• In this engaging conversation, Kevin and Mike delve into the evolution of Mike's welding business, Rockin' Two Industries, which he started in 2012 with no prior experience. Mike shares his unique journey from a novice welder to a successful business owner, emphasizing the importance of networking and collaboration within the welding community. He discusses how he built connections through social media and local groups, which have been instrumental in his growth. The conversation also touches on the challenges of managing a team, maintaining a positive work culture, and the significance of saying 'no' to unprofitable projects to ensure sustainable growth.

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• As they explore the intricacies of running a welding shop, Mike reflects on the importance of building a network within the industry and the value of collaboration over competition. He stresses that many welding business owners make the mistake of trying to grow too quickly without establishing a solid foundation. The episode wraps up with insights on project management tools and the necessity of adapting to the evolving needs of the business, highlighting the importance of continuous learning and improvement in the welding industry.

Takeaways

• "I didn't know what I was doing. Got on YouTube and 13 years later, here I am."
• "Saying no has been the hardest thing for you to do in business."
• "The internet for the welding business has been really, really helpful for a lot of us."
• "If you're not thinking, if you're like the old school mindset of competition, you better rewire it or you're just going to fizzle out."
• "I will protect the culture of this shop at all costs." "It's tough to balance that out."
• "You have to have that base in place."
• "It's better to stay small and perfect what you're doing."
• "If you can justify that, go get it."
• "You need to get out there and knock on some doors."
• "You can't get rid of that."
• "There's a cost to changing gears."
• "You have to charge for that or else it catches up to you."
• "Creating that network is a pretty big deal."
• "You need to have the will to make it work."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Setup
02:09 Mike's Unique Journey into Welding
05:05 The Power of Networking in the Welding Community
08:35 Profit Sharing and Collaboration with Other Businesses
17:32 Managing a Team and Maintaining Work Culture
26:48 Future Aspirations for Rockin' Two Industries
33:49 Team Skills and Project Diversity
35:25 Overview of Shop Projects
42:18 Challenges of Business Growth
46:16 Learning to Say No
50:15 Customer Relations and Advertising Strategies
57:24 Financial Lessons Learned
01:09:51 The Right Tools for the Job
01:11:00 Space Constraints and Shop Organization
01:15:58 Common Pitfalls in Business Growth
01:19:54 Lessons Learned and Advice for New Owners
01:24:06 Managing Projects and Invoicing