399 What We Got Wrong Starting Out

399 What We Got Wrong Starting Out

From Modern Craftsman by Modern Craftsman

April 19, 2026 · 1h 2m · Episode 399

About this episode

Nick and Tyler reflect on their early business experiences, discussing mistakes and lessons learned.

Nick and Tyler look back on the early years of running their businesses and talk through the mistakes, blind spots, and lessons that shaped how they work today. From underpricing and freebies to confidence, process, and figuring things out without a playbook, this episode is a straight conversation about what starting out really looks like. Sign up for the Modern Craftsman Community: 👉🏻 MC Community Sign-up Sign up for the newsletter: Newsletter Sign-up Show Notes: 00:00 Looking Back at the Early Years 02:51 Freebies, Ghosting & Early Mistakes 06:17 First Jobs, Permits & Winging It 09:46 The Educational Tax 14:41 Getting Better Gets More Expensive 17:28 Honesty, Pricing & Client Optics 24:50 Ego, Confidence & Early Pushback 29:52 When Your Old Clients Stop Fitting 35:17 What Clients Actually Value 38:25 Why Most Builders Still Lack Process 46:03 The Playbook We Wish We Had 52:34 Why This Work Matters 57:08 Why the Newsletter Exists Video Version: https://youtu.be/7q6ffiowVOQ Partners: Andersen Windows Harnish Workwear Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear The Modern Craftsman : linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts : Nick Schiffer Tyler Grace Podcast…

People in this episode

Hosts: Nick Schiffer, Tyler Grace

Topics covered

  • business mistakes
  • entrepreneurship
  • pricing strategies
  • client relationships
  • process improvement

Keywords

  • business
  • mistakes
  • pricing
  • confidence
  • process
  • clients
  • entrepreneurship

Sponsors

Andersen Windows, Harnish Workwear

Mentioned in this episode

Products: H-label gear

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