Local business owner says hands-on careers deserve more respect—and more attention—as Raleigh’s workforce evolves

Raleigh, NC, 19th May 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, As Raleigh continues to grow into a hub for tech, higher education, and remote work, longtime entrepreneur Lin Honeycutt is urging young people and career changers in the region to consider skilled trades and self-employment as viable, rewarding career paths.

“There’s a lot of talk about four-year degrees and tech jobs—and that’s fine,” said Honeycutt, who started his first business, Honeycutt Transmission, after earning an associate’s degree in auto mechanics. “But nobody’s talking about the fact that we need welders, mechanics, HVAC techs, electricians. And you can build a great life doing those things.”

Honeycutt, who now owns The Holiday Light Store and Fieldstream Farm, has spent over 40 years self-employed. He says the success of his ventures, from a nationally known Christmas light show to a busy farm venue in Raleigh, proves that hands-on careers can lead to economic independence, job stability, and community value.

“I never had a backup plan,” Honeycutt said. “But I had a skill. And I learned how to serve people well.”

According to the North Carolina Department of Commerce, demand for skilled trades is expected to rise significantly in the next decade. The state projects:

• A 12% increase in HVAC jobs by 2030

• Over 16,000 annual openings in construction and repair fields

• And more than 100,000 workers in North Carolina currently in jobs that do not require a four-year degree, but still pay well above the median wage
  

“These are good careers,” Honeycutt said. “But we’ve trained a whole generation to look past them.”

He points to the shortage of skilled labor as both a challenge and an opportunity in the Raleigh area. With ongoing urban development, infrastructure expansion, and rising housing demand, there is a clear need for local talent.

“It’s not just about finding a job,” he said. “It’s about building something you can call your own.”

Honeycutt is encouraging Raleigh residents—especially young adults, parents, and career-changers—to:

• Explore skilled trade programs at local community colleges and trade schools

• Consider entrepreneurship in areas like repair services, agriculture, or seasonal events

• Talk openly about non-traditional paths to success

• Support apprenticeship and mentorship programs in Wake County
  

“We don’t need more people waiting around for the perfect job,” Honeycutt said. “We need people who can wire a house, fix a tractor, or build something from scratch.”

Now in his late 60s, Honeycutt reflects on a career where hands-on work provided more than just income. “I didn’t chase trends. I just got good at what I did and kept showing up. That’s all success really is.”

He also emphasizes that skilled work is not lesser—it’s essential.

“The Christmas light show? The farm? None of that happens without real-world skills,” he said. “Not just from me, but from electricians, installers, and people who know how to get things done.”