Shed Geek Podcast
The Shed Geek Podcast offers an in depth analysis of the ever growing and robust Shed Industry. Listeners will experience a variety of guests who identify or specialize in particular niche areas of the Shed Industry. You will be engaged as you hear amateur and professional personalities discuss topics such as: Shed hauling, sales, marketing, Rent to Own, shed history, shed faith, and much more. Host Shannon Latham is a self proclaimed "Shed Geek" who attempts to take you through discussions that are as exciting as the industry itself. Listeners of this podcast include those who play a role directly or indirectly with the Shed Industry itself.
Shed Geek Podcast
Rebuilding Lives One Shed at a Time
Ever wondered how a simple shed could transform a life? Meet Mariah Dutton, who joins us on today's episode to share her incredible journey from battling addiction and legal troubles to thriving as a shed sales representative. Inspired by her own experience buying a shed from Julie Gonzalez, Mariah discovered not just a career, but a supportive community that helped her rebuild her life. Her story is a testament to the shed industry's unique ability to offer second chances and foster personal growth.
We dive into strategies that balance upselling and downselling without the high-pressure tactics that turn customers off. Learn how to truly understand your customer's needs, provide honest recommendations, and maintain trust through every interaction. We also highlight the importance of clean, organized lots, professional communication, and stellar customer service, all of which contribute to a seamless sales process in the shed and steel building industries.
Lastly, we tackle the nuanced challenges within the shed industry, from the treatment of 1099 contractors versus employees to the pivotal role of shed haulers. Collaboration over competition and mutual respect are key themes as we explore how manufacturers can better support dealers. Mariah's journey underscores the potential for growth and recovery in the industry, encouraging unity and compassion among all its players. Join us for a compelling conversation that showcases the transformative power of the shed industry and the inspiring stories it harbors.
Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube at the handle @shedgeekpodcast.
To be a guest on the Shed Geek Podcast visit our website and fill out the "Contact Us" form.
To suggest show topics or ask questions you want answered email us at info@shedgeek.com.
This episodes Sponsors:
Studio Sponsor: Union Grove Lumber
Versabend
Cold Spring Enterprises
Shed Geek Marketing
Welcome back to this week's episode of the Shed Geek podcast. This is Susan Frair, Shed Gal. I have the absolute pleasure today to be with Mariah Dutton of It's OK, Shed Happens. Mariah, welcome, thank you for being my guest today. Thank you welcome. Thank you for being my guest today.
Mariah Dutton:Thank you, Susan
Shed Gal:So, let's start out and you're fairly new to the industry this is unscripted. Who knows where the conversation is going to go? I will mention that this is Magnificent Monday with the Shed Gal on the Shed Geek podcast. Every guest I have is magnificent on here. Mariah, you're fairly new to the industry. When did you get into the industry?
Mariah Dutton:I started December 8th of last year.
Shed Gal:Okay, wonderful, and you do both portable buildings and metal buildings, correct? I do, yes, okay, so tell me about what got you. I know the story, but I want our listeners and viewers to know what got you into the shed industry.
Mariah Dutton:Everybody has a unique story of how they got here. Well, a little over a year ago, or right out a year ago, I was a drug addict and in a 12 enclosed trailer I decided to put my life together. I went and purchased a building on an RTO and had such a really good experience with the lady that I purchased from.
Speaker 1:Um.
Mariah Dutton:I started asking her if she needed help around the lot or, um, you know, just company, whatever. Um, I just knew that I wanted to be involved.
Shed Gal:Yeah.
Mariah Dutton:And um then, uh, a lot about 45 minutes South of me opened up and I started calling the sales rep every other day for three weeks telling him I wanted a job, and the rest is history. It's been amazing. It's been a wonderful decision. I now live in a lovely apartment. I was able to get into that maybe three or four months in. It's quite an upgrade from an enclosed trailer. I love my customers. It's been a really awesome experience.
Shed Gal:So, you and I have talked about you. You're an open book and I appreciate that. I love transparency. Those are my favorite type of people is people who are transparent. You've had some challenges in your life and many of us have. Please, it's not, you know, we don't have to discuss anything. But I think part of what I would love to talk to you today is about how this industry gives people an opportunity that many other industries don't even allow. I mean, I think most people that listen know my story.
Shed Gal:I had just a horrible experience seven and a half years ago, buying a shed, and I, you know, was up in Washington State and talking to the owner of a company and just said gosh, you know it, just, there's such a better way. And that simple little conversation that I had turned into. You know, two weeks later I was selling sheds and I always vowed to do it differently. So, we all have this story of how we got here. You know, sometimes it's family, sometimes it's a bad experience. In your case, I love the fact that it was a good experience. I happen to know who you bought your shed from, and that's Miss Julie Gonzalez, who is absolutely fantastic, and so I know you're being transparent there. How did that conversation with her? You bought a shed. How did that transpire into you're selling sheds?
Mariah Dutton:Well, Miss Julie changed my life that day and I at the time I knew things were in an upward momentum. I'd gotten sober and all of that stuff, but I was still living in the enclosed trailer and my reality was I'm a felon and it makes it really hard to get a job, and it makes it really hard to get a job, especially one that's actually going to pay you something that you can live on and really prosper. So, I spoke to her, and she let me know that that was not an issue in this industry, and I was absolutely floored. I had no idea. Right, and I'm just opening that door for me, giving me a chance to see that I am fully capable of being a productive citizen and that, you know, mistakes don't have to rule the rest of our lives.
