Open up any YouTube channel on trading, and you have fit young people extolling the ease of earning their fortune through different kinds of electronic trading. But for the vast majority the dream becomes a nightmare as the chimera of quick riches rapidly shatters.
But here’s the thing – if you can fix a toilet, tile a bathroom, of fix a roof, you will never be out of work. The traditional trades have long been maligned as the job choice of the less intelligent, less academic, less entrepreneurial. The reality isthat societies across developed countries are experiencing a serious skills shortage in job roles that perform essential functions every single day in every single home.
So instead of being one of thousands of failed crypto millionaires who are actually facing debt and destitution, the success stories are actually focused on the plumber in Pimlico, the roofer in Leeds, the electrician in Bristol, and the carpenter in Cardiff. These are the entrepreneurs who are going to be building up secure, long term, businesses.
Real, Tangible, And Productive
While automation and technology continue to transform industries, traditional trades remain resilient. These trades are hands on – they are real and tangible and often need you to get your hands dirty! They require skills and techniques that cannot be easily replicated by machines. Tools have evolved, but it is the human touch that is key to their operation.
Embracing The Modern With A Nod To The Past
Traditional trades, such as plumbing, and carpentry, are rooted in centuries-old craftsmanship, often passed down through generations. In a world where mass production and automation dominate, customers appreciate the meticulous attention to detail and personalized touch that traditional trades provide. Whether it’s woodworking, blacksmithing, or stone masonry, these trades embody the essence of timeless craftsmanship, making them highly sought after and ensuring a steady demand for their products and services.
Thousands Of Towns, Hundreds Of Millions Of Bathrooms
If you look out of your window at the buildings that surround you, every one of those buildings have at least one, if not more, toilet. They have floors and roofs. They have doors and windows. They have electrics that go wrong. They need updating and maintaining and modernising every few years. They are constantly evolving.
While the job itself may not be the best paid, a professional tradesman with an entrepreneurial streak will understand that they are able to create a business model that takes these essential skills, and scale it up. A prime example of these is the London based firm, Pimlico Plumbers. Established in 1979 by entrepreneur Charlie Mullins, the company grew to be one of the largest independent plumbers in the UK. Charlie Mullins sold the company in 2021 for over £125 million.
Nurturing A Pride In Traditional Trades
With everything so focused on the electronic and online world, there is a humane gentleness to embracing traditional trades. There is a generational aspect to traditional trades, encouraging us to celebrate regional traditions and techniques, keeping alive the stories and practices that have shaped communities for generations.
Often businesses are handed down from father to son, mother to daughter, and those family businesses are the foundation of local communities that take pride in doing a good job, safeguard their reputations, and give back to those more vulnerable.
In a world characterized by rapid change and technological advancements, traditional trades are making a real comeback as a viable opportunity for the future. By preserving craftsmanship, meeting the demand for unique products, remaining resilient to technological disruptions, embracing sustainable practices, and nurturing local heritage, traditional trades embody the essence of timeless business ventures that stand the test of time.
