You can be the passenger or the driver in life!

 Driver’s side or passenger’s side—life takes you down both roads. And when it hands you lemons, make the best damn lemonade you can.

I’m reminded of that old proverb: “Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.” That’s how I see things now.

Have I been burned on payments? Yes. Do I carry regrets? Of course.

But have I failed? No.

Could I have made better choices in life and work? Absolutely.

Still, instead of letting setbacks define me, I pause, reflect, and take pride in how far I’ve come. I enjoy the life I’ve built, the lessons I’ve learned, and the journey I’m on.

Sure, I still want more—but I never forget where I started or how far I’ve traveled.

Life is a journey, and I’m blessed to be living it.

As my mom always said: “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”

Look in the mirror—stand tall.

You’ve earned your place.

We can do better! Demo day…

 I recently watched a short clip celebrating Demo Day—often dubbed the favorite day, week, or even season for many in construction. It signals new beginnings: fresh contracts, new work, and exciting challenges. But for me, it’s always a bittersweet moment.

While others celebrate, I feel a growing frustration and sadness. Why? Because we, as an industry, continue to fall short when it comes to salvaging, recycling, and reusing materials. Too much is treated as disposable.

I’ve always been the one saying, “Save those 2x’s—they’re perfect for temporary support, blocking, or any number of other uses.” But more often than not, they’re tossed. Bricks, fixtures, cabinetry—so much of it ends up in the dumpster when it could be saved or repurposed. Yes, it takes time. Yes, it takes space. But a simple “free” sign, a quick call to a local restore, or a connection with a salvage yard can make a huge difference—for people and for the planet.

The numbers don’t lie. Construction sites are responsible for a staggering amount of waste—some estimates say up to 30% of all building materials go unused and are discarded. That includes wood, drywall, concrete, and plastics—most of which end up in landfills. Globally, construction and demolition projects generate hundreds of millions of tons of waste every year.

So where does all this waste come from?

• Inefficient Planning & Design: Over-ordering and miscalculations lead to surplus materials.
• Material Waste: Items are damaged, miscut, or simply unused.
• Demolition Debris: Tearing down older buildings generates large volumes of concrete, asphalt, and other debris.
• Poor Waste Management: Without clear systems, recyclable materials get trashed.
• Limited Recycling Infrastructure: A lack of access to recycling facilities only adds to the problem.

We can do better. We have to do better. Salvage what you can. Reuse what’s still good. Pass it on if you don’t need it. It’s not just about saving money or space—it’s about shifting our mindset and taking responsibility for the future of our craft and our planet.

The woodworking shop past, present , future!

 When I was attending the Furniture Institute of Massachusetts under Master Phil Lowe, the shop was divided into two key areas: a roughing mill room and a finish mill room. If you had to choose just one, Phil always said the finish mill room was all you really needed. Twenty years later, that lesson rings truer than ever.

There was a time when I dreamed of owning the titans of the woodworking world—16” jointers, 18–20” planers, 12–18” cabinet saws, the legendary Powermatic 66, step mortisers, tilting-head shapers, 36” bandsaws, variable-speed scroll saws, and the iconic 16” DeWalt radial arm saw. The list went on. The desire was real. And so was the belief that owning them all was necessary.

But that desire—and the need—has faded. At least for me.

Of course, it all depends on the kind of work you’re doing and the space you’re working out of. But for where I am today, while the appreciation for those machines remains, they no longer feel essential.

Now, my 36” bandsaw has been replaced with a more practical 14–18” version. My jointer is 8”. The planer is either a 13” lunchbox or a free-standing Powermatic. The step mortiser has been replaced by the Festool Domino XL and a plunge router. The scroll saw? A Carvex jigsaw suits just fine. While I still have an industrial shaper, I often opt for a basic router table—just an MDF top with a wooden fence. Even the table saw has been reduced to a DeWalt contractor model, paired with a track saw for versatility.

Add some well-tuned hand tools, and suddenly a basement shop or oversized one-car garage doesn’t feel so limiting.

In terms of tool-buying priorities, I still believe essential hand tools come first. After that, I recommend starting with a bandsaw with a reliable fence, followed closely by the jointer and planer—ideally purchased together, investing in the best you can afford. Next would be a contractor saw, plunge router, jigsaw, Domino, and finally, a track saw.

Of course, this order isn’t set in stone. Your needs, space, and the type of work you do will guide your choices. There’s no single right answer—just the realization that the old “go big or go home” mentality doesn’t always hold true.

Work life balance

 

Work-life balance rings truer today than ever. The challenge—for many, including myself—is learning how to separate the two. Even as a business owner, I struggled to know when to tap out after 50–60-hour weeks and just focus on myself and my family.

For 15 years, I worked “half days”—12 hours a day, 6 days a week. Looking back, it was a complete waste. I missed out on so much. And for what? What did I truly gain? Nothing worth bragging about.

What would I have done differently? Plenty. I would’ve focused on 1–3 scopes of work instead of trying to master every trade. I would’ve worked closer to home. I would’ve chased what I loved, not just the paycheck.

These days, I work my 9 hours and then shift focus to myself and my family. That still includes working at home—but now it’s about improving life for us. Work hard now, while you have the energy, so you can enjoy the fruits of it later. Because you can afford to do the work now—before you’re older, slower, and full of regrets.

MEP-C

 

Mechanical, electrical, plumbing-Carpentry 

Back to our regular program—so, you want to get into the trades?

