The Blue Collar Gold Podcast

SummaryIn this conversation, Mark Stoner discusses the concept of 'The Obstacle is the Way,' emphasizing how challenges and setbacks can lead to growth and success in business and life. He shares personal anecdotes about overcoming difficulties, the importance of leadership, and the necessity of adapting to change. Stoner highlights the significance of treating problems as opportunities for improvement and the need for resilience in the face of adversity. He also addresses the importance of control and acceptance in navigating challenges, and how growth often comes with its own set of obstacles.TakeawaysThe obstacle is often the path to success.Treat challenges as systems to be understood, not just problems to be fixed.Hard times build resilience and character.Leadership is developed through overcoming failures.Control what you can, accept what you can't.Growth in business often comes with significant challenges.Every setback can reveal new opportunities.You need external feedback to identify personal barriers.The journey of entrepreneurship is filled with obstacles.Grit is essential for long-term success in business.Sound Bites"The obstacle is the way.""Growth has a toll booth.""You are the problem."Chapters00:00 Introduction to Obstacles as Opportunities02:46 The First Encounter with Obstacles05:31 Transforming Setbacks into Strengths09:40 Leadership Through Adversity11:16 Focus and Adaptation in Business15:47 The Power of a Fix-It Mindset19:16 Control and Acceptance in Business22:22 Growth and the Toll Booth28:50 Identifying Your Personal Obstacles

In this episode, I interview Caleb Martinez, a third-generation mason and emerging leader in the chimney industry. They discuss Caleb's journey from being a worker to a business owner, the importance of quality craftsmanship, and the role of guilds in fostering community and mentorship. Caleb shares his personal experience of a life-changing accident and the lessons learned from it, emphasizing the need for business continuity and the importance of pouring into the next generation. The conversation highlights the unique camaraderie within the chimney industry and the value of relationships built through shared experiences.TakeawaysCaleb Martinez is a third-generation mason with a rich family legacy in the industry.Quality craftsmanship is a core value instilled by Caleb's father and grandfather.Transitioning from a field worker to a business owner presents unique challenges.Guilds play a crucial role in fostering community and mentorship in the chimney industry.Leadership in the chimney industry comes with its challenges and responsibilities.Caleb's accident served as a wake-up call for business continuity and personal growth.The importance of relationships and community in the chimney industry cannot be overstated.Caleb aims to pour into the next generation of chimney professionals.Recovery from an accident can reveal the strengths and weaknesses of a business.Caleb's future aspirations include mentoring and growing his business responsibly.Sound Bites"It's in my blood.""I was very lucky.""Don't be a hack."Chapters00:00 Introduction to Caleb Martinez02:55 The Legacy of Masonry: A Family Tradition05:57 Transitioning from Worker to Owner08:56 Finding Passion in the Craft12:02 The Journey into Leadership14:42 The Value of Guilds and Community17:52 Accident and Life Lessons20:58 Reflections on Safety and Risk Management31:46 The Fall and Its Impact35:41 Navigating Recovery and Business Challenges38:29 Lessons Learned from Adversity44:34 Building a Resilient Business50:27 Mentorship and Giving Back to the Community

Business owners must act before the fall starts, not after.False confidence in a fallback plan is as dangerous as relying on a weak gutter in chimney work.The best businesses don't operate on hope—they plan, they commit, and they don't leave themselves an easy way out.

Welcome back everyone to 2025. Let's start off the year with a challenge and goals for our business, our health, our families! Today Steve Krebs talks about a program that our SureFire Subscribers will have an opportunity to participate in starting on Feb 6. We have a few discovery calls coming up so if you are interested in knowing more, join us on the call! You can also email us at infor@surefire.online Thank you! Let's Gooooooo!

In this episode I interview Sam Lawton. I have gotten to know Sam well through our SureFire Accelerator Program and I am always inspired by his energy and willingness to always help others. Sam discusses how he went from knocking on door to developing into a team of 10 with his sights set on much further.

Do you have the energy, do you have the "go" do you have the fortitude to get your butt kicked and get out of your comfort zone? If you feel stuck, you need to check your choices and this episode takes a look at. I have had to ask myself this question many times through the years and this year is no different.

In this episode I discuss the origins of the :aw of the Lid and the implications all through your business journey. You are truley only as old as you think you are!

Happy Independence Day! In this episode I discuss some amazing technology that happened during a recent car crash that I was in as well as the amazing place that America is for business's to get started.

This episode was on open discussion about the weeks events and an old Japanese story that I love called the House of 1000 Mirrors about how we look at the world.

This episode was recorded on a boat with several mentors and business men that I have learned from in my business journey. We were supposed to be racing in the British Virgin Islands Spring Regatta but the boat company rented us a boat that we couldn't race. First world problems. So we island hopped and had a relaxing and fun time on a guys trip. I hope you enjoy this episode.

