<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1850458/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>In this episode, Kevin sits down with Marisa Mitchell, owner and custom metal fabricator behind Mars Fabrication in Knoxville, Tennessee. Marisa shares the raw, behind-the-scenes reality of walking away from a full-ride graduate school scholarship to weld for $15 an hour, building a business out of a rented outdoor shed, and dealing with hostile job-site project managers who questioned her skills and tried to steal thousands from completed jobs.We dive deep into how Marisa navigated contractor disputes, why she strictly enforces a 75% deposit rule on custom builds, and how old-school networking beats paid digital ads for high-ticket trade clients. We also break down the long-term physical wear of fabrication, tool recommendations (ArcCaptain vs. Hypertherm), and the deliberate decision to keep a business solo to protect time freedom.Key Takeaways:<ul><li>Handling Hostile Job Sites: How Marisa tackled project managers who tried to withhold a $6,500 final draw and trash her job site.</li><li>The 75% Deposit Rule: Why solo trade operators need to protect their cash flow and stop taking low upfront deposits.</li><li>Landing High-End Clients: How direct networking with interior designers, architects, and handing out physical brochures drove 20+ railing projects in a single neighborhood.</li><li>The Physical Toll of Trades After 30: Managing joint strain, carpal tunnel risks, and why lifting heavy in the gym is critical for welding longevity.</li><li>Solo Freedom vs. Managing Crews: The intentional choice to avoid payroll headaches and retain control over your schedule.</li></ul>Timestamps:<ul><li>00:00 – Intro: Female Business Owners in Custom Metal Fabrication</li><li>01:13 – From Fine Arts Sculpture to Welding: Turning Down Grad School for $15/hr</li><li>05:11 – The Shed Era: Rolling a Welder Outside in the Dead of Heat</li><li>07:30 – Landing 20 Railings in One Neighborhood Through Referrals</li><li>09:48 – Guerrilla Marketing: Metal Business Cards and High-End Print Brochures</li><li>11:27 – The Breaking Point: Handling Undervaluation & Going Independent</li><li>13:23 – Confronting Stereotypes on Job Sites: "You're Not a Welder"</li><li>15:45 – Custom Learning Curves: Trial, Error, and Not Freaking Out Over Mistakes</li><li>18:11 – Why Marisa Teaches Hands-On TIG, MIG, and Stick Classes</li><li>21:27 – The $6,500 Nightmare: Why Mars Fabrication Switched to 75% Deposits</li><li>28:37 – Kevin’s Worst PM Story: Setting Boundaries with General Contractors</li><li>34:29 – Grinding After 30: Joint Pain, Prevention, and Shop Ergonomics</li><li>38:19 – Favorite Shop Tools: Plasma Cutters, ArcCaptain vs. Hypertherm, and Torches</li><li>42:24 – Surviving Economic Slowdowns: Glassblowing, CAD Work, and Side Hustles</li><li>46:38 – Why Marisa Stays Solo: Avoiding the Trap of 80-Hour Workweeks</li><li>49:44 – Crucial Advice for Welders Looking to Go Full-Time</li></ul>Connect with Marisa & Mars Fabrication:<ul><li>Website: <a href='https://www.mars-fabrication.com/'>https://www.mars-fabrication.com/</a></li><li>Instagram: @mars_fabrication</li><li>Email: marisa@mars-fabrication.com</li></ul>Subscribe to the Channel: If you enjoyed this conversation, hit the Subscribe button, give this video a Thumbs Up, and drop a comment below sharing your biggest takeaway from Marisa's journey!Tags / Keywords: welding podcast, custom metal fabrication, female welder, trades entrepreneurship, architectural railings, welder business pricing, contract disputes construction, welding business tips, shop ownership, Mars Fabrication, trades business growth

