Tradesman Confidential

This one gets heated... as business owners, contractors, or just general trades workers, we will all see people cross the line every day. Where do we draw the line between "we can do better" and "we need to grow up"? But when one person takes it way too far, how does that affect the trades in moving forward?

You know we love having people on the show to represent all the trades, so today we sit down with Eri Isaacson from the welding scene. From college to running a business to facing challenges on your journey in the trades, this episode brings you stories and advice all in one place! New episodes every week!   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/tradesmanconfidential/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow TruPros: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mytrupros/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mytrupros⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.trupros.com

The guys talk you through tips and tricks they have for increasing job site safety for you and your team. Whether it's to save your own ass or keep your guys safe on a job, we've got stories from Josh and Greg's experiences to talk about it all! From insurance to motion-sensor cameras, let's get into it! New episodes every week!   ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/tradesmanconfidential/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow TruPros: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mytrupros/⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mytrupros⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.trupros.com

AI is only as smart as the information it has access to. How realistic is it that we have robots building all of our houses in 10 years? How about flying cars? This is not a real-life "Terminator" or "Back to the Future". A computer and its software cannot possibly take over every job in construction (not yet, anyway). New episodes every week!   ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/tradesmanconfidential/⁠⁠⁠ Follow TruPros: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mytrupros/⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mytrupros⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠www.trupros.com

In honor of last week being Friday the 13th and next week celebrating Halloween, the guys discuss superstitions in their industries and the reasoning behind them. A 13th floor in a hotel? Never seen it. A window at a 45-degree angle? Who in their right mind... we'll talk about all that and more on today's episode! New episodes every week!   ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/tradesmanconfidential/⁠⁠ Follow TruPros: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mytrupros/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mytrupros⁠⁠ ⁠⁠www.trupros.com

Today, Josh and Greg come at you with a story from the beginning of Josh's career. Wait until you hear about the annoying subcontractor he had to deal with, and watch the story come full circle as Josh is faced with a realization about life. After last week's episode about mental health, here is another great reminder that we are all human at the end of the day. New episodes every week!   ⁠https://www.instagram.com/tradesmanconfidential/⁠ Follow TruPros: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mytrupros/⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/mytrupros⁠ ⁠www.trupros.com

Is this really the way that we as business owners should be approaching the topic of mental health with our employees in the field? Once you put your workboots on, do you automatically get the urge to push everything to the side and "be a man"? This episode is a calm, cool, and collected approach to a taboo topic. Changing the stigma around the trades also means changing the stigma around mental health in the trades, so let's talk about it. New episodes every week!   https://www.instagram.com/tradesmanconfidential/ Follow TruPros: https://www.instagram.com/mytrupros/ https://www.facebook.com/mytrupros www.trupros.com

Today, we are joined by Josh Huite, who has traded his toolbelt for "coach" status as he sets out with the same vision we have; change the narrative of the trades. We take you on an hour-long conversation full of experiences, discussion, and even a free therapy session. Whether you are new to the trades or are a veteran in your field, this is not an episode you want to miss! New episodes every week!   https://www.instagram.com/tradesmanconfidential/ Follow TruPros: https://www.instagram.com/mytrupros/ https://www.facebook.com/mytrupros www.trupros.com

Today we discuss the vital role of women in the trades, which is only 14% by the way. Whether you're a seasoned tradeswoman or someone looking to break into the industry, this episode is your guide to inspiration, empowerment, and a new era of possibilities. Listen as Josh & Greg talk about their experiences and insights regarding the hidden gems of the trades. New episodes every week!   https://www.instagram.com/tradesmanconfidential/ Follow TruPros: https://www.instagram.com/mytrupros/ https://www.facebook.com/mytrupros www.trupros.com

Today we talk about perception and mainly your customer's perception.  Where does a customer's perception start? How do you perceive your business vs. how is it perceived by others? Every interaction you have with a customer sets the expectation for their next interaction with you. New episodes every week!   https://www.instagram.com/tradesmanconfidential/ Follow TruPros: https://www.instagram.com/mytrupros/ https://www.facebook.com/mytrupros www.trupros.com

Join us as we reveal a strategic approach - reverse engineering your competitor's numbers - to redefine your own path to success. Learn to place a higher value on your knowledge rather than just your time. And those big wins? Stay grounded and don't get carried away; instead, use them as valuable learning experiences. Follow us on social media: New episodes every week!  https://www.instagram.com/tradesmanconfidential/ Follow TruPros: https://www.instagram.com/mytrupros/ https://www.facebook.com/mytrupros www.trupros.com

We're talking about the market and how people react…or overreact. Are we in a cycle or is this reminiscent of 2008? The gentlemen discuss the state of the market and how tradespeople need to approach it because all it takes is one donkey to jack the brakes…. Follow us on social media: New episodes every week!  https://www.instagram.com/tradesmanconfidential/ Follow TruPros: https://www.instagram.com/mytrupros/ https://www.facebook.com/mytrupros www.trupros.com

