In this episode of Blue Collar StartUp, Mike and Derek sit down with Bill Tansey to break down why org charts are one of the most misunderstood—and most powerful—tools in a growing trades business. They dive into standard roles, functional accountability, and how to design an organization that supports real strategy instead of being built around the people you already have.

Check out our Blue Collar StartUp Patreon for exclusive bonus content! https://patreon.com/BlueCollarStartUp?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=copyLink

Bill can be found on LinkedIn as William (Bill) Tansey Jr., or through his website at theopexshop.com.

0:00 Welcome to Blue Collar StartUp & show intro

0:45 Kicking off the new year & new sponsor announcement

2:00 Daily task lists, focus, and doing less to accomplish more

3:15 New episode formats & “Let’s Ask Bill” introduction

5:00 Supporting the trades through sponsorships

6:20 Introducing Bill Tansey

7:30 What an org chart actually is (and isn’t)

9:00 Org charts as a communication tool, not a hierarchy

10:00 Current-state vs future-state org charts

12:00 Planning only one year ahead—and why it matters

13:15 The importance of standard roles for scaling

15:00 Why org charts shouldn’t constantly change

17:10 Adding overhead roles and financial justification

19:00 Full-time equivalency and wearing multiple hats

21:10 The danger of building roles around people

23:40 Functional accountability explained

27:00 Common org chart mistakes business owners make

34:20 Strategy, tactics, execution & wrapping the episode

In this episode of Blue Collar StartUp, Mike and Derek break down Part Two of the Cashflow Quadrant, focusing on the difficult transition from being self-employed to becoming a true business owner. They unpack leadership, systems, vision, cashflow realities, and the mindset shifts required to stop owning a job and start building a business.

Check out the Blue Collar StartUp Patreon for exclusive bonus content!

https://patreon.com/BlueCollarStartUp?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=copyLink

0:00 Welcome to Blue Collar StartUp

0:29 Introductions and kicking off the new year

1:29 New episode formats and what’s coming in 2026

2:32 Patreon overview and why the bonus content matters

3:47 Sponsorships and supporting the next generation of trades

5:00 Episode topic: Cashflow Quadrant, Part Two

6:10 Defining self-employed vs. business owner

7:57 What a “real business” actually looks like

9:38 Can a business truly run without its owner?

12:20 Growth creates new problems at every level

15:36 Hiring, delegation, and leveraging strengths

18:05 The risks and realities of business ownership

21:13 Letting go and trusting your team

23:12 Vision, mission, and values as leadership tools

27:01 Why most self-employed owners never scale

31:17 Culture, buy-in, and decision-making frameworks

37:39 Cashflow myths, payroll pressure, and sacrifice

44:24 Patreon topics, wrap-up, and where to find the show

In this episode of Blue Collar StartUp, Mike and Derek chat with Mason Hamilton as shares his incredible journey from excavator operator to president of Donnelly Construction, a leading traffic control company in New York State, revealing how hard work and resilience turned personal tragedy into triumph. Despite a paralyzing snowmobile accident, he continued leading and growing the business through sheer determination and problem-solving.

Learn more about Donnelly Construction at donnellyconstruction.net.

Check out our Blue Collar StartUp Patreon for exclusive bonus content! https://patreon.com/BlueCollarStartUp?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=copyLink

0:00 Intro and Welcome

0:15 Hosts Banter and New Year Shoutout

1:13 Sponsor Shoutouts Begin

2:26 Patreon Mention

3:20 Introducing Guest Mason Hamilton

3:40 What is Donnelly Construction?

