Make Trades Great Again

By Eric Aune, Andy Mickelson

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Subscribers: 8
Reviews: 0
Episodes: 290

Description

Welcome to Make Trades Great Again! Join Eric and Andy, seasoned plumbing and heating contractors turned business owners, as they dive deep into the world of skilled trades careers.


If you're passionate about building a successful service business or considering starting your own venture in the skilled trades industry, smash that subscribe button. With their wealth of experience and expertise, Eric and Andy share invaluable insights on everything from launching your own business, setting competitive rates, and navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.


Discover the secrets to thriving in the competitive trades landscape as Eric and Andy unravel practical tips, proven strategies, and real-life anecdotes that will fuel your journey towards excellence. Whether you're an aspiring tradesperson, a seasoned professional, or simply intrigued by the fascinating world of skilled trades, this podcast is your go-to resource for success.


Tune in twice a week for engaging discussions, in-depth interviews with industry leaders, and step-by-step guidance on investing wisely in your trade business. We'll explore essential topics like financial management, client relations, staying updated with industry advancements, and much more.


"Make Trades Great Again" is available on all major podcast platforms, ensuring you never miss a chance to level up your career in the trades. Let Eric and Andy empower you to take charge of your professional destiny and carve a rewarding path in the world of skilled trades. Get ready to transform your passion into a thriving and profitable venture!


