Blue Collar StartUp

Our Mission is Simple: To facilitate the growth and development of Blue Collar businesses. We will showcase REAL Blue Collar businesses in interviews, and use these stories to help educate and empower the next generation of trades workers to become Blue Collar business owners.

Blue Collar StartUp is a business podcast hosted by Michael Nelson, with 135 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Michael Nelson hosts Blue Collar StartUp, a business show with 135 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #138

  The Hidden Opportunities in Manufacturing | Blue Collar StartUp #138

  Aug 12, 202652 min

  What does the future of manufacturing and the skilled trades workforce look like in New York’s Capital Region? In Episode 138 of Blue Collar StartUp, Mike Nelson and Derek Foster talk with Don Wiesenforth and Matt Grattan of the Center for Economic Growth (CEG) about manufacturing careers, registered apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeship programs, workforce development, automation, AI, and the growing demand for skilled workers. They also explain how CEG helps manufacturers grow, connect with talent, access training and incentives, and navigate resources available to small and mid-sized manufacturing businesses. Learn more about Don, Matt, and the Center for Economic Growth at ceg.org . 0:00 Blue Collar StartUp Intro & Hosts Catch Up 1:53 Introducing Don Wiesenforth & Matt Grattan from CEG 2:22 What the Center for Economic Growth Does 5:02 The Growing Demand for Blue Collar Talent 8:31 Why the Capital Region Has So Many Manufacturers 10:22 How CEG Supports Manufacturers & Workforce Development 11:35 Getting More Women Into Manufacturing 12:45 Pre-Apprenticeship Programs & Direct Entry 13:12 The New Regional OnRamp Manufacturing Center 16:14 What Manufacturing Apprenticeships Actually Look Like 18:36 How Apprenticeships Can Lead to College Degrees 20:42 The "Earn While You Learn" Model 25:13 The Massive Demand for Manufacturing Workers 28:48 Getting Middle School Students Interested in Manufacturing 30:35 How Automation & AI Are Changing Manufacturing Jobs 37:49 CEG's Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) 43:2 What Employers Really Want From Workers 45:32 The New Generation of Workers & Work-Life Balance 47:23 Why Economic Development Is About More Than Big Companies 50:11 How Manufacturers Can Connect With CEG Want more Blue Collar StartUp? Website: bluecollarstartup.io Facebook: facebook.com/bluecollarstartup Instagram: instagram.com/thebluecollarstartup/ #BlueCollarStartUp #SkilledTrades #Manufacturing #WorkforceDevelopment #Apprenticeships

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  Episode #137

  Escaping the Messy Middle in the Trades | Blue Collar StartUp #137

  Aug 5, 202653 min

  In this episode of Blue Collar StartUp, Brent Garrett, President of Sirius Plumbing & Air Conditioning, shares the five stages of business growth, how to transition from technician to coach, and the systems that helped him build a multi-million-dollar company. Learn why most contractors get stuck between $750K and $2.5M in revenue, how to delegate effectively, improve profitability, and create a business that runs without you. Connect with Brent on his website at brentgarrett.com and learn more about Sirius Plumbing & Air Conditioning at siriusplumbing.com . 00:00 Introduction & Welcome 00:47 Meet Brent Garrett of Sirius Plumbing & Air Conditioning 01:57 Growing Up in the Plumbing Industry 04:16 Why Brent's Father Didn't Want Him in the Trades 06:07 The Trade Labor Shortage & Need for Mentors 07:44 Coaching Employees Through Growth & Change 09:05 Why the Trades Are One of the Best Careers Today 11:22 How AI Is Impacting Careers & Skilled Trades 13:27 Starting a Business at 26 with $5,000 14:36 Stage 1 & Stage 2 of Business Growth 16:06 Understanding the "Messy Middle" 19:21 What the Top 20% of Contractors Do Differently 20:25 Becoming a Coach Instead of a Technician 22:26 The Importance of Pricing, Margins & Delegation 24:01 Parkinson's Law & Time Boxing for Productivity 26:21 Performance-Based Compensation & Customer Options 27:42 Why Marketing Matters for Trade Businesses 29:00 Building Equity, Wealth & Legacy Through Business 32:33 Burn the Boats: Commitment to Growth 37:30 Delegation, Leadership & Accountability Systems 41:14 Why the Field Team Drives the Business 46:22 Brent's Top Advice: Culture & Financial Ownership 49:10 How to Connect with Brent Garrett 51:43 Closing Thoughts & Final Takeaways Want more Blue Collar StartUp? Website: bluecollarstartup.io Facebook: facebook.com/bluecollarstartup Instagram: instagram.com/thebluecollarstartup #BlueCollarStartup #TradesBusiness #SmallBusinessGrowth #HVACBusiness #PlumbingBusiness

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  Episode #136

  No Experience. New Industry. Successful Concrete Business. | Blue Collar StartUp #136

