EP18: Surviving the Industry Through Continuous Learning, Adaptation, and Embracing Evolution with Monica Lewis

In this episode of The Home Remodeler Toolbox Podcast, host Bob welcomes Monica Lewis, President and Partner at J.S. Brown and Company, to discuss her 23-year journey from interior design graduate to executive leadership.Monica shares how her early experience in lighting, plumbing, and cabinetry showrooms built a strong foundation that led her into design sales, management, and ultimately her role as President in 2024. She explains that leadership uses the same creative muscles as design—identifying pain points, developing strategies, and managing execution.A key lesson she’s learned is adapting communication and expectations, recognizing that everyone approaches problems differently. She emphasizes humility, listening, and evaluating whether a process—not a person—is at fault. Her top advice for remodelers: start documenting SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and company structure early, reminding listeners that “you’re never too small” to prepare for growth and continuity.Monica also discusses company culture, calling for the end of the traditional divide between the “office side” (sales/design) and the “field side” (production). She encourages focusing on communication and solutions over blame, stressing that mutual respect is essential because “it takes both of us to bring this ship into port.”Addressing industry challenges, Monica points to the shortage of over 500,000 skilled workers and the loss of generational knowledge. As a leader in NARI’s Women in Remodeling initiative, she promotes continued education and embracing new technology. Monica also shares how J.S. Brown uses AI tools like BuilderTrend for client updates and Canvas for digital scanning, warning that ignoring AI is like refusing to learn CAD—“those who embrace it will lead the future.”