Recorded live at Estrella Venue, this milestone episode features an inspiring conversation with industry professionals April Edwards, Cheryl Robertson, Sara Graves, and Nina Ridgley.

Together, the panel dives into leadership, workforce development, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and the evolving opportunities available within the skilled trades. Each guest shares real-world experiences, lessons learned, and insights from her own journey in construction and business.

From overcoming challenges to building stronger communities within the trades, this live episode captures authentic conversation and the passion driving the next generation of industry leaders.

More than a celebration of 200 episodes, this event represents the continued mission of The Trades Podcast, elevating voices within construction and creating meaningful conversations that inspire growth, leadership, and opportunity throughout the skilled trades.

Whether you’re a contractor, builder, entrepreneur, trades professional, or someone considering a future in construction, this episode offers valuable perspective, motivation, and encouragement to keep building forward.

🎧 Listen, share, and help us continue amplifying the voices shaping the future of the trades.

April Edwards – Deck Builder Marketers

Cheryl Robertson – Superior Floor & Cabinet Designs

Sara Graves – Deck Specialist Magazine

Nina Ridgley – HBI San Marcos

Women leading in construction

The future of skilled trades

Workforce development

Mentorship and leadership

Industry challenges and opportunities

Entrepreneurship in the trades

Building stronger trade communities

Representation within construction

Live audience discussion and networking

Jeff

Danny

April Edwards -

April Edwards is a digital marketing professional specializing in lead generation and brand strategy for home improvement and outdoor living industries. She is best known as the founder of Deck Builder Marketers, a marketing agency dedicated to helping deck builders and contractors grow through data-driven online marketing.

Cheryl Robertson

Cheryl Robertson is a home-improvement professional affiliated with Superior Floor & Cabinet Designs, a business specializing in custom cabinetry, flooring, and interior design solutions. She is recognized for her hands-on expertise in residential renovation projects and her role in guiding clients through personalized design and installation processes.

Sara Graves

Sara Graves is a building-materials professional recognized for her editorial and technical contributions to Deck Specialist Magazine, a U.S. trade publication serving outdoor-living and deck-construction industries. Known as a deck-building specialist and industry communicator, she highlights emerging trends, product innovations, and professional best practices for contractors and manufacturers.

Nina Ridgley

Nina Ridgley is an American communications and workforce-development professional based in the San Diego metropolitan area. She is associated with the Home Builders Institute (HBI) in San Marcos, California, where she contributes to industry and community engagement initiatives supporting construction education and careers.

The Trades Podcast

Estrella Venue

Website
https://www.thetradespodcast.com

Hosted by
Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres

The Trades Podcast features real conversations with business owners, trades leaders, and industry innovators making an impact in the skilled trades community.

If this episode inspires you, share it with someone in the trades or anyone thinking about starting a home-services business. Like, comment, and subscribe to help more people discover these conversations.

In this episode, Jeff and Danny sit down with Jason Napolski, CEO of A-Tex Pest Management, to discuss how a locally owned pest control company continues to grow while maintaining a strong hometown approach to customer care.

Jason explains how A-Tex focuses on customized pest solutions, ongoing technician training, and creating systems that allow the business to scale without sacrificing service quality. The discussion also explores leadership, employee development, and the importance of staying adaptable in a changing marketplace.

The hosts and Jason discuss:

• Building a trusted service brand in a competitive industry
• Why technician education and training matter
• The role of culture in retaining strong employees
• Adapting pest management businesses to new technology
• How local ownership strengthens customer relationships
• Creating long-term growth through consistency and accountability

• A-Tex Pest Management
  https://www.atexpest.com/
• The Trades Podcast
  https://www.thetradespodcast.com

• How strong customer service builds long-term trust
• Why employee training drives business success
• The importance of culture in service industries
• How leadership impacts growth and reputation
• Ways technology is shaping pest management operations

Website
https://www.thetradespodcast.com

Hosted by
Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres

The Trades Podcast features real conversations with business owners, trades leaders, and industry innovators making an impact in the skilled trades community.

If this episode inspires you, share it with someone in the trades or anyone thinking about starting a home-services business. Like, comment, and subscribe to help more people discover these conversations.

In this episode, Jeff and Danny explore current workforce data and projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), focusing on the growing demand for skilled trades professionals across the United States.

They discuss how industries like construction, energy, and infrastructure are creating increased demand for roles such as welders, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians. The conversation also highlights newer opportunities connected to renewable energy systems, electrification, and AI-driven infrastructure development.

The hosts break down median wage insights, job security trends, and long-term employment projections, showing why trades careers continue to outperform expectations in stability and earning potential.

They also emphasize the importance of awareness, mentorship, and training programs to help close the gap between open positions and available skilled workers.

guest links

Twitter - https://twitter.com/JeffMudd

LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/jeffmudd

Website - https://thetradespodcast.com/

key topics

• Demand and growth in skilled trades
• Median wages and job openings
• Emerging fields: solar, AI infrastructure
• Career pathways in welding, carpentry, HVAC
• Impact of technology and geopolitics on trades

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to the Trades Podcast and Overview of Part Two
• 01:19 Exploring the Demand for Skilled Trades
• 05:46 Welding: Opportunities and Industry Insights
• 09:54 Carpentry: Career Paths and Earnings Potential
• 13:47 Construction Labor: Entry Points and Growth
• 17:53 Heavy Equipment Operations: Skills and Opportunities
• 23:21 Career Longevity in Heavy Equipment Operations
• 23:58 Transitioning from Laborer to Heavy Equipment Operator
• 25:40 Understanding Industrial Machinery Mechanics
• 27:25 Opportunities for Retiring Workers in Mechanics
• 29:18 The Role of HVAC in Modern Infrastructure
• 31:25 Elevator and Escalator Mechanics: A Niche Field
• 34:27 The Financial Benefits of Elevator Installation Careers
• 37:24 The Growing Field of Solar Energy
• 40:19 Regional Demand for Solar Installers
• 41:56 Future Opportunities in Solar and Space
• 43:13 Recap of Key Trades and Their Growth
• 44:53 The Value of Trades vs. Traditional College Paths
• 47:07 Building a Positive Work Culture in Trades
• 49:02 The Demand for Skilled Workers in the Trades

resources

• Bureau of Labor Statistics 2026 Report - https://www.bls.gov/
• BlackRock Skill Trades Investment - https://www.blackrock.com/
• Simpson Strong Tie Texas Facility Tour - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example
• SpaceX Artemis Missions - https://www.spacex.com/
• Solar Energy Industry Insights - https://www.energy.gov/renewables/solar
• National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) - https://www.nahb.org/

Website
https://www.thetradespodcast.com

Hosted by
Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres

The Trades Podcast features real conversations with business owners, trades leaders, and industry innovators making an impact in the skilled trades community.

If this episode inspires you, share it with someone in the trades or anyone thinking about starting a home-services business. Like, comment, and subscribe to help more people discover these conversations.