I’m thrilled to start off the New Year with this episode featuring my guest, Ken Rusk. Ken has an incredible story to tell and he has decades of experience and wisdom to share with parents and their teens. Ken got his start digging ditches at the young age of 15. Decades later he’s a highly successful construction business entrepreneur who’s been called the “million dollar ditch digger”. Ken is also the author of Blue-Collar Cash: Love Your Work, Secure Your Future, and Find Happiness for Life. During our conversation, Ken talks about his journey from high school ditch digger to successful entrepreneur. We discuss the important distinction of skills versus education and why we need to remove the stigma of blue-collar careers. Ken shares his method for helping teens (and adults) visualize their life and why parents should encourage their teens to think outside of the “college or else” box. You won’t want to miss Ken’s suggestions for parents of teens who are struggling to choose a path or his advice to young people about beginning their investments early. In addition to his business achievements, Ken is committed to helping the Make A Wish Foundation.
About Ken Rusk
Ken Rusk is a blue-collar construction business entrepreneur who has launched multiple successful endeavors over the last thirty years. For the first many years of his young working life, he dug ditches for a basement repair company in northern Ohio. Over the years, he dug his way to a good life, one shovel of dirt at a time, and is now teaching others to do the same. Rusk has extensive experience in hiring, training, and developing first-time job seekers, particularly those without college degrees. He lives in Toledo, Ohio, where he runs Rusk Industries, Inc., which specializes in various forms of construction.
Episode Highlights
- Ken’s journey through and beyond high school
- The importance of skills versus education
- The disappearance of skilled trades in our schools
- Helping teens (and adults) visualize their life
- Replacing “you’re gonna” with “what do you think?”
- Giving teens space to tell you what they want
- Removing the stigma of careers without college
- The ROI of college versus work after high school
- Identifying your “stand back” moments
- The difference between the “today club” and the “someday club”
- Encouraging teens to think outside of the “college or else” box
- Ken’s advice for parents of teens who are struggling to choose a path
- Ken’s commitment to the Make a Wish Foundation
Resources
Blue-Collar Cash: Love Your Work, Secure Your Future, and Find Happiness for Life by Ken Rusk