Zero Failures
Not to be caulky, but this is training that works!
class schedule
Future class dates will be announced soon!
Join the waiting list
What’s Included
All classroom and hands-on materials, lunch and munchies throughout each day are included. Oh – and dinner’s on us for the first seminar nigh, too. Don’t forget – you’ll be in a room full of other log home pros. Talk shop and learn from those in the trenches with you. Who knows where a chat could lead?
What you’ll learn
Wood Science
The 5 Pre-Requisites of Proper Prep: Plus pros and cons of different prep types.
Blasting Technology: Geek out over rigs that make media blasting faster and more efficient.
Stain Technology 101: What works better in different circumstances, why, and problem-solving on difficult-to-remove finishes.
Chinking & Caulking Technology 101: Why proper joint design matters, plus case studies on failures and how to fix them.
Rot Identification & Repair: Before you even start a job, learn the telltale signs of rot, and how to treat it.
Hands-On With All: Take to your own log wall for hands-on time with the blasting equipment, staining, and chinking, all taught by a seasoned pro.
Sashco Manufacturing & Lab Tour: Tour Sashco’s brand-new manufacturing facility and see some of the testing we do in our Lab to ensure our products are up to snuff.
Business Focus
C-E-O Training: We’ll help you identify the potholes as you transition from Contractor to Employer to Owner.
Culture Wars: Culture trumps mission and vision statements every day. It also attracts employees who stick around.
Crucial Conversations: How to navigate tough conversations with employees and customers.
Process Improvement: What are the compensating behaviors you accept as “normal”? Learn how to identify those and cut out waste to do more with what you already have.
Bidding & Pricing: Pros and cons of different bid types, along with how to justify your price better.
Contract Law: Yes, a contract is an excellent idea. Here’s how to make sure yours is working for the benefit of you and your customers.
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS
Owner & President, Sashco
Since 1973, when Les took over as President of Sashco at the (very young) age of 23, he has overseen the
growth of the company from 12 team members to nearly 130 today. He is chief visionary, as well as chief proponent of innovation and fun. With 50 years of business leadership under his belt, Les knows the pitfalls and triumphs of growing a successful family-owned business.
Owner, Nelson Log Restoration
Mark is owner and operator of Nelson Log Restoration based in Cody, WY. In 992, he did his first log home restoration job. Since then, he’s done, well, a few more jobs (we’ll say in the low hundreds) and has developed a passion around media blasting and process improvements. Mark is as straight a shooter as you’ll ever find. If you want an honest opinion, he’s ready to give it with a bit of humor tacked on for good measure.
Owner, Log Home Care, Inc.
Wayne owns and operates Log Home Care based in Springboro, OH. He has completed the Executive Program for Growing Companies at Stanford University Graduate School of Business and has served as an educator in both the public and private sectors. Wayne sometimes misses the air conditioning of his car from his days as a state trooper.
Senior Chemist, Sashco
Jim, aka “The Stain Guy,” is Sashco’s Senior Chemist in charge of all coatings at Sashco. Prior to joining the Sashco team in 2010, Jim worked at Behr for 20 years formulating paints and stains. In his spare time, he enjoys working on random projects in his workshop (aka garage) with his three boys and very understanding wife.
Senior Chemist, Sashco
Andy is Sashco’s Senior Chemist in charge of water-based sealants, including Conceal, Log Builder, and Log Jam. For over 25 years now, he has put passion and fun into making Sashco’s sealants the best of the best. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking (another form of chemistry) and practicing for the daddy/daughter dances he attends with his two girls.
Lawyer & Partner, Galvanize Law
Danielle Maya is an accomplished attorney with over 20 years’ experience practicing all areas of construction law, including construction defect litigation, employment law, and more. Danielle serves as the chair for the Colorado Contractors Coalition, which serves to advocate for the betterment of the construction industry at the legislative level. Danielle has always had a healthy appreciation for building projects from the first roof she inspected at the age of three (not with the blessing of her parents).
Human Resources Manager, Sashco
Micki is Sashco’s spunky HR manager. She enjoys thepeople part of human resources and finds people in general to be fascinating. Micki strives to embody the culture of Sashco. She is owner of the office candy bowl and has a number of initials next to her name for all of the various certifications she’s earned over the years.
Log Home Expert, Meeker Builders
Herb Meeker started building and selling custom homes back in 1975, fresh out of high school. He entered the log home field in early 1984 when he became a representative for a major log home manufacturer and started his own log home construction business soon after. After selling and building many log homes, Herb joined the log home repair and restoration business in 1991. He operated the restoration business in combination with his log home construction business until 2017 when he sold his construction business. He continued to run the log home restoration business in California until early 2023, when he sold to one of his young prodigies. With fourteen grandchildren across the United States and a desire to travel it looks like some road trips ahead.
Herb will keep his fingers in the log home business consulting on the tough log home repair and restoration projects into the future.
Travel & accommodations
Ready to start planning your trip to Sashco?
Testimonials
“We’ve been doing things a particular way for years but didn’t understand why. It has helped us explain to customers why we do certain things, which helps my confidence, as well as my customers’ confidence in choosing me.” – Kade Bagley, Big Ridge Log Pros
“The combination of hands-on time with scientific learning was so valuable and the visual aids were eye-opening. I could relate that to my past jobs and gain insight into better diagnosing and bidding jobs. With the knowledge and confidence I gained at Zero Failures, I can very clearly distinguish the job I will do from the job the painter down the street will do.” – Mike Bellevue, Chewelah Painting
“I’ve owned a successful log home restoration business for over a decade and watched my father successfully run the same business for decades before that. My mind is overflowing with ideas on how to improve our business. Because of this class, my seasoned company will run much smoother and will be more profitable.” – Blake Hansen, Log Care, Inc
