Mike Maloney went from military service to building a successful career in the trades, and he breaks down what that discipline looks like on real jobsites.

We talk the skilled labor shortage, what apprentices are up against, and why trade careers are still misunderstood (plus the money is real if you do it right). If you’re a helper, apprentice, journeyman, or business owner, this one’s a straight playbook.

🚨 From contractor freedom to breaking barriers in roofing, Liv Mills shares her inspiring journey and insights in this episode.

Liv opens up about transitioning from journalism to the trades, carrying on her family’s roofing legacy, and the challenges and rewards of being self-employed. She highlights the importance of quality work, genuine client care, and treating every team member with respect.

Together with Tiago Furtado, Liv dives into the need for more women in the trades, the power of emotional intelligence in sales, and how the insurance and roofing industries are evolving. They discuss the value of collaboration between men and women, the rising significance of social media, and why vocational training is becoming a game changer compared to traditional education.

What You’ll Learn

✅ The freedom and challenges of being a contractor

✅ How family legacy shaped Liv’s roofing career

✅ The importance of quality and genuine care in roofing work

✅ Why emotional intelligence gives women an edge in sales ✅ The critical role of safety and healthy fear in roofing

✅ How collaboration between genders can improve the trades

✅ The commercial trades gap and lucrative opportunities for young people

✅ How social media and personal branding can grow your business

✅ The evolving insurance landscape and new career possibilities

🔥 This episode is perfect for anyone curious about trades careers, empowering women in skilled labor, or building a business with authenticity and care.

Sponsored by

🏗 FieldPulse — the all-in-one software helping contractors streamline operations and grow their teams effortlessly

🏝 Nordeste Living — offering premium lodging and authentic Azores experiences to reconnect with heritage and nature

👉 Follow Liv and The Build To Rise Podcast for real stories from tradespeople and entrepreneurs breaking the mold and building their futures.

🚨 From real estate pressure to dream vacations and life lessons, Cliff Ponte’s story is all about hustle, loyalty, and staying true to your values. In this episode, Cliff opens up about balancing late-night grind sessions, navigating the stress of big financial decisions, and dreaming about Portugal, Bali, and even running the Boston Red Sox.

He breaks down why loyalty and hard work matter more than shortcuts how to handle the pressure of guiding families through life’s biggest investments and what it really takes to build resilience as an entrepreneur. From favorite Portuguese dishes to celebrity dinner guests and wild sports stories, this conversation is packed with wisdom and motivation.

If you’ve ever searched for entrepreneur mindset real estate stories life lessons motivation or authentic business advice this episode brings the clarity, perspective and no-nonsense truth you need.

What You’ll Learn

✅ How Cliff balances hustle with staying loyal and true to his values

✅ Why the biggest investment decisions are also the most stressful and how he handles that pressure

✅ Lessons on discipline avoiding shortcuts and building resilience

✅ How personal growth plays a role in business success

✅ Real talk about ambition work ethic and making people who matter proud

🔥 This episode is for entrepreneurs, creators and anyone ready to stay disciplined and keep grinding no matter what.

Sponsored by

🏗 FieldPulse the contractor and service business software that streamlines scheduling estimates invoices and team operations so you can scale with less chaos.

(https://www.fieldpulse.com/features?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=Build+to+Rise/2+Legit)

🏝 Nordeste Living premium Azores experiences and boutique lodging in São Miguel’s Nordeste region helping Luso Americans reconnect with their Azorean heritage and explore the islands like a local

👉 Follow Cliff and The Build To Rise Podcast for real stories from entrepreneurs and creators building success with no shortcuts no excuses