In this episode of Blue Collar Startup, hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster interview Chris Buttenham, co-founder and CEO of Reins. Tune in as they discuss how his company helps blue-collar contractors offer equity incentives, his journey from working in his father’s contracting business to addressing the "silver tsunami" of aging business owners needing succession plans, and more!

Learn more about Reins at myreins.com.

0:15 Host Introduction: Mike Nelson and Derek Foster

1:29 Guest Introduction: Chris Buttenham, Co-founder and CEO of Reins

2:23 Overview of Reins: Helping Contractors Offer Equity Incentives

2:53 Alternative Equity Incentives vs. Traditional Employee Ownership

3:49 Benefits of Aligning Employee and Business Goals

4:10 Shoutout to Sponsors Supporting Trade School Programs

5:42 Chris’s Background: Working for His Father’s Contracting Business

6:18 First Startup: AI Tool for Employee Queries (2015–2021)

6:52 Inspiration for Reins: Addressing Succession Challenges

7:59 The "Silver Tsunami" and Small Business Succession Plans

9:46 Why Reins? Helping Owners Pass the Reins

11:10 Importance of Small Businesses to the U.S. Economy

11:53 Common Use Cases: The "Late Promise" and Long-Term Incentives

13:32 Recruiting Key Employees with Equity Incentives

15:12 Tax Implications of Traditional vs. Alternative Equity

18:28 Simplifying Equity Incentives with Reins’ Framework

20:00 Reins’ Technology: Easy-to-Use Software for Owners and Employees

22:17 Ideal Business Size for Reins: 10–15+ Employees

23:06 Working with Businesses That Have Existing Profit-Sharing Plans

28:07 Example of Incentives: Profit-Sharing Pool and Personal Milestones

37:08 How to Connect with Reins and Access Free Resources

​​In this episode of Blue Collar Startup, hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster interview Joe Dana, Amy Posner, and Chris McNally from Hudson Valley Community College. They discuss the college’s trade-focused programs, the importance of lifelong learning, partnerships with industry leaders like Global Foundries, opportunities for students in high-demand fields, and more!

Learn more about Hudson Valley Community College at hvcc.edu.

0:42 Host Introduction: Mike Nelson and Derek Foster

1:52 Guest Introduction Joe Dana, Amy Posner, and Chris McNally

2:31 Discussion of Robotic Arms and RPI Partnership

3:59 Student Support Resources and SUNY Reconnect Program

5:05 Campus Aesthetics and History

6:57 Founding as Hudson Valley Technical College for Veterans

8:19 Questar STEM High School and P-TECH Programs

9:55 Educational Opportunity Center and Non-Accredited Classes

11:33 Robotics in Manufacturing and Mechatronics Programs

14:16 Global Foundries Partnership and Technician Training

17:06 Enrollment Trends and High Demand for Trade Programs

19:57 FAA-Approved Aircraft Maintenance Program

22:39 Welding, Non-Destructive Testing, and High-Demand Careers

24:44 Job Placement Success in Trade Programs

27:22 Scholarship Opportunities and Industry Support

31:14 Challenges of Modern Automotive Repair

35:52 Future Trends and Lifelong Learning in Trades

37:20 Second Careers and Overcoming Instant Gratification Mindset

46:47 Enrollment Process for New Students

50:07 Campus Life and Student Support Services

50:58 Episode Conclusion

In this solo episode of Blue Collar Startup, host Mike Nelson of Five Towers Media shares a quick, practical process for turning a simple 5-minute video into a polished blog post using AI tools like Otter.ai, ChatGPT, and Opus Clips. He explains how to save time, create multiple pieces of content from one recording, and boost your SEO without breaking the bank.

