At NECA 2024, the electric industry gathered to share insights and innovations shaping the future of the trade. David Bauders, CEO of Trade Hounds, sat down with Kevin Martinez, known in the industry as KSPARKY. As a prominent electrician and social media influencer, Kevin has not only built a strong online presence but also sparked discussions about the evolving landscape of the electrical trade.
In this insightful conversation, they dive into KSPARKY's inspiring journey from apprentice to industry leader, explore the power of social media for tradespeople, and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing electricians today.
David Bauders, CEO of Trade Hounds
Good day, KSPARKY.
Kevin Martinez, Electrician and Influencer
Good morning, David.
David Bauders
I’m David Bauders, CEO of Trade Hounds. I am here at NECA talking to KSPARKY. KSPARKY is a social media influencer, and we are going to talk a little about the electrical field and the new generation, social influence, all that.
Kevin Martinez
Very well.
David Bauders
To get started, tell me how many years have you been practicing as an electrician?
Kevin Martinez
Hello David, my name is Kevin Martinez. I live here in San Diego, California. I have been practicing electrical for about 8 or 9 years already. I’m local in San Diego also.
David Bauders
And where is your family from?
Kevin Martinez
My family is from Tijuana too, with roots in Zacatecas, Nuevo León, but mostly from Tijuana. So we are locals here in the neighboring city. San Diego too.
David Bauders
And how old are you?
Kevin Martinez
I am 30 years old right now.
David Bauders
Don’t tell me.
Kevin Martinez
I just turned 30 in June, I’m not in my 20s anymore.
David Bauders
You are still young. Like a big portion of electricians, are you here in Southern California?
Kevin Martinez
Yes.
David Bauders
Speaking Spanish as your first language?
Kevin Martinez
Yes.
David Bauders
A large portion? How much? What percentage do you think? Speaking Spanish as a first language?
Kevin Martinez
Here in San Diego, I’d say greater than 50%. I think everyone speaks for the family related to the Spanish language. If you don't have someone who speaks it, at least they understand it. But surely it is Spanish here.
David Bauders
How did you become a social media influencer?
Kevin Martinez
Everything related to social media influencing has been on Instagram. Since around 2018; I think that’s when I started. I started to see on my regular platform a lot of people posting about electrical. They were some of the first to start on the platform, and it piqued my curiosity. I thought to myself if they are doing it, then I can do it too. Because, well, yeah, I did it every day, and I was growing as an apprentice, so it interested me. I already started with photos, things like that. Showing the tools, the projects. And I always tried to grow, to do things cleanly, because I realized that if you don't do it right, people will...definitely tell you in the comments or whatever.
David Bauders
And what is it like to work as an influencer?
Kevin Martinez
It keeps me busy, very busy. It is like a second job. I always say it's not because it's not work. Even though I enjoy doing it, It does take time, and I think the more I grow, the more I’m talking to more people and trying to motivate more people. This is because of the platforms and also trying to be original. So I really enjoy responding to messages or comments. So they see that I'm not just doing it for the fame or for free stuff like a lot of people do. I also like it when they ask me questions and I get to answer them, and if I can't do it during the day, I take some time at night to do it, also to talk with them and get to know them.
David Bauders
Interaction.
Kevin Martinez
Yes. So, they remind me like, “Hey, I talked to you via message” or “I sent you a message, do you remember?” Even if I don't remember their name, at least I remember the conversation I had with them. At night, I was answering any issues they had because, I mean, the questions are technical, varied and repetitive. Many people are dealing with the same issues, like trying to get into an electrical program, wanting to grow on Instagram, or wanting to grow as a contractor, balancing school and work. These are questions from different people, but I really focus a lot on that on social media.
David Bauders
And as an electrician, what kinds of projects do you work on?
Kevin Martinez
As an electrician, I focus more on commercial work, which would be like non-residential projects, building structures from the ground up to completion. This usually takes about 2 to 3 years, so they are very long projects. These projects require a lot of planning, but once you start advancing through them, they keep you very busy because there are many things to focus on at the same time. The majority of my work is in new commercial construction, larger projects.
David Bauders
And have you worked as union and non-union?
Kevin Martinez
Yes so when I started, I had the opportunity to be sponsored by a non-union company. So I completed my apprenticeship as a non-union worker, finished my schooling and the Journeyman exam, which is here in California. And when I finished, on a few occasions, I had the opportunity to organize with the union. So right now, I’m with the union; it's been about three years. I’ve had the chance to see a bit of both worlds and see the differences between union and non-union.
