I've operated my one-guy wood shop for 15 years. Folks sometimes ask why it costs "so much" for me to make them a table. I tell them that if they just need a table to play cards and eat breakfast at, go get one from your store of choice for $100. But if you want one a custom size, with a distinct look, something your children can argue over when you die, where maybe you can even come by and help with the finishing, come on over and we will get it done. Most of my work is not fancy but people remain amazed that someone still does this kind of thing in Los Angeles.

"Made in America" isnt honestly a requirement.... "Not made by our enemies" IS a requirement...

My 14 yr old daughter is going into high-school soon. Shes going to be taking welding. Im so proud of her.

As I was growing up, my dad taught me to pay attention to quality for 2 major reasons. First, he said, if you can spend $10 on a pan that lasts you a year or $20 on a pan that lasts you 5 years it should be obvious what's the better choice. But more than that, and the piece of advice that's helped me the most, is that EVERY time you use that whatever-it-is you bought, you'll experience the extra quality and be happier, instead of getting frustrated by subpar equipment/tools but you saved a few bucks. I was lucky enough to be able to thank him for that advice before he passed.

14 years ago I started down this path of entrepreneurship for building sustainable factories in Mississippi using algae as a renewable material. After 12 years we found that all of our BLOOM algae resins were being purchased for footwear brands which required us to export everything to China. In 2022 we decided to bring it home! We raised local investment and built a new sneaker factory in Meridian Mississippi called "Shloop" for Made in USA sneakers using innovative technologies and sustainable materials.

I would love to see a true “Made in USA” label/category/ in stores and specifically online. Imagine Amazon having a “Made in USA” drop down selection!

Excellent video! Too many scream “bring back American jobs” while they shop at Walmart- the hypocrisy is staggering

As a small manufacturer myself I have discovered that with careful sourcing you can both be made in America and maintain good margins. A major brand offered to rebrand my product and had a small run made at their Chinese factory to test and without a doubt had I gone through with the deal it would have killed my product and my whole business.

It's really hard to have a "support fellow Americans" mentality when you yourself do not feel supported by them. X tradesman.

It was the greatest disaster when the industry went off-shore and took all the textile mills out of this country. The fabric of our country - labor and industry needs to be back in this country! We made the greatest materials and tossed it to global labor.

Making anything in America is incredibly important. I am 53 and have constantly been disappointed by the lack of effort to buy and support things that are made here! Most people I meet just don't care.

It's hard explain to people who can't understand the importance of flannel shirts,. For people like me we actually can't wait to wear our favorite shirt as the fall leaves signal the coming winter, it's a true comfort.

I think the biggest problem is that we're trying to bring back quality in a society that's been trained to desire quantity. They've learned, "That's too expensive - I won't be able to buy this dozen other things I want if I buy that." Chasing microtrends is one example. With the current political climate, things may swing back in our favor out of sheer necessity, since people won't be able to afford much in the first place. I've definitely started reaching for whatever quality I can get my hands on. Would love to see more wool and naturally-tanned leathers available here in the states.

I learned to sew years ago. Last year I made all of my clothes for the fall. It has really made me rethink cheap store bought clothing. I would rather make it myself than buy it from China.

A couple of years ago i started to realized that nearly everything is made in China. I dont buy as much but i read lables now. My kids and husband bought me a flagpole and USA flag and my only request was that it was made in the USA.

Mike you are a National Asset. Been watching you for years. Unfortunately until the existing educational system that exists today is gutted and returned back to the states, our great nation will burn itself to ashes from the inside.

If you haven't heard of it yet, check out Origin in Maine. They are making boots, jeans, hoodies, hunting gear and more 100% US made down to the cotton grown in America.

Mike needs to run for president of the United States!

Thanks Mike. I hope the country listens before it’s too late.

Mike, I came out of my four year apprenticeship with a journeyman’s certificate and two years of college. So many “University” types don’t understand the complexity or knowledge required of the crafts. Trade theory, by itself, is worth a four degree.

Mills and clothing manufacturing are returning to the Carolinas. It great to be able to get quality products again. I have a wonderful flannel shirt, I got off a clearance rack - in 1978. Looks brand new . Hasn't even lost a button. Worn and washed a lot. One of my favorites. Well worth the cost. It's going to still exist when I don't. Finding a good show repair shop is nearly impossible at the moment. The $80,000 truck is made of mostly plastic and made to break in 5 yrs.

