{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Overcoming Industry Barriers in Deck Building with Dan Waters | Good Contractor Podcast","description":"This week, John Talman and Luke Hansen sit down with Dan Waters, owner of Decks Unlimited (now Deck City), to talk about breaking industry norms, growing a specialized business, and the power of mentorship in the trades. Dan shares how he built a deck-focused business despite industry skepticism, the challenges he faced when expanding into materials distribution, and how he continues to mentor and uplift the next generation of tradespeople. Whether you're a contractor, entrepreneur, or just looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with insights, humor, and hard-earned wisdom. Key Takeaways:  Defying Expectations: Dan built a deck-only business despite being told it would never work. Customer Service Wins: Personalized service and deep product knowledge helped him stand out in a tough market. Mentorship Matters: He believes investing in people is just as important as building great decks. Navigating Industry Pushback: As he moved into deck materials distribution, larger suppliers tried to shut him out, but he found ways to succeed. The Future of the Trades: Dan supports programs that help young people enter the industry and build careers without college debt.  ","author_name":"Good Contractor","author_url":"https:\/\/sites.libsyn.com\/512653","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/35636350\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/186824335"}