Blue Collar StartUp

Our Hosts, Derek Foster and Michael Nelson, chat with Mike Muscolino of AMC Construction & Management.

In this episode, our hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster interview Joe Cerrone of Cerrone Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning!

Joe is the second person to head the operations of Cerrone, after his father... What advances did he bring to the business? What's stayed the same? What did he learn along the way? Listen to this episode to hear the answers, plus much more!

Welcome to Blue Collar StartUp, the podcast!

Our Mission is Simple: To facilitate the growth and development of Blue Collar businesses. We will showcase REAL Blue Collar businesses in interviews, and use these stories to help educate and empower the next generation of trades workers to become Blue Collar business owners!

00:00 - Introduction

00:15 - What Was That?

00:37 - Show Begins: What’s New at the Farm?

03:30 - Goat Lawn Care

04:41 - Doubling in Size Every Three Years?!

06:02 - Joe Cerrone: A History

07:54 - Coming a Long Way

09:11 - Plumbing is for Plumbers!

10:13 - Cerrone Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning: Entering the Next Generation

12:42 - The Right Way to Scale: It’s All About the Details!

14:39 - Taking the Reins

17:48 - What Changes… And What Stays the Same

19:34 - The Value of the Paper Trail

20:37 - Keep That Product in Stock!

21:58 - A Structured Focus

23:53 - Teachers: The Most Valuable Resource… If They’re Willing!

25:40 - Net Fencing Sure is Frustrating!

26:49 - Becoming an Owner Isn’t Easy!

27:52 - What’s Happening with Work Ethic? Stay Off the Phone!

30:19 - AI as a Professionalism Tool

32:37 - iPads for Technicians: Pull up Data, Record Video, and More!

33:42 - Document EVERYTHING!

34:14 - A Day in the Life of Joe Cerrone: Quality Checking Champ!

36:12 - Curing the “Hey Mike” Disease: Train and Let Your People Problem-Solve

38:46 - Papas Can’t Sleep!

40:15 - The Biggest Challenge… Is the Unending Flow of Challenges!

43:45 - Joe’s Advice: Blue Collar Work Isn’t Easy, but It’s Worth It!

45:32 - Closing Remarks: Shoutout to MLB and Michaels Group!

46:09 - Mike’s Social Media Cycle: Install, Uninstall, Install…

In this episode, our hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster talk with Mike Colvett and Casey Cornell of Cornell's Auto Parts!

Cornell's is doing something very special... They boast the claim that their auto operation is heavily recycling-based, reusing car oil, parts, metal, carpeting, and more from their cars! How is this possible? How did they get started doing this? Hear the answers to those questions and many more by listening to this episode!

Welcome to Blue Collar StartUp, the podcast!

Our Mission is Simple: To facilitate the growth and development of Blue Collar businesses. We will showcase REAL Blue Collar businesses in interviews, and use these stories to help educate and empower the next generation of trades workers to become Blue Collar business owners!

00:00 - Introductions: Greenfield Center is Beautiful!

01:12 - Podcast Happy Hour: Tinney’s Tavern Reopens!

02:14 - Thanks, DTGC! Shoutout to Fierro’s!

03:44 - Cornell’s Auto Parts… Not a Junkyard!

05:32 - Second-Generation

06:46 - A Growing Business: From One Employee to 40

07:52 - Insurance by Day, Construction by Night

08:44 - Cracking Open a Cold One with the Boys

09:18 - Hiring: A Tough Decision, But an Important One

13:39 - New Cars Don’t Make Money… Parts and Service Does!

14:49 - A High-Tech, Organized Operation

17:13 - Frustration Hires a GM

19:32 - Strange Noises

20:04 - The Cornell Network: What Collaboration Can Do

24:32 - Mike the Sales Trainer

25:44 - Leave All-Nighters to the Young!

26:41 - EVERYTHING Gets Recycled: Oil, Gas, Parts, and More!

29:30 - Car-Crushin’: Go Watch Pulp Fiction!

31:42 - Finding the Right People

33:29 - Career Hagglers Are Scary!

35:27 - The Part-Cleaning Process

37:49 - There is No Typical Day at Cornell’s!

38:55 - A Versatile, Reliable Staff

41:04 - Happy Holidays

41:49 - Outside of Work… Is More Work? The Pricemaster

44:50 - Snowmobiling, Drag Racing, Pizzamaking, and More!

