Today we’d like to introduce you to Mick Nock
Hi Mick, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always had a fascination with anything and everything vintage mechanical – classic cars and diesel equipment. It’s funny, I feel like most guys or gals that get into a hobby like this come from some sort of family or background that introduces them to it as a kid, but I never really had anything like that growing up. Working with my hands is how I’ve always learned best, but I came from a home where most of the work I was exposed to was based around carpentry and woodworking. Thanks to my dad, a carpentry skillset has always come pretty natural to me, but if you ask my mom, ever since I could talk, I was goin’ on about the “chines” (machines) that Grandpa Stumpf had. I’ll try and get you guys a picture. Unfortunately, I never really had anyone that could teach me anything outside of how to do an oil change or fixing a flat. I pretty much knew that if I wanted to start working on stuff, it was all going to be self taught and through trial and error.
YouTube has always been my biggest tool for getting through any project that I haven’t done before. Aside from using YouTube as a tool, I’ve always loved watching different channel’s projects and how each one brings their own specific specialty to their viewers. I think I was about 18 or so when I started dreaming up a life where I could have a YouTube channel, but never really gave it real consideration, given my lack of knowledge and experience. I’m not sure of the exact moment, but I was around 27 or 28 and I pretty large backlog of projects going on around my house. I just remember thinking to myself “Hey, if so-and-so can do it, why can’t I? I may not have as much expertise, but that will just make me relatable, and I’m sure I can bring my own sense of humor to my edits where people would enjoy it”.
So I gave it a shot. I started the channel in January of 2023 and I have about 6,500 subscribers at this point. I appreciate all of the people that are hopping on early with me more than I can express. I have so many guys and gals commenting their input in such respectful and helpful ways. It really is a cool thing to experience.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I guess I can’t really comment on the road too much at this point because I sure do have a long way to go! I will say that no road to “success” (I use that term lightly) is well paved with fresh yeller lines on it. I knew damn well getting into this thing that it was going to be tough. So of course, it really is hard. I work a full-time j.o.b just like everyone else, so my first work day starts at 7 and my second work day doesn’t typically end until I can’t keep my eyes open. I don’t know, some nights end at 10 and others can just go on through the morning if I’m really trying to get a video out the next day.
I take a lot of pride in how I edit my videos, but that also comes with a time-tax. Most edits are about an hour long and take me something like 30 hours to complete. I’m sure it’ll continue to work itself shorter as I get a better handle on it.
All in all, I am having a blast and I can’t wait to see where all of this takes me. If there’s anyone out there that enjoys old cars and heavy equipment like me, definitely tag along and I’ll see ya at the ranch!
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
YouTube, of course! Although I don’t have much time to watch anymore, Diesel Creek, Puddin’s Fab Shop, and FarmCraft101 are my go-tos. Most of my inspiration for starting a channel came from Casey Neistat when he was on his daily kick.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nockranch
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554713042256
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nockranch
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@nockranch
