America Builds Better
America Builds Better is a builder-focused podcast and media platform dedicated to the people, ideas, and innovations shaping how America builds.
Hosted by industry veteran Jared Ledford, the show dives into real conversations with builders, manufacturers, dealers, technology partners, and community leaders across post-frame construction, steel buildings, sheds, and beyond. This isn’t surface-level talk or sales fluff — it’s practical insight, hard-earned lessons, and honest discussions about growth, operations, marketing, leadership, and the future of the building industry.
America Builds Better is the next chapter in a journey that began with The Steel Kings Podcast, a long-running show that became a trusted voice within the steel building and shed industry. Built on that foundation, America Builds Better expands the conversation — bringing in broader perspectives, deeper strategy, and a stronger focus on education, innovation, and community impact.
Whether you’re a builder looking to scale, a manufacturer refining your systems, a dealer navigating modern marketing, or someone passionate about how local businesses and industries grow, America Builds Better is here to inform, challenge, and elevate the conversation.
Because strong communities start with strong builders — and America builds better when knowledge is shared.
America Builds Better
VAULT: The Steel Kings #14: Metal to Marketing w/Shannon Latham The Shed Geek (Part 2)
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Metal Meets Marketing Part 2
The building industry's best-kept secret isn't about materials or designs—it's about the relationship between manufacturers and dealers. In this revealing conversation, Jared Ledford welcomes Shannon The Shed Geek to dive deep into what truly makes a successful dealer network tick.
What happens when 10% of dealers sell 90% of the product while the other 90% struggle to make an impact? This fascinating imbalance creates ripple effects throughout the industry, affecting everything from customer service to pricing strategy. Shannon and Jared don't just identify the problem—they explore how professionals can elevate standards across the board.
The discussion pulls back the curtain on controversial practices like rock-bottom down payments that create a race to the bottom, devaluing products industry-wide. You'll hear candid insights about the challenges of building loyal teams, whether W2 employees offer advantages over 1099 contractors, and how to prevent training your future competition.
Most compelling is their call for a mindset shift from pure competition to strategic collaboration. By working together rather than against each other, dealers can create more value for customers and potentially even approach manufacturers with greater collective influence. Their philosophy — No one hates it when you help them serves as a guidepost for building stronger industry relationships.
Whether you're a building professional looking to improve your business model or simply curious about the inner workings of the metal building industry, this conversation offers rare insights from two veterans willing to share their hard-earned wisdom.
Watch On YouTube: https://youtu.be/XPju9_D4ank
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