What we all want to know - what does Larry do at Coaster? Getting attention at High Point Market. The power of being memorable and how it replaces handing out business cards. The art of being approachable and engaging. What are furniture retailers missing the the mark on? Aspirational furniture shoppers and can we reach them with non-branded home furnishings. Larry has been attending Furniture Market since he was 6 years old - yes SIX! Making things happen rather than waiting for things to happen. Inflation - is it something we worry about. Who should be branding furniture, the retailer or the manufacturer. Do older generations buy furniture online or is it just young shoppers. Today's fragmented furniture shopping journey.

Join us for our first bourbon review of Wild Turkey Single Barrel and Basil Hayden. Comedians we're into, dead and alive. How east coast ports shut down affects Classy Art for the High Point Furniture Market October 2024. What's "Pre-Market" in the home furnishings industry, why does it exist, and is it worth attending. The 10x myth in advertising. How was furniture business for Labor Day weekend 2024 and what's expected the rest of the year with the recent Fed interest rate cut. Should you buy real estate now or wait for more rate drops. How will the Boomers passing of real estate to their heirs effect the overall real estate market in the years to come. How multi-family property investors value real estate differently than individuals. Will there ever be a mass consolidation in the furniture industry or are small, independent home furnishings retailers somehow immune to the fate of independent electronics stores. How can the independent home furnishing retailer insure their longevity. Why do you brush your teeth, and how does that relate to your advertising. Nutter Butter socials. How insulting is texting "K" as a response. Are we at risk of AI taking our jobs.

Gabe and Joe dive into Love Languages in business, gardening and it's mental health benefits, real estate investing, and what's the deal with all these sharks lately. We recall alligator "hunting" adventures, and debate what is Terrance Howard talking about, foamy beers, and conversational cul-de-sacs.

Furniture-industry--wise, we talk about wholesale inventory planning, Classy Art reflecting Gabe's Life, and Memorial Day weekend sales results.

In this episode Patrick tells us about his wild path into the furniture industry, which includes a burned-down restaurant. Many know Patrick as the owner of AMPTAB software, but know he started his entrepreneurial career at 6 years old making figurines from the ash of the Mount Saint Helens eruption. From there, this 5th generation furniture maker started a finish carpentry company, a built-in entertainment center company, flipped real estate, developed real estate, owned a bunch of restaurants, a clothing company, and eventually started AMP.

We dive into the future of AI and how it will affect the furniture industry; will it make us dumber or will it free up time for us to focus on more important things. Belt loops and why don't pants have more of them. Patrick's founding of the second largest outdoor volleyball association in the country. The cheat code for life - living in gratitude. Mental health journeys. What's happening in the furniture industry that we're not paying enough attention to.

"It's good to see you" for this episode where we discuss April 2024 High Point Market - Gabriel's first class trip from China and what it's like shopping for the next big things in wall decor in China - hanging wall art - "deluxing" furniture prior to delivery - shoppers using your brand as a synonym for the product category and how that relates to advertising mindshare - the "dangers" of advertising for home furnishings manufacturers and it's similarity to physical fitness - spray tanning - and much more.

Filmed live at the Classy Art showroom during the High Point Furniture Market in April 2024 with legendary manufacturers' representative, Mr. David Larkin.

In this episode, Mr. Larkin shares tips for becoming a successful manufacturers' sales rep. with a career spanning over 54 years (and still going). Mr. Larkin shares stories about his early years selling suits without knowing what color they were, hitting the road with a mobile showroom to visit 300+ Badcock stores (over and over again), and he reveals some secrets to achieving a long and illustrious career in the furniture industry.

We're grateful Mr. Larkin could take time to join the Two Home Boys and hope you enjoy his furniture repping tales as much as we did.