Welding Business Owner Podcast

Kevin Johnson
  • 5.0 (94)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Biweekly

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! 

  1. Jun 29

    Scott - Yellowstone Metal

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when the dream of owning your own welding business starts feeling more like a nightmare? This week, Kevin sits down with Scott, owner of Yellowstone Metal (formerly Splice Welding & Design), to talk about the realities of entrepreneurship that nobody posts on social media. After building a successful architectural metal business, Scott made the rare decision to leave business ownership and become an employee—only to discover he simply couldn't do it. The conversation dives into burnout, rebuilding from scratch, moving fabrication shops, pricing custom work, and why being a welding business owner is equal parts problem-solving and perseverance. Whether you're growing your shop, feeling overwhelmed, or wondering if the grass is greener somewhere else, this episode offers an honest look at what it really takes to build—and rebuild—a business. In This Episode: Why Scott moved his fabrication shop six different timesThe hidden costs of relocating a welding businessLeaving entrepreneurship to become an employee—and why it didn't lastLessons learned from rebuilding a business from scratchHow marketing has changed over the past decadeWhy specializing too much can actually hurt your businessThe biggest mistakes shop owners make when pricing workDealing with customers who think every repair is "just a five-minute weld"Why custom fabrication will never compete with mass-produced productsManaging cash flow during major business transitionsThe mindset every welding business owner needs to survive the ups and downsIf you've ever questioned your pricing, your business decisions, or whether you're the only one dealing with these challenges, this conversation will remind you you're not alone. Connect with Scott: Instagram: @salvation_garage YouTube: Salvation Garage Facebook: Yellowstone Metal 🎙 The Welding Business Owners Podcast is dedicated to helping welding and fabrication shop owners build more profitable businesses through real-world conversations, practical advice, and lessons learned from people who've been in the trenches. www.FabricatorOlympics.com www.WeldingBusinessSummit.com

    1h 2m

  2. Jun 8

    How AI Will Change Welding Businesses Forever

    Send us Fan Mail Artificial Intelligence is changing faster than most of us can keep up with—and whether you love it or hate it, it's already starting to impact the welding and fabrication industry. In this episode, I sit down with Dan Cocks from DC Built to talk about how we're actually using AI in our businesses today. From creating customer renderings and speeding up design work to building software, solving problems, and automating repetitive tasks, we share the tools and workflows that are helping us get more done with less effort. But the conversation doesn't stop there. We dive into the future of fabrication and discuss what happens when AI starts working alongside robotics, cobots, laser welders, CNC equipment, and automated material handling systems. Could a small shop one day have the output of a much larger company? How close are we really to that becoming reality? Whether you're already experimenting with AI or you're still trying to figure out what all the hype is about, this episode will give you a practical look at where the technology is today—and where it's headed next. Topics we cover: • Using AI to create customer renderings and concepts • Chat GPT, Claude, and other AI tools • Prompting techniques that get better results • Building software and automations with AI • AI agents and workflow automation • The future of robotic welding and fabrication • How AI could impact small welding businesses • Why technology is becoming more accessible than ever If you're a welding business owner, fabricator, shop manager, or anyone interested in where the trades are headed, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. #WeldingBusinessOwnersPodcast #WeldingBusiness #Fabrication #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #ChatGPT #WeldingShop #Manufacturing #Automation #Robotics #SmallBusiness www.FabricatorOlympics.com www.WeldingBusinessSummit.com

    28 min

  3. May 18

    Josh Hutie - Tradesman Experience Podcast

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Welding Business Owners Podcast, I sit down with Josh Hewitt — entrepreneur, HVAC company owner, host of the Tradesmen Experience podcast, and cofounder of Blue Collar Insiders and True Pros. This conversation goes way deeper than just welding or HVAC. We talk about what actually makes a blue-collar business succeed long term: leadership, culture, communication, job costing, hiring, sales, customer experience, and learning how to think like a business owner instead of just a technician. Josh shares hard lessons from growing multiple companies, getting stuck in the same problems most trades business owners face, and what it really takes to build a team that cares about the customer as much as you do. We also dive into why so many businesses stay chaotic even when they’re busy, the danger of “out-earning” your mistakes, and how systems and leadership completely change the game. If you own a welding business, fabrication shop, HVAC company, or any blue-collar business, this episode is packed with practical takeaways you can apply immediately. Topics we cover: Leadership and company cultureHiring people who actually careWhy most trades businesses stay stuckJob costing and understanding your numbersCustomer experience and communicationBuilding systems that scaleSales without feeling “salesy”Managing teams and accountabilityWhy being busy does NOT always mean profitableThe Welding Business Summit & Fabricator OlympicsCheck out Josh Hewitt: Instagram: @bluecollarinsiders Blue Collar Insiders Tradesmen Experience Podcast Learn more about the Welding Business Summit: WeldingBusinessSummit.com www.FabricatorOlympics.com www.WeldingBusinessSummit.com

    1h 27m

  4. May 5

    Dan - DC Built

    Send us Fan Mail Trying to build a welding business while working a full-time job? That’s exactly what Dan from DC Built is doing—and in this episode, we break down what it really takes to grow a welding business on nights and weekends. This isn’t theory. This is what it looks like when you’re juggling a day job, limited time, and still trying to build something that actually makes money. We get into: How Dan balances a full-time job while growing his welding businessHow to decide which jobs are actually worth your timePricing when you can’t afford to waste hours on low-profit workThe biggest mistakes guys make when starting on the sideWhat’s helping him build real momentum without going full-timeIf you’re trying to turn your welding skills into a real business—but you’re stuck working a job during the day—this episode will give you a more realistic path forward. — 🎯 This episode is for: Welding business owners working a full-time jobSide hustle welders trying to growFabricators looking to make more money with limited time— Subscribe for more real-world advice on building a profitable welding business, pricing your work, and growing without wasting time. #WeldingBusiness #SideHustle #WeldingLife #Fabrication #TradesBusiness #SmallBusiness www.FabricatorOlympics.com www.WeldingBusinessSummit.com

