Blue Collar StartUp

In this episode, our hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster interview Paul Lambert, the Project Manager at Bonacio Construction! If you're from Saratoga Springs or Rome, New York, you know these guys - but if not, don't worry! We'll fill you in on everything you need to know about Bonacio Construction and Paul Lambert here, in this stellar 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!

Paul Lambert - Bonacio Construction

00:15 - Introduction

01:35 - Who is Paul Lambert?

02:40 - What is Bonacio Construction? Where are They Based?

03:52 - What Does Bonacio Do?

07:33 - What’s Sonny Bonacio Like?

09:36 - How Paul Got his Start in the Trades

10:48 - Shoutout to Luke Michaels!

12:12 - Climbing the Ladder

16:14 - Problem-Solving: Every Blue Collar Job is This!

17:13 - Bonacio’s Structure and Systems… Are Relatively New!

20:10 - Tracking Time

21:42 - Hiring: Back in the Day vs. Now… Expectations and Priorities Have Changed!

24:10 - Two Kinds of People: Hard Workers, We Want You!

28:31 - Working Your Way Up… It’s Hard to be Patient Nowadays!

30:48 - Dangling the Carrot… Looking Ahead, Giving Motivation

34:31 - Workforce Development: School’s Not For Everyone, Get Out There and Work!

37:09 - Keep a Low Barrier to Entry: Train the New Workforce!

39:15 - From Your Best Employee to Your Best Subcontractor

41:19 - Retaining Your Workers

43:52 - Paul’s Secret to Success: Never Stop Climbing the Ladder! Keep Setting Goals!

46:00 - Looking at the Calendar

48:12 - Closing Remarks: How to Get in Touch

In this episode, our Host Mike Nelson and Visionary Founder Derek Foster interview Dustin Manny, the main man behind Manny Topsoil and Gravel! Dustin is all about working hard and doing the job right, and he tells us all about his methods, beliefs and styles right here in 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!

Ryan van Amburgh - Career Jam

00:15 - Hello, Newspaper Truck! And a Snag in the Brewery

03:08 - There’s Always an Issue…

04:18 - Welcome, Dustin!.. Finally!

06:08 - An Introduction to Dustin Manny

09:07 - Hard Work is Easier When You’re Working for Yourself!

11:37 - Making the Jump to Self-Employment

15:43 - Does the Economy and Real Estate Market Affect Dustin’s Business?.. NO!

17:05 - The Challenges of Growth: Trucks Ain’t Cheap!

21:03 - A Two-Employee Business… Two is Plenty!

22:36 - Vacation, Have to Get Away… Slows Down Business, Though!

24:30 - From One Guy in a Truck to a Massive Company…

25:30 - … If You Can Get a Truck!

26:39 - Dustin’s Secret to Success: Hard Work!

28:57 - Working Blue Collar, You Don’t Need a Workout Regimen!

29:51 - Hey, Shit Happens!

33:29 - Time With the Kids… Blue Collar’s Big Downside

36:04 - Mike’s Kids Smash his Televisions

37:17 - College Isn’t for Everyone! There’s so Much Opportunity in Blue Collar Work!

42:09 - Routine? Nah! Up, Eat, and Go!

43:14 - Mike Nelson, (Semi) Professional Podcaster

44:01 - Dustin’s Marketing Secret: Diversify, Try New Things!

45:15 - Turn Off Your Damned Phone!

46:41 - What’s Hot? CDL Drivers, and Hard Workers of All Kinds!

48:32 - Dustin’s Key Piece of Advice: Pick Your Niche, and Master it!

49:49 - Closing Remarks: How to Get in Touch

In this episode, our hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster talk to Ryan van Amburgh, the co-founder of Career Jam! His organization helps youths realize their potential and find the career pathways that are right for them, along with fostering development of the Blue Collar labor force and helping local companies find their next generation of workers!

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!

Ryan van Amburgh - Career Jam

00:16 - Introduction

01:27 - What is Career Jam?

03:18 - Kids Entering the Trades

07:19 - Shoutout to RASP Incorporated and LISSMAC!

10:03 - What Does the Labor Force Look Like?

13:16 - Having a Hand in Workforce Development

15:30 - The Role of Our Schools in Workforce Development

20:56 - Career Pathways: Paving the Way

25:56 - Why is Workforce Development so Splintered Between Groups?

