Modern Craftsman

Nick strips it down—who he is off camera, how the brand formed, and the hits that shaped him. We get into rock-bottom cash flow, building a leadership team, and why being the same guy online and on site actually matters. Show Notes:  00:00 Getting into it 03:27 How my kids vs. clients see me 04:22 Same guy on social and on site 15:06 High school to the trades 17:33 College or straight to work 20:24 Chasing the “best version” 26:41 Pressure: internal vs. external 29:07 Owning screwups and moving forward 32:10 Building a leadership team 35:13 First home reno (and meeting my wife) 37:34 Rock-bottom cash-flow crunch 49:39 Social media’s upside for builders 53:55 Do hard things; be your best Video Version:  https://youtu.be/YipKlJk6t6I   Partners:  Andersen Windows Buildertrend Harnish Workwear  Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear   The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts:  Nick Schiffer  Tyler Grace  Podcast Produced By: Motif Media

Tyler lays out why you choose risk over the gray area, stack small reps, and show up even when you’re nervous. From the Cleveland build with Fine Homebuilding, Loctite, and Habitat to what’s next on YouTube, it’s straight talk on owning the outcome. Show Notes:  00:00 Victory vs. Defeat Mindset 09:37 Small Reps → Real Confidence 15:56 The House We Couldn’t Afford 22:06 Risk vs. Failure: Decide and Move 27:13 Managing Pre-Game Anxiety 32:20 YouTube & What’s Next Video Version:  https://youtu.be/xu0aUSEbGTo   Partners:  Andersen Windows Buildertrend Harnish Workwear  Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear   The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts:  Nick Schiffer  Tyler Grace  Podcast Produced By: Motif Media

Nick and Tyler get into Jeff Bezos’s original playbook from ’97 and pull out what actually works for the trades. It’s about taking the best ideas, tossing the fluff, and making them fit our world. Show Notes:  00:00 From Broke to $178M 07:18 It’s Always Day One 13:06 Obsess Over Customers, Not Competitors 20:25 Stubborn on Vision, Flexible on Details 25:40 Build for the Long Term 37:02 Focus on What Won’t Change 46:36 Use Data, Trust Your Gut 49:38 Innovate, Even When It’s Risky 54:59 Be Frugal — Constraints Breed Resourcefulness 61:01 Move Fast — Speed Matters 67:08 Adopt High Standards 74:38 Outro — Thanks & What’s Next Video Version:  https://youtu.be/YxEmNxrbqJE   Partners:  Andersen Windows Buildertrend Harnish Workwear  Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear   The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts:  Nick Schiffer  Tyler Grace  Podcast Produced By: Motif Media

Tyler digs into hedonic adaptation—our tendency to bounce back to a baseline happiness no matter how big the win—and shows how that “never enough” mindset is baked into trades culture. Through real-world examples and simple frameworks, he challenges listeners to redefine success and find lasting contentment beyond the next milestone. Show Notes:  00:00 – Intro & Why We Keep Chasing   02:45 – Defining the Hedonic Treadmill   06:20 – Trades Culture: Always Wanting More   10:35 – When We Move the Goalposts   14:10 – Identity vs. Productivity   18:05 – What “Enough” Really Looks Like   21:30 – Practical Steps Toward Contentment   Video Version:  https://youtu.be/mkz84afwZWY Partners:  Andersen Windows Buildertrend Harnish Workwear  Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear   The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts:  Nick Schiffer  Tyler Grace  Podcast Produced By: Motif Media  

Nick and Tyler go deep in this episode — no guest, no scripts, just a raw conversation about the regrets that shaped them. From personal struggles with self-worth to professional burnout from trying to please every client, they unpack what perfectionism costs ... and what progress really looks like in life and in the trades. Show Notes: 00:00 – Personal & Professional Regrets: Why This Episode Matters 06:42 – Reclaiming Your Voice as a Leader 15:36 – When Success Becomes a Trap 27:08 – Letting Go of the Hustle Culture 34:17 – Are You Building for the Right Person? 41:52 – Tyler’s Wake-Up Call on Client Burnout 52:40 – Money, Meaning & the Misunderstood Trade Business 1:12:48 – Tyler’s Regret: Walking Away from Wrestling 1:13:04 – Nick’s Regret: Seeking Validation 1:13:33 – What We’d Tell Our Younger Selves 1:16:57 – Confidence, Commitment & Public Accountability 1:24:19 – The Path Forward: Less Noise, More Clarity Video Version:  https://youtu.be/emL6atfbBjw   Partners:  Andersen Windows Buildertrend Harnish Workwear  Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear   The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts:  Nick Schiffer  Tyler Grace  Podcast Produced By: Motif Media

The host dives into the evolving nature of the podcast, contemplating a more curated approach to engage listeners. They reflect on the pressures of hustle culture, sharing personal stories of overwork and its effects on health and family. A candid dialogue explores ambition, authenticity, and the journey toward self-discovery. Additionally, the importance of setting boundaries to find true happiness and fulfillment is emphasized, promising a richer experience for listeners in the future.