4:31 Explaining Traffic Control Services

5:30 Geographic Coverage and Visibility

6:34 Mason's Start in the Company

7:51 Path to Becoming an Operator

9:39 Timeline to President (21-22 Years)

11:30 Brief College Story

14:11 Day-to-Day as President

16:16 The Snowmobile Accident and Transition

20:52 Management Style

24:26 Overcoming Adversity Mindset

29:49 Plans for 2026 and Growth

33:28 Where to Find Donnelly Construction

34:12 Wrap-Up and Patreon Teaser

In this episode of Blue Collar StartUp, hosts Mike and Derek sit down with Korey Chapman, owner of Little Moose Prints, to break down the realities of running a low-margin, labor-intensive business in a highly competitive market. Korey breaks down ten years of lessons in screen printing and embroidery, including pricing in a race-to-the-bottom market, managing production labor, investing in equipment, and building systems that keep jobs moving out the door on time.

Check out our Blue Collar StartUp Patreon for exclusive bonus content! https://patreon.com/BlueCollarStartUp?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=copyLink

You can learn more about Korey Chapman and Little Moose Prints at littlemooseprints.com and across their social platforms.

0:00 Cold open and welcome

0:15 What Blue Collar StartUp is all about

1:03 Sponsors and supporting the trades

1:31 Introducing Korey Chapman and Little Moose Prints

2:08 Ten years in business and team size

3:19 From fourth-generation farming to entrepreneurship

4:54 Discovering screen printing and moving to Idaho

6:01 Starting as a side hustle and going all in

7:18 Competing in a race-to-the-bottom industry

8:49 How farming prepared Korey for business reality

10:18 Saying yes before knowing how to deliver

11:57 Manual presses, brutal hours, and automation

13:49 The biggest challenge over ten years: labor

15:47 Letting go of the wrong people sooner

16:32 Learning to track numbers and run a scorecard

18:23 Leadership, decision-making, and accountability

21:59 Pricing, margins, and firing the wrong clients

33:00 Patreon preview, where to find Korey, and wrap-up

In this episode of Blue Collar StartUp, Mike Nelson and Derek Foster welcome back Bill Tansey Jr. to break down what it really takes to build a business that can operate without its owner being involved in every daily decision. From getting the “trains running on time” to implementing org charts, escalation criteria, and documented processes, the conversation delivers practical guidance for trades business owners looking to scale sustainably.

Check out our Blue Collar StartUp Patreon for exclusive bonus content! https://patreon.com/BlueCollarStartUp?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=copyLink

Bill can be found on LinkedIn as William (Bill) Tansey Jr., or through his website at theopexshop.com.

0:00 Show introduction

0:25 Hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster introduce themselves

1:34 Year-end planning, goal setting, and why planning fuels growth

2:46 Sponsors, community impact, and giving back to the trades

5:18 Podcast milestones, episode output, and tools & tuition donations

6:31 Introducing Bill Tansey and the “Let’s Ask Bill” series

8:12 Vision boards, goal visibility, and staying focused all year

10:05 Today’s topic: building a business that can run without you

11:17 Hiring outside the friend circle and preparing for real growth

13:50 “Are the trains running on time?” explained

17:01 Cash cows, sustainable advantage, and the buggy whip analogy

18:59 Escalation criteria: critical vs. major vs. minor issues

22:19 When and how to use organizational charts correctly

26:36 Functional vs. cross-functional teams explained

29:20 Processes, business systems, and operations manuals

32:17 Why documented processes are required to scale

34:22 Biggest mistakes owners make when growing their business

37:04 Where to find Bill and closing remarks

In this episode of Blue Collar Startup, hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster explore how robotics and automation are being used in real-world trade businesses to solve labor challenges, improve efficiency, and deliver better results. From commercial cleaning to healthcare facilities, we break down what the technology actually does, where it works best, and why robots are becoming tools—not replacements—on the modern jobsite.

