The Fire Time Podcast
Tim Reed
Are you tired of presentations that are only half relevant to your business? Many speakers are not practitioners of their material, simply teachers—not so with The Fire Time Podcast. This podcast is for the hearth industry and by the hearth industry. Host Tim Reed has over a decade of experience in the hearth industry, making conversations with guests relevant and extremely practical. In Season One, Tim speaks with twelve hearth industry leaders and provides content relevant to any position, whether on the retail or manufacturing side. Hearth companies everywhere are lost because the landscape of business has changed dramatically in the last ten years. They are trying hard, but they just don’t know what to do. The Fire Time Podcast equips hearth companies to win by sharing ideas and innovation from the best minds in our industry. This podcast will give you the tools to move the needle in your company and win in the changing landscape. This podcast is the first of its kind—specific to the business that you work in every day and simple enough to teach you what’s needed to succeed. Do not miss out on The Fire Time Podcast, available for Apple and Droid devices or at www.itsfiretime.com/podcast. The simple and repeatable steps provided will empower you to grow the bottom line of your company and inspire the team that you lead. ABOUT: Tim Reed is the Retail Sales Leader at Fireside Home Solutions in the Pacific Northwest where he helps his team members make it so stupidly easy to buy from them that there is no excuse not to. Starting as individual salesperson in an empty warehouse, he has grown Fireside’s Retail division by millions (after cutting his marketing budget by 90%). Tim has been invited all over the country to teach companies how to market effectively to their customers and sell more than ever before. His YouTube videos, sales blog, and “Fire Time Podcast” have become a resource for the industry and are actively helping thousands of people rethink their paradigms so that they can grow their businesses in the changing landscape. Tim learned “just enough to be dangerous” about sales, marketing, web development, and leadership from years of playing guitar in a failing punk band—which he swears has uniquely qualified him for his job today. Now considered one of the most innovative minds and compelling communicators in the industry, Tim uses his platform to serve others, helping them create clear messages that are wildly compelling to their audiences. Tim lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife, Jessica, two children, Olivia and Luke, and his 90 pound Golden Retriever, Walter. He still plays guitar in a failing punk band. CONTACT: tim@itsfiretime.com | www.itsfiretime.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 1, 2025 • 1h 10min
Scrappy Sales from the Island of Newfoundland
“How can you help a customer solve their problem if you only sell one thing?”
This week, Tim has a Podcast first with four guests from Newfoundland after the Compact Appliances Trade Show in New Brunswick Canada.
Inspired by a captivating late night conversation, Tim brings together Peter Parsons, owner of The Tin Man, Adam Hunt, owner of The Wood Shed, Tim Brake, owner of Brakes Heating, and Kim Davis, Sales Rep for Compact Appliances to discuss the hospitality, community, and “scrappiness” of the hearth industry in Newfoundland.
The group discusses:
The importance of the industry staking the claim on energy efficiency and a proactive approach to addressing efficiency standards.
Clearly listing and discussing the operational costs of appliances.
What Newfoundland can show the rest of the industry and what makes them truly unique in the terms of diversity, independence, versatility, and opportunity.
How prioritizing service over sales plays into continuing to grow a strong customer base.
Check out the Traeger belt referenced in this conversation: https://www.facebook.com/100063798490735/videos/1520407712063775
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To hear more audio articles from our magazine, subscribe to the Fire Time Magazine Podcast: https://www.itsfiretime.com/magazine
Read The Fire Time Magazine Reader Edition online: https://magazine.itsfiretime.com
Download The Fire Time Magazine app to get full access to the magazine (for free): https://www.itsfiretime.com/app
Jun 24, 2025 • 41min
Dave Rettinger - Building a Winning Showroom
"In today's world, the experience of buying and how we are selling products to our customers, is more important that the products themselves. "
This week, Tim reflects on an interview from the Fire Time Journal and Fire Time Magazine Podcast with Dave Rettinger all about showrooms. From renting scenarios to bricks and real estate, in showrooms large and small, they discuss elevating your space to host clients and create a unique and intentional experience that goes beyond the sales desk.
In this episode, Tim and Dave cover:
Why more important than the product, is the project profile.
Creating an operational flow and dedicating space to each department with your showroom as the draw.
First impressions, hospitality, and creating a one-of-a-kind experience.
Intentionally managing the traffic of your showroom with knowledgeable staff.
Don't miss the chance to catch this interview again and hear why "trying to be everything to everyone is a losing game."
