This Carpenter Designed Innovative, Functional Clothing for Tradespeople (& It’s CHANGING the Industry) with Pete Zeppetella

SPEAKER_00 0:00

You gotta work hard. Everybody's gotta work hard, but you can still do it doing you know, being comfortable, right? Totally in your element. Let's be honest, no matter how hard the work is, let's be honest, even what you were doing, right? Like do what you're doing now. When you're no matter how hard that job is, but because you're in your element, you're comfortable. Yes, but finding your element. That's the key, right? And I think that's uh with the trades, man. Like when you get into the trades, like I jump around, you you sort of slide in to where you like to be, and and you find that, and that's what I love about the trades, right? Because you can slide, you can jump from one. I'm a carpenter today, I'm like, yeah, this ain't so great. But I can say, Hey, you know what? I'm gonna try HVAC today and and and jump into it, and and and you can experiment, like you know what I mean, till you actually get someone to apprentice to you to like what what do I like to do? What am I good at? Because I believe everyone's good at something, right? 100%. Find it, like I said, it could be hard, but to you, you're comfortable because you're in that element, you like to be there, you want to be there, right? That's the difference I find from everybody. You know, you hear I just doing this.

SPEAKER_01 1:08

I have to like well, no, you don't really have to. You don't have to, man. You really don't. It's a choice. You could choose to go and pick another boss, pick another line of work, pick another way to serve your community. It is 100% a choice. What's going on? That is Mr. Pete Zeppatella, the mastermind behind Zepp's Gear. What's Zepp's Gear? Well, Zepp's Gear is the underarmour of construction. Uh, this carpenter, leader, entrepreneur, inventor has has led a pretty interesting life. I think you're gonna be kind of surprised by what his earliest career aspirations are. And I think because he and I have so much in common, having been out in the field and been forming and leading groups and so forth, we got to talk about the incredible skills that our tradespeople develop out there in the trades that translate into entrepreneurship and all kinds of magical things. Pete tells us about his key to making a vision come to fruition. It's not a super complicated one, uh, but it does take focus and intent to really bring it to life. And for all you 80s and 90s people out there, we get to talking about Z Cavaricis, the hammer pants, the Jabo pants. So if you got some, man, break them out, take you a selfie, and let's post it so we can reminisce and laugh a little bit with each other. Always got to give a shout out to our patrons, the folks that have signed up and are contributing to the mission. Um, and you know, we got a little secret thing. I don't know about if y'all know this, uh, but we just launched a book, Miss Jennifer Lacey and I. And so, shout out to the no BS tribe for all the support and all the posts. People have been posting pictures with them in the book. They just got the book, they're excited. You have no idea how meaningful that is. I want to say appreciation to the no BS tribe, appreciation to our patrons because you keep pumping life into me, into us, and you help me see new ways to better serve uh our community. I appreciate you deeply. So I'm gonna stop blabbing, and here we go, Mr. Pete Zeppotella. What's going on, LM family? Jesse here, and I got my friend that I should have been talking to. Like, I feel like we could talk and talk and talk and talk like every weekend, bro. We got a barbecue. Uh, Mr. Pete Zeppotella, you're up in uh Toronto.

SPEAKER_00 3:56

Uh I'm by Toronto, yeah, St. Catharines.

SPEAKER_01 3:59

St. Catharines, Canada. All right.

SPEAKER_00 4:02

Yeah, baby.

SPEAKER_01 4:02

How you doing, my man?

SPEAKER_00 4:04

Good, good, good. Zepp's Gear is here. Peace, Zeppatella.

SPEAKER_01 4:07

Zepp's Gear in the house. Uh you you gave me um, well, I'm just gonna say this out loud so everybody can give us hold us accountable. We were kicking around. I shared my little idea of live streaming uh with people that that are doing amazing things to serve the industry, to serve the men and women out there in the trades. And you gave me a beautiful run through of your jacket. I'm like, oh bro, we gotta live stream that. We gotta live stream this. We're gonna do it, man. We're gonna do it. Man, I appreciate you making the time uh to be on to first to just connect and get together, uh, and also to be here on the podcast. But for all you LM family members out there that are watching on YouTube, or if you're not watching on YouTube, go to YouTube and you'll see we got the Zepsgear.com little streamer running across the bottom. And because he's from Canada, that's Zeppsgear.ca. All right, so there's there's a difference, but you can access it from either one. Oh, yeah, right. If anybody wanted to get get some of your gear, yeah. Um, so you're a carpenter, you build uh scaffolds, you're a inventor, entrepreneur. What like you got it going on, brother? What else should people know about you, man?

SPEAKER_00 5:23

I do mechanics, I do everything. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Like I've I've uh I've been around, let's just say that. Like I'm 49. Okay. Uh 49 years old. I've been in uh carpentry itself for over 30 something years. Uh yeah, I've been around for quite a while, right? So it shows you I started very, very early. Um be honest with you, uh, I got pushed into carpentry. I uh at the time I really, you know, I'm like, whatever, right? Right. My mom, she uh like actually pushed me into the the actual carpentry industry. Really? Yeah, man. Uh so what happened? I'll tell you a little story. Um so so when I was a kid, like like younger, right? Uh you know, um eight, nine, whatever, like I'm Italian, and the Italian, oh you gotta work. That's just the way it is, you know. Okay, because you gotta look at it like this, it gives you a good structure in life, right? And and it shows you you you understand the value, you know what I mean, of money and everything because you start working for your money young age, man. So my mom and my dad, like when my dad would be, he worked at Port Weller Dry Docks and stuff, building boats and stuff. And when he would be off, what he would do is like we'd go to the peach farms. I I live right next door to Niagara on the Lake, lots, lots of peach farms, not so much now. They're tearing them out. Boo. A sin, man. But um, I used to go there, pick peaches, pack peaches, stuff like that. And as I was getting older, every summer I'd be going there, right? You know, you do your school, and then summertime, oh peaches again, right? Like, so I told my mom the one time, I don't want to do this no more. I don't want to pack peaches, like you know, I want to do something else, or like I don't want to go to work, right? I'm a kid, right? I want to go play fucking soccer. You know, oh no, no, no, no. So she's like, okay, you don't want to do that? That's fine. So uh this guy, Nicole uh is Nadala is his name, right? He's a car a Finnish carpenter, really good at what he does. And my mom's like, it was a friend of hers, so she's like, Oh, see that guy? You're working with him this summer. Yeah, so I was like, uh, I don't even know how old I was, like 12 or 13, getting onto a job. But see, that's the thing, things were different back then, right? It's not like you have you gotta be a certain age, you can't just go on to a job. You know, young kids can get stuff to make sure you wear all your PPE, and so got into trim work right away, do a building. I'm like, holy shit, what the heck is this, right? But before that, I'm gonna backtrack just a little bit. Before that, I live in Sincala, I live in a city, right? But back then the city wasn't when it wasn't as big as it was, and my dad decides like they reused rabbits and stuff. We built a barn in my backyard. Okay. I am a little kid. My dad's like, you're gonna learn how to cut wood, like so. I was cutting wood, straightening out nails for my daddy, like, because then it's waste, right? So I was climbing buildings and everything when I was a kid. Yeah, so she knew I can cut wood, knew how to, you know, my dad taught me how to, you know, read them as escape, all that stuff, right? So she pushed me into this guy, and then from there I sort of just petered on because then I was like, you know what? To me, it was comfort comfort, it was like easy. I learned younger, and and now it's like, okay, I'm like 12, 13, I'm a little smarter. You think you are, anyways.

unknown 8:38

Right?

SPEAKER_00 8:38

Uh so okay, cut wood, measure this, do that, you know, cope. He taught me how to cope wood, and and and it's one thing led to another, so I stuck it out and and I started like, okay, this ain't too bad. And then I sort of for a while there I started getting, uh, you know what? Like, I even he he had a brother, he would do framing also. So when we were slow, I would go do framing with like we would go and do framing with him. So I got best of both worlds. So now I can finish a house. I could I could put all your windows in, you know what I mean? I can and then later on during life I started getting into hardwood floors, like putting your hardwood floors in and everything, right? Cabinets, you know, and all that. So so I got really well rounded, right? But I started getting like I like I like cars, man. Like I got a hot rod, I got a 53 chef pickup, right? Oh, yeah, cut up, it's custom. I call it my rat rod, right? It's like you see this thing up and because I was in the cars, and then I'm reaching now. I'm like, you know, I'm a couple years, like you know, I'm hitting 15-16. I built my own car, right? So I had a 78 Monte Carlo, it was sitting in the kitchen, sold it to me. It didn't run, right? Fucking mustade all the seats, so here I am. So I ripped everything apart, you know, at the time, and then uh a friend of mine gave me a train. He a friend of the guy, he got, you know, I got a motor, right? Through a five, and so started putting the stuff together. Guys I hung out with they're car guys, right? And I so I go to work, I still did my carpentry and stuff, went to school, high school, and then after work, I would work a couple hours, and then I work on a car, right? And then I started, so I built my own car, like got it running and everything, right? Like, you know, put it all together. 16, yeah, get my license, baby, get this thing going. So then I'm like, this is cool, I really like this. So I tried to, to be honest, I tried to get out of carpentry. Well, one trade to another, you know what I mean? Like, it's not like I'm getting out of the trades. I just wanted because I'm good with my hands, so I wanted to get into mechanics or something. Tried that for a while, but uh everything was going okay, like going good. Like I was learning a lot. I was almost almost getting an apprenticeship. Like I worked at a few shops, like got really close. But back in 96, that's when everything sort of took a twist. Major car wreck. To be honest, like uh I had a gentleman like my stepbad, he like, you know, he goes, Why don't you do CNC, man? You know, get like now you're like screwed up, you know, get into CNC, use your mind, right? Yeah, yeah. Okay, I don't know, right? So I went, he's you know, he pushed me to college, went to college for a while. Uh I ended up working uh Fort Erie, uh fleet industries at the time it was called. So we're uh making airplanes there, right? I was doing like uh Boeing 747s and stuff like that, rings and stuff like that, and helicopters. And I was uh fabricating, I would fabricate you know, material and stuff like that, like make the parts. So I thought it's fucking cool, man, right on. So it's it's it's funny how things I think what happens in life is sort of like you get pushed different ways, and I think uh God has a path for you, right? Like I don't know if you can, but I think there's a path built for you. So I jumped from carpentry, went to cars, and well, you know, like didn't work out to building airplanes. They had a they they actually going on a strike, and when they went on strike, that's when I fell back into carpentry. Like I had a buddy that was working with me there. We got back in like he did he had a hardwood floor company. Okay, and you know what, man, like let's get back into it. Okay, so I started doing hardwood floor with him Staddy constantly. He's like, You're good. I said, Well, I'm when I was a kid, I used to do it all the time, man. Like I did it all through high school. Well, I did it all always in the trade, right? Yep, and like right on, right? So then one thing led to another, I ended up joining the carpenter's union, and now that's where I am now, like building scaffold, did the casino in Niagara Falls, you know what I mean? Like lots of cool projects, you know what I mean? And me, I like stuff like I like if I build something, build it so like it's been there, you know what I mean. So when you walk away, it looks like it's always been there, right? You know what I mean? That's who I am. That's how I got into the trades, that's how I got to do what I'm doing, right? Yeah, you know, that's a little bit of a story about me.

SPEAKER_01 12:48

So mom said, uh-uh, brother, you don't want to be out there picking peaches, you're going to work with the neighbor. He was a carpenter, yeah, and you like tinkering around with you. Built your first car, teenager, figures figuring it out, right? Go. I'm sure you were the here in San Antonio. We have um called pick and pull.

SPEAKER_00 13:11

Yeah, we got a picker down here too. Yeah, right.

SPEAKER_01 13:13

You just go and you find your car and pull whatever it's cheap, right? It's inexpensive when you're a teenager. I ain't gonna be ordered. Well, hell, back then you couldn't order parts online, right? You had to go through magazines and and all that stuff. No, I'd take myself over there, take my toolkit and pull out a steering column or whatever I needed to do. Um, and and little by little, so you went, you did that, worked on cars, got into mechanics, then you were working on planes, and then came back to carpentry. Yeah, got in the apprenticeship program, and now you're building scaffolds above above the clouds.

SPEAKER_03 13:53

Sometimes, sometimes that's amazing, brother.

SPEAKER_00 13:57

Either I'm clouds or um, I'm I'm like that troll underneath the bridge, eh?

SPEAKER_01 14:05

Rumpel stilt skin. That's hilarious, man. So before mom said, Hey, you're gonna go do this, and thank you, mom, by the way, because she she she kind of set the direction, right? This is the expectation, you're going to work. What were your like your imagination of what you were gonna do when you grow up? Uh, what was in your head back then?

SPEAKER_00 14:27

That's funny. I talked to an old friend of mine the other day about it. Back then, uh, before I got into all this, I uh actually like saw like I got my Zepps Gear stuff going back then when I was younger. I actually wanted to be a a clothing designer.

SPEAKER_01 14:42

Really? Well tell us about that. So, like, what would where did that come from? That's super interesting.

SPEAKER_00 14:51

You know why? Um, to be honest, I'll tell you a little bit more about as uh you know not not good, bad. I I don't know. You can determine. Then I I was also like when I was a teenager, I was always working and everything, but I hung out with the crowd, like we always went to dance clubs, uh and stuff. So I was into dance and I was into a lot of shit. Like I was always into a lot of shit, right? Okay, yeah. Okay, dancing was the women, right? So, like, yeah, women love the guys that can dance, right? So I'm into this shit, right? So when I was in that realm, I was still, like I said, still in the trades and still all that, and I'd be talking to my buddies, and I always I was always doing well, right? Like I always always keep gotta work. Like I said, my mom, like, as you're small, it gives you that good work ethic. I got into like a lot of hip hop back then in the 80s and stuff. Uh, it was like the big thing coming, like salt and pepper and all them. Like, you know what I mean? Like, oh yeah, I remember that. Shoot. But you tell the clothing that they would wear and stuff, right? So that's sort of what intrigued me into it. And I was like, man, yeah, I like man, that'd be cool if I could design something like that, man, or like you know, make something because I I always had a creative side to me. Like, I've always been like I always think of stuff and try to create stuff, or if somebody has a problem, I'm always trying, I'm always thinking, like, how can I fix that problem, right? Like, I still know on sites and stuff. I'm always looking at other people and how can I design that better? How can I make this so it works for you? I was young that way, it just uh yeah, I sort of like looking at it. I was like, one day, who knows? Maybe I'll design clothes. Sort of just sort of fell to the wayside. One day, like uh I had my axe, I had my slip, right? Like with Zepp's gear, like I I I had a fall, yeah, different jacket, like that had just the slit. And everybody those ones with the slit, you're wearing a noose out there, man, all day long, right? So I didn't realize. I thought this I thought it was like the best thing since sliced bread, man. Like this mobility, you're good to go, right? But when I had that slip, I changed my tune, and then I guess that's where clothing sort of all of a sudden it comes back to clothing.

SPEAKER_01 16:57

What comes across to me, Pete, is you've let you've learned a lot on your path, and you've taken what you've learned and what you care about and put it together to serve people, to make things better for others. That's like that's the kind of people I like. That's the kind of people I like to roll with. But here's a question, and you know, some of the LM family members are gonna know exactly what I'm gonna talk, what I'm talking about, and others are gonna say, What in the world are they even talking about? So back hip hop days, I'm gonna take you back. All right, how many hammer pants did you have?

SPEAKER_03 17:36

You know what I'm talking about. I had a couple pairs, I'm not gonna watch the hammer pants, the Z Cavaricis, the Jaboz. You remember that? How about the did you wear the um the overalls like backwards?

SPEAKER_00 17:54

Not that like the one thing down hip hop, like oh yeah, I did all that.

SPEAKER_03 17:59

Yeah, boy, that's what that was the live, man. They don't if you don't know, you don't know. You don't know, man. Oh like, oh my god, look at that guy.

SPEAKER_00 18:12

Look at a white guy can dance.

SPEAKER_03 18:13

Holy shit. Yeah, boy, all you gotta do is get out there, shoot.

SPEAKER_00 18:57

Oh, I had a lot of friends, like you know, that uh taught me a lot. Like, I hung out with all different people, man. Like, that's why this race stuff and all this stuff I hear. It's like you know what? I hung out with blacks, whites, fucking Jewish, fucking everybody. Yeah, pick a little bit from every culture, man. But yeah, man, they taught me a lot how to dance and how to like you know, like groove and shit, man. Like they can move. But I had the hammer pants, I had the like the crowd, man. I you know where I'm going with it, right?

SPEAKER_03 19:28

I know, baby. I know, man. I was there too. Every now and then I'll get I'll get a wild hair, I'll be at a wedding or something, and they'll bust out some old school hip hop. Like, all right, watch out.

SPEAKER_01 19:39

I'm a shot, and I used to be able to like do it for the whole the whole song. Now I do it for like 30 seconds and I'm out of breath. Like, okay, I need a break now.

SPEAKER_00 19:48

That's the same. We're getting older, right?

SPEAKER_01 19:50

Yeah, yeah. I feel it in the morning now.

SPEAKER_03 19:53

Oh man, that's freaking awesome! No more backspins or anything. No, that hurts.

SPEAKER_01 20:05

This is a beautiful thing that like so you had this interest and this um creativity around designing clothes, and then you got into the industry, um, went through apprenticeship. And for folks out there that that are in the trades, we all know, right? Like, you develop this weird skill to be able to just fix things and and tinker around with something, play around, try this, try that, experiment, experiment, and then make something work. Like you, I mean, you said it earlier. Um, we show up and there's nothing there. That's right. And when we leave, there's something amazing, usable, it's got high utility, and it's gonna be there for a long time. That's what craft workers do on the regular, and so uh fast forward, uh, you're you're a tradesperson and you're designing these jackets to to make people's lives better and safer out there in the field, and so like it you kind of left it alone and it went away, and then bam, it came back, and now it's it's got real real utility to it. Yeah, um, I know you know when I was young, I wanted to be a teacher, and yeah, yeah, just because I'd like you know, the way I understand things, and I used to help my friends, and for me, it was like they used all these really complicated words, right? Like the numerator and denominator, and like all the so like I didn't just have to learn how to divide, I had to learn vocabulary, but that's not the way I processed it. And so when I helped my friends, I'm like, no, it's just the number on the top and the number on the bottom. Like, forget about all that other stuff, because what they needed to learn was how it worked. Yeah, terminology wasn't as important to me, anyways. Yeah, but I really enjoyed that helping people like when you could see somebody, like, oh, I got it. Man, that made me feel like okay, I was helpful, I helped somebody. Awesome, and so fast forward, right? I got into plumbing, a plumbing apprenticeship, blah blah blah. And now that's kind of what I do like on my day job, is help people uh transfer knowledge with people. Um, and like your story to me just ex is a perfect example for people to anchor on in that uh if you have this interest that is going to serve other people, don't give up on it. No, because it'll come around.

SPEAKER_00 22:38

What do you think about that, Pete? Yeah. 100% right. Like it takes time. Everything, all this stuff you guys see on social media, all this shit, dude now, blah blah. I'm gonna be honest, like I've been doing it since 2014. Right? Like designing this jacket. I'm not gonna believe the people it took like I'm not hey, I you know it's just something I took on because I didn't want to fix right or help people out there. And it took me a while. Like I said, I was telling you earlier where you had that talk before this show. Like I made a lot of different designs, right? And the thing is everything takes time to grow, and if you want to do it right, take the time, you know what I mean. Don't don't like let's go do this now, and then you got a big fucking mess in front of you. I mean, oh sorry, so shin, sorry. You got a big mess in front of you, you know what I mean? Take the time and envision what you want to do, right? Because when you envision what you do, trust me, it is sort of it'll just come out. Like it might take a couple times, it'll come like I was telling you before. I made when I first started making this jacket. If you I don't know if you can see that here, so I follow the line of the harness. And if you look at the jacket, I know it's hard to see, but you've got the whole your D-ring comes out. But the whole purpose is now this rips up, but it follows the line of your harness so that way, no matter how you fall, which way you go, it'll start to rip up, and that's how its job. That's the whole purpose. I complicated the harness when I started this though back in 2014. So I found a couple friends, right? I'll tell you a little story is I was on this water tower, so I had this envision in my head, so I because I had the old jacket and all that, so I had this envision in my head, and a buddy of mine uh he comes to work with me, right? And he came to work one day in his coveralls, like his overalls, like he had coveralls, like the overalls or whatever, and they're red, right? Like, they're all like holes every let's be honest. When you have a vision or something big that you have to do, nobody does anything by themselves, right? Yes, always have a team behind you. I don't care who the fuck you are. I mean, I keep swearing, I'm sorry. You good, man. So what it is is like I look at you have to have that team behind you, right? And that's what I'm and I'm still building it today. I'm gonna be honest. I'm not a sales guy, I'm shitty at it, man. Yeah, my jackets, but let's be honest, I'm gonna go broke, right? I'm not a seller, but I gotta find a good sales. So hey, any good salespeople, call me up. Yeah, um, so but the thing is, like you have to have a team. So I was okay, I I got this vision. So then when he told me, he goes, Yeah, my wife sort it for me, right? Tammy, I'm like, okay. And man, she does a good job. Sort it all by hand. I'm like, what? Wow. You gotta be kidding me. Like, this it looks like you did it with me. She's good. I said, Oh listen, man, I want to have a sit down, I want to talk to you and your wife. Like, I got this on my idea, right? But I want I need somebody to sit down and talk to, and and and actually, so I can make something like, oh yeah, okay. So went there and his name's Jeff, right? And Jeff Tammy and Wicks, they're awesome, right? Um, so basically what happened was sat down and I got you know, this is what I want to do. I got this vision, right? It's gotta be tear away. And right away she's like, you know what? That's cool. I'll help you, no problem, right? Great, man. So we started, you know, hit the drawing board. Like I was, you know, I had a couple sketches already. Like I said, then I made different shapes. You know, all I knew in my head it has to tear away because it has to that harness has to come out, right? Yes, yes. So I did like a square shape first that basic square. This is done easy. Yeah, no, that's what easy. The funny thing is at first, like so the last time, like the first one we started doing it where my buddy lived, he had this big tree. So this is bad, but I would hang myself. Yeah, yes, yes, of course. Right, so yeah, off this tree to make sure it works.

SPEAKER_04 26:52

But no, it's not like I'm like, oh yeah, no, get me off like that.

SPEAKER_00 26:57

Give me the ladder. Yeah, give me the ladder. I did like a half moon. We did a couple shakes, and then it just like one day it just clicked to me, man. I woke up like, holy shit, you know what? I gotta follow the harness. That's the problem because what happens is when the harness releases, nobody falls, nobody's a pencil man, right? Right, it falls like a pencil, so you fall whatever way. So if your harness starts releasing on this side, well, your jacket has to start releasing the same way. Your harness on this side, your jacket has to release, it has to mimic the harness. That's why I always say I accomplish the harness. I want to mimic what that harness is gonna do, right? And with with the with the V in the back of this, and that's what that does. This V because now it mimics. So when you start ripping that part of the and when you're done, like you know, you fall down, you're now you're hanging like a pencil because it's all ripped up, everything. And the thing too is with this pattern and this the rescue still there, rescue guys still get to your D ring, right? You can still get pulled up. Uh, the other thing, uh, what I did, I found like other jackets out there, they didn't have anywhere to so you're walking around with your lanyards in your hand. You have nowhere to put your lanyards, right? Or guys, they'd unzip the jacket so much to put it in their zipper. Yeah, you got nowhere to put the fucking thing, right? Yeah, I keep swearing, man. Um, you got nowhere to put it. So what I did is I came up with I don't know if you can see that, right? But it's for a it's a lanyard loop. So that way, as you're walking around, same thing. When you have a harness, you have lanyard loops where you can click your harness. Same thing. I did the same thing in the front, and I put them where your chest strap should be, so your lanyard loops line up with your chest. Nice. Also, to help you, you can literally put a brand new harness in the jacket, throw it on, and set your harness. So it's gonna keep the D-ring where it's supposed to actually be. I see guys set their D rings down their ass.

SPEAKER_01 28:48

Yeah, that ain't the right way, man.

SPEAKER_00 28:51

You're gonna you're gonna knock yourself right right out, man. Like you're done. Right. So it helps you so you can set your harness jacket. So now you have an indicator. I know my chest strap here. I see a lot of guys like, Oh, you got a belly strap, you belly dancing?

SPEAKER_03 29:04

Oh yeah, just fall right out of that thing. It ain't doing no good that way, you know.

SPEAKER_00 29:11

And the other thing I did is so I put a tear away feature on it. So if zero you got your lanyards hooked up and you're walking around, say you walk past a railing or something, and it pulls on your lanyard. So, what happens? This will fall, your lanyard drops, it doesn't pull you any holes, keeps you out of harm's way, right? Yeah, so I try to think of what do you need? Might as I'll let you know now since we're talking. The other thing, too, is I took it a step further. I was telling you this earlier on Cuistal Lewis and Bridge, we're doing a job. Yeah, we're underneath. I was that troll underneath the bridge. So we're building scaffold like runways underneath the bridge. Do all the bridge to do they were sandblast, the iron workers were actually fixing part of the bridge. What was happening though is when the guys were that were the radio guys that were the swampers and everything. Well, you gotta climb down to get the gear. You we're climbing through scaffold. Well, the cords would get hung up, and then that's it, the radio's gone, man. Because everything's on the outside of your jacket, right? Yeah, so it would get hung up, and then there goes the cord. So, what I did is I I talked to a bunch of guys, I picked everybody's brain. I said, What if uh we put a radio on the inside of the jacket? Like so that way when you're climbing around, you know, like you don't have to worry about it, you know. Yeah, so what I did is I what I put a pocket at the bottom here, still have your side pocket, right? So what I did is I angled my side pockets a little bit, so everybody always reaches in like this, right? Yeah, but it's more ergonomic having to go like this and pull your phone out or press whatever. And I put the other pocket, I don't know if you can see or not, but it's down here lower, right? Yeah, yeah. Now you put your radio down here so it's not interfering with anything. And then what I did is I put a loop, right? A velcro loop here. So this velcro loop, I don't know if you can see it or not. Yep, but the loop, so that way your cord goes into your velcro loop. And the whole reason for that, so that way when you're walking around, it's not just flopping around in there or nothing. No, it stays in one spot, right? And then the other thing I did is I uh took it, I just put a zipper, a nice, a nice zipper. So now your mic comes out of here, and then you put your mic on here, and that's all you have is your mic out here, and you you zipper to for your cord if you want, and that's it. But now all you have is your mic, you're fully you can climb around, you can do whatever you want. You set your station, you're good to go. Hanging out of your jacket, everything's secure, your jacket's loose the way it's supposed to, so that way the air can get and you're not sweating or nothing, like it's actually comfortable, right? Yep, yeah. Because you got to look at it like this, too. A jacket's not meant to be crushed on you. So when you put the harness over top, what are you doing? Crusting a jacket and everything.

SPEAKER_01 31:48

Yeah, and that's where you get like the big puddles of sweat across your shoulder, across your chest, right? Because the harness is compressing all of that, and there's no airflow. Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 31:57

Got it, right? So you're trying to limit it all. But the wind wins for everything. You know what I mean? Yes, that's the thing, it'll help you set now. You know wearing your harness is correct, you know the D rings in the right spot, you know your chest straps in the right spot, as long as you follow, right? Like, as long as you set you have to set your harness, man. That's key. Yes, and if you read anything on the harness, like I've read that thing, man, and what the key thing it says is snug, it's supposed to be snug to your body, right? And that's the thing, like to your body, not your jacket, to your body, not the jacket.

SPEAKER_03 32:32

Like it nowhere in there does it say tighten it up around the jacket.

SPEAKER_00 32:36

And then I tell them, I okay, snug it up, man. No, I want you to reach like this. They're like because I can't. Yeah, when you wear it proper and you gotta snug to your jacket, you can't you can't reach. No, no, fighting all the time. Like a lot of guys get a lot of shoulder injuries and stuff. Like, I find like a lot of guys, like in the winter, they'll be oh man, I'm so sore. But we're doing the same job in the summer, you're not so fighting yourself. Like, if you you gotta get rid of that, right? Comfort's key, man.

SPEAKER_01 33:02

Yeah, well, that way you concentrate on tackle work, you're not worried about oh, I gotta pull up my jacket, my radio, and yeah, yeah. Well, the work's hard enough as it is. Oh, like the work, it it's it's physically demanding, it is, and then when you got all these other poorly designed things that add burden to that experience, it's not a fun day. But what so what you're doing is you've designed something that makes the work feel better, it's removing some of the burden from the human being, which is like the ultimate. And so my guess is like all of these these extra features that are on all these features that are on the jacket, like that was your first idea right out of the gate, and it all worked perfectly.

SPEAKER_00 33:48

No, like I said, it didn't work. Well, sideways hang-ups and uh hurt myself. I'm not gonna lie. Like, you know, like I I've walked away where I'm like, oh my god, like yeah, yeah. Like struggle back a little bit. If you if you take your time, do you know what I mean? I look at it like this, and and you see it everywhere, cities everywhere. When people do stuff, what do we do? We think of here, but you don't think of the end result. Yep. You look at like money, for instance. I want to make money, I want to make it now. But look at the end result, right? Long term, you know what I mean? Look at the long term, look past you know, you got all these people out there. I want to why would you want to listen to all these people online? Do it now. Why don't you take your time? All right, yep, do it a bit at a time, and then then trust me, man, then you'll generate wealth because you're you're gonna be rich. I don't want to be rich, I want to be wealthy, yes, sir. So is then and to me, wealth is not I don't have to have millions of dollars, this is a continuous income you do what you want to do.

SPEAKER_01 34:56

Yes, freedom, freedom to choose how I'm gonna spend my time, yes, sir. To me, that's my right.

SPEAKER_00 35:03

Uh like like I told you, like hot rods. I love my family, I love spending time with my my daughter, so sleeze upella. That kid, she's helped me out 100% on this. Like, she's the one doing all like the woman's behind the scene, man. I'm time.

SPEAKER_01 35:16

Yeah, yeah, that's amazing, man.

SPEAKER_00 35:19

With my hands, right? I can create stuff for people. I'm just not good at this.

SPEAKER_01 35:24

I get it, my man. Uh, so you said you started designing it in was it 21? Sorry, you started designing your jacket in 2021. No, it's uh 2014. 14. Okay, my bad. 2014. Yeah, and then how long before you had a product out in the market, the first product? 2019. Whoo, baby. So five years you were experimenting and trying and experimenting and trying. Nice.

SPEAKER_00 35:52

Like, so it took me a few years to get the product to where it was, and then uh and then the rest of it was like trying to get it, find people to make it, try to get it on the market, and and uh and all the other stuff. There's like I said, there's a lot to it. Like you hear these can just do this. Yeah, it doesn't work that way.

SPEAKER_01 36:08

No, it's not that no, and I think that's a beautiful takes time picture for people to know like that's five years, yeah. Which feels I I imagine for some people it feels like an eternity, but looking back, it's just a it's like a blink of an eye, huh?

SPEAKER_00 36:26

Yeah, like it happened to be to it does, it's and to be honest, I think uh because I was just happy doing it, like like I'm happy and and happy that at the end of the day I'm gonna have a product out there that's nothing like anything else, right? And I'm gonna actually have a product out there that will actually do the job. Yeah, actually gonna help people, man. That's my goal is to help people. Like like I was telling you before, I want to give back to autism, I want to give back to mental health, like I want to give back to the community eventually. This this will get me there, right? But it's help people in the trade where hey man, now if you wear the jacket, you know you're safe, you're comfortable, right? Yeah, that that's my goal is to give back, right? And and and get this. So that five years, to be honest, I was like, yeah, it took a while, but now it's like boom. And and the thing it didn't feel like forever for me. I think because I was so much enjoying, uh okay, I'm not let me back up. I didn't enjoy the hang ups. Yeah, I'm sure. That was like the unfun part about it. When I was going home sore, and I was like, oh my gosh, like yeah, yeah, the test the testing phase. It was hard. But until I got inner tech, inner tech man, they're the bomb, I tell you, man. Those guys will test anything. You need it, forget everybody else. I'm not gonna mention names, go to Intertech. They don't say no, they don't say you know, like there's nothing out there like this. They go, Oh, that's cool, this is new. Let's figure out and ask the people you want. Is inner tech testing, baby. There's a little plug for them, man. I'm telling you, I love those guys.

SPEAKER_04 38:13

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 38:14

I think because I was having so much fun creating it and experimenting with it and trying to make a product that worked, it didn't feel like five years, to be honest. It felt like a year. I'd go because I still work, like I said, I'm on tools every day. I run right, I'm a carpenter by trade, journeyman carpenter, right? So I'm always working. So I would just go there at night, like two, three times a week, and I come home drawing shit out. Go there, this, this, try that. She and man, me and Tammy click, like just click. It's like she could read my mind, man. Like, oh man, yeah. She's like, Okay, no problem, we're gonna make this happen. And she man, oh, that's the design, man. I was like, Yeah, that's it. See it when you see it. When I when she comes out and it's like I see it, and it's like that's that's the vision. That's like why I tell everybody, like, when you go to build a build, whatever you build, you have this vision, it's like you see it already, right? Yeah, yeah, that's what we're that's what we're here for, right? Like, yeah, so we really click. So that five years, I don't know. Like you said, it's like a blink of an eye now, right?

SPEAKER_01 39:23

Yes, yeah. Well, you know, I think this is what I want to put out there, maybe add to what you've just said, is when when we're doing things in service to others, the time doesn't matter. No, when I'm doing, I mean, obviously, we wanted to be faster so that like we can help people right now, yes. But I know when I'm doing things for my own personal comfort or gain or greed or my own little selfish needs, it's like it just doesn't feel the same. That's right. But when I'm doing something to help other people, as long as we're making progress, everything's golden, man.

SPEAKER_00 40:07

You're absolutely hit the nail on the head, man. Like for real, it feels like you're not out to get something, you know what I mean? Yes, because I think everybody has that in the back. Oh, I want this, that like I get it, I need money, but I'm bad. Everybody's like, you can't give this shit away. Like you said, there's that it's that self-gratification of you help somebody, yeah. Man, it's not about you, yes, about other people, right?

SPEAKER_01 40:34

Amen, my man, amen. Well, in line with helping people, we got the we got the tough question. Not the tough question, it's my favorite question. Um, what's a significant learning you had as a result of a painful misstep? I think it was oh man, I know it was just getting good, and here I am breaking up the flow again. But I can't help myself. If you want the rest of this tasty morsel of goodness, head on over to our YouTube channel and look for the Backstage Pass playlist. You're gonna find this one and a whole library of previous backstage passes, where our guests share like super intimate stuff, like ultimate cheat codes for self-discovery and personal growth. There's a lot of value there for you and for any youngins, any of the younglings in your life. And if you want to get this fire, this backstage pass fire before anybody else does, go on over to learninsandmissteps.com, hit the become a member button, do all the stuff you need to do, select a thing, but everybody that becomes a patron will get first access to every single backstage pass that we record going forward. And just in case you missed it, those funds are gonna contribute to enhancing the image of careers in the trade. 80% of that is gonna be going to Skilled Trades Alliance. The other 20%, the learnings and missteps, is gonna keep that to pay taxes and do some other things. Um, we are blessed and we are fortunate, and we are here to spread the love and share the wealth with people that are carrying the same mission and demonstrating the behaviors that we see. Okay, that's enough. Now we're going back to the show.

unknown 42:29

Peace.

SPEAKER_00 42:32

She gets worried about you. I uh right, because let's be honest, man. Like you said, a misstep, that's all it takes, man. You know what I mean? Yeah, so so she doesn't I never said nothing, like uh you know, because I don't want all of a sudden she's gonna be like, I don't want you doing this shit no more, like you know, like so. I never told anybody, and then yeah, I started searching online, and then like I said, I started this idea where I'm like, okay, like obviously all the jackets that are made, there's a problem here, and nobody's a problem, right?

SPEAKER_01 43:05

Well, they haven't experienced it, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 43:08

Right, like shit. So that's why I came up with Zepp's gear. I started thinking and thinking outside the box, like they say, I took the box and I threw it away. I mean, I was like, okay, there's gotta be something different out here. So now I just yeah, a bit of time started, like I said, different patterns, and that's how I came up with Zepp's gear. That's I think that's the moment where I I changed my tune because now when I'm on a site, I'm gonna be honest, I'm a foreman, right? Yep, I am I am brutal with guys, like a lot of foremans out there. It's just like get the work, get this done, get the get up there. I want you to find results, right? Yep, results too, right? Don't get me wrong, and and I'm gonna be honest, everybody who's work they're like, you work hard, like like your your company works hard. Yeah, but and honestly, we do we do we do, we work hard, but I always check my guys, you know. I I ask them if I see a guy's getting a little fatigued, he might want to switch spots, I'll even switch with you. Yeah, yeah. Like I I try to keep an eye on my guys now. I was I wasn't like that before. I was just like, that guy, get the fuck out of here. What are you doing? Man, no problem. We'll switch up. You take my spot, take yours. Or guys, you know, hey, your your land is your your harness is fucking loose, or you're laying. Why you tie it off here? I want you to tie it off there. Like I'm more aware of what's going on with people now, right? Yeah, yeah. That's what really that's my misstep. That's what really switched me around, made me more aware of what's going on. I get guys that bug me now, they're like, Oh, you're all about safety, hey, you're a foreman. Bro no, I just want to make sure you're okay. I said, some of these safety guys are so fucking they don't they just look at this is all I gotta do. Okay, everything they really don't care, they're just there for the paycheck. Yeah, I don't wanna that I'm with you 100%. Some some are right, yeah. Like I always I don't care. Like I'm your foreman, and if I say, Hey, this is this is the way I want you to wear your shit, this is the way you're gonna wear your shit. Yeah, bottom line. Did you take it? Yeah, did they teach you to wear it like uh down to your ass? Like it's not an ass ring. That's all I know.

SPEAKER_03 45:23

Oh my goodness, that was good. That's good. It's not, it is not. This is for this is not a fashion statement, right? This is for your health, brother.

SPEAKER_00 45:33

You know, or the chest strapper, but they got they got it down. I said, What do you call a belly dancer? It's not a belly strap. Like you put it up, like, what are you what is wrong with you, man? Oh, you don't tell me what I'm telling you. Like, you know, older guys, they really get bent out of shape. Like, older they're like, Oh no, I've been doing this for 60 years, uh, you've been doing it wrong for exactly, exactly.

SPEAKER_01 45:57

No, you know, one thing that this is an important point for the LM family, all the foremen, the folks in field leadership is you know, we have safety professionals, and and some of them are amazing, and some of them are less than amazing. But where the where the rubber meets the road is when the foreman, the lead men, those folks that are out there in direct connection with the crew are setting the expectation. And you're, I mean, what you just described is exactly that, right? You are saying you're on my crew. This is what we're going to do. Yeah, like you can be upset about it, but this is how we're going to do it.

SPEAKER_04 46:38

That's right.

SPEAKER_01 46:39

That's the difference. That's where we need our people to get to. Let the safety people come and do their job. Like, whatever you pay attention to, whatever you focus on, the behaviors that you demonstrate are what's going to make or break your crew. And so when you make safety a priority for them and are more aware of what's going on around them and the risks that are there and bring it to their attention, like that's the ultimate service. That's what leadership is about, man. So shout out to you, brother. You got it going on, Mr. Pete. I love this.

SPEAKER_00 47:16

I just do my best, you know. I mean, I just stay, you know, like that's who I am. I just want to make sure I look at it at the end of the day, we all come to make money, right? Yep. To make something, right? Build something for somebody, right? At the end of the day, we all want to go home to our families, too. Yeah, right. And we all want to go the way we came, right?

SPEAKER_01 47:37

You know what I mean? A little bit more money in our pocket. That's right.

SPEAKER_02 47:42

I don't want to come, I don't want to go home broke the way I showed up. I want to go home with a little more money in my pocket.

SPEAKER_00 47:47

Money. That's why I tell my guy, you want to go home to your families, man, in one piece, right? So let's just everybody watch out for each other's back. You know what I mean? We're a family out there. Like, let's be honest. When you're at work, like I love my family, I love them to death, man. But I'm gonna be honest with you, I'm with the guys at work and the girls at work longer than I am with my family. Like, there's days. I did a day the other day at uh Toronto Airport. I was there for 12 hours, man. Steady, 12 hours straight. You know, I came home. Well, you know, there's my family. You know what I mean? Oh, yeah. So you're with that. They're they're like I had a buddy of mine, he always says, like, you know what, you gotta look at the people you work with, they're your family too, man. Work family, and this is your house family. You know what I mean? Yeah, yeah. Living two different lives, you know what I mean? Yes, with your work family. If you guys all get along, it's a better morale, it's better, and and when you're looking out for each other, less things happen because you get, hey man, you know, whoever, like, hey Joe, don't fucking do that because this can happen, or don't because fuck that's a cantilever there, or whatever, right? You're you're looking out for the guy. Yes, and the thing in saying that in the trades is like I get it, some of the old school guys get pissed off. I know what I'm doing. It's not about you knowing what you're doing, it's about we just see something in a different perspective where you could have got hurt.

SPEAKER_01 49:18

Yes, yes, they can't see the risk, you see the risk, you're letting them know. That's it, you know, and that's all you're trying to do, right?

SPEAKER_00 49:26

You're not there to like bust his balls, you're not there to like any of that shit, right? It's just you just see it in a different perspective, so you see that risk, like you said. Yeah, that's a watch out for each other's back. I say that to all the trades: plumbers, electricians, carpenters, iron workers, boiler makers, all you linesmen, all you guys, man, always watch out for each other. Like, that's the way I run my crew. That's but that's who I am. I guess my not everybody's like me. That's hey, I'm the best. And I'm joking.

SPEAKER_03 49:57

There you go, baby. Now we're talking, yeah, boy.

SPEAKER_00 50:01

That's what you always say, I'm the real deal, man. For real. I'm the real deal. Like, when I push it out, man, I'm the real deal. Like, I push it out because I know it works, not because of this. Or I'm out there, I'm the real guy. Like, I'm working with you. I'm not the foreman saying, I want you to go fucking do that, and I'm gonna go sit in my office. I'm gonna sit like this. No, I'm the foreman that's saying, You're gonna follow me. Let's go. Let's go. If I gotta go do shit, I'm gonna this is my best guy. You're gonna follow this guy, and I'm gonna be back to check on you, right?

SPEAKER_04 50:36

Yeah, yep.

SPEAKER_00 50:37

Always around. I don't, I'm not one of those guys. You see some foreman, it's like fucking they disappear. Oh man, wherever the hell they are.

SPEAKER_01 50:44

Yeah, yeah. Man, I used to that was coming up as an apprentice. That was the thing that I knew, like I when I'm running work, I am not gonna be like that. I worked with a few foremen, and we'd be doing underground roughing right for a new building, digging up. We're in the dirt and ditches and sun and all the fun stuff, and they're sitting in their truck with the AC on, scratching off freaking lottery tickets. And I'm like, like, bro, like this ain't cool, man. Like, that just ain't right. So I'm I ain't gonna be that way. But the unfortunate thing is there are there are folks in leadership positions, and that's the way they roll, and it just it ain't cool, like, but you know, that is there's awesome, there's the real deal number one Pete Zeppatella out there that's doing it right, baby.

SPEAKER_00 51:37

I'm trying, trying my best. I'm not saying everything's perfect, but I'm pretty close to it.

SPEAKER_03 51:41

Yeah, there you go.

SPEAKER_00 51:43

Now we're talking, man. Right. But yeah, I do my best, right? I do my best to keep everybody in check and and keep everybody working well together. The more comfort you can give yourself, well, Zepp, more comfort make yourself. Now we can concentrate on task at hand, and and the better that job goes, or you know what I mean? Like to be honest, if you if you can make a crew work right, man. I tell you, you can you can I always say this, man. As trade people, you as a plumber, everybody, we build the world, man. We build there you're sitting in right freaking now. Tradesmen built it, right? The desk leaning against tradesmen built it, right? Yes, we literally build this world. I don't care what anybody you could type all day on your stupid little freaking game, right? But guess what? I gave you the house that you could sit there and type in A. Oh, yeah, right in the AC. You know what I mean? Like, that's the thing I look at. So, like the trades guys, like we're we're there, we're on top of everything, right? Like, yeah, perfect example. Look at the pandemic, they shut down the country for two years. Who kept running? We're out there. I'll I hey, I give all the blessings, everything to the nurses, the doctors, and everything. Also, like they were God bless all the medical and and and uh all them too. But let's look at this who went out there every day and still went to work, didn't shut down their jobs out there. Like, you know what I mean? I was out for a bit of it because I I had a shoulder injury and stuff. But once I got better back on the tools, guys were sitting at home, like, oh I my office job, I can't whatever. You know, well huh, yeah. Well, I gotta go to work and I gotta go build the office that you gotta go to. Yep, yep. I mean, but we kept going, kept trucking, man, kept building. You know what I mean? So, like you gotta look at craze, it's a beautiful thing, and you always gotta look at it like this. Everything you build, step back and look at it, man. Like when I build a house, I love it because I I you know I look and I go, Man, this person's gonna enjoy this house. Yes, I mean they're gonna raise their family in that house, exactly. Man, this is man, this is gonna become a home, it's not just a house now, you know what I mean? Yeah, raise their family, they're gonna love that place, right? And that's why I'd like to trade. You want to take pride in your work, man. I'm sure the same with you, when you plumb a house, man. You want everything to or good, yeah, right, man. You don't have an issue.

SPEAKER_01 54:04

That's the key to to it. Beautifully said, uh, for I'm hoping that some young apprentices catch this episode because man, you're you you're speaking truth, like this is what it's about, baby. I've so I just tell you how it is, yeah, man. But that and that's the other thing, right? About craft workers, folks out there in construction and in the trades. Like, when we talk, people talk, like you're gonna get truth. You it there's not a lot of powder coating anything, it's straight up this is how it is, this is what I think, this is what you need to do, and there's a lot of beautiful things to be learned, and also there's a lot of beautiful things to say. You know what? I don't like that, and I ain't gonna do like you can always learn what to do and how to do things, and what not to do, and how not to do things with the people that you work with out there in the industry. That's right. Um, so so Pete, you're uh you're an inventor, uh, you're an entrepreneur, carpenter, leader. I mean, bro, you got a lot going on. You're out there serving the community, you're a family man. I love what you said about, you know, we got a job family and we got the home family. Because if if my job, the people I'm spending time with at work, if I don't feel like they're family, man, I probably need to change where I'm working because I got other people at home that I want to be getting to, and I ain't with them. Um, so I imagine you're gonna continue to grow your influence in the industry, in the world. Um, and so I'm curious, man, what footprint do you want to leave on this world?

SPEAKER_00 55:45

What footprint?

SPEAKER_01 55:46

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 55:47

Here, baby. Uh, to be honest, uh, you know what? Um, my kids are my life. To be honest, like you come here with nothing, and at the end of the day, you can do amazing things, right? And the footprint I think I would like to leave is obviously like my Zepp's gear, but it's my family. It's my it's it's the family I leave behind my kids. I'm hoping they have kids and the grandkids and stuff. That's the footprint I'm thinking is. And and the thing is, I want to make Zepp's gear so it's a family name. So like I want to be out there, like you know, the new underarmor for basically construction, so that way when you go out there and you're working, you're more comfortable at doing whatever you got to do out there. I think that's the footprint I want to leave is the comfort key to construction and everything. Have Zepp's gear continue on and be around for hundreds of years and doing it right and uh keep bringing more people into it and um making making it more comfortable to be in the trade so you can concentrate on task at hand and not have to worry about like I'm uncomfortable or this or that, and and doing the job right. That way you can actually like take the time, concentrate on what you're doing. I think that's the footprint I'm looking for. Uh that's what I think I'm gonna be leaving. Like my kids will be because at the end of the day, I'm gonna be honest, my kids are gonna be the ones pushing this forward, right? When I'm gone, dead and gone. So I'm just hoping like I and like my daughters, and like I I love all my kids, all three of you. Don't get me wrong, but Cicely, like you're like huge help, and I I really think she'd be taking it over because she knows everything, and I I think I drown her with information, which is a good thing. I think that's the one thing uh for a legacy. I think is is my family, uh and and and Zepsky to be around.

SPEAKER_01 57:40

Yeah, man. Uh you know, if however I can contribute and support you in that effort, bro, I got you. Because we just short time, you know, we connected on LinkedIn and you know, interact with each other's content. Uh, but you know, how we've been talking for almost two hours now, and like I know you're the kind of people that I like to hang out with, like straight up. So, I mean, it's clear to me that that you want to serve others, and your vision of the footprint you want to leave is about your family and about serving the industry and making it more comfortable so people can be safe and focus on the task at hand. Like, that's that's what it's about, man. Um, so I know you gave a shout-out to your daughters. Uh, any other shout-outs you want to give?

SPEAKER_00 58:27

Aiden. Hey, I got two daughters and a boy. So oh, two daughters and a boy. Okay. I don't know if you can see it, but that's them when they were kids up there, right? My does uh woodworking too. Like I taught her how to cut wood and stuff, and you know, so she does signs and stuff. But uh big shout out to easy peasy, that's my wife's easy peasy pieces. Uh big uh big shout out to Prime Line, Kick Ass Careers, Shannon Taskwell. Also, yeah she's Lady Boltz there. Um, kick ass careers is Jamie. She's awesome, like great person. Uh kick, you know, uh big shout out to local 18 carpenters. Yeah, see that or not? Uh there it is, there it is. Right? Uh I'm part of them. Leyuna, uh laborers out there, all the trades, like iron workers, you know, plumbers, uh HVAC guys, you know, uh linesmen, right? Out there, all your electrical guys, you know what I mean? Like uh big shout out to all the trades. I probably missed a hundred trades, but big shout out to all of them, man. You know what? Like that that's our life. So I really appreciate the companies that are helping me. Uh big shout out to the companies that are like maybe joining us, who knows? Maybe get some collabs going with other companies out there eventually one time. Uh they get push this message out there, and because I know there's other people that have the same vision as I do that want to help better. So big shout out to them, also, right? Uh, big shout out to you, Jesse, for uh having me on this uh podcast. I really do appreciate you reaching out. I know we've been, like you said, we've been contacting back and forth. I'm always on your shit, giving you a bunch of asking all these questions. I may ask stupid questions, I just want to learn, man.