47:15 - Five Towers Client Appreciation at Dancing Grain!

48:20 - What’s Next?

50:13 - Keeping the Business Fun

52:58 - Close at 5, Go Home at Midnight

53:33 - The Key to Success… Is Patience!

55:29 - How to Get in Touch

56:07 - Is Greenfield Sheep or Cow Country?

57:06 - Closing Remarks: Shoutout to Michaels Group and MLB Construction!

In this episode, our hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster interview Josh Brown and Zach Moore of Brown Design & Construction!

Both of them have other full-time jobs that they still take part in... And yet, the side hustle they started up out of curiosity has taken off like wildfire! What's their secret to success? How do they balance work responsibilities? What's their training? Find out the answers by tuning in to this episode!

Welcome to Blue Collar StartUp, the podcast!

Our Mission is Simple: To facilitate the growth and development of Blue Collar businesses. We will showcase REAL Blue Collar businesses in interviews, and use these stories to help educate and empower the next generation of trades workers to become Blue Collar business owners!

00:00 - Show Starts

01:11 - Flippin’ Like a Burger-Man

03:47 - The Corporate Life… Just One Thing? No Thanks!

05:43 - Back to Construction: Everybody Needs a Contractor!

08:18 - The Sickness of Not Saying No

09:32 - Trade Training… Is on the Job!

11:15 - Howdy, Partner: Two Sides of the Same Coin

15:03 - Social Media Tells a Story… So Tell a Good One!

16:39 - Every Piece of the Puzzle: Quality Systems

20:03 - Processes Take Time to Implement

20:44 - The One and Only Chad Beatty!

21:18 - Visuals Make a Difference

23:41 - Creative Projects are the Best!

24:26 - The Biggest Side Hustle Going

26:20 - Insurance Interactions

28:45 - Self-Employed vs. Business Owner

30:01 - The Trades Mean BIG Money!

33:56 - “He’s a Welder”

36:25 - Job Placement is Askew: Think About Those Degrees!

39:27 - Don’t Be Scared to Be Scared: Go All In

41:55 - How to Get in Touch: browndesignandconstruction.com

442:26 - Closing Remarks: Shoutout to Michaels Group and MLB Construction!

In this episode, our hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster interview Zay DuPree, the one-man mastermind behind DuPree Heating & Cooling!

When people think of a one-man operation, they typically picture an old dude with a beat up truck and a couple fans in the truck bed... But Zay couldn't be further from that vision. Fully insured and thoroughly professional, Zay proudly stands by the quality of his process and results. If you need HVAC work done, Zay is the best one-man band in town!

Welcome to Blue Collar StartUp, the podcast!

Our Mission is Simple: To facilitate the growth and development of Blue Collar businesses. We will showcase REAL Blue Collar businesses in interviews, and use these stories to help educate and empower the next generation of trades workers to become Blue Collar business owners!

00:15 - Show Starts

01:09 - An Introduction to Zay DuPree

02:17 - Getting Started… Thanks to YouTube?!

05:25 - Shoutout to the Blue Collar College!

06:15 - A Man of Many Hats

07:13 - The First Step… Was a Leap

10:10 - Get Comfortable with the Uncomfortable

12:49 - Let the Equipment Tell You

14:24 - Sales & Marketing: The Achilles’ Heel

16:40 - Feeling the Seal on the Deal

18:02 - The Value of Learning

19:07 - The Heartiest Crumbs: Big Business is a VERY Sloppy Eater!

22:16 - Answering the Call

24:06 - The Man with the Plan

27:18 - HVAC Becomes a Passion

29:33 - A Day in the Life of Zay DuPree: From Dawn ’til Dusk

31:27 - Learning to Let People Down

32:40 - A Scheduling Dream

35:29 - Bet on the Long Game

39:34 - Reach Out: A Learning Opportunity

41:12 - He’s Got Folders!

41:40 - Be the Means to Their End

43:49 - I’m Going Digital… But Not Completely Digital

45:51 - If You’re Thinking About It… Do It!

49:33 - How to Get in Touch

50:00 - Shoutout to Michaels Group, MLB Construction, HVCC, and BOCES!

51:09 - Take Your Social Media Seriously!