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Become a supporter of The Fire Time Network and get access to awesome rewards: https://itsfiretime.com/join
To hear more audio articles from our magazine, subscribe to the Fire Time Magazine Podcast: https://www.itsfiretime.com/magazine
Read The Fire Time Magazine Reader Edition online: https://magazine.itsfiretime.com
Download The Fire Time Magazine app to get full access to the magazine (for free): https://www.itsfiretime.com/app
Jun 17, 2025 • 36min
What I've Been Thinking About
This week, Tim shares some thoughts he's had based his recent travel and the moment that the industry finds itself in.
In his episode, Tim covers:
Why advertising isn't the answer most companies think it is when sales are slow.
Why companies need to think smaller in order to win big.
Where AI fits into our industry—and the tools that Tim has been using.
How Tim has simplified his digital life over the last few years.
Don't miss this episode.
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Become a supporter of The Fire Time Network and get access to awesome rewards: https://itsfiretime.com/join
To hear more audio articles from our magazine, subscribe to the Fire Time Magazine Podcast: https://www.itsfiretime.com/magazine
Read The Fire Time Magazine Reader Edition online: https://magazine.itsfiretime.com
Download The Fire Time Magazine app to get full access to the magazine (for free): https://www.itsfiretime.com/app
Jun 10, 2025 • 1h 12min
Tim Reed - The Psychology of the In-Home Sale
“No quotes left behind.”
This week, Tim takes a break from interviews to share a class he taught at the recent Oregon & NW HBPA joint conference about the customer journey from start to finish and building a process that is easy to follow in order to make it easy to buy.
In his class, Tim covers:
Combating “LAJ (Looking at Jobs) Syndrome” where time is wasted because of misalignment with customer expectations.
The psychology of the in-home sale framework: Understanding the customer’s problem, Setting the anchor, and Confirming the quote, and offering an incentive to buy.
Three steps to harness and build momentum intentionally and slowly.
How the best follow-up is the planned follow-up.
Tune in now to find out why the solution doesn't matter if you don’t understand the customer’s problem.
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Become a supporter of The Fire Time Network and get access to awesome rewards: https://itsfiretime.com/join
To hear more audio articles from our magazine, subscribe to the Fire Time Magazine Podcast: https://www.itsfiretime.com/magazine
Read The Fire Time Magazine Reader Edition online: https://magazine.itsfiretime.com
Download The Fire Time Magazine app to get full access to the magazine (for free): https://www.itsfiretime.com/app
Jun 3, 2025 • 51min
Brian Hogan - Leverage Your Schedule to Grow Team Member Loyalty
"Take the time to hire the right person to the best of your ability."
This week, Tim talks with Brian Hogan, owner/operator of multiple Chick-fil-A locations in the in the Pacific Northwest to discuss his creative approaches to driving employee loyalty and engagement in order to serve customers and his team better.
Tim and Brian discuss:
Using scheduling and choice to drive employee loyalty and engagement.
Power in employee flexibility, autonomy, and freedom.
Staff retention in entry level jobs amidst rising labor costs while protecting your bottom line.
Gradual change and dealing with resistance when implementing new scheduling models.
Investing in employees to teach them a skill set of sales, leadership, and organization that will benefit them wherever they go.
Don’t miss this unique conversation between industries to find out why your recruiting and retention process should provide everyone in your company with the “3 P's" - Path, Pay, and Promise.
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Become a supporter of The Fire Time Network and get access to awesome rewards: https://itsfiretime.com/join
To hear more audio articles from our magazine, subscribe to the Fire Time Magazine Podcast: https://www.itsfiretime.com/magazine
Read The Fire Time Magazine Reader Edition online: https://magazine.itsfiretime.com
Download The Fire Time Magazine app to get full access to the magazine (for free): https://www.itsfiretime.com/app
May 28, 2025 • 53min
Tim Rethlake - Shine vs. Illuminate
“When you become a leader, you are no longer the one that shines, you are the one who illuminates the path for others.”
In this episode, Tim sits down once again with Fire Time Podcast Episode 1 guest, Tim Rethlake of TRaction Coaching to talk about leadership, serving well, and letting people in your organization shine.
Tim and TR discuss:
Being a good facilitator rather than a trainer and being comfortable with the spotlight being on someone else.
Accountability in going from a frontline performer to a frontline leader and trusting frontline salespeople with your reputation in front of customers.
Intentionality and being on the lookout for your team doing things right.
What’s the purpose for this stage in your life?
Don’t miss this wise conversation and find out why Tim Rethlake can give a full-day leadership workshop in four words: “Give credit - take blame.”
Check out the book “Soundtracks” by John Acuff, talked about in today’s episode: https://a.co/d/7WbNQpQ
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Become a supporter of The Fire Time Network and get access to awesome rewards: https://itsfiretime.com/join
To hear more audio articles from our magazine, subscribe to the Fire Time Magazine Podcast: https://www.itsfiretime.com/magazine
Read The Fire Time Magazine Reader Edition online: https://magazine.itsfiretime.com
Download The Fire Time Magazine app to get full access to the magazine (for free): https://www.itsfiretime.com/app
May 20, 2025 • 42min
Chip Brown - Use EOS to Grow Your Business
“Expectations are just clarity.”
