Episode 14: Nicole Davis - When Ambition Fails: Redirecting Youth from Hopelessness to the Trades

In this inspiring episode of Built on Blues, host Graeme Bryks sits down with Nicole Davis, the Founder of Fortitude, a nonprofit transforming the lives of young adults facing systemic barriers. After three decades navigating the high-stakes, "soul-crushing" world of corporate contract triage on Wall Street, Nicole made a radical pivot. She left the safety of the boardroom to return to her roots in construction and tackle one of the industry's biggest challenges: the skilled labor shortage.Nicole shares the genesis of Fortitude, which emerged during the pandemic as a way to provide hope and a tangible career path for young people who weren't "born on second base." We discuss how the program goes beyond teaching students how to use a circular saw; it’s a masterclass in "Life Mastery." By building a shed from foundation to roof, students aren't just learning trades—they are building the confidence to believe they have a place in the world. Nicole recounts powerful stories of students stepping up for each other and finding their true purpose, even if it eventually leads them out of the trades.The conversation also touches on the challenges of scaling a high-impact nonprofit with a small team and Nicole's vision of expanding Fortitude to every major tech hub where young people are often told they are "nothing" if they aren't in tech. For contractors looking for dedicated, job-ready employees, or anyone wanting to hear how true leadership can change lives, this episode is a must-listen.00:00 Introduction: Leaving Corporate America for Construction. 01:20 The Soul-Crushing Boardroom and the Pivot to Fortitude. 03:50 Partnering with Webcor and the "Exploring Construction Careers" Program. 05:34 The Pressure of the "Stanford Onesie" and Redirecting Ambition. 09:40 A Childhood on the Jobsite: Cutting Teeth on 2x4s. 11:38 Clawing to the C-Suite and Inspiring the Next Generation. 14:19 The "Life Mastery" Curriculum: Teaching What Schools Missed. 16:47 Building Sheds to Build Confidence. 19:28 A Success Story: From Plumber to Police Officer. 24:50 The Intake Process: Meeting Young Adults Where They Are. 30:29 Enforcing Standards: Pushups and the Power of Teamwork. 33:36 The Challenge of Scaling: Replicating Heart and Instinct. 37:48 How to Hire Fortitude Grads and Support the Mission.Website: https://www.fortitudecareers.org