More people today are choosing to skip college and start working with their hands. The trades offer steady work, real-world skills, and a growth path. With the demand for skilled workers rising, building a strong career in the trades is becoming more practical and rewarding.
Young workers are starting earlier, gaining hands-on experience, and finding purpose in solving real problems. It’s a shift that’s shaping not just careers but lives.
One person who knows this path well is Dustin Van Orman. He is the Marketing Manager and President of Business Development and M & A at Any Hour Services – Electrical, Plumbing, Heating & Air. He started as an HVAC technician over 25 years ago. Since then, he has worked his way into leadership and now plays a major role at Any Hour Services, a Utah-based home services company.
Along the way, he built and sold businesses, learned to manage teams, and helped launch the Any Hour Group through private equity. He focuses on people, strong leadership, and doing the basics well. Dustin also runs weekly leadership sessions and shares his lessons with others in the industry.
In this article, we learn how early hands-on work shapes a career in the trades, what helps teams grow and stay strong, how leadership plays a key role, how to recruit top talent, and what to know before considering private equity.
Our Sponsors:
Our Affiliates:
How Early Hands-On Skills Shape a Career in the Trades
Starting young with hands-on tasks helps build confidence and skill. Many people in the trades began by fixing things around the house. These early moments often lead to a strong interest in mechanical work later in life.
Hands-On Learning at Home
Dustin Van Orman grew up in Utah. His parents owned apartment buildings and often handled repairs themselves. As a kid, he helped his dad fix bathtubs and water heaters.
He passed tools, held flashlights, and learned by watching. One day, he saw an old motorcycle behind a building. His mom had said no to buying one, but he bought it at 12.
Instead of riding it a lot, he liked fixing it more. That small choice led to a hobby of finding old bikes, fixing them, and selling them for profit.
Entrepreneurial Spirit from a Young Age
Dustin always looked for ways to earn. He sold leaf-raking services door to door. Then, he got his friends to do the work and paid them a share. He liked finding value where others didn’t. That mindset stuck with him as he grew older.
Discovery Through the Trades
Several key moments led him to HVAC work:
- Learned other trades first: His dad taught plumbing and remodeling, but not HVAC.
- Got his start in 2000: A neighbor invited him to a job site.
- Faced a challenge on day one: He solved a ductwork issue alone and earned a raise.
- Found it interesting: HVAC mixed tools, pressure, and electric work. He liked the problem-solving.
Why Tinkering Matters in a Career in the Trades
The best techs often enjoy figuring things out. They try, learn, and improve. That mindset can lead to long-term success in the trades.
How a Near-Death Experience Sparked Growth in a Career in the Trades
Life-changing moments often come without warning. For Dustin Van Orman, one winter duck hunting trip in Utah became that moment. It wasn’t just about falling through the ice. It was about coming face-to-face with death and what followed after.
A Hunt That Took a Dangerous Turn
Dustin, his brother Kevin, and their close friend Danny headed across a frozen lake. They used float tubes, wore waders, and carried hammers in case they had to break the ice.
Everything seemed fine at first. They reached the water, set up their decoys, and waited in the cold. But as they walked back, the ice cracked. They fell in, climbed out, and kept going. Then it happened again.
On the third fall, Dustin’s float tube tore. He was sinking. He held on with one toe and one elbow. He shouted to Kevin and Danny, telling them he wouldn’t make it unless they got to him fast.
Kevin broke the ice with his shotgun to pull him out. That same gun now hangs in Dustin’s office. It’s bent and worn but means more than any other item he owns.
Rescue and Recovery
They stayed in freezing water for almost two hours. A plane flew above to check if they were alive. A hovercraft arrived, then a helicopter. Medics rushed them to the hospital. They had hypothermia but survived. Dustin made it home just in time for Christmas morning in 1997.
A Lasting Shift Toward a Career in the Trades
That moment changed Dustin’s path:
- It reminded him how short life can be
- It made him focus on what matters
- It shaped future choices at home and at work
Some moments stay with you forever. This one pushed him forward with real purpose.
How to Build Strong Leaders for a Career in the Trades
Creating a strong team takes more than hiring. You need good leaders, smart tools, and ongoing recruiting. These steps help build a workplace where people grow and stay long-term.
Build Leaders Through Simple, Weekly Training
Leadership training doesn’t have to be complex. At Any Hour Services, managers follow a simple system. They start with key looks like:
- How to Win Friends and Influence People
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
- Good to Great
They listen to a chapter together each week and apply one principle at work. Then, they return and share what worked or didn’t. The goal isn’t to finish the book.
