FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Subscribe
Keep Craft Alive

Brad Stoppenhagen, Remodeler

After years of being discouraged from the trades, this craftsman finally left the corporate world to pursue a career in building.

By Rob Yagid Issue 298 - April/May 2021

“Twenty-plus years in the corporate environment made me realize there are no sure bets. There really isn’t the security that you think there is. I’d rather put my fate in the hands and be responsible for where I go.”

–Brad Stoppenhagen, Remodeler, Cincinnati

Brad Stoppenhagen has always loved to build. From a young age he was driven to construct things; to take them apart and put them together again. He has attributes that can be ascribed to so many carpenters and builders: an engineer’s inquisitiveness of the built world around him, and a desire to manifest his abilities into the creation of something of real value and of immense meaning to the people he works for.

Brad was always meant to be a builder, but it wouldn’t be until later in life that he’d be doing the work he always loved in a professional capacity. Like so many other young adults who show an aptitude and interest in construction, Brad was told not to enter the trades—indirectly, by the cultural norms around him that associate success with a college degree and not a job site, and directly, by relatives who were builders themselves and discouraged him from the work.

But after more than 20 years in corporate America, he finally took the leap. For the past four years, Brad has been self-employed, focusing his energy and talent on small to mid-size remodeling work in and around Cincinnati.

“I’ve never been happier with what I do,” says Brad, a statement he can make proudly as he finds himself at a fortunate crossroads with his business. He’s busier than ever and cherishes the lifestyle self-employment as a tradesperson can afford. “I can work when I want to work, taking on the projects I want to take on.”

That flexibility means the future is full of possibilities— to grow his business, or not. “Physically, I’m fine. I’m probably in the best shape I’ve been in since high school. But at my age, I know I have a limited time to do this work.”

When it comes to deciding what to do next, Brad is considering building a co-op of craftsmen who also see themselves as stewards of the homes they work in. This time, nobody’s standing in his way.


—Rob Yagid, executive director, Keep Craft Alive

Hear Rob Yagid’s interview with Brad on the Keep Craft Alive Podcast.

Photo: Wendy Magee

From Fine Homebuilding #298

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

View Comments

  1. ovile9080 | Aug 08, 2021 02:17pm | #1

    Really thanks for given this wonderfully article https://oneshottech.com/sync-my-settings for me great work by author.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

More Keep Craft Alive

View All
  • Alison Croney Moses, Artist and Educator
  • John Stephany, Remodeling and Construction Instructor
  • Beth Pointer, Owner, Done Construction
  • Tom Bodett, Co-Founder, HatchSpace
View All

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

6 Ways to Make a Small Lot Live Big

Strategic elements such as fences, framed views, and walled gardens can make constrained lot sizes feel both spacious and private.

Featured Video

A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance

The designer and builder of the 2018 Fine Homebuilding House detail why they chose mineral-wool batts and high-density boards for all of their insulation needs.

Related Stories

  • Podcast 533: Member’s only Aftershow — Training for Tradework
  • Podcast 530: PRO TALK With Architecture Student Phillip Schladweiler
  • Podcast 529: Member’s-only Aftershow—How Good is Good Enough?
  • Podcast 528: PRO TALK With Construction Director Scott Fridrych

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Video

View All
  • Podcast 533: Member’s only Aftershow — Training for Tradework
  • Podcast 530: PRO TALK With Architecture Student Phillip Schladweiler
  • Podcast 529: Member’s-only Aftershow—How Good is Good Enough?
  • Podcast 528: PRO TALK With Construction Director Scott Fridrych
View All

Business

View All Business Articles
  • Illustration of a man and a woman looking at a residential building contract
    Elements of a Good Residential Building Contract
  • An illustration of a woman and a man in hard hats looking at drawings on a job site
    7 Things Your Home-Building Contractor Wishes You Knew
  • Design-Build Meeting
    The Many Benefits of Design-Build
  • Mel Baiser addressing a group
    Mel Baiser, Co-Founder of Helm Construction Solutions
View All Business Articles

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • 2023 Tool Guide
    Buy Now
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • 2022 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 313 - Feb/March 2023
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
    • Fine Homebuilding Issue #313 Online Highlights
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
  • Issue 312 - Dec 2022/Jan 2023
    • Tool Test: Cordless Tablesaws
    • Gray-Water System for a Sustainable Home
    • Insulate a Cape Roof to Avoid Ice Dams
  • Issue 311 - November 2022
    • 7 Steps to a Perfect Exterior Paint Job
    • Options for Smarter Home-Energy Tracking
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: James Metoyer
  • Issue 310 - October 2022
    • Choosing a Tile-Leveling System
    • Choosing Between HRVs and ERVs
    • Custom Built-in Cabinets Made Easy
  • Issue 309 - Aug/Sept 2022
    • 10 Steps to Install Crown Molding on Cabinets
    • How to Get Sturdy Walls Without OSB
    • Choosing the Right Construction Tape for the Job

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in