Guest: Kevin Blackburn (Kids Making It)

What does it really mean to be a champion for the trades? In this episode, Kevin Blackburn, Executive Director of Kids Making It, shares how business owners can play a direct role in inspiring and equipping the next generation of tradespeople. From outreach and mentorship to sponsorship and storytelling, Kevin breaks down why supporting the trades isn’t just good for the community—it’s good for business.

You'll learn:

• What it means to be a true “champion for the trades”

• Why investing in the next generation protects your business and your industry

• How to get involved - school visits, mentorships, sponsorships, and tool donations

• Real-world examples of local builders making an impact

• The long-term business, social, and economic benefits of supporting youth in the trades

Episode links:

Metabo HPT

Kids Making It website

Kids Making It Instagram

Kids Making It Facebook

Kevin’s LinkedIn

Metabo HPT – Bring Back Shop Class

Guest: Zac Engler (Chief AI Officer at C4 Tech Services)

AI can feel overwhelming - too many tools, not enough clarity. In this episode, Zac Engler cuts through the noise and shows why prompting is the foundational skill that unlocks real results for trades businesses. He walks through a simple framework you can use today to estimate jobs, build bids, schedule crews, summarize specs, and more.

You'll learn:

• What “prompting” actually is—and why it beats copying random prompts off the internet
• A four-word framework (Role → Task → Context → Goal) to get accurate, usable outputs
• Common prompting mistakes to avoid
• Practical trades use cases: bids, schedules, spec summaries, multilingual comms

Episode links:

Metabo HPT

Zac’s Website

C4 Tech Services Website

Guest: David Zaycer (Coastal Contractors Insurance Agency)

Insurance might not be the first thing you think about when running a trades business, but ignoring it (or getting it wrong) can be one of the costliest mistakes you ever make. In this episode, David Zaycer breaks down the most common insurance pitfalls he sees contractors make, and how to avoid them.

You'll learn:

• Why underestimating payroll and revenue can leave you uncovered (and on the hook)

• How misclassifying employees drives up risk and costs

• What to expect (and prepare for) during workers’ comp audits

• The one key question a good agent should always ask you

• How to spot if you’re working with the wrong insurance provider

Episode links:

Metabo HPT

Coastal Contractors Insurance Agency - Website

Coastal Contractors Insurance Agency - Instagram