In this episode, our hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster interview Rachel McDermott, the second-generation proprietor of Dancing Grain Farm Brewery!

Dancing Grain runs a special operation - fully family-owned, they source every ingredient that goes into their brews at their own farm, without using any pesticides... This is as Blue Collar as it gets! Listen to this episode to hear their incredible story - recorded on site!

Welcome to Blue Collar StartUp, the podcast!

Our Mission is Simple: To facilitate the growth and development of Blue Collar businesses. We will showcase REAL Blue Collar businesses in interviews, and use these stories to help educate and empower the next generation of trades workers to become Blue Collar business owners!

00:15 - “On the Farm” with Mike Nelson: Bokashi Greens

01:38 - Mushrooms Will Save the World!

03:42 - The Show Begins: An Introduction to Dancing Grain’s Own Rachel

05:15 - Let’s Go to the Hop

06:16 - Wild vs. Domesticated Hops

09:29 - Anatomy of a Brew

11:49 - Dog Attack!

12:26 - Sheep Yield

13:25 - Sourcing Every Single Ingredient!

15:05 - A Pesticide-Free Operation

21:15 - The First Generation’s Story

25:14 - Finding Her Way Back Home

27:53 - Building a Brewery: It Takes Serious Skill!

30:45 - Knitting Together the Supply Chain

34:12 - The Name “Dancing Grain”

35:05 - April 8th: Total Dankness Makes its Debut

37:18 - Bar-ley Hopping

39:07 - There is No Day-to-Day

40:26 - Tiny Farms… Prop Up a Big Society

41:56 - Something Very Special

43:51 - Doing Better Than the Farmers’ Markets

44:39 - Do Something You LOVE

48:24 - How to Get in Touch: dancinggrain.com

49:00 - Closing Remarks

In this episode, our hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster interview Paul Lachar, owner and mason at Top Course Masonry!

The whole family's in on this foundational construction dream... But there's no dysfunction here. Paul and his crew have served the region with pride for over 20 years, and there's no end in sight! Listen to this episode to hear about his experience, how he keeps the family in harmony, how he got back to school after an injury, and more!

Welcome to Blue Collar StartUp, the podcast!

Our Mission is Simple: To facilitate the growth and development of Blue Collar businesses. We will showcase REAL Blue Collar businesses in interviews, and use these stories to help educate and empower the next generation of trades workers to become Blue Collar business owners!

00:15 - Mike’s Feeling Well Again!

01:47 - An Introduction to Paul, and Top Course Masonry

02:55 - A History You Can Count On

05:01 - Finding the Best Solution for You

06:37 - Resolving an Issue… Truly

07:37 - A Family Business

10:13 - Welcome Back

11:12 - A Little Bit of Everything

12:22 - 100% On-the-Job

13:39 - Make Your Choice

15:19 - No TV Drama Here!

16:51 - Mike’s No Mason… But He Does His Best!

19:50 - Paul’s Biggest Challenge: Finding a Balance

22:35 - Picking and Choosing

25:14 - Maintaining the Work-Life Balance

27:49 - What’s Next: The Offsite Location

28:51 - It’s Your Choice

30:12 - The One-Hour Radius

30:54 - A Jiu Jitsu Brotherhood

33:11 - Small World!

34:25 - An Injury Provides an Opportunity: Back to School

36:09 - Knowledge is Power… But it’s All About How You Use It!

38:07 - Paul’s Advice: Don’t Ever Quit!

40:00 - Stick it Out: Hardships Just Make You Stronger!

41:38 - How to Get in Touch

43:17 - Closing Remarks

In this episode, our hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster interview Michael Turcotte, proprietor of Turn Cycle Solutions!

Michael built and grew his New Hampshire-based business with the usual hard work and hiring team members to cover his own weaknesses... But he also made the unique decision to hire people with similar strengths to his own. Why would he replace his own strengths with a costly employee, and how did this decision help his business grow? Listen to this episode, and you just might find out!

Welcome to Blue Collar StartUp, the podcast!

Our Mission is Simple: To facilitate the growth and development of Blue Collar businesses. We will showcase REAL Blue Collar businesses in interviews, and use these stories to help educate and empower the next generation of trades workers to become Blue Collar business owners!

00:36 - The Scoop on Turn Cycle Solutions

02:22 - From Grandma’s Breezeway to 18 Trucks!

