Tradies In Business

From chemistry labs to high-vis on-site, Reece’s path into the trades was anything but typical. Now running one of Australia’s most unique trade businesses, Wardrobe Refractories, he’s navigating emergency breakdowns, tight compliance, and the challenge of building trust with casual crews. With a clear focus on shifting from self-employed to true business owner, Reece shares how systems, structure, and mindset are helping him lead with more clarity and control.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Tyson Blanch bought the business, he knew it had potential, but he didn’t expect it to grow so fast. In this episode, Nic and Tyson talk through the journey from solo tradie to team leader, building a thriving workshop with multiple staff and more freedom at home. Tyson reflects on the power of asking for help early, leading with vulnerability, and learning to step back so others can step up. It’s an honest look at what it really takes to grow a business that works for you, not the other way around.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance broker Anthony Hopson from Urban Broker brings a unique perspective to money management, blending his background in banking with breathwork to help tradies shift how they think and feel about money. Nic chats with Anthony about why brokers can offer more flexible options for self-employed clients and how unspoken beliefs about money, often formed in childhood, can lead to stress, poor decisions or conflict. They talk about breathwork as a tool for emotional regulation, especially in business, and how grounding yourself can lead to clearer thinking, better lending outcomes and healthier money habits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the biggest thing holding your business back isn’t your pricing, team, or strategy.. but your mindset? Nic chats with mindset coach Di Russell about the real reason many tradies feel stuck even when they’re doing all the “right” things. Di shares her personal story of rebuilding after loss, running a multi-state business, and the lessons she’s learned about self-worth, identity, and success. This episode will challenge and encourage you to rethink what success actually looks like and how to build a trade business that brings more joy, not just stress.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After four decades in the trade, Miles knows a thing or two about building a business that lasts. Nic chats with Miles about his journey from apprentice to owner of Astley Electrical, and the lessons learned along the way, from business partner breakups to leading a values-driven family team. They unpack the systems, culture, and mindset that make up “The Astley Way,” and why professionalism, respect, and continual learning matter just as much as technical skill. Whether you're stepping off the tools or planning for your legacy, this one’s full of real-world wisdom for every tradie in business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve ever felt like your brain’s a chaotic mix of too many ideas, unfinished tasks, and caffeine-fueled energy bursts, you’re not broken. You might just be wired differently. And that can be a massive advantage. Skye Waterson from Unconventional Organisation knows this first hand. Diagnosed with ADHD while completing her PhD, she’s since helped business owners across the world turn that chaos into clarity with tools that actually work for neurodiverse brains. In this episode, you’ll learn how to spot the signs of ADHD (even without a diagnosis), why traditional advice often fails business owners with ADHD, and how to build focus, routines, and team systems that actually stick.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Struggling to make sense of online marketing for your trade business? In this episode, Nic chats with Brandon Willington, from Where U, who breaks down his no-fluff approach to digital marketing using his 3Cs method—Clicks, Conversion, and Conversation. From setting up ads on Meta and Google to building landing pages that actually convert, Brandon shares practical tips for tradies who want real results without wasting cash. They also chat about CRMs, AI tools, and why you don’t need a big agency—or even your face on camera—to succeed online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nic and Waz sadly see too many couples who are disconnected, join them as they explore how this happens and share their tips on finding your way back TWL038 re-runSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nic and Waz talk through how a job title can help your parnter begin to understand how much you do within your tradie wife role. TWL036 re-runSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Running a niche trade business comes with its own set of challenges, and Dan Boscolo from Timeless Staircases knows this firsthand. From starting as an apprentice to leading his own stair-building business, Dan shares how he grew his business while staying true to his craft. He also shares how support from the TIB community helped him tackle cash flow issues and why keeping his passion for skateboarding alive has been key to his work-life balance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leadership can be tricky for trade business owners trying to guide their teams. Nic chats with Dani Ferrier, founder of Lead Like a Legend, about how to tackle leadership and tough conversations in the workplace. With years of experience in hospitality and wilderness guiding across 8 countries, Dani brings a fresh take on communication and leadership as she explains why we often avoid difficult conversations and shares her “Pace Pace Lead” framework to handle them better. Dani also talks about giving positive feedback and how cultural factors like tall poppy syndrome can make it challenging. Her advice encourages leaders to embrace vulnerability, improve communication, and build stronger, more motivated teams.