104. No Degree Required: Ken Rusk on Building Comfort, Peace, and Freedom Through Blue Collar Grit

What if you didn’t need a college degree to create the life of your dreams? In this episode of What’s the Point?, Bill Ellis sits down with bestselling author, entrepreneur, and blue collar advocate Ken Rusk to unpack what it really means to take control of your future—without following the traditional path. Ken shares his journey from ditch digging at age 15 to becoming a successful business owner, author, and mentor helping others pursue comfort, peace, and freedom on their terms. From practical tools to mindset shifts, this episode offers a blueprint for building a life by design, not by default. Ken Rusk is the author of the bestselling book Blue Collar Cash and the founder of the Comfort, Peace & Freedom Foundation. A former ditch digger turned successful entrepreneur, Ken is on a mission to help people—especially young adults and veterans—build meaningful, financially free lives through skilled trades, visualization, and practical goal setting. He’s been featured on over 300 podcasts and continues to inspire others to reimagine success, one blueprint at a time. Episode Highlights & Key Takeaways: What “Blue Collar” Really Means: Ken redefines the term to include anyone who builds, creates, or makes things happen with their hands—and challenges outdated assumptions about skilled trades. The Myth of College = Success: He debunks misleading stats about higher education and shows how skilled workers often out-earn their white-collar peers—without student debt. Visualization = Power: Ken outlines his process for helping people map out their dream life in vivid detail, turning “someday” into “today.” From Someday to Now: A real-world story of a team member who paid off her car loan, bought a house, and built her dream life—all by starting with a $48/week savings goal. Start Where You Are: Whether you're 19 or 59, Ken shares how to pivot into a meaningful, profitable path using side gigs, local insight, and simple planning tools. Giving Back: Proceeds from Blue Collar Cash and Ken’s online programs support veterans, first responders, and Gold Star families through his nonprofit foundation. Ken Rusk’s story is proof that you don’t need permission, prestige, or a PhD to build the life you want. His message? Stop waiting for a lucky break and start building with what you’ve got. Whether you’re at the beginning of your career or hitting reset midlife, this episode is a reminder that comfort, peace, and freedom are within reach—if you’re willing to map it out and get your hands a little dirty. Connect with Bill: bill@brandingpillars.com www.brandingpillars.com www.brandingforresults.com IG - @wcellis Facebook - @CoachBillEllis LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellis Book: Women Who Won   CONTACT INFO: Name: Ken Rusk Email: ken@ruskind.com Website: kenrusk.com & veteransuccess.org SOCIAL MEDIA INFO: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-rusk-2656a7175 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KenRuskOfficial/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenruskofficial/?hl=en Twitter: http://twitter.com/KenRuskOfficial TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenrusk.official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCobMStuxuarzLDFSMgX7u0A   Quick Episode Summary:  0:00 – Bill introduces Ken Rusk and sets the stage for a conversation on building purpose through skilled work 1:08 – The real meaning behind “blue collar” and why it’s time to reclaim the term 3:44 – Why higher education can mislead people—and how the trades offer an alternative path to wealth 6:10 – Ken explains the power of visualization and why we plan vacations better than our own lives 9:00 – “Comfort, peace, and freedom”: Ken’s definition of success 11:00 – Real-life examples of people who changed careers, found purpose, and built wealth without degrees 13:00 – The story of Tim, who went from ditch digger to VP—one visual goal at a time 16:00 – Ken shares how growing up in a modest home inspired his entrepreneurial mindset 19:00 – The "someday" story that transformed one employee’s life—and how small steps lead to big change 22:00 – How Ken helps people make “unrealistic” dreams possible by turning them into when-goals, not if-goals 26:00 – The puzzle analogy: why your life needs a clear picture before you can put the pieces together 28:00 – The worst advice Ken ever got as a business owner—and what he learned about letting go of control 31:00 – His biggest regret: waiting too long to start a 401k program for his team 33:00 – Advice for older adults seeking purpose or pivoting into trades and entrepreneurship 36:00 – The three-step process Ken recommends before launching your own business 41:00 – Don’t chase passion—build infrastructure, then plug in your dream 43:00 – Why Ken gives 100% of his book profits away to help veterans transition to civilian careers 45:00 – The letter to his daughter that became Blue Collar Cash 47:00 – Ken on staying hungry for growth—even after success 48:00 – What’s the point? Ken’s morning gratitude practice and the legacy he hopes to leave behind Subscribe & Share: Inspired by Ken’s story? Share this episode with someone who’s ready to break free from the rat race. Subscribe to What’s the Point? for more inspiring conversations about purpose, potential, and the power of self-determined living.