👋 Start Here: Introduce Yourself + Get to Know the Community

[John Talman]

We’re just getting this thing off the ground, and that means you’re one of the first people to be here — which is pretty damn cool.

This thread is for YOU. Whether you’ve been in the trades 20+ years or just getting started, we want to hear from you. Doesn’t have to be long or fancy — just drop a few things so we can get to know who’s here.

Here’s a quick format to make it easy — just copy/paste and fill in:

• Name or nickname:
• Trade(s):
• Where you’re based:
• What kind of work you do:
• Biggest win lately:
• What brought you here / what you’re hoping to get out of this community:

Let’s get to know each other and build something solid here.

P.S. Even if you’re just lurking for now — say hey! This is a good place to break the ice.

New to forums? Here’s what you need to know to get started!

1. Set up a profile. Add a photo, pick a username, and tell us what trade you’re a part of!
2. Get to know some popular voices: Introduce Yourself Here!
3. Check out other users and follow your favorites: ex. John Talman, Good Contractor Podcast
4. Hop into the discussions!
   1. How did you get into the trades?
   2. Social media is tough...
   3. Coffee, Energy Drinks, or Something Else?
5. Don’t forget to start your own threads with questions, advice, recent wins, etc.!

John + CompanyCam Crew

 

[SlimBrick]

Jessie Demler / SlimBrick
Commercial masonry foreman that gets to lay brick/block occasionally
Northern Utah
Lay brick, block, or stone and put out job site fires.
Every day I get to come home to a happy pup and beautiful wife, that’s always a win
Aiden brought me here. S/o CompanyCam haha hopefully going to see a really great online community of tradespeople and those within CompanyCam as well since I love everyone I know within the company!

 

[John Talman]

Jessie Demler / SlimBrick
Commercial masonry foreman that gets to lay brick/block occasionally
Northern Utah
Lay brick, block, or stone and put out job site fires.
Every day I get to come home to a happy pup and beautiful wife, that’s always a win
Aiden brought me here. S/o CompanyCam haha hopefully going to see a really great online community of tradespeople and those within CompanyCam as well since I love everyone I know within the company!

SlimBrick is here! Hey Jessie!

 

[AshleySmithAFR]

• Name or nickname: Ashley Smith
• Trade(s): Roofing, Remodeling, Residential New Construction
• Where you’re based: Central North Carolina
• What kind of work you do: I opened my roofing company in July of 2021. Started in residential and have grown in to commercial as well. Then got my full residential GC License and started my sister company this year that focuses on investment property flips, new construction single family homes, and all things residential building outside of roofing
• Biggest win lately: I finally found my Unicorn employee and have hired a Director of Operations for my roofing company so that I can get time back to focus more on my businesses and growth rather than in them! I will always be an owner operator because the contracting world gives me so much purpose and welcomed challenge, but balancing growth and expansion while working within the operation 12+ hours a day... not sustainable! I'm so excited to pass over the reins so I can dig in and continue to improve every aspect of my companies with intention and purpose
• What brought you here / what you’re hoping to get out of this community: The GOAT himself, our buddy John Talman Thanks John! I'm excited about this new platform to connect, learn, and grow with each other! I'm a firm believer in "You become who you surround yourself with." Connecting with like minded "Good Contractors" (That's for you John) who understand that a problem is just a pathway to new solutions is a room I really look forward to being a part of.

 

[John Talman]

• Name or nickname: Ashley Smith
• Trade(s): Roofing, Remodeling, Residential New Construction
• Where you’re based: Central North Carolina
• What kind of work you do: I opened my roofing company in July of 2021. Started in residential and have grown in to commercial as well. Then got my full residential GC License and started my sister company this year that focuses on investment property flips, new construction single family homes, and all things residential building outside of roofing
• Biggest win lately: I finally found my Unicorn employee and have hired a Director of Operations for my roofing company so that I can get time back to focus more on my businesses and growth rather than in them! I will always be an owner operator because the contracting world gives me so much purpose and welcomed challenge, but balancing growth and expansion while working within the operation 12+ hours a day... not sustainable! I'm so excited to pass over the reins so I can dig in and continue to improve every aspect of my companies with intention and purpose
• What brought you here / what you’re hoping to get out of this community: The GOAT himself, our buddy John Talman Thanks John! I'm excited about this new platform to connect, learn, and grow with each other! I'm a firm believer in "You become who you surround yourself with." Connecting with like minded "Good Contractors" (That's for you John) who understand that a problem is just a pathway to new solutions is a room I really look forward to being a part of.

