TheTradesPodcast.com

Listen to more episodes here! >>>> https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-trades-podcast/id1574731261

The Skilled Trades Podcast seeks to encourage young adults to consider a career in the building trades. In every show, we talk with business owners, educators, and tradespeople to learn about the path that brought them where they are today. We also talk about the benefits of trades education, trade jobs, and the various hard and soft skills necessary to be successful.

We are looking for monthly show sponsors. Let's work together. Call (619) 850-0887 OR CLICK HERE >>>>https://thetradespodcast.com/sponsor-us/

Website
https://www.thetradespodcast.com

Hosted by
Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres

The Trades Podcast is the voice of the trades community. Where industry leaders turn for Ideas, Inspiration, and Information they need to build lasting success.

If this episode gave you something of value, inpired you or helps you be a better business person, share it with another contractor or leader from the trades community. Like, comment, and subscribe to help more people discover these conversations.

Recorded live at Estrella Venue, this milestone episode features an inspiring conversation with industry professionals April Edwards, Cheryl Robertson, Sara Graves, and Nina Ridgley.

Together, the panel dives into leadership, workforce development, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and the evolving opportunities available within the skilled trades. Each guest shares real-world experiences, lessons learned, and insights from her own journey in construction and business.

From overcoming challenges to building stronger communities within the trades, this live episode captures authentic conversation and the passion driving the next generation of industry leaders.

More than a celebration of 200 episodes, this event represents the continued mission of The Trades Podcast, elevating voices within construction and creating meaningful conversations that inspire growth, leadership, and opportunity throughout the skilled trades.

Whether you’re a contractor, builder, entrepreneur, trades professional, or someone considering a future in construction, this episode offers valuable perspective, motivation, and encouragement to keep building forward.

🎧 Listen, share, and help us continue amplifying the voices shaping the future of the trades.

April Edwards – Deck Builder Marketers

Cheryl Robertson – Superior Floor & Cabinet Designs

Sara Graves – Deck Specialist Magazine

Nina Ridgley – HBI San Marcos

Women leading in construction

The future of skilled trades

Workforce development

Mentorship and leadership

Industry challenges and opportunities

Entrepreneurship in the trades

Building stronger trade communities

Representation within construction

Live audience discussion and networking

Jeff

Danny

April Edwards -

April Edwards is a digital marketing professional specializing in lead generation and brand strategy for home improvement and outdoor living industries. She is best known as the founder of Deck Builder Marketers, a marketing agency dedicated to helping deck builders and contractors grow through data-driven online marketing.

Cheryl Robertson

Cheryl Robertson is a home-improvement professional affiliated with Superior Floor & Cabinet Designs, a business specializing in custom cabinetry, flooring, and interior design solutions. She is recognized for her hands-on expertise in residential renovation projects and her role in guiding clients through personalized design and installation processes.

Sara Graves

Sara Graves is a building-materials professional recognized for her editorial and technical contributions to Deck Specialist Magazine, a U.S. trade publication serving outdoor-living and deck-construction industries. Known as a deck-building specialist and industry communicator, she highlights emerging trends, product innovations, and professional best practices for contractors and manufacturers.

Nina Ridgley

Nina Ridgley is an American communications and workforce-development professional based in the San Diego metropolitan area. She is associated with the Home Builders Institute (HBI) in San Marcos, California, where she contributes to industry and community engagement initiatives supporting construction education and careers.

The Trades Podcast

Estrella Venue

Website
https://www.thetradespodcast.com

Hosted by
Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres

The Trades Podcast is the voice of the trades community. Where industry leaders turn for Ideas, Inspiration, and Information they need to build lasting success.

If this episode gave you something of value, inpired you or helps you be a better business person, share it with another contractor or leader from the trades community. Like, comment, and subscribe to help more people discover these conversations.

CA License: #1068425 | Over 12 Years of Experience | Licensed, Bonded, and Insured

(619) 877-8201

From a young age, Mike had a keen interest in the built environment and how things are constructed. After graduating from Washington State University and a six-month tour in Afghanistan with the US Air Force, Mike worked as a carpenter apprentice to gain hands-on experience to go with his formal education.

Mike quickly worked his way up from an apprentice, journeyman, foreman, and general foreman while managing commercial structural retrofit projects in the metropolitan area of Portland, OR.

After moving to San Diego, Mike worked as an estimator and project manager for a waterproofing subcontractor. After a few years, it was time to start a business. SSCI Structures - a lifelong vision and aspiration - came to fruition! Mike is a devoted husband and father, hardworking businessperson, talented carpenter, and passionate advocate for the construction and home service industry. He would love to discuss your project and how SSCI can help. Give us a call today!

