In Episode 105, Mike and Derek break down Robert Kiyosaki’s Cashflow Quadrant for blue-collar workers and deliver a practical 6-step blueprint to start and grow a profitable trade business while still keeping your day job. From validating your idea and staying lean to knowing exactly when to quit and how to avoid the classic rookie mistakes, this is the no-BS roadmap thousands of tradespeople have been waiting for.
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00:00 Intro & banter – who’s the new MC?
02:05 The skilled-trades workforce crisis: 2.2 million leaving every year
06:04 Shout-out to sponsors & how the show gives back to BOCES programs
07:42 Introducing Robert Kiyosaki’s Cashflow Quadrant (E to S to B to I)
09:23 Derek’s origin story – from construction laborer to business owner
14:02 Step 1: Validate your idea (research, competitors, test with friends/family)
19:07 Step 2: Build a financial safety net (keep the full-time job, save 3-6 months)
24:43 Why rushing without a cushion destroys decision-making (Mike’s story)
28:07 Track revenue & expenses from day one (even if you hate bookkeeping)
31:25 Step 3: Start lean – no big equipment or truck purchases until you have paying clients
36:33 Turn vehicles from liabilities into rolling billboards
41:30 Sell without spending on marketing – networking beats ads in the beginning
46:13 Step 4: Manage your time (evenings/weekends, power lists, boundaries)
50:56 Pay-time vs non-pay-time & the Pareto principle for tradespeople
54:21 Patreon tease: Step 5 (when to go full-time) & Step 6 (common mistakes)
55:10 Outro & sponsor thank-you
56:05 Episode ends