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Kevin sits down with Marisa Mitchell, owner and custom metal fabricator behind Mars Fabrication in Knoxville, Tennessee. Marisa shares the raw, behind-the-scenes reality of walking away from a full-ride graduate school scholarship to weld for $15 an hour, building a business out of a rented outdoor shed, and dealing with hostile job-site project managers who questioned her skills and tried to steal thousands from completed jobs. We dive deep into how Marisa navigated contractor disputes, why she strictly enforces a 75% deposit rule on custom builds, and how old-school networking beats paid digital ads for high-ticket trade clients. We also break down the long-term physical wear of fabrication, tool recommendations (ArcCaptain vs. Hypertherm), and the deliberate decision to keep a business solo to protect time freedom. Key Takeaways:Handling Hostile Job Sites: How Marisa tackled project managers who tried to withhold a $6,500 final draw and trash her job site.The 75% Deposit Rule: Why solo trade operators need to protect their cash flow and stop taking low upfront deposits.Landing High-End Clients: How direct networking with interior designers, architects, and handing out physical brochures drove 20+ railing projects in a single neighborhood.The Physical Toll of Trades After 30: Managing joint strain, carpal tunnel risks, and why lifting heavy in the gym is critical for welding longevity.Solo Freedom vs. Managing Crews: The intentional choice to avoid payroll headaches and retain control over your schedule.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro: Female Business Owners in Custom Metal Fabrication01:13 – From Fine Arts Sculpture to Welding: Turning Down Grad School for $15/hr05:11 – The Shed Era: Rolling a Welder Outside in the Dead of Heat07:30 – Landing 20 Railings in One Neighborhood Through Referrals09:48 – Guerrilla Marketing: Metal Business Cards and High-End Print Brochures11:27 – The Breaking Point: Handling Undervaluation & Going Independent13:23 – Confronting Stereotypes on Job Sites: "You're Not a Welder"15:45 – Custom Learning Curves: Trial, Error, and Not Freaking Out Over Mistakes18:11 – Why Marisa Teaches Hands-On TIG, MIG, and Stick Classes21:27 – The $6,500 Nightmare: Why Mars Fabrication Switched to 75% Deposits28:37 – Kevin’s Worst PM Story: Setting Boundaries with General Contractors34:29 – Grinding After 30: Joint Pain, Prevention, and Shop Ergonomics38:19 – Favorite Shop Tools: Plasma Cutters, ArcCaptain vs. Hypertherm, and Torches42:24 – Surviving Economic Slowdowns: Glassblowing, CAD Work, and Side Hustles46:38 – Why Marisa Stays Solo: Avoiding the Trap of 80-Hour Workweeks49:44 – Crucial Advice for Welders Looking to Go Full-TimeConnect with Marisa & Mars Fabrication:Website: https://www.mars-fabrication.com/Instagram: @mars_fabricationEmail: marisa@mars-fabrication.comSubscribe to the Channel: If you enjoyed this conversation, hit the Subscribe button, give this video a Thumbs Up, and drop a comment below sharing your biggest takeaway from Marisa's journey! Tags / Keywords: welding podcast, custom metal fabrication, female welder, trades entrepreneurship, architectural railings, welder business pricing, contract disputes construction, welding business tips, shop ownership, Mars Fabrication, trades business growth