  Jul 29, 202649 min

  Can someone with zero construction experience build a successful concrete company? Jeff Price, owner of Texas Slab Guys, shares how he left a white-collar career in finance and technology to launch a scalable concrete business, why AI influenced his decision, and the systems he uses to grow through sales rather than traditional operations. This episode covers entrepreneurship, subcontractor management, hiring, sales strategy, commercial growth, and why the skilled trades may offer one of the biggest business opportunities of the next decade. Connect with Jeff Price and learn more about Texas Slab Guys at texasslabguys.com . 00:00 Introduction & Welcome 02:30 Meet Jeff Price of Texas Slab Guys 03:31 Leaving Finance & Tech for the Trades 05:31 Why Concrete Became the Business Opportunity 06:46 Searching Thousands of Businesses to Buy 09:01 When the Acquisition Fell Apart 10:20 Starting a Concrete Company with No Experience 12:08 Learning the Industry & Why Texas is Booming 14:28 Building Through Sales Instead of Employees 16:12 Creating a Business That Can Scale Without the Owner 18:40 How Jeff Builds High-Performing Sales Teams 23:09 Commission-Only Sales & Finding the Right People 25:03 Biggest Challenges During Year One 30:08 Highs, Lows & The First Six-Figure Contract 34:29 Staying Optimistic Through Entrepreneurship 38:01 Advice for Anyone Considering the Trades 42:20 "Just Do It"—Lessons from Successful Entrepreneurs 45:16 Where to Find Jeff & Final Takeaways Stay up to date with Blue Collar StartUp! Website: bluecollarstartup.io Facebook: facebook.com/bluecollarstartup Instagram: instagram.com/thebluecollarstartup #BlueCollarStartup #Entrepreneurship #ConcreteBusiness #SmallBusiness #Trades

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  Episode #135

  Why Wrestlers Make Amazing Trade Workers | Blue Collar StartUp #135

  Jul 22, 202637 min

  In this episode of Blue Collar StartUp, Scotti Sentes from the Wrestlers in Business Network joins Mike Nelson and Derek Foster to discuss bridging the gap between student-athletes and skilled trades. Learn how wrestling builds the discipline, grit, and work ethic required to excel in blue-collar careers. Discover how innovative AI matching technology connects high-performing athletes directly with trade employers struggling to find reliable hires. Tune in to see why skilled trades offer a high-earning pathway without the burden of traditional college debt. Learn more about Scotti Sentes and discover the Wrestlers in Business Network at wrestlersinbusiness.org . 0:00 Podcast Intro & First Half Catch-Up 1:13 Discussing Mike Rowe and Trade Advocacy 2:45 Introducing Scotti Sentes & Wrestlers in Business Network 4:00 The "Gold Rush of 2026" in Blue Collar Trades 6:00 Solving the Workforce Talent Shortage 7:20 Building a Career Platform for 14,000+ Wrestlers 9:30 Using AI Technology to Match Athletes to Trade Roles 11:00 Trade Education vs. High-Cost College Degrees 13:15 The Shifting Public Perception of Skilled Trades 15:20 Creating a Wrestler-to-Wrestler Business Ecosystem 17:35 Leveraging Coaches and Virtual Career Fairs 19:30 Developing Work Ethic and Handling Extreme Pressure 22:00 How Contractors Recruit Talent Like Athletic Programs 24:15 Finding Hires That Stick Through Honesty and Grit 27:15 The Characteristics of Wrestlers: Accountability & Discipline 32:00 Advice for Trade Employers and Young Athletes 35:00 How to Connect with Scotti Sentes & Episode Wrap-Up Follow Blue Collar StartUp: Website: bluecollarstartup.io Facebook: facebook.com/bluecollarstartup Instagram: instagram.com/thebluecollarstartup #BlueCollarStartup #SkilledTrades #WrestlersInBusiness #WorkforceDevelopment #BlueCollar

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  Episode #134

  Buying a $1.7M Electrical Business With No Experience | Blue Collar StartUp #134

  Jul 15, 202645 min

  What happens when you buy a $1.7 million electrical company without ever working for an electrical contractor? Zack Mutnik shares how he and his wife acquired, rebranded, and rapidly grew Mutt's Electric, covering SBA financing, hiring, leadership, recurring revenue, marketing, company culture, and scaling a trades business. Whether you're thinking about buying a business, growing your contracting company, or leading a team, this episode is packed with practical advice for blue-collar entrepreneurs. Learn more about Zack Mutnik and Mutt's Electric at muttselectric.com . 00:00 Introduction & Meet Zack Mutnik 02:35 Buying an Electrical Company Without Industry Experience 05:16 Leaving a Great Job to Become a Business Owner 06:09 Financing a $1.7M Business Purchase with an SBA Loan 07:47 Modernizing an Established Electrical Company 10:24 Moving from Paper to Digital Systems with Jobber 11:09 Launching a Home Maintenance Membership Service 15:16 Owner vs. Operator: Zack's Daily Role Today 16:09 Using Social Media to Win Customers and Hire Talent 17:44 The Biggest Challenges After Buying the Business 21:56 Building Company Culture and Core Values 24:51 Hiring for Culture Instead of Skills Alone 27:27 Leadership Lessons Learned in the Navy 30:20 Becoming the "Chief Repeating Officer" 32:54 Learning Sales and Growing Through Networking 34:08 Working With Your Spouse as Business Partners 36:43 Zack's Best Advice for Selling Service Businesses 38:37 Advice for Future Trades Business Owners 40:42 Why Young People Should Consider the Electrical Trades 42:29 Where to Connect with Zack and Mutt's Electric Follow Blue Collar StartUp Website: bluecollarstartup.io Facebook: facebook.com/bluecollarstartup Instagram: instagram.com/thebluecollarstartup #BlueCollarStartup #ElectricalContractor #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneur #TradesBusiness

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