<h1>Hard Work Pays Off: from unemployed and broke to a business owner in 5 years.</h1> Claire Carreras has an amazing home service success story and message. As a professional musician, she decided to take a leap of faith and move from her native Canada to Austin, TX in early 2020. Once in the US, she got stranded during the pandemic, unable to work and unable to go back to Canada.  Through grit, guts, and determination, Claire has forged an amazing life as the owner of <a href='https://www.1tomplumber.com/austin-tx/'>1-Tom-Plumber</a> in Austin. Today, Eric and Larry sit down with Claire and have a conversation about her incredible journey.TITLE SPONSOR: <a href='https://supertechu.com/'>Super Tech University</a> Dramatically improve your team&apos;s performance with a system of short daily video lessons training your team in soft skills. When you invest in your team and teach them soft skills, your team can make you more profit. Go to <a href='https://supertechu.com/'>https://supertechu.com/</a> for more info. Click here for a discount: <a href='https://supertechu.com/register/podcastoffer/'>https://supertechu.com/register/podcastoffer/</a>. Here is an<a href='https://youtu.be/EdRLBuSOyeg'> entrepreneur&apos;s story</a> you will relate to. SPONSOR: C&amp;R Magazine C&amp;R magazine is the leading periodical in the Cleaning and Restoration industry. Owner and editor Michelle Blevins has brought printed copies back from the dead to increase reader experience. Go to <a href='https://candrmagazine.com/'>www.candrmagazine.com</a> to get your free copy sent directly to your home or business.

<description>&lt;h1&gt;Hard Work Pays Off: from unemployed and broke to a business owner in 5 years.&lt;/h1&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Claire Carreras has an amazing home service success story and message. As a professional musician, she decided to take a leap of faith and move from her native Canada to Austin, TX in early 2020. Once in the US, she got stranded during the pandemic, unable to work and unable to go back to Canada.  Through grit, guts, and determination, Claire has forged an amazing life as the owner of &lt;a href='https://www.1tomplumber.com/austin-tx/'&gt;1-Tom-Plumber&lt;/a&gt; in Austin. Today, Eric and Larry sit down with Claire and have a conversation about her incredible journey.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;TITLE SPONSOR:&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://supertechu.com/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Super Tech University&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/b&gt;Dramatically improve your team&amp;apos;s performance with a system of short daily video lessons training your team in soft skills. When you invest in your team and teach them soft skills, your team can make you more profit. Go to &lt;a href='https://supertechu.com/'&gt;https://supertechu.com/&lt;/a&gt; for more info.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Click here for a discount: &lt;a href='https://supertechu.com/register/podcastoffer/'&gt;https://supertechu.com/register/podcastoffer/&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Here is an&lt;a href='https://youtu.be/EdRLBuSOyeg'&gt; entrepreneur&amp;apos;s story&lt;/a&gt; you will relate to.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;b&gt;SPONSOR: C&amp;amp;R Magazine&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/b&gt;C&amp;amp;R magazine is the leading periodical in the Cleaning and Restoration industry. Owner and editor Michelle Blevins has brought printed copies back from the dead to increase reader experience. Go to &lt;a href='https://candrmagazine.com/'&gt;www.candrmagazine.com&lt;/a&gt; to get your free copy sent directly to your home or business. &lt;/p&gt;</description>

Hard Work Pays Off: from unemployed and broke to a business owner in 5 years.  Claire Carreras has an amazing home service success story and message. As a professional musician, she decided to take a leap of faith and move from her native Canada to Austin, TX in early 2020. Once in the US, she got stranded during the pandemic, unable to work and unable to go back to Canada.  Through grit, guts, and determination, Claire has forged an amazing life as the owner of 1-Tom-Plumber in Austin. ...

Your team sucks, and its all your fault.

