The Upstryve Podcast: Recent Episodes
Cesar Valencia
We sit with various tradespeople who are experts in their field and chat about their skilled trades journey. It is a chance for you to learn from the people out there getting their hands dirty and doing the work all while flourishing in this underrated industry. These are general contractors, builders, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, painters, drywall installers, tile setters, and more. If you have ever considered starting a career in the trades, starting your own business, or are already a tradesperson and are eager to learn how the best in the game do it, then the Upstryve Podcast was made for you.
Meet Alex Tenwesteneind, a Journeyman electrician who shares with us his humble beginnings working out of his father's business and where he is now as the Big Red Electrician, And how continuously learning and growing keeps the spark alive in his trade.
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The Upstryve Podcast is all about hearing highly motivated, and inspiring people tell their stories. Today we step into the fascinating mind of Jon Dawson a multifaceted man who started his entrepreneurial journey when he decided college wasn’t for him, He talks about how he started his remodels, and all the different avenues one can take when joining the trades. He stresses the importance of what he calls “sales media” and why every contractor should be on social media today more than ever, and the power of passive income.
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Today’s guest is Nilva Gonzalez. She explains her beginnings in the trades, she started in the most difficult of circumstances after a divorce and being a mother of three to now thriving as a multiple license holder and running her own businesses, From general contracting, to roofing to solar. Nilva currently holds a General Contractor and Roofing license that allowed her to scale her business. We also discuss the role of women in this industry. Why it is important, and how to get more women in the skilled trades to keep on building together.
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Today’s episode features Clay Nelson. He tells us how he grew his YouTube channel and what this did for him as a business and as a person, the commitment, discipline and sacrifice to give educational content where it is much needed has payed off and how a human more customer based approach to business is fundamental to grow and thrive in the trades.
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Our featured guest on today’s podcast is Mariah Bowen, owner of Broven consulting. She’s been around the trades since she was a child and has learned so much throughout the years, she’s now helped countless tradespeople with their businesses with her expertise. Listen to how she got started, what it is she does exactly, and how she stresses the importance of systems in the construction management world.
Click here for the video version.
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Our licensing expert J.D Myers is back with all the information on how to get your G.C license in the state of South Carolina. As we know, each state's requirements are different, J.D explains the tiers of licensing and how he strongly recommends always going for the biggest license you can according to your qualifications. He goes into detail of what the benefits are, and also touches on how doing the tests through NASCLA can help in the long run. You can chat with JD at Jd.myers@upstryve.com or at 5612291418
Click here for the video version.
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Today’s Upstryve episode features Journeyman Electrician Eduard Sandulyak, a former Costco employee who with some help from a friend was convinced to join the trades for a better future. He discusses how he came to understand the electrical trade was for him, a few tips on how to know if you are cut out or not and what that application process looked like once he joined the union it’s benefits and why he recommends it. Also, his prospects for the future, as Eduard is very passionate about teaching and has a thriving TikTok on all things electrical!
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Our licensing expert is back! J.D Myers answers all your questions and explains what getting a G.C license is like in the state of Georgia. He goes through the three tiers of licensing, Residential Basic, Residential light-commercial and Unlimited G.C and how these might work depending on what scope of work you plan on doing. He clarifies what the NASCLA accreditation is and what state reciprocity is, and what pricing typically looks like. Also, the meticulous requirements from the testing facility regarding tabs, how many books you’ll need for each test, how to demonstrate experience and more great info on how Upstryve has the tools, so you can get your license in the state of Georgia.
Click here for the video version.
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In today’s Upstryve episode, you will meet Bailey Bradford, A first year plumbing apprentice.
She will tell us how she first got involved in the trades after studying film and doing some DIY projects. Bailey explains the benefits of how pursuing this career only means growth and the many different paths plumbing may take you. She is new to the trades and has had to build her knowledge ground up.
She also goes over the pro’s and con’s of going union or non-union and how both are good options depending on where you are in your journey.
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On this episode we follow Josh Zolin as he tells us his incredible story on how he went from a frustrated stuntman, not knowing what his next step was, to opening multiple branches alongside his father's business, publishing a book, hosting a podcast and being CEO of Windy City Equipment Service.
