The Last Word Podcast

The Last Word – Episode 9: Blaine and Jeffrey Smith In this engaging episode of The Last Word Podcast, Ray Allegrezza welcomes Blaine and Jeffrey Smith, seasoned veterans with over 40 years in the industry. Blaine, from an independent sales viewpoint, talks about building a new team and mentoring the next generation. Jeffrey shares his…

The Last Word – Episode 8: Amy Archer February 1, 2024 grace.routh0811@gmail.com In this episode, Ray and IHFRA delve into a captivating dialogue with Amy Archer, discussing the intersection of shared experiences, future plans, and deep insights into the design industry. Amy unveils her journey from being enchanted by home design as a child to…

The Last Word – Episode 7: John Pinion January 1, 2024 grace.routh0811@gmail.com Join us for an eye-opening episode of “The Last Word” podcast as industry veteran John Pinion discusses the evolving role of industry representatives, the Covid-19 impact, and the challenges and opportunities faced by sales reps and retailers. Pinion shares insights on the changing…

The Last Word – Episode 6: Lance Hannish November 12, 2023 grace.routh0811@gmail.com Welcome to a riveting episode of “The Last Word”! Join your host, Ray Allegrezza, as he engages in a captivating conversation with the brilliant mind behind the crystal ball of advertising, Lance Hannish. Hannish, the Co-Founding Partner at CNA | Sophis Integrated Marketing…

The Last Word – Episode 5: Lael Thompson August 12, 2023 grace.routh0811@gmail.com In this captivating episode of “The Last Word” podcast, we dive deep into the dynamic world of the furniture industry with our special guest, Lael Thompson. Join us as we explore the remarkable journey of this young retail prodigy who is reshaping the…

The Last Word – Episode 4: Lori Friedlander July 12, 2023 grace.routh0811@gmail.com In this exclusive interview, we had the honor of sitting down with the accomplished industry expert, Lori Friedlander, who has an impressive track record with renowned brands like Ethan Allen, Bassett, La-Z-boy, and more. Lori shares her invaluable insights and strategies on how…

The Last Word – Episode 3: Heidi Jewell June 11, 2023 grace.routh0811@gmail.com As part of Ray Allegrezza’s The Last Word series, this week he brings you a video interview with industry veteran Heidi Haleh Jewell. Jewell, who joined the industry a number of years ago, spent the majority of her career in retail where she…

The Last Word – Episode 2: Charlie Malouf February 11, 2023 grace.routh0811@gmail.com Episode 2. Ray interviews Charlie Malouf, CEO of Broad River Retail, a Top 100 furniture retailer. Listen in to find out how Broad River grew its business during the toughest months of the pandemic, why Charlie calls his team ‘memory-makers,’ and why he…

The Last Word – Episode 1: Tom Erdman January 11, 2023 grace.routh0811@gmail.com For our first episode, moderator Ray Allegrezza chats with Handy Living’s Tom Erdman about where the industry is headed in a post-pandemic universe. Tom brings years of experience, both with brick and click to the table. Back to Blog More Episodes of The…