WIRED WATTSMART

What happens when a painting contractor steps into the world of technology and helps build a multimillion-dollar business? This week on Wired Wattsmart, Josh Torpey sits down with James Hatfield, entrepreneur and the driving force behind LiveSwitch, to talk about entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, and the future of small business. James didn't start his career in Silicon Valley. He sta...

What does it take to walk away from the familiar and build a business from scratch? On this episode of Wired Wattsmart , Josh Torpey sits down with Davey LaPierre , owner of Ghost Moto in Naches, Washington. Davey shares his journey from heavy civil construction and trucking to opening his own electric motorcycle shop. They get into the realities of risking your own money, reinvesting profits, gro...

Your office can make or break your business. In Episode 22, Josh Torpey continues the Wired Wattsmart project management series with Part 2: managing projects from the office. Drawing from 11 years of experience running Wattsmart Electric, Josh explains why organization, communication, job costing, and consistent systems are critical to a successful construction business. From missed invoices and...

What does it really take to build a successful business from the ground up? On this episode of Wired Wattsmart, host Josh Torpey sits down with Melissa Brewer, owner of MB Designs in the Yakima Valley, to talk about the realities of entrepreneurship, interior design, remodeling, and leadership. Melissa shares how she went from pursuing a career in accounting to building her own design and remodeli...

Project management starts long before you get into job costing and spreadsheets. It starts on the job site. In Part 1 of this Wired Wattsmart project management series, Josh Torpey breaks down what it takes to be an effective working foreman and lead a crew in the field. We’re talking leadership, accountability, communication, labor tracking, material management, organization, scheduling, change o...

In this episode of the Wired Wattsmart Podcast, Josh sits down with George Balowski of Guild Mortgage for a conversation that goes far beyond home loans. George shares his journey from playing college football at Eastern Oregon University to starting over in Yakima, building a network from scratch, and eventually taking a leap into the mortgage industry—even though he admits he barely knew what a...

In this episode, Josh sits down with Jeremy, owner of Shepherd Plumbing, to talk about what it really takes to build a successful trades business. From starting with one truck and a handful of tools to growing a thriving plumbing company, Jeremy shares the highs, the setbacks, and the lessons that shaped his path. The conversation covers starting a business with limited resources, scaling a team,...

In this episode of the Wired Wattsmart Podcast, Josh sits down with Jeremy Shepherd, owner of Shepherd Plumbing, to talk about the real journey behind building a successful trades business. Jeremy shares how he left school after eighth grade, battled addiction, got sober, built his company from a single truck into one of the area's most recognized plumbing businesses, and the hard lessons that...

Leadership isn't just about holding a title—it's about serving people, building trust, and making difficult decisions when they matter most. In this episode of the Wired Wattsmart Podcast, Josh sits down with Yakima County Sheriff candidate Jake Church for an open conversation about leadership, public safety, and the experiences that have shaped his 26-year career in law enforcement. Jake...

Thinking about buying a hot tub? Before you make the purchase, there are a few electrical requirements every homeowner should understand. In this episode of Wired Wattsmart, Josh breaks down the most common issues homeowners run into when installing a new hot tub, including panel capacity, GFCI protection, disconnect placement, bonding requirements, wiring methods, and why hiring a qualified elect...

ost people think wealth is about money. Art Torres believes it's much more than that. In this episode of Wired Wattsmart, Josh sits down with entrepreneur, business banker, husband, and father Art Torres to discuss the financial roadmap for blue-collar workers and young adults looking to build a better future. The conversation starts with credit, banking relationships, home ownership, business...

Most people see the highlights. The nice cars. The successful businesses. The freedom. What they don't see is the debt, stress, sacrifices, failures, bad partnerships, and years of work behind it. In this episode of Wired Wattsmart, Josh Torpey sits down with entrepreneur Jeremy Sandino to discuss: ✔ Building Maniac Motorsports ✔ Lessons from failed partnerships ✔ Real estate investing ✔ Creating...

