- FMA
- The Fabricator
- FABTECH
- Canadian Metalworking
Categories
- Additive Manufacturing
- Aluminum Welding
- Arc Welding
- Assembly and Joining
- Automation and Robotics
- Bending and Forming
- Consumables
- Cutting and Weld Prep
- Electric Vehicles
- En Español
- Finishing
- Hydroforming
- Laser Cutting
- Laser Welding
- Machining
- Manufacturing Software
- Materials Handling
- Metals/Materials
- Oxyfuel Cutting
- Plasma Cutting
- Power Tools
- Punching and Other Holemaking
- Roll Forming
- Safety
- Sawing
- Shearing
- Shop Management
- Testing and Measuring
- Tube and Pipe Fabrication
- Tube and Pipe Production
- Waterjet Cutting
Industry Directory
Webcasts
Podcasts
FAB 40
Advertise
Subscribe
Account Login
Search
Still Building America: Florida-based welding instructor and TikTok star Matthew Stewart
The man behind Northwest Florida State College’s welding program and social media's “GB and Me”
- By Darla Welton and Josh Welton
- April 10, 2021
Matthew Stewart might be best known for his endearing and often hilarious relationship with his Grandma Bobbe (a.k.a. GB, TikTok Grandma, Gas Money Grandma) on social media channels like TikTok and Instagram, but he’s also a well-respected welding instructor within the Florida College System.
He’s equally passionate about his family as he is about helping others learn to weld.
We recently sat down for a Zoom interview with Matthew to discuss the welding program he leads at the Defuniak Springs campus at Northwest Florida State College. Dishing out quality advice for aspiring welding students and describing how welding makes him feel like Thor, Matthew also shared a bit of his welding career journey.
After years of waiting tables and feeling stuck, Matthew signed up for welding school at the age of 27. Striking his first arc ignited a new purpose and a zeal for learning the trade. His welding education paved the way for a job as a field welder, then as a night instructor at the college where he honed his skills.
Follow Matthew and his Grandma Bobbe on Instagram at @stewiez71 and on TikTok at @gbandme. Find out more about the welding program at Northwest Florida State College.
Editor's note: Speaking of welders making a name for themselves on social media, watch our interview with Sean Flottmann, aka Dabs Wellington. Also check out the rest of the Still Building America series.
subscribe now
The Fabricator is North America's leading magazine for the metal forming and fabricating industry. The magazine delivers the news, technical articles, and case histories that enable fabricators to do their jobs more efficiently. The Fabricator has served the industry since 1970.
start your free subscriptionAbout the Authors
Josh Welton
Owner, Brown Dog Welding
(586) 258-8255
- Stay connected from anywhere
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Fabricator.
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Welder.
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Tube and Pipe Journal.
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Fabricator en Español.
- Podcasting
- Podcast:
- The Fabricator Podcast
- Published:
- 03/26/2024
- Running Time:
- 67:51
This week on The Fabricator Podcast, Jason Becker, host of the Arc Junkies Podcast and owner of Underground...
- Trending Articles
USS Midway’s tuition-free welding program a win-win
San Diego landmark becomes floating classroom for student welders
K&S celebrates 50 years in business
Guiding metal fabrication’s automation transformation
Increasing revenue by applying production concepts to sales and marketing
- Industry Events
Coil Processing Workshop & Tours
- April 2 - 3, 2024
- Corpus Christi, TX
GOLF4MFG South
- April 15, 2024
- Charlotte, NC
16th Annual Safety Conference
- April 30 - May 1, 2024
- Elgin,
Pipe and Tube Conference
- May 21 - 22, 2024
- Omaha, NE
World-Class Roll Forming Workshop
- June 5 - 6, 2024
- Louisville, KY