In this episode of Blue Collar Startup, hosts Mike Nelson of Five Towers Media and Derek Foster of Daigle Cleaning Systems sit down with Ryan Galusha of Galusha & Sons. Listen in as they discuss carrying a third-generation business into the future, mentorship, workforce development, and keeping a legacy alive in the ever-changing world of construction.

Learn more about Galusha & Sons at galushaandsons.com.

0:15  Intro and welcome

0:49  Meet Ryan Galusha of Galusha & Sons

1:20  What Galusha & Sons does today

2:09  How the family business began

3:44  Being third-generation: opportunity and pressure

6:56 Why Ryan had to earn his spot from the outside

8:44 Lessons from working at DA Collins

11:08 Earning respect in a family business

13:23 Ryan’s current role as General Manager

15:54 Balancing field and office work

17:03 Supporting team leadership without micromanaging

20:00 Keeping up with tech and regulation changes

21:48 Safety, training, and working with Catamount Consulting

23:49 Leadership growth and life skills through outside training

27:38 Finding and developing new talent

30:00 Why fewer young people choose the trades

33:44 Labor shortages and unexpected talent sources

36:17 Attitude over experience: the key to success

37:03 Ryan’s biggest challenge leading the next generation

39:01 Building trust and alignment with the team

41:26 The future of Galusha & Sons

43:07 How they expanded into logging

46:03 Why the trades still offer unmatched opportunity

47:13 Where to find Galusha & Sons

48:30 Sponsor shoutouts and closing