30:19 - The Labor Pinch… Ryan Saw it Coming!

33:39 - Upcoming Career Jam Events

36:33 - How Can My Business Support Career Jam?

39:16 - Impressing Visitors is So Rewarding!

44:42 - Ryan’s #1 Hiring Tip: Collaborate at the Sources!

46:14 - Career Jam 2054: What’s Next?

47:42 - Closing Remarks: How to Get in Touch

50:24 - Send Your Questions to [email protected]

In this episode, our hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster interview Tom Shanley, a Daigle Cleaning Systems franchisee from Westchester, New York! They discuss the many benefits of franchising - including streamlined processes, scalable goalsetting, and more! Take a listen and find out how both Derek and Tom made Daigle Cleaning Systems great!

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!

Tom Shanley - Daigle Cleaning Systems of Westchester

00:15 - Introduction

01:20 - The Blue Collar Timeline: From Side Hustle to Franchise

06:46 - Introducing… Tom Shanley!

09:33 - Only One Full-Time Job and a Side Hustle? LAZY!

11:21 - The Power of a Franchise

13:35 - The DOS

14:55 - Picking a Cleaning Franchise… Daigle Was the Best!

16:25 - Why Franchise?..

19:19 - … To Benefit From the Experience of Others!

21:20 - Switching to Daigle: Low Buy-In, High Scalability!

24:29 - Sales vs. Operations: Which Background is More Important?

27:10 - Goal For Next Year: Double the Revenue!

29:05 - Kitchens are Filthy! Hood Cleaning is Necessary!

30:32 - Daily Routines: Plan Your Time as Efficiently as You Can!

32:00 - Tom’s One Key Piece of Advice: Do a Great Job!

33:40 - Closing Remarks: How to Get in Touch

In this episode, our hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster interview Brad Lewis, the hard-working owner of Lewis Lawn Care & Masonry! He started at a very young age without even having a car to take him between clients; but he grew his "side hustle" into a successful business with hard work and dedication! Take a listen and 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!

Brad Lewis - Lewis Lawn Care & Masonry

00:00:15 - Introduction: Marketing with “Money” Mike Nelson

00:02:25 - A Brief Overview of Brad Lewis: Master Mason, Handy Hardscaper!

00:04:42 - Starting Young: Want a New Skateboard? Get Mowin’!

00:07:04 - Learning From (and Teaching) Sub-Contractors… Way up High!

00:08:52 - Securing Equipment… Without a Car!

00:11:45 - Working Within Walking Distance

00:13:24 - Running the Mile

00:15:46 - Pathetic Pay Entering White Collar… Screw It! Blue All the Way!

00:18:22 - Tutoring Economics… But Teaching? No Way! Brad’s a Machine!

00:20:30 - Sleep is for the WEAK! Work, Learn, and Work Some More!

00:23:14 - Back to the Present: Home and Apartment Rehabbing with the Crew

00:26:59 - Doing Nothing?.. No Way! FIRE Movement Counter-Intuitive?

00:31:30 - Restoring Busted-Up Homes: “Be a Good Steward”

00:34:45 - Don’t Be Afraid of Your Employees Spreading Their Wings - Support It!

00:40:01 - Finding Customers: The Single Most Important Part of Business!

00:44:12 - The Future… Let it Come! You Can’t Plan For the Unknown!

00:46:27 - Lawnwork?.. Not Worth It! Get a Goat!

00:50:20 - “Foster Freedom”: Value Your Workers and Their Families!

00:53:17 - Brad’s #1 Piece of Advice: Spread Your Work Out, Don’t Try to “Burn a Year”!

00:56:40 - The 5:30 AM Riser: Get Emails Out of the Way and Plan Your Day!

00:58:20 - Closing Remarks: Masonry, Not Masonary! [email protected]

In this episode, our host Mike Nelson interviews Mark Miller - his old boss, and the main man behind Performance Industrial! They talk about the struggles early businesses face and how they overcame them, Mark's well-studied practices and methods, and even how Mark overcame a complete relabeling and brand change! You won't want to miss this informative 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!

Mark Miller - Performance Industrial

00:16 - Introduction

00:48 - A Brief History of Mark Miller: Trucking Right Out of High School!

