Historic Work Trip

Twice per year I surround myself with a small group of individuals that represent the best and brightest of the national remodeling industry. We submit ourselves to a process of peer review, an exacting yet loving business community where we trust each other enough to help us become better people who happen to be professional remodelers. This act has enabled me to grow in large (easy to quantify) and more subtle ways. The bottom line, because of these people pouring into my life, I become more helpful to my clients. It is the process of perfecting my craft.

This meeting was housed at Normandy Farms in Blue Bell, PA. Their website is: www.NormandyFarms.com. Next time you’re visiting Philadelphia I highly recommend you allow them to accommodate you. Normandy Farms is the inspiration of this month’s column.

The property dates back to 1730 and only 4 families have controlled the property since William Penn deeded it to make the property the largest non-bisected gentleman’s farm in America at 4,000 acres. I can’t even grasp the size for one thing, but I certainly cannot comprehend what’s changed in 279 years.  Here are 5 questions for your consideration, inspired by an absolutely amazing work trip.

1) What stories does your home hold from your family’s history?

Our meetings were held in the hayloft of the original barn. Executive chairs, white boards, and projectors are in the same place thousands of hay bales over-wintered.

2) What spaces can you dynamically re-purpose in your home?

Walnut paneling adorns the stairwells and a loft above the dining room.

3) How can your home benefit from an upgrade in amenities?

The food was regional yet inspired by the world travels of the chef.

4) Is your home reflective of your experiences and tastes?

The people I was with are friends who challenge me and the space was conducive for productive work.

5) Do the work spaces of your home (kitchen, laundry, home office, bathroom) support you in your work and comfortably house your family & guests?

I hope these questions bring up images of your home and the homes of your friends, family, colleagues. Is now the time to step out and help them? If so, you know where to reach me.

Warmly,

Ben Thompson
President

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Radio Remodelers

From Remodeling Magazine (click here to view full article)

Every Saturday morning around 7 a.m. remodelers Pat, Sandra, and Ben Thompson get in their cars and head not to a jobsite or their office, but to News-radio WOOD 1300, where the trio has hosted “The Home Improvement Show with the Thompsons” for the last four years. At 8 a.m., the airwaves come alive and the switchboard lights up as individuals call in to ask questions of the Thompsons, who run design/build company Thompson Remodeling in Grand Rapids, Mich.

“The topics are timely, mildly entertaining, and all related to homes in some fashion,” Ben says. He got involved with the show after the broadcaster asked the local builders' association for a list of knowledgeable individuals with good communication skills. “We were at the top of the list,” Ben recalls. “We'd done work for a lot of the people working at the station, and they thought we'd be a good fit.”

And while juggling several listeners at once — and switching gears to address different topics during the one-hour time slot — isn't always easy, the Thompsons say the effort put forth more than pays for itself. “At first we were worried it would be too much of a commitment, but aside from the leads, we also get tons of exposure,” Ben says. “Walking around town, people recognize us as ‘the folks on the radio show.'”

Do You Need A Speaker?

On April 7th, Ben presented his talk "Should I Stay Or Should I Go Now?" at the Frederick Meijer Gardens. The event went very well. 75 of Paul C. Spoelstra’s clients attended the event. Visit Paul’s Site: as well as TRI. If you attended the event and would like a copy of the presentation “Should I Stay Or Should I Go Now?” feel free to email me: Ben@ThompsonRemodeling.com and I’d be happy to send you a .pdf of the presentation. Ben also presents a talk called, "Myths & Magic of Green Remodeling." If you'd like to invite Ben to speak at your event of 20 to 120 people please contact us.

Q & A

Do you have any home improvement questions you'd like to ask? E-mail me and we will post the answers on our blog and live on the TR Home Improvement Show Saturday mornings.

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