What's going on guys, Stu, Trial Talk. I hope everyone's doing good, I hope you've all had a strong start to the new year, you're all keeping well.
You've asked me what's my backstory, how did I become a plasterer. If you're a spread watching this you'd probably get asked, every job you do you'd probably ask how did you become a plasterer.
A lot of you have asked me, a lot of the learners and the beginners have asked on the group and also on YouTube, what's your backstory and how did you become a spread yourself.
Well as you know I've started off as a labourer. But I'll go back to why I've become a labourer so you can sort of make sense of it all.
So basically my school life wasn't great, I struggled through school for one reason or another, which I won't go into too much.
But yeah I struggled through school, I had a bit of a bad attitude if I'm completely honest.
I bunked off school the last year, I was hardly there and when I left I'd had a real bad attitude and also low confidence in terms of getting a job.
So I didn't believe I was worth much in the marketplace, let's put it like that.
So when I left school I went and literally got a job in a factory about half a mile from my house and I thought to myself if I can get any job that's enough.
Because I didn't think I would amount to even getting a job. My confidence was at an all time low at that point in my life when I was 16 years old.
And I managed to get a job in a factory and I thought that if you were working that was enough.
And in some respects it probably was. But I was becoming quite depressed in this factory environment.
And I started to ask about for work outside of the factory and I was sort of on the lookout for another job really.
And what happened was we were making plastic and aluminium windows. That's what my job was in this factory.
And we'd make a batch of orders and sometimes the people would come and pick the orders up.
And we'd do a lot of orders for small local builders.
The builders would turn up in their shorts and t-shirt whistling away.
They seemed quite jovial and seemed to be having a good time.
And I had a chat with one of them and said is there any job vacancies going in your firm?
And he had a chat with his boss and he said well we're looking for a labourer at the minute.
And to cut a long story short I ended up going from there.
Bounced around with a couple of local builders working for cash as a labourer.
And then another job opportunity came up for a labourer slash plaster trainee for a damp proofing company.
Which I applied for and I managed to get that job.
How old was I then? I was probably like sort of 18, something like that, 18, 19.
So I was working away as a labourer. I was put with the rendering team.
What was involved is you'd knock off a metre high and then we'd go in and we'd apply a waterproof render.
And then we'd follow on with a skim coat.
But my job in that team was to knock up vast quantities of sand and cement render for these old boys.
So I'd be doing that. I was happy enough doing that because I'd come from a factory environment.
As I say I weren't happy in that environment at all.
I was just happy to be out and quite happy with that job role.
They started to let me on the tools a little bit.
They gave me a little hawk and trial and I'd help them with the scratch coat.
But things were going good for me at that time.
And then what happened is life threw me a curveball.
And I was working away one day and I actually dropped to the ground in intense pain.
I was clutching my chest and I felt like I was dying.
I was rushed to hospital and I was told that I'd actually had a heart attack.
And I was hospitalised.
And I was treated for heart attack.
I'd had heparin injected into my stomach.
And given all the rest of the drugs and ECGs and whatnot.
And I was put on a ward with other heart attack victims.
One of which John just by chance happened to be a retired plasterer.
He was in the bed next to me.
An old boy.
He'd also had a heart attack.
So me and John become buddies.
It hadn't really sunk in at that point what was going on.
And it was all a bit of a dream.
Like a dream-like state if I'm honest.
And then the way me and John would have the bunts.
We'd have the bunts and we'd play cards and stuff like that.
And the way I woke up one morning in the hospital.
And John's bed had gone.
I called the nurse over and I said where's John?
Where they moved him to?
And she said he's gone.
He's gone.
He's passed away.
And at that point in my life I'd sort of spiralled into quite a deep depression.
During my stay at the hospital.
And I'd come to the assumption that I'd probably got a weak heart.
Or some kind of heart condition.
Although I felt physically strong.
I felt fine.
They were still treating me for this heart attack that I'd supposedly had.
And it wasn't until about a week later that the doctor came and visited me.
And he said I've got some good news for you son.
He said you've not had a heart attack.
You're actually suffering from a condition called pericarditis.
And he explained to me what that was.
Which is basically a situation where the muscle that surrounds your heart.
Which is basically a sac of fluid that surrounds your heart.
Had become infected.
And was putting pressure on my heart.
And firing off all the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.
So he basically gave me a clean bill of health.
Patted me on the back.
And off I went.
But what happened at that time is.
Because I'd been so low.
Because I'd accepted that.
I probably wasn't going to be able to work physically.
I probably wasn't going to be able to work with my hands.
And I probably had a heart problem.
So because I'd been there in my head.
And then all of a sudden it got switched around.
He said no you're fine.
I almost felt like I'd had a second chance if you like.
Although there never was a heart attack.
That's just how I felt.
So I decided to grab the ball by the horns.
And I thought I'm going to go into plastering hard now.
And I'm going to learn my trade.
Especially after befriending John and him passing.
Which probably affected me as well.
But then what happened is.
I phoned my boss at the time.
And I'd explained to him.
I haven't had a heart attack.
I'm fine.