<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1850458/fan_mail/new" rel="noopener noreferrer">Send us Fan Mail</a>In this episode, Kevin sits down with Marisa Mitchell, owner and custom metal fabricator behind Mars Fabrication in Knoxville, Tennessee. Marisa shares the raw, behind-the-scenes reality of walking away from a full-ride graduate school scholarship to weld for $15 an hour, building a business out of a rented outdoor shed, and dealing with hostile job-site project managers who questioned her skills and tried to steal thousands from completed jobs.We dive deep into how Marisa navigated contractor disputes, why she strictly enforces a 75% deposit rule on custom builds, and how old-school networking beats paid digital ads for high-ticket trade clients. We also break down the long-term physical wear of fabrication, tool recommendations (ArcCaptain vs. Hypertherm), and the deliberate decision to keep a business solo to protect time freedom.Key Takeaways:<ul><li>Handling Hostile Job Sites: How Marisa tackled project managers who tried to withhold a $6,500 final draw and trash her job site.</li><li>The 75% Deposit Rule: Why solo trade operators need to protect their cash flow and stop taking low upfront deposits.</li><li>Landing High-End Clients: How direct networking with interior designers, architects, and handing out physical brochures drove 20+ railing projects in a single neighborhood.</li><li>The Physical Toll of Trades After 30: Managing joint strain, carpal tunnel risks, and why lifting heavy in the gym is critical for welding longevity.</li><li>Solo Freedom vs. Managing Crews: The intentional choice to avoid payroll headaches and retain control over your schedule.</li></ul>Timestamps:<ul><li>00:00 – Intro: Female Business Owners in Custom Metal Fabrication</li><li>01:13 – From Fine Arts Sculpture to Welding: Turning Down Grad School for $15/hr</li><li>05:11 – The Shed Era: Rolling a Welder Outside in the Dead of Heat</li><li>07:30 – Landing 20 Railings in One Neighborhood Through Referrals</li><li>09:48 – Guerrilla Marketing: Metal Business Cards and High-End Print Brochures</li><li>11:27 – The Breaking Point: Handling Undervaluation &amp; Going Independent</li><li>13:23 – Confronting Stereotypes on Job Sites: "You're Not a Welder"</li><li>15:45 – Custom Learning Curves: Trial, Error, and Not Freaking Out Over Mistakes</li><li>18:11 – Why Marisa Teaches Hands-On TIG, MIG, and Stick Classes</li><li>21:27 – The $6,500 Nightmare: Why Mars Fabrication Switched to 75% Deposits</li><li>28:37 – Kevin’s Worst PM Story: Setting Boundaries with General Contractors</li><li>34:29 – Grinding After 30: Joint Pain, Prevention, and Shop Ergonomics</li><li>38:19 – Favorite Shop Tools: Plasma Cutters, ArcCaptain vs. Hypertherm, and Torches</li><li>42:24 – Surviving Economic Slowdowns: Glassblowing, CAD Work, and Side Hustles</li><li>46:38 – Why Marisa Stays Solo: Avoiding the Trap of 80-Hour Workweeks</li><li>49:44 – Crucial Advice for Welders Looking to Go Full-Time</li></ul>Connect with Marisa &amp; Mars Fabrication:<ul><li>Website: <a href="https://www.mars-fabrication.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.mars-fabrication.com/</a></li><li>Instagram: @mars_fabrication</li><li>Email: marisa@mars-fabrication.com</li></ul>Subscribe to the Channel: If you enjoyed this conversation, hit the Subscribe button, give this video a Thumbs Up, and drop a comment below sharing your biggest takeaway from Marisa's journey!Tags / Keywords: welding podcast, custom metal fabrication, female welder, trades entrepreneurship, architectural railings, welder business pricing, contract disputes construction, welding business tips, shop ownership, Mars Fabrication, trades business growth

Shady PM Trashed My Job Site to Avoid Paying Me - Marisa Mitchell - Mars Fabrication