By now, it’s no secret that the trades need more people, and truthfully, age doesn’t matter as much as your capability and willingness to do the work.

But let’s talk about the real questions:

How much do you get paid, and how much do you have to invest in tools to succeed in your chosen trade?

On job sites, I get a front-row seat to the tool setups of the MEPs—Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing. And while the workflow typically goes mechanical first, plumbing second, and electrical third, that order reflects something else: how much space each trade needs to get their work done.

Mechanical hvac..

Usually brings two large bags and loads of tape. That doesn’t include their fabrication tools back at the shop, but many HVAC components can now be ordered to spec and delivered directly to site.

The plumber…Depends heavily on scope, but often includes multiple packouts, presses, and specialty tools—usually backed by a van loaded with gear. Copper use has dropped significantly, changing the game even further.

The electrician…Typically, one large tool bag and a belt. Of course, they bring wire, connector, fixtures, etc., but the tool investment is surprisingly minimal.

Yes, this all varies by region, and whether the job is commercial or residential.

Now enter the carpenter walks in…

Framing, finish work, cabinet-making, built-ins, and installs—it’s often the same person doing it all. The tooling? It’s madness.

Installing deck boards? I use at least three drills—sometimes more. Why? Because time is money, and switching bits burns time. I’ve run the numbers, and in my world, owning 10 drills is more efficient than swapping bits all day. Yes, that’s extreme but I am extreme!!!

Walk into any carpenter’s shop or truck and you’ll find walls of tools and bins of sundries. I’ve yet to meet a high-end carpenter who got away with investing just $10k in tools. It just doesn’t happen.

Here’s the kicker…

Carpentry doesn’t require formal schooling even though I’d argue training matters. Meanwhile, plumbing and electrical dorequire licensing and classroom education.

So if you’re thinking of getting into the trades—choose wisely. 

Your path, your tools, and your training will shape your future.

Keep craft alive. But keep it Real!!!

 

Keep Craft Alive — But Keep It Real

I fully support keeping the craft alive. I believe in it wholeheartedly. The rewards are real — the satisfaction, the skill, the pride. But let’s be honest: it’s not always worth it financially. That depends on the trade you choose, where you live, and the type of work you’re aiming to do.

I can only speak from my own journey.

I studied furniture making at the Furniture Institute of Massachusetts under Master Phil Lowe. If you don’t know Phil, Google him — watch his YouTube videos. You’ll learn more in one clip than most schools can teach in a semester. I still watch them, and they always spark something in me.

At school, I learned to draw — both scale and full-size, all by hand. I also studied architecture in college, which introduced me to CAD. While I enjoy both methods, hand drawing will always be king in my eyes.

Beyond drawing, I learned to sharpen and use hand tools for joinery and restoration. That foundation taught me to understand the why behind the how. Master the hand tools before jumping to power tools — because then you know the true limits and advantages of each.

The journey was powerful. I made some great furniture. Looking back, maybe it wasn’t museum-worthy, but it sold — and that meant something. Though, I definitely sold it too cheap.

That’s the reality: most people don’t want to pay what it truly costs to make furniture. We live in a throwaway culture. I made a living doing repairs — because as Phil once said, you’ll never run out of work if you repair. He was right.

But even that’s changed. The antiques dried up. People now bring you mass-produced furniture that’s barely worth gluing back together — unless it holds sentimental value. And while repairs were once valued, the emotional connection is often the only thing keeping the work alive.

That shift pushed me into other work: cabinetry, millwork, wood finishing, carpentry — you name it. What I noticed is that people are willing to spend on their homes far more than on furniture. But even then, it doesn’t mean you’re rolling in money. I’m not asking to get rich — I just don’t want to stress every time the car breaks down or the boiler goes.

So yes, keep the craft alive — but also get educated. Go to school, take business classes, learn construction management, accounting, whatever. I didn’t say get a degree — I said get educated. Because without that foundation, it’s hard to sustain a business long-term.

Running a shop isn’t easy. When you’re young, you’re hungry and willing. But as you get older — with family, kids, responsibilities — the numbers have to make sense. Sometimes, working for someone else is the smarter choice. But finding the right company and team takes time, effort, and reflection. It’s not impossible — but it requires maturity and realistic expectations.

So yes — keep your options open. Keep learning. Keep growing. And be honest with yourself: do you have the grit, discipline, and clarity to make it in this field?

Whatever path you take — all the best.

New me vs old me!

 

There comes a day when you no longer feel the need to prove yourself to anyone—not because you’ve given up, but because you’ve outgrown the need.

You grow tired.

Tired of explaining.

Tired of justifying.

Tired of shrinking yourself just to fit into spaces you’ve outgrown.

You stop waiting—for messages that never come, for apologies that never arrive, for people who never learned how to love.

The truth is simple:

Not everyone will understand you.

Not everyone will stay.

Not everyone will treat you the way you deserve.

But that’s okay.

Because there comes a moment when you choose peace over proving.

Silence over reaction.

Grace over chaos.

You stop stepping into storms that were never yours to calm.

Sometimes, the most mature response is silence.

The strongest move is walking away.

And the greatest act of self-love is refusing to put yourself last.

That’s not selfishness—it’s healing.

It’s choosing yourself with courage.

It’s rebuilding your soul without waiting for permission.

And when you do that, something shifts.

Life starts to realign.

Because the right people won’t need explanations.

They’ll see you.

They’ll feel you.

They’ll respect you—without you ever having to ask.