(NewsNation) — Greg Hulett isn’t the first to look out over the Texas oil fields and see dollar signs, but he built a $15 million business keeping the drilling rigs well-oiled machines.
A diesel mechanic by trade, Hulett is the person whom companies call when their oil rigs break down. As the CEO and president of Mid South Engine & Power Systems, the mechanic turned repairing diesel engines into a million-dollar business.
Watch a special edition of [CUOMO] with Mike Rowe, media personality and CEO of the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, which is focused on elevating and encouraging blue-collar jobs. Not sure how to watch NewsNation? Use our ChannelFinder App to locate us on your TV.
Hulett was featured on the CNBC television series “Blue Collar Millionaires” for his career and ability to make millions repairing drilling rigs. Depending on the damage that needs repairing, he explained that the minimum repair costs are estimated at around $65,000 to a maximum of about $110,000.
The mechanic told NewsNation that when he was 20 years old, he knew he wanted to work on heavy equipment diesel engines, and he knew he wanted to live in Texas. After he finished school in Oklahoma, Hulett ventured down to the Lone Star State, where he found a job outside of Dallas and got to work.
Hulett started his business in 1986 with just a used pickup truck, his skill and a dog by his side. He said his goal was to make money and get rich. How was he going to do that? He said he had no idea.
“My intent all along was to work as hard as I could and make as much money as I could make,” Hulett said.
At the beginning of his career, he worked 16 hours a day, seven days a week. But then he saw tremendous potential in drilling rigs and oil fields.
Trading Up
More on the trade economy
What is trade school and is it right for you?
Video
Quickest-to-learn vs. highest-paying trade jobs
Video
Thinking of trade school? Here’s how costs and earnings stack up
Video
America needs more plumbers and electricians, why is there a shortage?
Video
Gen Z could be the blue-collar generation: Mike Rowe
Video
Read more perspectives on this story
“I could see a lot of money working on drilling rigs and oil fields,” he said. “We chased that money.”
The industry became profitable right away.
“I’ve been very blessed, very fortunate. I’ve made a lot of good decisions and worked really hard,” Hulett said.