Website
https://www.thetradespodcast.com

Hosted by
Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres

The Trades Podcast is the voice of the trades community. Where industry leaders turn for Ideas, Inspiration, and Information they need to build lasting success.

If this episode gave you something of value, inpired you or helps you be a better business person, share it with another contractor or leader from the trades community. Like, comment, and subscribe to help more people discover these conversations.

More about Salam Hasenin below!

Salam@StarFlooringandRemodeling.com

StarFlooringandRemodeling.com

I am the proud owner of Star Flooring & Remodeling. Star Flooring & Remodeling has been in business since 1979. We are a complete flooring and floor covering company. We sell, install, repair, and clean all types of flooring and floor covering such as carpet, hardwood, laminate, tile, and travertine. Additionally, Star Flooring & Remodeling is a 24/7 emergency flood/water damage restoration service. Visit our web site at www.starflooringandremodeling.com. or www.starfloodrestoration.com

Specialties: Flooring and Floor Covering Contractor licenced by the State of CA

Star Flooring and Remodeling

• Phone:
  (619) 282-4000
• Address:
  4610 Alvarado Canyon Rd Suite 1, San Diego, CA 92120
• We are open:
  Mon - Fri: 7:30 AM - 4 PM Sat: 8 AM - 12 NOON

Website
https://www.thetradespodcast.com

Hosted by
Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres

The Trades Podcast is the voice of the trades community. Where industry leaders turn for Ideas, Inspiration, and Information they need to build lasting success.

If this episode gave you something of value, inpired you or helps you be a better business person, share it with another contractor or leader from the trades community. Like, comment, and subscribe to help more people discover these conversations.

This week had a chance to speak with Jeff Mudd, Home Improvement Contactor, Writer of the "Millionaire Carpenter Series", and Podcaster.

Jeff has a very unique story and vision of the future of the trades and we got a chance to hear more about "Sally the Tile Setter" short story from his "Millionaire Carpenter Series".

Are you looking to get in touch with Jeff and learn more about his business opportunities and resources? Check out his info below and feel free to reach out!

Jeff Mudd-

https://thetradespodcast.com

https://wildwildpestcontrol.com

https://wildwildpestcontrol.com/careers/

Website
https://www.thetradespodcast.com

Hosted by
Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres

The Trades Podcast is the voice of the trades community. Where industry leaders turn for Ideas, Inspiration, and Information they need to build lasting success.

If this episode gave you something of value, inpired you or helps you be a better business person, share it with another contractor or leader from the trades community. Like, comment, and subscribe to help more people discover these conversations.

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Whether your home has been a victim of a plumbing leak, flood or a roofing fiasco, and you find yourself lost or overwhelmed and don’t know who to turn to, don’t fret the Medics will be there to the rescue. Consider us your homes first responder, except we will be there for you from the beginning to the end, holding your hand throughout the whole process. The “Dry-Out Medics” are here for San Diego residents whenever they’re facing an emergency flood or water damage situation to their homes. Our IICRC certified technicians are on stand-by, ready to be dispatched for a no cost assessment within the hour of receiving the distress call. From natural disasters to broken pipes inside the home, water damage can affect the structural integrity of the home and the residents health if not contained, removed and dried out in a timely manner in accordance with the IICRC Ansi 500 dry standard. That is why we are considered an emergency service, and covered by homeowners insurance.

Website
https://www.thetradespodcast.com

Hosted by
Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres

The Trades Podcast is the voice of the trades community. Where industry leaders turn for Ideas, Inspiration, and Information they need to build lasting success.

If this episode gave you something of value, inpired you or helps you be a better business person, share it with another contractor or leader from the trades community. Like, comment, and subscribe to help more people discover these conversations.

In this episode, Jeff and Danny explore current workforce data and projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), focusing on the growing demand for skilled trades professionals across the United States.

They discuss how industries like construction, energy, and infrastructure are creating increased demand for roles such as welders, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians. The conversation also highlights newer opportunities connected to renewable energy systems, electrification, and AI-driven infrastructure development.

The hosts break down median wage insights, job security trends, and long-term employment projections, showing why trades careers continue to outperform expectations in stability and earning potential.

