It's Worth Noting | by Levi Smith https://www.itsworthnoting.com Leadership, productivity and technology ideas worth noting. Thu, 14 May 2026 20:27:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://anchor.fm/s/769d7634/podcast/rss 18401756 Franklin Building Supply with Rick Lierz – Dead quiet in the backseat https://www.itsworthnoting.com/general/franklin-building-supply-with-rick-lierz-dead-quiet-in-the-backseat/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=franklin-building-supply-with-rick-lierz-dead-quiet-in-the-backseat Thu, 14 May 2026 20:27:06 +0000 https://www.itsworthnoting.com/?p=7332 Rick Lierz shares the story of how his dad and a friend started Franklin Building Supply back in 1976. Among their dreams, none included ever having any kids in the business. Rick unpacks the story of how the company evolved and to everyone’s surprise he and his sister eventually came into the business. He also [...]

The post Franklin Building Supply with Rick Lierz – Dead quiet in the backseat first appeared on It's Worth Noting | by Levi Smith.]]> Rick Lierz shares the story of how his dad and a friend started Franklin Building Supply back in 1976. Among their dreams, none included ever having any kids in the business. Rick unpacks the story of how the company evolved and to everyone’s surprise he and his sister eventually came into the business. He also shares how how they navigated the Great Recession to eventually realize a long held dream to turn the company into a 100% employee-owned company. After 10 years of employee-ownership and 50 years of business, Franklin Building Supply is going stronger than ever!

A special thanks to Season 2 sponsor Trus Joist!

The post Franklin Building Supply with Rick Lierz – Dead quiet in the backseat first appeared on It's Worth Noting | by Levi Smith.]]> 7332 Norco with Nicole Kissler – Suitcases for Graduation https://www.itsworthnoting.com/podcast/norco-with-nicole-kissler-suitcases-for-graduation/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=norco-with-nicole-kissler-suitcases-for-graduation Thu, 18 Dec 2025 23:26:11 +0000 https://www.itsworthnoting.com/?p=7317 Nicole Kissler, CEO of Norco, shares the story of how she realized her childhood dreams to come back and work for the family business headquartered in Boise, Idaho. From its humble beginnings back in 1968, to a vertically integrated manufacturer and distributor of industry and medical gas and related supplies, Norco today is 35% employee-owned [...]

The post Norco with Nicole Kissler – Suitcases for Graduation first appeared on It's Worth Noting | by Levi Smith.]]> Nicole Kissler, CEO of Norco, shares the story of how she realized her childhood dreams to come back and work for the family business headquartered in Boise, Idaho. From its humble beginnings back in 1968, to a vertically integrated manufacturer and distributor of industry and medical gas and related supplies, Norco today is 35% employee-owned with nearly 90 locations and almost 1500 employees.

A special thanks to the Season 1 sponsor Trus Joist!

The post Norco with Nicole Kissler – Suitcases for Graduation first appeared on It's Worth Noting | by Levi Smith.]]> 7317 Scabbards and Batwings – Eberlestock with Greg Williams https://www.itsworthnoting.com/podcast/scabbards-and-batwings-eberlestock-with-greg-williams/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=scabbards-and-batwings-eberlestock-with-greg-williams Tue, 16 Sep 2025 01:39:05 +0000 https://www.itsworthnoting.com/?p=7304 Greg Williams, CEO of Eberlestock, shares the story of how he found his way into the role of stewarding the legacy of Eberlestock. Since the first product in 1985, the founder, Glen Eberle, has been focused on solving problems he encountered in his “everyday” life as an Olympic biathlete, fighter jet pilot and backcountry hunter. [...]

The post Scabbards and Batwings – Eberlestock with Greg Williams first appeared on It's Worth Noting | by Levi Smith.]]> Greg Williams, CEO of Eberlestock, shares the story of how he found his way into the role of stewarding the legacy of Eberlestock. Since the first product in 1985, the founder, Glen Eberle, has been focused on solving problems he encountered in his “everyday” life as an Olympic biathlete, fighter jet pilot and backcountry hunter. Today, Eberlestock offers solutions for the military, hunters and EDC from its home in Boise, Idaho.

A special thanks to Season 1 sponsor Trus Joist!