In this episode, Tim sits down with Chip Brown, Vice President of Northeast Distribution to discuss EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), a framework to optimize your business with structure, consistency, and efficiency, utilizing lateral communication and ongoing involvement throughout your company.
Tim and Chip talk about:
The 6 components of EOS - vision, data, process, traction, issues, and people.
The cadence of weekly/quarterly/annual meetings with teams and establishing the “heartbeat” of an organization.
Building a foundation for successful implementation and alignment.
Weekly L10 (Level 10) meetings within the EOS toolbox, including: check-ins, measurables, weekly action items, and the IDS (Identify, Discuss, Solve) process.
The cadence of getting things done and how this impacts the culture of a business.
Don’t miss this episode and find out why "when everything is important, nothing is important."
Check out the book “Traction” by Gino Wickman, talked about in this episode:
https://a.co/d/8NAlOqN
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Become a supporter of The Fire Time Network and get access to awesome rewards: https://itsfiretime.com/join
To hear more audio articles from our magazine, subscribe to the Fire Time Magazine Podcast: https://www.itsfiretime.com/magazine
Read The Fire Time Magazine Reader Edition online: https://magazine.itsfiretime.com
Download The Fire Time Magazine app to get full access to the magazine (for free): https://www.itsfiretime.com/app
May 13, 2025 • 47min
Sean Coffey - The Marketing Flywheel
"Is your marketing delivering your message to the right people at the right time?"
In this episode, Tim nerds out with Sean Coffey, Marketing Manager at Regency, and recent author of “The Marketing Flywheel” article for the Fire Time Magazine. They talk in depth about:
• Practical aspects of marketing in the industry and putting together content that makes a difference for customers .
• Intentional marketing to build a sales funnel for dealers.
• Consistency in impressions across advertisement strategies for brand recognition and shaping your content.
• The steps in Sean’s article “The Marketing Flywheel”
Don’t miss this engaging episode to hear about how companies today's world should be thinking about and building marketing infrastructure!
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Become a supporter of The Fire Time Network and get access to awesome rewards: https://itsfiretime.com/join
To hear more audio articles from our magazine, subscribe to the Fire Time Magazine Podcast: https://www.itsfiretime.com/magazine
Read The Fire Time Magazine Reader Edition online: https://magazine.itsfiretime.com
Download The Fire Time Magazine app to get full access to the magazine (for free): https://www.itsfiretime.com/app
May 6, 2025 • 44min
Chris Neufeld - Transparency and Truth Build Trust
"Regulation is here whether we want it or not." In today's episode, Tim connects with Fire Time Podcast veteran Chris Neufeld, Vice President of Blaze King, live in North Carolina.
In this episode, Tim and Chris discuss:
• Compliance and retesting in the industry and the EPA reviewing test reports for new units and old units alike.
• Product knowledge, trust, and relationship building in sales.
• Connecting with government officials and forging relationships with regulators.
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Visit Blaze King: https://www.blazeking.com
Become a supporter of The Fire Time Network and get access to awesome rewards: https://itsfiretime.com/join
To hear more audio articles from our magazine, subscribe to the Fire Time Magazine Podcast: https://www.itsfiretime.com/magazine
Read The Fire Time Magazine Reader Edition online: https://magazine.itsfiretime.com
Download The Fire Time Magazine app to get full access to the magazine (for free): https://www.itsfiretime.com/app
Apr 29, 2025 • 42min
John Crouch - A Lifetime of Service to the Industry
"You're either at the table, or you're on the table being carved up." In today's episode, Tim sits down with John Crouch, Director of Solid Fuel Issues at the HBPA, to reflect on his lifetime of work, the things that have shaped him in his career, and what he wishes for the industry as he prepares to move on to new endeavors in retirement.In this episode, Tim and John discuss:• Influences in the industry that have impacted him personally and professionally over the years• The inception of The Government Affairs Academy• Why it is so important to advocate for the industry and the difference between regulative and legislative processesDon't miss this chance to hear from a legend in the industry discuss his career, what he is most proud of, and what it looks like to have served well for a long time.------Become a supporter of The Fire Time Network and get access to awesome rewards: https://itsfiretime.com/joinTo hear more audio articles from our magazine, subscribe to the Fire Time Magazine Podcast: https://www.itsfiretime.com/magazineRead The Fire Time Magazine Reader Edition online: https://magazine.itsfiretime.comDownload The Fire Time Magazine app to get full access to the magazine (for free): https://www.itsfiretime.com/app
