In this conversation, Dylan Haas shares his journey from high school welding to becoming a successful business owner in the fabrication industry. He discusses his military service, the challenges of transitioning to full-time entrepreneurship, and the importance of communication and customer service. Dylan emphasizes the role of technology in modern fabrication and shares valuable financial lessons learned along the way. He also highlights the significance of work-life balance and the tools that have made his business successful. In this engaging conversation, Dylan Haas and Kevin Johnson explore various topics related to equipment management, innovative crane technology, and the challenges of running a business without employees. They discuss the pros and cons of different types of cranes and telehandlers, share insights on finding good deals at auctions, and reflect on the importance of family time amidst their entrepreneurial pursuits. The conversation also touches on personal aspirations, including flying and the significance of learning from others.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dylan Haas and His Journey
02:22 From Welding to Military Service
05:17 Transitioning to Full-Time Business Owner
08:07 Building a Customer Base
10:45 Challenges of Cold Calling and Networking
13:35 The Importance of Reliability in Business
16:44 Managing Workload and Technology
19:36 Collaborating with Other Contractors
22:25 Overcoming Challenges in Fabrication
25:20 Navigating Business Software and Operations
32:24 The Importance of Asking Questions
33:12 Building Business Confidence
34:23 Gradual Growth and Customer Relationships
36:23 Navigating Customer Challenges
37:36 Work-Life Balance in Home-Based Businesses
40:52 Future Plans and Property Considerations
45:14 Financial Lessons Learned
50:45 Common Mistakes in the Welding Business
53:56 Dealing with Difficult Customers
01:00:48 Favorite Tools and Innovations
01:03:52 Exploring Wireless Crane Technology
01:07:36 Choosing Between Cranes and Telehandlers
01:10:27 The Importance of Equipment Versatility
01:12:35 Navigating the Auction Scene
01:15:29 Finding Value in Equipment Resale
01:19:29 The Future of Equipment in Welding
01:23:25 Power Requirements for Laser Equipment
01:29:22 Cutting Techniques and Gas Usage
01:31:18 Equipment Management and Selling Unused Tools
01:33:14 Efficiency in Business Operations
01:38:11 Advice on Business Growth and Employee Management
01:43:00 Reflections on Personal Growth and Future Aspirations

Keywords

welding, fabrication, business, entrepreneurship, customer service, work-life balance, financial lessons, technology, tools, networking, crane technology, telehandlers, equipment management, auctions, equipment flipping, welding tools, business advice, family time, aviation, entrepreneurship

In this conversation, Kevin Johnson interviews Charles McCarthy, a welding business owner who shares his journey from starting a small welding operation to managing a large fabrication company. Charles discusses the importance of keeping processes in-house to maintain quality and timelines, the challenges of scaling his business, and the strategies he employs for customer acquisition and hiring. He emphasizes the lessons learned from mistakes made along the way and his vision for future growth. In this conversation, Charles McCarthy shares his journey from a welding job to becoming a successful business owner. He discusses the challenges of scaling a business, the importance of building the right team, and the lessons learned from experience. He emphasizes the need for effective management, the significance of understanding customer needs, and the thrill of continuous improvement in business processes. The discussion also touches on common mistakes made by small business owners in the welding industry and highlights a unique success story involving hand sanitizer stands during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this conversation, Charles McCarthy shares his experiences of building a business during a crisis, navigating the challenges of selling on Amazon, and the importance of automation and technology in driving business growth. He emphasizes the need for data-driven decision-making and the impact of investing in the right tools and processes to enhance efficiency and profitability.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview of Charles' Business
03:01 Charles' Journey into Welding and Business Growth
07:20 Scaling the Business: From Garage to 21,000 Square Feet
10:38 Team Dynamics and In-House Processes
14:02 Customer Acquisition and Reputation Management
19:00 Challenges of In-House Operations and Learning Experiences
25:21 Hiring Practices and Employee Growth
32:00 Future Aspirations and Business Vision
41:13 From Welding to Business Owner
44:15 The Sprint to Business Independence
46:46 Navigating Growth Challenges
49:55 Building the Right Team
54:21 Key Roles for a Small Shop
01:01:24 Learning from Experience
01:04:47 Managing Expectations and Emotions
01:07:45 The Thrill of Business Ownership
01:12:26 Common Mistakes in the Welding Business
01:17:56 The Hand Sanitizer Stand Success
01:23:17 Building a Business During Crisis
01:28:01 Navigating Amazon's Marketplace Challenges
01:33:42 Automation and Estimation in Business
01:45:09 Investing in Technology for Growth
01:51:09 Data-Driven Decision Making

22-year-old Knox Carmichael left high school, got his GED, learned to weld, bought a $10K camper on Facebook Marketplace, and hit the road. He’s welded garbage trucks in Denver, aluminum Navy ships in Wisconsin, and now lives in his camper in Florida doing aerospace steel welding (UT/X-ray). He travels with his fiancée, plans to start Weld Fab Auto, and shares hard-won lessons on recruiters, test jitters, and why gatekeeping hurts the trade.

“Confidence is 90 % of welding.” – Knox