03:51 - Getting Dirty with Americlean: You’ve Got to Have a Plan!

04:56 - The E-Myth: A Revelation! Plan it Smart and the Stress Melts Away!

09:08 - Is Consulting Worth It? Yes - If You Really Learn From It!

12:03 - There’s So Much to Learn: So Learn the Right Stuff!

13:57 - Mike’s Claim to Fame: Being Fired by Mark?!

16:27 - Are You Meant to Work For Someone Else? Find Out!

17:56 - Hiring? Don’t Use Indeed - Go to Sandy’s Clam Bar!

18:33 - From Americlean to Performance Industrial: Why the Rebrand?

20:22 - Every Company is a Performance: From Front Stage to Back!

22:34 - Shifting Focus: What to Consider

26:12 - Building a Company: All About Personal Communication, Before AND After the Internet!

29:08 - Marketing is Powerful… But to a Greenhorn, Selling is So Much More!

31:08 - The Golden Phrase: Make it Happen!

33:42 - The Button: “I’ll Make it Happen!”

34:46 - Mark’s Biggest Challenge… Himself! If You Don’t Become Better, You Become Bitter!

36:13 - Mark’s Biggest Mistake: Hiring the Wrong People! Make Choices Carefully, At Work and at Home!

37:37 - Work Ethic: It’s Easy to Criticize, But Everyone is Motivated Differently!

41:24 - Things Have Changed… But For the Better! There’s Nothing Wrong With Safety and Life Balance!

41:59 - The Value of College: Very Dependent! Think it Over First!

43:52 - School Teaches You the Core Skills… But Nothing About Entrepreneurship or Salesmanship!

45:31 - Not Going to College Doesn’t Mean Burger-Flipping! Make Your Own Success!

47:23 - Mark’s Key Piece of Advice: Connect With Other Business Owners! Success Leaves Clues!

50:01 - Closing Remarks: How to Get in Touch

In this episode, our hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster interview Luke Michaels, the main man behind Michaels Group Homes! His third-generation business has undergone a lot of trials and changes throughout the years, and Derek and Mike can definitely relate - find out just what they went through by giving this episode a listen!

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!

Luke Michaels - Michaels Home Group

00:16 - Introduction

02:51 - Three Generations of Michaels Group Homes!

06:03 - When Life Gives You Lemons…

06:51 - Whiny Moments: Don’t Ever Let Monday Ruin Your Sunday!

08:44 - Seizing an Opportunity: Nothing Wrong With It!

11:21 - Living Up to the Legacy… Best Not to Think About It!

13:44 - Stick to the Process; But Update It When Necessary!

17:00 - Applying Economics to Homebuilding

19:38 - Luke’s Biggest Challenge: Dealing With the Development Red Tape!

23:02 - Some Excellent Advice: If You Can, Work for Yourself!

28:01 - Preparing For the Market Stabilization

31:03 - Youth Opportunities

36:28 - Only Let Your Organization Grow as Big as You Can Keep it Running Smoothly!

40:45 - Is College Right For You? Yes: IF You Have a Plan!

43:04 - Living With a Psychologist

43:46 - Routines Help Keep You Grounded: Mike Loves Podcasts!

46:35 - Luke’s Favorite Podcasts: Joe Rogan, and Doughboys!

47:31 - Our Goal: To Reach, Connect and Aid Current and Future Tradespeople!

49:19 - Tech Jobs: Sexy, But Not Necessarily Secure! Trades Can Be Recession-Proof!

51:45 - There’s a Lot of Opportunity Locally! No Inattentive National Builders Here!

52:33 - Closing Remarks: How to Get in Touch

In this episode, our hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster interview Anthony Caruso, the main man behind Caruso Builders of New York! They discuss Anthony's start at 20 years of age, how he grew his business to work on multi-million dollar homes, how his company dealt with the COVID crisis and the labor shortage, and more in this in-depth 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!

Anthony Caruso - Caruso Home Builders

00:16 - Introduction

00:56 - A Brief History of Anthony Caruso and Caruso Builders

05:09 - Before Construction: When it Was Time to Go Blue

08:56 - Starting Blue at 20: Blue and Green!

09:54 - Employees and Subcontractors: Who Does Which Job?

