Eight Blog Post: Seventh Blog Post: From Bare Bones to Warmhearted Dreams: A Couple's Journey Through Self- Employment and the Insulation Industry

Happy greetings, friends! I’m back with our “History Post”; for those of you hanging in

here with me or just finding it, welcome to blog 8 of 12. Last time, we talked about

“house behaviors,” and I mentioned I’d share some thoughts about how neighboring,

identical houses can function differently. Is that even true? The answer is yes,

absolutely true. How do I know? Well, because I read it on the internet.

Okay, that’s me being a little funny, but also keeping it real—building science isn’t totally

my thing. Remember, this is all from Carrie’s perspective: helper, paperworker, and

cheerleader. What I can say with confidence is this: A) Yes, I did read it on the internet,

and B) I’ve been in countless homes. Even when they look identical to me, each one

seems to have a unique set of insulating instructions from Luyk. There are always

similarities, of course—but there are differences, too. So, logically, houses can be

exactly the same and still have different personalities or behaviors.

Some of the questions I hear Luyk discuss with homeowners involve things like whether

they have bathroom fans or the general temperature settings they keep in their house.

These details—how people use their home—actually impact how the house operates.

It’s fascinating!

But don’t worry if you’re not confident about understanding all of this. There’s so much

information out there, and plenty of experts to learn from! One expert I highly

recommend is Spray Jones on YouTube. He dives deep into the kinds of things Luyk

has always strived to deliver. When I started watching his videos, it was like listening to

my husband—but with way more words! It was incredibly exciting, especially since

we’ve felt like such an island in this field for so long.

Another great way to gain knowledge is by working for someone like Luyk—someone

who values passing on their skills. Luyk had mentors like this in his early days, and he

learned so much from them. Apprenticeship is a true gift from one generation to the

next. Getting paid to learn hands-on? You can’t beat that! And if you want to go above

and beyond, use your free time to watch experts like Spray Jones, take courses at your

local tech school, or just talk to the seasoned folks at hardware stores and on job sites.

You’d be amazed at the gems of wisdom you’ll uncover from people who’ve walked

fascinating paths. These are all gifts—so take them in, and one day, pay it forward.

Next Blog’s Topic

In two weeks, we’ll dive into prep and cleanup—my arena! I’ve side-kicked on prep and

cleanup for years, and I may have a few speed tips you haven’t tried before. Plus, I’ll

share some of the things customers have commented on the most over the years!

Your Turn to Share

What is your self-employment or small business story? Have you faced similar

challenges? Who helped teach you your trade? Share your thoughts in the comments

below—I’d love to hear from you!