Today Eric and Larry sit down with Eric Wick, founder of Safety Team Technologies. Eric breaks down how blue-collar companies can stop bleeding cash from preventable injuries and high workers’ comp. We get real about why paper manuals and sporadic tailgate talks don’t move the needle, how XMOD actually works (and why a single $40k claim can hammer your premiums for three years), and the simple habits that create a safety culture your team buys into. Eric shows how digital, mobile-first training can automate meetings, document everything for OSHA, track hazard assessments, and even gamify participation so it sticks. If you want fewer claims, lower insurance, and crews that go home in one piece, this one’s for you. Demo the platform at <a href='https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Foursafetyteam.com%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7C%7C4c3acb00c46c463ee30508ddfc63146e%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638944224649483989%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=IHLFTt6LXpiiKt76EFgYTjGhbJxD1P6NS8SB4whfb8E%3D&amp;reserved=0'>oursafetyteam.com</a> — use code FRIENDLY20 for 20% off for life.  TITLE SPONSOR: <a href='https://supertechu.com/'>Super Tech University</a> Dramatically improve your team&apos;s performance with a system of short daily video lessons training your team in soft skills. When you invest in your team and teach them soft skills, your team can make you more profit. Go to <a href='https://supertechu.com/'>https://supertechu.com/</a> for more info. Click here for a discount: <a href='https://supertechu.com/register/podcastoffer/'>https://supertechu.com/register/podcastoffer/</a>. Here is an<a href='https://youtu.be/EdRLBuSOyeg'> entrepreneur&apos;s story</a> you will relate to. SPONSOR: C&amp;R Magazine C&amp;R magazine is the leading periodical in the Cleaning and Restoration industry. Owner and editor Michelle Blevins has brought printed copies back from the dead to increase reader experience. Go to <a href='https://candrmagazine.com/'>www.candrmagazine.com</a> to get your free copy sent directly to your home or business.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Today Eric and Larry sit down with Eric Wick, founder of Safety Team Technologies. Eric breaks down how blue-collar companies can stop bleeding cash from preventable injuries and high workers’ comp. We get real about why paper manuals and sporadic tailgate talks don’t move the needle, how XMOD actually works (and why a single $40k claim can hammer your premiums for three years), and the simple habits that create a safety culture your team buys into. Eric shows how digital, mobile-first training can automate meetings, document everything for OSHA, track hazard assessments, and even gamify participation so it sticks. If you want fewer claims, lower insurance, and crews that go home in one piece, this one’s for you.&lt;br/&gt;Demo the platform at &lt;a href='https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Foursafetyteam.com%2F&amp;amp;data=05%7C02%7C%7C4c3acb00c46c463ee30508ddfc63146e%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638944224649483989%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;amp;sdata=IHLFTt6LXpiiKt76EFgYTjGhbJxD1P6NS8SB4whfb8E%3D&amp;amp;reserved=0'&gt;oursafetyteam.com&lt;/a&gt; — use code &lt;b&gt;FRIENDLY20&lt;/b&gt; for 20% off for life.&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;TITLE SPONSOR:&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://supertechu.com/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Super Tech University&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/b&gt;Dramatically improve your team&amp;apos;s performance with a system of short daily video lessons training your team in soft skills. When you invest in your team and teach them soft skills, your team can make you more profit. Go to &lt;a href='https://supertechu.com/'&gt;https://supertechu.com/&lt;/a&gt; for more info.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Click here for a discount: &lt;a href='https://supertechu.com/register/podcastoffer/'&gt;https://supertechu.com/register/podcastoffer/&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Here is an&lt;a href='https://youtu.be/EdRLBuSOyeg'&gt; entrepreneur&amp;apos;s story&lt;/a&gt; you will relate to.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;b&gt;SPONSOR: C&amp;amp;R Magazine&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/b&gt;C&amp;amp;R magazine is the leading periodical in the Cleaning and Restoration industry. Owner and editor Michelle Blevins has brought printed copies back from the dead to increase reader experience. Go to &lt;a href='https://candrmagazine.com/'&gt;www.candrmagazine.com&lt;/a&gt; to get your free copy sent directly to your home or business. &lt;/p&gt;</description>

Today Eric and Larry sit down with Eric Wick, founder of Safety Team Technologies. Eric breaks down how blue-collar companies can stop bleeding cash from preventable injuries and high workers’ comp. We get real about why paper manuals and sporadic tailgate talks don’t move the needle, how XMOD actually works (and why a single $40k claim can hammer your premiums for three years), and the simple habits that create a safety culture your team buys into. Eric shows how digital, mobile-first traini...