Yes!! Ashley is here!

 

[AshleySmithAFR]

Jessie Demler / SlimBrick
Commercial masonry foreman that gets to lay brick/block occasionally
Northern Utah
Lay brick, block, or stone and put out job site fires.
Every day I get to come home to a happy pup and beautiful wife, that’s always a win
Aiden brought me here. S/o CompanyCam haha hopefully going to see a really great online community of tradespeople and those within CompanyCam as well since I love everyone I know within the company!

Nice to meet you Jessie! You're spot on about the people. I have to say in my experience with CC over the last 7 years, I've legitimately never had a bad interaction or unhelpful conversation. Kudos to Luke, John and all the management for apparently building a company that the employees genuinely love to be a part of! And no, John didn't pay me to say this

 

[RavinBuilders]

• Name or nickname: Kevin Choquette @ravinbuikders
• Trade(s): Decks and Backyards. Previously home builder/remodeling/commercial
• Where you’re based: Rhode Island
• What kind of work you do: Big Deck Energy
• Biggest win lately: 220 lb bigeye tuna
• What brought you here / what you’re hoping to get out of this community: Colab with the homies

 

[John Talman]

• Name or nickname: Kevin Choquette @ravinbuikders
• Trade(s): Decks and Backyards. Previously home builder/remodeling/commercial
• Where you’re based: Rhode Island
• What kind of work you do: Big Deck Energy
• Biggest win lately: 220 lb bigeye tuna
• What brought you here / what you’re hoping to get out of this community: Colab with the homies

Hell yes, Kevin has arrived! Good to see you, my friend!

 

[the_ladyplumber]

• Name or nickname: Mary-Anne @the_ladyplumber
• Trade(s): Journeyman Plumber, Class B Gasfitter, Roofer, DIYer
• Where you’re based: Vancouver Island, Canada
• What kind of work you do: I currently own and operate a plumbing and gas company as well as a roofing company in the residential sector.
• Biggest win lately: finally finished a big job and will be able to actually have some free time again (hopefully!). I huge weight off my shoulders!
• What brought you here / what you’re hoping to get out of this community: Aiden and the CompanyCam Team! I’m always stoked to meet and connect with people in the industry (or wherever really). Glad to be here!

 

[the_ladyplumber]

• Name or nickname: Ashley Smith
• Trade(s): Roofing, Remodeling, Residential New Construction
• Where you’re based: Central North Carolina
• What kind of work you do: I opened my roofing company in July of 2021. Started in residential and have grown in to commercial as well. Then got my full residential GC License and started my sister company this year that focuses on investment property flips, new construction single family homes, and all things residential building outside of roofing
• Biggest win lately: I finally found my Unicorn employee and have hired a Director of Operations for my roofing company so that I can get time back to focus more on my businesses and growth rather than in them! I will always be an owner operator because the contracting world gives me so much purpose and welcomed challenge, but balancing growth and expansion while working within the operation 12+ hours a day... not sustainable! I'm so excited to pass over the reins so I can dig in and continue to improve every aspect of my companies with intention and purpose
• What brought you here / what you’re hoping to get out of this community: The GOAT himself, our buddy John Talman Thanks John! I'm excited about this new platform to connect, learn, and grow with each other! I'm a firm believer in "You become who you surround yourself with." Connecting with like minded "Good Contractors" (That's for you John) who understand that a problem is just a pathway to new solutions is a room I really look forward to being a part of.

Nice to meet you Ashley!

 

[John Talman]

• Name or nickname: Mary-Anne @the_ladyplumber
• Trade(s): Journeyman Plumber, Class B Gasfitter, Roofer, DIYer
• Where you’re based: Vancouver Island, Canada
• What kind of work you do: I currently own and operate a plumbing and gas company as well as a roofing company in the residential sector.
• Biggest win lately: finally finished a big job and will be able to actually have some free time again (hopefully!). I huge weight off my shoulders!
• What brought you here / what you’re hoping to get out of this community: Aiden and the CompanyCam Team! I’m always stoked to meet and connect with people in the industry (or wherever really). Glad to be here!