David Bauders
What level are you at now, Master?
Kevin Martinez
Right now I'm considered a Journeyman Foreman. That’s the level where I have the opportunity to be in charge of a project, to have people working under me, and to have more responsibility. I think that’s something you always strive for—to grow and seek those opportunities.
David Bauders
And tell me, why are there so many electricians following you on social?
Kevin Martinez
I don't know. Well, how should I put it? I like to always promote positivity, to encourage, and to highlight the good things about being a tradesperson. I also have that mindset to teach others what they can do. I think a lot of people relate to me because of my age, perhaps because of the work, the tools, and the opportunities— just like right now, as we're at NECA 2024—they see events that interest them. They might not know about them, and I can share that with them.
David Bauders
And why are you here at NECA? What do you want to learn from the conference?
Kevin Martinez
Well, my goal for being at NECA is more about socializing with other companies and brands that are here, with whom we've been talking, and also meeting a lot of people we've invited, especially since NECA 2024 is here in San Diego, my hometown, where I grew up and know many people. So I liked it; I had planned to come to meet all those people and talk with them. I was very, very busy talking to everyone yesterday and I'm very grateful for that.
David Bauders
And what is the new generation of electricians like? How are they different from the previous generation?
Kevin Martinez
Well,the new ones each have their own way, and I don’t know, to be honest. They are definitely more informed about tools and things to do; obviously, they have resources like YouTube, which the previous generation didn’t have. But I think you have a mix of both— you have new people who really put in the effort, right? They want to learn. They are motivated and know that being an electrician is a unique opportunity. And then you have other people who enter the field—electricians—who know they have a stable job but don’t put in the effort or are very lazy, as they say here.
David Bauders
Lazy.
Kevin Martinez
Yes, lazy. And they don’t take things very seriously, which is something I tell them, too. If I take them under my wing, I like teaching them the right way—just because you have social media doesn’t mean it’s a break or free time. It’s always with the mentality of doing things right, and as they say, eight for eight: you work eight hours and you have to do things well, even if you have to do them again, you are always learning. If I see someone with the energy to ask questions, to do things right and who wants to learn, I see them as more than an apprentice— someone who is eager, you know?
David Bauders
It's said that this generation are the “digital natives,”
Kevin Martinez
Yes.
David Bauders
The people who started using cell phones very early, right? And now they want to do everything from their phone? Tell me about that.
Kevin Martinez
Well, yes, I think that generation is always looking for ways to make things easier, like what they say in English, 'cutting corners,' which is something you try to avoid. So it's about doing things right from the beginning, and always “Google it” you know? Let’s see what this is. =
Immediate access.
Kevin Martinez
Yeah, they want to get things done quickly, and if it’s not easy, they don’t want to do it. But hey, that's the only way to do that wall. You have to carry the ladder up the stairs to get it up there. You have to carry those things; it’s physical work that you have to do. Fortunately, we experienced in the nineties a bit of both with a little bit of digital, like with phones, and also hard work, right?
David Bauders
It's very interesting because there's a generation now that doesn't want to call their parents, let alone call a branch to buy products, no? They want to buy everything from their phone, right?
Kevin Martinez
In the same way, they don't want to make trips to Target, Home Depot, it's more about ordering everything from Amazon.
David Bauders
Amazon, yes.
Kevin Martinez
It is easier and more accessible. If it doesn't arrive in two days, it's already a problem. You have to be quick with that too.
David Bauders
Do you buy a lot online as an electrician?
Kevin Martinez
As an electrician, I think when i started, I used to buy a lot online, but then there were also local stores here that sold those things. I was someone who when I found out Home Depot sold tools, I would go every week to buy my tools, whether it was a square or a set of screwdrivers. Whatever it was, I always saved money to buy, and later, over time, I started ordering from Amazon and things like that.
David Bauders
Do you buy a lot on Amazon?
Kevin Martinez
Yes. And now, fortunately, I work with companies.
David Bauders
And the electrical product distributors—do you buy from them a lot, or no? Sonepar, Rexel, Wesco.
Kevin Martinez
Ah, not much. It would depend on the project. The company handles it based on the contract.
David Bauders
Well, it was a pleasure to talk to you and get to know you. Good luck with your social media!
Kevin Martinez
Likewise. Thank you very much. Thank you for having me here, David.