Check out our Blue Collar StartUp Patreon for exclusive bonus content!

https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-robots-help-146011099

00:00 Intro and welcome to Blue Collar Startup

01:30 Snowstorms, winter work, and life in the trades

03:10 The real cost of vacations for business owners

04:40 Setting up the episode: robotics in the trades

06:00 Derek’s background and growth of Daigle Cleaning Systems

08:20 Introducing robotics and automation in cleaning

10:45 Business acquisition and scaling during COVID

13:30 How cleaning robots actually work (mapping & programming)

16:45 What robots can and cannot replace

19:10 Safety, sensors, and robots working around people

21:30 Productivity gains and reallocating human labor

24:00 Using robotics to open doors with new clients

26:20 ROI, cost savings, and efficiency benefits

28:45 Where robotics works best: healthcare, offices, schools

31:15 Residential vs. commercial cleaning differences

34:00 Franchising, systems, and avoiding costly mistakes

36:30 Labor shortages and the future of automation

39:00 Industry standards, certifications, and audits

44:20 Advice for business owners considering robotics

50:09 Episode wrap-up and sponsor acknowledgments

In Episode 106 of Blue Collar Startup, hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster sit down with Bob Caldarella of ClearFocus Robotics to talk real-world autonomous robots in the trades, how “mop bots,” delivery bots, and disinfection robots are taking over repetitive, dangerous, or mundane tasks in cleaning, healthcare, landscaping, and facilities, delivering ROI in under a year while creating higher-skilled jobs and happier customers.

Connect with Bob Caldarella and ClearFocus Robotics at clearfocusrobotics.com or on LinkedIn.

Check out our Blue Collar StartUp Patreon for exclusive bonus content! https://patreon.com/BlueCollarStartUp?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=copyLink

00:00 Opening 

00:15 Intro & Derek back from ISSA Vegas  

02:17 Sponsor love & kids-in-trades donations  

03:08 Guest: Meet Bob Caldarella – ClearFocus Robotics  

04:04 What “front-of-house” real-work robotics means  

06:05 Blue-collar tie-in & workflow pain points  

10:01 Mowing robots vs. mop bots  

11:15 Yelp horror stories & customer satisfaction math  

14:19 Derek: 2x - 5x weekly vacuuming, zero extra labor  

15:18 Other robot categories (secure delivery, heavy transport, UVC)  

17:36 Hospital blood-sample runs: 75 miles/week automated  

20:10 Bob’s journey from ATM manufacturing to life-saving robotics  

22:43 Adoption fears & union concerns  

25:38 When should you even look at robotics?  

30:25 The $1M workman’s-comp cart push waiting to happen  

33:32 Derek on finally pulling the trigger  

34:02 How to spot a quality commercial robot  

37:47 Where robotics is headed in the next 5 years  

40:30 It’s about better outcomes, not fewer people  

42:13 Where to find ClearFocus + main show wrap  

43:20 Patreon tease & sponsor thanks  

44:06 Outro “keep hustling”

In Episode 105, Mike and Derek break down Robert Kiyosaki’s Cashflow Quadrant for blue-collar workers and deliver a practical 6-step blueprint to start and grow a profitable trade business while still keeping your day job. From validating your idea and staying lean to knowing exactly when to quit and how to avoid the classic rookie mistakes, this is the no-BS roadmap thousands of tradespeople have been waiting for.

Check out our Blue Collar StartUp Patreon for exclusive bonus content! https://patreon.com/BlueCollarStartUp?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=copyLink

00:00 Intro & banter – who’s the new MC?

02:05 The skilled-trades workforce crisis: 2.2 million leaving every year

06:04 Shout-out to sponsors & how the show gives back to BOCES programs

07:42 Introducing Robert Kiyosaki’s Cashflow Quadrant (E to S to B to I)

09:23 Derek’s origin story – from construction laborer to business owner

14:02 Step 1: Validate your idea (research, competitors, test with friends/family)

19:07 Step 2: Build a financial safety net (keep the full-time job, save 3-6 months)

24:43 Why rushing without a cushion destroys decision-making (Mike’s story)

28:07 Track revenue & expenses from day one (even if you hate bookkeeping)