07:33 - The Hiring Process: Covering Your Weaknesses

10:30 - Letting Go of Your Strengths

12:59 - The Employee Pipeline: Weird & Wacky

16:59 - Balancing Family and Business

20:41 - Cleaning Up a Mess

21:42 - Dad: The Cut-Up

22:58 - Patience is the Word

24:34 - Keeping Positive

29:10 - A Typical Day

32:24 - Mike’s Key Advice: Go Do What You’re Good At

33:45 - Human vs. Machine

36:13 - Closing Remarks: How to Get in Touch

In this episode, our hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster interview Dean Leber, a top leadership consultant at The Leaders Group!

The corporate world is full of bloated questions - "What's the difference between a mission and vision statement?" and "How do I empower my employees to become good leaders?" These questions seem jejune on the surface, but Dean has real, authentic answers to them that can help you, your team, and your business. Listen to this episode to find out how!

Welcome to Blue Collar StartUp, the podcast!

Our Mission is Simple: To facilitate the growth and development of Blue Collar businesses. We will showcase REAL Blue Collar businesses in interviews, and use these stories to help educate and empower the next generation of trades workers to become Blue Collar business owners!

00:15 - Opening Statements

00:56 - 75-Hard… 113 Days

01:45 - An Introduction to Dean Leber

03:20 - Lebership

04:49 - The Definition (and Importance) of a Mission

07:38 - Unify, Inspire, Move

08:35 - The Less Corporate, the Better!

11:32 - How Long Should a Mission Statement Be?

13:10 - Revisiting the Mission: Whenever It’s Relevant

15:16 - Culture is: Values, and Action

17:08 - Reaching Your People: The Intrinsic Method

19:31 - The Five Towers Interview Process: Unicorn Wrangling

21:16 - Structure: Developing and Empowering Leaders

23:39 - Balancing Risks: Aim Small, Miss Small

27:19 - Good Leaders Ask Questions

28:45 - Addressing Failure: Meter Your Expectations

31:16 - Mike Demands Sheep Talk

32:48 - Read Philosophy: Dean Recommends Stoics

34:12 - How to Get in Touch: [email protected]

34:58 - Mike Biffed It

35:28 - Staying Young: Diet, Exercise, and Learning

36:57 - Closing Remarks: Shoutout to MLB and Michaels Group!

In this episode, our hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster interview Chris Manzela, co-owner of BradManz Landscaping! Chris has been working since he was only 14 years old, but he's progressed a long way since then - from $3.75 an hour bussing tables to owning his own business and a massive football fan cave, Chris' steps forward have not been small! What's his secret? Listen to this episode, and you just might find out!

Welcome to Blue Collar StartUp, the podcast!

Our Mission is Simple: To facilitate the growth and development of Blue Collar businesses. We will showcase REAL Blue Collar businesses in interviews, and use these stories to help educate and empower the next generation of trades workers to become Blue Collar business owners!

00:15 - Introductions

01:32 - Whoa! New Sound Effects!

02:11 - An Introduction to BradManz Landscaping

04:26 - Getting Started… At 14?!

06:16 - Food Service Wages… Thankfully Have Changed!

07:04 - Picking (and Losing) a Partner

08:05 - Chris Can Do It: Getting a Degree

10:39 - Brickman!

11:35 - Managing Over Maintenance

14:21 - The Beginning of BradManz

15:08 - Matching a Spirit of Generosity

16:54 - Where’s the Work Ethic? Lazy Podcasters!

20:54 - Broadcasting from the Bills Sanctuary

21:16 - Building a Business: It Always Starts Small! Go Above and Beyond!

24:51 - Do You Know, and Do You Care?

26:39 - Shoutout to The Town Tinker!

27:48 - Valorous Volunteerism: Shoutout to Ronald McDonald House!

31:09 - Competition is a GOOD Thing! Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help!

36:59 - Take Care of Your Unicorns!

40:44 - A Day in the Life of Chris

43:47 - A Well-Oiled Gearshift

48:13 - Communication is Paramount!

49:31 - Pay Your Bills!

51:58 - Chris’ (Incorrect) Prediction for the Big Game

52:51 - How to Get in Touch: bradmanzlandscaping.com

54:11 - Closing Remarks: Shoutout to MLB and Michaels Group!