Two Home Boys Podcast

Recorded during the April 2026 High Point Market, Dennis Hoy shared his perspective on the current state of the home furnishings industry along with his rich history in the business. Dennis now works at the Furniture Marketing Group (FMG) which describes itself as "the premier home furnishings networking and buying group made up of independent retail furniture dealers throughout North America." https://fmgbuyinggroup.com/Dennis was described by coworkers as "quite silly... very smart too" and "one of the most genuine gentleman you will ever find in the workplace" perhaps influenced by a brief stint in a charm school. To say Dennis has "done it all" in the furniture business would be an understatement. After college, Dennis went to work for Hecht’s division of May Department stores in what is now referred to as the DMV (for D.C., Maryland, and Virginia).  After five years there, three in the Case Goods Buying Office, Dennis went to work for Reliable Stores in Landover, MD as Regional Case Goods Buyer.  Two years later he moved to Marlo Furniture in Alexandria, VA as Buyer of case goods, dinettes, mattresses and occasional furniture.  After nine years at Marlo, Dennis left retail behind to join Bassett Furniture Industries where he served as VP Merchandising, VP Upholstery Manufacturing, and VP Corporate Retail. Then Dennis moved to Collezione Europa for four years with responsibility for purchasing and inventory management. Dennis then did some design work and attempted to get a case goods line off the ground before settling at FMG where he has been for over a dozen years now.  

Recorded during the October 2025 High Point Furniture Market, Randy & Troy Kush, owners of Kush's 7 Day Furniture stores in Omaha and Lincoln, NE, graciously carve out time to give us a retailers perspective of the state of our industry. Troy & Randy have built a fabulous business through grit, determination, and just treating their team and their customers right. In this episode we discuss:Retail Success_ How We Thrive Through Market ChangesPositivity's Power_ How Energy Influences OthersEntrepreneurship's Ego_ Why Businesses Fail Under PressureTheir Dad's & Grandpa's Wild Life_ Jockey, Mob, & Pizza!Funny Commercials_ Behind the Scenes with Crazy Costumes!Customer Delight_ Transform Your Brand with Positive EmotionsCustomer Service_ How We Built a 4.8-Star Rating!Wayfair's Problem_ Broken Goods & Unsustainable BusinessGolf Cart Shenanigans_ Wild Night at the ShowroomRetail Price Increases_ Strategies for Inventory & TariffsTariffs Explained_ How They REALLY Impact Retail PricesFamily Business_ Success Secrets and Avoiding PitfallsStore Fight! Wrestling Eight Years Ago! No Winner!7 Day_ Staying Family-Owned & Avoiding Corporate GrowthThey Bought a Racehorse! (Named Little Crush)Tariffs & Manufacturing_ How We Survived

Join us in welcoming Craig Theiler to this episode of Two Home Boys. Aside from his sweet mustache, Craig brings a wealth of business expertise to Classy Art from outside of the home furnishings industry, along with a healthy dose of levity. Follow along as we discuss:Accidental Antidepressant Mix-Up_ My Wife's Crazy Story!Wine & Whiskey Tasting_ Our Honest Thoughts & Funny Moments!Wine Tasting Notes_ Tennis Balls and Melted CrayonsThe Awkward Trade Show QuestionFrom CEO to Partner_ Unexpected Friendship & BusinessFrom Barge Basics to CEO_ My Journey in ManufacturingHow to Become a CEO_ Leadership, Skills, and StrategyYoung CEO's Challenges_ Building Respect & Leading Older FolksCompany Titles_ How to Choose the Right OneTitles & Statuses_ How They Impact PerceptionMy Hilarious Fake Person Advertising Scam!Retail Insights_ Key Deficiencies & Winning StrategiesChatGPT Revolutionizes Sales_ Retirement Home Success StoryVaping, Booze & Fun_ Our Honest TakeDad's Hilarious Astronaut Prank on His Kids!Body Image_ Self-Focus in Photos is a Real Problem!Vegas Nights & Late Celebrations_ Our 21st Birthday!Business Owners' Biggest Mistakes_ The Silent KillersRetail Burn Rate_ Avoid Failure and Know Your Break-EvenJuly 4th Sale Mistake_ Website Error Exposed!Lead with Heart_ Transform Your Business TodayBuilding a REAL Company Culture_ Authenticity Matters!Lead With Heart_ Stop Being a CEO, Be HumanWhy Apple Switched Chargers & EU Privacy Rules ExplainediPhone Obsolescence_ My Experience & New Phone ReviewWhy Mustaches Remind Us of Firemen & AuthorityMacy's Effect_ How a Name Change Destroyed a BusinessChatGPT & Ads_ The Future of Search & ContentBrick and Mortar's Comeback_ Why Younger People ShopRecorded August 20, 2025