You have to understand. We KNOW the well made more expensive item will last much longer. But we can't put together the cost of the pricier boots at one time. We can only come up with the money for cheaper boots at any given time and if we need the boots now then we'll get the ones we can afford knowing full well we will need to replace them sooner and that it will cost more in the long run but people who live hand to mouth like i do can't afford to think link term when it comes to financial decisions we deal with immediate needs as they come up with whatever resources we have at that time.

I worked in a cotton mill for 12 years...Sara Lee was next door with the dye house, knitting machines, and other areas. The mill I worked in was "raw cotton to yarn" that then went next door to Sara Lee. It was long hours and hard work.

today, in a stroke of luck i haven't had in decades, i found a pair of Wool ww2 surplus pants in a small. for 9 dollars. actual unblended wool. I believe i teleported to the till with them. keep up the good work Mike

Quality over quantity.

I think Terry Pratchett described it best with his Sam Vimes boots theory of economics. People know the Red Wings are far superior to the Wal-Mart boots. But, if they have to choose between buying the Red Wings and feeding their family...do they even really have a choice? Knowing that the $350 boots are better and will last you longer doesn't matter when you only have $50.

There was a lovely economic dissertation on the high cost of cheap goods. They did the analysis of a high cost high quality pair of boots versus the low cost low value boots. While it hurt more in the short term to buy the quality, the cheaper ones took more money from the person in the long term - by a lot. Made me think very differently about value and cost. I now make that investment, and realize I don’t need 800 shirts.

As a chronic hobbyist, the quality (lack of) replacement parts for small engines and automotive stuff is atrocious. I'd love to buy american made or factory replacement part, but when there's a $300 price difference, it makes it real difficult...

It’s simply a humble choice to have less of things but better quality just like food we think about and eat way too much in this country and our waste smh❤✌🏻

I absolutely miss made in America. 😢😢😢😢😢And the beautiful healthy home grown food 😢😢😢😢

Thank you Mike for your videos. This video reminds me that I desire to use what God has given me to have "Made In Texas" mean something. I have so many skills in electrical, manufacturing and others that I need to utilize them. I would hate to be the servant that was given 1 talent and he hid his Master's talent in the sand.... Thank you all for what you do. Keep up the good fight. God bless you and your families.

I was a cabinet maker and made beautiful furniture, in pine, oak, maple, cherry and birch, custom one off furniture. I did this for almost 15 years, but in doing so was not making enough money to buy the wood to make my own furniture for my own home. What I could do is buy solid pine furniture from IKEA and swallow hard in doing so, because my wages didn’t allow me to pay for the wood I was making furniture with, for my own designs. The pieces I have made for myself are my most cherished possessions and I take a great deal of pride in owning them.

Excellent video! I run a woodworking/home products business and the challenge of selling USA made us real, but we need to bring work back HOME.

When I was working in construction or mechanic I wore one brand and style of work boot on my feet for hours no matter the weather and they would hold up for 3or4 years my wife would say you pay $150 for your shoes and I only pay $10 and get a pair free, when I pulled out about 30 pairs of her shoes that were like new and my shoes that I wore for every reason and never complained about my feet hurting she finally got it in the long run quality is more economical and my boots never clashed with my Levies.

I'm a 44yr old welder with a 'homeschool' education.I make a close to 6 figure income at my 9-5,I also have a 'side-gig' welding and more work than I can handle-my point is,it doesn't take that much ambition or even skill for that matter to do 'ok' here. Kinda sad! and I really want one of them shirts!

Price is forgotten while Quality is remembered

I own an antique store, and im seeing an uptick in younger people understanding and wanting things made with quality in mind, and buying older items. They are getting away from ikea products.

I have a dream, where the American people refuse to buy except from someone they've shaken hands with, where every govt action is taken out of fear that the people may revolt over it, that people use physical hard currency exclusively, and there is no property or inheritance taxes anywhere.

