Jarod didn’t end up in the trades because he ran out of options. He chose them before he was old enough to drive. He knew where he wanted to be — on-site, working with his hands, building something real.
We sat down with Jarod Coffman of Coffman Construction for an episode of the Good Contractor podcast to talk about his early entry into the trades, the influence of his family, and the long-term value of choosing a hands-on path.
A Choice, Not a Backup Plan
Jarod was raised around sawdust, tools, and the rhythm of job sites. His dad, John Coffman, ran the family business, and Jarod was eager to be part of it. By 14, he was working part-time and learning everything he could.
While other students were planning for college, Jarod was already on-site framing walls and finishing schoolwork the night before to free up time during the day.
“I’d finish my school the night before,” he said. “If I waited until the morning, I felt like I was already behind.”
Before long, he was experimenting with blacksmithing, melting metal in his backyard, and pushing to pick up real trade skills. His curiosity turned into focus when he started welding and framing. That’s when things clicked. The trades weren’t just interesting — they were right.
“It’s not all just ‘I made bad decisions so now this is where I’m at’ — this is actually where I want to be.”
Growing Up in the Trades
Jarod didn’t waste time. By 18, he was leading a 13,000-square-foot multifamily framing project with a 20-person crew—most of them older than him. The job was supposed to be co-led by others, but when they dropped out unexpectedly, he stepped up.
“I was just kind of thrown to the fire and figuring it out,” he said. “Messed up a lot of stuff, but definitely learned a lot.”
The trades taught him how to communicate, lead, and stay steady when things got complicated. He didn’t learn these lessons from a class. He learned them through work that demanded more from him, mentally and physically.
“I didn’t just sink in it,” he said. “I started kicking and paddling and trying to figure it out.”
Jarod’s story challenges the belief that success only comes from a degree. He shows what happens when skill and responsibility are passed down early. Real growth starts on the job site, not in a lecture hall.
Bringing Others Along
Today, Jarod plays a leading role in the family business, helping run operations, hiring, and bidding. He works closely with his brother-in-law, Landon, who originally joined the crew during COVID and now helps run day-to-day jobs. But Jarod’s impact reaches beyond his team.
Through @coffmanconstruction on Instagram and YouTube, Jarod documents what work in the trades actually looks like — difficult, rewarding, and full of learning moments. The content isn’t polished. It’s real. And people have noticed.
“We started just posting what we thought was cool or helpful,” he said. “It turned into something way bigger than we expected.”
What started as jobsite updates grew into a platform for sharing knowledge, encouraging new workers, and even connecting with future employees. “We’ve had more people reach out wanting to work with us than hire us,” Jarod said.
His long-term goal? To pass it all forward. “Eventually, I’d like to open a school or some kind of academy where people can come learn,” he said.
A Legacy Built by Choice
Jarod’s path was shaped by the trades, but it wasn’t accidental. He saw something in the work early on: purpose, skill, and a future he could build with his own hands. That choice, backed by grit, support, and experience, turned into a career. One with growth. One with ownership. One that matters.
“I hope I’m the worst I’ll ever be today,” he said. “Because that means I’m getting better.”
This is what doing good work looks like. Not just showing up to get the job done, but putting in the effort to grow, pass it on, and leave something behind that lasts. The trades are full of these stories — stories that start early, stay strong, and shape everything that comes next.
