Episode 175: Real Fresco, Sobriety, and Level 5 Perfection with Jake Nilsson

Episode 175: Real Fresco, Sobriety, and Level 5 Perfection with Jake Nilsson In this episode of The Drywall Podcast, Nick sits down with Jake Nilsson of Nilsson Drywall out of Portland, Maine. After spotting Jake’s high-quality videos and obvious trade expertise on Instagram, Nick noticed something surprising: Jake had just over 100 followers. Intrigued by hidden talent in the trade, Nick reached out—and discovered there was a lot more to Jake's story than meets the eye. Broadcasting straight from the stairwell of a massive Portland estate where his crew is applying a traditional, old-school lime fresco (the real Michelangelo-style plaster), Jake dives deep into high-level craft and personal transformation. From master-level plasterwork and Level 5 finishes to finding sobriety and building a business by lifting others up, this is an honest, powerful conversation you won't want to miss. Plus, keep an eye out for a special drop-in visit from Sunil D'Souza, owner of Drywall Master! Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Discovering Hidden Gems: How finding low-follower, high-skill trade profiles on social media leads to the best industry conversations. Traditional Fresco vs. Modern Systems: Jake breaks down traditional lime plasterwork and gypsum based plasters from an on-site historic-scale Portland project. Hanging, Finishing, & Level 5: What it takes to deliver a true Level 5 finish, modern sanding techniques, and pristine slick finishes. A Journey Through Sobriety: How meeting a fellow drywall finisher in rehab helped spark Jake’s business and how helping others ultimately saved his life. Special Guest Drop-In: Sunil D'Souza, owner of Drywall Master, joins the conversation. Episode Sponsor This episode of The Drywall Podcast is brought to you by CanAm Tools. Upgrade your drywall finish game at www.canamtool.com.