Episode Date
Andy needs a new playlist!
Apr 30, 2024
Power struggles over the grid in Minnesota!
Apr 23, 2024
Eric had surgery. He wont shut up about it...
Apr 16, 2024
Tips & Tricks for Economic Shifts
Apr 09, 2024
Big changes coming for MTGA
Feb 27, 2024
Give me my money!
Feb 20, 2024
Quit Putting It Off!
Feb 13, 2024
Becky & Michael, RIDGID Tools
Feb 08, 2024
Samsung HVAC's Wade McCorkel live from AHR Expo
Feb 06, 2024
Bryan Orr, host of HVAC School Podcast
Feb 01, 2024
Keep The Heat On!
Jan 30, 2024
No heat, no hot water..
Jan 25, 2024
Eric looks back on '23, Forward into 2024
Jan 23, 2024
5 Things Apprentices Should Do Every Day
Jan 18, 2024
Reviewing 2023 w/ Andy
Jan 16, 2024
The Buzzfeed Quiz w/ Chad
Jan 11, 2024
Breaking Down the Estimating Process
Jan 09, 2024
Job Seekers: Do This!
Jan 04, 2024
New in town & starting a business?
Jan 02, 2024
To Replace or Not to Replace
Dec 21, 2023
Never Work With Family. Buying the business, not the baggage
Dec 19, 2023
Take this job and shove it!
Dec 14, 2023
What’s an ideal length of apprenticeship?
Dec 12, 2023
New business idea? Off grid heating
Dec 07, 2023
New hire ride-along
Dec 05, 2023
Slow down!
Nov 30, 2023
Exploring Our Coffee Rituals and Power Tool Puzzles
Nov 28, 2023
Does Andy need a new shop?
Nov 23, 2023
Cash Hoarding
Nov 21, 2023
Another App?! Are all these connected appliances necessary?
Nov 16, 2023
Trust But Verify! Dealing with job challenges.
Nov 14, 2023
When is enough, enough? Should we troubleshoot over the phone or schedule a service call?
Nov 09, 2023
Going the Extra Mile
Oct 17, 2023
Fuel Prices: Navigating Winter Heating Costs
Oct 12, 2023
Now Hiring!
Oct 10, 2023
Top 3 Mistakes New Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them
Oct 05, 2023
You installed it. You NEED to service it!
Oct 03, 2023
Don't Do What Mark Did!
Sep 28, 2023
Andy updates us on the bathroom remodel saga
Sep 26, 2023
Ditching Corporate Life: Brent McCauley talks major career change
Sep 21, 2023
Getting Ahead: Business Strategy for Seasonal Changes
Sep 19, 2023
Strategies to help close your next sales pitch
Sep 14, 2023
Ducted or Not...Heat pump install tips & tricks
Sep 12, 2023
Are we finally back to normal? Where are my materials?!
Sep 07, 2023
Eric went to the party & Andy went fishing with the guys
Sep 05, 2023
Are we seeing a shift toward Heat Pump Water Heaters?
Aug 31, 2023
The Hidden Dangers of Using Customer-Supplied Fixtures
Aug 29, 2023
Balancing Time & Tasks as a Small Business Owner
Aug 24, 2023
Recap of Eric's trip to Milwaukee Pipeline
Aug 22, 2023
Business Trials and Success Stories w/ Denver Baker
Aug 17, 2023
Mixing Business and Pleasure: Client Parties and Family Businesses...Good Idea?
Aug 15, 2023
The Job is at a Standstill, Waiting on Inspections
Aug 10, 2023
Overcoming Challenges in a Rapidly Shifting Trade Industry
Aug 08, 2023
Overcoming Jobsite Challenges, Picking The Correct Equipment
Aug 03, 2023
The Unsung Heroes of Retail: Hardware Stores in the Modern Era
Aug 01, 2023
Clash of the podcasts! Our Big Fat Collab Episode!
Jul 27, 2023
Bonus: "You gotta raise your rates!" But do we?
Jul 25, 2023
Should techs get sales incentives? Welcome Denver Baker as guest co-host
Jul 20, 2023
Bonus: How Much Money Would Be Enough
Jul 18, 2023
Labor Law changes, good or bad?
Jul 13, 2023
Bonus: Andys Job At The Courthouse
Jul 11, 2023
Taking the leap, Install to Service
Jul 06, 2023
Bonus: Should techs be recording & posting in the field?
Jul 04, 2023
Texas Hates Water Breaks
Jun 29, 2023
Vegan Woodwork & Customer Perspectives
Jun 27, 2023