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1850458/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>What does it take to lose everything, hit rock bottom, and build back a thriving business? In today’s episode, we welcome Lonnie Smith III of Crosstrades LLC and Run Welding. Lonnie takes us through his incredible journey: starting out in custom car audio, contracting in Iraq during the war, working as a pipeline welder, surviving a SWAT raid on his home, and overcoming severe addiction. Today, Lonnie restores and customizes welding machines for clients across all 50 states, runs a custom parts e-commerce shop, and hires recovering addicts to give them a second chance. Key Takeaways:<ul><li>The real trade-offs between pipeline travel income and local business equity. </li><li>Technical breakdowns of Lincoln vs. Miller engine drives. </li><li>How to structure business workflow around ADHD and neurodivergent processing. </li><li>Creating scalable second-chance training initiatives within trade shops. </li></ul>Timestamps:<ul><li>00:00 – Intro </li><li>01:08 – High-End Custom Cars & Military Contracting in Iraq </li><li>07:25 – Entering Union 798 & Pipelining </li><li>10:45 – Finding a Niche in Welder Machine Repair </li><li>15:00 – Addiction, SWAT Raid, Rehab & Fresh Start </li><li>20:45 – Building Crosstrades LLC from Scratch </li><li>31:20 – Mentorship & ADHD Management Systems </li><li>38:30 – Viral Videos & E-Commerce Growth </li><li>1:10:25 – Machine Honest Reviews: Lincoln SA-200 Breakdown </li><li>1:26:50 – Implementing AI & Systems in Fabrication </li></ul>Socials & Links:<ul><li>Website: <a href='https://runweldingparts.com/'>runweldingparts.com</a></li><li> </li><li>Facebook: Crosstrades LLC </li><li>Phone: 570-665-8007 </li><li><a href='https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/share/v/189bi4pWnX/?mibextid%3DwwXIfr&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1791471200803747&usg=AOvVaw219KAGJziGZqGyYNogc0Or'>https://www.facebook.com/share/v/189bi4pWnX/?mibextid=wwXIfr</a> <a href='https://www.google.com/url?q=http://crosstradesllc.com&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1791471200803747&usg=AOvVaw1VfUovNtVqpC062BgPhf_r'>crosstradesllc.com</a> <a href='https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPLddy9AH/&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1791471200803747&usg=AOvVaw3WCK8-QJWPhij24geqHsoi'>https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPLddy9AH/</a> <a href='https://www.google.com/url?q=https://youtu.be/2V4SDnp7HIY?feature%3Dshared&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1791471200803747&usg=AOvVaw1UTLT-d7Zk-TxNGqiqaU8Z'>https://youtu.be/2V4SDnp7HIY?feature=shared</a> <a href='https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/p/Da4CDs3lejq/?stkn%3Dd2ttMDM1czNzanZp&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1791471200803747&usg=AOvVaw2RvR3F-Bl6MjP2NS2Rdb9i'>https://www.instagram.com/p/Da4CDs3lejq/?stkn=d2ttMDM1czNzanZp</a></li></ul>

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to lose everything, hit rock bottom, and build back a thriving business? In today’s episode, we welcome Lonnie Smith III of Crosstrades LLC and Run Welding. Lonnie takes us through his incredible journey: starting out in custom car audio, contracting in Iraq during the war, working as a pipeline welder, surviving a SWAT raid on his home, and overcoming severe addiction. Today, Lonnie restores and customizes welding machines for clients across all 50 states, runs a custom parts e-commerce shop, and hires recovering addicts to give them a second chance. Key Takeaways:The real trade-offs between pipeline travel income and local business equity. Technical breakdowns of Lincoln vs. Miller engine drives. How to structure business workflow around ADHD and neurodivergent processing. Creating scalable second-chance training initiatives within trade shops. Timestamps:00:00 – Intro 01:08 – High-End Custom Cars & Military Contracting in Iraq 07:25 – Entering Union 798 & Pipelining 10:45 – Finding a Niche in Welder Machine Repair 15:00 – Addiction, SWAT Raid, Rehab & Fresh Start 20:45 – Building Crosstrades LLC from Scratch 31:20 – Mentorship & ADHD Management Systems 38:30 – Viral Videos & E-Commerce Growth 1:10:25 – Machine Honest Reviews: Lincoln SA-200 Breakdown 1:26:50 – Implementing AI & Systems in Fabrication Socials & Links:Website: runweldingparts.com Facebook: Crosstrades LLC Phone: 570-665-8007 https://www.facebook.com/share/v/189bi4pWnX/?mibextid=wwXIfr crosstradesllc.com https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPLddy9AH/ https://youtu.be/2V4SDnp7HIY?feature=shared https://www.instagram.com/p/Da4CDs3lejq/?stkn=d2ttMDM1czNzanZp

