An "Out of Bucket" Experience For The Trade

by LinkedIn 11/29/23

At a paint conference, the focus wasn't just on paint. When the Painting Contractors Association (PCA) introduced the idea of a reboot last year, Morgan Zion O'Friel and I shared a vision that went beyond our expectations.

As contractors with an entrepreneurial spirit, we're no strangers to the ups and downs of the business world. Whether we're project managers, estimators, production managers, coordinators, or part of the production team, the pressures can become overwhelming.

Our goal was to reshape the conference to support contractors and leaders by blending wellness and business, a concept somewhat foreign to the trades industry.

The PCA team, led by Chair Nick Slavik and Executive Director Nigel Costolloe , took a leap of faith in us, since this approach was so unfamiliar to the trades. However, once the conference's doors closed on the first day, the group of over 75 construction leaders delved deep into a transformative experience.

The event kicked off with group activities focused on vulnerability, trust-building, and breathing exercises that pushed attendees out of their comfort zones.

We assembled an exceptional lineup of speakers, including Nick Slavik , Jason Paris, Danny Kerr , Dean Ridings - Ridings Inc. , Brandon Pierpont , Scott Lollar, Morgan Knox and Art Snarzyk III. They shared practical strategies to fortify our businesses and propel them forward.

What set this conference apart from others in the trade industry was its incorporation of bite-sized wellness practices that everyone could integrate into their daily routines. Morgan Zion O'Friel began with simple breathing exercises, and by the final day, she had trades professionals bending over backwards in yoga stretches. Her ability to integrate and weave this wellness thread to bring it all together proved invaluable.

This wasn't a mystical gathering where we sang chants in circles; it was an event that empowered attendees to navigate the inevitable turbulence of leadership, break through it, and seize future opportunities. It helped us recognize and utilize the tools within us to turn turbulence into opportunities instead of being trapped in a downward spiral of problem-solving.

I'm definitely looking forward to the next one!