Blue Collar StartUp

In this episode of Blue Collar StartUp, Mike Nelson and Derek Foster welcome back Bill Tansey Jr. to break down what it really takes to build a business that can operate without its owner being involved in every daily decision. From getting the “trains running on time” to implementing org charts, escalation criteria, and documented processes, the conversation delivers practical guidance for trades...

In this episode of Blue Collar Startup, hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster explore how robotics and automation are being used in real-world trade businesses to solve labor challenges, improve efficiency, and deliver better results. From commercial cleaning to healthcare facilities, we break down what the technology actually does, where it works best, and why robots are becoming tools—not replaceme...

In Episode 106 of Blue Collar Startup, hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster sit down with Bob Caldarella of ClearFocus Robotics to talk real-world autonomous robots in the trades, how “mop bots,” delivery bots, and disinfection robots are taking over repetitive, dangerous, or mundane tasks in cleaning, healthcare, landscaping, and facilities, delivering ROI in under a year while creating higher-skil...

In Episode 105, Mike and Derek break down Robert Kiyosaki’s Cashflow Quadrant for blue-collar workers and deliver a practical 6-step blueprint to start and grow a profitable trade business while still keeping your day job. From validating your idea and staying lean to knowing exactly when to quit and how to avoid the classic rookie mistakes, this is the no-BS roadmap thousands of tradespeople have...

In Episode 103 of Blue Collar Startup, Mike and Derek welcome back Pam Stott and Doug Ford from the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition. Tune in as they tackle shifting stigmas, counselor workshops, job shadowing, and plans to franchise their model nationwide with help from education firm 1080. Also learn about the November 19th mixer at Rivers Casino—networking, updates, and a high-...

In Episode 102 of Blue Collar Startup, hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster welcome back operational excellence expert Bill Tansey. Bill breaks down key pillars like daily operations, problem-solving, and the eight wastes, offering practical tools to eliminate inefficiency and ensure consistent execution in trades like construction and manufacturing. You can connect with Bill Tansey at theopexshop.c...

In this episode of Blue Collar Startup, Derek Foster interviews Eric Wick, founder of Safety Team Technologies, who shares his journey from insurance brokering to building a digital OSHA compliance platform that streamlines safety training and reduces risks for blue-collar businesses. Eric discusses compliance challenges, insurance cost impacts, and a $5 million claim highlighting the need for pro...

In Episode 100 of Blue Collar Startup, Mike and Derek sit down with Sonny Bonacio of Bonacio Construction for a candid look at his 35-year journey from framing homes to building one of the region’s most influential development companies. From humble beginnings to transforming the landscape of Saratoga, Sonny shares lessons on growth, grit, and staying persistent when the stakes are high. You can c...

In this new episode of Blue Collar StartUp, join hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster as they interview guest Mack Story, a former Marine, manufacturing veteran, author, and leadership expert. Tune in as they explore Mack's journey from factory worker to leadership consultant, emphasizing character development over competency, lean principles, personal growth, and building high-impact teams in b...

In this episode of Blue Collar StartUp, hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster sit down with Joe Cerrone, owner of Cerrone Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, to explore what it really takes to scale a second-generation trades business. Tune in as they share lessons in leadership, hiring, delegation, software systems, and how to grow a company that can thrive without your constant presence. Lear...

In this episode of Blue Collar StartUp, hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster catch up with returning guest Brad Lewis, executive director of the Troy Community Land Bank. Tune in as Brad shares his seasonal work strategies, real estate investments, cash flow insights, and more! Learn how Brad bought a house for $100 here: https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/capital-region/housing/2021/04/20/troy-forec...

In this episode of Blue Collar Startup, hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster talk with Cameron Carson, founder of Franbassador. Cameron shares how he built a window cleaning company from just $50 into a 13-unit franchise system, eventually selling it for a major multiple. They discuss the power of door knocking, the challenges of scaling, why franchising is exploding in home services, and how Franba...

In this mini episode of the Blue Collar Startup podcast, host Mike Nelson shares a short but powerful message for business owners who may be questioning whether to keep going. Drawing from a recent conversation with a fellow entrepreneur, Mike talks about the struggles many face after five years in business, why perseverance matters, and how you might be closer to success than you think. Listen to...

