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In this episode, Kevin sits down with Marisa Mitchell, owner and custom metal fabricator behind Mars Fabrication in Knoxville, Tennessee. Marisa shares the raw, behind-the-scenes reality of walking away from a full-ride graduate school scholarship to weld for $15 an hour, building a business out of a rented outdoor shed, and dealing with hostile job-site project managers who questioned her skills and tried to steal thousands from completed jobs.

We dive deep into how Marisa navigated contractor disputes, why she strictly enforces a 75% deposit rule on custom builds, and how old-school networking beats paid digital ads for high-ticket trade clients. We also break down the long-term physical wear of fabrication, tool recommendations (ArcCaptain vs. Hypertherm), and the deliberate decision to keep a business solo to protect time freedom.

Key Takeaways:

• Handling Hostile Job Sites: How Marisa tackled project managers who tried to withhold a $6,500 final draw and trash her job site.
• The 75% Deposit Rule: Why solo trade operators need to protect their cash flow and stop taking low upfront deposits.
• Landing High-End Clients: How direct networking with interior designers, architects, and handing out physical brochures drove 20+ railing projects in a single neighborhood.
• The Physical Toll of Trades After 30: Managing joint strain, carpal tunnel risks, and why lifting heavy in the gym is critical for welding longevity.
• Solo Freedom vs. Managing Crews: The intentional choice to avoid payroll headaches and retain control over your schedule.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Intro: Female Business Owners in Custom Metal Fabrication
• 01:13 – From Fine Arts Sculpture to Welding: Turning Down Grad School for $15/hr
• 05:11 – The Shed Era: Rolling a Welder Outside in the Dead of Heat
• 07:30 – Landing 20 Railings in One Neighborhood Through Referrals
• 09:48 – Guerrilla Marketing: Metal Business Cards and High-End Print Brochures
• 11:27 – The Breaking Point: Handling Undervaluation & Going Independent
• 13:23 – Confronting Stereotypes on Job Sites: "You're Not a Welder"
• 15:45 – Custom Learning Curves: Trial, Error, and Not Freaking Out Over Mistakes
• 18:11 – Why Marisa Teaches Hands-On TIG, MIG, and Stick Classes
• 21:27 – The $6,500 Nightmare: Why Mars Fabrication Switched to 75% Deposits
• 28:37 – Kevin’s Worst PM Story: Setting Boundaries with General Contractors
• 34:29 – Grinding After 30: Joint Pain, Prevention, and Shop Ergonomics
• 38:19 – Favorite Shop Tools: Plasma Cutters, ArcCaptain vs. Hypertherm, and Torches
• 42:24 – Surviving Economic Slowdowns: Glassblowing, CAD Work, and Side Hustles
• 46:38 – Why Marisa Stays Solo: Avoiding the Trap of 80-Hour Workweeks
• 49:44 – Crucial Advice for Welders Looking to Go Full-Time

Connect with Marisa & Mars Fabrication:

• Website: https://www.mars-fabrication.com/
• Instagram: @mars_fabrication
• Email: marisa@mars-fabrication.com

Subscribe to the Channel: If you enjoyed this conversation, hit the Subscribe button, give this video a Thumbs Up, and drop a comment below sharing your biggest takeaway from Marisa's journey!

Tags / Keywords: welding podcast, custom metal fabrication, female welder, trades entrepreneurship, architectural railings, welder business pricing, contract disputes construction, welding business tips, shop ownership, Mars Fabrication, trades business growth

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What does it take to lose everything, hit rock bottom, and build back a thriving business? In today’s episode, we welcome Lonnie Smith III of Crosstrades LLC and Run Welding.

Lonnie takes us through his incredible journey: starting out in custom car audio, contracting in Iraq during the war, working as a pipeline welder, surviving a SWAT raid on his home, and overcoming severe addiction. Today, Lonnie restores and customizes welding machines for clients across all 50 states, runs a custom parts e-commerce shop, and hires recovering addicts to give them a second chance.

Key Takeaways:

• The real trade-offs between pipeline travel income and local business equity.
• Technical breakdowns of Lincoln vs. Miller engine drives.
• How to structure business workflow around ADHD and neurodivergent processing.
• Creating scalable second-chance training initiatives within trade shops.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Intro
• 01:08 – High-End Custom Cars & Military Contracting in Iraq
• 07:25 – Entering Union 798 & Pipelining
• 10:45 – Finding a Niche in Welder Machine Repair
• 15:00 – Addiction, SWAT Raid, Rehab & Fresh Start
• 20:45 – Building Crosstrades LLC from Scratch
• 31:20 – Mentorship & ADHD Management Systems
• 38:30 – Viral Videos & E-Commerce Growth
• 1:10:25 – Machine Honest Reviews: Lincoln SA-200 Breakdown
• 1:26:50 – Implementing AI & Systems in Fabrication

Socials & Links:

• Website: runweldingparts.com
• Facebook: Crosstrades LLC
• Phone: 570-665-8007
• https://www.facebook.com/share/v/189bi4pWnX/?mibextid=wwXIfr
  
  crosstradesllc.com
  
  https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPLddy9AH/
  
  https://youtu.be/2V4SDnp7HIY?feature=shared
  
  https://www.instagram.com/p/Da4CDs3lejq/?stkn=d2ttMDM1czNzanZp

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If you guys ever wondered what the Fabricator Olympics is like in person, here's your chance to see it.

This week's episode is a recap of the 2025 Fabricator Olympics.

Don't forget, virtual tickets for the Welding Business Summit will be available October 2.