In natural Josh fashion, we start with a brief history lesson on apprenticeship and how it came about. How everything comes full circle over time, like those neon shades all the cool kids are wearing. But how do you view an apprenticeship? Your friends may be off to college – are you missing out? Find out Greg's hack for this one, ha! Apprenticeships aren't solely about the apprentice though, they're about finding the right mentor as well. Check out our recent blog on hiring apprentices: https://www.trupros.com/should-i-hire-an-apprentice/ Follow us on social media: New episodes every week!  https://www.instagram.com/tradesmanconfidential/ Follow TruPros: https://www.instagram.com/mytrupros/ https://www.facebook.com/mytrupros www.trupros.com

In this episode, we confront a common pitfall that often goes unnoticed: the relentless pursuit of the next shiny object or immediate gratification, without taking into account, well.....your bills. We examine the allure of acquiring that coveted new toy or even achieving that business goal, and how this pursuit can blind us to the financial realities of our businesses. We cover the importance of business relationships and how they can make or break your success. Follow us on social media: New episodes every week!  https://www.instagram.com/tradesmanconfidential/ Follow TruPros: https://www.instagram.com/mytrupros/ https://www.facebook.com/mytrupros www.trupros.com

Do you have the secret sauce to running a successful business? Or have you, like Greg, paid at least 10 years worth of the stupid tax? We're not talking about those we pay to Uncle Sam, we're talking about grinding it out. Transitioning from a work mentality to running a business - two very different skillsets. In this episode, we talk about why we started TruPros and surrounding yourself with people who are smarter than you because you don't have to wear ALL of the hats. Interested in learning more about TruPros? Start here by downloading this FREE marketing guide "7 FREE MARKETING TIPS TO GET YOUR TRADE BUSINESS OFF THE GROUND": https://go.trupros.com/7-free-marketing-tips-optin Follow us on social media: New episodes every week! https://www.instagram.com/tradesmanconfidential/ Follow TruPros: https://www.instagram.com/mytrupros/ https://www.facebook.com/mytrupros

Let's face it, nothing in this world is free, so why should your time and expertise be? And what's the difference between a diagnosis and an estimate? How do you calculate your margins? We cover it in this short episode. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, this episode is for you.

Alright everyone, take a chill pill -- 2023 is not the new 2008. Let's talk about how we can navigate the financial climate we're approaching!

Why is it so hard to get to the next step? Today, Greg shares his story about his licenses, and it's a doozy.

FALSE -- but you knew that. Today we are joined by a plumber and coffee connoisseur (he literally owns a coffee company). We love hearing about how people find their way into the trades, every origin story is different. What comes when you begin in the trades and what happens further down the line are all up to you.

We gave you a glimpse into our thoughts on technology in the trades, but now we've brought in a professional. We learn about things we've never heard of and discuss things that we're passionate about all in today's episode. Now isn't that the cat's pajamas?

This is the kind of thing our industry needs to keep an eye on. What we talk about in today's episode could start a ripple effect across all trades in the country.

We're sick of your complaining. We're tired of hearing about what you wish would happen with your business and your trade. We're over the BS. We know how to keep your business and the trades moving forward and it's about time you listen.

We don't just mean robots and we also don't mean that negatively. There are so many things that have been released and continue to be released that are going to make work in the trades that much easier. New technology isn't taking our jobs, it's making us more efficient at what we do.

"I can do better than my boss." We've all heard that before, some of us have definitely said that before too. You think you've got this thing figured out. Why don't you let these old, wise men of the trades give you their thoughts on going out on your own.

We know there is so much in the world to learn from. Take, for instance, how European countries are handling their trades industries. We're no Miss America, but we could see a different future for the trades. In an ideal world, how could WE make the trades easier to learn, access and perform? Let's talk about it.

Last week we talked about bidding, but this week we're diving further into the slippery slope we find ourselves on in a low-bidding world. We know that you shouldn't underbid your projects, but let's also make sure we're providing top-notch service in our industries so that we are valued by our communities and can put food on the table every week.

We touch on a topic again that will continue to lead the trades down the drain (that one's for you, plumbers): bidding. There's more to bidding than just throwing a number, but do with that what you will.

We know you love to talk about it just as much a Greg does, but it must be done. We'll walk you through important characteristics of contracts and insurance while we fight through our own distaste for them both.

"I can't afford an apprentice." No, you can't afford to NOT have an apprentice. These people are the future of our trades, don't you want to be a part of that? Apprentices can be a valuable part of your company if you take the time to train them right. Have we not convinced you yet? We will by the end of this episode.

Generation Z, we love to hate them. Maybe your opinions of them will change after listening to this podcast? Eh, probably not. But it's worth a listen. Our resident Gen Z-er Jordan Linden heads this podcast as we discuss the differences between our generations, things we have in common and work through "misconceptions" of the snowflake generation.

