Today we’d like to introduce you to Jon Kapel.
Hi Jon, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story really starts with quitting a good job at the worst possible time. My wife was seven weeks away from having our first baby, I had just been given a raise, and on paper everything said “stay put.” But I wasn’t fulfilled, and I knew I wasn’t on the right path. So I walked away—without a passion-driven plan, just a deep desire for stability and a career that actually made sense for my family.
The funny thing is, I didn’t leap into some dream role. I actually spent two years bouncing between six different jobs—everything from lawn care to mental health to waiting tables—trying desperately to find something I could grow in. And the more I searched, the clearer one thing became: I didn’t have marketable skills, and employers needed people who did.
What finally changed everything was a friend of mine—Joey—who invited me into the world of boiler operation. I had made every wrong assumption about skilled trades: that the work was harsh, the pay was limited, and the future was narrow. But the more I learned, the more those assumptions crumbled. I discovered stability, upward mobility, and, to my surprise, the beginnings of real interest.
As I threw myself into learning—reading boiler textbooks, taking the tough shifts, getting licensed—I crossed a threshold. For the first time, I wasn’t just surviving a job; I was good at something. And somewhere in the middle of long hours and growing competence, passion actually showed up. It didn’t lead the way—it followed the work.
That journey eventually led me to start my own company in the steam industry, and later to write Skill Stigma. I care deeply about helping people see what I didn’t: that there are extraordinary careers hiding in plain sight, and that fulfilling work doesn’t always look like the narrow “best path” we’re often sold.
So, how’d I get here? By quitting a job I wasn’t supposed to quit, taking opportunities that didn’t make sense on paper, learning a craft I didn’t grow up dreaming about, and discovering along the way that passion is often something you build, not something you chase.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was not exactly smooth. There were some tough times trying to pay the bills while I was still learning a new boiler career. Even as I learned, I was often met with resistance from some co-workers. If you’ve experienced that you know just how tiring and confusing that can be. But the biggest struggle? Trying to determine if I was throwing away a passionate career path for this stable path. I had a few stigmas that I needed to confront. The realization that this eventual stable path becoming a passion career didn’t happen overnight. But as I stand today, I can see how I changed. And ultimately I have a truly deep passion for what I do today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Steamworks Consulting LLC?
STEAMWORKS is a steam-boiler training, consulting, and operations company dedicated to elevating the skilled trades and improving the safety, efficiency, and reliability of industrial steam systems. We specialize in highly practical, hands-on operator training that goes far beyond textbook theory—our focus is on real-world competency, confidence, and career advancement.
What sets us apart is our integrated approach: we train operators, provide unbiased consulting for facilities, and maintain a nationwide network of part-time and full-time boiler operators. This gives us a unique view of both workforce development and system performance—and allows us to solve problems from multiple angles.
We’re known for our down-to-earth teaching style, our deep technical expertise, and the measurable results we deliver for clients: safer systems, lower fuel costs, regulatory confidence, and operators who are genuinely prepared to do the job. Since 2020, the company has grown over 13x and earned hundreds of 5-star reviews, which we’re extremely proud of.
At our core, STEAMWORKS exists to empower people. Whether it’s helping facilities run better or helping individuals build meaningful careers in the skilled trades, we want readers to know that our brand stands for integrity, practical excellence, and building a stronger, more capable workforce.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Kindness. No matter what it is that we are trying to accomplish in our life or in our work, being kind to people pays the greatest dividends.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://steamworksllc.com/
- Instagram: @steamworkstraining
- Facebook: @steamworkstraining
- LinkedIn: @jonathankapel
- Other: https://skillstigma.com/