31:25 Step 3: Start lean – no big equipment or truck purchases until you have paying clients

36:33 Turn vehicles from liabilities into rolling billboards

41:30 Sell without spending on marketing – networking beats ads in the beginning

46:13 Step 4: Manage your time (evenings/weekends, power lists, boundaries)

50:56 Pay-time vs non-pay-time & the Pareto principle for tradespeople

54:21 Patreon tease: Step 5 (when to go full-time) & Step 6 (common mistakes)

55:10 Outro & sponsor thank-you

56:05 Episode ends

In this episode of Blue Collar StartUp, hosts Mike and Derek sit down with three general managers from pavement preservation giant Suit-Kote, John Debiew, Darin Smith, and Brennan Bezon. Tune in as they discuss their blue-collar journeys from laborers to leaders, reveal the rewards of keeping roads safe and taxpayer dollars saved, and offer hard-earned advice for anyone eyeing a fulfilling career in the trades.

To learn more about John, Darin, and Brennan and about Suit-Kote, visit the company's website at suit-kote.com, to explore career opportunities, services, and reach out to their team.

Check out our Blue Collar StartUp Patreon for exclusive bonus content! https://patreon.com/BlueCollarStartUp?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=copyLink

00:00 Intro banter

02:06 John introduces himself and Suit-Kote’s 104-year history

04:18 Darin shares 23-year rise from laborer to GM

05:36 Brennan explains lowboys and logistics background

06:19 Guests discuss education paths (high school, college, trade)

08:51 John on civil engineering degree and seasonal construction

10:49 Day-to-day: on-season vs. off-season operations

13:36 Plans change daily; “figure it out” mentality

14:37 Suit-Kote’s core: pavement preservation & vertical integration

16:26 Regional GM responsibilities and shared specialty crews

18:32 How all three climbed internally through people & culture

22:05 Retention: exit interviews, internal interviews, leadership training

25:19 Hiring entry-level: eagerness, character over competency

28:12 Obstacles: long hours, weather, equipment gremlins

29:59 Reward: seeing taxpayer savings and safer roads

32:10 Cold-in-place recycling: reuse existing road in one pass

36:33 One piece of advice: find what makes you tick, give 100%

39:56 Where to find Suit-Kote: suit-kote.com

40:41 Main episode wrap-up and sponsor thanks

41:37 Final outro

In Episode 103 of Blue Collar Startup, Mike and Derek welcome back Pam Stott and Doug Ford from the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition. Tune in as they tackle shifting stigmas, counselor workshops, job shadowing, and plans to franchise their model nationwide with help from education firm 1080. Also learn about the November 19th mixer at Rivers Casino—networking, updates, and a high-stakes 200-ticket raffle ($5K/$3K/$2K prizes).

You can connect with the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition at nctwc.org or follow them on LinkedIn and X.

Check out our Blue Collar StartUp Patreon for exclusive bonus content! https://patreon.com/BlueCollarStartUp?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=copyLink

00:00 Halloween intros & pumpkin talk  

00:34 Sponsor shoutouts & BOCES donations  

02:21 Pam & Doug return; Curtis Lumber backstory  

04:19 Coalition origins & nonprofit milestone  

06:17 Elementary toolbox builds (2nd grade+)  

11:20 Middle-school dodecahedron & STEM ties  

13:41 High-school site visits & Meet the Builder  

15:29 Shop class memories & stigma shift  

17:14 Alex Dominguez success story  

22:49 Job shadowing & internship matchmaking  

26:28 Girls’ summer camp (week 1 basic, week 2 advanced)  

30:15 Matt Litvak praise & builder volunteers  

35:19 Counselor workshops & speed-trading  

42:47 Scaling nationally via LBM dealers & 1080  

46:14 November 19 mixer at Rivers Casino  

47:12 $100 raffle (200 tickets, $20K pot)  

51:50 Website & socials; closing thanks