It is a primal instinct to defend yourself when someone comes armed to take down your company. From nasty Google reviews to angry phone calls, you will always have to deal with clients who did not get there way. We know that we make mistakes and we know that some customers are just harder to deal with. Either way, we have some tactics for you to use next time you find yourself in a situation that could escalate and affect the future of your business (hint: 2 little inhales, 1 big exhale)!

From two guys who have spent hours upon hours on construction sites, we see how you get away with good and bad practices. A headline titled "Boston Construction Sites Still Have Very Few Black Workers" leads Josh and Greg into a conversation all about the people and procedures behind these major projects.

Everyone thinks they are the greatest boss. But then they leave their team to go golfing every Friday, blow their money on fancy stuff and can't even remember their employees dog's name. Have you ever stopped to ask yourself what you could do better? Today, we discuss things you may be doing wrong and ways to improve (including generational barriers, what your employees actually want and real life examples).

The long lived debate of whether colleges are actually worth it continues on Tradesmen Confidential. What are the statistics? What is the value? Where should we be putting our time, energy and money as we progress? You'll find out all this and more on today's episode.

The more you know... today we dive deep into the topic of what your clients are looking for when they hire you for a job. From the obvious to the abstract, we'll talk about common mistakes you might be making and introduce easy ways to be a better contractor for your clients.

Believe it or not, your health (or lack of it) will take a toll on your business if you don't get it under control ASAP. In a field where mental strength is just as important as physical strength, it's about time you take it all seriously.

Brendan Roy of Dads Worldwide joins Josh and Greg as these three dads of the trades walk you through how they have struggled with and conquered the work-life balance.

Low bid is a race to the bottom, but how can you combat this issue with your clients? The guys review ways to communicate then elevate your game to provide the added value that's needed to be successful.

Special Guest TruPros Marketing Guru Jordan Linden joins the show to help educate and insult our Social Media skills like any true millennial should. No honestly, your business can't afford to sit on the sidelines when social media, websites, etc. continue to reign supreme.

A problem as old as time, how do you deal with working with/for friends and family in your contracting business. The muddy waters are exactly that. Let's wade in them suckers together.

The guys get into some of the finer details of running a healthy business and what to look for to not only steer the ship but maybe be more creative on how you go about operating in your business to help.

Josh and Greg reminisce about some past mistakes and common issues that most have when chasing a business and/ or career, but more importantly they share the lessons they learned along the way so you can try not to repeat them.

The guys discuss changing your mindset and standards to improve yourself and your product/brand as a craftsman. The "just good enough" mindset is always going to backfire on you and your business somewhere.

We have all done it. You work for "the man" at your day job then after work or on the weekends you're working for your buddies, families, or side gigs slinging wire so you can make some extra cash. You do it for cheap, usually with no insurance, and probably for cash. Although we understand the thought process to why and how, we can't help but question the long term effects and overall how it hurts everyone.

Have you ever had a craft beer where two or more local breweries "collaborated" to make a new beer? How can competitors be doing that? don't they hate each other? Isn't it odd to think how people in the same industry who technically compete for the same gullets absorbing their beer can work together and have mutual benefits? What if the same utopia could be applied to contracting? What if we can build and use a community to change the mantra behind what good healthy "collaboration" could do. If you can't beat them then joining them has a different ring to it now?

William Wallace said our enemies can take our lives but they'll never take our freedom!!… OK so this isn't the freedom we are chatting about today, although near and dear to our hearts especially in the new world order we live under, but I digress. Today we talk about how contractors can get their Freedom Back. What that Freedom you crave is; well is entirely up to you. Is it time to go fishing, ride your motorcycle, play ball with your kids, go camping, knit some socks... we don't judge, we just want to give a piece of your life back...

What is a Professional.... Lawyers, Doctors, CEO's all get to call themselves professionals. We used to call tradespeople "Craftsman" and "Vocational Artists", Where did we lose that? The Trades of the last two decades are seldom viewed as Pro's ... Typically society portrays them as dumb, slow, overweight, and not capable of being a good buisness owner thats adept enough to be a Professional in their craft. This stigma is filled with more Bullshit than a CNN+ subscription. SO STOP ACCEPTING IT.

Is a deeper dive into the main issues plaguing the overall construction industry today. We discuss the social, economical, and personal reasons behind the problem and start to discuss where the world is heading as a whole and how it can be addressed.

Josh Brandt and Greg Giroux are two construction industry professionals who have joined together to tackle issues plaguing the construction industry. Inspired by Mike Rowe and many others bringing to light the causes and effects of the most passive aggressive comment in our industry... "Living the dream". We introduce ourselves and explain "our Why" by giving you a window into why we are doing this and why we want to help

After years and years of bitching and complaining about all things wrong with the construction industry we devised a new business model to help address the needs of not only the tradespeople we set out to serve, but also the homeowners and clients. The end result was a company called TruPros. This episode is an introduction to what the company is and does as it will be mentioned and referenced throughout the podcast to follow. Although it is not our main focus of the show, we do want to let contractors know it exists. We are passionate about giving tradesmen and women the freedom to build a better business.