Shed Gal:Yes, I love that, and I'm reflecting back on a podcast I did a few months ago with Rebecca Waite and she's down in. I loved that episode. Yes, yeah, it was a good one. You know, we never know where the conversation is going to go. I knew a little of the history but I, you know, I'm not going to press anybody to share stuff that they don't feel comfortable sharing. And that episode, like it, gives me goose, literally have goosebumps on my arm right now of thinking about it, because how she, how this industry, has allowed her to blossom and allowed her to continue changing her life. And you know, this is just my opinion, this is just my opinion.
Shed Gal:Our, our justice system punishes, not rehabilitates. And then we expect people to, you know, do their time and, so to speak, whether it be in jail or prison or probation or whatever, and then we don't do anything to rehabilitate them and then we take away the opportunities to earn a decent income. And this industry there's others, but this industry is very I guess, I don't know the word, maybe it's very forgiving. That let's, let's, let's know that people make mistakes and can change from that, as long as they've actually changed from it, of course, absolutely. So, I mean, it's very, very, very impressive. So, you, you know, you talk to her about becoming a dealer, and then a lot became open. And then what? What happened?
Shed Gal:then you know you talked to her about becoming a dealer, and then a lot became open and then what?
Mariah Dutton:what happened then? I called the sales rep and said hey, sir, I'd like a job. Yeah, he said well, you live awfully far away. I said I don't care, one job anyway, I'll drive, I'll make it. How far was it? 45 minutes, yeah.
Shed Gal:All right, I'm not going to keep my opinion to myself. Folks, when you find a great dealer, 45 minutes is nothing. So that's just. I mean, that's actually kind of laughable to me. It's like it's too far. Come on, what? My guy down and dan, dawn I don't know who dawn is, I don't have a dawn my guy Dan in South Carolina was driving 90 minutes each way to work to be a dealer and I he's not. He doesn't have a record or anything else. But it's like when you find the right person, 45 minutes is nothing anyway. Okay, so fortunately, uh, you didn't take no for an answer?
Mariah Dutton:No, I didn't. I called him every other day for three weeks just asking him hey, you know what I want a job? Hey, guess what? Did you know what I want a job? Oh, hey, I don't know if you knew this, I still want a job. Oh hey, I don't know if you knew this, I still want a job. I love it. Um, he saw that tenacity. Um, uh, he saw the tenacity and that you know I was really wanting to work. So, this lot, um, when I got there, it didn't have a great reputation. I got there, it didn't have a great reputation. It had some unfortunate choices for dealers before that.
Speaker 1:They lived closer.
Mariah Dutton:They did so in my I believe I don't quote on this I believe it was my first three weeks. I either doubled or tripled the previous two years. As far as sales, I know I did that within the first maybe two months.
Shed Gal:And we've talked about this and I don't remember you had, what did you do in a one month period? It was, it was substantial, I remember, but I don't remember what it was.
Mariah Dutton:I did Um. I started December 8th. By December 31st I had done 65,000. Yeah.
Shed Gal:Yeah, over Christmas, yeah, I went the holidays.
Mariah Dutton:I mean that's actually sold one out of my home on Christmas Eve. You did what? Say that again. Um, I sold one out of my home on Christmas Eve. Yeah, yeah, I love it.
Shed Gal:I sold one off the tailgate of my truck at a gas station outside of Washington on Christmas Eve, so I can relate that. I mean, and that's very, very impressive. I mean there will be people that are listening who have never sold that amount in a month. There will be people listening that always sell more than that amount in a month, but to sell that amount we first start over Christmas. There is no way that that is not completely impressive. It's, and it's the tenacity and the drive. Now, I know for a fact that you've had months higher than that, but that was just. That was yeah, that you've had months higher than that, but that was just. That was yeah. That wasn't even a full month.
Shed Gal:What do you think? I hear it all the time it's an election year. Every single time it's an election year, sales go down. Well, that's not true, because they didn't go down four years ago. So that totally negates that. It always happens. You know, the guy down the street is $200 cheaper. The person down the street offers something we don't offer. I think we both know, and many of our listeners know not all, though. Those things are not all of the reason, or probably the most of the reason, why a lot of dealers are having a hard time and you, you know, you know my heart of helping. You know manufacturers and haulers and dealers in this industry. Why do you think like what did you do that? You? What? Could you give some advice to dealers of maybe a couple of things that maybe they've heard before but they're afraid to try it or cause? This isn't about spending thousands a month in marketing. I never did that.
Mariah Dutton:It's not it's really not. I was in no financial position whatsoever to be able to put a bunch of money into marketing. I can be a little bit harsh, and I don't mean that I don't mean to be harsh, but I'm a very blunt and open person. You know that about me. The $200 cheaper, or oh, they, you know, offer this little plus or bonus or whatever. These are excuses that people are making for themselves and our reality in this industry is that all of these lots, the buildings, they pretty much look the same. When you know, from a customer's perspective, they don't see the slight differences that we're aware of there.
Mariah Dutton:I agree Is you know, but a shed lot is a dime a dozen I don't know about. You know where everybody else is at, but for me anyway, you can't throw a rock without hitting at least three shed dealers. The name of the game is service Making. Sure, you care about your customers and genuinely care. Understand that their money is important and show them that you care that they're satisfied, not just today, but a year from now. You care that they're satisfied not just today, but a year from now. Two years from now you want to make sure that they are getting the building to fit their needs. Sometimes that means you know, I don't like the word upselling, but that's what it is. Sometimes it does mean upselling when they say, hey, you know, I want to put my go-kart, my lawnmower and you know, 20 years of Christmas decorations in an 8x12.
