96. True Grit and the "Smoke Show" with Stephen Brasher | Fence Guy Podcast

In this episode of Fence Guy Podcast, we're joined by Stephen Brasher, owner of True Grit Fencing out of White Plains, Kentucky . Stephen brings a unique perspective to the "Fence Fam," having transitioned from the coal mines and pallet mills to building one of the most respected up-and-coming fence companies in his region . Before diving into the business, we take a moment to honor a friend of the show, Ryan Miller, and his family during a difficult time of loss . Inside the Industry with True Grit Fencing The "Mr. Fence" Blueprint: Stephen shares how early mentorship from industry veteran Sean King helped him build a high-standard foundation from his very first privacy fence . The Pre-Staining Standard: Learn why True Grit pre-stains nearly 100% of their lumber in the shop, ensuring a longer-lasting product and a cleaner job site . Steel vs. Wood: Stephen discusses his "no-dig" approach, favoring Titan steel posts over 6x6 wood for their durability and efficiency . The Pine Picket Lesson: A "plum awful" experience with treated pine pickets led Stephen to switch exclusively to cedar—a move that saved his reputation and his sanity . Business, Marketing, and Scaling Up Hiring the "Better Half": With Stephen's wife joining the business full-time, we discuss the importance of moving away from "everything in my head" to building real systems and processes . Marketing That Sticks: Forget expensive digital ads; Stephen talks about the ROI of high-end vehicle wraps, yard signs, and the surprising power of TikTok . Identifying the Red Flags: From "cheaper homes" to a lack of sprinkler systems, Stephen shares what he looks for during an estimate to ensure a job is worth the effort . The "Smoke Show" and Gear Talk The Epic Fail: We break down Stephen's viral "smoke show" video—a Milwaukee battery hack on a backpack sprayer that went hilariously (and smokily) wrong . The Great Debate: We ignite the chat with the ultimate industry wars: iPhone vs. Android and Milwaukee vs. DeWalt . Stephen closes the show by sharing his vision for the future: growing a business where the entire team—and their families—can benefit from their hard work and "True Grit" . Go out there and be a good human!   #FencingIndustry #FenceContractor #NoDigFence #SteelFencePosts #TitanPosts #CedarFencing #WoodStaining #PreStainedLumber #FenceBusiness #SmallBusinessGrowth #ContractorMarketing #VehicleWraps #FamilyBusiness #SystemsAndProcesses #FenceGuyPodcast #EpicFail #MilwaukeeTools #DeWaltTools #iPhoneVsAndroid #TacoTuesday #FenceFam #TrueGritFencing #BeAGoodHuman #KentuckyBusiness