Blue Collar StartUp EP84: Third Generation at Galusha & Sons with Ryan Galusha

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