<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1850458/fan_mail/new" rel="noopener noreferrer">Send us Fan Mail</a>What does it take to lose everything, hit rock bottom, and build back a thriving business? In today’s episode, we welcome Lonnie Smith III of Crosstrades LLC and Run Welding.&nbsp;Lonnie takes us through his incredible journey: starting out in custom car audio, contracting in Iraq during the war, working as a pipeline welder, surviving a SWAT raid on his home, and overcoming severe addiction. Today, Lonnie restores and customizes welding machines for clients across all 50 states, runs a custom parts e-commerce shop, and hires recovering addicts to give them a second chance.&nbsp;Key Takeaways:<ul><li>The real trade-offs between pipeline travel income and local business equity.&nbsp;</li><li>Technical breakdowns of Lincoln vs. Miller engine drives.&nbsp;</li><li>How to structure business workflow around ADHD and neurodivergent processing.&nbsp;</li><li>Creating scalable second-chance training initiatives within trade shops.&nbsp;</li></ul>Timestamps:<ul><li>00:00 – Intro&nbsp;</li><li>01:08 – High-End Custom Cars &amp; Military Contracting in Iraq&nbsp;</li><li>07:25 – Entering Union 798 &amp; Pipelining&nbsp;</li><li>10:45 – Finding a Niche in Welder Machine Repair&nbsp;</li><li>15:00 – Addiction, SWAT Raid, Rehab &amp; Fresh Start&nbsp;</li><li>20:45 – Building Crosstrades LLC from Scratch&nbsp;</li><li>31:20 – Mentorship &amp; ADHD Management Systems&nbsp;</li><li>38:30 – Viral Videos &amp; E-Commerce Growth&nbsp;</li><li>1:10:25 – Machine Honest Reviews: Lincoln SA-200 Breakdown&nbsp;</li><li>1:26:50 – Implementing AI &amp; Systems in Fabrication&nbsp;</li></ul>Socials &amp; Links:<ul><li>Website: <a href="https://runweldingparts.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">runweldingparts.com</a></li><li>&nbsp;</li><li>Facebook: Crosstrades LLC&nbsp;</li><li>Phone: 570-665-8007&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/share/v/189bi4pWnX/?mibextid%3DwwXIfr&amp;sa=D&amp;source=calendar&amp;ust=1791471200803747&amp;usg=AOvVaw219KAGJziGZqGyYNogc0Or" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.facebook.com/share/v/189bi4pWnX/?mibextid=wwXIfr</a> <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://crosstradesllc.com&amp;sa=D&amp;source=calendar&amp;ust=1791471200803747&amp;usg=AOvVaw1VfUovNtVqpC062BgPhf_r" rel="noopener noreferrer">crosstradesllc.com</a> <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPLddy9AH/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=calendar&amp;ust=1791471200803747&amp;usg=AOvVaw3WCK8-QJWPhij24geqHsoi" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPLddy9AH/</a> <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://youtu.be/2V4SDnp7HIY?feature%3Dshared&amp;sa=D&amp;source=calendar&amp;ust=1791471200803747&amp;usg=AOvVaw1UTLT-d7Zk-TxNGqiqaU8Z" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://youtu.be/2V4SDnp7HIY?feature=shared</a> <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/p/Da4CDs3lejq/?stkn%3Dd2ttMDM1czNzanZp&amp;sa=D&amp;source=calendar&amp;ust=1791471200803747&amp;usg=AOvVaw2RvR3F-Bl6MjP2NS2Rdb9i" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/p/Da4CDs3lejq/?stkn=d2ttMDM1czNzanZp</a></li></ul>

Lonnie Smith – War, SWAT Raids, Addiction, and Building Crosstrades

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1850458/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>If you guys ever wondered what the Fabricator Olympics is like in person, here's your chance to see it. This week's episode is a recap of the 2025 Fabricator Olympics.Don't forget, virtual tickets for the Welding Business Summit will be available October 2.

