In episode 83 of Boss Talks, host Evan Happel welcomes Katie Phelan-Chostner, a prominent figure from 1Up Floors in Washington, to discuss her journey in the flooring industry, her approach to leadership, community building, and mentorship. Katie shares insights on how she led 1Up Floors through its 10-year journey, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, support, and fostering growth within her team and the broader industry. Additionally, she discusses her role in legislative activities, advocating for equitable practices in the property management and housing sectors. The episode also touches on personal aspects of Katie's life, including her partnership with her husband in managing work-life balance, and her participation in the Keri Anderson Emerging Leader Program, highlighting her commitment to mentorship and industry growth.
00:00 Welcome to Boss Talks Episode 83
00:23 Introducing Katie Phelan-Chostner and One Up Floors
01:54 Community Boss: A PropTech Solution Spotlight
02:35 Katie's Journey: From Industry Newcomer to Flooring Innovator
03:41 Building Community and Hospitality Insights
08:05 The Evolution of One Up Floors: A Decade of Growth
13:56 Leadership and Authenticity: Katie's Approach to Business
19:00 Embracing Imperfection and Authenticity in Life and Work
25:14 Celebrating Family Support and Personal Sacrifices
25:48 The Power of Community and Village Parenting
27:58 Embracing Early Mornings for Personal Time
29:28 The Importance of Transparency and Embracing Failures
30:12 Mentorship and Giving Back to the Industry
36:00 Advocating for the Industry and Legislative Involvement
43:06 The Impact of Community Feedback and Collaboration
47:47 Looking Forward to Industry Events and Community Growth
In this episode of Boss Talks, host Evan Happel had the pleasure of sitting down with the dynamic Katie Phelan-Chostner. Katie, known for her role in shaking up the flooring industry with 1Up Floors, shared her journey from industry newcomer to an innovator challenging the norms of perfection and emphasizing the value of authentic hard work.
Katie has carved a niche for herself by leading with a philosophy **embracing imperfection**. This theme resonated through our conversation as Katie opened up about her personal and professional life, highlighting the intertwined nature of the two realms. For Katie, the journey hasn't been about striving for the unattainable goal of perfection but rather about embracing authenticity. She candidly shared stories from her career, her role as a mother, and her drive to make meaningful contributions to the industry and her community. **"Being authentic and allowing your employees to show up as themselves, to work hard but also recognize that no one is perfect,"** is a mantra that Katie lives and leads by.
One of the most illuminating moments was when Katie discussed her approach to building community both in her personal life and at 1Up Floors. She likens the process to building a house, stating, **"building the spirit of community starts with the foundation: a good foundational level of trust, understanding, and acceptance."** It's this foundation that has allowed Katie and her team to create a workplace where everyone feels comfortable to be their true selves, which she views as a marker of success.
Katie promotes a psychologically safe workplace where employees can admit when they're having a tough day openly. This level of honesty and transparency fosters a supportive environment that strengthens the team's bond. Katie is passionate about mentoring and helping her team grow, even if that means outgrowing the company itself.
Katie recounted her experience giving testimony in Olympia, emphasizing the importance of involvement in legislation that impacts the multifamily housing industry. Her story is a reminder for all of us in the multifamily industry to **"respond to call to actions... never underestimate the ability to let your voice be heard"**.
As we wrapped up the chat, the excitement about the upcoming EdCon was palpable. Katie's enthusiasm for the event and the industry's future reminded listeners of the power of community within the multifamily housing space. Her closing thoughts encapsulated the essence of Boss Talks and her life's philosophy: **"Learn, connect, grow. It doesn't matter where you are in your career; there's always room to embrace those three things."**
In this episode of Boss Talks, Katie Phelan-Chostner reminded us that authenticity, hard work, and a supportive community are the keystones of success in business and life. Her story is a testament to the power of showing up as you are and the beauty of embracing the imperfect journey towards making a meaningful difference.