In this episode we launch into how hard it is to be in the furniture industry, how it's never been easy, and we're lucky to be a part of it. And we taste bourbon gifts from our friends at Planned Furniture Promotions, including Old Fitzgerald 7 Year from Tom Liddell and High West batch 24B19 from Rob Rosenberg. Call your parents. Classy Art. Navigating Tariffs in the MarketSelling to the Navy. E-Commerce & Base Sales ExplainedHamilton & Napa. Our Amazing Trip & Relationship DramaShould Businesses Watch Their CompetitorsGoogle Campus Tour. Exploring Google's Massive HeadquartersWhiskey & Wildlife. How Scotch Tours Led to BirdingGrocery Store vs. Garden. Which Is CheaperBeat Depression Naturally. Gardening & Barefoot GroundingPsychology in Business. Why Trust Beats Better DealsTrust & Business. Protecting Yourself From Those ClosestStop Complaining! Build Generational Wealth & SucceedRecorded June 23rd, 2025

Recorded during the April 2025 High Point Furniture Market we had the honor of being joined by Georgie Kidder, co-owner of Ross Alan Lumber, with her husband, Ross, and talented voice actor. Some highlights from this episode include:Actor's Brutal Truth. Find Your Backup Plan NOW!Awkward Cheers Challenge. Eye Contact Drinking Game!Big Boi From Outkast Hit On Georgie! (Crazy Story)Building Dreams. From Craigslist Saw to Baby Changing TableChilean Sea Bass. Patagonian Toothfish REBRANDED! You're Eating WHATEgypt Pyramid Discovery. Giant Copper Coils Underground!Pyramid Power. Free Energy & Antarctic Connections!Hollywood Dreams. Pursuing Acting Despite the Odds!Ross Alan Lumber. High-End Vintage Wood Design SecretsSurgery Nightmare. Waking Up! From Trauma to Voiceover SuccessUFO Sighting. Gabriel Saw a Mysterious Light in Wimberley, TX!UFO Sighting! Camping Trip Turns Into Alien EncounterVoice Acting Pay. Secrets of the Session Revealed!Voiceover Secrets. Home Studio vs. Professional Sound!Voiceover vs. On-Camera. Which Hollywood Path is EasierVoice Acting. From Naive Actress to Cartoon Voice Pro!Barn Shadows & Bartender Mishaps. Uncut Hilarious Moments!

We welcomed Ethan, the newest addition to Classy Art who they've dubbed their AI Magician. Ethan has forgotten more than most of us will ever know about AI and in this episode he shares some interesting use case for AI in the home furnishings industry. Recorded April 9th, 2025, right in the thick of the Trump Tariff uncertainty, we also got into the weeds of some tariff talk. Listen in for discussions of:AI vs. Chat GPT. Understanding the Real DifferenceAI's Impact - Will It Replace Coding JobsLarge Language Models - Understanding Vector Creation with TransformersChat GPT for Novices - Is the Paid Version Worth ItGPT-4 Free vs. Paid - Which Plan is BestChat GPT Model - Which One is Best for YOUHermes Belt Dupe - Chinatown Challenge! Real vs. FakeFurniture Retail - Reaching the 26-Year-Old BuyerThe evolution of search and where we'll go to search for Treating Sunburn - Google vs. ChatGPT - Guardrail BypassBing Blocks "Gemini" - The Bizarre Keyword Ban ExplainedChat GPT Financial Insights - Find Business Bleed & ForecastAI Fashion Advice - Is My Outfit a MistakeChat GPT roasts Gabriel Cohen - The "Motivational Poster" CEO of Classy ArtChat GPT learns from the internet - Internet Truth - How to Trust Online SourcesReciprocal Tariffs - Are They Fair - Understanding Trade EconomicsIs America The World's Biggest Consumer? Trump's Trade StrategyFreight Forwarders in the Dark - Tariff Confusion ExplainedTariffs Explained - How Customs Impacts Import Costs