Jim Gillam has written a fascinating book chronicling the the history of our industry and the key people that helped to shape who we are today. His book is called "Up from the Ashes" and is available on Amazon.

This week I will share a recent interview that I did with The Decision Podcast hosted by my friend Robert Hartline. This is the podcast for EO Nashville (Entrepreneur Organization) which is an amazing group of local business men and women growing their businesses and lives through helping each other.

What stage of business are you in? This talk talks about how to identify where you are in business, what are the benefits and traps of each sector and also how do you get to the next stage?

Intention Deficit disorder is what most people suffer from...they know what to do but they still don't do it. We love our distractions, our entertainment, our fears. I talk about some thoughts behind this phenomenon.

this episode is about my take of a comedians talk about his 9 life lessons. I also talk about a change that we need to make in the messaging in the chimney business.

This was a recent SureFire Live episode that had a lot of great points about business

My guest is a fascinating guy with an amazing life journey. Shane is a psychologist that works with young men and truly understands what is needed and most importantly, what is missing in our school systems and in our society today. We must teach and foster strong men! Join me for a heart felt and real conversation with a man on the frontlines for our future men.

Wow 2023 had its ups and downs but we made it to episode 200! I wrap up the year with some thoughts and reflections and most importantly talk about plans for 2024!

Of all of the things that can make you and your business grow and prosper, I believe in personal and business mentors as well as mastermind groups. Tonight I discuss how each of those has impacted everything I do on a daily basis.

In this episode I discuss a recent conference that I attended in Orlando that help to open my eyes as to large shifts coming in the home services industry.

Sales guru Alan Rush is my guest this week. As usual, his information is so good! He discusses his process of getting the most out of the initial phone call into your office and when your technicians do the home visit.

Tim Reed is my guest on this episode. Tim has developed one of the simplest and effective sales process in the industry. His no pressure, straight forward, and natural process is fantastic. Hope you enjoy the show!

Kirk Chandler is a Public Adjuster. What is that? He's a guy that works for the homeowner, not the insurance company. His goal is to make sure you get all that you are entitled to in case you have an insurance claim. We had a great talk so I rebroadcasted it from my SureFire Live Show.

There is one common thing that leads to most peoples unhappiness. If you manage this one thing, your life will be much happier.

Today I talk about 7 uncomfortable truths about success and the way a lot of people think. The way they think and process information and pressure is usually the defining difference in those that are successful and those that aren't

Kent Wessley is one of the industry leaders in hiring men and women in the service industry. Tonight he talks about his philosophy, his questions, his methods and software that he uses to hire. This is a recording of our SureFire Live episode kent.knowledgewins@gmail.com

Very few things are as irritating as a leader that's considered "too nice". That was me (and sometimes still is) but these two books that I discuss have helped me understand that being labled as too nice can be a real problem in business.

I play the story of "The Falling Tide" which means you basically need to make sure you have your line in the water and don't pull back. You need to be trying new things even when things may be looking bad.

Happy Independence Day! This episode is about my thoughts on America and the promise that it still holds!

This is the second in the Business Start Up Series. I go over my thoughts and ideas about the first, and one of the funnest steps, in starting a business.

I wanted to record what it means to me to celebrate Memorial day with a few audio clips from Ronald Reagan and Ted Nugent. The Rifle Book is a new book soon to be video sounds like this will be amazing! https://thewwiirifle.com

I have been asked to talk about how to start a business by a few people and I love helping people to do this. I want to start by saying that owning your own business is definitely not for everyone for many reasons. If you feel driven to start your own business, this series will have some ideas, tips and tricks to getting your idea off the ground.

This week I had a fascinating conversation with Dave Rettinger. He's a second generation hearth store owner and has a great look at how he uses technology and new ideas to stay on top of and in front of the changing face of business.

Jonah Lindley is my guest this week and he will talk about his journey to being a rising star in the chimney industry. One of the biggest compliments that I always hear about Jonah is "Man what a great guy, he really get's it!" I think you will understand what I mean after this episode. Don't forget about the Sweep Away Cancer Rally June 9-10 at the Back of the Dragon in Wytheville VA. www.sweepawaycancer.com Please join us!

This week I discuss an article that I wrote for Fire Time Magazine in which I rant (a little) and the Hearth Industry for having an attitude about the chimney service world that id getting them beat! I also talk about the upcoming sweep Away Cancer Rally in Whtheville VA June 9-10. www.sweepawaycancer.com

Almost everyone has heard of ChatGPT, if you haven't it's an artificial intelligence language program that is taking the world by storm. Tonight, I talk about how to use it and I even use it lave while doing the SureFire Live show. The results are amazing. Since this show aired a few weeks ago so many people have responded back to me about it. I have continued to use it almost daily to help with some task. It's here to stay so you need to get on board and add it to your productivity tools!

