Ever wondered what it's like to build a family business that spans generations? Steve Kelling, CEO of Sherman Buildings, pulls back the curtain on fifty years of leadership in a refreshingly candid conversation that defies typical business advice.

With disarming honesty, Steve describes himself as "lazy" and "always looking for an opportunity to delegate rather than do" – yet this counterintuitive approach reveals the heart of effective leadership. His philosophy centers on building for tomorrow rather than obsessing over today's perfection. "I don't care if we make money or things go perfect today," he explains. "It's about learning and preparing for the next step, for tomorrow."

The conversation delves into how Sherman Buildings has evolved from a male-dominated workplace with cigarette-burned keyboards to a diverse company where women have transformed both operations and culture. Steve's perspective on customer relationships is equally enlightening – rather than promising perfection, he advises clients to "judge us by how we respond to mistakes, how we fix them, how we take care of them." This approach has created a business where family members, friends, and employees genuinely want to participate.

Perhaps most fascinating is Steve's unique relationship with stress. "The only reason I know stress exists is because I've witnessed other people endure it," he shares, offering a perspective that questions our fundamental assumptions about business pressure. His reflection on how becoming a grandparent softened his temperament reveals how personal growth shapes leadership style over time.

Whether you're running a family business, leading a team, or simply curious about sustainable success, this conversation offers valuable insights on building something that truly lasts. Visit thatswhatsheshedlive.com to continue the leadership conversation and explore opportunities to share your own experiences on the show.

Leadership lessons often emerge from unexpected places, and in this engaging conversation with Andrew Walsh, we discover wisdom from the lumber yard at Sherman Buildings. Andrew, who works in the mechanic shop preparing materials for construction crews, shares his practical approach to leadership, teamwork, and finding joy in daily responsibilities.

What does leadership look like when your job involves counting lumber and preparing materials? For Andrew, it's about understanding that everyone has their unique style of working. "I'll give you hands-on learning...but I'm going to kind of let you figure it out," he explains, recognizing that whether it's Dave's "perfect, immaculate" approach or Derek's more free-form method, different styles can achieve the same quality results. This inclusive leadership philosophy creates space for individuality while maintaining standards—a lesson applicable far beyond the lumber yard.

The conversation takes delightful turns as Andrew shares his strategy for staying productive during busy periods (noise-canceling earbuds and motivational music), reveals what would make him haunt the mechanic shop as a ghost ("just to mess with Aaron"), and recounts the hilariously embarrassing tale of getting multiple pieces of equipment stuck. His supervisor's calm reaction—"just don't get the biggest piece of equipment stuck, because that's what we're going to use to pull it out"—exemplifies the good-humored, solution-focused culture at Sherman. We also learn about Andrew's community involvement, which earned him the prestigious "Shermie Award" for volunteer service, demonstrating how workplace values extend beyond job descriptions.

Whether you're managing a team, seeking practical leadership insights, or simply enjoy authentic workplace stories, you'll find something valuable in Andrew's down-to-earth wisdom. Share your own leadership experiences or workplace stories with us at thatswhatsheshedlive—we'd love to continue the conversation!

What happens when you build a business by deliberately running toward the things that scare you most? Andrew Kelling, founder of Sherman Buildings and my father, reveals the counterintuitive philosophy that turned a small construction company into a multi-generational family business spanning nearly five decades.

From his humble beginnings in dairy farming to taking a leap of faith at age 30, Andrew shares the pivotal moments that shaped both his company and his life philosophy. "If I don't try something now, in a few more years I'll be too scared to try it," he explains, capturing the urgency that drove him to pursue construction despite having no formal training. This willingness to confront fears rather than avoid them became the cornerstone of his approach to business and personal growth.

The conversation takes a powerful turn when Andrew reveals how the company slogan "Erect to Protect" connects to his most profound childhood memory—his petite mother physically protecting him from his father's anger. This emotional foundation of protection extends through everything from the buildings they construct to the family business they've built together, now employing his children and grandchildren.

His refreshing business philosophy contradicts conventional wisdom about entrepreneurial ego. "The reason many small businesses fail is they think they have to be the smartest and the best," Andrew observes. "I continually want to look for people who are better than I am." This humility, combined with remarkable persistence (knocking on ten doors during a recession before getting his first roofing job), offers valuable lessons for any business owner or entrepreneur.

Whether you're building a business, contemplating a career change, or simply interested in how confronting fears can lead to unexpected success, this intimate father-daughter conversation reveals timeless wisdom about courage, family legacy, and why sometimes the best path forward is directly through what scares you most.