It’s to build real skills. This process builds teamwork, trust, and clear communication. That’s one reason their employee retention stays above 90%.
Use AI to Improve, Not Replace, Your Process
AI tools like Rilla and Lace can help if used right. Don’t rush to buy every new tool. First, fix weak processes. Then, bring in tech to support what already works.
With the right setup, AI gives real data that helps teams coach better. For example, improving call conversion by just 1% added millions in revenue for Tommy Mello’s business. But that only works if your team knows how to use the tools.
Recruit Top Talent for a Career in the Trades
The best techs already have jobs. You have to go find them. Don’t wait until you’re short-staffed.
Try these tactics:
- Visit gas stations near supply houses
- Look for company trucks
- Start a friendly chat
- Ask for contact info
You don’t need a fancy plan. You just need to get out there and talk to people.
How to Approach Private Equity in a Career in the Trades
Private equity is growing fast in the trades. It brings big chances but also some risks. After seeing how well the trades held up during COVID-19, investors realized how steady and profitable this field is. Now, many want in.
The Appeal of Trades to Investors
Trades don’t stop when the economy dips. People still need their AC, plumbing, or heating fixed. That steady demand makes trades a safe bet for investors.
Also, more young people are turning to the trades. They want hands-on work and a solid path without college debt. This shift is helping change old views of the industry.
Understand What You’re Signing Up For
Private equity can work well, but only if you understand what comes with it. Not every deal is the same. Some bring fast change that might hurt your team or shake up how your business runs.
Before signing anything:
- Talk to past sellers: Ask how things went after the sale and if they’d do it again.
- Look beyond the offer: Don’t chase the highest number. Look at what you’re giving up.
- Protect your team and culture: Choose a partner who respects your people and values what you built.
- Know your numbers: Keep your books clean and know what your business is worth.
- Don’t rush: Give yourself time to compare and ask real questions.
Build Partnerships, Not Just Deals
Any Hour Services chose to form their own private equity group. They wanted control over their values and culture. Instead of just collecting businesses, they focus on real partnerships. That mindset has helped them grow while staying true to what matters.
Conclusion
A career in the trades can start with simple moments like helping your dad, fixing a bike, or solving problems. These small steps build skill, confidence, and a strong work ethic. Dustin Van Orman’s story shows how early hands-on work can lead to a lifelong path of learning and leadership.
The trades are not just about tools or repairs. They’re about people, trust, and steady progress. When businesses support their teams, they keep good people and grow stronger. Dustin’s team trains every week, listens to each other, and shares what works. That’s how they keep more than 90% of their staff year after year.
The same care is needed when working with private equity. Success depends on asking the right questions and choosing the right partners. The goal is not just to sell but to build something better together.
In the end, a career in the trades gives more than a paycheck. It gives purpose, stability, and room to grow. With the right mindset, it can lead to a long and meaningful journey.
FAQs
What kind of training is needed for a career in the trades?
Most trades need hands-on training. You can start with apprenticeships, trade schools, or on-the-job learning.
Can women build a career in the trades?
Yes. Many women work in the trades. Companies now support diversity and welcome skilled workers, no matter their gender.
Is a career in the trades a good long-term choice?
Yes. Skilled trades are always in demand. You can build a steady job, grow a business, or lead a team.
What trades offer the fastest way to start working?
Plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work often let you earn while you train. These fields don’t need a college degree.
Do I need to be good at math for a career in the trades?
You need basic math skills. Most trades use simple math like measuring, angles, and reading plans.
Resources And People Mentioned:
Join the Service Business Mastery Facebook Group for more updates!
This Episode is Kindly Sponsored By:
- Sera (visit their website)
- UpFrog (visit their website)
- CallRail (visit their website)
- CompanyCam (visit their website) Visit CompanyCam and use code SBM for a free 2-week trial, 1:1 training and account setup, and 50% off your first two months!
- MarketStorm (visit their website)
- Rilla (visit their website)
- Lace (visit their website)
- Autobot.ai (visit their website)
- Avoca.ai (visit their website)
Affiliate Links:
- Castmagic (visit their website)
- StreamYard (visit their website)
- IfTTT- 10 Percent off! (visit their website)
- ZyraTalk (Visit their website)
The post Why a Career in the Trades Offers More Than Just a Job appeared first on Service Business Mastery.
The post Why a Career in the Trades Offers More Than Just a Job appeared first on Service Business Mastery.