Since he first created his multi-platform business at the age of 23, entrepreneur John Seaman sought out to combine the crafts of a blue-collar tradesman with the competence of leader. While white-collar careers remain more dignified in Western Culture, Seaman challenges these traditional ideals by demonstrating the financial freedom that can be attained in the industry of the manual blue-collar labor. Today, he has proven just how fortuitous taking the road less travelled can be.
“I grew up in a rural suburb in North Carolina where I was surrounded by men in the blue-collar industries of trade and construction. My youth helped me to acquire the skills and that those hard working blue-collar employees had, but I knew I’d never be satisfied with a lifestyle that kept me living paycheck to paycheck.”- said Seaman.
After attending school for technology, Seaman was hired for a traveling position with a company that dealt with energy management for various properties around the country. It wasn’t long before he was promoted to project manager, the highest tier of authority possible.
Though he was making impressive progress, ambitious young Seaman decided that it was time to start creating an empire of his own. Shortly after, his first business, JC Construction, was created.
“I knew as soon as I got my first job after tech school that I was meant to do more. I wanted to lead, and answer to no one but myself, so I did what I had to make the dream a reality.” said Seaman
At the start of his journey to becoming an entrepreneur, Seaman taught himself the necessary skills it took to run a business through YouTube Videos, books and mentor sessions. Though he describes the disciplinary aspect of becoming a business leader as arduous, the inspiration for his business came easily.
“Growing up I knew so many competent tradesmen, contractors and construction workers- yet very few of knew how to actually run a successful business. I saw so much wasted potential, and in that, an opportunity to capitalize on all of it.”- said Seaman.
Seaman’s company, JC Property Professionals experienced skyrocketing success since it was first created as a single platform business. It didn’t take long before JC’s Property Professionals turned into a one-stop-shop for all property needs, building the houses that were turned into tailored dream homes for all of their clients. Seaman wasted no time in the progression of his empire in the blue-collar craft, an ideal he emphasizes for those who wish to pursue similar dreams.
“One of the most important lessons I learned on the road to becoming a successful business operator was that when it came to accomplishing your dreams, the most important thing you had to do was just start. Overthinking the process would only kill your progress, and failures will come regardless of how hard you try to achieve perfection. The worst thing you can do is stop yourself from moving forward because of hindering doubt.” said Seaman.
As an accomplished multi-millionaire who took a bet on an industry that was never traditionally favored, Seaman can be seen as the type of non-traditional role model for that inspires dreamers to think outside the box and look for opportunity in all aspects, even those that can result in failure.
“No matter what your plan is, you just have to be ready. Like Mike Tyson says, ‘everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.’ You’ll gain the best perspective from what you learn and overcome after taking those punches. My business would not have the success it does today if we didn’t have the capacity to overcome and learn from obstacles.”-said Seaman.
Seaman’s unconventional and prosperous ideas not only helped him accomplish his dream as an entrepreneur, but helped raise awareness for a substantially large issue rising among the manual labor industry.
“The issue of blue-collar vs. white-collar employment rates is something that dates all the way back to when we were young kids, and we were told college was necessary to make something of ourselves. We were primed to believe that success could only be associated with traditional occupations like that of lawyers, doctors and corporate CEOs. With so many kids being brought up to believe that a blue-collar job wasn’t something to consider because it wasn’t given a fair amount of integrity, we are now dealing with a scarce amount of prospects to fill important manual labor positions.”
According to the SHRM article “The Blue Collar Drought,” 19.4 million Americans were employed in manufacturing jobs in 1979. In 2010, this number dropped down to a mere 11.5 million. Credit: The Center for Economic and Policy Research U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Since 2010, this drought of blue-collar workers has continued to worsen, leaving it up to leaders like Seaman to remind us just how pivotal it is to keep these workers employed.
“It doesn’t take rocket science to distinguish the correlation of inflation rates and a lack of blue-collar workers. Blue-collar workers never stopped being imperative to our nation’s economy and success. These workers are the ones that build the homes we all live in, and with a low supply of workers comes a low supply of homes. Thus, demand increases, and inflation rises with it. Many of us fail to see the domino effect that this drought has had upon every one of us. The real estate market has continued to inflate, leaving so many people in never-ending struggles to find a house they can afford.”- said Seaman
Like Seaman, many experts who are well versed in the market have coined manual labor workers as the underappreciated backbone that is necessary to keep our nation together. With this backbone looking like its ready to break, Seaman hopes to inspire others to see the same financial opportunity he did in an industry that is unfortunately, continuing to deteriorate.
“In grade school it’s very easy to look at a kid and tell that he has more proficient kinesthetic and technical skill; those kids should be encouraged to follow that. Whether it leads to a blue-collar or white-collar job, they should be encouraged to do what makes them feel competent and passionate. If we keep teaching our youth to measure their worth through occupations that are oversaturated because of stereotypes, we will continue to see a drought in necessary occupations that we will all suffer from. Kids should be encouraged to follow their gut, and know that there are no limits on income in any industry as long as you have the ambition. I’m living proof of that.”- said Seaman.
With entrepreneurs like Seaman here to remind us that these issues can bring unlimited benefits for us all, we can only hope that his bright-minded perspective and success can set a new standard for the blue-collar industry. The blue-collar drought affects each and every US citizen with a roof over their head, thus, the consideration of more dignified recognition and reward for manual labors workers should certainly be in order in the coming future.
“Bring supply where there is demand, and bring brainpower where there is skill. This is a true recipe for success. I may not be your typical millionaire who stands in front of a Ferrari talking about how I made it big in stock exchange, but I am still that millionaire because I chose to make my own decisions when it came to defining what success looked like, and for me, success is colorblind.” said Seaman.
To find out more about the Blue-Collar millionaire, click here to visit his website, or follow him on Instagram in by clicking on the photo below:
