Blind Date with a Drafter: Meet Nick, Master of Job Management

Today we return to our "blind date with a drafter," series that we started with Joe Paisano. To do so, we sat down with friendly Nick McGowan, drafter and owner of Advantage Drafting. In our candid conversation, we delved into Nick's start as a drafter, his role as a leader, his processes for job management, his passion for teamwork, and his optimism about the future of his business and the drafting trade. Check it out: 

Because it was a great conversation, there is a lot that didn't make it into the final video.

When asked about the future, Nick shared that on a personal level, he has hopes that Advantage will expand into engineering once they have perfected their shop drawings. He has a sense that pre-existing engineering operations might benefit from his approach to process and quality control. In a more global sense, McGowan is particularly encouraged and excited by artificial intelligence. Nick believes AI will be an immense benefit to his business and others in the community when it comes to job management, communication, and other processes. He's hopeful that one day AI may be effectively used for the shop drawings themselves. 

When asked about what keeps him informed and inspired, Nick gave a shoutout to the National Glass Association (NGA) for its interesting publications and knowledgeable writers who keep drafters like him updated on the latest trends and techniques in the industry. McGowan also expressed his appreciation for the networking opportunities offered by NGA, particularly events like GlassBuild America, where Nick was excited to share that Advantage Drafting will have an exhibition this year. He sees events like these as a chance to connect with fellow drafters, entrepreneurs, and industry experts, fostering collaborations that push the boundaries of what's possible in the world of drafting.

The more we at Drafting Marketplace conduct these interviews, the more we see a common thread of a need for teamwork, a need for community, a need for communication, and a need for progress, and we hope to be a part of it all. Thanks again to Nick McGowan, Joe Paisano, and all the other drafters who have sat down to talk with us. We're looking forward to the next installment. 

In the meantime, wanna chat more with Nick McGowan, his team, and other drafters like him? Post your project on Drafting Marketplace to get rolling.