fear
- • Navigating generational differences in communication and buying preferences
- • Leveraging strong brand partnerships to drive local store traffic
- • Building a cohesive company culture within an employee-owned business model
- • Finding purpose in continuously improving both personally and professionally
- • Investing in self-development through education and industry resources
Key Takeaways.
- Matt grew up as the son of an 84 Lumber manager and saw the family business collapse in the 2008 to 2010 recession.
- His leadership philosophy balances growth with stability, and employees feel valued rather than managed by fear.
- A Milwaukee Red Zone strategy sharply increased inside sales.
- Strong brand partnerships drive local store traffic.
- Lumber King builds a cohesive company culture within an employee-owned business model.
Questions and Answers.
How can a lumber dealer build a better brand?
Matt Spinks of Lumber King in Danville, Kentucky, points to personal resilience and strategic innovation, strong brand partnerships that drive local store traffic, and a culture where employees feel valued.
How do you create a workplace where employees feel valued?
Matt aims for a work environment where employees feel valued rather than managed by fear. He also builds a cohesive culture within an employee-owned business model.
What helped Lumber King grow inside sales?
Lumber King implemented a Milwaukee Red Zone strategy that sharply increased inside sales.
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