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're introducing a new weekly episode where Nic will be joined by Waz to discuss the difference of opinions we all have in relationships!  TWL032 re-runSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In just on 5 years a couple of chippy mates, Ed Ross and Dan Allen, have built a small empire in the workwear space. Perhaps more impressively, they've also set up and run their own mental health organisation that delivers free counselling and support to blue collar workers around the country. With more than $700,000 of free counselling services rolled out to over 4,000 tradies through their not-for-profit, TIACS (This Is A Conversation Starter), these lads are taking massive action when it comes to the mental health of tradies everywhere. We chat with Ed about their journey and some of the challenges they've faced behind the scenes of this very eye-catching business!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This instalment of Real Tradie Guys is a cracker. Not only is our guest a Kiwi, a heavy diesel fitter, a West Australian and a TiB Tradiepreneur... he's also a competitive wood chopper! Ben started his business recently like so many other tradies, after deciding he wanted the freedom, flexibility and financial rewards of being self employed. Ben has done things different to many though and he shares his secrets to being profitable and balanced just 3 months after kicking off his new venture!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amii Jones epitomises many 'tradie wives'. She's incredibly humble about her role in her family and business and tends to understate how much she contributes to the smooth running of both. We had a fantastic chat to one of our rock star Drawing Board members about how she's managed to 'feel the fear and do it anyway', influence her husband to make positive change, overcome her self-doubt, harness her strengths, embrace the title of Business Manager and more. Amii also gives some insight into the power of community and the Tradies In Business Drawing Board (now Tradiepreneur Program) with Waz and Nic. Finally, we celebrate her and husband Brendon achieving the massive goal of buying their first house! This is a cracking episode with one of our favourite tradie wives.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar-kuh-ting... that's how Waz sounds it out anyway. While marketing is done to DEATH on just about every podcast known to man, Waz and Nic find a bloke who's got it down to just one page! Although he wrote a whole book on the subject, Allan Dib reckons the best marketing plan fits on a page. We think that's a good way to keep it simple and get it done. See if you agree!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feedback is just information...right? Sometimes it's just not that easy. Waz and Nic give each other some feedback and discuss whether and when it's ok to give feedback to others. Oh, and how to (maybe) accept it!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the year rushes toward its end, Waz & Nic chat about the power of timing and how it plays a key role in business and life. With the holiday season fast approaching, they share insights into why waiting for the “perfect moment” often leaves you further behind. Whether it’s team morale, client relationships, or your own wellbeing, they explore how doing nothing can lead to bigger challenges.  If you’re feeling the pressure or just ready to stop stalling, this is a nudge to take action and set yourself up for a strong finish to the year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve ever thought about bringing an apprentice on board but felt a bit lost in the process, you're not alone. Jeff Cooke from Apprenticeship Support Australia is here to clear up the confusion and myths around hiring apprentices. He breaks down the process, addressing common concerns like the initial learning curve, wages, and legalities, and provides clarity on the evolving financial incentives. Jeff’s advice makes it easy to see how apprenticeships could benefit your trade business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Looking to buy a home but feeling blocked by strict bank requirements? Ryan Gair, founder of Rate Money, shares how his team helps self-employed tradies overcome the obstacles banks often set. Ryan reveals why traditional banks’ rigid loan requirements can be tough for people with variable incomes and explains how Rate Money’s tailoured lending solutions, like low doc loans, are designed to meet the unique needs of self-employed borrowers. Get practical tips on building good credit, using family pledge loans, and finding a trusted financial advisor to help make homeownership a reality.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.