0:00 Intro and welcome to Blue Collar Startup

0:15 Common challenge: Needing a blog but lacking time or writing skills

0:45 Step 1 – Record a quick video on your phone

1:43 Step 2 – Transcribe the video with Otter.ai

2:03 Step 3 – Export transcription and upload to ChatGPT or Grok

2:22 Prompting AI to create a 600+ word blog for SEO

3:22 Editing and refining your AI-generated blog

4:14 SEO benefits of consistent written and video content

4:52 Creating short video clips with Opus Clips

5:14 Affordable, repeatable content creation for under $100/month

5:45 Why AI can be a helpful tool in your marketing toolkit

6:30 Call to action: Subscribe, review, and help reach #1 blue collar podcast spot

6:43 Sponsor shoutouts and thank-yous

7:19 How to connect with the show and submit topic ideas

Dive into an engaging conversation with Warren County Sheriff Jim Lafarr on The Blue Collar Startup Podcast! Discover why policing is a true blue-collar trade, requiring grit, stamina, and smarts, and hear gripping insights into the daily challenges of keeping Warren County safe. Learn about the physical and mental demands of the job and the surprising parallels between running a sheriff’s office and a small business. Plus, get practical advice for young adults eyeing a career in law enforcement—no college degree needed, just hard work and heart. Tune in for an unfiltered look at the brotherhood, sisterhood, and adrenaline-fueled life behind the badge!

To learn more about opportunities with the Warren County Sheriff's Office or to connect with Sheriff Jim LaFarr, contact the office at 518-743-2501 and ask to speak with him directly.

1:45 Sheriff Jim LaFarr introduced.

2:00 LaFarr shares law enforcement background.

3:00 Sheriff’s office business challenges discussed.

4:04 Early career aspirations shared.

4:35 Civil service exam process explained.

5:39 Sheriff’s multifaceted roles described.

6:42 Law enforcement as blue-collar trade.

8:17 Advice for aspiring officers given.

10:13 Recruitment challenges discussed.

11:56 Law enforcement benefits highlighted.

13:53 Physical agility test details shared.

15:50 Daily police work excitement described.

20:00 Discreet crime management for safety.

22:29 Sheriff’s office rank structure explained.

24:49 Competitive salaries, benefits detailed.

27:43 Education reimbursement benefits discussed.

28:06 Specialization opportunities in sheriff’s office.

29:36 Marine patrol challenges highlighted.

33:00 Downsides of law enforcement discussed.

35:00 Physical fitness in policing addressed.

37:20 Communication, de-escalation skills emphasized.

40:23 Road rage incidents discussed.

42:56 Sheriff’s personal restraint example shared.

43:20 Officer decompression strategies discussed.

44:47 Jiu-jitsu training for officers mentioned.

47:01 Sheriff’s son’s career inspiration shared.

50:00 Episode wrap-up, sponsor thanks.

In this episode of Blue Collar Startup, hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster interview Thomas Abbott of True Rinse. Tune in as they discuss creating a niche bin cleaning and pressure washing business, transitioning from municipal work, building a solo operation with a custom trailer rig, and more!

Learn more about True Rinse at truerinse.us.

0:15 Introduction

0:20 Host Introduction: Mike Nelson and Derek Foster

1:17 Guest Introduction: Thomas Abbott of True Rinse

1:43 Overview of True Rinse: Pressure Washing and Bin Cleaning

2:31 How True Rinse’s Bin Cleaning Process Works

3:24 Creating a Niche Market for Bin Cleaning

4:17 Starting with Bin Cleaning Before Expanding Services

5:53 Educating Customers About Bin Cleaning Services

7:33 Target Customers: HOAs, Elderly, and Garage Owners

10:08 Thomas’s Background: Municipal Work with City of Troy

12:53 Transition from Municipal Job to Full-Time Entrepreneurship

14:19 Operating Solo and Future Hiring Plans

15:00 Custom-Designed Trailer Rig for Bin Cleaning

17:03 Subscription-Based Pricing Model

24:02 Ramp-Up Period and Advertising Strategies

30:25 Using Jobber Software for Client Management

36:50 Future Growth and Overcoming Obstacles

45:00 Advice for New Entrepreneurs: Just Do It

In this episode of Blue Collar Startup, host Mike Nelson of Five Towers Media sits down with Mike Zayachek of Zayachek Mechanical. Tune in as they discuss starting a business from a pickup truck and a trailer, growing to 147 employees, navigating cash flow challenges, and building a loyal team through training and mentorship in the power generation and industrial maintenance industry.

