With a desire to see the world and a mechanically inclined brain, James Kleinman joined the U.S. Navy in 1978. James served for six years working on submarines and the surface fleet as a nuclear-trained electrician’s mate second class. “The …

The Independent Home Improvement Conference (IHI Conference) is the premier event designed exclusively for independent hardware and home improvement retailers. This event brings together industry leaders, retailers and channel partners for two days of education, networking and business growth opportunities. …

Growing a retail operation, either incrementally for a single store or by opening new stores, often requires the entire team pulling in the same direction. But when everyone isn’t aware of the direction because processes and procedures are left to …

As you create and revise SOPs in your own operation, walk through the examples of PaulB Hardware’s SOPs below—including videos, documents and checklists—to guide your strategies. Read more about how the managers at PaulB Hardware made SOPs a priority to …

Celebrate the best of the best in the independent industry at the 2025 Independent Home Improvement Conference, where we will recognize honorees of three of the industry’s biggest awards: The Beacon Awards, the Young Retailer of the Year Awards and …

The 2025 IHI Conference Educates, Invigorates the Channel IHI Conference Day 2 Addresses the Hot Topics Facing the Channel IHI Conference Day 1 Casts Vision for Industry Future, Shares Leadership Lessons Independents Celebration Raises a Glass to the Channel There’s …

The Independent Home Improvement Conference (IHI Conference) is the premier event designed exclusively for independent hardware and home improvement retailers. This event brings together industry leaders, retailers and channel partners for two days of education, networking and business growth opportunities. …