The Blue Collar Trades Show

Troy Latuff
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship

The Blue Collar Trades Show is where hard work meets real talk and a little controlled chaos, usually held together with duct tape. Hosted by Troy, Jim, Chad, and Marissa (four very different personalities who somehow make it work), the show brings together business owners, tradespeople, veterans, and everyday folks from a wide range of industries and backgrounds. Expect honest conversations about building careers, businesses, and lives, along with real stories, practical lessons, occasional sarcasm, and plenty of laughs- without the corporate buzzwords or polished nonsense. It’s all about doing great work, treating people right, and having some fun while we’re at it.

  1. 1d ago

    The One About Turning a Pandemic Pivot Into an AI Business

    Summary In this episode, Sam shares his unconventional journey from growing up in Morocco to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the event and coffee industry. He discusses risk-taking, the importance of adaptability, and lessons learned from starting multiple ventures. In this episode, Sam Eitzen shares the inspiring journey of how his company pivoted during the pandemic, leveraging AI and innovative marketing strategies to stay ahead. Discover how resilience, creativity, and technology can transform challenges into opportunities. Key Topics Sam's background growing up in Morocco and moving to the US The early days of starting a coffee catering business with his wife Lessons learned from managing and growing Rhino Camera Gear The origin story of Snap Bar and its evolution from a photo booth company The importance of risk-taking and managing failure in entrepreneurship The viral loop of wedding photo booths and client acquisition Lessons on managing growth, manufacturing, and branding The journey of Snap Bar from photo booths to AI-driven marketing tools Pivoting during COVID-19 and the impact on business Using AI to create personalized, shareable content for brands Strategies for scaling a business globally with minimal hardware The importance of resilience and adaptability in entrepreneurship Chapters 00:00 Introduction and guest background 00:11 Introduction to Sam Eitzen and Snap Bar 02:13 Growing up in Morocco and cultural adaptation 02:36 Starting the business and initial challenges 03:57 Early career, education, and shifting interests 07:45 The pivot during COVID-19 and launching Keep Your City Smiling 08:01 Starting the coffee business with his wife 11:57 Lessons on risk, failure, and resilience 15:04 The origin of Snap Bar and photo booth ventures 15:10 Scaling the business and entering B2B markets 19:59 Growth, challenges, and lessons from startups 22:11 The impact of COVID-19 on event businesses 24:54 Transitioning into the event industry and opportunities 30:00 Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and closing thoughts 30:05 Adapting with AI and digital experiences 39:58 Lessons on resilience and mental health 49:57 The future of experiential marketing and technology Connect with Sam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-eitzen/ https://snapbar.com/ Connect with Us: https://thebluecollarrecruiter.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-blue-collar-recruiter-virtual-trade-school/

  2. Oct 21

    The One About Building a Business That Runs Without You

    Summary Todd Shillington, known as the one hour contractor, shares insights on transforming blue-collar trades into scalable, sellable businesses. He discusses strategies for marketing, systematizing operations, and building a business that runs without the owner, emphasizing the importance of reviews, branding, and delegation. Key Topics Transitioning from technician to CEO Importance of reviews and reputation management Building systems and standard operating procedures Scaling a service business profitably Using AI tools for marketing and SEO Referral strategies and networking in trades Branding and marketing in high-end markets Creating a business that can be sold Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Todd's background 01:57 Growing up in Minnesota and California 05:00 Todd's career path and early business ventures 09:50 Transitioning from operator to CEO 14:50 Building systems and standard operating procedures 20:02 The importance of reviews and reputation 24:50 Scaling with high-end clients and branding 29:57 Using AI tools for marketing and SEO 35:11 Referral strategies and networking 39:47 Creating a business that runs without you 44:59 Todd's book and resources 50:13 Final advice and closing remarks Connect with Todd: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddshillington/?isSelfProfile=false https://www.theonehourcontractor.com/ Connect with Us: https://thebluecollarrecruiter.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-blue-collar-recruiter-virtual-trade-school/

  3. Oct 14

    The One About Franchising, Private Equity, and the Future of the Trades

    Summary In this episode, Troy, Jim, Marissa, Aaron, and Leonard discuss franchising, private equity, entrepreneurship, and the blue-collar job market, sharing insights and experiences to help aspiring entrepreneurs understand the opportunities and challenges in these fields. Key Topics Franchise system advantages and disadvantages Private equity investment in home services Building and selling franchise businesses Hiring and training blue-collar workers Impact of economic cycles on home services Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Show and Guests 01:02 Jim's Background in Military and Franchising 03:18 Jim's Experience with Franchise Sales and Business Growth 06:04 Troy's Entrepreneurial Journey and Business Ventures 07:51 Meet the Students and Their Interests in Business 09:54 The Evolution of Franchise Systems in Home Services 14:37 Impact of the Housing Crash on Home Service Franchises 16:34 How Private Equity Buys and Grows Franchise Systems 22:01 Pros and Cons of Buying Franchise vs. Mom-and-Pop Shops 33:28 Jim and Troy's First Franchise Experiences 44:30 Building a Blue-Collar Recruitment and Training Business 52:53 Advice for Young Entrepreneurs and Business Students Connect with our guests on LinkedIn: Aaron Siddiky: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronsiddiky/ Leonard Holter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonardholter/ Connect with Us: https://thebluecollarrecruiter.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-blue-collar-recruiter-virtual-trade-school/