Thank you!!! I look at every label and try to support made in America. Shirts to sheets, I am so tired of the garbage available. Please emphasize the longevity. I know I am not alone and I will pay more for quality. Keep up the good work.

We have to sacrifice to bring manufacturing back to this country.

As I have grown older and travel more, I have scaled down my material possessions, greatly. I have finally realized the true, lasting value of buying quality over price!

I learned to sew my clothes as a teenager. I remember the delicious fabric stores with beautiful fabrics. I remember visiting one of the textile outlet stores and buying beautiful towels and bedding by the pound…..and then, they all disappeared. The American garment union tags were no longer seen in clothing. Just sad. I miss the quality clothing. It was expensive, and the average person did not have a lot but there was likely less pollution for that reason.

I'm in! I am all about American made flannel! Yes to that!

The discussion of knapping brought back memories for me. I worked in textiles for 10 years in the 90s. We should have listened to Ross Perot. NAFTA killed our textile industry

Great video as always. People used to make fun of my flannel shirts, but I loved them. Living in S. FL. now, I don't know if I even have one left in my closet, but man, there's nothing like a good flannel shirt!

Just wait until, "My kid is the first in the family to not get a college degree." becomes the ultimate parental flex.

Excellent point about the boots. I used to buy $6 umbrellas from the drug store. Within a year or two, they would break or wear out, and I would throw it away and buy another. Eventually, I decided to invest $30 in a quality umbrella. I've had it now for 20 years.

Loved it! Make America Great Again!

Support the small brands that are doing it!!!! Thank you for this♥

I've been buying American since 1988. A kid working at a big box store was flabbergasted why I asked for a Milwaukee battery drill, made in USA. He's no longer there. The store chain was crushed by one that sells made in China crap. And the customers have to buy three in the same period of time as a good old made in USA "anything".

I really feel this, I am in the textile industry myself and it is not easy. I am actually an American veteran, I went to university in Europe and due to the availability of labor and materials to work with I stayed. I have some friends that are in manufacturing back home and I am trying to support them the best that I can. I think that the learning curve for manufacturing is very high and very technical but it can be done! Investors must support it and people need to get back into it. The same blue collar type of tradesman (like myself) is perfect to become a manufacturing entrepreneur.

Thankya Mike! As a tradesman, I appreciate you shining a light on the many hard working lads n lasses out there❤

What is driving companies out of the US is American wages, a cheap throw away mind set, and other production costs. Paying American wages to workers drives product costs up 10x. People don’t want to pay more for quality. Then you have out side costs like taxes, insurance, and energy. These costs are getting out of hand for any business. Don’t forget what most people don’t think about too with manufacturing, EPA and OSHA requirements.

I buy all my clothes made in America. Round house jeans. Thorogood boots Vermont flannel. Randolph sun glasses are most of what I buy. Great stuff

I was looking to buy boots made in the USA. So the internet told me Frye boots are made in the USA. I bought some and when they arrived stamped inside on the tag said made in Mexico. So much for that!

Over regulation is a major problem. I live in So Cal. A furniture factory recently shut down because the South Coast Air quality increase regulations. I grew up during the sixties, then the air was alway brown. The air is so clean today in comparison. They put 900 workers out of work for no reason.

You have to teach everyone Vimes Law where products come in. Manufacturers have to help out, too. It'd be nice to get many of the entry barriers removed...then we could, once again, have real flannels that cost $12.

This is why I only buy fishing rods that are made in the USA. I buy ST Croix Tournament Legend and G-Lommis GCX rods. They are more expensive but I make a good income and can afford them. Both brands are made in Washington state.

I can honestly say that the brand Wolverines are the best set of boots i ever owned. I wish i had been able to hold on to them but circumstances were not in my favor then. They were with every single penny i paid and then some. Saved my feet on multiple occasions, helped prevent blisters on long hikes, etc. If I'm ever in a place again to buy a pair of Wolverine custom boots you best be assured I'll be jumping on it.

Ken Oath! Thanks Mike and God bless America!

There was a documentary a few years ago by a guy that resolved to use only made in USA products for a year. It was eye opening to see that many everyday things we use are hard if not impossible to find made in USA. Soap, detergent, hoses, shower heads,etc.

Mike I hope one day you make a website to buy all these products that are made here in the USA. We really do need to start buying American made.