I come back to work Monday.
You know.
Quite positive.
And he actually turned around to me.
And said I'm sorry.
But you can't come back here.
You're too much of a high risk for me.
I don't really want that situation on my hands again.
So he panicked.
And he actually let me go.
I lost.
I ended up losing my job.
Which I don't hold that against him anymore.
I was angry at him for years.
But I don't hold that against him anymore.
That's his own shit that he's had to deal with himself.
But I was back to the drawing board.
So I had very, very little plastering skills at this point.
I'd say I was probably.
I don't know.
18, 19.
Coming up to 20.
I had very little plastering skills.
I just started to get it off the hawk and trowel.
And applying scratch coats at this point.
And then I was knocked off my horse again.
And back to the drawing board.
So what I did.
I sat down one day.
And I wrote a bunch of letters.
To local plasterers in my area.
A couple of them did respond.
And said look.
I'm not in a position where I can take anybody on.
I just can't afford it.
I just don't got that sort of income coming in.
But most of them didn't respond.
And so then I thought.
Okay.
I'll target local builders.
Because builders will be doing plastering.
And builders will need plasterers.
And I must have wrote to like 30 builders.
I must have sat down.
This is before.
I mean the internet was around.
But I didn't have the internet.
I thought the best way would be writing letters.
So I wrote to builders again.
One guy Steve.
Got back to me.
You'll probably know who Steve is.
If you've read my blogs.
And Steve basically said look.
I need a labourer.
Again.
Same position.
Again.
You needed a labourer.
So I went in just to be a pair of hands basically.
And that led to Steve.
Taking me under his wing.
And fully training me up.
In not only plastering.
But other areas.
Of the building trade as well.
That went on like that.
For a period of time.
Until I was skilled up.
It was by accident.
That I started business.
Steve actually folded.
Contract that he had.
Fell through.
Which was with a load of primary schools.
That fell through.
He had to let me go.
And then.
I was already set up.
As self-employed anyway.
So I was up.
My foot was half way in the door anyway.
And I thought.
I'm already set up.
I might as well start looking for some agency work.
And stuff like that.
So.
I bounced about doing some agency work.
I did some site work.
I got messed around with money.
As we all do.
So I had the thought to myself.
I'm going to focus on the domestic side of it.
And I spent probably a decade.
Working as a domestic plasterer.
Just trying to build my name up.
And in my head.
I didn't feel like I was a real plasterer.
If you like.
Because.
Because I'd missed the boat.
When I was a young lad.
And I didn't get that opportunity.
To.
To do a proper apprenticeship.
If you like.
And get my papers.
I always felt.
A little bit like.
I didn't deserve it.
And I weren't a real plasterer.
Although it's total bollocks.
It's a piece of paper.
At the end of the day.
But for me.
My own reasons.
I wanted to get that.
NVQ.
And I wanted to.
Become qualified.
So.
I was working as a plasterer.
For around a decade.
Before.
I looked at.
Becoming qualified.
And.
What happened was.
I found a company.
That specialises in.
On-site.
Qualifications.
For tradesmen.
That have got.
10 years or more.
Experience in their trade.
But they haven't.
They haven't got the qualification.
And I got in touch with this company.
And what they did.
They came out.
And did an on-site assessments.
And.
Which involved multiple visits.
And paperwork.
And things like that.
And I was able to get my.
NVQ 2.
In solid plastered.
By doing.
On-site testing.
So.
That's how I become.
Qualified.
And.
Since then.
I've just been.
Trying to build my name up.
In the local area.
The reason I feel.
So passionately.
About passing down skills.
And helping.
The young lads.
That are up and coming.
Is because of.
Obviously.
My own experience.
That I've just explained to you.
And also.
It is.
Extremely hard.
For a young lad.
To get in with a.
One man band.
To get in with a sole trader.
Just because of the money situation.
So.
There are plasterers.
That.
Are earning enough.
To be able to take on an apprentice.
But most.
Aren't.
And that's.
That's one of the key issues.
And it all boils down to.
Keeping their nose above water.
And surviving.
But not thriving.
And that's one of the key areas.
In trial talk.
That I'm going to be.
Focusing on.
In the up and coming.
Months.
Years.
On the group.
We're looking at.
Possibly putting together.
Some kind of.
Coaching program.
For you guys.
That are.
Looking to transition.
From employee.
To business owner.
Most of this stuff.
Is a head game.
And.
When we learn our trade.
The focus is on knees.
It's like.
It's on hand skills.
It's on tools.
It's on the processes.
And the methods.
That are involved.
In plastering walls.
And the materials used.
And stuff like that.
But.
When you want to go solo.
And start your own business.
There's no.
Business skills.
There.
There's no.
Business skills.
Training.
So.
The misconception.
Is if you're a good.
Plasterer.
And if you can plaster.
A wall.
To a very high standard.
Then you'll automatically.
Make a.
A good business owner.
You can start a business.
That plasters walls.
And that there's nothing.
Further.
From the truth.
To be honest.
It's a completely.
Different set of skills.
That you need.
If you want to start.