  4. Oct 7

    The One About Winning Online in the Age of AI

    Summary In this episode, Steve Buors shares his journey from accounting to digital marketing, focusing on how small businesses and franchise systems can leverage local SEO, Google Business Profiles, and AI tools to grow and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Key Topics Steve Buors' career transition from accounting to marketing Importance of Google Business Profile optimization Impact of AI and voice search on local SEO Strategies for franchise marketing and local advertising The role of reviews and content in AI-driven search Future trends in digital marketing and search engines Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Steve's background in Winnipeg 03:56 Jim's travel stories and Winnipeg Blue Bombers 08:04 Learning internet marketing in the early days 11:58 Pivoting from newspapers to digital marketing 13:57 Targeting franchise organizations as clients 15:51 First franchise client: The UPS Store 17:55 Expanding services across various franchise systems 20:00 Working with franchise owner groups and local businesses 21:55 Assessing local business needs and online presence 24:06 The importance of Google Business Profile and local SEO 26:03 Best practices for Google profile management 27:52 AI search and the future of local business visibility 30:14 Content strategies for AI and voice search 32:00 Favorite AI tools and their applications 33:59 Impact of AI on SEO and local search 35:49 Third-party validation and influencer marketing 37:57 The shift from traditional SEO to AI-driven search 39:56 Voice search and the decline of traditional listings 42:06 Predictions for the future of search and AI 43:48 The role of social media and short-form video 45:53 How AI personalizes search results 47:59 Jim's Bigfoot and Bigfoot hunting with AI 50:05 How businesses can prepare for voice and AI search 52:10 Measuring success in digital marketing 53:55 The importance of content and FAQ optimization 55:52 Adapting to the changing landscape of search 57:57 Tools for monitoring AI and local search performance 01:00:00 Steve's favorite digital tool: ChatGPT 01:02:00 Closing remarks and contact information Connect with Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sbuors/?isSelfProfile=false https://www.reshiftmedia.com/ Connect with Us: https://thebluecollarrecruiter.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-blue-collar-recruiter-virtual-trade-school/

  5. Sep 29

    The One About Turning an Unexpected Career Change Into an HVAC Success Story

    Summary Janal Reid shares her inspiring journey from Detroit to becoming a successful HVAC business owner in Dallas, Texas. She discusses the importance of community, customer service, and strategic growth in building a lasting business. Janal shares her insights on building a strong company culture, empowering women in trades, and balancing family and entrepreneurship. Discover practical strategies for leadership, diversity, and growth in this inspiring conversation. Key Topics Janal Reid's early life and entrepreneurial spirit Transition from cosmetology to HVAC Building a business through strategic planning and community focus Lessons learned from rapid growth and setbacks The importance of culture and leadership in scaling a business Company culture development and values Strategies for attracting and mentoring women in trades Balancing family life with entrepreneurship Leadership and communication in a family business Industry insights on trades education and diversity Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Janal Reid and her story 00:01 Introduction to Janal Reid and her business journey 02:00 Early influences and entrepreneurial mindset 03:53 Transition from cosmetology to HVAC 04:09 Building a company culture aligned with core values 08:02 Moving to Texas and starting fresh 08:09 Strategies for attracting women to the trades 12:12 Launching the HVAC business in Dallas 12:32 The importance of mentorship and industry collaboration 16:04 Challenges of rapid growth and managing culture 16:07 Balancing family life and entrepreneurship 20:01 Building community and customer relationships 20:30 Leadership lessons in a family-run business 24:04 Strategic partnerships and training programs 24:19 The future of trades education and diversity 28:00 Advice for women considering careers in trades 32:09 Closing thoughts and key takeaways 33:00 Current state of the business and future plans Connect with Janal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janal-reid/ https://ngtf.co/ https://servewayhvac.com/about-us/ Connect with Us: https://thebluecollarrecruiter.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-blue-collar-recruiter-virtual-trade-school/

  6. Sep 22

    The One About Breaking Through Your Business Plateau

    Summary In this episode, Adam Skorstad shares his extensive experience in the trades industry, from technical roles to leadership and coaching. He discusses the importance of systems, leadership development, and strategic growth for contractors aiming to scale their businesses successfully. Key Topics Adam Skorstad's background and journey in the trades industry Importance of systems and processes in business growth Leadership development and team management Strategies for overcoming business plateaus The role of coaching and mentorship in contractor success Financial management and reinvestment strategies The value of training and continuous learning Insights on franchise opportunities and startup capital Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Adam's background in the trades 01:58 Adam's journey from college to trades 03:59 Early career and transition into management 07:00 The importance of continuous learning and growth 09:53 Leadership development and reinventing yourself 15:03 Common pitfalls in contractor business management 20:07 Managing growth and overcoming plateaus 25:03 Financial fundamentals and reinvestment strategies 29:56 Starting a new business and startup capital 34:58 Franchise vs independent startup considerations 39:57 The importance of training, systems, and processes 45:00 Building a strong team and retention strategies 50:11 Coaching, mentorship, and continuous improvement 55:01 Final advice and closing thoughts Connect with Adam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-skorstad-5530b98a/ https://www.bdrco.com/ Connect with Us: https://thebluecollarrecruiter.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-blue-collar-recruiter-virtual-trade-school/

  7. Sep 15

    The One About Finding the Profit Leaks in Your Business with Ben Hansen | Ep. 26

    In this episode of The Blue Collar Trades Show, Troy Latuff, Chad and Jim sit down with Ben Hansen, known as the Profit Doctor, to talk about what really drives profitability in a blue collar business. Ben shares practical insights on identifying and patching profit leaks, understanding the numbers behind your business, tracking project profitability, and making smarter decisions about the customers, projects, and markets you pursue. Troy, Chad, Jim and Ben also dig into common misconceptions about profit margins in the trades, the impact of owner compensation on the numbers, and why generating more revenue doesn’t always mean making more money. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Profit Doctor and his background 04:07 The importance of understanding profitability in blue-collar trades 06:07 The three buckets of profitability: top, middle, and bottom thirds 08:03 Debunking profit margin myths in construction and the trades 09:59 Average net profitability in trades businesses and industry benchmarks 11:55 The importance of accurate financial data and accounting methods 14:56 Common profit leaks and how to patch them 17:59 The impact of owner compensation on perceived profitability 21:12 Customer selection and its effect on business profitability 23:51 Strategies for improving profit through leak detection and patching 27:00 Project and customer selection as key profit drivers 29:53 The importance of choosing the right projects and markets 34:06 How to evaluate project profitability and avoid costly mistakes 37:00 The significance of project selection and its impact on the bottom line 37:56 Final thoughts on improving profitability in trades businesses Connect with Ben Hansen Website: https://profitdoctor.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhansen/ Follow The Blue Collar Trades Show Website: https://thebluecollarrecruiter.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-blue-collar-recruiter-virtual-trade-school/

  8. Aug 26

    The One About What’s Beneath Our Cities with Matt Fishbune | Ep. 25

    In this episode, Matt Fishbune, CEO of Duke’s, shares his journey from sports to underground infrastructure, the importance of character in hiring, and the fascinating world of trenchless sewer repair. Discover how innovative techniques are transforming city maintenance, what it takes to build a successful business in this niche industry, and how AI, sensors, drones, and other emerging technologies could shape the future of underground infrastructure. Key Topics · Matt Fishbune's background in sports and transition to infrastructure · The importance of character in hiring for trades · Techniques and innovations in trenchless sewer repair · Challenges of aging infrastructure and solutions · Building a successful business in underground infrastructure · The role of technology in city maintenance · Character over competency in team building · Historical insights into sewer systems and materials Underground water and sewer systems · The role of gravity and pump stations in water flow · Infrastructure maintenance and capacity issues · Impact of AI on inspection and assessment · Future technologies like drones, sensors, and laser lidar · The importance of skilled trades and workforce development Takeaways · Character and attitude are more important than technical skills in hiring. · Always be hiring to stay ahead and avoid scrambling for talent. · Ask specific questions about past failures to assess accountability. · Most of the sewer infrastructure in the US is past its useful life. · Innovative trenchless methods can fix infrastructure without digging up streets. · Understanding the history of infrastructure helps appreciate current challenges. · Building relationships and reputation is key in niche industries. · Technology and proactive maintenance extend the life of infrastructure. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and guest background 02:02 Matt's sports background and transition from athletics 03:56 Introduction to trenchless sewer rehabilitation 06:58 Character in hiring and team building 10:57 Interview questions to assess accountability 14:59 The importance of always being in hiring mode 19:59 Matt’s family and their athletic achievements 21:59 History and evolution of Dukes and trenchless technology 25:03 Chemical solutions and service offerings 28:02 Service areas and industry growth 29:59 Longevity of infrastructure and historical systems 34:00 Water quality, safety, and infrastructure challenges Connect With Our Guest Learn more about Duke’s and connect with Matt: Duke’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/duke's-root-control-inc./ Matt Fishbune on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattfishbune/ Duke’s Website: https://www.dukes.com/

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About

The Blue Collar Trades Show is where hard work meets real talk and a little controlled chaos, usually held together with duct tape. Hosted by Troy, Jim, Chad, and Marissa (four very different personalities who somehow make it work), the show brings together business owners, tradespeople, veterans, and everyday folks from a wide range of industries and backgrounds. Expect honest conversations about building careers, businesses, and lives, along with real stories, practical lessons, occasional sarcasm, and plenty of laughs- without the corporate buzzwords or polished nonsense. It’s all about doing great work, treating people right, and having some fun while we’re at it.

Information

  • Creator
    Troy Latuff
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Troy Latuff