17 yr-old Facebooker Looking for a Job
Jun 22, 2023
Bonus: I demand to speak with the manager!
Jun 20, 2023
Bonus: Andy is about to blow up the bathroom
Jun 20, 2023
WWYDD? What would you do different?
Jun 15, 2023
Break Time
May 16, 2023
Too Big, Too Fast? Guest Denver Baker on growing and downsizing
May 11, 2023
College vs. Trades Real Talk
May 09, 2023
Van Talk: Custom or Factory kit?
May 04, 2023
#217 Bonus: Answering DM’s about design hydronic software
May 02, 2023
#216 Can you afford your first employee?
Apr 27, 2023
#215 Things we hate about plumbing
Apr 24, 2023
#214 BS from the MTGA studio 1B
Apr 20, 2023
#213 Bonus ISH show in Germany Recap
Apr 18, 2023
#212 @thelittlestplumber Danielle Browne
Apr 13, 2023
#211 Bonus what to start doing
Apr 11, 2023
#210 I Love Plumbing! Andy Cam live from Frankfurt, Germany!
Apr 06, 2023
#209 Bonus Changing careers
Apr 04, 2023
#208 Webstone's Lisa Lyon & TAP Plumbing's Travis Abaire: Live from AHR Expo
Mar 30, 2023
#207 Bonus All the way from Germany w/ Janik from REMS Tools
Mar 28, 2023
#206 Hot Boxes and Angry Almonds with HVAC_JAY604
Mar 23, 2023
#205 Bonus A heap of smarts, online learning
Mar 21, 2023
#204 Phone A Friend: Live from AHR Expo
Mar 16, 2023
#203 Everything In It's Right Place
Mar 14, 2023
#202 Living the Remodel
Mar 09, 2023
#201 Bonus: Guilty Pleasures
Mar 07, 2023
#200 Changing Trades
Mar 02, 2023
#199 Bonus! Taking the late call
Feb 28, 2023
#198 RIDGID at AHR Expo w/ Michael Provenzano & Jim Vild
Feb 23, 2023
#197 Bonus: Its Spring Cleaning Time!
Feb 21, 2023
#196 Travis Brungardt - Catalyst Built
Feb 17, 2023
#195 HVAC Tactical founder Ben Poole
Feb 14, 2023
#194 Someone ordered the wrong boiler - Heating Talk
Feb 09, 2023
#193 Bonus - Specialty Tools and Batteries
Feb 07, 2023
#192 Patrick Caldow @aussieapprentice
Feb 02, 2023
#191 Bonus: Get Ready for a Slow Down!
Jan 31, 2023
#190 Organize Your Operations
Jan 26, 2023
#189 Bonus Trade show season!
Jan 24, 2023
#188 Can We Afford Heat Pumps?
Jan 19, 2023
#187 Bonus: Increase Efficiency!
Jan 17, 2023
#186 Should You Specialize?
Jan 12, 2023
#185 Bonus: Eric's look back on 2022 and ahead into the New Year
Jan 10, 2023
#184 Part 2 Chris Armstrong
Jan 05, 2023
#183 Bonus: All about Andy! Looking back and ahead as we start 2023
Jan 03, 2023
#182 Chris Armstrong @pstheplumber Part 1
Dec 29, 2022
#181 Take it or Leave it...Deliveries!
Dec 27, 2022
#180 Trash talk or not?
Dec 22, 2022
#179 Bonus. IOT is it really necessary
Dec 20, 2022
#178 Van talk
Dec 15, 2022
#177 Andy Takes His Bid Back
Dec 13, 2022
#176 Chad's Hot Honey
Dec 08, 2022
#175 Bonus Rub-a-dub-dub, we don't need no tub!
Dec 06, 2022
#174 Bonus Bonus What about Bob?
Dec 02, 2022
#173 New tool Flare!
Dec 01, 2022
#172 Giving customers bad news sucks!
Nov 29, 2022
#171 Gas, Electric, Fuel Oil…Which is cheapest?
Nov 24, 2022
#170 Bonus - What's your preference, copper or PEX Stub outs?
Nov 22, 2022
#169 Do you wanna buy a new tool?
Nov 17, 2022
#168 Bonus: Did Andy's Van Get Stolen?
Nov 15, 2022
#167 How Do You Get Paid?
Nov 10, 2022
#166 Handling the dirty work, when to let an employee go.
Nov 08, 2022
#165 Hurricanes and Supply chains
Nov 03, 2022
#164 Bonus 6-pack of nipples
Nov 01, 2022
#163 I like to watch
Oct 27, 2022
#162 When to hire an employee?
Oct 25, 2022
#161 AHR 2023 with Nicole Bush
Oct 20, 2022
#160 Tool Talk!
Oct 18, 2022
#159 Pay in the Trades with Chad
Oct 13, 2022
#158 Fall is in the air!
Oct 11, 2022
#157 You're Fired!
Oct 06, 2022
#156 Bonus: Can heat pumps replace gas heating systems in in the North?
