You don’t need a four-year degree to build a successful, rewarding career. Tyler Cameron, a general contractor, entrepreneur, and TV personality, is living proof.
“People assume trades are for those who couldn’t cut it in school, but I know plenty of people with degrees who can’t find work, and plenty of tradespeople making serious money,” said Cameron, 33, who lives in his hometown of Jupiter, Fla.
Cameron believes the skilled trades offer both financial opportunity and long-term job security. “There’s a massive gap coming as the current generation retires out and not enough young people are stepping in to replace them,” he said. “Anyone who dives in now to fill that gap is going to do well.”
His construction career also taught him lessons he’s applied across his growing business portfolio. “Working construction, you learn to put out fires all day, every day, so nothing professionally or personally rattles you anymore,” he said. “But no matter how good a contractor you are, you’re only as good as your subs. Success in this space comes down to having the right team around you.”
Building a business empire
Cameron has used that foundation to build businesses across construction, real estate, food, and home improvement. Through Image 1 Construction, he works as a general contractor, while also working as a real estate agent with SERHANT. He also founded a home design and real estate sales company, and is a proud co-founder of tool and DIY brand TINKR.
TINKR, his newest venture, reflects his connection to the trades. The modern, design-forward home tool and DIY brand aims to bring a fresh perspective to traditionally utilitarian products. Cameron is also a franchise owner of 3Natives, a fast-casual healthy-food concept.
Beyond his for-profit ventures, Cameron founded the Andrea C. Cameron Foundation in honor of his late mother, providing scholarships to students in Palm Beach County, Fla.
Meanwhile, his television career has expanded his reach. He has starred in Amazon Prime’s “Going Home With Tyler Cameron,” appeared on ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” and won Fox’s “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.” He recently joined “Dancing with the Stars” and will host HGTV’s “Let’s Go Back to Your Place” in 2027.
For Cameron, the trades remain the foundation. “[The skilled trades] teach you discipline and hard work,” he said, “and show you that real focus on something pays off in a big way.”