Send us Fan Mail If you guys ever wondered what the Fabricator Olympics is like in person, here's your chance to see it. This week's episode is a recap of the 2025 Fabricator Olympics. Don't forget, virtual tickets for the Welding Business Summit will be available October 2.

<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1850458/fan_mail/new" rel="noopener noreferrer">Send us Fan Mail</a>If you guys ever wondered what the Fabricator Olympics is like in person, here's your chance to see it.&nbsp;This week's episode is a recap of the 2025 Fabricator Olympics.Don't forget, virtual tickets for the Welding Business Summit will be available October 2.&nbsp;

Fabricator Olympics Video Recap

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1850458/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>From being told he would fail without college to welding pure gold for GE Aerospace and running a nation-wide fabrication business, Josh Wolfe’s story is a masterclass in blue-collar grit.   In this episode of the Welding Business Owners Podcast, Josh Wolfe (host of the Speaking of Skilled Trades podcast) sits down with Kevin to share his journey from an ADD high schooler struggling to fit into standard classrooms to building a successful career in high-stakes TIG welding and metal fabrication.   We dive deep into taking pay cuts to chase experience, surviving the absolute rock-bottom moments of business ownership, passing the trade down to his three kids, and a candid, unfiltered discussion on how AI, automation, and robotics are coming for small-town fab shops.   If you are a welder, fabricator, trade student, or blue-collar business owner looking to scale, this conversation is packed with real-world advice you can't afford to miss.   🔥 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE: Finding Peace in Chaos: How struggling with ADD in traditional high school led Josh straight into career-technical education and welding.   Experience Over Dollars: Why taking a $3/hr pay cut early on unlocked massive opportunities in aerospace TIG welding for GE.   The $10 Turning Point: Putting his last $10 into his Ford Focus to beg for a job while struggling to heat his house.   Passing the Torch: How Josh trained his kids to become aerospace welders making top-dollar right out of high school.   The AI Threat to Fab Shops: A real debate on automation, $100k welding robots, and what small shop owners need to do to survive.   📌 TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Intro & The Reality of Skilled Trades 1:30 - Struggling with ADD & Finding Welding in High School 6:42 - My First Production Job & "Chasing Experience, Not Dollars" 9:30 - Taking a $3 Pay Cut to Master TIG Welding 12:55 - Landing a GE Aerospace Welding Job (Welding Pure Gold) 17:41 - Stepping Out on My Own: Starting a Miscellaneous Steel Business 23:33 - Down to My Last $10: The Turning Point in Business 35:20 - Leaving Business to Become a Welding Instructor 45:35 - Flying Across the Country & Losing Passion for the Game 55:00 - Raising 3 Aerospace Welders & Reopening the Shop 1:17:40 - Has Social Media Helped or Hurt the Trades? 1:23:00 - AI & Robotics: Is Automation Coming for Your Fab Shop? 2:12:10 - The Value of Human Craftsmanship & Advice for Young Welders   🔗 CONNECT WITH JOSH WOLFE: Instagram & TikTok: @wolf_cte   Podcast: Speaking of Skilled Trades (Available on Spotify)  📲 SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW THE SHOW: Subscribe to the YouTube Channel for weekly welding business advice! Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify: https://www.weldingbusinessownerspodcast.com/ Follow on Instagram: WeldingBusinessOwnersPodcast #WeldingBusiness #SkilledTrades #Welder #Fabrication #TIGWelding #AerospaceWelding #BlueCollar #AIinTrades #BusinessOwner #CareerTechEd