    50 min

  5. Apr 20

    Tyson - Fine Iron

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when your welding business starts succeeding… but your life starts falling apart? In this episode, Tyson from Fine Iron breaks down the reality most shop owners don’t talk about. He went from a high school biology teacher to building a fast-growing fabrication business—but the growth came at a cost. Long days, constant pressure, and a business that completely took over his life. Eventually, he hit a breaking point. Instead of pushing harder like most guys would… he did the opposite. He downsized. Cut the team in half, rebuilt his systems, and started focusing on efficiency instead of just more work. What came out of that decision is a completely different kind of welding business—leaner, more profitable, and built to actually support his life instead of consume it. We also get into:  How he rebuilt his shop after burnout  Why “more employees” isn’t always the answer  Using tech like laser welding and 3D scanning to do more with less  The shift from chaos to systems that actually work  How he turned new tech into a second revenue stream  And what most welding shop owners are doing wrong when they try to grow If you’re running a welding business and feel like you’re constantly chasing your tail… this one’s going to hit home.

    1h 51m

  6. Apr 6

    Steve Devers - Perfect Fab

    Send us Fan Mail Most welding business owners think the goal is to grow—more employees, bigger shop, more overhead. But what if that’s exactly what’s holding you back? In this episode, I sit down with Steve Devers, a one-man shop owner running a 6,000 square foot operation, landing serious jobs, and building a business that actually gives him freedom instead of stress. We break down:  How he turned a $50 Google ad into a $175,000 job  Why he chose NOT to scale his business  The biggest financial mistake that almost cost him  How tools like a mini crane replaced the need for employees  What it really takes to run a profitable one-man welding business If you’re tired of chasing growth and starting to realize your business feels more like a job… this episode will change the way you think. ⚡ What You’ll Learn  How to build a welding business that doesn’t own you  When hiring actually hurts your business  The truth about buying equipment too fast  How to stay booked without relying on ads  Why efficiency beats size every time 💥 Why This Matters There’s a lot of noise out there about scaling, hiring, and building big. But nobody talks about building a business that actually gives you your life back. This episode does.

    1h 22m

  7. Mar 23

    David - DTB Fab

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Welding Business Owners Podcast, I sit down with David from DTB Fab—a guy running a successful welding business while still working a full-time job… actually two full-time jobs. We break down how he went from fixing his own car because he couldn’t afford a body guy… to becoming the go-to shop for anything from bikes and cars to structural work. If you’re trying to start or grow a welding business on the side, this episode is packed with real-world lessons you won’t hear anywhere else. What You’ll Learn:  How to start a welding business with little money  How to balance a full-time job, family, and side work  Why confidence (not skill) holds most welders back  The biggest mistakes that cost time and money early on  How word-of-mouth can build your entire businessWho This Is For:  Welders who want to start a side hustle  Fabricators trying to grow their business  Anyone stuck between a job and going all-in  Skilled tradesmen who want more income and freedomChapters 00:00 Introduction to David and DTBFab 02:39 The Journey of a Plumber and Welder 03:12 Balancing Two Full-Time Jobs 06:03 From Passion to Business: The LLC Journey 09:16 Learning Through Experience: The Early Days 14:33 Favorite Projects: Sheet Metal Shaping 16:37 Word of Mouth and Business Growth 18:27 Balancing Family and Work Life 21:35 Influences and Mentorship in Career Development 28:09 Embracing Manual Skills and Learning from Experience 33:44 Navigating the Challenges of Business and Confidence 46:58 Lessons Learned: The Importance of Confidence and Business Acumen 55:56 Advice for Aspiring Craftsmen: The Value of Listening and Learning Keywords welding business, welding side hustle, how to start a welding business, fabrication business, welding entrepreneur, welding shop, make money welding, welding jobs, welding tips, welding podcast

    59 min

  8. Mar 9

    James - Stubby's Welding

    Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Kevin interviews James Williams, the owner of Stubby's Welding, who shares his journey of starting a welding business focused on agricultural repairs and custom sign making. James discusses the challenges he faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of learning from mistakes, and the value of mentorship in the welding industry. He also highlights the significance of customer relationships, the tools he uses, and the lessons learned about business management and advertising. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:59 Business Overview and Growth 05:57 Challenges and Lessons Learned 08:46 Advertising and Customer Acquisition 11:29 Sign Making and Custom Orders 14:37 Work-Life Balance and Future Plans 27:02 Preparing for Spring: Garden Markers and Equipment 28:35 Lessons from Bad Customers: Navigating Business Relationships 33:09 Essential Tools for Mobile Work: The Mag Drill 45:06 The Art of Line Boring and Auger Repairs 52:27 Business Insights: Learning from Experience and Mistakes Keywords welding, business, agriculture, entrepreneurship, repair, customer service, plasma table, augers, small business, Canada

    58 min
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5
out of 5
94 Ratings

About

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! 

Information

  • Creator
    Kevin Johnson
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    114
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Welding Business Owner Podcast
  • Show Website
    Welding Business Owner Podcast

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