This weeks guest is my daughter Evane. She is an inspirational young woman with an amazing story. For the past 3 months she has been training and raising money for the Rumble on the Rox boxing match. She raised over $30,000 dollars for her charity and put on a hell of a show. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed interviewing.

Steve Trumble is my guest this week as is the owner of Chimney Doctors, SOTA Metal Fab and a new venture called Home Care Heating and Air. Steve is also one of the few Chimney Safety Institute of America Master Sweeps He has an amazing spirit and that carries through his businesses and his home life. The thing that stands out to me about him is that he always seeks council and education while moving fast. He implements very quickly and moves through his mistakes with ease while never loosing the spirit to try again. Recently Steve was on a scuba diving trip and faced a true fear that he had never had in his life. He talks about facing it and getting through it.

Chris Tomlin is an amazing guy with a huge heart and a ton of drive. I have seen him at many conferences and spoken to him several times by phone but i wanted to see what made him tick. He always has a great sprit and a clear fun culture with his employees. This is a great interview with a guy that just makes it happen.

Kevin Russell is the founder of an amazing non profit called Warrior Horse. His foundation helps veterans and first responders that suffer from PTSD. He shares some amazing stories about how they have been able to help so many in just a short period of time. Please visit and donate at www.warriorhorse.net

Nothing could be more nerve wracking experience as a business owner than laying of or letting people go because you don't have enough work on the books. There are definitely tactics that you can take to avoid this stage of business. Understand that almost every growing business goes through this. I hope this episode gives you some good tactics.

Are you a new leader...or even an experienced leader? I bet you have made each of these mistakes and if you haven't, you probably will! :). This is a rebroadcast of a SureFire Live I did recently.

I start with the 2022 Wrap up of the Blue Collar Gold Podcast. We move to the different stages of business growth and the importance of getting coaching if you want to move through those stages.

Do you know the difference between the two? I love planning a lot more than strategy for sure but if you just stay in planning mode, its a recipe for failure. I review a Harvard Business Review video that I recently watched and describe how to apply it in your business. Happy New Year! Lets make this year amazing!

This weeks guest was Anthony Valerio. Anthony is showing the industry what the next generation of chimney business owner can do. He has a great culture, great looking marketing, takes education very seriously and on top of everything, he understands the importance of family. I hope you get inspired from this interview.

My visit to the SEMA automotive show in las Vegas last week helped me to understand what its like to be the best of the best in the automotive game. Wow is all I can say. I also got a chance to observe some crackheads in the wild and it helped me to understand true determination :)

Most leaders and employees have a hard time knowing if they are actually the problem in the company. This episode was inspired by an article from author Mark Manson, who wrote the book The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*^k. On my journey, they have been multiple times that I have realized that I am actually the problem, even though I have the best intentions. Many times when an employee comes to talk to me, I have to help them understand that they are actually creating or inflaming the very problem that they don't like. I hope you enjoy it.

I just wrapped up another bucket list item... motorcycle riding the historic Route 66 Mother Road from Chicago to Santa Monica pier in California. I give you an update on that experience as well as some business thoughts.

Our guest this week is Past President of the Chimney Safety Institute of America as well as the owner of the business consulting service Roydhouse Effect. Chuck has a tremendous amount of knowledge about running a VERY profitable "small" business. Chuck now coaches others on how to build and maintain the best business for his clients. www.roydhouseeffect.com

Our guest talks about how to set your company up to sell, buy or to transition out. All businesses eventually will have to go through this because one way or another, the owner will be out...so why not prepare for the inevitable as soon as possible? Garnett is a managing director at the Decosimo firm and is a true pro with fantastic information! www.decosimo.com

Reading is the key to you extended success when it comes to all things business. From Leadership to Finance, it's an absolute must. I will discuss how I consume as many books as I can and read several amazing facts about reading. Here's my list of 10 foundational books I recommend How to win friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie Failing forward - John Maxwell Whale done - Ken Blanchard Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Good to Great - Jim Collins Rich Dad Poor Dad You're Broke Because you want to be - Larry Winget Outliers - Malcom Gladwell Secrets of the Millionaire Mind - T. Harv Eckler 10 New Books I recommend Can't hurt me - David goggins Extreme Ownership - Jacko Wilnik Loserthink - Scott Adams The Road Less Stupid - Keith Cunningham Not Nice - Aziz Gazipura Never Split the Difference - Chris Voss The Happiness Advantage - Scott Actor The Subtle Art of not giving a F. - Mark Manson Traction - Gino Hickman The War of Art - Steven Pressfield Blue Collar Gold - Your's Truly