George Bandy shares why most builders, tradespeople, and even large companies are underestimating their potential to shape the future. Drawing from his leadership at Andersen Windows and decades in sustainability and social impact, George challenges the construction industry to think bigger about community, legacy, and the true meaning of craftsmanship. Show Notes:  0:00:00 - Intro & Early Career Reflections 0:11:35 - Sustainability in Construction 0:23:10 - Mentorship and Influence 0:34:45 - Community Impact through Building 0:46:20 - Diversity and Equity in the Trades 0:57:55 - Corporate Responsibility at Andersen 1:09:30 - Changing the Industry from Within 1:21:05 - Practical Advice for Builders 1:32:40 - The Role of Craftsmanship Today 1:44:15 - Final Reflections & Closing Thoughts Video Version:  https://youtu.be/YIqP3dkeP5w   Partners:  Andersen Windows Buildertrend Harnish Workwear  Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear   The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts:  Nick Schiffer  Tyler Grace  Podcast Produced By: Motif Media

Tyler Grace shares why small business owners need to stop billing themselves like employees—and how failing to do so can quietly kill your margins. He breaks down opportunity cost, loaded labor rates, and how pricing with intention leads to a more sustainable, profitable business why small business owners need to stop billing themselves like employees—and how failing to do so can quietly kill your margins. He breaks down opportunity cost, loaded labor rates, and how pricing with intention leads to a more sustainable, profitable business Show Notes:  Undervaluing Your Time as a Small Builder (0:00) The Importance of Pricing Strategy (5:38) Opportunity Cost and Business Efficiency (22:10) Managing Subcontractors and Business Systems (28:55) Pricing and Profitability for Small Business Owners (30:22) Conclusion and Call to Action (30:36) Video Version:  https://youtu.be/PytSEl81Hcc   Partners:  Andersen Windows Buildertrend Harnish Workwear  Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear   The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts:  Nick Schiffer  Tyler Grace  Podcast Produced By: Motif Media

After nearly a decade of podcasting, Nick and Tyler hit record on a candid, unscripted conversation about burnout, direction, and the deeper purpose behind The Modern Craftsman. This episode pulls back the curtain on their evolving goals, the emotional toll of running a business, and the pressures of staying relevant in a saturated market. From questioning what growth really means to re-centering the show on meaningful conversations—not metrics—this is a raw, honest reset that long-time listeners won’t want to miss. Show Notes:  Pause and Reflection on the Podcast (0:00) Sponsor Acknowledgements and Podcast Content (1:59) Evaluating Podcast Content and Guest Selection (4:38) Exploring Broader Topics and Guest Insights (18:30) Balancing Personal and Professional Growth (20:47) Navigating Emotional and Business Challenges (24:34) Engaging with Listeners and Future Directions (1:04:36) Video Version:  https://youtu.be/tISDDZMj6fU   Partners:  Andersen Windows Buildertrend Harnish Workwear  Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear   The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts:  Nick Schiffer  Tyler Grace  Podcast Produced By: Motif Media

In this episode, Tyler talks about the disconnect between what builders show in an estimate and what clients truly need to understand. He dives deep into why leading with transparency, breaking down the budget, and walking clients through each line item creates trust, protects your margins, and actually helps win more jobs. By shifting from defending your price to explaining your value, you transform how clients perceive your worth—and how your business operates. Show Notes:  Transparency in Pricing and Client Trust (0:00) Differences in Contractor Approaches (3:47) Value Proposition and Client Education (6:12) Justifying Costs and Building Trust (9:05) Protecting Margins and Meeting Client Needs (14:20) Client Education and Value Engineering (24:11) Community Support and Personal Reflections (29:17) Video Version: https://youtu.be/p6b262PIv6Q   Partners:  Andersen Windows Buildertrend Velux Harnish Workwear  Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear   The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts:  Nick Schiffer  Tyler Grace  Podcast Produced By: Motif Media