The Future of the Trades: Why Skilled Work is the New Gold Mine

From Panic Attack to 12 Companies: The Blueprint of a Reluctant Entrepreneur

In this episode of Blueprints, Michael Flory sits down with entrepreneur Dave Johnson to explore the highs, lows, and defining moments that shaped his journey from ministry leader to business owner.Dave shares how losing his job during the 2008 recession became the catalyst for building a thriving portfolio of businesses, including property management, cleaning services, jewelry, glass and screen shops, and more. Along the way, he opens up about the fear, uncertainty, and pressure of providing for a young family, the role mentors played in his growth, and the life-changing support of his wife during some of his most challenging seasons.

The Leadership Conversations That Change Teams

In this episode of Blueprints, Isabelle and Michael dive into one of the most overlooked parts of leadership: intentional connection with your team.Michael shares how a challenge from a business coach completely changed the way he leads at Custom Built Design & Remodeling — moving beyond meetings, metrics, and task lists to create meaningful monthly one-to-one conversations with his leadership team. Whether you lead a company, manage a small team, or simply want stronger relationships with the people around you, this episode offers practical insight into building a workplace where people genuinely feel seen, valued, and supported.Because great leadership doesn’t just happen in meetings — it happens in the moments in between.

The Future of the Trades: Why Skilled Work is the New Gold Mine

In this episode of Blueprints, Isabelle and Michael dive into the changing landscape of the workforce and why "blue-collar" careers are becoming the new gold mine. For years, the narrative has been that a four-year degree is the only path to success, but as the demand for skilled trades skyrockets, we’re seeing a massive shift in where the real opportunity—and wealth—is being built. We explores why skilled work is not just a viable career path, but a strategic move for the next generation of entrepreneurs and millionaires. From the autonomy of mastering a craft to the high-earning potential of specialized trades, we’re breaking down why the future belongs to those who know how to build, create, and maintain the world around us.

How We Built a Marketing Machine Without a Degree

In this episode of the Blueprints Podcast, Michael and Isabelle sit down to talk about Isabelle’s journey from growing up around job sites and door knocking neighborhoods… to becoming the Director of Sales & Marketing at Custom Built. If you're a student figuring out your future, someone interested in entrepreneurship, or just curious what it’s really like building a family business — this episode is for you.

Leading a Team at 21 (Before Feeling Ready)

What does it really take to step into leadership at a young age? In this episode of the Blueprints Podcast, Michael sits down with Isabelle to talk about the mindset shifts, challenges, and lessons that come with leading a team in your early 20s. Isabelle shares her journey from answering phones, running home shows, and door knocking as a teenager to building and leading the company’s marketing department. Together, they dive into topics like overcoming imposter syndrome, managing people older than you, building confidence as a leader, delegating effectively, and learning how to grow through discomfort. They also break down how implementing inbound marketing, content creation, and HubSpot transformed the business — taking Custom Built from almost no online presence to a thriving educational content machine generating leads through blogs, videos, SEO, and social media.