The ToolShed Podcast

In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, I sat down with marketing expert Sam McEwin to unpack how smarter, more intentional marketing can completely transform a building business. With over 15 years of experience helping companies grow, Sam shares how most builders misunderstand marketing, confusing it with advertising or social media noise when in reality, true marketing is about trust, clarity,...

Most builders don't fail because they can't build, they fail because they don't understand their numbers. In this powerful episode, Victor Zhou joins us, as we expose the hidden financial mistakes that are silently destroying construction businesses from the inside out. Connect with Victor Zhou: Website: https://www.yourcfopartner.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorzhou-ycp/   Thi...

What does it take to build a $70 million construction business and make a lasting impact on the planet? In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, I sat down with Daniel Morton , founder of Adelaide Green Homes and JackApp , to explore how sustainable design and smart business systems are reshaping the future of residential construction in Australia. Whether you're a custom home builder, constructio...

Are you tired of spending hours on quotes that go nowhere or worse, win the job and realise you've underpriced it? In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, I sat down with Haydn Simmons from PriceAPlan, one of Australia's leading estimating companies, to unpack why builders lose money on estimates and the simple 3-step process to fix it. We dive into the growing pressures of the building industry,...

Most builders are working harder than ever but with outdated systems and old-school processes that slow everything down. In this episode, Mick Hawes sits down with Shilpa Mohan, Head of Operations at ProcurePro and TEDx Sydney speaker, to unpack how one of the world's least digitised industries is finally catching up. Connect with Shilpa: ProcurePro AI Demo: www.procurepro.co Instagram: https://ww...

Money problems rarely start with maths. They start with a mindset. In this ToolShed session, we unpack how early "money scripts," status spending, and the "I deserve it" loop quietly block wealth for builders and what to do instead. Connect with Tara Saxon: Website: https://tarasaxon.com/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saxontara   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarasaxon/   Tiktok: ht...

The trades industry is evolving, and empowering women is at the heart of that change. In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, I talk with Hacia Atherton leadership speaker, culture reformer, and founder of Empowered Women in Trades (EWIT) about how building an inclusive culture leads to stronger teams, safer worksites, and more profitable businesses. Connect with Hacia Atherton: Website: https://...

I sit down with Aaron Ng to pull back the curtain on the parts of the building we rarely say out loud silent margin leaks, "helpful" yeses that turn into scope creep, vague discovery that invites wrong-fit jobs, and the stress that starts long before the slab is poured.  ▶ Rewatch: https://youtu.be/iVsYD3sCV_4 What you'll learn – How one early "no" can save your week – A discovery flow that filter...

Most builders don't fail because of their trade skills, they fail because their sales process is broken. If you've ever wondered why clients ghost you, why quoting feels like wasted time, or why you keep discounting just to win jobs, this episode is a must-listen. In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, I sit down with John Blake, a sales strategist who has helped builders grow from $3M to $16M b...

Most builders start their business chasing freedom—more time, more money, more control. But the reality? Many end up trapped in long hours, low margins, and constant stress. In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, Mick Hawes sits down with Bruce Poling (The Joinery Coach) to unpack why so many builders fail, the fatal assumptions that keep them stuck, and the exact steps to escape the trap. You'l...

Safety gear is supposed to protect us but for many women in construction, trades, and beyond, it's doing the opposite. In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, Mick Hawes speaks with Amy Rooser, founder of The Safety Rack, about the widespread problem of ill-fitting PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and why it's putting women at risk every single day. You'll hear: – Why most women lack properly...

What happens when life throws you the kind of challenges that could break anyone—a relationship breakdown, depression, and a cancer diagnosis? For Troy Ross, these moments became a turning point. In this raw and powerful conversation, Troy opens up about hitting rock bottom, the wake-up call that made him seek help, and how The Alchemy of Men retreat helped him rebuild his sense of purpose, identi...

