He Skipped College and Built Wealth in the Trades

In this episode, Dennis sits down with Collin at SkillsUSA 2025 in Atlanta to talk about how he turned a love for Legos into a thriving career — and how he’s stacking cash, investing 40% of his income, and planning to retire young through the trades.

This one’s a masterclass in discipline, money, and motivation for anyone in the skilled trades.

Timestamps (Main Highlights)

00:00 – Welcome to the Trade Traction Podcast Roadshow
00:25 – Meet Collin Raynor: 25-year-old HVAC tech and union member
01:06 – How he found his path through technical school
02:15 – Choosing HVAC over college — and never looking back
03:00 – Legos, trucks, and learning to build from a young age
05:04 – The satisfaction of fixing things and helping people
07:17 – How the union pays and why the training is free
08:06 – Why living with your parents can build wealth faster
12:49 – Investing 40% of his income into dividend stocks
15:31 – His goal: five rental properties before 30
17:15 – Why tradespeople need to talk more about money
20:07 – Collin’s advice to young apprentices: patience and focus
22:42 – His mission to inspire more young people into the trades

Guest: Collin Raynor, HVAC Technician (Local 72)
Location: Skills USA 2025, Atlanta

The Podcast that helps plumbing and heating service contractors stop working for free and actually turn a profit.

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