Mariah Dutton:Well, that's not going to happen. So you have to, you know, explain these things. Visual aids really help. You know, like here, this is how much this takes. You know how much space something like this takes up. You know, so on and so forth. You know, educate yourself so that you can provide them really accurate information. It also means downsizing or downselling sometimes, but you have to be just as willing to downsell as you are to upsell.
Shed Gal:I'm glad you brought that up, because that, yeah, that's very true.
Mariah Dutton:You know, somebody comes in wanting a 16 by 40 and they're like oh hey, I just want to put my little riding lawnmower in there and a Christmas tree.
Speaker 1:Well, you know what?
Mariah Dutton:Hey, good news, you don't need to spend that much here. Let me show you this 12 by 20. Right, give them options, absolutely Lady options. Out there, never be intrusive. Don't out there, never be intrusive. I do not believe in the high pressure sale at all ever, because I don't want someone to have buyer's remorse and start thinking back going man, this lady really took advantage of me. I have taken classes and things like that to learn how to be a better salesperson and some of them really will lead you to that. You know the high pressure sale and the and the psychology behind it, and and taking advantage of a person in a delicate psychological state.
Mariah Dutton:Yeah, that is not fair, Um, and customers pick up on that. They know you actually care, You're being honest, you know don't push them into that sale. If they don't want to, if they don't want to buy today, if they want to go home and talk to their wife or their husband, you don't ask them. Well, what are you going to talk to your wife or husband about? Because it's none of your business. The best way I can handle that.
Shed Gal:I was trying not to laugh because I mean, you know, I guess there is that you know it comes down to. I mean, we all have our preconceived notions of how, how we do things and how we like to be treated. But let's take a poll of a hundred people and very few people are going to want to hear. You know what you just said. I mean, you know what are you going to talk to your wife? What do you need to talk about? I mean? I mean, if it's working for someone, keep doing it. But I mean I suggest that you don't have to do it.
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Shed Gal:Yeah, you know the other thing that you know when I talk to dealers about this all the time is like signage. We are. I haven't found any other industry and this is so interesting to me. We are not so important. But, yeah, I, we are not selling a 25 used car part, right? We are selling buildings that are thousands of dollars 5,000, 10,000, 15,000, 25, 30, sometimes 60. So, I mean, you know that's not for an eight by 10, but there's, you know, there's companies finishing off buildings and yet they can't even invest in a sign or have normal business hours. Or, or, you know, pick up the phone and actually introduce themselves and ask the customer's name, it, you know, and someone might say, oh wow, she's crazy. You know everybody, everybody's professional on the phone. Yeah well, I can assure you that's not true. Uh, it, it blows away. I don't. That's the part of this industry I don't understand. I mean, then we get folks you know. You just don't know what you don't know.
Shed Gal:But the signage thing and the banners, it just drove up from Arkansas, Port Smith , Arkansas, to Kansas City last week. I went by several beautiful display, lots Beautiful. I mean they looked great, they really looked nice. And I won't mention the company. One did have a small manufacturer sign, but I'm, like you know, not open on a Saturday, which is kind of bizarre to me because a lot of people are out shopping on Saturdays because most people now work during the week. But it's just so interesting. And then the biggest thing is customer service.
Mariah Dutton:Absolutely, that's what I was about to say. It's because these lots are so I won't say identical, but so similar they are to a customer. They are to a customer. They're all the same.
Speaker 1:So it's very, very important.
Mariah Dutton:It's very important to provide that customer service, letting people know that you care. It's also important to pay attention to your lot. Make sure that it is aesthetically pleasing. I don't want to pull up onto a lot that's an absolute mess and I have to walk through a labyrinth of buildings to try to find anything. It also makes it harder on a salesperson. Your customer can't see what's going on. Keep your lot clean and organized. It's very, very, very important the way my lot is set up. You drive in and you can drive up and down each little aisle, see every building on the lot without stepping out of your car. My hours are displayed clearly on my door and there's also, of course, branding. That is very, very important. And there's also, of course, branding that is very, very important. I learned that from you. Not everybody's always going to like your business name, but if it's right for you, then it's right for you.
Shed Gal:Well, you know, Shed Happens. You aren't the only Shed Happens in the United. States, and I happen to love the name.
Mariah Dutton:So, if the other Shed Happens.
Shed Gal:You know, dealers out there I love your name we can't. You know, let's talk about that. We can't please everyone, and one of the you know having a degree in marketing, and we can't please everyone. We have to have our own identity. And so, when we have this generic, you know, whatever, whatever it is, and nothing sets us apart, that's bad. And then on the other side of that is, you know, trying to conform to an identity that is not ours, absolutely. Yeah, yeah, I think that's. I think that's a big deal, but it does crack me up in this industry and I mean, I don't, I don't understand the pushback of dealers saying why I just don't.
Shed Gal:You know, need, need a sign. You know it's like every restaurant has a sign that wants people to come there, every store, absolutely. So, please, folks, get. You know, it doesn't have to be expensive. I don't get paid by build a sign or Vistaprint. You can go on, build a Sign, dot com and get a four by eight beautiful banner for very little money. The other thing I see is that people feel that they need to write a book and put it on a banner, that people are driving by 60 miles an hour, and that's not true. What's the? What do you think is the most important thing that someone sees or remembers when they drive by your lot?
Mariah Dutton:Your name.
Shed Gal:Yeah, I agree.
Mariah Dutton:And if you have something that's different and not the same as every other dealer out there, it will stick. I am aware that my business name, shed happens, is edgy and it's a little bit silly, um, and so am I. Yeah, it humanizes me. Yes, they know that just because they're rolling up to the uh, the dealer, um, you know, I, I don't refer to myself as the boss, um, I refer to myself self as boss lady of Shed happens. Yeah, um, they're not intimidated, they're not nervous. They've already seen that. That human side of me, that little bit of silliness, that you know ridiculous woman that loves dad jokes, yeah, you know honey things. And I mean, I have not had one single customer tell me oh well, we just don't like this. We're terribly offended. It's always met with giggles and laughs and really, really, that's your business name yeah, no, and I think you're right and I know it is important it.
Shed Gal:You know, I've had this conversation with several many you know people that run the manufacturing company. It's like, well, we want our name out there too. And I'm like and I want you to sell more buildings. I mean there's, if it's all about the manufacturer and it's not about the dealer, I mean there is a way that sells more buildings and it isn't just emphasizing the manufacturer. Now there is a wonderful company out there that their dealers are employees, their haulers are employees, all of their lots are owned by the manufacturer and they're all branded the same. That is not what I'm talking about. They have a brilliant business model, best, most beautiful manufacturing plan I've ever seen. That's not what we're talking about. We're talking about when you have a manufacturer and they've got multiple dealers and it's ABC sheds up here and ABC sheds there. It doesn't help. In fact, I think it's, you know, abc sheds of here and ABC sheds there. It doesn't help. In fact, I think it's detrimental in the sale of sales, because it is it. It just is.
Mariah Dutton:If you want to set yourself apart as a business and you want to show that you're different and you're really going to take care of them, and things like that, it doesn't really help if your name is the same as everybody else's.
Shed Gal:Right, well, I mean, it's the memory thing. So, the shed Queens you, you know who I'm talking about with the shed, I knew, indeed, they are wonderful. Salisa, Oklahoma. They are absolutely amazing. Lisa and Doreen and um I they have told me they'll laugh when they watch this. They have told me no less than 10 times what their former business name is. It was four words long, that's all I remember. I cannot remember it to this day. Boy, I'll never forget the shed queens.
Shed Gal:And uh Dreith has said to me something very soon after they rebranded and they changed it on google. She said someone had called or come in one or the other and that they had said you know they, they Googled sheds near them and they were like oh, we're going, we're going to the shed plates, the name, the name, the name, the name. I just can't. I probably talk about that too much on the podcast, but when I see so many dealers struggling and the answers, many of the answers not all, but many of the answers are so simple to me that if you will try this, this and this, you will see how, how it will help your sales. You know, it's just. It's funny when I get pushed back about the branding cause it's like you know, and again you have the two different models of most of the manufacturers. I see there's not even, oftentimes, consistency amongst the branding within the manufacturing company, which it's just. Then they really have a problem, you know.
Shed Gal:Going back to customer service, it's I I don't think there's anybody that's listening that is saying you know, I don't provide the best customer service, but you know, when I, you know, have the experiences of calling around and a shed dealer answers the phone, they don't mention who they are, they never ask the person's name, they don't ask where it's being delivered to, they don't ask this. What they're trying to do, in my opinion you and I have talked about this what they're trying to do in their head. Well, that person just wants a cheap quote. They just want a quick quote. Folks, I'm challenging you. No, they don't. They aren't buying a $25 or $50 used car part. They are spending thousands of dollars. And this industry is proving every day that the people that are doing it differently and that are providing better customer service and not trying to rush it because of their insecurities, they're selling more buildings. They're selling more buildings.
Mariah Dutton:Absolutely. There's something more. My biggest advice for new dealers and people that are just getting into this industry, um is to come up with your brand, your standard, what you say when you answer the phone. You need to introduce yourself and your business, ask them how can I help you? Um, that's going to start a great conversation. Um, that was something I kind of had to nail down, but it has made a big difference and it's just easier for me. I pick up the phone and it's automatic Hi, this is. You've reached Mariah Wish Ed happens. How can I help you? You know, but just hello, which. I actually did some calls here not too long ago and got at least three people that just answered their business line. Hello, yeah, it's not helpful.
Shed Gal:Now I don't know any insurance agencies or stores or restaurants or retail stores that I don't know Nobody answers the phone.
Mariah Dutton:Hello, you have to. You have to treat it like a business, because it is.
Shed Gal:In full disclosure though, I took my new pup to the vet a couple of weeks ago and before I did I called and the gal said hello and I was like, uh, is this the veterinary office? And she's like, I'm so sorry, it was. It was a boo-boo, it? But I, you're right, no-transcript. I want to talk to someone.
Mariah Dutton:They want to be informed.
Shed Gal:And talk to someone who knows what they're doing and acts like a professional. Let's talk about that. There's a lot of different philosophies in the industry, but the fact of the matter is, at the end of the day, dealers, almost exclusively, are 1099 contractors, which means they are their own boss. They are, of course, we have to follow the rules of the company. That's a given. But you know, I see oftentimes dealers being treated like employees, but not gosh. I don't. I'm losing words of how to, how to explain this. Are you a business owner?
Shed Gal:Are you just a? You just a dealer
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Mariah Dutton:I am a business owner. I think I could be mistaken and stop me if I'm wrong. I think where you're going with that is they're being treated like employees but not cared for like employees. Oh, a hundred percent, yeah. And when it occurred to me and you know, you brought this to light and you're like hey, girly, wake up, you're a business owner, act like it changed the tone. It's where now, this is my business, this is you know, this is my responsibility. Um, you know I don't need to look to somebody else to take care of this and this and this. I can take care of this and this and this because it's my business. Um, when a customer walks into your lot now I have had one or two customers ask me who the manufacturer is Generally speaking, I'm sorry, manufacturers they don't care. The customers don't. It is our job as salespeople to advise them of any warranties, building points.
Mariah Dutton:You know, and educate them on that subject, and not to say that you should ever, ever, ever crash your competition.
Shed Gal:No, I don't competition.
Mariah Dutton:I do not have competition. I want everyone to win and there is plenty out there for everyone to do that. Collaboration happens at the top. Competition happens at the bottom. Okay, you sound a?
Shed Gal:lot like me, no, but I mean, there's just different philosophy. I'm just speechless because like literally those words have. I mean, we've discussed them before, but it's just how you and I both absolutely live our lives.
Mariah Dutton:Absolutely it just competition is. It's such a negative thing, you know and you can Competition is good for, but but it it, I think.
Shed Gal:Well, it has these negative connotations and we use it as an excuse, and that's well. I don't, and I don't think you do, and I know a lot of the people that I work with, um, absolutely don't. I was thinking of something when you said you've had a couple of folks ask who the manufacturer are, because I know in seven years number one how many people at the manufacturing plant have ever been a dealer? Very few. It would be like me going into a manufacturing plant. I would have no idea what to do. So, it works both ways.
Shed Gal:But I think oftentimes on the manufacturing side I mean, people do not care who the manufacturer is, but the manufacturers want the customers to know who the manufacturer is. We never, we never, we're never suggesting you hide the manufacturer. That's not it, no. But I think that the manufacturers, if they quit worrying about getting their name out and helped the dealers with branding and those things, sales would go up In fact, absolutely. In fact, I know a couple of companies where, where I see it happening in just that and I wish every, I wish the other companies would follow Manufacturers, in my opinion, if they quit worrying about just getting their name out there and start worrying about what's important, which is let's sell more buildings for this manufacturer. It would change things.
Mariah Dutton:Absolutely nurture those dealers and watch them bloom. Yeah, yeah.
Shed Gal:What do you think about? And I know you know my philosophy on haulers. I have the utmost respect for shed haulers. I hauled buildings myself in Washington State. It only lost one off the back of the truck. Hey, that's how I met Sam Byler, wouldn't change. But what do you think about kind of the overall industry as far as what you see, how dealers sometimes treat the haulers versus how I know you and I believe that dealers should treat the haulers.
Mariah Dutton:I am so glad you brought that up. I was. That's actually exactly what was just bouncing around in my head. Um, from the day I walked onto my lot, I showed my drivers absolute respect and courtesy, was always friendly to them and it paid off in spades. I heard from other dealers this it's, it's such a strange, such a strange mindset that, oh, dealers are better, they should be running the show or whatever the case is. They need a reality check of. We're like appendages on a body, different but all equally important. Whether it's delivery drivers, rental return drivers, builders, the people in the office, the RTO company, we all have to work together as a cohesive unit, because if one of us fails, we're done.
Mariah Dutton:Every single one of us and to treat these people that are coming in working in these hot conditions, cold conditions. They have so much more physical labor to do, and then we're also running around going, hey, can you rearrange my lot? Can you move this building? Can you move that building building, can you move that building? If you show just an ounce of understanding and compassion, it will come back to you. The complaints that I have heard most often is about drivers dropping buildings in weird places or something like that. The first question that a dealer needs to ask themselves is did you go out and greet them? Did you talk to them? Did you tell them where you wanted the building? Have you had any discussions with them to give them the basic vision of your lot? You know how you want it to look where you want certain sizes of buildings to go.
Speaker 1:No.
Mariah Dutton:Well then, I don't want to hear it because, you did not inform them and they can't read your mind inform them and they can't read your mind.
Shed Gal:Yeah, I've been to dealer slots before and in most cases they're doing what you're saying of getting up from behind their desk and going and greeting the driver and you know they've really developed a good rapport. And then on a couple of occasions I've seen where the driver comes and they're picking up a building or they're dropping off a building and that dealer never gets out from behind their desk. And I was thinking recently about let's switch positions. And now you're that shed hog and you're there to pick up. Let's just say you're there to pick up a building, to deliver it to a customer and there's, you see no other cars. So you know, you don't know if maybe the dealer's on the phone with someone. Let's give a little grace here but let's just assume that the dealer's not doing anything and in often, many cases, that's true and it's a repeated pattern that they never come out and greet you.
Shed Gal:It's just such a weird message to me that, like we, the holler isn't even important that we can't stop, even if we are in the middle of with the customer, you know and go out, and I just encourage everybody really develop those, those relationships absolutely, and you know what a cold bottle of water is worth so much just courtesy.
Shed Gal:Absolutely. I had the really close thing, Shannon Howard, super nice guy With Sasquatch Sheds. He had won a contest recently and he had won $500. And we were talking about it yesterday and he said I'm taking that money and I'm going to go buy a bunch of goodies and take it to the guys at the plant. Now he isn't by the plant. In fact, he's well over 45 minutes away. Um he, oh my.
Mariah Dutton:God, that's a very long way though, 45 minutes, I know.
Shed Gal:So far, uh, so far, but at least two and a half hours, possibly more. And that is so cool because we on numerous occasions in Washington state when we were up there, we catered lunch at the plant and for the builders and they were so appreciative and the first time they were like no other dealers ever, ever done this for us and I was like, really Like I was just trying to show them my appreciation and when Shannon brought that up I was like that is so cool. Nobody said to him gosh, Shannon, you should, you should do something nice for the builders. Shannon is this wonderful human being that understands that we're all like you, all on the same team. And exactly most dealers never even make a trip to their plant.
