
Leading With Grit: How Patrick Carr Built a Media Empire
Welcome to another episode of the Entrepreneur’s Journey Podcast. In this edition, host Michael Pallozzi sits down with Patrick Carr, President and CEO of Blue Collar Media Group. From humble beginnings—armed only with a cell phone and a vision—Patrick shares how he built one of the most respected media companies serving blue collar businesses. The conversation covers early financial risks, hard lessons, and how Patrick’s leadership evolved as his company scaled. Listeners will gain firsthand insights into entrepreneurship, team building, and bridging the gap between great media and real ROI for trades businesses.
Tune into this episode to also learn:
- Why having video content is essential—but not enough—for contractors.
- How Patrick scaled from zero to 12 W2 employees (and why that matters).
- What weekly accountability calls can do for marketing success.
- Why hiring a second-in-command can transform your leadership.
What we discussed
- [00:01:41] Patrick’s transition from a failed funding company to founding a media business with zero video experience.
- [00:04:42] Learning from a failed podcast and pivoting back into content creation.
- [00:06:39] The two core services of Blue Collar Media Group: full-service video production and social media marketing.
- [00:09:57] Why most contractors aren’t equipped to hire in-house marketing leaders.
- [00:11:29] The importance of weekly client check-ins and transparent reporting.
- [00:13:47] Redefining leadership: from being in the trenches to empowering the team.
- [00:17:54] The value of hiring a “number two” to grow beyond reactive leadership.
- [00:20:19] Taking a $90,000 term loan at a critical moment—and the lessons it taught.
- [00:23:39] Changing mindset around profit, generosity, and long-term financial sustainability.
- [00:28:06] Patrick’s evolving definition of freedom after getting engaged.
- [00:31:45] The power of shared entrepreneurial experiences—and how they create momentum.
3 Things To Remember
- Scaling a service business starts with mastering communication and accountability.
- You don’t need to know everything—just be willing to learn, pivot, and ask for help.
- Profit isn’t selfish—it’s a necessary fuel to sustain your mission and team.
Memorable moments:
(00:01:41) “I showed up with a cell phone in my hand… I had never edited a video, ran an ad campaign, owned a camera.”
(00:11:29) “If it’s your money, you better treat it just like that. We better fix the problem quickly. There’s an intensity behind it for us.”
(00:24:54) “I felt bad making money. That might sound crazy, but I felt like I was almost doing something wrong… It made me feel more worthy by giving more.”
Useful Links
Connect with Michael Pallozzi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpallozzihfm/
Connect with Patrick Carr: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickrcarr923/
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