August Skilled Trade Rescue Newsletter Money Muscle Series
This week we're talking to our legacy builders - both those poised to retire and leave soemthing great for their loved ones, and those who have the drive to get there.
You’ve been in the trades long enough to know the drill:
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The job never goes exactly as planned.
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The bills don’t stop even when the strength runs out
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The best retirement gift isn't a gold watch, it's knowing you've built something that will last and continue to benefit the ones you love.
Maybe you've already made millions. Built the network. Earned the trust.
Now it’s time to make it count long-term— for your family, your business, your community, and your future.
Why a Legacy Needs a Blueprint
“You don’t retire from the trades—you either plan your exit or it’s decided for you.”
—Electrician & Business Owner, British Columbia
Smart Moves to Secure Your Legacy
Step 1: Build Your Exit Plan Like a Project
You'd never start a job without a plan. Why would you treat your future any differently?
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Determine Your "Freedom Number": Calculate the minimum monthly income you’ll need to live comfortably without working.
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Set a Target Date: Choose a "freedom date" when you want to stop working full-time.
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Work Backward: Create a timeline with specific financial milestones to reach your goal.
Did you know? Nearly 60% of small business owners have no succession plan, leaving their families vulnerable to rushed decisions and tax headaches if something goes wrong. It will take at least 50% longer to plan than you think, so start now, and plan for a gradual hand-off.
Businesses with succession systems are 3x more likely to sell or transfer wealth smoothly (Forbes)
2. Hand over a Business System
If you’ve got 25 years of knowledge and it’s all in your head—that’s not a legacy, yet.
Start building your handoff plan:
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Document your quoting process and systems.
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Try wherever possible to put the fomulas and pricing systems in your brain into applications like excel to automate those calculations. Get the help needed to do this well, you'll be glad you did!
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Create repeatable workflows someone else can follow
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Train and mentor a trustworthy people over the next 12–24 months
Legacy Looks Like This
Legacy Builders aren’t just rich—they’re respected. They:
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Create businesses that live beyond them
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Reinvest profits into people and communities
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Know when to step back—and who to pass the baton to
“I realized I was building houses for 30 years—but never took the time to build a future for myself. That stops now.”
—Builder & Father of 3, Washington
If you’ve built a life in the trades, it’s time to build your legacy with the same pride.
Want To Network With Other Legacy Builders?
Head to SkilledTradeRescue.com and get connected with Martin, a fellow Legacy Builder, who is committed to strengthening the trades community.
đź’¬ Drop your story in the STR community. We'd love to hear from you!
Share your legacy story with Skilled Trade Rescue
Have a great story, business strategy or favorite product you'd like us to feature in a future newsletter or roundup?
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