Mary-Anne has arrived!!

 

[EnergizeUsEdu]

We’re just getting this thing off the ground, and that means you’re one of the first people to be here — which is pretty damn cool.

This thread is for YOU. Whether you’ve been in the trades 20+ years or just getting started, we want to hear from you. Doesn’t have to be long or fancy — just drop a few things so we can get to know who’s here.

Here’s a quick format to make it easy — just copy/paste and fill in:

• Name or nickname:
• Trade(s):
• Where you’re based:
• What kind of work you do:
• Biggest win lately:
• What brought you here / what you’re hoping to get out of this community:

Let’s get to know each other and build something solid here.

P.S. Even if you’re just lurking for now — say hey! This is a good place to break the ice.

John + CompanyCam Crew

Name or nickname: Will Betances

Trade(s): Electrical Contractor | Educator

Where you’re based: Connecticut

What kind of work you do: We specialize in residential, commercial, and clean energy installs through Energize Us LLC. I also run Energize Us EDU Inc., a nonprofit focused on apprenticeship training, leadership development, and workforce education.

Biggest win lately: Built a 7-figure business in under 4 years. Recently featured in Forbes, RE+, and on track to train 1,000+ tradesmen & women in our flagship event through our national programs.

What brought you here / what you’re hoping to get out of this community: I’m here to connect with other builders, share resources, and raise the bar for what it means to be a contractor in today’s world, breaking old stigmas related to the construction industry.

 

[John Talman]

Name or nickname: Will Betances

Trade(s): Electrical Contractor | Educator

Where you’re based: Connecticut

What kind of work you do: We specialize in residential, commercial, and clean energy installs through Energize Us LLC. I also run Energize Us EDU Inc., a nonprofit focused on apprenticeship training, leadership development, and workforce education.

Biggest win lately: Built a 7-figure business in under 4 years. Recently featured in Forbes, RE+, and on track to train 1,000+ tradesmen & women in our flagship event through our national programs.

What brought you here / what you’re hoping to get out of this community: I’m here to connect with other builders, share resources, and raise the bar for what it means to be a contractor in today’s world, breaking old stigmas related to the construction industry.

Hey Will!! Great to see you here!

 

[EnergizeUsEdu]

Hey Will!! Great to see you here!

Team work & big fans, I just had to brother

 

[John Talman]

So excited to have so many folks jumping into the community and introducing themselves here! Welcome all!!

 

[Aiden Schneider]

Jessie Demler / SlimBrick
Commercial masonry foreman that gets to lay brick/block occasionally
Northern Utah
Lay brick, block, or stone and put out job site fires.
Every day I get to come home to a happy pup and beautiful wife, that’s always a win
Aiden brought me here. S/o CompanyCam haha hopefully going to see a really great online community of tradespeople and those within CompanyCam as well since I love everyone I know within the company!

@SlimBrick but who is your favorite?

 

[Aiden Schneider]

• Name or nickname: Kevin Choquette @ravinbuikders
• Trade(s): Decks and Backyards. Previously home builder/remodeling/commercial
• Where you’re based: Rhode Island
• What kind of work you do: Big Deck Energy
• Biggest win lately: 220 lb bigeye tuna
• What brought you here / what you’re hoping to get out of this community: Colab with the homies

@RavinBuilders we're gonna need some proof on that tuna

 

[John Talman]

@SlimBrick but who is your favorite?

 

[janel.delgado]

New to forums? Here’s what you need to know to get started!

1. Set up a profile. Add a photo, pick a username, and tell us what trade you’re a part of!
2. Get to know some popular voices: Introduce Yourself Here!
3. Check out other users and follow your favorites: ex. John Talman, Good Contractor Podcast
4. Hop into the discussions!
   1. How did you get into the trades?
   2. Social media is tough...
   3. Coffee, Energy Drinks, or Something Else?
5. Don’t forget to start your own threads with questions, advice, recent wins, etc.!

 

[John Talman]

AND, hit me up if you have any questions ... either tag me (like so @John Talman ) or reach out to me via e-mail at john.talman@companycam.com!