Learnings and Missteps by Depth Builder

Personal development is a huge part of anyone’s career, even for those in the trades industry. Self-awareness, empathy, honesty, and communication are key factors to being an effective leader, business owner, and most importantly, becoming the best version of yourself.

Join me in this episode as I speak with Chris Gutkes, President of Island Elevator, a people-first company offering the most comprehensive selection of elevator products and services on Long Island, NY. As a 4th generation elevator professional, Chris has lived a life full of learnings and missteps and he’s here to shed light on each one of them in a very powerful way.

Tune in to learn how Chris came to understand the necessity of people-first communication, technological innovation, and personal development in the trades industry. (Hint: It took a lot of failing forward!)

“The biggest problem for business owners these days is putting the right people on the bus and then putting the people on the bus in the right seat.” - Chris Gutkes

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

·       Navigating changes in society and technology as a trades professional & Why you need to embrace change, not resist it.

·       The importance of improving your communication and embracing technological innovation alongside your technical understanding of a trade.

·       How Chris uses his strengths to succeed in the elevator industry.

·       Why building talent is more effective than recruiting talent.

·       What does it mean to be a people-first company?

·       Valuable advice for people interested in a career in the trades: Define what YOU value & Find a company that invests in its employees to build upon that value.

·       Strengths, skills, and goals Chris looks for when hiring field technicians.

·       Chris’s top recommendations for getting a job in skilled trade.

·       How getting sober and practicing mindfulness and empathy impacted his life and leadership.

·       Chris’s Learning and Misstep: Failing is part of the job, but it teaches you A LOT!

“You can’t just close your eyes and pretend things aren’t happening because while you’re waiting on hold to order your pizza, mine’s already in route because I ordered it on DoorDash. That’s where the elevator industry is going, that’s where HVAC, plumbing, electric, everything’s going to be remote monitored, touching through different platforms  It’s not harder, it’s just different.”        - Chris Gutkes

Watch this episode on YouTube:

Connect with Chris:

Connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisgutkes 

Resources Mentioned: 

Island Elevator: http://islandelevator.com 

Listen to the LnM episode with Edward Rivera: https://apple.co/3wfDIjZ 

Listen to Diary of a CEO with Malcom Gladwell: https://apple.co/3zMUUxR 

Simon Sinek on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SimonSinek 

Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss: https://amzn.to/3bJCy9g 

Chris Do of thefutur: https://thefutur.com/team/chris-do 

Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink: https://amzn.to/3A8TcIx 

Lets leave the Construction Industry Better than We Found It https://www.depthbuilder.com/construction-leadership-lab

Download the free PDF copy of Becoming the Promise You are Intended to Be 

Being a little too careless on the job site or not having the proper gear can mean big consequences… or at the very least, a major reality check!

In this episode, I speak with Pete Zeppetella, a licensed journeyman carpenter and CEO of Zepps Gear. Before getting into the trades, Pete actually dreamed of being a clothing designer. Fortunately for him, his passion for clothing later collided with his carpentry profession. This lead him to start a company that produces innovative, high-functioning, high-quality clothing for tradespeople designed specifically to keep tradespeople safe and efficient on the job.

Tune in to hear and see how the Zepps Gear jacket was invented as well as how it works with a safety harness, radio and mic, lanyards, and any other accessories you need secured to you while on the job.

“Nobody does anything by themselves. Always have a team behind you.”  - Pete Zeppetella

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

·       How Pete got into carpentry and mechanics at a young age.

·       The inspiration behind Zepps Gear & Pete’s creative process for designing clothing and gear for tradespeople.

·       The incredible skills that tradespeople develop.

·       If you have an interest in serving others, don’t give up on your vision. It takes time to develop your interests and see a successful outcome.

·       The key to making your vision a reality: Building a team to support you.

·       Pete’s Learning and Misstep: Work with caution or face the consequences.

“We build the world.” - Pete Zeppetella

Watch this episode on YouTube:

Connect with Pete:

Connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-zeppetella-8a1574141

Resources Mentioned: 

Check out Zepps Gear: https://zeppsgear.ca

Intertek testing: https://www.intertek.com/testing 
Lean & Love 5S Love Letters: https://www.depthbuilder.com/5s

Lets leave the Construction Industry Better than We Found It https://www.depthbuilder.com/construction-leadership-lab

Download the free PDF copy of Becoming the Promise You are Intended to Be 

One thing the trades industry needs more of is support. Support for one another’s success, support for a better work/life balance, support in achieving goals and promotions, and frankly, more support for women.

In this episode, I welcome Carole Raftrey, a 30-year iron worker based in New York City and President of Iron Workers 197. Carole has experienced a regretful misstep that many of us don’t talk about, but she’s here to shed light on that misstep and share the empowering lesson she learned from it. If you’ve ever suffered from a lack of confidence, uncertainty in your leadership skills, or you just want to succeed as a woman in the trades, this episode is for you.

Tune in to hear how Carole has overcome doubt and oppression from male colleagues to become a great leader in the trades and how she’s helping other women to become successful tradespeople, too.

“I just smile from ear to ear when I see that [women in the trades] are thriving, they’re making a good living, their getting shit done. I love it.”  - Carole Raftrey

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

·       How Carole went from working in TV broadcasting to apprenticing in ironwork

·       How she became President of her local union of Iron Workers 197

·       What does it take to become a great leader of an organization?

·       Changes that are impacting the ironwork trade & What it’s like to be an ironworker in New York City

·       What skills and characteristics make a good welder or tradesperson?

·       Are you able to see the results of your hard work as a leader?

·       Tips and advice for managing stress as a leader or president of an organization

·       The state of the apprenticeship market & How hard is it to find ironwork apprenticeships in 2022?

·       Advice for women and people navigating promotions and facing oppression from male colleagues

·       The importance of finding community in the trades, especially for women

·       Carole’s Learning and Misstep: Letting others (men) talk her out of getting a job as a superintendent & The power of giving yourself confidence and not doubting yourself.

“You don’t have to look like a big, tough person. You can be able to go into the trades and learn your way through it and become productive and be somebody that somebody can look up to.”            - Carole Raftrey

Connect with Carole:

Resources Mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carole-raftrey-6913a570/

Learn more about Iron Workers 197:  http://www.ironworkers197.org 

ULA Network: https://www.ulanetwork.com/

Lets leave the Construction Industry Better than We Found It https://www.depthbuilder.com/construction-leadership-lab

Download the free PDF copy of Becoming the Promise You are Intended to Be 

If one thing’s certain about working in a non-traditional role, it’s that you’ll never retire without a learning and misstep. Thankfully, we have people like Angela Gardner to empower women to build non-traditional careers, despite how dirty or unconventional it might be, and to create supportive communities for women in the trades so they can truly thrive.

In this episode, I welcome Angela Gardner, Director of Business Development and Marketing at Hill Electric Company, Co-Host of the Women Talk Construction podcast, and Co-Founder of Women Construction Forum. Angela is passionate about all things construction - from highlighting the power of women in construction to building brands and relationships as a marketing and sales professional. 

Listen in to learn how Angela got a role in a non-traditional industry after a career in fashion design along with her top advice and insights as a female leader in the trades!

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

·       Marketing tips, strategies, and opportunities for trades/construction businesses

·       What it’s like to market and recruit for the trades at schools 

·       There is a WIDE variety of roles in the trades industry (other than being a laborer)!

·       Unexpected challenges you might face when transitioning from a residential trade to a commercial trade

·       Carrying the burden of leadership 

·       The mindset needed for sustainable, strategic growth in any company

·       What Angela has learned from the many tradespeople in her family

·       Insights on keeping a business alive during a recession & Advice on laying off employees

·       Angela’s Learning and Misstep: The struggle of being a Giver/Helper, life as an introverted, recovering co-dependent & The importance of learning how to deal with grief in a healthy way

Connect with Angela:

Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asanterini 

Listen to Women Talk Construction: https://womentalkconstruction.com 

Visit the Women Construction Forum: https://forum.womentalkconstruction.com 

Hill Electric: https://hillelectric.net 

Resources Mentioned: 

Bring Back the Trades: https://www.bringbackthetrades.com

Lift Training: https://lifttraining.com 

Don Gardner Architects: https://www.dongardner.com

Codependent No More by Melody Beattie: https://amzn.to/3zWHbpV

Lets leave the Construction Industry Better than We Found It https://www.depthbuilder.com/construction-leadership-lab

Download the free PDF copy of Becoming the Promise You are Intended to Be 

In a world that’s so demanding and fast-paced, it’s important that we slow down and connect with ourselves and each other. That’s the main lesson this week’s guest has learned (and is still learning) along her career path. 

In this episode, I welcome Christi Powell, Co-Founder of Women Confidence Builders, WBE-certified Sales Representative for 84 Lumber, and co-host of the Women Talk Construction podcast. After working in male-dominated industries for 27 years, once she started working in in the construction industry and meeting more women in the field, Christi began reflecting and rediscovering herself as a woman.

Listen in to learn about Christi’s adventurous career path and how she’s not only finding success in her own career, but helping women grow and thrive in the construction field and other non-traditional careers.

“I had no idea what kind of energy I was using to keep anybody from knowing who I was, including myself.”                           - Christi Powell

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

·       How Christi rediscovered and learned more about herself through her faith and her career.

·       Why it’s important to slow down in your career, especially when transitioning to a new role and/or industry.

·       What it’s like to move from a male-dominated workplace to a workplace and role that’s more diverse and emotional.

·       How therapy can enhance your career and your relationship with yourself.

·       The #1 game-changing resource that helped Christi create healthy mindset shifts.

·       How she’s working with the WBENC to create change in the world of business and making the trades/construction industry a better workplace for women.

·       The inspiration behind Women Talk Construction, Christi’s new podcast about helping women grow in the construction field and other non-traditional careers.

·       The key to working through any challenge: Your own personal advisory council!

·       Christi’s Learning and Misstep: Learning how to slow down and say “no” in a demanding, fast-paced world.

Connect with Christi:

Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christi-powell-99023b1b 

Listen to the Women Talk Construction podcast: https://womentalkconstruction.com 

Resources Mentioned: 

Learn more about Women Confidence Builders: https://womentalkconstruction.com/wcb  

Get the WBENC Certification: https://www.wbenc.org/certification 

Skilled Trades Alliance: https://skilledtradesalliance.net

Seven Principles by Henry Nutt III: https://amzn.to/3tqlQl0 

Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown: https://brenebrown.com/book/braving-the-wilderness 

Women Builders Council: https://wbcnyc.org

Associated Builders and Contractors: https://www.abc.org

Lets leave the Construction Industry Better than We Found It https://www.depthbuilder.com/construction-leadership-lab

Download the free PDF copy of Becoming the Promise You are Intended to Be 

With the recent influx of technology and digital innovation, every business in every industry has the opportunity to become more efficient, sustainable, and optimize their processes. People in the trades are no exception! So, what happens when you mix digital innovation, financial education, and the trades? Here’s a hint… it involves SUCCESS. 

In this episode, I welcome Michael Fina, a New York City native who for the past 15 years has been working with LendingClub, a union-founded bank, and The Union Labor Advisory Network to educate and support those in the local union labor community. 

Listen in to learn how Michael is supporting his community of tradespeople through services like treasury and case management, as well as what you can do to support your local tradespeople.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

·       How Michael and Lending Club are helping individuals and companies in the trades to optimize their business.

·       The immense earning potential for trades workers & The dangers of undervaluing your employees.

·       What is The Rotary Club? & The benefits of getting involved.

·       Opportunities that have risen and challenges Michael has faced while serving his community.

·       Advice for aspiring social media content creators who want to make a difference in their community.

·       Michael’s Learning and Misstep: Losing his father during the pandemic & Using innovative technology and community connection to help and serve others.

“As my career has progressed in the world of technology, I just want to make sure that I’m learning every day and providing that knowledge to the clients and the people that I work with and support on a day-to-day basis.”                           - Michael Fina

Connect with Michael:

Connect with him on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/michael-fina-667b35

Resources Mentioned:

Learn more about LendingClub: www.lendingclub.com

The Union Labor Advisory Network: www.ulanetwork.com 

MOXY: www.themoxyvoice.com

Barbie The Welder: www.barbiethewelder.com

Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW): www.new-nyc.org 

Tools and Tiaras: www.toolsandtiaras.org 

Join The Rotary Club: www.rotary.org 

Union Strong app: www.unionstrongapp.com 

Connect with us:
https://www.learningsandmissteps.com/support/

Lets leave the Construction Industry Better than We Found It https://www.depthbuilder.com/construction-leadership-lab

Download the free PDF copy of Becoming the Promise You are Intended to Be 

Female and minority contractors need more representation, compensation, and respect in their industry. There’s no doubt about it! But how do we make that happen? This week’s guest is a prime example of that mission coming to life.

In this episode, I welcome Demetria Bivens, Managing Member at dlb Consultants and Senior Executive Director of Business Development for DFW Airport Texas. Demetria is on a mission to change the narrative around minority contractors and bring more respect and recognition to Black tradeswomen and Black female contractors.

Listen in to learn how Demetria entered the construction industry with ZERO experience and how she has transferred her passion for business development into a successful career in contracting.

“We may be small but we always think like a big company.”                            - Demetria Bivens

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

·       Demetria’s role in the contracting field & How she’s working to improve the contracting profession for minorities.

·       Programs and educational opportunities to take if you want to become a contractor.

·       Demetria’s earliest career aspirations, her diverse work experience, and why she became an entrepreneur.

·       How her family and her experience with grief has impacted and inspired her career path.

·       How do you take care of yourself while balancing your many responsibilities?

·       Being a mentor for female contractors: What does it feel like to see your mentees thrive?

·       Demetria’s Learning and Misstep: Read the specifications, always walk the job site, and take ownership!

Connect with Demetria:

Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/demetria-bivens-699b2449 

 https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnings-and-missteps
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4yLjr8swfqCt_vMp74oiXA
https://www.learningsandmissteps.com/support/

Gabriel Garcia shares some the recruiting secrets Marek uses to engage High School students in accessing fruitful careers. With early dreams as a Rockstar he found an environment he would thrive in on the jobsite. Understanding the value of giving back to the community, Gabriel took a leadership role as the Build Competition Rockstar with Texas Construction Careers Initiative.

As professionals in the trade industry, we have the power to do more than just pour concrete, weld metal structures, or build an elevator car… we have the power to build people and create a sense of depth, or deeper meaning, in our industry.

In this episode, I welcome Edward A. Rivera, also known as Your Elevator Pal. Ed is a Modernization/Construction Foremen, but beyond that, he’s a content creator who’s passionate about sharing his love for his profession with the world via LinkedIn. 

Listen in to learn how he entered the elevator business and became a successful elevator construction foreman as well as why he believes we need to “above all, build people”.

“It’s not one-dimensional. You’re not in this box. There’s so much more you can do as a tradesperson or a college graduate. It’s never-ending. It really just comes down to what you make of it.”                  - Edward A. Rivera

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

·       What inspired Ed to start creating content on LinkedIn

·       It takes courage to putting yourself out there on the internet.

·       Ed’s journey in the trades – from vocational high school to building elevators.

·       The power of having a mentor who lets you make mistakes.

·       The various branches of trade occupations and the elevator profession: Servicing, New Installation/Construction, Modernization, Repair, etc.

·       How Ed’s vocational high school has changed over the years and why it has unfortunately evolved into more general education. 

·       Why it’s important to educate kids, young adults, and apprentices about investing and financial responsibility.

·       There are no limits to the opportunities you have to advance in and grow your life.

·       How Ed implements core values into his team.

·       A great customer experience is what’s going to drive repeat business.

·       Ed’s Learning and Misstep: When you think you’re doing the right thing, but you’re not…

“Even at that age, in high school, I wasn’t looking for a job, I’m not even sure what I was looking for but whatever it was I was going to do, I was going to pour everything into it. That’s one thing that’s absolutely certain about me.”              - Edward A. Rivera

Resources Mentioned:

TEI Group

Connect with Edward:

Connect with him on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/-edward-a-rivera-pmp-cei-17a658117

This one’s for the gals out there! From the construction industry to the petro-chemical industry, women have the power to find success, empowerment, and fulfillment in industry careers. Whether you know what you want to do after high school, you can’t figure it out, or you’re an adult who wants to pivot in your career path, this week’s guest may be able to guide you in the right direction.

In this episode, we welcome Stephanie Hajducek, a Project Engineer, Design Lead, and Founder of This One’s for the Gals, a non-profit that’s fueling the future of women in industry. Stephanie has been working to get female high school students to the Women in Industry Conference in Galveston, Texas and expose them to the amazing employment opportunities for women in non-traditional, male-dominated roles. 

With that huge success under her belt, listen in to learn more about how she’s empowering women and girls to learn about opportunities in construction and find fulfilling industry careers.

Stephanie is proof that female dreamers, doers, and depth builders are beginning to comprise the future of industry leadership. Companies have places for women on their teams and it’s our job to empower them to fill those roles.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

·       How Stephanie got into the industry & What inspired her to create This One’s for the Gals.

·       Why continuous learning, especially learning soft skills, is so important in 2022 and beyond.

·       How to make a change as a woman in industry.

·       About the Women In Industry Conference & Stephanie’s experience attending it.

·       Closing the representation gap between men and women in construction and trades.

·       The key difference between men and women when applying for jobs.

·       The BEST way to break into the industry: Go to job fairs!

·       Why it’s important to talk to your kids about your career.

·       Opportunities for bringing the construction and trades industry to teenagers, as opposed to bringing teens to the industry.

Resources Mentioned:

Learn more about the Women In Industry Conference: https://bit.ly/3MSArh3 

Welding Women Syndicate: https://www.weldingwomensyndicate.com 

Empowering Women in Industry: https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com

Connect with Stephanie:

Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/slhajduc 

Learn more about This One’s for the Gals: https://thisonesforthegals.com