In this compelling episode of People-First Builders, host Fletcher Wimbush welcomes Mike Frick, president of Bear Ironworks, to share the incredible story of how a simple welding project turned into a thriving, multi-generational manufacturing business. From his early days in the oil fields and rural road building to managing over $200 million in infrastructure projects, including a $6 billion LNG plant, Mike’s career spans the full arc of American blue-collar ingenuity. What began as a practical solution to a job-site challenge, designing a rock screen for a skid steer, eventually became Bear Ironworks, a Colorado-based fabrication company that now ships across the country and employs a team of dedicated craftspeople. Mike recounts how his son, then a college student, took the reins, built a website, and helped scale the business before returning to finish his degree. Together, they rebuilt the company during COVID, running it remotely across multiple states while staying grounded in family values and a shared belief in hard work. Along the way, Mike discusses how he has consistently inspired and trained young people, including his son and stepson, to pursue careers in the trades, often helping them launch their own businesses.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

The power of hands-on experience in launching successful entrepreneurial ventures
Why blue-collar careers offer financial freedom, personal pride, and long-term opportunity
The importance of teaching and mentoring the next generation, even if they eventually leave your company
How to build a values-driven culture that balances safety, autonomy, and professional development
Why leaders in the construction and manufacturing sectors must champion the trades as viable and noble career paths

Mike’s story is a timely reminder that building things with your hands can also build a legacy. Leadership, at its best, is about investing in people for the long haul.