Episode 66: Opening Up Shop with Symmetric Electric

In this episode of Blue Collar StartUp, your hosts Mike Nelson of Five Towers Media and Derek Foster of Daigle Cleaning Services interview Shaw DuBourg, owner of Symmetric Electric. Tune in as they discuss the challenges of starting an electric company in a new state, navigating the market, the benefits of being part of a union, the importance of patience when launching a business, and much more!

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1:07 Introducing Shaw DuBourg
2:40 The Contrast Between a Big Business and Someone Just Starting
5:50 Shaw’s Background
6:48 Contractors During Katrina
10:15 Moving to New York
12:50 Ending up in Fort Edward
14:50 The Challenges that Come with Opening Up Shop
16:12 Not Putting Pressure on Himself to Get Results
17:37 New York State Taxes and Insurance
18:46 South Dakota Residency
21:29 Finding Business in the Upstate Market
27:04 Accumulating Tools
32:49 Struggles of Constant Repetition
36:17 Looking to the Future
40:42 Starting with Residential Work
42:42 Daily Structure
44:09 The Ivy League Method
46:25 Being in a Union
49:09 Learn While you Earn
52:22 One Piece of Advice Shaw would give
55:11 Where to Find Shaw
56:00 Closing Thoughts