From Injuries to Insurance: The Real Cost of Safety

In this episode, Eric and Larry sit down with Ryan Lee - creator of the Lighting Secrets framework and one of the sharpest minds in service sales. Ryan built his reputation by showing contractors how to turn outdoor lighting into a high-value service, and the principles behind that success apply to every trade.We break down how to position your services so homeowners see the value, not just the price...how to use storytelling and presentation to turn a &quot;maybe&apos; into a &quot;yes&quot;... and why the same psychology that sells landscape lighting can help plumbers, HVAC techs, electricians, and restoration pros close more jobs.TITLE SPONSOR: <a href='https://supertechu.com/'>Super Tech University</a> Dramatically improve your team&apos;s performance with a system of short daily video lessons training your team in soft skills. When you invest in your team and teach them soft skills, your team can make you more profit. Go to <a href='https://supertechu.com/'>https://supertechu.com/</a> for more info. Click here for a discount: <a href='https://supertechu.com/register/podcastoffer/'>https://supertechu.com/register/podcastoffer/</a>. Here is an<a href='https://youtu.be/EdRLBuSOyeg'> entrepreneur&apos;s story</a> you will relate to. SPONSOR: C&amp;R Magazine C&amp;R magazine is the leading periodical in the Cleaning and Restoration industry. Owner and editor Michelle Blevins has brought printed copies back from the dead to increase reader experience. Go to <a href='https://candrmagazine.com/'>www.candrmagazine.com</a> to get your free copy sent directly to your home or business.

<description>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Eric and Larry sit down with Ryan Lee - creator of the Lighting Secrets framework and one of the sharpest minds in service sales. Ryan built his reputation by showing contractors how to turn outdoor lighting into a high-value service, and the principles behind that success apply to every trade.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We break down how to position your services so homeowners see the value, not just the price...how to use storytelling and presentation to turn a &amp;quot;maybe&amp;apos; into a &amp;quot;yes&amp;quot;... and why the same psychology that sells landscape lighting can help plumbers, HVAC techs, electricians, and restoration pros close more jobs.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;TITLE SPONSOR:&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://supertechu.com/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Super Tech University&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/b&gt;Dramatically improve your team&amp;apos;s performance with a system of short daily video lessons training your team in soft skills. When you invest in your team and teach them soft skills, your team can make you more profit. Go to &lt;a href='https://supertechu.com/'&gt;https://supertechu.com/&lt;/a&gt; for more info.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Click here for a discount: &lt;a href='https://supertechu.com/register/podcastoffer/'&gt;https://supertechu.com/register/podcastoffer/&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Here is an&lt;a href='https://youtu.be/EdRLBuSOyeg'&gt; entrepreneur&amp;apos;s story&lt;/a&gt; you will relate to.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;b&gt;SPONSOR: C&amp;amp;R Magazine&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/b&gt;C&amp;amp;R magazine is the leading periodical in the Cleaning and Restoration industry. Owner and editor Michelle Blevins has brought printed copies back from the dead to increase reader experience. Go to &lt;a href='https://candrmagazine.com/'&gt;www.candrmagazine.com&lt;/a&gt; to get your free copy sent directly to your home or business. &lt;/p&gt;</description>

In this episode, Eric and Larry sit down with Ryan Lee - creator of the Lighting Secrets framework and one of the sharpest minds in service sales. Ryan built his reputation by showing contractors how to turn outdoor lighting into a high-value service, and the principles behind that success apply to every trade. We break down how to position your services so homeowners see the value, not just the price...how to use storytelling and presentation to turn a "maybe' into a "yes"... and why the sam...

