Transforming Communities and Careers: Advocating the Trades

On the latest episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, we explore the innovative and impactful journeys of two remarkable guests: Shanna Greathouse, founder and CEO of Pigybak, and Joe Manofsky, chairman, president, and co-founder of One Step Ahead Ohio. These two changemakers are reshaping how we think about skilled trades, community development, and career pathways in ways that are inspiring and deeply transformational. Shanna Greathouse: Transforming Communities Through Technology Shanna Greathouse’s entrepreneurial journey is rooted in her love for community and her passion for creating equitable solutions. As the founder of  Pigybak, she’s revolutionizing the way homeowners and tradespeople connect. Leveraging AI-driven technology, Pigybakprovides a marketplace where contractors can streamline their scheduling while homeowners access affordable, collaborative home services. The company’s unique "group deal" model encourages neighborhood collaboration, reducing costs and fostering a stronger sense of community. Drawing from her background in consulting and analytics, Shanna turned her observations of inefficiencies in the trades and home services industry into an innovative platform. Her deep commitment to supporting local tradespeople—many of whom are small business owners from underrepresented groups—adds a layer of purpose to Pigybak’s mission. For Shanna, the initiative isn’t just about home services; it’s about empowering tradespeople, rebuilding neighborhoods, and creating sustainable opportunities for growth. Joe Manofsky: Advocating for Workforce Development in Ohio Joe Manofsky’s path to philanthropy and advocacy began in his hometown of Youngstown, Ohio, where community values shaped his drive to give back. As the co-founder of One Step Ahead Ohio, Joe leads a nonprofit that focuses on eliminating executive salaries, ensuring transparency, and directly supporting local families and nonprofits in Northeast Ohio. His initiatives extend to workforce development through the Skilled Labor Foundation, which aims to address the skilled trades shortage. Joe’s vision includes early career exploration programs for middle school students, exposing them to the vast opportunities in skilled trades. By creating events that connect students, parents, and trades professionals, Joe and his team hope to shift the narrative around the trades, demonstrating that these careers are viable, lucrative, and vital to our economy. Through transparency, collaboration, and advocacy, Joe is transforming the perception of skilled trades, ensuring they are recognized for their significance and potential. Shifting the Trades Narrative To Build Better Communities Together, Shanna and Joe are tackling a shared challenge: changing the perception of skilled trades. Whether it’s through gamifying trades to highlight their athleticism and skill or hosting community events that connect stakeholders, their work emphasizes the importance of collaboration and storytelling. As Andi Simon noted during the episode, this movement is about rebranding the trades, creating pride in these careers, and highlighting their critical role in community development. Why These Programs Matter In a time when workforce shortages are impacting industries from construction to healthcare, the work of innovators like Shanna and Joe is more important than ever. Their stories inspire action—whether it’s supporting local tradespeople, exploring workforce development grants, or simply rethinking the career paths we advocate for in our communities. Takeaways for Listeners For Homeowners: Pigybak offers a way to support local tradespeople while collaborating with neighbors for affordable, community-driven solutions. For Advocates: One Step Ahead Ohio demonstrates how transparency, collaboration, and grassroots initiatives can drive change in workforce development. For Everyone: By raising awareness about the skilled trades, we can help young people see the potential for meaningful, successful careers outside of traditional college pathways. As I like to remind us, “Take your observations and turn them into innovations.” Shanna and Joe are perfect examples of this philosophy in action, using their insights to create solutions that empower individuals and strengthen communities. Catch the full episode to learn more about their inspiring work and discover how you can contribute to transforming the trades in your community. Reach out and contact us if you want to see how a little anthropology can help your business grow.  Let's Talk!   From Observation to Innovation, Andi Simon, PhD CEO | Corporate Anthropologist | Author Simonassociates.net Info@simonassociates.net @simonandi LinkedIn