He aims at changing the perception of the trades and offering it through his experience as a viable career choice for America's youth.
Josh’s website:https://blueisthenewwhite.com/
Josh’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Blue-New-White-Success-About-Until-ebook/dp/B07RDMPYDB?tag=scribemedia-20&geniuslink=true
Windy city equipment: https://www.windycityequip.com/
Watch the video version here.
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The featured guest on today's Upstryve podcast is Joe Burnich, owner of Big West Marketing. He discusses how he got his start in marketing for tradesmen, and he shares a few powerful yet approachable tips he gives listeners in this conversation that can help you get your business profile to the next level and boost the right leads you actually want to work with.
Joe’s website: https://bigwestmarketing.com/
Joe’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Service-Business-Money-Machine-Deal-Closing/dp/1544845324
Click here for the video version.
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This episode focuses on the importance of quality over quantity and how that ties into work - life balance, Nick Bossio a solo man business owner and General contractor shares his pro-tips on how he created a business that works for him, allowing him to be passionate about his hobbies and family life. To get that leisure time you deserve, he shares his systems, organization routines, and motivation.
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A Florida general contractor and an Upstryve tutor, Jack Sheffield, explains the exam process in Florida. He goes through the best tips, the application details, how experience for qualifying to take the test works and how Upstryve tutoring can help you shorten the time needed for studying and prepping.
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This episode requires a pen and paper, what you’ll hear today is tons of great advice from Brad Huebner, Contractor and business coach of Hammer & Grind. He helps other contractors reach their goals by giving them blunt, practical and reliable advice and approachable methods to succeed. He gives us some amazing tips on marketing, managing social media and a very good insight on what the right questions are to ask potential clients and if they are a good fit for you.
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On today’s episode we speak with Jon lock a Journeyman electrician, as he goes through how he started his apprenticeship journey and how consistency, a good attitude, question asking and mindset was key to finishing his courses and learning while on the job. He tells us about his multiple tries in testing, what the process is like, situations he’s encountered working for others, and how he managed to pay off a mortgage at 29. He explains the differences between union and non-union work and how they both can benefit you.
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Today's episode features guest speaker Jeff Guldalian owner of 360 Electric inc. we go through his beginnings in the electrical trade, his teachings as a multiple time business owner, how he jumped from being an employee to starting his own company, and how he has expanded since with his marketing and people skills. We discuss how marketing can help you in the electric (and any) trade. Being able to maintain relationships is a valuable skill on your journey as a tradesperson. Take these great tips into consideration!
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On this Episode Our speaker, Miguel from GVS Design and Build, takes the time to share the lessons he’s learned in his 10 years as a business owner, the hard knocks of the industry and how setting up systems for different scenarios can be vital to the running of your endeavor and help prevent one bad deal from ruining your heard earned work. He also shares with us the right mindset you need to have to succeed today in this ever-changing industry.
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You’re almost there, you almost have your license in your hand, but first, Lauren Ruiz our Applications Director, talks about this crucial final step in becoming a license holder. She goes through the nitpicky details in order to submit the applications to the state, so you get your license in the most seamless and fastest way possible. Leave the details to the experts, and listen to what questions our viewers ask Lauren about what information she handles and how this service she provides through Upstryve can be beneficial on your journey.
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In todays episode we talk about what the application process is like to obtain your GC license. Our licensing expert, JD Meyers, tells us everything if you’re applying for residential, or commercial licenses. Requirements, how to show you’ve got the experience in order to proceed, a breakdown of costs, what the time frame may look like, and what mentality you need to get through it and create a better future, regardless of your past. And what Upstryve can do for you throughout this whole journey. This is the future General Contractor's guide from start to finish, what no one tells you until it’s too late, and if you’ve missed a vital step that can cost you time and money.
Watch the video version here.