Lighting the Way to Sales: Ryan Lee's Secrets for Selling Any Home Service

In this episode, we sit down with the leadership team from One Tom Plumber to dig into how their business model works—and what service contractors can learn from it.Whether you&apos;re a restoration company, a plumbing business, or a multi-trade operator, there’s something here for you. We unpack how combining plumbing and restoration creates new revenue streams, how branding can actually make the phone ring, and why investing in solid systems and training is non-negotiable if you want to scale.This isn’t a franchise pitch—this is a real conversation about growth, lead control, and what it takes to run a home service business that’s built to last.TITLE SPONSOR: <a href='https://supertechu.com/'>Super Tech University</a> Dramatically improve your team&apos;s performance with a system of short daily video lessons training your team in soft skills. When you invest in your team and teach them soft skills, your team can make you more profit. Go to <a href='https://supertechu.com/'>https://supertechu.com/</a> for more info. Click here for a discount: <a href='https://supertechu.com/register/podcastoffer/'>https://supertechu.com/register/podcastoffer/</a>. Here is an<a href='https://youtu.be/EdRLBuSOyeg'> entrepreneur&apos;s story</a> you will relate to. SPONSOR: C&amp;R Magazine C&amp;R magazine is the leading periodical in the Cleaning and Restoration industry. Owner and editor Michelle Blevins has brought printed copies back from the dead to increase reader experience. Go to <a href='https://candrmagazine.com/'>www.candrmagazine.com</a> to get your free copy sent directly to your home or business.

<description>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, we sit down with the leadership team from &lt;b&gt;One Tom Plumber&lt;/b&gt; to dig into how their business model works—and what service contractors can learn from it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Whether you&amp;apos;re a restoration company, a plumbing business, or a multi-trade operator, there’s something here for you. We unpack how combining plumbing and restoration creates new revenue streams, how branding can actually make the phone ring, and why investing in solid systems and training is non-negotiable if you want to scale.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This isn’t a franchise pitch—this is a real conversation about growth, lead control, and what it takes to run a home service business that’s built to last.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;TITLE SPONSOR:&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://supertechu.com/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Super Tech University&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/b&gt;Dramatically improve your team&amp;apos;s performance with a system of short daily video lessons training your team in soft skills. When you invest in your team and teach them soft skills, your team can make you more profit. Go to &lt;a href='https://supertechu.com/'&gt;https://supertechu.com/&lt;/a&gt; for more info.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Click here for a discount: &lt;a href='https://supertechu.com/register/podcastoffer/'&gt;https://supertechu.com/register/podcastoffer/&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Here is an&lt;a href='https://youtu.be/EdRLBuSOyeg'&gt; entrepreneur&amp;apos;s story&lt;/a&gt; you will relate to.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;b&gt;SPONSOR: C&amp;amp;R Magazine&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/b&gt;C&amp;amp;R magazine is the leading periodical in the Cleaning and Restoration industry. Owner and editor Michelle Blevins has brought printed copies back from the dead to increase reader experience. Go to &lt;a href='https://candrmagazine.com/'&gt;www.candrmagazine.com&lt;/a&gt; to get your free copy sent directly to your home or business. &lt;/p&gt;</description>

In this episode, we sit down with the leadership team from One Tom Plumber to dig into how their business model works—and what service contractors can learn from it. Whether you're a restoration company, a plumbing business, or a multi-trade operator, there’s something here for you. We unpack how combining plumbing and restoration creates new revenue streams, how branding can actually make the phone ring, and why investing in solid systems and training is non-negotiable if you want to scale. ...

