In this episode, host Beau Wigington pulls together the most practical, hard-won business advice shared on WELD over the past three years—everything from getting your first customers and pricing your time, to choosing insurance, building a team, and using short-form video to keep orders flowing. 

Key Topics Covered

• Why reliability beats “stacking dimes” perfectionism for business growth (show up, do what you say)

• Budgeting and bootstrapping: paying down debt, selling online, and reinvesting in tools

• Social media that sells: consistent short-form posting, showing your face, and treating content as a product

• Getting legal and protected: LLCs, accountants, business banking, and choosing the right insurance broker

• Knowing when to hire: escaping burnout, delegating office work, and building a small, capable team

• Culture that retains welders: safe shops, good lighting, respect, and clear values people can rally around

• Mobile welding startup basics: van setup, Google Ads, word of mouth, and keeping a “day-job safety net”

• Skill growth for beginners: daily reps, letting learning compound, and not chasing “perfect”

• Sales fundamentals: websites, clear branding, phone numbers on trucks, and simple prospecting habits

• “If you’re a maker on YouTube, the video is the product—not the project.” — John Malecki

• “We couldn’t afford marketing—so we posted. Consistently.” — Jason & Miranda (Shass on Smoke)

• “File the LLC, hire a good accountant, and stop trying to do it all alone.” — Luke Labdie

• “Get decent insurance and learn the terms they want to hear—answer only what’s asked.” — Kevin Johnson (JMW Fabrication)

• “If you want a world-class team, create the kind of place world-class people want to work.” — Matthew Nix (Nix Industrial)

Save 20% On American Welding Program Courses

Use code WELD20 - https://foxly.link/9T3dtc

• Full EP - https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/kal9F3kNUXb 

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/meltinmetalmobile/ 

• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHt5K7OkaBivUMvwn9W9ppw 

• Website - https://meltinmetal.com/ 

• Jason & Miranda Chiasson 

• Full EP - https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/LQanfTINUXb 

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chiassonsmoke/ 

• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmthizFiUZOPJGHSDLQl4-A 

• Website - https://www.chiassonsmoke.com/ 

• John Malecki

• Full EP - https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/ZYAlnNONUXb 

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/john_malecki/⁠ 

• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@JohnMaleckiUnscrewed⁠  

• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@John_Malecki⁠ 

• Website - ​​johnmalecki.com 

• Luke Labdie

• Full EP - https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/8mb48DwOUXb 

• Instagram⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/aaweldfab/ 

• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@lukethewelder 

• Website - https://aaweldfab.com/ 

• Kevin Johnson

• Full EP - https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/E7z6nEdPUXb 

• Welding Business Owners Podcast - https://www.weldingbusinessownerspodcast.com/ 

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weldingbusinessownerspodcast/?hl=en 

• Fabricator Olympics - https://www.fabricatorolympics.com/ 

• Oliver Adamson 

• Full EP - https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/lFvs4LbQUXb 

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/citizen_build/?hl=en 

• Website - https://citizenbuild.co/
  

• Matthew Nix 

• Full EP - https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/OpFUQohQUXb 

• Website - ⁠https://www.nixcompanies.com/⁠ 

• Calvin Gordon

• Full EP - https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/eN8uN3kQUXb 

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/arconewelding/ 

• YouTube - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@ARCONEWELDING

• Website - ⁠https://www.arc1welding.com/ 

Connect with Beau Wigington

• Instagram: @beaudiditwelding — https://www.instagram.com/beaudiditwelding
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauwigington
• E-mail: beauw@weld.com