In this conversation, Ryan Jensen shares his journey as a welding fabricator, detailing his transition from working for others to starting his own business. He discusses the challenges he faced, including financial management, customer relationships, and the importance of maintaining a work-life balance. Ryan also delves into the technical aspects of pipe welding, emphasizing the precision required in his work. Throughout the conversation, he reflects on the lessons learned and his aspirations for the future of his business.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ryan Jensen's Welding Journey
05:59 Building a Business: The Early Days
11:46 Navigating Financial Challenges
17:58 Managing Business Operations
23:31 Finding Balance: Saying No and Time Management
28:34 Building a Strong Team Culture
39:20 Financial Lessons and Cash Flow Management
44:17 Influences and Future Goals
49:31 Navigating Business Growth and Risks
54:30 Standard Operating Procedures in Welding
59:29 Fabrication of Piping Systems
01:04:35 Polishing and Finishing in Pipe Welding

Keywords

welding, fabrication, business journey, challenges, work-life balance, pipe welding, entrepreneurship, team dynamics, technical skills, family involvement

• In this engaging conversation, Kevin and Mike delve into the evolution of Mike's welding business, Rockin' Two Industries, which he started in 2012 with no prior experience. Mike shares his unique journey from a novice welder to a successful business owner, emphasizing the importance of networking and collaboration within the welding community. He discusses how he built connections through social media and local groups, which have been instrumental in his growth. The conversation also touches on the challenges of managing a team, maintaining a positive work culture, and the significance of saying 'no' to unprofitable projects to ensure sustainable growth.

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• As they explore the intricacies of running a welding shop, Mike reflects on the importance of building a network within the industry and the value of collaboration over competition. He stresses that many welding business owners make the mistake of trying to grow too quickly without establishing a solid foundation. The episode wraps up with insights on project management tools and the necessity of adapting to the evolving needs of the business, highlighting the importance of continuous learning and improvement in the welding industry.

Takeaways

• "I didn't know what I was doing. Got on YouTube and 13 years later, here I am."
• "Saying no has been the hardest thing for you to do in business."
• "The internet for the welding business has been really, really helpful for a lot of us."
• "If you're not thinking, if you're like the old school mindset of competition, you better rewire it or you're just going to fizzle out."
• "I will protect the culture of this shop at all costs." "It's tough to balance that out."
• "You have to have that base in place."
• "It's better to stay small and perfect what you're doing."
• "If you can justify that, go get it."
• "You need to get out there and knock on some doors."
• "You can't get rid of that."
• "There's a cost to changing gears."
• "You have to charge for that or else it catches up to you."
• "Creating that network is a pretty big deal."
• "You need to have the will to make it work."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Setup
02:09 Mike's Unique Journey into Welding
05:05 The Power of Networking in the Welding Community
08:35 Profit Sharing and Collaboration with Other Businesses
17:32 Managing a Team and Maintaining Work Culture
26:48 Future Aspirations for Rockin' Two Industries
33:49 Team Skills and Project Diversity
35:25 Overview of Shop Projects
42:18 Challenges of Business Growth
46:16 Learning to Say No
50:15 Customer Relations and Advertising Strategies
57:24 Financial Lessons Learned
01:09:51 The Right Tools for the Job
01:11:00 Space Constraints and Shop Organization
01:15:58 Common Pitfalls in Business Growth
01:19:54 Lessons Learned and Advice for New Owners
01:24:06 Managing Projects and Invoicing

In this conversation, David Seitz shares his journey from a young welder influenced by his family's legacy to becoming a business owner in the welding industry. He discusses the challenges of balancing a full-time job with his mobile welding business, the importance of time management, and the role of social media in marketing. David reflects on his experiences at the Fabricator Olympics and emphasizes the need for business acumen in addition to technical skills. He also shares insights on customer relations, pricing strategies, and the tools that have helped him succeed in his trade.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to David Seitz and His Journey
05:44 Transitioning from Employee to Business Owner
11:46 Challenges of Balancing Work and Business
17:42 The Importance of Content Creation
23:35 Customer Relationships and Word-of-Mouth Marketing
29:27 Work-Life Balance and Family Dynamics
30:15 The Humble Champion
32:19 Finding Pride in Accomplishments
34:24 Tools of the Trade
38:58 Navigating Equipment Choices
41:59 Future Plans and Family Balance
45:01 Lessons in Business Management
49:42 The Importance of Pricing
56:32 Continuous Learning and Growth

Keywords

welding, business, entrepreneurship, mobile welding, Fabricator Olympics, work-life balance, social media, content creation, customer relations, tools