The Grit Blueprint Podcast
Competing as an Independent: Tri County Lumber Company, Sponsored by Do it Best Group
August 26, 2025 Length: 24 min Watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)
On The Grit Blueprint Podcast, sponsored by Do it Best Group, Dave Ables of Tri County Lumber Company tells Stefanie Couch what competing as an independent against corporate giants takes. He explains how co-ops like Do it Best and True Value help and how he built realistic home displays inside his showroom.
About This Episode.
This episode is sponsored by Do it Best Group.
Dave Ables shares how partnering with co-ops like Do it Best and True Value has enabled his independent lumber and hardware businesses to compete successfully against corporate giants. He discusses innovative strategies including building actual home structures inside his showroom and using technology to document product condition throughout the delivery process.
- • Purchased and transformed a True Value store in 2022, winning a Beacon Award for best new hardware store
- • Built realistic home displays inside Tri-County Lumber showroom featuring different siding options and window styles
- • Developed specialized expertise among staff rather than having everyone know "a little bit about everything"
- • Created a system to photograph products at multiple stages to eliminate confusion about product damage
- • Serves as an extension of contractors' sales teams, reducing their workload while improving customer experience
- • Left corporate logistics career after eight relocations to create stable business opportunities for his three sons
- • Uses LinkedIn as a powerful marketing and networking tool to share ideas and connect with industry peers
- • Plans expansion by acquiring underserved rural stores within 100-mile radius of current locations
- • Emphasizes the importance of preserving the "American dream" of small business ownership
Key Takeaways.
- Partnering with co-ops like Do it Best and True Value helps independent lumber and hardware businesses compete with corporate giants.
- Realistic home displays in the showroom feature different siding options and window styles.
- Photographing products at multiple stages of delivery eliminates confusion about product damage.
- After buying and transforming a True Value store in 2022, Dave won a Beacon Award for best new hardware store.
- Dave plans to grow by acquiring underserved rural stores within a 100-mile radius of current locations.
Questions and Answers.
How can an independent lumberyard compete with corporate giants?
Dave Ables of Tri County Lumber Company partners with co-ops like Do it Best and True Value, builds realistic home displays in his showroom and serves as an extension of contractors' sales teams.
How can lumber dealers prevent disputes over damaged products?
Dave created a system to photograph products at multiple stages of the delivery process, which eliminates confusion about product damage.
How can LinkedIn help independent dealers?
Dave uses LinkedIn as a powerful marketing and networking tool to share ideas and connect with industry peers.
Keep Watching.
-
Building Better Brands Through Resilience: Lumber King
September 4, 2025, 40 min -
Pet-Friendly Hardware Stores & Big Business Lessons: Peter’s True Value
September 2, 2025, 17 min -
Reviving a Small-Town Hardware Store: 3 Sons Hardware
August 28, 2025, 17 min -
American-Made Products & Marketing Budgets, Randy’s Hardware
August 21, 2025, 32 min -
Beyond Lumber: 100 Years of Family Business at Cofer Brothers with Katie Cofer Irvine
August 19, 2025, 11 min -
Secrets to Standing Out: Digital Beacon Award Winner, Pat Sullivan
August 14, 2025, 24 min
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