Bluecollar Foundry is a 6-week mentorship program tailored for those looking to start a business in the trades—but the principles apply to any service-based business. Each week features a 40-minute Zoom session with Eric, covering leadership, pricing, sales, legal setup, and more. For local students, optional ride-alongs offer a firsthand look at how a real business operates in the field.
6 weeks. 1 lesson Per Week.
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Lesson 1: Laying The Foundation
“If you start on shaky ground, everything you build will crack.”
In week one, we dig deep into who you are and what kind of business you should be building. This isn’t just about choosing a trade—it’s about identifying your strengths, values, and long-term goals. You'll learn why surrounding yourself with the right people is critical, even before you start hiring. We’ll explore how to shift your mindset from worker to owner and begin shaping a clear vision for the kind of life and business you want to create. This week sets the tone—and everything that comes after will be built on it.
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Lesson 2: Grit, Leadership & Problem Solving
“The job site doesn’t care about your excuses. You either figure it out or fall behind.”
This week is about developing the inner traits that separate business owners from everyone else. You’ll learn what real leadership looks like—starting with how you lead yourself. We’ll cover how to stay disciplined when no one is watching, how to respond when things go sideways, and how to solve problems when the blueprint goes out the window. The trades demand fast thinking and calm under pressure, and you’ll leave this week with tools to handle both.
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Lesson 3: Week 3: Sales & Marketing That Actually Works
“If you don’t know how to sell, you don’t have a business—you have a hobby.”
In week three, we cover how to market yourself and your business without wasting money or sounding like everyone else. You’ll learn how to communicate your value in a way that earns trust—and business. We’ll talk about how to build a strong reputation before your first job, what to say when a customer asks why they should hire you, and how to follow up professionally. You’ll also learn the difference between marketing, branding, and lead generation—and how to use each one effectively.
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Week 4: Making Money & Managing Taxes
“Revenue feels good. Profit pays the bills.”
This is where the business gets real. You’ll learn how to price your services properly—not to undercut competitors, but to build a profitable, sustainable operation. We’ll cover how to separate personal and business finances, track expenses, and prepare for taxes as a self-employed business owner. You’ll understand the financial traps that wipe out most startups and how to avoid them—so you’re not just making money, you’re keeping it.
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Week 5: Licensing, Legal & Setup
D“You don’t need a lawyer to get started—but you do need to do it right.”
In week five, we walk through the essential steps of setting up your business legally and protecting yourself. You’ll learn the difference between LLCs and sole proprietorships, what kinds of insurance you need, and what permits or licenses are required in your trade. We’ll also talk about basic systems for tracking jobs, payments, and paperwork—so you’re not lost when tax season rolls around or a client asks for a receipt. This week gives you a clean, legit starting point.
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Week 6: Launch Plan & First 6 Months
“You don’t need everything perfect. You need a plan and a start date.”
The final week is about execution. You’ll leave with a clear, step-by-step plan for getting your first customers and keeping momentum once things start rolling. We’ll talk about how to stay focused when things get hard, how to build a weekly rhythm that balances doing the work and running the business, and how to recognize the signs that it’s time to hire, raise prices, or shift direction. It’s your blueprint—and you’ll know exactly how to start building with it.