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Tony sits down with Dennis at the PHCC Future Leadership Summit in Virginia to discuss why skilled tradespeople struggle financially despite earning good wages.
He reveals the critical education gap in vocational schools that focus only on technical skills while ignoring personal finance, communication, and business fundamentals. Tony shares a memorable story about an apprentice who threatened to undercut his prices by 50%, and explains why most plumbing businesses fail within 20 years.
Key topics covered:

The 10 essential skills vo-tech schools don't teach
Why workers job-hop for $0.25 raises
The financial desperation trap in starting a business
How to break the cycle and create real opportunities
Building a blueprint for future trade leaders

Recorded at the PHCC Future Leadership Summit.

Timestamps:
00:00:07 - 00:00:36 - Introduction at PHCC Future Leadership Summit in Virginia
00:01:00 - 00:01:46 - Discussion about Future Leaders program not existing in Washington
00:02:01 - 00:02:46 - Tony explains starting blueprint to share with PHCC membership
00:03:22 - 00:04:24 - The Vo-Tech reality: "troublemakers" sent to vocational school
00:05:25 - 00:06:20 - Identifying 10 important skills, starting with personal finance
00:06:52 - 00:08:30 - How lack of financial education affects contractors and workers
00:09:13 - 00:10:40 - Important traits: communication, time management
00:11:18 - 00:12:34 - "Most plumbing companies started out of financial need"
00:13:15 - 00:15:32 - The apprentice story: "I'll do it for half price"
00:15:53 - 00:16:36 - "If the business isn't growing, it's dying"
00:17:00 - 00:18:35 - Why people leave: no growth opportunities
00:18:48 - 00:20:01 - The ceiling problem and grocery store manager analogy

I had the pleasure of podcasting at the 2025 Future Leaders Summit! The conference showcased an apprentice contest, educational sessions, and a lively tradeshow. Tony and Dennis joined me to discuss leadership development at the PHCC event and the importance of networking at a tradeshow.

🎧 Behind the Windshield Podcast | PHCC Future Leadership Summit
#Plumbing #HVAC #Trades #BlueCollar #Construction #Entrepreneur #Business #Leadership

The video features a podcast at the 2025 Future Leaders Summit, covering the PHCC event. They discuss the apprentice contest, educational sessions and the excitement of the tradeshow.  The summit also provides great opportunity for networking and leadership development.

If you want to get the most out of your apprenticeship and join a community of high performing apprentices laying the ground work to an extraordinary life...DM me on my Instagram: " Lets GO!" and follow my socials.

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