Oh yeah I can do that for you!

For years, that “F*** it, I’ll figure it out” mindset was exactly how I ran my business. I said yes to everything—mostly out of fear of losing work—and then just made it happen. In the early days, it worked. But over time, as requests piled up and other trades didn’t pull their weight, I became the jack of all trades, master of none—doing whatever it took to keep jobs moving and my schedule on track.

Eventually, all those yeses caught up with me. The work I once loved became the very thing drowning me. Looking back, I should have said no a thousand times and trusted far less.

My mentor, on his deathbed, told me something that stuck: Legacy is just a thought. You’ll be forgotten, and life moves on. Don’t be a slave to the work—be a slave to living and enjoying life.

Those words are my compass now. Sure, I have regrets. But I also have hope, and there’s still time to live differently.

 

Looking ready doesn’t mean you are!

 

This is a clever visual metaphor—showing that appearance alone doesn’t reveal effort or experience, and that real work often dulls the “sharp” look but proves true value.

It also brings to mind the old sayings: you have to letter your work van, or you need a nice van or truck—but not too nice, so you don’t look like you’re making “too much money.” Or that your shop and vehicle must always look perfect for people to believe you’re a person of quality.

While there’s truth in that, there’s also something to be said for a shop that’s always busy and productive, or a van that looks sharp early in the week but shows the wear of a hard week’s work by Friday. Balancing presentation and productivity is an ongoing process that takes hours of attention and dedication.

So don’t be discouraged if your van or truck isn’t brand new, your shop is a little dustier than you’d like, or things aren’t perfectly dialed in. What matters most is the quality of the work that leaves your hands—not just the shine on the surface.

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.