As a small manufacturing company we are feeling the pressures. We often lose to the lower cost import products. You guys are also exactly right that American industry has had to not only compete with imports but with each other to the point that there is little to no profit left. The average profit margin for a machine shop manufacturing company in America is 5-8 percent. It honestly has to be a labor of love for an owner because you cannot make money or even have profit to grow off of that margin. In our shop things are cooling off which means we have to sell equipment to weather the economic storm then go buy it again when things are better. It is an insane cycle. On top of that we would love to pay our staff more but we just do not have it to offer. I am not sure where this spiral will end but I fear our country has not seen the worst of it yet.

As always, great episode. Thank you.

Mike Rowe should be President. Mike is a level headed Mainer as I am , he makes more sense than any lawmaker ever has.

Gonna get one of those shirts and the book… like my Origin boots great story made in “Merica” ! We need more stories of featured companies !

Howcome you didn't put links to buy all that merch in in the video description? Seriously, Mike, I'm am horrible shopper. I WANT to be advertised to. And yet I run an adblocker because, turns out, I don't feel a need to meet hot singles in my area near so much as the Google skynet seems to think. I could really use a comfortable flannel and, since I don't plan on changing shirts for two weeks either, I don't mind spending on it. Mike, help us out here, leave links to worthwhile products. Just leave the hot singles out of it.

An extra comment to help boost the KZfaq algorithm!

thank you

Back when I didn't earn enough money to buy anything but the cheapest stuff I was trapped in a cycle of constantly wearing it out, whether it be boots, clothes or pots and pans, and having to replace it constantly. When I did start to earn enough I bought a few really good locally made pots and pans, over 15 years ago, and they are as good today as when I bought them. This fast-fashion, Walmart grade cheapest of the cheap stuff needs to go, but we also need to be able to afford the better stuff.

When they had Ely Cattleman jeans at the local store , I was ecstatic and bought a few pairs , and that they were less than $30 was awesome. But recently they stopped carrying them , but still have pricier made overseas jeans. What is with people ?

Watching from Dallas, Texas. 🎉 agreed some people want to go to college other people in winter trade either way there’s not always one path there’s multiple.

For 25 years I have purchased from and worked with a manufacturing company who makes over 400 home consumable products. Made in the USA the same or less than the products people buy in the store or online comes down to a very smart businessman who’s also not greedy to make this happen.

I believe you are correct sir

Excellent video. I agree bring business back home. I like to quilt. Very little fabric is manufactured in America. We have great artisans/designers and wholesale suppliers. There are several large online businesses to purchase order from. By the time fabric hits the home town shops, the cost can range from $12.00 per yard up to $20.00.😮 How can they stay in business. Support Americans by choosing to keep our business enterprises home your dollar will count. 🎶💐💖

I work at a company with a made in America premium product, we’re the only company who makes our product in the states.one of the most common questions we get is “why should I pay for your stuff instead of the cheap Chinese stuff?” And i get to try to find a good way to explain our product will last you for 30 years, is made in America, and just performs all around better than the imports which will break in a year.

I just came across this Podcast. I worked in manufacturing for years. YES. The US paint applications I made were expensive. But they had a Life Time Guarantee.

I've been doing flooring for 22 years and nobody in the new age wants to do the manual labor that I do. It's sad what our country has come too.

I love Mike Rowe from dirty jobs he’s so funny 😂😂😂

I bought the Thorogood boots awesome product, made in the USA, Union made! Never had a break in period, instantly comfortable!! Midwest boots is the vendor

As someone who weaves fabric in my home it takes a lot of work but the quality is so much higher than anything you can get in a store. Quality like that can be addictive.

I still remember being in southern Alabama and, in the small town, that there was fabric and clothing being made and was a job producing industry. Now it’s no longer there and the town and America has suffered.

My very first business class instructor told us that every time you spend a dollar, you're casting a vote! I never forgot it.