Photo courtesy of Eberlestock.com

The post Scabbards and Batwings – Eberlestock with Greg Williams first appeared on It's Worth Noting | by Levi Smith.]]> 7304 The Korean Cowboy – the Jae Foundation with Jason Vickrey https://www.itsworthnoting.com/podcast/the-jae-foundation-with-jason-vickrey-the-korean-cowboy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-jae-foundation-with-jason-vickrey-the-korean-cowboy Tue, 15 Jul 2025 16:36:22 +0000 https://www.itsworthnoting.com/?p=7290 Jason Vickrey, CEO of TitleOne, shares the story of devastating loss after one of his best friends, Jae Bob Bing, committed suicide and how he and others turned a shocking tragedy into a legacy at the Jae Foundation. Through their boot check and other programs, the Jae Foundation is working to change the western culture around mental [...]

The post The Korean Cowboy – the Jae Foundation with Jason Vickrey first appeared on It's Worth Noting | by Levi Smith.]]> Jason Vickrey, CEO of TitleOne, shares the story of devastating loss after one of his best friends, Jae Bob Bing, committed suicide and how he and others turned a shocking tragedy into a legacy at the Jae Foundation. Through their boot check and other programs, the Jae Foundation is working to change the western culture around mental health and reduce suicide risks in their communities.

If you are in crisis, please dial 988. For other mental health and suicide prevention tools or resources, please visit the Jae Foundation.

Donations made to the Jae Foundation with the word “FBS” in the comments will be matched up to $2,000 by Franklin Building Supply and HUB International.

A special thanks to our Season 1 sponsor Trus Joist!

The post The Korean Cowboy – the Jae Foundation with Jason Vickrey first appeared on It's Worth Noting | by Levi Smith.]]> 7290 Only so many steak dinners – Litehouse Foods with Kelly Prior https://www.itsworthnoting.com/podcast/only-so-many-steak-dinners-lighthouse-foods-with-kelly-prior/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=only-so-many-steak-dinners-lighthouse-foods-with-kelly-prior Tue, 03 Jun 2025 20:18:49 +0000 https://www.itsworthnoting.com/?p=7272 Kelly Prior, CEO of Litehouse Foods, shares how he went from counting beads in elementary school for his family business to a twenty year career with Litehouse Foods. In addition to its iconic creamy blue cheese dressing, Litehouse produces a variety of salad dressings and other products distributed across the country. Headquartered in Sandpoint, Idaho, Litehouse [...]

The post Only so many steak dinners – Litehouse Foods with Kelly Prior first appeared on It's Worth Noting | by Levi Smith.]]> Kelly Prior, CEO of Litehouse Foods, shares how he went from counting beads in elementary school for his family business to a twenty year career with Litehouse Foods. In addition to its iconic creamy blue cheese dressing, Litehouse produces a variety of salad dressings and other products distributed across the country. Headquartered in Sandpoint, Idaho, Litehouse has been 100% employee-owned since 2014.

Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/juanelo242a/10682892224

The post Only so many steak dinners – Litehouse Foods with Kelly Prior first appeared on It's Worth Noting | by Levi Smith.]]> 7272 Don’t tell me it can’t be done – Interview with Gary Schweizer of Trus Joist https://www.itsworthnoting.com/podcast/dont-tell-me-it-cant-be-done-interview-with-gary-schweizer-of-trus-joist/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dont-tell-me-it-cant-be-done-interview-with-gary-schweizer-of-trus-joist Tue, 25 Mar 2025 16:50:31 +0000 https://www.itsworthnoting.com/?p=7264 Gary Schweizer, a longtime engineer for Trus Joist, helps me unpack the story of how the company and some of its iconic products – and projects – came to be starting with the dynamic collaboration between two entrepreneurs, Art Troutner and Harold “Red” Thomas, in Boise back in the 1950s. Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/shookphotos/17129523986

The post Don’t tell me it can’t be done – Interview with Gary Schweizer of Trus Joist first appeared on It's Worth Noting | by Levi Smith.]]> Gary Schweizer, a longtime engineer for Trus Joist, helps me unpack the story of how the company and some of its iconic products – and projects – came to be starting with the dynamic collaboration between two entrepreneurs, Art Troutner and Harold “Red” Thomas, in Boise back in the 1950s.

Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/shookphotos/17129523986

The post Don’t tell me it can’t be done – Interview with Gary Schweizer of Trus Joist first appeared on It's Worth Noting | by Levi Smith.]]> 7264 Pick your battles – Interview with Jake Peters of Decked https://www.itsworthnoting.com/podcast/pick-your-battles-interview-with-jake-peters-of-decked/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pick-your-battles-interview-with-jake-peters-of-decked Fri, 24 Jan 2025 23:35:35 +0000 https://www.itsworthnoting.com/?p=7243 In my capacity as CEO of Franklin Building Supply, I’ve launched a new podcast entitled Ain’t That Somethin’. In each episode, I interview founders or leaders about the stories of companies you may be surprised to learn either had their start in Idaho or now call Idaho home. In every interview, you’ll hear about an interesting [...]