In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, Terry Tran, seasoned investor and founder of The Freedom Trader, shares a simple, low-risk system to help builders turn hard-earned profits into passive income. This is not about gambling on high-risk ventures. It's about protecting your profits, growing them steadily, and creating the lifestyle you started your business for. We cover: – Why most builders m...

Are you a builder making good money but still feeling broke, stressed, and stuck? In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, Tony Harrington returns for a powerful deep-dive into a silent business killer: financial stress. We explore how money pressure sabotages productivity, damages relationships, and keeps great builders trapped in survival mode. Inside this episode: – Why builders feel broke (eve...

We're excited to feature Stacey Combe on this week's episode of The ToolShed Podcast, where we unpack mindfulness and self-leadership in the construction industry. Discover practical tools to reduce stress, improve focus, and finally gain control over the chaos. Whether you're managing a team, running your own building business, or simply trying to stay sane on-site this conversation will show you...

Most builders start their business chasing freedom—more time, more money, more control. But for many, that freedom never comes. Instead, they end up stuck in stress, chaos, and low profit. In this episode, Ron Nussbaum shares why builders get trapped in survival mode—and how to break the cycle. You'll learn how to reconnect with your 'why', fix the real problems, and finally build a business that...

What does it take to go from working on the tools to building multiple businesses? In this episode of The ToolShed, Tas Moulis shares his journey from house painter to business coach and founder of Tradiematepro. We unpack the mindset, systems, and leadership moves that helped him break free from the day-to-day grind—and how builders like you can do the same. You'll learn: • The turning point that...

In this episode, Mick Hawes chats with Michael Stewart from Peak Synergy Mentoring to unpack the truth about leadership in building businesses. Learn how to lead by example, build trust, and create a culture where your crew takes ownership—without burning yourself out. Key Highlights: – Why being "the boss" creates bottlenecks – How to stop answering the same questions – Building trust, culture, a...

Are traditional bank loans silently draining your building business? In this episode, Mick Hawes is joined by finance strategist Martin Cattach to unpack the #1 loan mistake that keeps many Aussie builders broke—and what to do instead. From understanding the difference between cashflow and liquidity, to discovering smarter funding options like trade finance, this episode will shift the way you thi...

Estimating is one of the most frustrating and time-consuming parts of running a building business\ and it's where many builders lose money without realising it. In this episode, I sit down with Thomas Lawson from V2E to talk about how builders can take the pain out of quoting using 3D construction models, accurate takeoffs, and smart systems. If you're still stuck doing manual estimates or second-...

Ever feel like your building business should be growing faster—but something invisible is holding it back? In this episode, I'm joined by Andy Barker from OrgTree to uncover the cultural blind spots that quietly kill team performance and profit. This isn't about tools or quoting software it's about trust, communication, and creating a team that actually wants to help your business thrive. You'll d...

Still juggling spreadsheets, scattered apps, and endless WhatsApp messages to manage your building business? In this episode, I sit down with Jordan and Alex from Loop Logics, a software solution built by builders, for builders to find out how they're helping Aussie builders streamline their operations, boost profit, and eliminate chaos. We unpack: – Why most builder software fails – How Loop Logi...

What happens when someone takes a chance on a week of work experience—and ends up becoming a powerful leader in the trades? In this episode of The ToolShed, Mick Hawes chats with Ashley Belteky, who shares her inspiring story of how an accidental entry into the world of diesel mechanics turned into a career rooted in purpose, leadership, and impact. What You'll Learn: – Why leadership is more than...

Is your building site truly compliant—or just one accident away from disaster? In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, I was joined by Nick Halley from HazardCo to uncover the truth about health and safety compliance on Australian worksites. Discover how a simple system can help you: – Avoid massive fines and site shutdowns – Protect your team and your reputation – Get expert health and safety ad...

Can you attract premium clients without an expensive office? Absolutely. In this ToolShed Podcast episode, Dan Bailey from Tradie HQ shares how tradies can create a professional image, build trust, and grow their business using shared spaces—without the heavy overheads. What You'll Learn: – Why client perception matters more than expensive fit-outs – How community-based workspaces build better bus...