Shed Gal:Most dealers have never ridden with a hauler. You know, um, ride with them, it's fun. Or follow them to the delivery, or, you know, follow them around for the day and see what they do. Boy, it is, oh, is, oh. It's hard work, especially for an old lady like me. You know I had fingernails like this when I, when I was hauling sheds, I didn't come home often with fingernails looking like this, I'll tell you that. But you know, man, I wouldn't go back and change that experience. It was, you know, I did it out of necessity because the manufacturer needed it and it was, but it gave me such a different perspective. Yeah, it's such a cool industry.
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Shed Gal:Could we talk a little bit about, if you don't mind, about your history, because you have and I don't know the whole story, but you have what I believe, some of the good stuff like Rebecca Wake had. And what I'm hoping is someone, one person is listening or watching and saying, if she can do it, I can do it too. There's something struggling out there that's going to listen or watch and watch this. Would you mind sharing what you're comfortable sharing, Mariah, and if you're not comfortable, we don't have to.
Mariah Dutton:I am 100 comfortable. Um, there I talk about my recovery process all the time. Um, for exactly that reason that if all of the little side eyes that I get and stuff like that, if it results in just one person, getting sober and knowing that there's hope, then we're talking about anything, any substance.
Shed Gal:It could be alcohol hey, it's legal. But that doesn't necessarily mean that you don't have a problem, Absolutely.
Mariah Dutton:Absolutely.
Mariah Dutton:There are very few, if any people on this planet left that um, addiction has not touched in some way in their life, um, whether it be them directly or a friend, a family member? Um, there are high functioning addicts which at one time I was one of those. Um, high functioning addicts are, um, a very scary breed because we can walk around all day long and you'd never know. That does not mean that we are at any less risk there. It is, I would say, a 99 percent chance that just about anybody listening to this has a high functioning addict somewhere in their circle and they have no idea. Wow, I did not realize that. Yeah, it's, it's really, it's scary, um, because nobody knows. They can't come to you and be like hey, you know, maybe you should stop doing this because they have no idea. Um, but high functioning addicts are the same as low functioning addicts. What they're actually doing is trying to feel normal.
Mariah Dutton:If you sat down and listen to an addict story and listen to their life, by the time you're done, if you have any compassion whatsoever, you will understand why they are the way they are. People do not grow up going hey, you know what I want to be when I grow up? I want to be a drug addict there are stories and pain that a lot of people can't even imagine grew up a very depressed and anxiety ridden girl. I was like that from the time I was very young. My mom was a single mom. I started using drugs, I would say, when I was probably about 12, drinking and stuff like that, pretty excessively. It's been any number of things, whether it was alcohol, pills, meth all of it because I was trying to feel normal. It is so hard to walk around every day with a broken heart and that's how I feel, felt every single day. You know, if you can think of the first time, you know your first love broke up with you and it broke your heart. That's how I felt every day and that's how most addicts feel every day until they get high.
Mariah Dutton:So just offer some compassion, a little understanding, a little grace that people are human and we are all just trying to survive. We're doing our best. Don't ever shut them out and throw them away. They're still human. They're not garbage Um and deserve love. If anything, addicts need love a little more, um, knowing they're supported. Being a good support system for an addict is really, really important. Um, I, I found my people, my support system. Um, and actually to this day, I still have people added to it periodically, yourself included. Um, sometimes just a smile when you walk down the. You know the road. Just little, tiny acts of kindness can make a huge difference. That's all I got.
Shed Gal:Wow, I, I'm not kidding you, zoom in here. I have goosebumps because you said something that I've literally never thought of before, that I just was trying to feel normal and that feeling of that first love that breaks your heart. Or we've all had many people only had one love, so they maybe can't even relate, but we have all had something that has broken our heart and I never realized that there were people until right this moment that wake up and feel that way every day. I literally I mean that's yeah, this is a Shed podcast Magnificent Monday, by the way Shed Geek podcast.
Mariah Dutton:Sorry, I got kind of deep there From the Shed podcast Magnificent Monday, by the way, shed Geek podcast. Sorry, I'm kind of deep there.
Shed Gal:But it's more than that. This is a human industry. It is You're the only felon working in the Shed industry right Indeed, I am not.
Shed Gal:You know and it's, but that to me, like and having the compassion, just, Mariah, right, I just feel like there's, this is just weird. I just feel like we haven't heard the last of you as far as your story and where you're going in this industry, and there's more to it than that. I think that I I do understand that you do some help with that there's, there's some things close to your heart to, um, keep your sobriety. I did want to touch on something. We're not going to get into specifics because that's not what this podcast is for, but your sobriety has been tested greatly due to something that happened and throughout it, you have remained steadfast in trusting that the truth would be known. And I just want to tell you how proud I am. I am truly so proud of you and I am so glad that to call you a friend that you didn't do what most anybody else would have done, that you didn't do what most anybody else would have done, given the situation, and go back to using I don't I literally I it because I wouldn't have blamed you, Mariah. I wouldn't have, because I know exactly what happened, and if you can stay sober through something like this, I want that, to give some hope to people that some really horrible things can happen and they can too.