Oct 04, 2022
#155 Listener questions: How do you get started on the project?
Sep 29, 2022
#154 Bonus "Find a contractor listings" Do you use them?
Sep 27, 2022
#153 Free estimates, just a marketing scheme?
Sep 22, 2022
#152 Bonus - The Electrification of everything
Sep 20, 2022
#151 Do the trades pay enough?
Sep 15, 2022
#150 Bonus Social media in the workplace
Sep 13, 2022
#149 Online -vs- Local Suppliers?
Sep 08, 2022
#148 Bonus Google reviews
Sep 06, 2022
#147 Patrick Finley @commercial_Kitchen_chronicles
Sep 01, 2022
#146 Bonus: Shark Week
Aug 30, 2022
#145 Bruce, are you naked!?
Aug 25, 2022
#144 What? No free estimates?!
Aug 23, 2022
#143 Whatcha gonna drive?
Aug 18, 2022
#142 Bonus: Drive it like you stole it!
Aug 16, 2022
#141 Troubleshooting and Home Inspections gone wrong
Aug 11, 2022
#140 Bonus Clean start
Aug 09, 2022
#139 Jamie Christensen @northwest_hvac
Aug 04, 2022
#138 Are we really stuck on this 7 to 3:30 thing?
Aug 02, 2022
#137 What it sounds like when doves cry
Jul 28, 2022
#136 What to charge part 2
Jul 26, 2022
#135 What to Charge revisited Part 1
Jul 21, 2022
#134 Bonus - Who ya gonna call?
Jul 19, 2022
#133 Then & Now: What's changed for the better in our trades
Jul 14, 2022
#132 Bonus - Proactive or Reactive?
May 31, 2022
#131 The perfect customer part II
May 26, 2022
#130 It's getting hot in here!
May 24, 2022
#129 Finding the perfect customer
May 19, 2022
#128 Big Brother Bonus!
May 17, 2022
#127 The cheapest employee you'll ever hire!
May 12, 2022
#126 The Prime Sized Chicken
May 11, 2022
#125 Healthy till you’re not…
May 05, 2022
#124 Andy will never get the 14 minutes of life back - Bonus
May 03, 2022
#123 As the world turns w/ Bob Baker
Apr 28, 2022
#122 Getting through Lull
Apr 26, 2022
#121 Making mistakes, making it right.
Apr 21, 2022
#120 Judge Andy & the 2 amigos
Apr 19, 2022
#119 Getting Paid: Credit Cards!
Apr 14, 2022
#118 Reward Miles
Apr 12, 2022
#117 Story time with Eric & Andy
Apr 08, 2022
#116 The boys are back! Bonus
Apr 05, 2022
#115 Calculating your rates
Mar 31, 2022
#114 What’s the Tip of the day, To Tip or not to Tip?
Mar 29, 2022
#113 Apprentice pods, part 2, part duex
Mar 24, 2022
#112 It's a trap!
Mar 22, 2022
#111 Apprentice Pods - Revisited
Mar 17, 2022
#110 Running for the Benji
Mar 15, 2022
#109 Matt Blomquist Build_Learn_Teach
Mar 10, 2022
#108 Bonus - After Hours Calls
Mar 08, 2022
#107 The Greatest Journeyman - Rehashed
Mar 03, 2022
#106 Bonus Tattoo Discussion
Mar 01, 2022
#105 Meeting the challenge
Feb 24, 2022
#104 Technical Work Wear
Feb 22, 2022
#103 Face tattoos & Chad
Feb 17, 2022
#102 To train or not to train.
Feb 16, 2022
#101 How much is too much?
Feb 11, 2022
#100 Andy Orders A New Van!
Feb 09, 2022
#99 Software Struggles
Feb 03, 2022
#98 Las Vegas Live with George DeJesus & Alan Carlson AHR 2022
Feb 02, 2022
#97 Make a list
Jan 28, 2022
#96 Bonus - Setting goals for the new year
Jan 25, 2022
#95 PEX Gas Pipe?! What is this stuff?
Jan 21, 2022
#94 What’s the new year bringing?
Jan 18, 2022
#93 Rural Supply Chain
Jan 14, 2022
#92 Tobacco on the job
Jan 11, 2022
#91 Bathroom Safety. Wait, what?
Jan 06, 2022
#90 The after sale logistics
Jan 04, 2022
#89 Year end Prep
Dec 31, 2021
#88 Bonus: We're going to AHR Expo
Dec 28, 2021
#87 To stock or not, friggin' supply chain issues!
Dec 23, 2021
#86 What are the plumbing fundamentals we need to teach?
Dec 21, 2021
#85 The recycling game
Dec 17, 2021
#84 Bonus - Hourly or Flat Rate?
Dec 14, 2021
#83 Thinking of hiring?
Dec 09, 2021
#82 Bonus It's simply a Logo
Dec 07, 2021
#81 Advertising to the masses
