Blue Collar StartUp - Episode 16: Vince Laurenzo (Quick Response)

In this episode, our hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster interview Vince Laurenzo from Quick Response Restoration! Vince's story really hammers home that sometimes, working in a Blue Collar field chooses you, and it's up to you whether you answer the call with your own hard work and dedication!

Welcome to Blue Collar StartUp, the podcast!

Our Mission is Simple: To facilitate the growth and development of Blue Collar businesses. We will showcase REAL Blue Collar businesses in interviews, and use these stories to help educate and empower the next generation of trades workers to become Blue Collar business owners!

Vince Laurenzo - Veteran-Made Woodworks

00:15 - Introduction

01:17 - What Does Quick Response Do?

02:06 - What Does Vince Lorenzo Do?

02:35 - Taking Over the Family Business

03:43 - Vince’s Original Sales Role: Why He Left

05:14 - Why is Restoration Consolidating? And How Does Quick Response Fight Back?

06:55 - What Does Vince Do With the Extra Time in His Day?

08:05 - Challenges of Entering a Family Business

09:54 - Working the Business as a Youth, VS. Now: Experience Matters!

13:25 - Seal-Coating Prices: Should’ve Bought From Vince When He Was 16!

14:14 - Mike and Derek’s Recommendation: Listen to Andy Frisella, Too!

15:25 - How to Succeed in a Saturated Market: A Personalized Touch!

18:00 - Fridge Magnets: Stainless Steel Has Ruined Everything!

18:17 - Derek’s Personal Guarantee: Quick Response Does GREAT Work!

19:14 - Radio Advertising: Still a Successful Marketing Method!

21:36 - How to Manage FIFTY Employees: Treat Them Right!

22:45 - Daigle’s HR Department: Once You Reach a Certain Size, You NEED One!

23:36 - Hiring For Blue Collar Trades… Very Difficult!

24:20 - Darn You, Salt Life! Vacations Be Damned!

25:49 - Where Does Quick Response Find Talent?.. Indeed, and Employee Recommendations! (For Now)

26:58 - Mike’s Farm: Now Has a Brand New Pig, Penelope! She’s a Princess!

28:19 - COVID’s Contribution to the Labor Shortage: How Did it Change So Much?..

29:32 - … But a Big Shift is Likely Coming!

31:07 - The Next Steps For Quick Response: Big Growth Incoming!

32:40 - New Office Location: Where Could it Be?

33:17 - Vince’s Key to Success: Hard Work! That’s It!

34:25 - A Typical Day in Vince’s Life: Being On Call is No Joke!

36:09 - Working in Restoration, You See it All! Stranger Than Fiction!

37:10 - How to Get in Touch With Quick Response: Give Them a Call!

38:20 - How Vince Achieves Work-Life Balance… He Doesn’t!

39:40 - Being On-Call Isn’t Just for Restoration! MARKETING EMERGENCIES!

40:37 - The Trade-Off: Employees and Bosses Alike Have Their Own Sets of Problems!

41:45 - Contractors… Better Book in Advance, Because There’s a LONG Wait!

43:26 - Does the Economic Slump Affect Daigle?.. Only A Little!

44:07 - Calling Back Customers: A Surprisingly Effective Strategy!

44:25 - Quick Response’s Unique Situation: Recession-Proof!

45:07 - Mike’s Other Podcast: Faces of Veterans! Check it Out!

46:04 - College: Go For the Right Reasons, or Don’t Go at All!

49:16 - Shotgunning Beers, Yee-Haw!

49:49 - Closing Remarks