Shed Gal:But I think it's part of reaching out and one of the things that I feel with Rebecca and she might disagree with me, but I think she would agree with me. She's remained sober because she's not living in the shame of what was. She's living in pain and being open and sharing her story. You'd never know Mariah beaten yet. Your history I would have never known with Rebecca meeting her history. But it's powerful because there's one person that you're going to change their life today listening to this and that's what you mean, I don't look like a drug addict, felon.
Shed Gal:No, you don't. We all have this preconceived notion of you know, and it's like, yeah, and it's like Rebecca, when you know a little bit of her story before the podcast, but not a lot, and that's simply because we had become friends several months before the podcast. She had reached out for some help, became facebook friends and she had, she had posted, you know, like her, a little bit of her story and, uh, I'm like man that I I know people that that have remained in their addiction because they just continue to live in the shame and it's like it's sad. You're living proof that you can change your life.
Mariah Dutton:I am absolutely, and there is no reason to be ashamed of your past. When people ask me about my past and it happens pretty regularly because I talk about it all the time I feel zero shame. I wouldn't even change my past. Was it difficult? Sure, Absolutely, but it made me who I am today. It made me understand where people come from. And you know, I understand that heartbreak every day when you wake up. I know what it feels like, but I just I want anybody struggling that's listening to this right now to know that that dark place that your mind is in, that people who haven't experienced addiction are not going to understand. I know what I'm talking about. They know what I'm talking about. It is not permanent. My entire mindset, the way it is inside my head. It used to be so dark and just constant negativity. I put it on everything that I hold dear. It can change. It is all sunshine and rainbows up here these days and I love it change can happen.
Shed Gal:That's amazing. I think it's amazing and you know it. You know, yeah, this is a shed metal building. You know industry related podcast, but we are full of human beings. I haven't yet met a perfect human being. I will say Sam Beiler, he's pretty close to being perfect. And Shannon Latham, pretty close to being perfect, pretty close. But I haven't met another perfect human being in the world yet. But I haven't met another perfect human being in the world yet. See, that's because I'm hoping they give me kudos, because I, you know, said some wonderful things.
Mariah Dutton:Well, that level of compassion, if you transfer that onto your customers, because the customers coming into you also have problems and issues, and you know what Out there, life is hard. This is what I tell my customers all the time. Life is hard, it is difficult. It is my job as a dealer and a salesperson to make your life easier, not harder. I am not going to pressure you into anything. Let me take care of this, let me take care of you. And I mean they respond to it really well and but I'm not saying that on a superficial level, I mean it, I will take care of you and they know that. And I mean it transfers into repeat business, word of mouth advertising. You cannot get advertising better than that. Facebook cannot provide that.
Mariah Dutton:I had a lady come into me Now. We talked about that I've only been there since December and that the reputation of that lot was kind of shaky before that. But, um, about a month ago a lady comes into me. She said well, I've been looking for a portable building and I have asked all over the place. Um, well, I'm not going to name off towns because they won't make any sense here, but all over the surrounding towns for a pretty good distance. Where should I get a portable building? Every single person she talked to told her to go to Shed Happens in Davis.
Shed Gal:Wow.
Mariah Dutton:I was taken aback, I was floored. I almost cried a little bit. My cheeks got all red. I'm getting that good, positive word of mouth advertising because even people that have not bought from me they come in and talk to me and they know how I treated them. More than anything, people are not going to remember so much the specifics of what you say. They're going to remember how you made them feel. Much the specifics of what you say. They're going to remember how you made them feel. Did you make them feel respected? Did you make them feel heard? That is the most important thing, hands down, how you make somebody feel, because they're not going to remember the specific words. They're not, yeah, but they will remember that feeling.
Shed Gal:I absolutely agree when you and you do metal buildings too, right, I don't. We don't put the metal versus sheds. So I know for myself and I'm curious, I'm going to feed you information, but then I'm going to ask you a question. I myself am a shed dealer. Who's who also offers metal buildings? We do a ton of both. What do you? How do you think in the industry, I mean, do you think it's a good fit that dealers offer both?
Shed Gal:Cause I absolutely do, because I think the more you can drive people to your lot the better, absolutely the more.
Mariah Dutton:The more service you can offer um and products you can offer is going to bring more people in. Even outside of metal buildings there's porches, there's. I actually ran across a lady on Facebook here not too long ago that has these beautiful benches.
Shed Gal:Like butterflies. The woman's remarkable you just sent me those and I've never seen anything like it in my life, aren't they gorgeous? I think they're brilliant, in part because I've never seen anything like it in my life, aren't they gorgeous? I think they're brilliant In part because I've never seen anything like it in my life, but yeah, she has great business.
Mariah Dutton:A variety when somebody can walk into your office and you can give them information on your portable buildings. You can give them information on your carports, your portable porches, your shipping containers, your storm shelters, your, whatever. You can give them information on your carports, your portable porches, your shipping containers, your storm shelters, your, you know, your, whatever you can offer.
Shed Gal:Um, it is fantastic yeah, play sets, yeah, all those things play sets absolutely. Those are really cute, by the way yeah, uh yeah, shedgal. com, check out cute play sets and if anyone wants to, be a member talk to me.
Shed Gal:Yeah, I think it's just such an incredible industry and I had no idea how this, you know, how this Zoom call, where it was going to go or what we were going to talk about, because we don't script things. Customer service I'm you know. I'm glad we touched on the relationship between, you know, the builders and those in the office and the dealers and the haulers. I think it's critical that we just keep working towards, you know, having unity. I'm glad we touched on recovery and addiction. You know this industry is one of the most forgiving industries I've ever seen as far as the opportunities we provide. And now, for anyone listening, I'm not talking about forgiving things that we choose to make the right decision when we bury our heads in the sand, when we know the truth. What I'm talking about is forgiving that we allow people opportunities.