Dec 03, 2021
#80 Bonus: Andy gets rear-ended
Nov 30, 2021
#79: Friend or Foe? How do you treat your supplier?
Nov 25, 2021
#78 Bonus The Dilemma, to side work or not to side work?
Nov 23, 2021
#77 The Great Resignation
Nov 19, 2021
#76 Bonus: We asked for this.
Nov 16, 2021
75: Scheduling! Funner than you think, maybe.
Nov 11, 2021
#74 Bonus
Nov 10, 2021
#73 Regular Old Dick Tracy
Nov 05, 2021
#72 Bonus - Union VS Non-union
Nov 02, 2021
#71 Taking Vacation
Oct 29, 2021
#70 It's all in the details.
Oct 27, 2021
#69 Working together
Oct 22, 2021
#68 Bonus - We're calling a time out
Oct 19, 2021
#67 How many batteries do you need?!
Oct 15, 2021
#66 Bonus What Options?
Oct 13, 2021
#65 Get Prepared
Oct 08, 2021
#64 Bonus - Social Entertainment
Oct 05, 2021
#63 Switching Brands
Oct 01, 2021
#62 Bonus Socially Mind Blown
Sep 29, 2021
#61 Keeping your cool in the heat of it
Sep 24, 2021
#60 Bonus - Do It Now!
Sep 21, 2021
#59 Should I quit or ask for a raise?
Sep 17, 2021
#58 Bonus - Stop Talking!
Sep 14, 2021
#57 Tools for Efficiency
Sep 10, 2021
#56 Bonus - Flip Flops and House Calls
Sep 07, 2021
#55 Saying No to Custy
Sep 03, 2021
EP54 Bonus Inspect this....
Aug 31, 2021
#53 Walmart failed my inspection....
Aug 27, 2021
#52 So where do I get all this training, man?
Aug 20, 2021
#51 Are you good enough?
Aug 13, 2021
#50 Yeti or Coleman? Which one are you?
Jul 02, 2021
#49 Hey Siri, Why you talking?
Jun 25, 2021
#48 Brand Loyalty
Jun 18, 2021
#47 Where's the Bread?
Jun 11, 2021
#46 Trophies & Practical Jokes. Oh, and Chad is back.
Jun 04, 2021
#45 What an angle!
May 28, 2021
#44 Kevin from Seaside!
May 21, 2021
#43 Instagram Q&A part 2
May 14, 2021
#42 Instagram Q&A Part I
May 07, 2021
EP# 41 Just another organization episode....
Apr 30, 2021
#40 The Biggest Plumber a.k.a Alex Gouin
Apr 23, 2021
#39 The Money is in the Ground!
Apr 16, 2021
#38 Toolaholic Kiefer Limeback in the house!
Apr 09, 2021
#37 When good plans go awry!
Apr 02, 2021
#36 Bull$#it, those kids want to work!
Mar 26, 2021
#35 Apprentice Pods 2- The tale of the Golden Wrench
Mar 19, 2021
#34 Apprentice Pods! Part 1
Mar 12, 2021
#33 I owe it all to the Oregon Trail
Mar 05, 2021
#32 The best of everything?
Feb 26, 2021
#31 Who Provides the Tools?
Feb 20, 2021
#30 Asset Management
Feb 12, 2021
#29 Run what you Brung, Bro
Feb 05, 2021
#28 Chad is back. Sorry. Lol
Jan 08, 2021
#27 Put Yer Feet Up!
Jan 01, 2021
#26 Getting Paid, Part Deux
Dec 25, 2020
#25 Break 19, Can I get a radio check?
Dec 18, 2020
#24 Favorite tools, trucks & jobs.
Dec 11, 2020
#23 Is it a big thing?
Dec 04, 2020
#22 I fought the law & the law won: Warranty edition.
Nov 27, 2020
#21 Making the Connection
Nov 20, 2020
#20 Getting Paid
Nov 13, 2020
#19 Cash is King
Nov 06, 2020
#18 Advertising Your Business
Oct 30, 2020
#17 Ol' Reliable
Oct 23, 2020
# 16 Our Biggest Mistakes
Oct 15, 2020
#15 It all starts with a plan.
Oct 09, 2020
#14 Wasting Time? Job Site Distractions
Oct 02, 2020
#13 Adam Sperry Talks tools and organization
Sep 25, 2020
#12 Introducing our "sister" podcast Not Dead Yet!
Sep 18, 2020
#11 Finding the Balance
Sep 11, 2020
#10 Listen up, Apprentices!
Sep 04, 2020
#9 Opportunities by Choice
Aug 28, 2020
#8 Recruiting!
Aug 21, 2020
#7 Playing Nice on the Jobsite
Aug 14, 2020
#6 The Greatest Journeyman
Aug 07, 2020
#5 How to be a GREAT Apprentice
Jul 31, 2020
#4 It all starts at the dinner table
Jul 24, 2020
#3 Eric, the college dropout.
Jul 17, 2020
#2 Funeral flowers, sewer geysers & more.
Jul 10, 2020
#1 Hello! I'm Eric, he's Andy. We're plumbers.
Jul 03, 2020