11:37 - What Goes Into a Three-Million Dollar Home: Come Visit the Blue Collar Mansion!

14:18 - Bunker-Buildin’: Hope For the Best, But Prepare For the Worst!

16:18 - The COVID Hurdle: Changed Many Lives, For Better or Worse!

18:15 - Expanding Slowly, But Surely

21:17 - Speculating Land: A Not-Often-Offered Advantage that Caruso Builders Offers!

22:28 - Scoping Out Customers: You Shouldn’t Do Business With Everyone!

25:39 - Tradesman Shortages… May Only Get Worse! Those Who Remain Will Control the Market!

28:12 - Average Ages: The Blue-Collar Market is Strongest in the 40s and 50s!

30:14 - The Caruso Secret: No Hesitation! No Surrender!

32:13 - Routines & Obligations: Not Much Free Time!

34:48 - What Time is Okay to Text? “Scheduled Send” is a Fantastic Innovation for Night Owls and Early Birds!

36:58 - Editor’s Note: I Can Verify That He Really Does Do This.

37:23 - Work Ethic, Where Have You Gone? How Are People Making Things Work Without It?

40:12 - Goal-Setting and Scaling: Planning Ahead

42:54 - Anthony’s One Key Piece of Advice: Never Give Up! Plan For Success and You’ll Have It!

43:44 - Closing Remarks: How to Get in Touch

In this episode, our hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster interview Tom Brizzell, the main man behind Custom Craft Builders of Brunswick! They discuss Tom's zen-like approach towards his business, the challenges he faced starting both his business and his family in his twenties, and more in this in-depth 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!

Tom Brizzell - Custom Craft Builders LLC

00:16 - Introduction: Mike’s Crazy Cider

01:31 - A Brief History of Tom Brizzell and Custom Craft Builders

03:35 - A Learning Experience: A Mistake You Learn From is No Mistake!

06:16 - Starting in Your 20s… Talk About Stressful!

06:40 - Owning Your Own Business Does NOT Equal More Free Time (At Least at First)!

08:12 - Working After (or Before) Hours… The Perspective Change Can Make a World of Difference!

10:17 - Tom’s Biggest Mistake: Hiring Friends!

14:33 - The Big Challenge Today: The Economy, and Explaining it to Customers!

17:58 - The Secret to Tom’s Success… Going With the Flow!

19:23 - Succeeding Without Marketing… Your Work Must Be TOP NOTCH to Speak for Itself!

20:37 - Stacking Jobs: How Many is Too Many? It Depends on What Role You Play!

22:00 - Be the “Icing on the Cake”

24:15 - “Today is Going to Suck”: Prepare for Adversity!

26:01 - Work Ethic and the Shifting Expectations of Society

29:55 - From Working for Someone to Working for Yourself: A Difficult Transition!

32:23 - College is Good… If You Know Why You’re Going!

34:35 - Tom’s Routine: Strict Planning Works for Some, But Not Tom!

35:51 - Tom’s One Key Piece of Advice: Don’t Give Up!

36:40 - What Keeps Tom Going?.. Loving What He Does!

37:27 - Closing Remarks: How to Get in Touch

In this episode, our hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster interview Matt Phelps, the owner of Metabolic Fitness! They discuss how Matt got started, the stellar programs the facilities offer, and more in this informative 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!

Matt Phelps - Metabolic Fitness

00:16 - Introduction

02:03 - A Brief History of Matt Phelps and Metabolic Fitness

07:03 - Derek Training with Matt… In a Warehouse in Schenectady?!

08:13 - How Can Physical Fitness Play a Role in Your Success?

09:59 - Metabolic’s Class Structuring: Don’t “Find a Time”, MAKE the Time!

14:05 - Careful Scheduling: The Key to Success

16:24 - Nutrition: A Misunderstood and Surprisingly Simple Component of Fitness!

18:23 - How Personalized Should Nutrition Be?

19:47 - Intermittent Fasting: Just a Means to an End!

20:40 - Metabolic’s Coaches: Not Just Exercise, but Diet, Too!

21:20 - What’s Next for Metabolic?

23:20 - How Does Metabolic Scale so Quickly? With the Right People!

25:24 - Closing Remarks: How to Get in Touch