They also emphasize the importance of awareness, mentorship, and training programs to help close the gap between open positions and available skilled workers.

guest links

Twitter - https://twitter.com/JeffMudd

LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/jeffmudd

Website - https://thetradespodcast.com/

key topics

• Demand and growth in skilled trades
• Median wages and job openings
• Emerging fields: solar, AI infrastructure
• Career pathways in welding, carpentry, HVAC
• Impact of technology and geopolitics on trades

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to the Trades Podcast and Overview of Part Two
• 01:19 Exploring the Demand for Skilled Trades
• 05:46 Welding: Opportunities and Industry Insights
• 09:54 Carpentry: Career Paths and Earnings Potential
• 13:47 Construction Labor: Entry Points and Growth
• 17:53 Heavy Equipment Operations: Skills and Opportunities
• 23:21 Career Longevity in Heavy Equipment Operations
• 23:58 Transitioning from Laborer to Heavy Equipment Operator
• 25:40 Understanding Industrial Machinery Mechanics
• 27:25 Opportunities for Retiring Workers in Mechanics
• 29:18 The Role of HVAC in Modern Infrastructure
• 31:25 Elevator and Escalator Mechanics: A Niche Field
• 34:27 The Financial Benefits of Elevator Installation Careers
• 37:24 The Growing Field of Solar Energy
• 40:19 Regional Demand for Solar Installers
• 41:56 Future Opportunities in Solar and Space
• 43:13 Recap of Key Trades and Their Growth
• 44:53 The Value of Trades vs. Traditional College Paths
• 47:07 Building a Positive Work Culture in Trades
• 49:02 The Demand for Skilled Workers in the Trades

resources

• Bureau of Labor Statistics 2026 Report - https://www.bls.gov/
• BlackRock Skill Trades Investment - https://www.blackrock.com/
• Simpson Strong Tie Texas Facility Tour - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example
• SpaceX Artemis Missions - https://www.spacex.com/
• Solar Energy Industry Insights - https://www.energy.gov/renewables/solar
• National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) - https://www.nahb.org/

Website
https://www.thetradespodcast.com

Hosted by
Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres

The Trades Podcast is the voice of the trades community. Where industry leaders turn for Ideas, Inspiration, and Information they need to build lasting success.

If this episode gave you something of value, inpired you or helps you be a better business person, share it with another contractor or leader from the trades community. Like, comment, and subscribe to help more people discover these conversations.

In this episode, Jeff and Danny sit down with Scott Levene, Vice President of LevCo, to discuss how a multi-generation family business stays competitive in a rapidly changing home-services and energy landscape.

Scott shares the history of the company, which began in 1980 and has grown from fuel delivery into a full-service provider of HVAC, heating oil, propane, and home comfort solutions. The discussion focuses on preserving company culture, leading through generational transitions, and using technology to create better customer experiences.

The incredible journey of LevCo, from its early beginnings as a coal and fuel company to becoming a modern provider of HVAC, heating oil, propane, indoor comfort, and energy services across Connecticut. With deep family values at the center, Scott explains how three generations of leadership have shaped a culture built on accountability, customer trust, and long-term relationships.

The conversation also dives into the future of the trades, where AI, automation, and smarter service systems are changing how companies operate. Scott offers insight into how LevCo is embracing technology without losing the personal connection that makes family businesses special.

Key themes include:

• The power of family-owned leadership in the trades
• Building a culture that spans three generations
• Adapting HVAC and fuel delivery operations to market shifts
• How AI and automation improve dispatching, communication, and service
• Why customer trust remains the most valuable business asset
• Preparing the next generation of leaders inside a legacy business

• LevCo
  https://levco.io

• How family-owned trades businesses scale without losing culture
• Why generational leadership can be a competitive advantage
• How AI is reshaping service and dispatch operations
• The role of trust in HVAC and fuel delivery customer relationships
• How to future-proof a legacy business

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Lefco and Scott's Background

02:59 Navigating Challenges During COVID-19

06:33 Company Culture and Employee Retention Strategies

09:36 Recruitment and Training Practices at Lefco

12:22 The Importance of Customer Service in Business

15:04 Family Legacy and Multi-Generational Business

17:54 Scott's Transition from Soccer to Business Leadership

26:04 The Influence of Sports on Work Ethic

29:57 Business Development and Continuous Improvement

33:28 Leveraging AI in the HVAC Industry

36:54 Advice for Aspiring HVAC Professionals

40:43 The Importance of Self-Motivation in Trades

44:31 Future Growth and Diversification Strategies

Website
https://www.thetradespodcast.com

Hosted by
Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres

The Trades Podcast is the voice of the trades community. Where industry leaders turn for Ideas, Inspiration, and Information they need to build lasting success.

If this episode gave you something of value, inpired you or helps you be a better business person, share it with another contractor or leader from the trades community. Like, comment, and subscribe to help more people discover these conversations.