Modern Craftsman

Tyler breaks down how fixed bids had him bleeding on projects and why switching to Time & Materials, vetting hard, and charging for everyday hiccups kept the business alive. He gets into a real day-in-the-life, how he stays motivated when the work is repetitive, what younger trades are valuing now, and how being a dad changed his decisions. Show Notes:00:00 Back in the studio & why this one matters 01:23 A builder's daily reality (no fluff) 05:29 The early mistake that cost me—switching to T&M 09:15 Picking jobs and saying no (on purpose) 12:29 The client vet list that saves profit 16:13 Charge for hiccups (yes, even tool jams) 20:04 Staying motivated when the work's repetitive 22:44 What the next generation values (and the wage squeeze) 27:51 How being a dad changed how I run the business 32:50 1:1 help, next steps, wrap-up Video Version: https://youtu.be/8m_ur5LCHYI 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

Some shops run clean because the people do—no late-night texts, threaded comms, and a lean, full-sub model that actually protects margin. We also get into the personal discipline behind it (sobriety, routines, boundaries) and how that steadied cash flow and home life. https://www.clarkandaldine.com Video Notes: 00:00 Intro & sponsors 05:07 Year in review + first new build 06:16 Cash-flow punch forces a reset 16:05 Sober season: anxiety, sleep, showing up 28:00 Reading & meditation with the kids 38:47 Client comms: no texting—use threads 40:27 Only call for emergencies (house flooding) 60:00 Picking the right scopes for margins 60:50 Running lean: 99.5% subbed out 68:20 Onboarding that sets expectations 78:35 Website, portfolio & finding your client 90:00 Life/business tradeoffs you don't see on IG 104:50 Wrap-up & where to find Clark + Aldine Video Version: https://youtu.be/ZckcifjgzLo 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

Some days the hardest work is in your own head—Tyler gets into anxiety, pressure, and the habits that keep him steady on and off the job. He talks rock bottoms, drawing lines, and choosing family over every extra dollar so he can build for the long haul. Show Notes: 00:00 Not broken—just built different 03:15 Dirt bikes, wrestling, and finding an outlet 07:55 Marriage, space, and being a better partner 11:00 Serving clients without losing yourself 17:30 Anxiety, fear, and doing it anyway 19:45 Cutting out the party to get clear 24:30 Fatherhood raised the stakes 30:26 Catching myself in a manic spiral 34:59 Deadlines, profit, and pressure 38:30 Time management and saying no 40:45 Choosing family over extra dollars 44:30 Leaning into the flaws (and why that works) Video Version: https://youtu.be/7JjBgOU8E1g 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 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