Aug. 17, 2026
Andrew Boyle | 08172026
Guest: Andrew Boyle of Making Sheds Simple
Host: Randy Chaffee
Producer / Director / Co-Host: Wes Wyatt
đź“Ś Episode Overview & Intro Chat
- Show Intro & Banter:
- Randy Chaffee and Wes Wyatt kick off the show discussing late-night work ethics, road trips to Columbus, and the shared mission to "make people happy."
- Randy introduces guest Andrew Boyle, whom he saw speak in York, PA, following his own keynote, noting how impressed he was with Andrew's stage presence and his team in their signature bright yellow shirts.
- Introducing Andrew Boyle:
- Andrew Boyle is a shed industry leader, entrepreneur, speaker, and founder across several brands under the "Simple" umbrella, including Simple RTO and MakingShedsSimple.com.
🏗️ From 27 Furniture Stores to Shed Industry Leaders
- The Early Start & The Big Pivot:
- Andrew entered the shed business in 2014 after buying an existing shed lot adjacent to a furniture store he operated, starting their first Rent-To-Own (RTO) portfolio with a modest $50,000 loan.
- They expanded aggressively into retail furniture, scaling to 27 franchise stores across 3 states with 150 employees.
- When their parent franchise company unexpectedly went bankrupt, they were forced to liquidate everything within 90 days, losing the stores overnight.
- Relaunching into the Shed Business:
- During that low point, Andrew's nephews began building backyard sheds from YouTube tutorials, which led to a late-night drive to acquire a manufacturing plant.
- Today, Andrew's brother Peter runs their manufacturing facility in North Florida (servicing the entire state), while Andrew runs the nationwide RTO company and training programs.
🟡 The S.I.M.P.L.E. Core Framework
Frustrated by the heavy, restrictive red tape of the corporate franchise world, Andrew and his team built their entire business philosophy around the acronym S.I.M.P.L.E.:
- S – Stop Selling, Solve Problems: Focus on helping the customer resolve their pain point rather than forcing a pitch.
- I – Ignore the Numbers: Prioritize doing the right thing for people; sustainable revenue and profits naturally follow.
- M – Misfits Win: Stand out in a crowded world by being authentic (exemplified by their bold yellow shirts and genuine style).
- P – Proverbs Principle: Based on Proverbs 22:1 ("A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches").
- L – Leave Memories: Customers quickly forget basic transactions, but they always remember remarkable experiences.
- E – Embarrass Yourself: Fear of failure and embarrassment kill creativity. Step out of your comfort zone, try new marketing channels, and don't be afraid of bloopers or making mistakes.
🤝 Customer-Centric Operations & The "It Could" Philosophy
- Frictionless Buying (The Grocery Line Analogy):
- Andrew compares shed buyers to grocery shoppers: they take their time carefully picking the product (like selecting the best apples/oranges), but at checkout, they expect the line to be fast.
- Simple RTO focuses on streamlining paperwork and technology to make buying a shed faster and easier than renting a mini-storage unit.
- Avoiding Rigid "Policy" Traps:
- Randy and Andrew critique companies that create massive, anti-customer policies based on a single past negative incident.
- Instead of defaulting to "That's against our policy," great businesses look for ways to say "It could" and go to bat for the customer, making them feel like a hero who won.
- Jesse Cole / Savannah Bananas Model:
- Andrew references Jesse Cole’s "Fans First" mentality—eliminating nickel-and-dime fees, over-delivering value, and creating memorable moments that turn one-time buyers into lifelong brand advocates.
🤖 AI & The Adaptive Mindset
- Embracing Modern Tech:
- Andrew and Randy discuss how AI and automated bots have accelerated basic workflows (booking flights, automating forms, drafting content).
- Andrew emphasizes: "You’re not going to lose your job to AI; you’ll lose your job to someone who knows how to use AI."
- Consistency Over Creativity:
- A single post, postcard, or tool change won't transform a business overnight. Long-term market dominance comes from consistent daily execution, advertising, and a willingness to continuously adapt.
🎙️ Industry Events & Should-Ask Question (SAQ)
- Upcoming Industry Gatherings:
- Shed Sales Summit: Held annually in September in Knoxville, TN (ShedSalesSummit.com), focusing on sales training and growth.
- National Shed Show: Launching in February in Daytona Beach, FL—featuring vendors, networking, education, and community-building events.
- The SAQ (Should-Ask Question):
- Question Andrew wishes more people would ask: "How do I become better?"
- Andrew's Answer: Don't let fear of embarrassment or rejection stop you from asking competitors, leaders, or peers for guidance. Most people in the trades genuinely care and are willing to share what worked for them if you simply ask for help.
đź’ˇ Key Takeaway
"Business doesn't have to be complicated. Strip away the red tape, embrace being a 'misfit,' prioritize memorable customer experiences over rigid policies, and never be too proud to ask others, 'How do I become better?'"
Making Sheds Simple:
https://makingshedssimple.com/
Randy Chaffee:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/randychaffee/
https://www.facebook.com/therandychaffee
https://www.sourceonemarketingllc.com
Wes Wyatt: