Welcome back to another episode of the Built Different Podcast. I'm your host, the CEO of Tilghman Builders, Eric Tilghman. and our mission in business and goal for this podcast is to change the construction industry and what it means to be a contractor. today's guest is Mike Monzo. Welcome to the podcast. Hi, everybody. So I made I you're the first one I I made an introduction for. All right. Yeah, that's right.

Welcome back to another episode of the Built Different Podcast. I'm your host, the CEO of Tilghman Builders, Eric Tilghman. and our mission and business and goal for this podcast is to change the construction industry and what it means to be a contractor. today's guest is Mike Monzo. Welcome the podcast. Hi, everybody. So you're the first one I I've made an introduction for. All right. It's a first for everything. Yeah, that's right.

Alright, you ready? Mike Monzo is a Carpenter II at Tilghman Builders, a devoted husband to his wife Amanda, and a proud father of two One girl, one boy. One girl, one boy? How get that wrong? I don't know. You met her a thousand times. I thought you had an older son. Like an older son.

Yep. Mike Monzo is a Carpenter II in Tilghman Builders, a devoted husband to his wife Amanda, and a proud father of two boys. One girl, one boy. One girl, one boy? Olivia. How'd I get that wrong? I don't know. You met her a thousand times. Nine and a seventeen year old seventeen year old daughter. Start this known you forever. It's okay, I forgive you.

That's a terrible way to start this podcast. I've known you forever. I'm sorry, man. The one I know the most is Mason. That's right. Your daughter's older. Yeah. You have an older daughter. Got it. Scratch that part. he's been with our company for over five years and has become much more than a carpenter. Mike is one of the strongest culture carriers in our organization.

One I know the most is Macy. Yeah. That's your daughter's older. Yeah. Stepdaughter. Got it. Yeah. Scratch that part. he's been with our company for over five years and has become much more than a carpenter. Mike is one of the strongest culture carriers in our organization. A positive force, a local, a loyal teammate, and someone who genuinely cares about the people around him. He's the kind of person who is a positive force, a local, a loyal teammate, and someone who genuinely cares about the people around him. He is the kind of person who checks on his coworkers, encourages them when they're struggling, and celebrates their wins as if they're his own wins. when people talk about company culture, they're usually talking about people like Mike.

You can barely see my screen. He is the kind of person who checks on his coworkers, encourages them when they're struggling, and celebrates their wins as if they're his own wins. when people talk about company culture, they're usually talking about people like

Everybody wanna be like my his journey, his journey has not been a straight line. He's faced adversity, setbacks, and seasons of personal growth. But through perseverance, accountability, and a commitment to becoming a better man, he's continued to rise. Over the years, he's worked his way up through the company, earning the respect of his teammates and becoming one of the biggest advocates for our mission, vision, and values.

His journey, his journey has not been a straight line. He's faced adversity, setbacks, and seasons of personal growth. But through perseverance, accountability, and a commitment to becoming a better man, he's continued to rise. Over the years, he's worked his way up through the company, earning the respect of his teammates and becoming one of the biggest advocates for our mission, vision, and values. When Mike first joined us, he was looking for more than just a job.

When Mike first joined us, he was looking for more than just a job. Today he's found purpose, belonging, and a career he's proud of. He has transformed from an unhappy Amazon driver searching for direction into a skilled craftsman, a trusted teammate, and a man deeply committed to his family and his future.

Today he's found purpose, belonging, and a career career he's proud of. He has transformed from an unhappy Amazon driver searching for direction into a skilled craftsman, a trusted teammate, and a man deeply committed to his family and his future. More importantly, he's proof that when people are given when people are given the opportunity to grow, supported by the right culture and willing to do the work, incredible things can happen.

More importantly, he's proof that when people are given when people are given the opportunity to grow, supported by the right culture, and willing to do the work, incredible things can happen. In a company built on honesty, accountability, and kindness, Mike embodies all three. This is my friend, my teammate, one of the strongest culture carriers in our company, Mike Monzo. Yes. Officially, welcome. Thanks, buddy. Glad to be here. Yeah.

In a company built on honesty, accountability, and kindness, Mike embodies all three. This is my friend, my teammate, and one of the strongest culture carriers in our company, Mike Monzo. Officially, welcome. Thanks, yeah. Yeah. So, so how you doing? You it doesn't take long for you know, in talking to you, it doesn't take long for somebody to realize

So so how you doing? I'm good. You it doesn't take long for you know in talking to you, it doesn't take long for somebody to realize that you love your job.

that you love your job and and the where you work. Yeah. Here, talk it talk just pull that mic right up. I feel like Rogan. Rogan always has to say that. Pull that thing right up to your mouth. Spin it around. Yeah, sit back and chill. There you go. And then just pull that pull that arm up. You're not gonna break it. There you go. Yeah lower that if it you lower it. Have you ever watch a podcast? Come on. Hey that's good. Alright, cool.

I love pretty much everything. I feel like Rogan. Rogan always has to say that. Pull that thing right up to your mouth. Yeah, sit back and chill. There you go. How's that? Pull that pull that arm up. You're not gonna break it. There you go. Good? Ooh. Have you ever watched a podcast? No. Come on. Hey, that's good. All right, cool. Yeah, I do love my job. one of the

best parts about my job is watching something that was basically nothing and turn it into something we built from scratch. Yeah. It's it's the most satisfying part. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I miss that. I miss that part of being in the field. Yeah, it's it's fun. And you get a free tan. You get a free tan. Yeah, good. Good. What when when we first met, like well, we should talk about that for a second. So

Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I miss that. I miss that part of being in the field. And you get a free tan. You get a free tan, that's right. Yeah, good. Good. When we first met, like well, we should talk about that for a second. So 'cause I don't know, you've brought that up many times over the years. I call y I called you, see if you wanted a job. Talk to tell me what tell your story. What's what's that? What's that look like?

'Cause I don't know, you brought that up many times over the years. I called you to see if you want a job. Talk to tell me your story. What's so I was on Indeed and you actually called me and I actually still have the voicemail. I saved that from five years ago. And I just remember how convincing you sounded. And I kind of was looking for somewhere to s stay for a while.

And you gave me that opportunity on a job site. We met at a job site and I got to meet a couple of the guys who are currently not here anymore. but it was a it was a good interview. You asked me if I could pass a drug test. I said yeah, and here we are.

Did you pass it? You did.

I I think marijuana came up. Did a little party in the weekend before. Yeah. Everybody loves weed. So what was so I mean, what was your first impression of Tilghman Builders, right? I mean, it was a lot different than today. I interviewed at at a job site, right? 'Cause we didn't have an office right then. so So you you stuck me with Eric Kovac and

Okay. so what was so I mean, what was your first impression of of Tilghman Builders, right? I mean, it was a lot different than today. I interviewed at a at a job site, right? 'Cause we didn't have an office then. so what

He was a great first impression kind of guy. Asked me what I knew, told him what I knew and he threw me into the fire. Cool. No hesitation. Cool. So I think our first job was gabinand or Yeah, that's right. I remember it. Yeah, Ben Lin Blake. Yeah. When they they asked us to swap out the screws for nails. I remember in their interior wall.

Cool. Cool. So nice, man.

Yeah, that's right. I remember it. Yeah, on Penland Pike. Yeah.

I remember. I remember. Yeah. That's right. I remember that. Yeah. What what do you think? I mean I mean, l let me just like ask a blanket question. Like you when you're when I when when people join this company, you're like you're banging the drum. Why why is that? Like I've known that about you for a long time. You're a positive dude. You are

Jay had a heart attack. Yeah. What what do you think? I mean I mean l let me just like ask a blanket question. Like you when you're when I when when people join this company, you're like, you're banging the drum. Why why is that? Like I've known that about you for a long time. You're a positive dude. You are you're upbeat, you're just like

You're upbeat, you're just like, Yeah, yeah, you know, like you I mean you're a rah rah guy, right? You are.

Yeah, yeah. You know, like you tell them all the way guy. Yeah. You are. So I've been I've worked a lot of places in my career and most of them are dirtbags. You know, you don't know when you're gonna get paid. if you're sick it's a problem. If there's a family emergency it's a problem. here it's like

Most of them were dirt bags.

If you give a notice and you let them know what's going on, they have your back and that's hard to find. the people that work here are like brothers, you know. deep good relationships with the people you work with is very important. You spend more time with them than you do your family. So if you have a healthy workplace, you'll have a healthy life. Yeah. So that's true. I mean, when you when you came here though.

The people that work.

Yeah. That's true. I mean, when you when you came here though, like I would talk about culture and I when like when you were hired, that's the perfect time of the company because we didn't really have I didn't have much to show for, right? I mean, it it was a sizable company, but it wasn't what it is today. And it certainly we didn't have like the culture that I wanted to have. It was like

chocolate.

switch because we didn't really have I didn't have much to show for right I mean it was a sizable company but it wasn't what it is today and it certainly we didn't have like the culture that I wanted to have it was like come on here come with me here's what it's gonna be I promise yeah and like but like you saw all the weights you saw us hire the wrong people you saw us crush bird a few times you know like so

Come on, here come with me. Here's what it's gonna be, I promise. Right. And like, but like you saw all the waves. You saw us hire the wrong people. You saw us crash and burn a few times, you know. And like, so I feel like I feel like you I've always looked at you as like somebody who helped build the culture. So why did you do that? Like you obviously see that as important.

feel like I feel like you I've always looked at you as like somebody who helped build the culture. So why did you do that? Like you obviously see that as important. Well I wanna I want people to treat me the way I treat them on job sites. If I'm if I'm nice to you or if I give you a hand here and if I'm stuck and I need a hand I expect somebody to help me out because I drop everything for the guy next to me. You know why do you drop everything for the guy next to you?

Why do you drop everything for the guy next to you? That I think that's my question. It's the right thing do. I shoveling with something.

The right thing to do. I mean, if somebody's struggling with something and you want to keep the progress going, help a guy out. You know, teach them. Teach one, learn one, you know. teach one. Or that's it. Yeah. I messed that up. It's all good. And then you know, and with the people that you've hired recently, it's pretty easy to get up and go to work. Yeah. I enjoy coming in every day. Whether it's 99 degrees or seven degrees, we're out there, so gotta make it.

Teach one, learn one, you know. Yeah. Each one, teach one. Yeah. It's all good.

Yeah.

what it's worth and you know, I hope people look at me as I'm a brother to them. I mean, you know, we all established good friendships outside of work. I hang out with most of the guys outside of work, you know, do some activities that you know, that men like to do.

It's awesome. Yeah, you were just telling me peop everybody's coming to watch that UFC fight on the fourteenth, right? All right, so if anybody is free that day, I'll put Mike's address in the description.

Yeah, you better come. Fourteenth. All right, so if anybody is free to

Yeah, you gotta let me make the invitation. I'm doing AI generated invitation through chat GPT. Well, because we have so many listeners to this And you will after this one. Like a project X. Cargo's in the swimming pool. Yeah. so why do you think why do you think people enjoy working here? Like at this point we had a lot of guys that really like the job. And why do you think that

Okay, cool. Well, because we have so many listeners to this podcast, you're gonna end up with like a pro like a Project X. You ever see that? That's an awesome movie. Yeah. so why do you think why do you think people enjoy working here? Like at this point, we have a lot of guys that really like their job. And why do you think that they like their job?

Honestly they like they like working here because they like the people they're working for. we just had a little hiccup about you know, wages with gas and Bob and you and Joanne gave a raise across the whole board to every carpenter in the company and people don't do that. You know, they they wanna not struggle but they

They wouldn't accommodate an entire company in one shot like that, you know, and it and it helps everybody 'cause things aren't you know, they were there things aren't the way they were five years ago. You know, gas is almost five bucks, a box of cereal six, milk is six, eggs, you know, so it's hard to keep, you know, the dinner table full when everything's so expensive and

One shot.

everybody because things aren't you know they were there things aren't the way they were five years ago you know gases almost five bucks box of cereal six six yeah eggs you know so it's hard to keep you know the dinner table full when everything's so expensive and you guys gave a

You guys gave a dollar to everybody, which is huge. I mean, normal contractors don't do that. Be lucky if you get paid on Friday. Yeah. Yeah. Well

Normal contractors don't do that.

Yeah. Yeah. Well I think, you know, that that's like it's just one of the biggest things that we've learned over the years is like or that it I don't know, it just makes sense to me, like

The company only runs smooth because we have a lot of people in it that love their job. So like sometimes like that's the that's the thing about that's why why we're doing this podcast, you know, because company culture is like one, it's it's easy when it's easy, right? It's like, yeah, you know, so and so's cool or like the owner's cool or whatever it is. But it's like, yeah, well, how cool it like is he cool when it's tough? Like is it cool, you know, eventually you gotta put your money where your mouth is too.

like that's the that's the thing about that's why why we're doing this podcast you know because company culture is like one it's it's easy when it's easy right it's like yeah you know so and so's cool like the owner's cool or whatever it is but it's like how cool it like is he cool when it's tough like is it cool you know eventually you gotta put your money where your mouth is too and so I I don't know I I look at I look at turbulent times

And so I I don't know, I I look at I look at turbulent times as an opportun as like a real opportunity to show people how much you mean it. You know what I mean?

as an opportun as a a real opportunity to show people how much you need it. Yeah. You know what I mean? Yeah. Yeah, you showed it. So I know all the guys are really, really happy and working even harder than they were before. So good. Guys are showing up on time ready to bust their butts. Yeah. Yeah. And and I guess for everybody listening.

Good. Good. Yeah. Yeah. And and d I guess for everybody listening, I mean, if if the purpose of the podcast is to reach other business owners and encourage you to run your business in the same way. But so like this is for them. Our first quarter was awful. We'd like we didn't make any money at all. It was awful. You know, and which made the decision tough. But what's one way to make quarter two awful?

of the podcast is to reach other businesses.

So like this is for them. Our first quarter was awful. Yeah. Like we didn't make any money at all. It was awful. Yeah you know, and which made the decision tough. But what's one way to make quarter two awful? Pick off all your field guys. You know, like I mean you guys are the you guys are the heartbeat, you know. Well, you're like the blood running through the veins. Yeah, and you you're the heartbeat. Yeah, and so it's just

Piss off all your field guys. You know, like I mean, you guys are the you guys are the heartbeat, you know. Well, you're like the blood running through the veins, you know? And like, yeah. And so it's just I don't know. anyway, I appreciate I didn't know we were gonna get into that, but you know, I appreciate you you know, and you sent me a text that was nice. But what what makes someone successful in this company other than

I don't know. anyway, I appreciate I didn't know we were gonna get into that, but me neither. you know, you sent me a text that was nice. Yeah, of course. what what makes someone successful in this company other than construction skills? Other than construction skills? Like yeah. All right.

construction skills, carpentry skills, right? Like yeah, all right. You we could get we could hire a guy right now, man. He'd probably be awesome at crowd molding and do everything perfect and all this. But that is not everything and we've learned that over the years. And you've been along you've been working with the wrong hires as they've come and go.

Yeah. That is not everything and we've learned that over the years. We have been along you've been working the wrong hires. We have, yeah. One in particular I can name. Actually, probably two. Probably more than that. Yeah. So what in your opinion, if if if I just kind of

Probably more than that. so what in your opinion, if if if if I just got hired here and you had me for a second, you're like, I'm like, yo man, how can I be successful here? I I I want to get good at carpentry. I plan to one day, but what can I do now other than getting good at carpentry? So you just you know when you see something

Sorry.

successful here.

Other than getting good at carpentry. Yeah. So you just, you know, when you see something that you're interested in, or if a lead has you on something and you're not quite sure how to do it, ask somebody. ask the right questions. ask to get taught the right way, the Tilghman way. There's a lot of ways to do things, but there's only one way, and that's the Tilghman way. you know, we cope our baseboard and

some of the new guys coming, why why do we why don't we cope our baseboard? You can't just 45 and caulk it? We don't use caulk. You know, that's that's just something, you know, you you you tell them early enough and then you know you mold mold your carpenter friend into a nice carpenter, you know. another thing is just be reasonable. if you mess something up, own it. You know, if if you don't want to own it

That's that's just something you know, you you you tell them early.

The other thing is just be reasonable. If you mess something up.

Wanna own it?

could lead to other bad things. People may not trust you. You may not be asked to do difficult tasks or challenging ch tasks. And probably the third thing is challenge yourself. If you think you can handle something, go up to the lead and say, Hey, I wanna I wanna challenge myself and and do this real quick. You know? that's what I did. the leads pretty good at doing that? They are Yeah.

May not be asked to do difficult tasks or challenging ch tasks. And probably the third thing is challenge yourself. If you think you can handle something, go to the leading site.

The lead's pretty good at doing that? Like letting you go? Yeah. good.

Bill in particular will let you go, but he'll reel you back in too if he sees that you're, you know, slipping a little bit. But he does it in a very nice way. He's a very nice guy. He is. He's my favorite. He's dude. He is. I'm gonna have him on too. He'll be over on Sunday. I know you said that. Yeah. That's good. so this is I want to tell you become obviously one of the biggest advocates for the company.

Cool.

He's a very nice guy. He's great. He's a great dude, man. I'm gonna have him on too one time.

I know you said that. Yeah. That's good. so this is the I wanna talk you've become obviously one of the biggest advocates for the company. You just are, you know. w why are you you seem to be passionate about what we're building here. and I think we already kinda talked about it.

Just are, you know.

Why are you you seem to be passionate about

And I think we already kinda talked about it.

What responsibilities do employees have in creating a culture? Like I I've I've always said, like, and like I it on this podcast, like I've said, like you don't need to be the owner of the business to create a good company culture. Like you could be, you know, in a team of a hundred, you could be like number 40 and you just start valuing a good culture, eventually you'll find yourself at the top because because you're driving results.

What responsibilities do employees have in creating a culture? Like I I've I've always said like and like on this podcast that I've said like you don't need to be the owner of the business to create a good company culture. You could be, you know, in a team of a hundred, you could be like number 40. And you just start valuing a good culture, eventually you'll find yourself in the top. Yes.

Because you're driving results, like you're making happy people. Right. So so what responsibility to do employees have in creating the culture? Just treating everybody with respect. you know, you don't want the customer overhearing you bad mouthing each other. You know, when you're on the same team, it's not a good look. Right. Would be a good look for our company.

Like you're making happy people. So so what responsibility to do employees have in creating the culture?

Mm-hmm. Right.

You know, just stay positive, be nice to one another. You know, we have three word sayings. There's core values, honesty, accountability, and kindness. Kindness is a huge one. You know, you could be like, Bill, I fucked this up. Or I messed this up. Sorry guys. Okay. And you know JP was the first person curse them. Jamie? JP. J P. Yeah. Figures. And then you know,

Stay positive, be nice to one another.

Core values.

I messed this up, sorry. It's okay. And JP was the first person to curse on the podcast. JP. J P

Bill, I really messed this up. I wanna fix it. Can you show me how? You know, with that you're you're creating a you know, a wave of

Commodore, I guess, you know, because you stepped out of your comfort zone. You you said, Hey, I messed up. Can you help me with this? And you know, Bill's usually kind when you mess something up. usually, but there has been times where, you know, it didn't go over so well, but some some things are out of our control. Yeah. But you just you know, you just hammer away at that and just be just be nice. You know, just be a nice person, you know?

You know, Bill's usually kind when you mess something up. usually.

Yeah. Like just you know, you just hammer away at that and just be just be

Yeah. Yeah, I mean th the I've said it many times in the past, like keep like keep your relationship strong, you know? And that's just I just think that's probably the most important thing because I don't know, it's like your it's like your life resume, you know? What do people say about you when you're not around?

Yeah, I mean the the I said

Yeah. You know, and that's just I just think that's probably the most important thing. That is. I don't know. It's like your it's like your life like what do people say about you when you're not around Exactly or you know, you're spending forty hours with five people. Mm-hmm. I see my w fiance twenty four hours out of the week 'cause the rest of the time I'm sleeping. Yeah. You know, so you gotta make it good for

Mm-hmm.

Sleeping. Yeah. You know, so you're good for you know, you and the guy next to you. Yeah.

You know, you and the guy next to you. Yeah. You know? I mean people will say and do certain things, but like put your money where your mouth is, you know, just be be nice.

Mm-hmm. I feel like I feel like in the field like yeah, you guys have a killer culture. You you guys, I mean I think I when I when I had Jay on here, he was like he was like, I'm jealous of the guys in the field because like we really we did not have that. I wasn't part of it. Yeah. Like we we we didn't have that and and now you guys really do. Like I couldn't imagine.

We all love each other, bro. Yeah, you guys have a killer culture. Yeah.

I was a part of it. Yeah. You know?

Dude, there was guys coming up on G's job, drinking a six pack, throwing it in a dumpster and just being ready to work. And I'm like, this guy's swinging a a six pound sledgehammer over our heads. I'm not comfortable with that. You know, so you gotta trust one another if they're doing the right thing, and if they're doing the wrong thing, call out on it. That guy doesn't work here anymore, don't worry. He's probably in the loony bit.

Six packs, aren't they?

I remember. I remember.

Yeah. It doesn't work very important at work. Yeah, he didn't he he didn't he didn't he didn't last much much longer than well he as soon as we found out he left. You know, as soon as I found out he left. yeah. So I feel like when when there's a new team member who comes on comes comes aboard, I'm always happy when he's with you. Yeah, they gravitate towards me. So

Yeah, yeah. Yeah, for sure. Yeah. Yeah. So I feel like

Yeah, they gravitate towards me for some reason.

Yeah, I know they do. Why do they do that? Like what do you what are you what what are you doing and why are you doing that?

I just get him involved. You know? New guy. I was there once. I was that guy one time. You know, and you know, the the best leader we had for me to start with was Jay. Jay was a really good role model. He knew his shit. You know, he worked really hard, gave us long breaks and sorry Jay, I ratted Jay out.

Leader we had for me to start with was Jay. Jay was a really good role model, he knew his shit, you know.

And sorry.

Okay. You know, and like the new guys, you know, they they want to prove themselves early. You know, they always want to like Eddie's a great example. Eddie, Eddie asks questions all that. What's this do? What's what's that for? How are we gonna do this? Is this the right way to do this? You know, he's hungry. You know, just come up and be hungry. You know, it's only gonna make you better, it's only gonna make people wanna.

You know, and like the new guys, you know, they they wanna sh prove themselves early. You know, they always wanna pr like Eddie's a great example. Eddie Eddie asks questions all day. What's this do? What's what's that for? How we gonna do this? Is this the right way to do this? You know, he's hungry. You know, just come up and be hungry. You know? It's only gonna make you better. It's only gonna make people wanna work with you if you wanna, you know.

You know, work alongside know, people that have been here for a while. Yeah. You know? You wanna move that longer? I'm grabbing six though it's I'm grabbing eight. Make it a competition. Right. You know? Yeah. That's good. So cool. Cool.

work alongside of, you know, people that have been here for a while. You know? You wanna move that lumber? I'm grabbing six thuds. I'm grabbing eight. Make it a competition. You know? That's how that's how they roll out there. That's good. So

Do you think that do you think that culture th I want you to think about this answer? Do you think that do you think culture comes from the top? Like is it come from the owner or does it come from within? Like like from the team?

She's bigger.

It definitely comes in within. you could sit there and say nice things from the top all day, but if you don't put it in play, it means nothing. I can say, yeah, I I treated him good that day, you know, and then find out that I didn't treat him good and I gave all the shit jobs to do. You know, you know, put your money where your mouth is and it starts with you, you know.

I can say, yeah, I I treated

Right. You know, put your money

It starts with you. You know, it starts with the person that's you, you know, if if you want to be treated like

It starts with the person that's you. You know, if if you wanna be treated like shit, you know, treat other people the way you wanna be treated and you'll get further. You know, culture is a a thing that is very contagious. If one guy's happy go lucky, you know, the next guy next to him is too. If the guy showed up and he crashed his car, we'll make a joke about it, get him to laugh about it and

You know. Yeah. It's the way we are, man. Yeah. Yeah. Culture exists.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Culture exists no matter what. It's whether or not you have a good culture or a bad culture. You know?

Yeah, it's just it's not something that can be you know, you could say all you want from the top, it's yeah, put it in the action. Yeah. Yeah, I mean you you heard me for years like talking about culture when we still didn't really quite have it. Yeah. You know? and like I did that on purpose 'cause like I wasn't gonna stop until we did have it. Yeah. You know?

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I mean you you heard me for years like talking about culture when we still didn't really quite have it, you know. and like I did that on purpose because like I wasn't gonna stop until we did have it, you know, and part of it was like not tricking you guys, but like kind of like I wanted you to be excited about a future state.

Like I wanted you to be excited about a future state that we didn't yet have. Yeah. So I would constantly say like culture like

that we didn't yet have. And so I would constantly say, like, culture like one day we're gonna be this, one day we're gonna be that, you know, and slowly but surely, you know, I mean you've watched, like and that and now it's it's very steady. And

Slowly but surely, you know. Yeah. I mean you've watched. Like I have. Yeah, it's it's it's something that doesn't need to be taught here anymore. Yeah. But it still needs to be talked about. You know, you guys the leads still do their shout outs midweek, you know, that's that's important. It is, right? Yeah. I agree with that. 'cause if somebody's slacking or if they're not

You guys the weeds still do

Yeah. It is, right?

Putting their full potential into a work day, somebody needs to know about it. But if they're killing it, you know, they also need to know about it. So it works both ways. Yeah. You know, and I I you know, that's a good thing. Yeah.

They need to know about it. Know about it. It works both ways. Yeah.

Yeah, cool, cool. how do you know how do you know when the culture's healthy? Or or how do you know when it's not healthy? You pick one. Either one either one.

That's easy. when it's not health when it's not healthy? All right. So when it's not healthy, it's like hey Ben, can you grab me that piece of plywood over there? man, I'm kinda busy. Can you get it yourself? And it's like, all right, dude, well, if I asked you, I kinda need it now. You know, I can't really wait. I'm on a forty foot ladder trying to piece in this window.

Yourself.

to

Right.

You know, or

there's I mean it's it's more it's it's more good than bad. You know, I've never I personally haven't been on a job site where it's like, man, we gotta work with this guy again. Shit, what are we gonna do? You know? Or hey, Eddie's miserable today. Let's let's get him to laugh. Yeah, let's get him to laugh. Hey Eddie, you know.

I mean You nailed it. It's more it's it's more good than bad. You know, I've never I personally have

Yeah, what's gonna do? Yeah or hey, Eddie's miserable today. Let's let's get him the laugh. Yeah, let's get him to laugh.

Did you hear this joke before, you know? You know, try to turn it around instead of harping on the day like he's miserable, so I might as well be miserable. You know, 'cause miserable loves company and it's easy to spread just as way as good as, you know, spreading the positive. Yeah, that's awesome. That's cool to hear that you guys do stuff like that. Sometimes. Or it's like, I crashed my car, you know, or I needed a pr I needed a mental day tomorrow. Or

Yeah, that's good.

Yeah. There's a bull company and it's easy to spread way as good know, spreading the other Yeah, that's awesome. That's cool to hear that you guys do s stuff like that. That's good. Yeah, sure.

It's like what happened, Bob? Would you have a period or something, you know? Yeah, something like that. Sure. So that's how we are in the Yeah, bunch of guys. You're so I mean, I've already said

Jeez. Sure. Sure. Construction guys. Yeah. You're so I mean, I've already said it, like you whether you know it or not, you're a leader in the company. what what how do you keep morale high when things dip? And I mean, like, it's a it I don't know what kind of day is it. Maybe it's the beam day, big steel beam, or maybe it's

Yeah. Stress is high. Maybe it's digging pure footings out back in a hot and it's like you guys are like almost hitting your physical max plant. Like I feel like you're one of the few that would keep going in a situation like that. Yeah. Almost find an opportunity. Yeah, exactly. You just find an opportunity to boost your guys, you know, just be like, Hey, you need a break? I got it for a couple of minutes, you know. You know, or you know

Maybe it's digging pier footings out back in a hot day, like it's like you guys are like almost hitting your physical max, right? Like I feel like you're one of the few that would shine in a situation like that and almost find an opportunity.

Awesome.

Yo, Dylan, I'll help you out. I'll get the digging bar and you could just get the loose stuff. You know, don't break your back. I'm here too. You know, hey guys, can you stay an hour late on the job? Yeah, no problem. You know, so that's any opportunity that I see if somebody's struggling with something, if they're down on themselves or if they made a mistake and they feel really bad about it.

You know, hey guys, can you speak an hour?

Any opportunity that I see if somebody's struggling with something, if they're down on their cells or if they made a mistake and they feel really

You know, I can think of a of a time that just happened about a month ago. Somebody was drilling a towel bar into tile and the drill bit slipped and he scratched the finished tile and he didn't know what to do. And I said, you know, just go up to whoever and say, Hey, I messed this up but I'm willing to fix it. You know, whatever

Somebody was drilling it.

slipped and he scratched the finished hile and he didn't know what to do and I said you know just go up to whoever and say hey I messed this up but I'm willing to fix it you know whatever the cost is or you know I'll pay

the cost is or you know, I'll pay for it or whatever. And you know, the guy said, don't worry about it. We should really have the tile guys do this. You know, it should be a part of their scope of work because this things this could be avoid avoided. You know, instead of like burying him, he kinda said it was okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's a good leader. Yeah. It does so that's an example that, you know, that I was a part of

You know, the guy said, don't worry about it. We should really have the tile guys do this. You know, it should be a part of their scope of work because this things this could be avoid avoided. You know, instead of like bearing

Yeah. That's a good easier. Yeah, it definitely is.

'Cause the guy came up to me and didn't know how to tell on himself to the boss. Right. You know? It all points back to the core values. Does. I could have been like, hey, I'm not the boss, I don't care, you know. Hey man, honesty gets your points around here. It does. Honestly. No pun intended. Yeah. It's only it's just an opportunity. Like, I don't know. I accountability is like

Right. It all points back to the core values. Hey man, honesty gets you points around here. Honestly. Honestly. I didn't mean to say that, but Yeah, it's always it's just an opportunity. Like I don't know. I accountability is like connected with like sorry, right? Like it's like sorry, I I messed up. But honesty is like well, I don't know, it's just equally as important. Like I love

Right? Yeah, that's it. Sorry, I I messed up. Honesty is like well, I don't know, it's just equally as important.

if somebody if if I mess up with somebody and I get to a chance to say sorry, like that's just that's good for the relationship. Like just like that, now that person knows that I'm that I'm that whatever they thought before just changed only a little bit, right? Okay, so now I see. Okay. So you're not perfect, but when you mess up, you're good with saying sorry. Okay, huh? So I can trust you. You're actually like you're right.

If somebody if if I mess up with somebody and I get to a chance to say sorry, that's that's good for the relationship. Right. Like just like that, now that person knows that I'm that I'm on it. Yeah. Just changed only a little bit. Yeah. Okay, so now I see. Okay. So you're not perfect, but when you mess up, you're good with saying sorry. Okay, huh? I can trust you. You're actually like right. I just I just value that.

I just I just value that in a relationship. I just think it's important.

Yeah. It's good to value that because you don't want to bullshitter, you know. And you don't want somebody that thinks that

Yeah. And you don't want somebody that thinks that they're above making a mistake.

Right. Or hiding it too. Yeah. Because that's only gonna cause a bigger headache if the customer catches it before the boss catches it. You're in deep doo doo now. You know, 'cause yeah, and like honesty is like once you once you lie once, like everything's really ruined, you know? Yeah. I mean, right? It's true. Yeah, it is true. You don't get to lie once. No, you don't get rewarded like that. No

Yeah, right.

You're right. Yeah. Yeah. And like honesty is like once you once you lie once, like everything's really ruined, you know? I mean, right? Like yeah yeah. It's you you don't get to lie once. No, like and you don't and like it just it ruins the relationship forever. Or at least for a very, very long time, you know? So

in relationship forever. Does or at least for a very, very long time. For sure. So you don't want to stain your relationships. What'd you say? You don't want to stain your relationships. Especially with the people you work with. Yeah. You know, you want to be trusted. Don't feel that don't see

What'd you say? You don't want to steam your really people you work with. Yeah. Yeah. A lot of people don't feel that don't see it that way. not in our company. I feel like I mean I don't know all the guys in the field, but you know, the guys I do know very closely in here, you know, everybody's honest, you know. Yeah. So, let's shift gears. Mike. A few years ago

No, no.

In the world. But you know, the guys I do know very closely in here, you know.

For the most part, yeah. Yeah. So let's shift gears. Mike, a few years ago, things weren't going no your way. Not at all. Not even close. You were you you were struggling. You were you you weren't

Things weren't going your way.

you were you you were struggling. You weren't you w you weren't quite hitting the mark, right? And ultimately we parted ways. Okay. and I I think I assured you like if you cleaned cleaned up your act, we would we would have you back. you've been back for two years? Were you gone for like what, a year? Ten months? Okay. So

And ultimately we parted ways.

And I I think I assured

been back for two years? Were you gone for like what a year? Ten months. Ten months? Okay. So was there a was there a turning point that we we came across like was there a turning point where you're like, man, I gotta change. There was in my life. Yeah. I can identify it. Yes. Everything had to change. There was a significant change that I had to make within myself to be pretty much a man.

Was there a was there a turning point that we we came acros like was there a turning point where you're like, man, I gotta change. There was in my life. It was I can d identify it. Boom. It was everything had to change.

I was acting like a little boy at the time that you let me go. But I thank you for doing it because I learned so much about myself in those ten months. you know, I quit drinking, two years solid. that wasn't the issue anyway, but it was just in the way. You know, I didn't know how to shut it off, you know, with me.

So much about myself.

drinking two years solid.

You know, I can get addicted to anything. you know, so I had to find myself again. And you were a stepping stone along the way for me to find myself because I never hit rock bottom until the day you let me go. And once you let me go, it w it sucked for everybody. It sucked for you, it sucked for me. but you still c took care of me on my way out.

So I had to find myself again and you were a stepping stone.

It sucks for everybody, it sucks for you, it sucked for me, but you still took care of me.

You gave me another chance. And when I came in, I told you I was changed and I haven't looked back since. And JP was a little nervous bringing me back, but he saw something in me that was different. And I got put on a thirty day contract. If I were to mess up in those thirty days, kiss the second chance goodbye. you know, and I just put my head down and came to work and

Give me another chance. And when I came in I told you I was changed.

since and JP was a little nervous bringing me back but he saw something in me that was different and I got put on a

Up in those 30 days, kissed the second chance goodbye. you know, and I just put my head down and came to work and didn't look back. there's a couple of motivational YouTube videos I started watching in the time that I was away and it just opened my eyes and actually you're the one who put me onto it. I just never

Didn't look back. there's a couple of motivational YouTube videos I started watching in the time that I was away and it just opened my eyes. And actually you're the one who put me onto it. I just never I just never watched them and there was this one segment I was just like, I can't not watch this. You know, it was forty five minutes long and I said, I'm gonna be this person.

I just never watched them and there was this one segment I was just like, I can't not watch this. You know, it was forty five minutes long and I said, I'm gonna be this person, you know, or I'm gonna act like this person. And you know, it was hard to look my fiance in the face and say, Hey, I got let go today, you know, she was devastated, you know

You know, or I'm gonna act like this person. And you know, it was hard to look my fiancee in the face and say, Hey, I got let go today you know, and she was devastated. You know, I have a family with two kids and me with no job is not anyway not anywhere I wanted to be. but yeah, ever since I came back it's been great. It's been real nice. Yeah, it is

family with two kids and me with no job is not anyway not anywhere I wanted to be. yeah, ever since I came back it's been great. Yeah, it it is good. It's really good. I'm proud of you, man. Yeah, thank you. I mean we've talked about this a lot, but like, you know, you yeah, you you turned your act around and honestly that's

Been really good. I'm proud of you, man. Yeah. Thank you. I mean we've talked about this a lot. Yeah, we have.

better than somebody that's just been perfect from the start, you know. I don't know.

Well it's good to it's good to prove my worth here. And yeah, you guys saw something in me that I didn't see, you know, a long time ago and you know, I found it and I'm holding on to it. Yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah, I mean it it I remember this time so vividly. Like I I just I remember like we all knew that we all knew who you were, you know, and then you started slipping and we were like, You can't even be mad at it. Like that's just not even him, you know? And like he's gotta you know, come back to you know, and start reaching his potential, you know, like you never you weren't you hadn't scratched at this at your potential at all. Yeah, and like

So

Start reaching his potential. You know, like you never you weren't you hadn't scratched now at your potential. Not even close.

when you came back, you know, I just yeah, I was I was impressed. I mean you you'd you'd stop drinking, like you said, that wasn't the issue. Like it just was in the way. and and so anyway, man, I'm I'm I'm proud of you. And like ever since then you have you've climbed the ranks, you've the the team loves you, yeah, you know.

You know, I just yeah.

And so anyway then, I'm I'm I'm proud of you. And like ever since then you have you've cut in the ranks, you the the team loves you. Yeah. You know, they know before too. Yeah. You know, I had a few phone calls after everything happened. So Yeah. It's you know being a

They loved you before too. Everybody was worried about you. You know that. I'm sure. Yeah. It's you know, being a man, like I've been I've been part of these conversations so many times, like like it's i eventually the conversation changes. Like eventually it's like, Hey, listen, you're a man and nobody's coming to help you. Nobody cares that you cry. Nobody cares. Yeah.

Like it's it eventually the conversation changes. Like eventually it's like, hey, listen, you're a man and nobody's coming to help you. Yeah. Nobody cares that you're crying. No nobody's gonna lift you up. You gotta do it yourself.

And like you know who r like as supportive as our wives are are for us and ought to be, there's also a point that they reach and it's like sorry you had a bad day, but I don't care. Man up and get out there and fix it or be more creative or b work harder, whatever the thing is. Like, you know, wives are supposed to be supportive, but they're not they're not supposed to, you know.

There's also a point that they reach and it's like, sorry, you had a bad day, but I don't care. Man up and get out there and fix it. Be more creative, work harder. Wives are supposed to be supportive, but they're not they're not supposed to you know baby you baby you, not for too long, you know.

Baby you, not for too long, you know, maybe you get one bad day, but you better you better get up early and have your clothes put out the night before, you know?

So funny thing is, Amanda I actually had to leave the house because we were just arguing and I stayed with my aunt and I found a job. it was a good job. It wasn't here, but it was it was decent. it put food on the plate, so you know, but they dried up in November a month before Christmas and

Good job.

Mm-hmm.

You know, I stumbled my way back into here and said I think it was February I came back. I think I saved enough money where I was like, Hey babe, here's five grand. Go get the kids' Christmas gifts. I'm gonna hold on to the rest and I'm gonna take two months off before I start my new journey somewhere. I just had to ground myself somewhere. And I remember having a conversation with Bill and I said, Bill, what do you think? Should I go to Eric's office and

saved enough money where I was like hey babe here's five grand go get the kids Christmas

I asked him to come back and he's he Yeah, buddy He really he was just like, Well, Mike, he said, Are you prepared for him to say no? And I said, Yes. He said, Are you prepared for him to say yes? And I said, I don't know. And he said, He said, Well, you need to know before you go in that office. I think the day later I just I didn't even call you. I just showed up here and I walked in your office and I said, Hey Eric, it's been ten months.

He's like, Yeah, buddy. Yeah, go ask him.

Smart guy. He said, well, you need to know before you go in that office. I think the day later I just didn't even call you. I just showed up here.

been ten months. Can we talk? said yes. I probably said, you still smoking cigarettes?

Can we talk? Yes. You still smoking cigarettes? Yeah, you definitely did. But yeah, that's the next thing I need to quit, but we'll that's for another podcast. Yeah. podcast. We'll we'll do a podcast on bad habits.

Yeah. Yeah, we'll we'll do another podcast after after you quit. Yeah. Yeah. Well bad habits are common in our industry.

Yeah. So I left here feeling good about our conversation and JP reached out and I hounded JP for about three days because he just was so busy he didn't give me a direct answer and then he gave me the thirty day contract and I never looked back. Yeah. I'll never mess up like that again. Yeah. It's like a le it's it's a life lesson.

So busy he give me the correct then he gave me the third

Yeah. never myself like that again. Yeah. Well we're happy you're back, man. What what what are you most proud of today? I mean, here you are, you know.

Well, I recently bought a house a year ago. So I'm a new home buyer or a home homeowner. And it feels good to own your own house rather than renting. I was renting for probably let's see, probably my entire relationship with Amanda, we were in an apartment. And once I had my son, we were in Philadelphia and I said, Babe, we need we need

To get out of here. my daughter was excuse me, in school and she was coming home with like bad attitudes and cursing. And I'm like, she's learning all this from school. We gotta get out of here. So she was in fifth grade and Mason was just one, and we moved to Dublin, Bucks County, at an apartment, and it it suited us for a little bit, but

Mm-hmm. Yeah.

and she was going home with like bad attitudes and cursing and I'm like, she's learning all this from school. We gotta get out of here. So she was in fifth grade and Mason was just one in

suited us for a little bit but when the kids got

When the kids got older, we just ran out of room. So we were able to purchase our home in Percosy in April of last year. Hell yeah. Yeah. So it's it's been my life definitely did a three sixty from you know, four years ago or whatever. So but I always keep myself grounded and you know, spiritually, mentally and physically, you know, the

Hell yeah. Yeah, so been my lane definitely three sixty for good man.

Yep.

Spiritually.

You gotta take care of yourself before you can take care of anything else. Yeah. Yeah. You and I we like kind of the same

You gotta take care of yourself before you can take care of anything else. Yeah. Yeah. you and I we like kinda the same online content about personal growth. I we talk all day about that, you know. I don't think anybody else enjoys it like us. I don't know why. I don't know why either. I don't it's it's the greatest.

yeah. We can talk all day. Yeah. I don't think anybody else enjoys it like us. I don't know why. I don't know why either. It changes lives. Literally, I want to write Ed my let even though I heard he's a cheater, but Yeah, I heard that he's a fake. But there's other like Tony Robbins is good. Yeah. David Goggins. Yeah. Joe Rogan. Yeah. There's a ton of good guys. so I enjoy you put me on the net, so

Yeah, I heard that too. yeah. Yeah. Dave Goggins. Yeah. Joe Roger. Yeah. There's a there's a ton of good good guys.

You know, I wanna thank you for that because I wouldn't be where I was or where I am today without that kind of motivation. So I mean you reach on fatherhood, you know, li everything, work work, you know, how to be successful. I like I like talking about that because you know, I was just an idiot, you know.

Yeah. So I mean you reach

Yeah. I like it. I like I like talking about that because you know, I was just an idiot, you know, I and then I like dis I like reali I like it sounds so stupid, but I realized like like I didn't apply myself until late in life and I'm like, my God, I wanna I wanna if I could get to one of these twenty one year olds who w works for us and like get them to see what I found out years later, like y you can change people's lives and

so stupid but I realized like I kind of apply myself yeah late in life

Yeah. Get them to see what I found out years later. Yeah. You can change people's lives. You have a couple. Yeah, there's a couple. I would say in in our company right now, you probably impacted three to four young guys. Good. Good. I know for sure. Yeah. One of them excelled extremely fast. Actually.

Yeah, there's a couple

Good. Good. Yeah. Yeah.

One even excelled way faster than the other one did. Talk about Joe. Joe C. Yeah. Gotta give my man a shout out.

Talking Joe and Dave.

Think Dave did it on his own. He he Dave did

Dave did it on own. Dave Dave did do it on his own, but he had Mark for a year. Right. And it was just him and Mark the whole time. Yeah. And Mark was a good framer. He was an asshole, but he was a good framer, you know? So yeah. Dave, Dave is your best framer. Yeah. In my opinion. They're all good, but in my opinion. And and he's up. Yeah, yeah. Hi, everybody.

Right. Yeah, that's true. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah that's that's the Dave is your best friend Yeah I know yeah he's he's great I'll have Dave on for sure so yeah yeah he's the he's an awesome leader because he I I wish I was like there's like a I have like it's like somebody walks into the room and it's like all right which one of you guys is the leader right and like

He's a dryest.

Sometimes like the leader's just like the quiet guy in the corner. And like that's him. And I admire that because I just have a different style and at any point in time I'm in the middle somewhere. He lets his work speak for him. Yeah, he's a great guy. He really is. My best friend, man. Yeah. He's he's good. what we'll we'll wrap this up. I got some more questions for you though. so

Sometimes like the leader's just like the quiet guy. Yeah, that's him. And like that's him. Yeah. I admire that 'cause yeah.

He lets his work in the middle somewhere. Yeah, he lets his work speak for him. Yeah, he's a great guy. Yeah. He really is love Dave. My best friend, man. Yeah. He's he's we tight. Huh? We tight. That's my boy. what we'll we'll wrap this up. I got some more questions for you though. Go for it. So we'll we'll hit these questions quick. So what does Tilghman Builders mean to you? Tilghman Builders means a lot to me.

we'll we'll hit these questions quick. So what does Tilghman builders mean to you?

it's not just a a construction job. you build friendships here, with the higher ups. Like, you know, I envy your friendship with me. you know, I know you're honest with me. I don't have to worry about if I'm getting paid on Friday. You know, we get paid early actually. You know, so there's never a doubt in my mind that you won't stop taking care of us. And that's the biggest

thing for me in a company is that you take care of your employees.

Take care of your companies. Cool. Cool. Well that's easy. We'll just keep paying ya.

That's easy. We'll just keep paying. Yeah, that's easy, right? Just just keep everybody just keep ever getting everybody a dollar raise. That's okay.

Yeah. Getting everybody a dollar raise. Yeah, yeah, yeah. We can't keep doing that. But but we can keep growing the company to allow for everybody to grow. You know, it's like so many construction companies or companies in general. It's like you got the top few guys and like you know, whatever, but like they don't they don't build the company for anybody but themselves. And that's that's a big difference. Like I you know, I I don't know, I just

Yeah. Allow for everybody to grow. Yeah. Yep.

Yeah, whatever. The helpers.

Right. That's that's a big difference. Like a you know

I can't unsee that like.

Can't unsee that. Yeah. And it's good you can't because you don't want to be stagnant. You don't want to be like the other contractors out there. Well, and also I have fun doing this. I have fun trying to grow the company, you know, and helping the people, helping, helping team members. And you know, I don't know. Cause I, you know, you guys have you guys have a good, and so then our clients have a

Yeah. Well, and also I have fun doing this. Like I have fun trying to grow the company, you know, and helping people, helping helping team members and you know, I don't know. 'cause I I you know, you guys have you guys have a good and so then our clients have a good. And like I just can't unsee that like I enjoy that part a lot. So like I don't know. I just I I enjoy

Yeah. Like I just can't unsee that. Like I enjoy that part a lot. Yeah. So like I don't know. I just I I enjoy I enjoy my job, you know, so I'm gonna keep it going. Yeah. Good. What what what do you hope the company looks like in ten years? I hope we're nationwide. Do you? Yeah. I wanna go to North Carolina, baby. North Carolina's I got family down there, man. That's cool. Yeah.

Enjoy my job, you know, so I'm gonna keep it going. what what what do you hope the company looks like in ten years?

Do you? Yeah. North Carolina, huh?

That's cool. All right. I'll put that in my in my in my thoughts.

So so forget about New Jersey for a minute and go to North Carolina. I have beach houses we could stay at. Well Cape Maine, New Jersey. Six of Cape Maine, New Jersey is the second stop. Really? I'm down for that. Down the shore? yeah. Sign me up. Yeah. Hazard pay though.

Well Cape May Cape Cape May, New Jersey is the second stop.

Yeah. Yeah. Hazard pay though. I hear the contractors down there are so unreliable.

Yeah, all of every every beach front is like that. My uncle just put up six houses. He's not even a contractor. He put up six beach houses in North Carolina. Six mortgages. I'm like, how are you paying for all this? Yeah, that's awesome. Rent out. That's he's doing. Smart guy. What what do you

Yeah. It's awesome. Six mortgages.

Yeah, that's awesome. Yeah, smart guy. What what do you hope people think of when they hear your name?

Culture vulture baby. Culture vulture. I just want them I want them to know that I'm gonna give them my all week in and week out. whether it's if I'm late or not, you know, I've had some hiccups in these last couple weeks. yeah. They already do. I'll say this too

Culture vulture. Nice dude.

Do you want do you want them to think that you're fun? I mean, you you're you're you're I'll I'll say this to the to the viewers. Mike is being very well behaved on this podcast. Mike is Mike is a wild man. You're you you you are you are a fun, energetic dude. Is that do you do you like being that way? Do you want people to think of you the way that we all do think of you or

Weg is a wild man. Used to be. I'm tied down now.

I want I want everybody to smile on my job site cool and laugh because let's face it, work sucks, especially in ninety-nine degrees, lifting heavy shit, getting hurt, getting cut. Just let's laugh. Let's make fun of each other. Cool, man. You know, so that's the way most of everybody here looks at me for you know. They they think I'm the fun guy. I know how to turn it off though, too. Good. Yeah, I've noticed that.

Cool.

Let's be ninety nine degrees. Let's see any shit. Yeah. Getting hurt. Getting caught. Yep.

So that's the way most of

Good. Yeah, I've noticed that change. That di that's the difference I I see. That's one of the differences I see is like, yeah, you seem to be more of a leader. Huh? Less chatty. Less chatty, yeah. Yeah. It's all good. I do too. So, all right, here's your this is your ed my let moment. All right. This is this is your each one teach one moment. So if somebody's struggling in life right now, you just came out of the grips of

That's important. That's the difference I I see. That's one of the differences I see. Yeah. Yeah, you seem to be more less chatty. Huh? Less chetty. Less chatty. Yeah. I still talk my eyeshadow. I do too. So all right, here's your this is your ed my let moment. okay. This is this is your each one teach one moment. So yeah, if somebody's struggling in life right now, you just came out of the grips of of a downfall.

of a downfall, right? And it could have kept going. I mean, it could have just rocked your whole life, ruined your son's life, your daughter's life, right? Your your w Amanda's life, who is such a blessing for I mean, I know Amanda enough. She is I don't know what you w what you did to to land her, but she's good to you and I'm I'm happy that you're manning up. you know, she's a good person. I just know it. Yeah. I just

Right. And it could have kept going. I mean, it could have just rocked your whole life, ruined your son's life, your daughter's li right? Yeah. Your your Amanda's life. who is such a blessing. Yeah, she is I know Amanda enough. Yeah. She is I don't know what you what what you did to to land her, but she's good to you and

Man enough. Yeah. You know? She's a good person. She's a sweetheart. Yeah. She holds me down, man. She's great. I can't give enough credit to her. Yeah. Well good. Her and my mom. Huh? Her and my mom. Yeah, that's cool. so if somebody's struggling right now, what advice would you give? I'll just tell to keep keep treading water. Keep your head up. If you need anything, let me know. I'm there for ya. Need to borrow some money, I'm here for you.

She's great. I can't give enough credit there. Yeah. Well good. Good. Huh? Her and my mom. Yeah, that's cool. so if somebody's struggling right now, what advice would you give?

You know, whatever you need I'm there. Cool. To my employees. My friends, they can beat it. They can

Cool. Got it. Cool, man. Cool. Well, Mike, thanks for being on the podcast today, man. I've been looking forward to this one. You're a fun dude. I've known you for six years. And and counting, I guess.

Me too.

Years. Yeah. And and counting, I guess. Yeah, you're gonna know me for another six. Another six. I'm not going nowhere. Cool, man. Me either. All right, good. All right, thanks. All right.

Another six at least, right? Cool man. Me either. All right, bro. all right, everybody, as always, thanks for staying tuned, stay positive, be nice, and step out of your comfort zone. Bye.

As always, thanks for staying tuned, stay positive, be nice, and step out of your comfort zone. Bye.

That's it? That's gonna be the best one. Huh? That's gonna be the best one. It might be. Yeah. Yeah. My family's gonna love that. That's awesome, dude. That was great. Yeah, it was a good one. Yeah. Your questions were on point. 

That's awesome dude. That was great. Yeah, it was a good one. Yeah. Your questions were on point.