Furniture Industry luminary and Sr Vice President & Managing Director at Planned Furniture Promotions, Inc. (PFP to those in the know), Tom Liddell, joins us for Episode 2 of Season 2 of the Two Home Boys Podcast. Tom has worked myriad jobs on both the retail and wholesale sides of the furniture industry from a very young age. After starting his furniture career working in the family furniture store, Tom moved on to rep for Berkline, Catnapper, Powell Co., and Craftmaster, and then became Senior VP of Sales & Marketing for CR International, before joining PFP. Tom has vast experience in the home furnishings industry, and is often called upon by major industry publications to share his insights and advice. Tom has a passion for helping furniture retailers, along with being a dedicated family man, a skilled photographer, collector of rare bourbons, and drone pilot. This was a fun conversation, and we are grateful Tom shared his wisdom and humor with the Two Home Boys. During this episode we covered:Using AI Instead of Google. Fact-Checking Made EasyHow PFP Saved a Business From Bankruptcy with One Legal ClauseAI Image Generation. The Challenge of Large FormatsThe Surprising Spelling Flaws of AI. Why It MattersWhy the Younger Generation Prefers Weed Over AlcoholWhy People Skills Matter More Than Financials in BusinessHow GPTs Analyze Social Media Trends Like BirthdaysHow American Express Battles Phishing. Insider Strategies RevealedWhy Retailers Are Frustrated with Price Comparison ShoppersNew City Ordinances. Pressure Washing Reforms in Houston & High PointRevolutionize Your Marketing. Guerrilla Tactics for FurnitureBoost Local Engagement. Win with Giveaways Today!Recorded February 17, 2025

Why Goals Beat New Year's Resolutions Every TimeWhy Publix Fried Chicken is My Ultimate FavoriteAre Privacy Concerns Justified_ The Data Collection DebateWhy TikTok’s Ban Sparks Outrage Among AmericansWine, Beer, and Hilarious New Year's ConfessionsUnlocking Happiness_ The Inner Journey to JoyTrust Issues_ Who Should Decide What's Real On Social MediaTikTok vs. Mainstream Media_ The Truth About CensorshipTikTok Shop is Back_ What It Means for UsThe Art of Snack Bowl Organization_ My Nut StrategySwimming with Whale Sharks_ A Dream Come TrueMysterious Intruder at Our Quadplex_ What HappenedKroger's Shocking Fail_ My $3,000 MacBook StolenKroger vs. Publix_ The Ultimate Grocery ShowdownExploring UFOs and Drones_ A New Jersey AdventureDiscover the Unique Finger Lime_ A Hidden GemCensorship Debate_ Zuckerberg vs. Free Speech Politics

Welcome to Episode 13 of the Two Home Boys Podcast, recorded 11/17/24, just after the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing exhibition and weeks after the 2024 Presidential Election. Similarly, we discussed the joys of a first colonoscopy. The booze (and un-booze) we review this episode are Calumet Farm 15 Year and Austin 101 Light Whiskey, plus Zero-Proof Ritual Whiskey for No-Drink November. How to taste bourbon based on what we learned on The Bourbon Trail in Kentucky. Taxes are a nightmare: who pays what and when, and why does it need to be so hard. Was Mike Tyson restricted from throwing uppercuts and why wasn't it a better fight. Joe doesn't tell who he votes for, to anyone. What are our super powers. Joe's upcoming non-traditional wedding. The abundance of bankruptcies in the home furnishings industry in late-2024 - Conn's/Badcock, American Freight, and Big Lots. Aliens are among us; what do they want, where are they, and why have they been a secret. Should we be afraid of the aliens. Learn more by watching anything about Bob Lazar or the documentary called: Close Encounters of the Fifth Kind. How was the October 2024 High Point Market for Classy Art - outstanding. Individuals should share their company's LinkedIn posts because posts shared personally get better engagement than posts shared by companies. Friend homework. Is AI something to fear and how are we using it in our businesses.

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. What would Larry be doing if he wasn't working in the home furnishings industry and his connection to Bill Gates. Where do we fall on the political spectrum. Should we embrace the evolution of the supply chain. Finding romantic relationships and dating before and after the apps.

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.

Molly is a National Account & Product Development Manager at Uttermost. She is a Cum Laude Graduate from High Point University with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Interior Design, and she is currently an Advisory Board Member. Molly was inducted into the Home Furnishings Business 40 Under 40 in 2018 and the Furniture Today 40 Under 40 in 2023. She is the current President of ART (Accessories Resource Team) and has been on their Board of Directors since 2017.In this episode we discuss Market Prep rituals, when will Farmhouse die and what's next, Molly's unique purse collection, the significance of three limes, Molly's aversion to Southwest Airlines, and much more.