Send us Fan Mail From being told he would fail without college to welding pure gold for GE Aerospace and running a nation-wide fabrication business, Josh Wolfe’s story is a masterclass in blue-collar grit. In this episode of the Welding Business Owners Podcast, Josh Wolfe (host of the Speaking of Skilled Trades podcast) sits down with Kevin to share his journey from an ADD high schooler struggling to fit into standard classrooms to building a successful career in high-stakes TIG welding and metal fabrication. We dive deep into taking pay cuts to chase experience, surviving the absolute rock-bottom moments of business ownership, passing the trade down to his three kids, and a candid, unfiltered discussion on how AI, automation, and robotics are coming for small-town fab shops. If you are a welder, fabricator, trade student, or blue-collar business owner looking to scale, this conversation is packed with real-world advice you can't afford to miss. 🔥 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE: Finding Peace in Chaos: How struggling with ADD in traditional high school led Josh straight into career-technical education and welding. Experience Over Dollars: Why taking a $3/hr pay cut early on unlocked massive opportunities in aerospace TIG welding for GE. The $10 Turning Point: Putting his last $10 into his Ford Focus to beg for a job while struggling to heat his house. Passing the Torch: How Josh trained his kids to become aerospace welders making top-dollar right out of high school. The AI Threat to Fab Shops: A real debate on automation, $100k welding robots, and what small shop owners need to do to survive. 📌 TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Intro & The Reality of Skilled Trades 1:30 - Struggling with ADD & Finding Welding in High School 6:42 - My First Production Job & "Chasing Experience, Not Dollars" 9:30 - Taking a $3 Pay Cut to Master TIG Welding 12:55 - Landing a GE Aerospace Welding Job (Welding Pure Gold) 17:41 - Stepping Out on My Own: Starting a Miscellaneous Steel Business 23:33 - Down to My Last $10: The Turning Point in Business 35:20 - Leaving Business to Become a Welding Instructor 45:35 - Flying Across the Country & Losing Passion for the Game 55:00 - Raising 3 Aerospace Welders & Reopening the Shop 1:17:40 - Has Social Media Helped or Hurt the Trades? 1:23:00 - AI & Robotics: Is Automation Coming for Your Fab Shop? 2:12:10 - The Value of Human Craftsmanship & Advice for Young Welders 🔗 CONNECT WITH JOSH WOLFE: Instagram & TikTok: @wolf_cte Podcast: Speaking of Skilled Trades (Available on Spotify) 📲 SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW THE SHOW: Subscribe to the YouTube Channel for weekly welding business advice! Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify: https://www.weldingbusinessownerspodcast.com/ Follow on Instagram: WeldingBusinessOwnersPodcast #WeldingBusiness #SkilledTrades #Welder #Fabrication #TIGWelding #AerospaceWelding #BlueCollar #AIinTrades #BusinessOwner #CareerTechEd