Most young tradesmen never get taught how to build wealth, manage money, or eventually start their own business. In Part 3 of our Money Management Series, Josh breaks down the roadmap that helped him go from learning a trade to flipping his first house and eventually launching Wattsmart Electric. We discuss startup capital, business credit, vendor accounts, cash flow, paying yourself last, avoidin...

Part 2 of the Wired Wattsmart Money Management Series is all about using the trades to create real opportunities. Josh breaks down how blue-collar workers can use side work, tools, sweat equity, and fixer-upper houses to level up financially — without chasing “get rich quick” garbage. ⚡ This episode covers: ✔️ Why tradesmen have a major advantage ✔️ Using side work to build wealth ✔️ Investing in...

In this episode of Wired Wattsmart, Josh kicks off Part 1 of a 3-part money management series built specifically for blue-collar workers, apprentices, and future business owners. This isn’t “finance guru” advice — it’s real-world lessons from someone who built it firsthand. Josh talks about:⚡ Building credit from a young age⚡ Using credit cards responsibly⚡ Saving money without missing life⚡ A...

From climbing powerline towers to building businesses—this episode dives into what it really takes to level up beyond the trade. We talk about the mindset shift from employee to entrepreneur, why most blue collar guys stay stuck financially, and how learning to manage money, take risks, and find the right mentors can completely change your path. If you’re in the trades and thinking about what’s ne...

In this episode, I sit down with Doug Grandstrand, owner of Bill’s Place—one of Yakima’s most well-known local bars and restaurants. Doug shares how he went from retiring after 34 years at Shields to buying a run-down dive bar… and turning it into a thriving business. We talk about everything from rebuilding during COVID, managing employees, and what it really takes to run a bar. We also dive into...

Join Josh Torpey as he sits down with Joe Cardenas, a young entrepreneur who shares his journey from a stable job to starting his own business. In this candid conversation, Joe opens up about the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of work-life balance, and the fulfillment he finds in pursuing his passion. Discover how taking a leap of faith and embracing the unknown can lead to persona...

Most electrical distribution and contracting professionals don’t realize how interconnected their worlds truly are. Tyler Hicks, a seasoned outside sales rep and former branch manager at Stoneway Electric Supply, pulls back the curtain on the industry’s hidden frameworks and reveals how strategic value engineering, supplier relationships, and market trends shape every project — from bid to build....

Most electricians never get the chance to master the art of control wiring or design the systems that power industrial giants. Chase Larson broke into the industry early on, combining hands-on apprenticeship with over three decades of expertise — and now he’s a control engineer shaping the future of automation. In this episode, Chase shares how he transitioned from a field electrician to a top-tie...

Building Wealth Through Real Estate and Business with Brad ChandlerIn this episode, Brad Chandler shares his journey from flipping houses to building a successful real estate business and investment ecosystem in Yakima. He discusses strategies for affordable renovations, team building, and identifying lucrative opportunities in zoning and ADUs, all while emphasizing patience, planning, and communi...

Josh Torpey sits down with Bryce Takamori of Graphite Construction to break down what it really takes to become a general contractor —and what most people don’t see behind the scenes. Bryce shares his path from excavation and civil work to running a successful GC business in the Yakima Valley, including lessons on: Learning on the job (no “overnight” success) What GCs look for when hiring (attitud...

Most homeowners and builders overlook the critical early steps that can make or break a house wiring project—and end up costing thousands. Discover the insider process that electricians use to guarantee your dream home’s electrical system is precisely tailored to your needs, budget, and future plans. In this episode, Josh Torpey pulls back the curtain on the complex yet manageable world of home el...

Join Ash Brown, a seasoned journeyman electrician, as he reveals the keys to thriving in the trades. Perfect for young aspirants and those feeling daunted by the journey, this episode offers a roadmap to success without a college degree. Discover how basic math, organization, and a strong work ethic can lead to a rewarding career. Ash shares his journey from high school auto body programs to maste...

In this episode, Josh Torpey introduces Wired WattSmart's $50 electrical safety check, an entry-level inspection service for homeowners. He explains the importance of having your electrical panel inspected, especially if you've never done it before or have recently moved into a new home. The inspection includes checking for visual burn marks, corrosion, and ensuring proper grounding and bo...