Great video and book! Textile and clothing making industries in all the rich countries went to China. EU countries, Japan, South Korea, etc. Major USA brands such as Target, Levi's made big efforts to bring back to USA. I just retired from textiles after 43 years with 25 years abroad. Powerful economic forces have overwhelmed all efforts to reverse. But this book may be a spark to light a fire

I remember in the early 1990s a friend of mine wearing Birkenstocks. I had never heard of them as a Midwest kid. He had lived all over the world and as far more culture than I at that time. I couldn’t believe how much he spent on them, but he said he’ll get five or six years out of them easy and if you break it down $25 a year $40 a pair of shoes that need replaced every six months. That stuck with me. I bought a pair, had them resoled three years later and wore them for about another three years. Our current generation needs our generations to step up and make sure these things are being taught in school. Right now, the college board is obsessed with kids going to college. High schools hang banners with how many kids go to college. There’s no celebration for kids who go to trade schools or learn other skills. No signing days for them, although that should change. Who does it? And the timeline matters.

People have definitely gotten used to cheap disposable products. 40yrs ago clothes were a lot more expensive, but we kept it longer. Nowadays people want new constantly, they don’t want to wear the same clothes for 6 months or a year 🤷‍♀️

nice vid.

If I had the money to fund a shopping company that was "made in America" only, whether store front or Amazon-ish online shopping, I think people would embrace it. I would buy my goods there. Maybe spend a bit more, wait a bit longer, but I would be all-in to give my money to American made.

It isn't just economy of scale its the velocity of dollar, the dollar that is spent on quality local production has a higher velocity and more local staying power than the cheap alternative.

That is the issue, I worked at a clothing company, made a shirt in USA and another in China, USA retail price $85, China Shirt $45. People wanted things made in USA, but didn't want to pay the higher cost.

I went to school and achieved the skills of a journeyman commercial electrician in California back in 2015 I topped out at 80k a year working for a non union small contractor. In 2020 I moved to south Carolina and the best pay I could find in one of the fastest growing community's was $20/hr with no benefits or even overtime. Because of the ( the cost of living is cheaper here ) mindset of the south, I left that field of work and have sence been working as a contractor for a mobile RV roofing company. I have large expenses, but my labor is compensated at a rate I am comfortable with. I won't be able to buy a home or a fancy new truck, or even a vacation once a year. But I am able to enjoy myself and buy the quality items from professional craftsman. I guess it all boils down to priorities

All good points. The path to raising prosperity for working class America is through the trades, not clothing manufacturer. We most certainly should bring manufacturing back to America, but the good paying jobs will be restricted to the clothing/pattern designers and the technicians keeping all the high-end automation running.

Nooooooo Mike bring back the full episodes on here!!! I prefer seeing everyone's faces so much more!!

I have committed to not buying my tools from China, but I have found that the process is currently challenging, not impossible, but challenging.

I bought a 50 cent garage sale metal lunch box when I got out of army in 1974. Took first job offered as an inspector in metals shop. Became a wire welder in next year cause the made .25 more per hr. Inspector made $3.50 per hrs. Learned to tig weld and made .50 more per hrs. Did thar,3 yrs,and got a chance to be machinist on BN railroad. Transfered to Denver in next year and went to gunsmithing trade school nights , and worked full time at BN. Moved back to WI and worked as welder/machinist for 35 years. We rarely got any wage increases. Walked away at 59 yrs old. Everything's paid for, but I still get shirts at goodwill type stores. It's fine, got more than I ever imagined. Life is good, just keep yor head down and try and best ya can! Oh, that. 50 cent lunch box made the whole journey with me!

Companies would absolutely, 100%, manufacture in the US. But the consumer has to be willing to pay what it would cost.

Henry Perroski “To engineer is human” is a great book

It is so easy to blame others for our poor decisions. Greedy businesses, incompetent govt, lazy youth... Be the change you wish to see in this world. You deserve what you accept.

Hi Mike, where is the whole video? I want to see more than 12 min.... My family has watched you for years, love what you do.... keep it up!!!

FWIW: If you want a good quality, American made product, try Darn Tough socks. We are talking about socks that cost $20 a pair. Expensive, right ? What if I told you they are comfortable and come with a LIFETIME WARRANTY. I am currently 15 days into hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, and almost every hiker I meet is wearing Darn Tough socks. Also, most (if not all) of the high end (good quality) hiking gear (tents, backpacks, and sleeping bags) are made in the USA.