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Welcome to Episode 10 of the Upstryve podcast! Stephen Madrosen, a fourth year electrician apprentice, answers all of our audience's questions. And we mean ALL. He goes through the process step by step of what the electrician apprentice journey entails, the application process, what his interview was like and much more, Stephen also talks about how using social media should be used as a resource in the field and how he’s grown his following on YouTube by sharing his journey from being a store manager to being the guy who has to learn everything and build ground up a new career which in turn had provided him with the freedom he desired.
For the video version, click here.
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Welcome to Episode 9 of the Upstryve podcast, join this conversation today where Father and Daughter duo Anna Pearson and Monte Ervin from A Better Plumbing Company, a 15-year owned business, give us some insight on why young people are not joining careers in the trades. How perception may be a big reason, and how we can use social media as a major component to changing this key factor in such an in demand service. Not only are plumbers a necessity, our whole functioning as a country depends on them.
Watch the video version here.
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This episode dives way deep into how NASCLA works, how to best prep for this test, What states participate, who should obtain it and what are the benefits of the NASCLA accreditation and how it can open doors in working for different companies providing the licensure and expanding to their programs participating states. Jonathan Bullington a NASCLA accredited general contractor gives us all the details, He mentions finding information regarding this particular test is hard to come by which is why following this conversation is vital in value and understanding the best way to prep and also how Upstryve tutoring can help you pass the exam and get that 81% score. Further information is available at https://www.nascla.org/
Watch the video version here.
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On this Knowledge Up episode, Eduardo Lopez from EZ homes tells us his amazing story of how he hopped on the social media craze of the early pandemic days and how he has amassed a large following in a years time, how the logistics of social media helped his business but also showed him how to serve others in a new project called Labor of love where he has created community within the contractor world, and he helps people giving free home repairs. Do not miss this great episode where Eduardo answers questions and tells us how he got his company to survive during times of uncertainty.
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Join us on this episode where Sadi Pajaziti keeps it real with your questions, answering everything from how to take that initial step in seeking the confidence and commitment to start your licensing journey. And how to resolve issues that pop up that you simply don’t have the answer to, and how networking can help build a system that leans on itself.
Watch the video version here.
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Today's Knowledge Up episode features one of our favorite guest speakers and also a tutor at Upstryve. Dr. Hugo Villegas, a very experienced entrepreneur, property owner and veteran of the contacting business. His wisdom is portrayed all throughout this episode as he responds to questions. Also in this episode is our licensing expert JD Meyers, his extensive know how of the application process and motivation encourages each aspiring trades person to do each step right to ensure they have a great shot at passing that test.
Click here for the full interview.
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This Knowledge Up series episode focuses on the experience of our guest speaker Thomas Hicken, a Master Plumber. Thomas goes through the process needed for the Journeyman and Master Plumbing license and also the highs, lows and unique cyclicity that comes with being a former business owner. His valuable experience and educational approach to plumbing is why we’re proud to have him available for you as an Upstryve tutor.
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On this Knowledge Up series episode, Our account manager Lauren Ruiz and our licensing expert JD Myers dive into how having a tutor and taking advantage of our resources are key to creating a custom package for students to reach their licensing goals faster. Who are these tutors and how you can receive a free 1 on 1 to achieve a good fit.
If you'd like to view the interview click here.
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Welcome to our Upstryve "Knowledge Up" series, today we discuss our viewer's questions, where our marketing and licensing experts respond from how to scale and grow your business after receiving your GC license, to how that process might be different in each state, What the requirements are as far as testing and experience goes and more questions regarding residential and commercial licenses.
If you'd like to view the interview click here.
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Today's Knowledge Up episode features an industry expert: Dr. Hugo Villegas, An MIT graduate, experienced contractor, and a tutor at Upstryve. We answer our live Q&As where his expertise, knowledge, and dedication help you create wealth in the trades.
The Upstryve Podcast is a show that celebrates tradespeople and the skilled trades. We feature interviews with entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and pioneers in the blue-collar world, so you can learn about the endless opportunities a career in the trades can provide. This show is dedicated to helping blue-collar workers earn more money, advance in their careers, and make an impact. Whether you're just starting out or are a seasoned professional, there's something for everyone on the Upstryve Podcast.
If you'd like to view the interview click here
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Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
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