UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — In the latest episode of Invent Penn State’s “Dare to Disrupt” podcast, host Ryan Newman interviews founder and CEO of West Shore Home, B.J. Werzyn. West Shore Home is one of the largest direct-to-consumer home remodelers in the nation with over 37 locations in 18 states. B.J. graduated from Penn State in 1999.
In this episode, Werzyn shares how he is revolutionizing a traditionally fragmented and tech averse industry through the aggressive implementation and integration of technology.
"I think a lot of people really love the outcome of the home remodeling project, but they hate the process of it. It's a headache at best, a nightmare at worst," Werzyn said during the interview. "So that's when I really said, you know what? We are going to focus on building systems and building processes to get in, make a happy customer, and get out and let them get on with their life."
Listen to this interview to learn more about Werzyn’s journey.
In the second half of the episode, Jennifer Natale, a senior at Penn State majoring in finance with a minor in Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship, joins the conversation. She is the president of the Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship Society at Penn State. She talks to Werzyn about overcoming initial entrepreneurial obstacles.
Students can apply or be nominated to be on the show here.
About 'Dare to Disrupt'
Subscribe to "Dare to Disrupt" on YouTube Music, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
"Dare to Disrupt" is a podcast from Invent Penn State about Penn State alumni who are innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders, and the stories behind their success. The podcast is hosted by alumnus Ryan Newman, a graduate of the Smeal College of Business and a Schreyer Scholar alumnus who is now a managing director at Goldman Sachs.
Past episodes of "Dare to Disrupt" include interviews with Matt Brezina, David Rusenko and Jess Weiner.
New episodes of "Dare to Disrupt" release monthly. Learn more at invent.psu.edu/dare-to-disrupt.
Invent Penn State is a commonwealth-wide initiative to spur economic development, job creation and student career success.