From the Fabricator Podcast, Featuring Keith Daubmann

Here’s an outline and timecode for the podcast.

• Keith Daubmann is the guest on the podcast, and he has an interesting background and story to share, having grown up in an entrepreneurial family in Western Massachusetts 03:23.
• Daubmann’s parents started a home services business to pay for his medical treatment after he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s non-lymphoma at age 12, and this experience shaped his entrepreneurial spirit 03:47.
• Daubmann’s family moved to Florida, where they started a closet shelving business that eventually led to the glass industry, specifically shower doors, after being introduced to the idea by Tom Whitaker 06:35.
• My Shower Door is the first brand Daubmann started, specializing in measuring, manufacturing, and installing heavy glass frameless shower enclosures, and it has carved out a niche in the market by focusing solely on shower doors 08:11.
• Keith Daubmann’s company has grown significantly, with 198 employees, and he attributes this growth to the company’s focus on a specific product, the heavy glass frameless shower enclosure, and its ability to provide better customer service through vertical integration 09:18.
• D3, the manufacturing side of the business, was born after the recession in 2008, and it allows the company to have more control over quality and provide better customer service 11:36.
• My Architectural Glass was started in 2017, and it was initially met with skepticism, but it has since grown and allowed the company to expand its product offerings and build relationships with builders and architects 14:03.
• Keith Daubmann started using social media in 2017, and it has been instrumental in building his personal brand and promoting his business, allowing him to connect with people and build rapport, which has condensed his sales cycle 15:29.
• Daubmann emphasizes the importance of being authentic and having fun on social media, and he encourages others to make time for it, as it can open doors and build relationships 16:53.
• Keith Daubmann’s company has a strong team, including his brother Doug, mom Donna, plant manager Bryce, and Jay, who has been with the company for over 21 years and is the only person Keith has never disagreed with 18:59.
• Keith’s company, D3 Glass, MyShowerDoor, and My Architectural Glass, has evolved from shower doors to manufacturing, with a focus on culture and teamwork 22:06.
• The biggest challenge Keith faced was transitioning from a small team to a manufacturing culture, which led to high turnover rates and financial struggles, but was eventually resolved with the help of Bryce and a focus on building a positive work culture 22:47.
• The most popular products currently being sold by Keith’s company are wine cellars, glass railings, and shower doors, particularly Barn Door style sliders, which are extremely popular in Southwest Florida 25:17.
• In his spare time, Keith enjoys playing golf and is very competitive at it, although he has not had as much time for it lately due to his business 26:30.
• Keith Daubmann’s social media presence is driven by his competitive nature and desire to show his team that he’s the hardest working one, which has become an essential part of his daily routine 26:49.
• Daubmann’s family, particularly his parents, have instilled in him the value of giving and helping others, which is reflected in his involvement in the industry and charitable efforts 30:07.
• Daubmann’s company helped raise funds for Billy Britt, a member of the Showerdoor Professionals Group, after his business was affected by a hurricane, as a natural response to help those in need 31:10.
• Daubmann’s personal experience with Hurricane Ian, which caused significant damage to his home and business, taught him a valuable lesson about the importance of letting go of material possessions 31:55.
• Daubmann and his brother, Doug, who works on the manufacturing side, used to have battles over lead times and sales promises, but have since developed a better understanding of each other’s needs after 20 years of working together 34:20.
• The key to success is learning from experiences, both good and bad, and being committed to what you do, which can sometimes be an obsession 35:41.
• Keith Daubmann is excited about the future, expecting growth in the manufacturing space, particularly with laminate products, and is looking forward to the evolution of technology and digital integration in the glass industry 37:04.