<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1850458/fan_mail/new" rel="noopener noreferrer">Send us Fan Mail</a>From being told he would fail without college to welding pure gold for GE Aerospace and running a nation-wide fabrication business, Josh Wolfe’s story is a masterclass in blue-collar grit. &nbsp; In this episode of the Welding Business Owners Podcast, Josh Wolfe (host of the Speaking of Skilled Trades podcast) sits down with Kevin to share his journey from an ADD high schooler struggling to fit into standard classrooms to building a successful career in high-stakes TIG welding and metal fabrication. &nbsp; We dive deep into taking pay cuts to chase experience, surviving the absolute rock-bottom moments of business ownership, passing the trade down to his three kids, and a candid, unfiltered discussion on how AI, automation, and robotics are coming for small-town fab shops. &nbsp; If you are a welder, fabricator, trade student, or blue-collar business owner looking to scale, this conversation is packed with real-world advice you can't afford to miss. &nbsp; 🔥 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE: Finding Peace in Chaos: How struggling with ADD in traditional high school led Josh straight into career-technical education and welding. &nbsp; Experience Over Dollars: Why taking a $3/hr pay cut early on unlocked massive opportunities in aerospace TIG welding for GE. &nbsp; The $10 Turning Point: Putting his last $10 into his Ford Focus to beg for a job while struggling to heat his house. &nbsp; Passing the Torch: How Josh trained his kids to become aerospace welders making top-dollar right out of high school. &nbsp; The AI Threat to Fab Shops: A real debate on automation, $100k welding robots, and what small shop owners need to do to survive. &nbsp; 📌 TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Intro &amp; The Reality of Skilled Trades 1:30 - Struggling with ADD &amp; Finding Welding in High School 6:42 - My First Production Job &amp; "Chasing Experience, Not Dollars" 9:30 - Taking a $3 Pay Cut to Master TIG Welding 12:55 - Landing a GE Aerospace Welding Job (Welding Pure Gold) 17:41 - Stepping Out on My Own: Starting a Miscellaneous Steel Business 23:33 - Down to My Last $10: The Turning Point in Business 35:20 - Leaving Business to Become a Welding Instructor 45:35 - Flying Across the Country &amp; Losing Passion for the Game 55:00 - Raising 3 Aerospace Welders &amp; Reopening the Shop 1:17:40 - Has Social Media Helped or Hurt the Trades? 1:23:00 - AI &amp; Robotics: Is Automation Coming for Your Fab Shop? 2:12:10 - The Value of Human Craftsmanship &amp; Advice for Young Welders &nbsp; 🔗 CONNECT WITH JOSH WOLFE: Instagram &amp; TikTok: @wolf_cte &nbsp; Podcast: Speaking of Skilled Trades (Available on Spotify)&nbsp; 📲 SUBSCRIBE &amp; FOLLOW THE SHOW: Subscribe to the YouTube Channel for weekly welding business advice! Listen on Apple Podcasts &amp; Spotify: https://www.weldingbusinessownerspodcast.com/ Follow on Instagram: WeldingBusinessOwnersPodcast #WeldingBusiness #SkilledTrades #Welder #Fabrication #TIGWelding #AerospaceWelding #BlueCollar #AIinTrades #BusinessOwner #CareerTechEd

Down to His Last $10: How an ADD Kid Built an Aerospace Welding Empire

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1850458/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>Real talk with the ones who get it done.

Send us Fan Mail Real talk with the ones who get it done.

<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1850458/fan_mail/new" rel="noopener noreferrer">Send us Fan Mail</a>Real talk with the ones who get it done.&nbsp;

Matt Stout - Stout Customs Episode 4

Matt Stout - Stout Customs Episode 3

Matt Stout - Stout Customs Episode 2

Matt Stout - Stout Customs Episode 1

Update!

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1850458/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>Business talk with the ones who actually get it done.

Send us Fan Mail Business talk with the ones who actually get it done.

<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1850458/fan_mail/new" rel="noopener noreferrer">Send us Fan Mail</a>Business talk with the ones who actually get it done.

Chris Hrabik - Episode 3

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1850458/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>Welding business talk with the ones who get it done.

Send us Fan Mail Welding business talk with the ones who get it done.

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Chris Hrabik - Episode 2

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<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1850458/fan_mail/new" rel="noopener noreferrer">Send us Fan Mail</a>Business talk with the ones who actually get it done.&nbsp;

Chris Hrabik - Episode 1

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How to price your work.

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1850458/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>We take a deep dive into leadership and growth. Get ready, because this one is heavy!

Send us Fan Mail We take a deep dive into leadership and growth. Get ready, because this one is heavy!

<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1850458/fan_mail/new" rel="noopener noreferrer">Send us Fan Mail</a>We take a deep dive into leadership and growth. Get ready, because this one is heavy!

Part 2 The Tradesman Experience

We discuss with other business owners how to start and grow your welding business.&nbsp; Our guests range from single owner operators up to people who manage teams of 50+ with decades of experience. We discuss how they got started, strategies for growth, team management, bidding and winning jobs, downfalls to avoid and lots more!&nbsp;

Business

Entrepreneurship

We discuss with other business owners how to start and grow your welding business.  Our guests range from single owner operators up to people who manage teams of 50+ with decades of experience. We discuss how they got started, strategies for growth, team management, bidding and winning jobs, downfalls to avoid and lots more! 

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