The post Pick your battles – Interview with Jake Peters of Decked first appeared on It's Worth Noting | by Levi Smith.]]> In my capacity as CEO of Franklin Building Supply, I’ve launched a new podcast entitled Ain’t That Somethin’. In each episode, I interview founders or leaders about the stories of companies you may be surprised to learn either had their start in Idaho or now call Idaho home. In every interview, you’ll hear about an interesting cast of characters, learn about daunting obstacles, and be inspired by the persistence it took to succeed.

New episodes will drop every 1-2 months, so be sure to subscribe to be alerted when a new episode drops.

Enjoy episode two with Jake Peters, Chairman and a founder of Decked, the Ketchum Idaho based company that brought tough and functional drawers systems to pickup truck beds. And there’s a bonus story on Jake’s next adventure, Edjy. Enjoy!

Image Copyright of Decked.

The post Pick your battles – Interview with Jake Peters of Decked first appeared on It's Worth Noting | by Levi Smith.]]> 7243 Chased by lions – Podcast interview with CJ Buck of Buck Knives. https://www.itsworthnoting.com/podcast/chased-by-lions-podcast-interview-with-cj-buck-of-buck-knives/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=chased-by-lions-podcast-interview-with-cj-buck-of-buck-knives Tue, 03 Dec 2024 23:49:31 +0000 https://www.itsworthnoting.com/?p=7205 In my capacity as CEO of Franklin Building Supply, I’m launching a new podcast entitled Ain’t That Somethin’. In each episode, I interview founders or leaders about the stories of companies you may be surprised to learn either had their start in Idaho or now call Idaho home. In every interview, you’ll hear about an [...]

The post Chased by lions – Podcast interview with CJ Buck of Buck Knives. first appeared on It's Worth Noting | by Levi Smith.]]> In my capacity as CEO of Franklin Building Supply, I’m launching a new podcast entitled Ain’t That Somethin’. In each episode, I interview founders or leaders about the stories of companies you may be surprised to learn either had their start in Idaho or now call Idaho home. In every interview, you’ll hear about an interesting cast of characters, learn about daunting obstacles, and be inspired by the persistence it took to succeed.

New episodes will drop every 1-2 months, so be sure to subscribe to be alerted when a new episode drops.

Enjoy this first one with CJ Buck, 4th generation leader of Buck Knives, which has called Post Falls, Idaho home for nearly 20 years.

Image credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Buck_110_Folding_Hunter_%2833685498063%29.jpg

The post Chased by lions – Podcast interview with CJ Buck of Buck Knives. first appeared on It's Worth Noting | by Levi Smith.]]> 7205 Going home better than they arrived https://www.itsworthnoting.com/podcast/going-home-better-than-they-arrived/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=going-home-better-than-they-arrived Wed, 20 Sep 2023 22:13:03 +0000 https://www.itsworthnoting.com/?p=7175 A friend of mine, Matt Brost, invited me to sit down and video a discussion about lessons learned and leadership principles with the Dallas skyline as the backdrop. Matt and I reminisced about some shared experiences that shaped our lives and discuss how leaders can impact the workplaces and environments they operate in for the [...]

The post Going home better than they arrived first appeared on It's Worth Noting | by Levi Smith.]]> A friend of mine, Matt Brost, invited me to sit down and video a discussion about lessons learned and leadership principles with the Dallas skyline as the backdrop. Matt and I reminisced about some shared experiences that shaped our lives and discuss how leaders can impact the workplaces and environments they operate in for the good of everyone around them. Enjoy!

The post Going home better than they arrived first appeared on It's Worth Noting | by Levi Smith.]]> 7175 Transformative training – getting to the heart of the matter https://www.itsworthnoting.com/leadership/transformative-training-getting-to-the-heart-of-the-matter/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=transformative-training-getting-to-the-heart-of-the-matter Fri, 05 May 2023 20:47:02 +0000 https://www.itsworthnoting.com/?p=7156 I share part of my story and the journey to transform culture at Franklin Building Supply by focusing on employees as human beings with C12.

The post Transformative training – getting to the heart of the matter first appeared on It's Worth Noting | by Levi Smith.]]> I share part of my story and the journey to transform culture at Franklin Building Supply by focusing on employees as human beings with C12.

The post Transformative training – getting to the heart of the matter first appeared on It's Worth Noting | by Levi Smith.]]> 7156