From Electrician to Entrepreneur: The Doug Winston Journey

Welcome back listeners to another episode of the "Lost Art of the Skilled Trades" podcast. I'm Andrew Brown, your host and fellow trades enthusiast, ready to delve into the fascinating world of manual mastery and craftsmanship that keeps our society running.

In today's special episode titled "Doug Winston Live.wav," we are thrilled to have a true trailblazer in the realm of the skilled trades, none other than race car driver and electrical contractor, Doug Winston. Doug's a veritable jack-of-all-trades who embodies the success one can achieve outside the conventional four-year college pathway. His story is a testament to the power of passion, hands-on work, and sheer determination.

From a young age, Doug was always drawn to tinkering, transforming his love for working with his hands into a lucrative and fulfilling career. He joins us today to share his inspiring journey, which includes not just crafting a successful electrical business but also tearing up the race tracks in the Pirelli Trans Am series.

This episode, we are zooming past the stereotypes and outdated mindsets about the trades being a dead-end. Instead, Doug highlights the immense opportunities for growth, prosperity, and the chance to build something meaningful—literally from the ground up.

So, as you tune in, we invite you to rethink what success means and how the skilled trades play an honorable and vital role in our lives. Remember to like, rate, and review our show to help spread the word about the incredible opportunities in the trades. You can also follow me on social media platforms and visit andrewbrowntrades.com to stay connected.

Strap in as we race through topics like the urgent need for new apprentices, the impact of mentorship, and the significance of promoting skilled trades to the next generation. Doug's zeal for advocacy through bring back the trades is sure to spark a fire within us all to value and uplift the skilled trades community.

Join us in this engaging conversation where the rubber meets the road, both on the circuit and in the trades.

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Doug Winston, a former student of a Catholic high school, was known for his pragmatism and a touch of defiance. As his graduation approached, he had a memorable encounter with his guidance counselor—a stern nun who would not easily let her students settle for less than their potential. Upon reviewing Doug's academic choices, she challenged his decision to attend Westchester Community College for electrical engineering technology. Her blunt assessment of his educational path, which she deemed less ambitious than it could be, hinted at her high expectations for him. Doug, uninterested in becoming an engineer despite the nun's insistence, stuck to his guns. He politely but firmly resisted her pressure, showcasing his determination to follow his own path and pursue a career that aligned with his interests rather than others' expectations.

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