A plastering business.
And work for yourself.
It's a totally.
Different set of skills.
And.
It's a process.
So.
The same process.
That you've used.
When you've.
Learned.
Your.
Your plastering.
Step by step.
Processes.
In order to get.
Get to where you are.
It's the same with business.
Um.
And if you're anything like me.
My reasons.
For going out on my own.
Were.
Um.
You know.
I can earn more money.
You know.
Um.
There's idiots out there.
That are.
That are working for themselves.
And if they can do it.
I can do it.
You know.
It's a bit of.
Ignorance involved.
And.
Again.
Misconception.
So.
It's about.
Homing them.
Business skills.
That you need.
So.
Again.
When I started out.
I could plaster walls.
Really well.
But.
I didn't know how to talk to people.
Um.
I didn't know how to send.
And receive emails.
Um.
I didn't know how to market myself.
I didn't know how to do my tax return.
Um.
I didn't know how to quote jobs.
And.
Um.
Communicate effectively.
I didn't know how to convert leads.
So.
Even if I'd get the leads.
In the palm of my hand.
Like.
I'd use rated people.
I'd use.
Uh.
My builder.
Check a trade.
Um.
I'd be getting leads in.
And I'd have those lead.
I'd have those customers.
Contact details.
But.
I didn't know what to do.
With.
After I'd got them.
So.
Obviously.
I'd be shy on the phone.
And when I'd be around there.
In person.
I'd be looking at the floor.
And.
Uh.
I didn't know how to convert.
I didn't know how to sell.
And all these skills.
That I've just mentioned.
They're all.
Business skills.
Necessary.
For you to thrive.
And for your plastering business.
To do well.
That you need these.
Business skills.
It's no good just relying.
On your hand skills.
And you know.
Having that idea.
That if I could plaster walls.
To a very high standard.
People will just keep phoning me up.
And they'll want me around their house.
Because it doesn't work like that.
Um.
You do need the communication skills.
You do need the people skills.
In place.
If you want to do one in business.
Because.
You know.
90% is going to be sales.
It's going to be marketing.
It's going to be.
Um.
Your bookkeeping.
And your tax.
And.
There's so much involved.
It would be silly of you.
To not learn.
Some of these skills.
Don't make the same mistakes.
I did.
Is what I'm saying to you.
So.
I just wanted to fire this video off.
Give you my back story.
Because you've asked.
You've asked a few times.
And I've not done it.
And I've been.
Trying to figure out.
The best way to.
Um.
To explain.
Why I've.
Firstly.
Why was I a labourer?
Because that gets asked a lot.
Why are you a labourer?
You seem like a smart lad.
You know.
Why did you work as a labourer?
When you left school.
I might.
I might come across as a smart lad.
Um.
Um.
But.
When it comes to the academic side of things.
At school.
And my upbringing.
And different factors.
My confidence.
As I say.
Was low.
I was.
Uh.
I was a completely different kid.
I couldn't pick up the phone.
I couldn't look people in the eye.
Um.
I didn't know how to.
To speak with people.
And to sell myself.
All these things I've had to pick up.
And I've had to learn myself.
So.
Um.
And you can do the same thing.
You might be working with somebody.
You might not have.
Enough skills yet.
You might be a labourer.
And then you're looking to transition.
So you're looking to.
Work for yourself.
Start your own business.
And build your own name up.
And build your own client base up.
In the local area.
If that's something that interests you.
Um.
If you're looking to move from employee.
To self-employed.
If you're looking to upskill.
And develop your skills.
Join Trial Talk Plastra's Help Group.
Subscribe to this YouTube channel.
I've got some stuff coming up in the pipeline.
I've had some chats with some.
Influential people.
Um.
That are willing to help.
And put their thoughts across.
Um.
People from.
Many different.
Areas of plastering.
So we've got.
Members that are specialising.
Um.
Clay plastering.
Spray plastering.
Airless plastering.
Uh.
Machine render spraying.
Um.
Traditional lime.
As well as.
The modern day gypsums.
And what not.
Which.
Which I do.
And you probably do.
So jump on.
Plastering is a big trade.
You can do well as a plasterer.
And there's a.
There's misconception.
Of the construction industry.
And this stigma that it's got.
Um.
You know.
We're trying to change that.
And we're trying to.
Um.
You know.
Reframe.
The plastering trade.
On trial talk.
And.
You know.
We are king of the trades.
As plasterers.
And.
Uh.
If you jump on trial talk.
And you scroll through.
You'll see why.
I believe that.
Myself.
Anyway.
I've rambled on.
Like I normally do.
I just wanted to jump on.
To give you my back story.
Because you've asked.
Um.
Quite a few times.
And I've not.
Um.
Responded.
So I thought.
I'd come and respond to that.
And give you my story.
And again.
Appreciate you watching it.
Because we're at.
18.
19 minutes now.
And I've been rambling on.
So listen.
If you've watched the whole thing.
I really appreciate it.
And um.
Hit the subscribe button.
And join our group.
And I hope to catch up with you soon.
Thank you.
Take care.
Take care.