In this episode of Blue Collar Startup, hosts Mike Nelson of Five Towers Media and Derek Foster of Daigle Cleaning Systems sit down with Ryan Galusha of Galusha & Sons. Listen in as they discuss carrying a third-generation business into the future, mentorship, workforce development, and keeping a legacy alive in the ever-changing world of construction.
Learn more about Galusha & Sons at galushaandsons.com.
0:15 Intro and welcome
0:49 Meet Ryan Galusha of Galusha & Sons
1:20 What Galusha & Sons does today
2:09 How the family business began
3:44 Being third-generation: opportunity and pressure
6:56 Why Ryan had to earn his spot from the outside
8:44 Lessons from working at DA Collins
11:08 Earning respect in a family business
13:23 Ryan’s current role as General Manager
15:54 Balancing field and office work
17:03 Supporting team leadership without micromanaging
20:00 Keeping up with tech and regulation changes
21:48 Safety, training, and working with Catamount Consulting
23:49 Leadership growth and life skills through outside training
27:38 Finding and developing new talent
30:00 Why fewer young people choose the trades
33:44 Labor shortages and unexpected talent sources
36:17 Attitude over experience: the key to success
37:03 Ryan’s biggest challenge leading the next generation
39:01 Building trust and alignment with the team
41:26 The future of Galusha & Sons
43:07 How they expanded into logging
46:03 Why the trades still offer unmatched opportunity
47:13 Where to find Galusha & Sons
48:30 Sponsor shoutouts and closing
