Handforged

In this episode of the Handforged Podcast, Nate Allard—the dynamic executive behind the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce—shares his journey from a sales and marketing background to becoming a champion for local business and community networking.

About Nate Allard: Born and raised in Newburyport, Nate’s hands‑on approach and digital marketing expertise have redefined local networking. Now at the helm of the Chamber, he’s dedicated to fostering strong community ties and ensuring local businesses thrive in a competitive landscape.

What We Cover:

Building a Winning Network: How Nate turned everyday interactions into a powerful business engine.

Maximizing Chamber Membership: Learn the benefits of joining and actively participating in your local chamber.

Practical Networking Tips: Actionable strategies to connect with local professionals and boost community trust.

Empowering Local Trades: How authentic storytelling and community support drive small business and blue‑collar success.Like, subscribe, and share your thoughts below. How has building a strong local network helped your business?

In this episode of the Handforged Podcast, Sean from Primus takes us behind the scenes of his journey—from making cold calls in the concrete business to launching a dedicated networking platform for the construction industry. Discover how Sean’s authentic, no-nonsense approach is challenging the status quo of platforms like Angie's List and Thumbtack.

What we'll talk about:

About Sean:

A natural-born hustler with decades of hands-on experience, Sean’s career began in the grit of construction. Today, he leverages that background to connect contractors with builders through Primus—proving that authenticity and persistence can transform an entire industry.

PR1MUS website: https://pr1mus.com/

In this episode of Hand Forged, we sit down with Josh de Vos, a seasoned Merchant Marine and Maine Maritime graduate.

Josh takes us below deck, sharing his journey from a guy trying to figure out his path to becoming part of the backbone of global trade.He explains how this career path isn't just about earning a solid paycheck – it's about being part of something bigger and finding pride in honest, skilled work.

What's In Store:

The nitty-gritty truth about keeping world trade flowing (hint: it's not all smooth sailing)

How to break into the maritime world through academies or hands-on experience getting your hands dirty might be the most rewarding career move you'll make fresh take on why shipping out beats the traditional college-to-cubicle route

Drop a like, hit subscribe, and share with someone who needs to hear that there's more to life than the ordinary 9-to-5!

In this Handforged Podcast episode, we sit down with Michael O’Rourke of NoblePort Construction to discuss how he overcame the skilled labor shortage to build a thriving, expert team.

We'll talk about practical approaches to hiring, training, and leading a crew that can tackle modern challenges without losing the essence of traditional craftsmanship.

From integrating cutting-edge construction tech to fostering a supportive culture, Michael’s journey offers valuable lessons for anyone the trades

Tune in to learn, be inspired, and take actionable insights back to your own business.

Dennis Charles, a business strategist and former sports coach, shares his journey from soccer fields to boardrooms, offering actionable advice for blue-collar business owners. He dives into the importance of mindset, building systems, and creating a long-term vision to help tradespeople grow their businesses beyond the day-to-day grind.

Dennis' website: https://charlesstrategy.com/

Book recommendations:

1. “Start With Why” by Simon Sinek

Focuses on understanding the “why” behind your business and aligning it with a greater purpose.

2. “The E-Myth Revisited” by Michael Gerber

Explains the importance of working on your business instead of just in it, with strategies for creating systems to scale effectively.

3. “Buy Back Your Time” by Dan Martell

Encourages business owners to delegate effectively and focus on tasks that align with their skills and energy to maximize impact.

4. “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie

A classic on communication and relationship-building, emphasizing the power of listening and connecting with others.

5. “Unreasonable Hospitality” by Will Guidara

(Referenced as “Uncompromising Hospitality”) Explores how exceptional customer service can create lasting relationships and drive business success.

Chris Crump shares his journey from starting a design business in his basement to becoming a respected residential and commercial designer. He highlights the importance of relationships, the value of field experience, and the balance between craftsmanship and collaboration in creating exceptional projects.

Visit Chris's website at CWC Design: https://cwc-design.com/

Erika Hemingway takes us through her journey from radio host to media personality at Northshore Magazine. She talks about the power of building real connections, hosting unforgettable events, and creating a true community within the North Shore. Erika’s all about bringing people together, and her story is packed with insights for anyone interested in media, sales, or just making a local impact.

Erika's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikalambie

Master electrician Brenden Moore shares his journey from family mentorship to building his own business, balancing quality with demand, and tackling the challenges of a growing trade.

Brenden's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrendenMooreElectric/

Michelle Miakos from 8 Waves Creative shares insights on the importance of a strong digital presence for trade businesses. She discusses strategies for building credibility through websites, SEO, and social media, while also emphasizing the power of branding to elevate business success in today’s competitive market.

8 Waves Creative website: https://8wavescreative.com/

Michael Cesaroni reveals how dedication and consistency turned his trades ventures into thriving businesses. Hear his strategies for steady growth, building lasting relationships, and maintaining momentum in a challenging industry.

Michael's Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mikecesaroni/