Learn more about Zayachek Mechanical at www.zayachek.com.

0:15 Introduction

0:32 Guest Introduction

1:04 Zayachek as a Case Study

1:53 Starting in a Barn

4:25 Left Job to Start in 2004

5:34 Customer Trust for Stability

6:08 Lean Startup: Truck, Trailer, Five Employees

8:20 Initial Services: Mills, Plants, Millwright

9:56 Current Work: Rigging, Welding, Maintenance

11:58 Growth: 5 to 147 Employees

12:49 Early Cash Flow Challenges

13:32 Mentorship for Business Skills

15:00 Recession-Proof Growth

19:20 Talent Retention: Training, Benefits

21:09 Welder Compensation

22:38 24/7 Schedules for Deadlines

25:00 Certifications and Training

28:52 Consulting for Coaching and Safety

31:55 Employee Training Investment

46:49 Advice for New Owners: Stay Lean

In this solo "Marketing Minute" episode of Blue Collar Startup, host Mike Nelson of Five Towers Media advises blue collar business owners to avoid starting a Facebook business page too soon and instead leverage personal profiles for better engagement and lead generation. He shares practical tips on transitioning to a business page later and maintaining an active social media presence to build credibility.

0:00  Intro and welcome to the Marketing Minute

0:15  Common mistake: Starting a Facebook business page too soon

0:45  Why business pages get less organic reach

2:00  The algorithm difference: personal vs. business profiles

2:45  Using your personal profile to promote your business

4:15  When to start a business page

5:00  Hiring social media help

5:45  Consistent posting for credibility

6:30  How customers research your business

8:12  Sponsor shoutouts and closing

In this Blueprint episode of Blue Collar StartUp, hosts Derek Foster and Mike Nelson dive into grassroots marketing. Listen in as they explore cost-effective, high-impact ways for small business owners to spread the word about their services—from vehicle wraps and yard signs to leveraging your personal network and overcoming the fear of rejection.

0:14 Podcast Introduction

0:30 What Is Grassroots Marketing?

2:23 Community-Based Tactics: Yard Signs, Wraps, Referrals

3:08 Brand Recognition and Consistency

5:07 Sales Before Marketing

9:00 Fear of Rejection and Mental Barriers

11:38 Leveraging Your Network to Build Business

14:42 Learning from Rejection

17:40 Creative, Low-Cost Ideas That Work

19:13 Final Advice: Hustle and Ask

20:05 Outro and Where to Connect

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

In this episode of Blue Collar Startup, host Mike Nelson of Five Towers Media sits down with Scott McKenna of Catamount Consulting to dive deep into the topic of emotional intelligence (EQ). Tune in as they discuss how EQ impacts leadership, team dynamics, hiring, company culture, and long-term success in business and life.

Learn more about Scott and Catamount Consulting at catamountconsultingllc.com.

0:15 Intro

0:43 Introducing Scott McKenna

1:20 What is EQ?

3:18 Self-Awareness and Emotional Growth

5:26 Coachable vs. Unfireable

7:24 EQ in Schools and the Trades

10:00 Skills vs. Attitude in Hiring

13:23 Company Culture and EQ

17:42 Psychological Safety at Work

21:11 Investing in Emotional Intelligence

22:46 What EQ Looks Like on the Job

24:54 EQ Reduces Chaos and Firefighting

27:43 Extreme Ownership and Team Trust

33:44 Efficient Leadership through EQ

34:40 How to Train EQ in Organizations

36:36 Teaching Self-Awareness and Composure

41:11 How to Build Empathy

47:29 Guardian vs. Warrior Leadership

54:01 The FORM Method for Better Communication

55:29 Final Thoughts on Emotional Intelligence

56:43 Book Recommendations and Wrap-Up

59:57 Sponsor Acknowledgments and Closing Thoughts