SPEAKER_01 1:00:09

So hey bro, that's what it's about, baby. Yeah, man. Thank you, brother. Your support. Uh it's invaluable.

SPEAKER_00 1:00:16

Big uh uh big shout out to all my family for sure, 100% sticking with me, right? Cicely, you're the best, Maisie and Hayden, too. Right, they're always there. Aaron's a patella, that's my wife. Uh easy peasy pieces, right? You know, like uh always been support, like they're always, you know, have my back, right? You know, at the end of the day, uh as long as you have people that have your back, right? Don't get me wrong. I'm gonna tell you a little story. It's funny. When I first came up with this vision, Aaron wasn't really on board with it, eh? Yeah, he'd always give me this uh line, hey, well, why don't you go smoke another one or something? Crazy boy. You think goes, just go to work. I'm telling you, man, something's gotta change here. Something's gotta oh my gosh, she's shaking her head. She goes, You think too much, right? And I took her from my I'm just doing this, man. I just buy and then she's like, Holy shit, like yeah, okay, I see now, I see. Right, you know, uh ever since then she's been behind me though, too. So that's amazing. Oh, it's no, I really do appreciate you reaching out and uh saying we gotta do this. And I really would love to do the live. I will I'll be gone for a little bit, but when I come back, it's gone, baby. Up and uh for sure do this live. Uh get out there, talk more about anything you want, like uh Zepp's gear trades, you know what I mean? Check me out on you know, hopefully uh everybody else is safer. And there and I said there is more gear coming, just slowly, right? Uh I got other patents. Everything I do, most of the stuff I do is like patent protected. Uh the reason for it because I I look at it because I know other ways that are aren't so great. Check out all my patent stuff out there, and I'm hoping to have more stuff for people to help them. Like I'm looking at the safety guys right now, and I'm actually making something for them also. Yeah, I I know a lot of firefighters, rescue guys, like because when I go on holes and stuff, you you get to meet these guys.

SPEAKER_01 1:02:12

They're oh yeah, yeah, because you gotta have the rescue plan.

SPEAKER_00 1:02:14

Yeah, what I mean with rescue plans and stuff. So I know the rescue guys and stuff, so I'm actually uh making I'm in a mix. I got it pretty much made. I'm patenting it right now. I got the beer made for them also, so in the winter easier for them, also. So a lot of stuff you'll see next few years come out.

SPEAKER_01 1:02:33

10 4 man, like I said, however, we can support you, brother. Uh we're definitely gonna stay in contact. Yeah, I appreciate it. You're the best.

SPEAKER_00 1:02:42

You're doing you're doing awesome with all these like I I watched you in this last couple years. You've been doing like podcasts, and you've been doing like you know, the misstep thing. I think you're doing fabulous, man. You're doing really good. A lot of people follow you. And you know what? Uh, we were talking before, you wanted to be a teacher. You gotta look at it this way. You basically, right now, it's like you are a teacher, you're teaching people through other people. Do you know what I'm trying to say? Like, yep, you're putting people on there, like people like me, other trades out there, and other people that have something to say and teach people, and and you're teaching so in a way you're following your dream too, right? You know, absolutely, you gotta look at it like that, right? Like, yeah, I always try to look at that silver lining in the cloud, right? Yeah, man. But uh, in a way, you're following your dream too. Everything happens for a reason, right? So you may have been up here and then all of a sudden you just sunk down here. Well, there's a reason you sunk down here, and might learn something. Yeah, you're gonna learn something, right? And and everything's a stepping stone, you gotta remember that's what you just gotta keep opening those doors and trying. Hey, I'm not gonna lie, I screw up a lot, man. Yeah, yeah, I feel you, man. I feel you're honest. Like, even with this, like I said, I'm not a salesman, right? But I try to really push these out there and stuff. Like I still learn a lot, like it's just not about this guy. So people, like I said, I'm trying to build that team, everything's a team, man. Don't forget that people out there. Like, so don't think if you're trade, not even a trade entrepreneur or whatever, you can't do it on your own. You have to have back and you have to have people that help you, right? In one effect or another, right? You know what I mean? Trust the crew you're with, and pick the right crew, like you said before. If you go to work and it's like do you really want to be there? Find you'll find that crew where you want to go to work and you're happy and you want to be there, and that's that's the key. And there's a lot in construction, a lot of people are like that. Would you you know what I mean? Yeah, and the welcome win to that family, right? We're not we're not as hard ass as everybody thinks. No, and maybe at first, but we get we'll grow on you. We're just giving you tough love, man.

SPEAKER_01 1:04:50

That's it, baby. That's it. It's all tough love. Damn poor. Did you have a good time, brother?

SPEAKER_00 1:04:54

I can't even believe we've been talking, it's just that it feels like a pick, right?

SPEAKER_03 1:04:59

Like it goes by freaking fast.

SPEAKER_01 1:05:02

That was awesome. Um man, we got into it. I know it was a little spicy. There was some, you know, some um colorful language. Uh, but that's how we do it. And so it's time to give the shout-out to the LM family member feedback. I can't help it. I mentioned that the book is out, Lean in Love, 5S Love Letters, a no BS look into how your relationships create ripples of impact. Mr. Spencer Easton, LM family member, former guest on the show. You can go back to season one, Spencer Easton. We got to interview him. He was at the Home Depot parking lot, full of life, full of energy. Uh, and he continues to share the love with his review on the book. So Spencer says, I just finished reading, and this book is amazing. A fresh new outlook on lean construction and how at the fundamental level we care about the people around us. I love all the quotes from others in the book and the dialogue back and forth between Jen and Jess is a fun new approach, and I absolutely love it. They have great questions and places to write down your response that I loved as it helped me to reflect in a more intimate way. That was super awesome. I will cherish my insights that this book helped me to find. Highly recommend everyone in the construction industry pick this up and enjoy. If you're looking for better work-life balance, then look no further. Spencer, appreciate you, my man. And LM family members out there love you. If you're looking for more frequent connection, hit up the No BS with Jen and Jess page on YouTube and on LinkedIn. Uh, we do a live stream every other Saturday, and we'd love for you to come and be a part of that community as well. Love you, be cool, and we'll talk at you next time.

SPEAKER_04 1:06:56

Peace.

SPEAKER_01 1:07:01

Man, you are one dedicated listener sticking with us all the way through to the very, very end. Please know that this podcast dies without you. And we invite you to share how the episode is impacting you, along with your thoughts, questions, and suggestions. You have been gracious with your time, so we added social media links in the show notes to make it super easy for you to connect with us. Be kind to yourself, stay cool, and we'll talk at you next time.