Shed Gal:This is a good woman, she's a fantastic dealer and my guess is we're going to see fantastic things from her in the future, even though she had to drive 45 minutes. But you know the fact that you continued. You didn't just take no for an answer. That isn't being pushy. You saw an opportunity. You liked the product. You love the service that Julie provided you and you wanted to also offer that product.
Mariah Dutton:good for you for you and I have made what I'm sure will be lifelong friends from Julie, the Shed Queens, Lisa and Doretha. They are fantastic, Shannon, that you were talking about earlier, that's a heck of a guy. I've been fortunate enough to meet the wonderful and amazing Shad Gal.
Shed Gal:Thank you, thank you very much.
Mariah Dutton:She's pretty awesome as well. I don't know if she'd drive 45 minutes to her lot, though. Yeah.
Shed Gal:Well, remember my Arizona lots. If I started out at lot number one, it was three hours to lot number two, from lot number two to three, it was three hours, and from three to one it was three hours. So number two, from lot number two to three was three hours and from three to one it was three hours. So, yeah, yeah, probably a good thing that they didn't worry about that. It was more than 45 minutes away.
Mariah Dutton:Oh gosh what a yeah yeah I mean it's overall.
Mariah Dutton:Yeah, there are some issues and some you know difficult things that happen and like that, because, again, we are human, all of us are but overall there are so many very, very good people in this industry, really genuinely good, very down to earth, I mean honestly. It's not only that, I was an addict and a single mother and raised by a single mother and stuff. I also didn't graduate high school. I was gone 16 years old. I was an addict and a single mother and raised by a single mother and stuff. I also didn't graduate high school. I was gone 16 years old. I was done. I had my son when I was 17 years old, um, all of those things together.
Mariah Dutton:Every box was ticked that I was going to fail and I was going to be nothing and nobody in the corner. That was it. And this is the first time in my life, Susan, that I've been able to pay my bills, still have money left over. I don't have to pick and choose which bill gets taken care of. There were times while my kids were growing up that I skipped meals to make sure they ate up, that I skipped meals to make sure they ate, um, and that I eat out every day. I probably should cook more, but I don't. Um, I've been in my apartment for almost six months. I've cooked twice.
Shed Gal:Yeah, Well, there's some of us that just don't like to cook.
Mariah Dutton:I you know, I'm actually a really good cook.
Shed Gal:I just hate doing dishes. Oh, that's hilarious. Hey, paper plates, girl, that's where it's at. Yes, I do have full respect for folks that cook all the time, because it's not that I won't cook. I truly am a horrible cook. So, full disclosure I'm just a horrible cook.
Shed Gal:Yeah, I think it's such a fantastic industry that we you know I don't know if you know this, but Shannon Latham was involved in recovery and working at a place and Sam Byler has done prison ministry and Dan that works for me has years in that it is such a great industry and we, we, we, we open people with open arms and giving an opportunity. Matt Merrick, one of the dealers I just hired, um, he's belling and, uh, very limited, and they told him you know it's a federal crime. And they told me you know it's a federal crime. And they told me you know, you're going to go to truck driving school and he just absolutely hates it. He is just going to be I know he is going to be a fantastic dealer and we're giving him an opportunity that he just wouldn't have elsewhere.
Shed Gal:Industry people, please keep it up. This is we are a forgiving group and we are also. We are across the nation, but you'll find you'll get more and more involved with people in the industry and it's like, it is so cool to like be able to sit down to other people that truly know what we're talking about being a dealer and or, you know, salesman or whatever it just it is so cool to um, to just surround ourselves by like-minded people in an industry and, let's face it, it's a shed, you know, like it's not exactly exciting, but on the other hand, it's really exciting to me. So so yeah, yeah.
Mariah Dutton:Yeah, my family gets a little tired of hearing me talk about sheds and it's constant every time I'm out to eat. That's. That's another thing for new dealers. It is so essential everywhere you go, talk about what you do, and I mean, you can come up with ways to bring it up exactly. Miss shed gal and wear your brand. Um, yeah, I'm not wearing one of my Shed Happens shirts right now, but um, they do exist well, I'm just not going to have one right here.
Shed Gal:Super cute, indeed super cute. Yeah, super cute. So I am. I wasn't running away from you, I, I had that shirt right there. So, yeah, I think this is good stuff. I've had a, I've had a lot of fun with this conversation today and, and, um you know, perhaps next time we do a podcast we can talk about, you know, 12 gauge versus 14 gauge steel, or two by fours versus two by sixes, or you know, vertical roofing versus horizontal, but I don't really think that any of us want to hear about that.
Shed Gal:Not really is. We are human beings in this industry and all of us are just trying to do the best we can. Um to anybody out there that that is in the midst of any type of an addiction, there is help for you. There are people, um, that uh, will, will help you within the industry.
Mariah Dutton:Absolutely, no doubt, if you have questions, absolutely, and that phone number that just was up on my T-shirt. Anyone that is ever listening to this and needs somebody to talk to. I do not care if it is 2 o'clock in the morning and you just need to be heard Call Wow.
Shed Gal:We'll make sure that we put that phone number up, Mariah. Thank you, yeah. Put that phone number up, Mariah. Thank you, yeah. So, I'd like to thank Mariah very, very much for joining me today on this week's magnificent Monday episode of the Shed Geek podcast. We appreciate our listeners, we appreciate our viewers and we will see you again next week.