Controlling Your Destiny: Being Creative To Create Business

In this episode of the Blue Collar Nation Podcast, Eric and Larry sit down and have a conversation with Levi Gain, owner of Doug’s Carpet &amp; Upholstery Care. Levi shares his journey from running a small, chaotic operation with one underperforming tech to leading a premium service business with consistent $750 average tickets. Levi opens up about the turning point—discovering Super Tech University—and how daily soft skills training completely transformed his team’s professionalism, communication, and client experience. If you’ve ever wondered whether investing in training actually moves the needle, Levi’s story proves it can change everything.TITLE SPONSOR: <a href='https://supertechu.com/'>Super Tech University</a> Dramatically improve your team&apos;s performance with a system of short daily video lessons training your team in soft skills. When you invest in your team and teach them soft skills, your team can make you more profit. Go to <a href='https://supertechu.com/'>https://supertechu.com/</a> for more info. Click here for a discount: <a href='https://supertechu.com/register/podcastoffer/'>https://supertechu.com/register/podcastoffer/</a>. Here is an<a href='https://youtu.be/EdRLBuSOyeg'> entrepreneur&apos;s story</a> you will relate to. SPONSOR: C&amp;R Magazine C&amp;R magazine is the leading periodical in the Cleaning and Restoration industry. Owner and editor Michelle Blevins has brought printed copies back from the dead to increase reader experience. Go to <a href='https://candrmagazine.com/'>www.candrmagazine.com</a> to get your free copy sent directly to your home or business.

<description>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of the Blue Collar Nation Podcast, Eric and Larry sit down and have a conversation with Levi Gain, owner of Doug’s Carpet &amp;amp; Upholstery Care. Levi shares his journey from running a small, chaotic operation with one underperforming tech to leading a premium service business with consistent $750 average tickets. Levi opens up about the turning point—discovering Super Tech University—and how daily soft skills training completely transformed his team’s professionalism, communication, and client experience. If you’ve ever wondered whether investing in training actually moves the needle, Levi’s story proves it can change everything.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;TITLE SPONSOR:&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://supertechu.com/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Super Tech University&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/b&gt;Dramatically improve your team&amp;apos;s performance with a system of short daily video lessons training your team in soft skills. When you invest in your team and teach them soft skills, your team can make you more profit. Go to &lt;a href='https://supertechu.com/'&gt;https://supertechu.com/&lt;/a&gt; for more info.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Click here for a discount: &lt;a href='https://supertechu.com/register/podcastoffer/'&gt;https://supertechu.com/register/podcastoffer/&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Here is an&lt;a href='https://youtu.be/EdRLBuSOyeg'&gt; entrepreneur&amp;apos;s story&lt;/a&gt; you will relate to.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;b&gt;SPONSOR: C&amp;amp;R Magazine&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/b&gt;C&amp;amp;R magazine is the leading periodical in the Cleaning and Restoration industry. Owner and editor Michelle Blevins has brought printed copies back from the dead to increase reader experience. Go to &lt;a href='https://candrmagazine.com/'&gt;www.candrmagazine.com&lt;/a&gt; to get your free copy sent directly to your home or business. &lt;/p&gt;</description>

In this episode of the Blue Collar Nation Podcast, Eric and Larry sit down and have a conversation with Levi Gain, owner of Doug’s Carpet &amp; Upholstery Care. Levi shares his journey from running a small, chaotic operation with one underperforming tech to leading a premium service business with consistent $750 average tickets. Levi opens up about the turning point—discovering Super Tech University—and how daily soft skills training completely transformed his team’s professionalism, communic...

How Training One Tech Changed Everything: Levi Gain’s Super Tech Success Story

Eric and Larry of Super Tech University, supertechu.com, have years of blue collar service business ownership. They know, all too well, that running a blue collar business is not for the faint of heart. For that reason, the Blue Collar Nation Podcast is dedicated to making the lives blue collar service business better. With humor and an unfailing optimism, Larry and Eric invite guests from all areas to the blue collar world to share ideas and help owners run their businesses more effectively.

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