In this episode of Blue Collar Startup, host Mike Nelson talks with DT Tobiason, founder of West Coast Renewables, a Washington-based company transforming grease trap pumping, cooking oil recycling, and commercial kitchen plumbing. DT shares how he grew from a shop vac in a pickup to a 24-employee operation serving the Pacific Northwest. They cover scaling challenges, disposal costs, employee recr...

In this episode of Blue Collar Startup, host Mike Nelson sits down with Jason and Stacy Spector to explore how growth mindset, resilience, and mindset coaching can transform students, athletes, and blue-collar workers alike. Tune in as they share personal stories from wrestling and education, practical strategies for leadership in the trades, and how mindset shifts can help businesses overcome hir...

In this episode of Blue Collar Startup, hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster interview Chris Buttenham, co-founder and CEO of Reins. Tune in as they discuss how his company helps blue-collar contractors offer equity incentives, his journey from working in his father’s contracting business to addressing the "silver tsunami" of aging business owners needing succession plans, and more! Learn...

​​In this episode of Blue Collar Startup, hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster interview Joe Dana, Amy Posner, and Chris McNally from Hudson Valley Community College. They discuss the college’s trade-focused programs, the importance of lifelong learning, partnerships with industry leaders like Global Foundries, opportunities for students in high-demand fields, and more! Learn more about Hudson Valle...

In this solo episode of Blue Collar Startup, host Mike Nelson of Five Towers Media shares a quick, practical process for turning a simple 5-minute video into a polished blog post using AI tools like Otter.ai, ChatGPT, and Opus Clips. He explains how to save time, create multiple pieces of content from one recording, and boost your SEO without breaking the bank. 0:00 Intro and welcome to Blue Colla...

Dive into an engaging conversation with Warren County Sheriff Jim Lafarr on The Blue Collar Startup Podcast! Discover why policing is a true blue-collar trade, requiring grit, stamina, and smarts, and hear gripping insights into the daily challenges of keeping Warren County safe. Learn about the physical and mental demands of the job and the surprising parallels between running a sheriff’s office...

In this episode of Blue Collar Startup, host Mike Nelson of Five Towers Media sits down with Mike Zayachek of Zayachek Mechanical. Tune in as they discuss starting a business from a pickup truck and a trailer, growing to 147 employees, navigating cash flow challenges, and building a loyal team through training and mentorship in the power generation and industrial maintenance industry. Learn more a...

In this solo "Marketing Minute" episode of Blue Collar Startup, host Mike Nelson of Five Towers Media advises blue collar business owners to avoid starting a Facebook business page too soon and instead leverage personal profiles for better engagement and lead generation. He shares practical tips on transitioning to a business page later and maintaining an active social media presence to...

In this Blueprint episode of Blue Collar StartUp, hosts Derek Foster and Mike Nelson dive into grassroots marketing. Listen in as they explore cost-effective, high-impact ways for small business owners to spread the word about their services—from vehicle wraps and yard signs to leveraging your personal network and overcoming the fear of rejection. 0:14 Podcast Introduction 0:30 What Is Grassroots...

In this episode of Blue Collar Startup, hosts Mike Nelson of Five Towers Media and Derek Foster of Daigle Cleaning Systems sit down with Ryan Galusha of Galusha & Sons. Listen in as they discuss carrying a third-generation business into the future, mentorship, workforce development, and keeping a legacy alive in the ever-changing world of construction. Learn more about Galusha & Sons at ga...

In this episode of Blue Collar Startup, host Mike Nelson of Five Towers Media sits down with Scott McKenna of Catamount Consulting to dive deep into the topic of emotional intelligence (EQ). Tune in as they discuss how EQ impacts leadership, team dynamics, hiring, company culture, and long-term success in business and life. Learn more about Scott and Catamount Consulting at catamountconsultingllc....

In this episode of Blue Collar StartUp, hosts Mike Nelson of Five Towers Media and Derek Foster of Daigle Cleaning Systems have an honest conversation about what it really takes to build and grow a business. Listen in as they share lessons from their own business journeys, discuss the importance of building a strong team and being a strong leader, how success is a never-ending project, and more! F...