The Ops Experts Club Podcast
Episode 74: How to Run Two Ops Machines Without Burnout with Mark Zook
Date: July 17, 2025
Host(s): Aaron, Taryn, and Savannah (The Collab Team)
Guest: Mark Zook, CEO of Stoltzfus Structures & Horizon Structures
Overview
In this episode, the Ops Experts Club dives deep with Mark Zook, a dynamic young CEO running two complimentary operations businesses—Stoltzfus Structures and Horizon Structures—rooted in Amish tradition but scaling nationwide. Mark shares his unique journey growing up Amish, rising through the family business, and crafting two robust, scalable business models that tap into community trust, operational focus, and market opportunity. The discussion covers lessons on running multiple ops “machines” without burnout, creating sustainable family business dynamics, and identifying simple strategies for sustained business growth.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Mark Zook’s Origin Story: From Amish Roots to CEO
[02:55 – 06:54]
- Grew up Amish in Pennsylvania, youngest of nine—family started the business 50 years ago.
- Left school after 8th grade as per Amish tradition; started full-time work at 14.
- Gained practical experience: worked in all facets—physical labor, field setups, draft, sales, then operations.
- Steadily moved into leadership: CEO of Stoltzfus Structures for ~2 years; CEO of Horizon Structures for ~5 years.
- Unique family dynamic: parents still Amish, none of the siblings are; all three brothers are involved in their own business lanes.
Quote
"Grew up Amish, the youngest of nine... my dad actually bought the business almost 50 years ago."
— Mark Zook [02:55]
Navigating Family in Business and Succession
[07:47 – 09:53]
- Family members lead different business entities (including Zook Cabins).
- Leadership passed based on interests and operational needs, not strictly via succession order.
- Emphasis on collaboration, staying in one’s “lane,” and avoiding conflict by leveraging each sibling's strengths.
Quote
"We figured out that instead of focusing on each other's problems, if we all kind of stay in our own lane and we all do our thing that we're good at...it seems to work out pretty well."
— Mark Zook [09:31]
Dual Business Models: Manufacturing + Retail vs. Retail Only
[10:23 – 13:26]
- Stoltzfus Structures: Manufacture and retail (backyard sheds, garages, saunas, outdoor living).
- 66,000 sqft shop, 90% direct-to-homeowner.
- Horizon Structures: 100% retail; contracts with Amish/Mennonite sub-shops across multiple states for animal/pet structures.
- Horizon serves as the “retail army” for skilled craftsmen who prefer not to market/sell directly.
Insight
- Synergy in leveraging cultural trust and division of labor. Horizon capitalizes on trust within the Amish/Mennonite community network for reliable craftsmanship and market expansion.
Quote
"At Horizon, we are then their retail army...all of our sub shops are either Amish or Mennonite."
— Mark Zook [13:00]
Scaling and Operations Lessons: Challenges and Growth
[14:06 – 16:23]
- COVID-19 surge: challenges in supply due to increased demand industry-wide.
- Retail-only model allows faster, broader scaling with distributed risk but requires careful partner management and trust.
- Growth at Horizon: 50% in one year, spread across six sub-shops.
Quote
"You can have serious growth and not feel the pain as much as if you're manufacturing [and] retail. Like for instance, last year, Horizon...had about 50% growth and it was very manageable."
— Mark Zook [15:42]
- Manufacturing + Retail (Stoltzfus) offers higher margins but is less scalable in the short term.
- Horizon = volume play; Stoltzfus = margin/depth play.
Quote
"The amount of work it takes to run Stoltzfus versus Horizon is like day and night different. The margins aren’t as good because you’re not manufacturing, but it’s a whole different [play]."
— Mark Zook [16:46]
Marketing Strategies: Local vs. National Reach
[17:40 – 18:04]
- Similar marketing spends but with different reach:
- Stoltzfus Structures: East Coast, relies on decades of word-of-mouth.
- Horizon Structures: Nationwide footprint, broader marketing needed.
Strategic Expansion: Building, Shipping, and Market Decisions
[18:04 – 20:13]
- Considered expanding manufacturing outside Lancaster, PA, but choose to build centrally due to quality labor/material and shipping economically—even cross-country if needed.
- Open to international expansion if a compelling opportunity arises, notably where similar community & craftsmanship culture exists.
Quote
"We’ve kind of went with the route of building here and shipping because there’s so many good resources, so much good labor here in Lancaster."
— Mark Zook [19:37]
Fresh Opportunities: Luxury Saunas & Large-Scale Dog Kennels
[20:31 – 22:27]
- High-end luxury saunas: Entering a lucrative market—units sold online for $50,000 without human interaction.
- Large dog kennels: Municipal/institutional orders post-COVID due to high pet adoption rates, multi-million dollar county contracts.
- Mark focused on identifying high-demand, growth niches aligned with their operational strengths.
Quote
"Somebody checked out, bought a sauna, paid in full online, never talked to someone...total bill was like $49,000...and put it in the shopping cart, paid in full, done without talking to anyone. That blew my mind."
— Mark Zook [21:10]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Mark on Family Collaboration:
"We love working together as a family or as brothers...if we all kind of stay in our own lane and we all do our thing that we're good at, seems to work out pretty well."
[09:31] -
Aaron on Simplicity in Operations:
"They've created a niche...But they have a very simple way of ABC, this how it comes together, and they're staying in that."
[22:27] -
Mark on Volume vs. Margin:
"On Horizon side of things...it's a volume play. So it's like, the more we sell, that's actually how we grow on this side, whereas, on this side there might be a deeper margin..."
[16:53]
Important Timestamps
- Mark’s Background and Amish Roots – [02:55 – 06:54]
- Family Business Dynamics & Legacy – [07:47 – 09:53]
- Difference: Stoltzfus vs. Horizon Structures – [10:23 – 13:26]
- Trusted Sub-Shop Network – [13:00 – 14:06]
- Scaling Challenges & Growth Models – [14:06 – 16:23]
- Manufacturing vs. Retail Only: Operational Comparison – [16:46 – 18:04]
- Strategic Expansion: Domestic vs. International – [18:04 – 20:13]
- Exciting New Opportunities (Saunas/Kennels) – [20:31 – 22:27]
- Host Commentary on Operations Lessons – [22:27 – 23:47]
- How to Contact Mark / Learn More – [24:04 – 24:24]
Resources & Contact
- Stoltzfus Structures: mysheds.com
- Horizon Structures: horizonstructures.com
- Harbor Saunas: harborsaunas.com
- Contact Mark: mark@mysheds.com
Final Thoughts
This episode provides candid, actionable insight into the operational models that can keep multiple fast-growing businesses on track without burning out. Mark Zook's approach—combining family unity, operational discipline, and strategic partnerships—is a masterclass in leveraging tradition for modern growth. If you're scaling a business or coordinating multiple teams or product focuses, Mark's story highlights the power of simplicity, focus, and cultural trust as growth engines.
Listen for inspiration, stay for the ops playbook.