The Tradesman Experience

Josh and Greg explore their journeys into the blue-collar world, discussing their early experiences, the challenges of school, and the lessons learned in trades. They reflect on the importance of hard work, the rite of passage in the trades, and the camaraderie that develops through shared experiences. The conversation also touches on the unique experiences of working in a factory and an ostrich farm, leading to insights about the value of blue-collar work and the perceptions of customers.

Chapters

00:00 The Journey to Becoming an Electrician 05:00 Early Work Experiences and Growing Up 10:56 Navigating the Blue Collar Culture 18:05 The Rite of Passage in Trades 25:00 Lessons Learned from the Trade Life 27:52 Navigating Workplace Dynamics 30:10 Learning Through Experience 31:44 Life Lessons from the Ostrich Farm 39:50 The Reality of Ostrich Farming 45:36 Transitioning to HVAC 55:10 The Value of Hard Work and Experience

It's that time of year again!

Bonuses, Taxes, Inventory, Extra Compensation and of course the potential to lose a key employee.

This week we dive into the uncomfortable conversation of how to pay 'Christmas Bonuses"

Enrollment for the Blue Collar Bootcamp 2026 begins so get signed up and change your business forever!

What is it that drives you everyday? Why keep going? Why start a business? This week we dive into the mindset of moving forward, keeping consistency and having that GSD mindset.

In this conversation, Josh and Greg explore the challenges faced by blue-collar business owners, particularly the DIY mentality that can hinder success. They discuss the importance of asking for help, the value of mentorship, and the need for effective communication within teams. The conversation emphasizes that business leaders must care for their employees to foster a successful work environment and highlights the significance of building a supportive community for growth and learning.

Chapters

00:00 The DIY Mentality in Business 10:05 Asking for Help: Overcoming Pride 19:51 The Importance of Mentorship 25:27 Learning from Experience: Avoiding Common Pitfalls 31:10 The Importance of Genuine Connections 34:52 Navigating Emotions and Venting Effectively 38:22 Finding Humor in Frustration 44:37 The Value of Partnership in Business 49:20 Leadership and Employee Care 53:46 Building a Supportive Community

What we consider to be high standard today is a joke!

The bar is so low because so many people choose convience over excellence.

What is your standard? How often do you live it?

This week we discuss why good enough isn't and how easy it is today to beat competition by showing up consistently.

Growth is simple, not easy.

This week I was humbly reminded of my journey as an HVAC technician due to being back in a service truck for our new business.

But why do we make it so difficult? Greg and I discuss the dicotomy, experience and perspective of going from technician to owner and was it means that the work is Simple.

Risk comes down to what you are comfortable with in being uncomfortable. What is your risk tolerance? How do you manage risk? This week we dive into these questions and work to uncover why we take the risk we do.

How do you keep score? Do you know if you are winning or losing? Do you know by how much? This week we dive in to where you should be tracking your progress and where you should be focused.

Is laziness considered self care? Can you work too hard? What's a good balance? How should you be acting as an employee?

This week we dive into the mindset and discipline it takes to work hard by todays standards. And what it takes to stop making excuses.

In business, there are seasons, peaks and valleys, high and lows, wins and losses. But how do we navigate this? It's easy to solve problems when you're winning, but what happens when you're not winning? This week we jump into the reality of what it looks and feels like when you think you're losing.