Hey Tradies! Podcast

You're Not Just a Tradie Anymore – The Mindset Shift Every Business Owner Needs to Make At some point in every growing trade business, something changes. You stop being "just the tradie" and become the business owner. The problem? Most of us never make that mental shift. In this episode, Amanda shares her own journey from starting Virtual Coastie simply to create a better life, to building a team...

Terms of Trade: If You Don’t Set the Rules, Your Customers Will A local Facebook post about paying tradies invoices sparked a huge debate online this week — and honestly, it highlighted a massive issue for small trade businesses. Some people argued: "If the invoice says 14-day terms, I’ll pay on day 14." Others said: "Pay tradies immediately — small businesses are struggling." And the reality is…...

If I Asked You What Your Most Profitable Job Type Is... Would You Actually Know? Most tradies know what keeps them busy. Far fewer know what actually makes them money. In this episode, Amanda walks through one of the most powerful questions you can ask yourself as a trade business owner: What is your most profitable type of job? Not the biggest invoice. Not the job that takes the longest. Not the...

What Should Happen From the Moment a Lead Comes In What happens when someone finds your business online and calls you? Do they get an answer? A voicemail? A text? Or do they just ring the next tradie on the list? Because for residential maintenance work especially, speed matters. Customers searching “electrician near me” or “plumber near me” are often calling multiple businesses, and the tradie wh...

Why “I’ll Just Do It Myself” Is Costing You More Than You Think Still doing all the admin yourself because it feels quicker? This episode is your reality check. If your evenings are disappearing into invoicing, supplier bills, emails, scheduling, chasing payments, or quote follow-up… you’re not alone. A lot of tradies hang onto admin tasks way longer than they should — not because they want to, bu...

How to Build a Simple Weekly Financial Dashboard Are you running your trade business off gut feel? If the phone’s ringing, the team’s busy, and jobs are getting done, it’s easy to assume everything must be fine… but busy doesn’t always mean profitable. In this episode, Amanda breaks down how to create a simple weekly financial dashboard so you always know where your business stands — without needi...

Why Your GST Bill Should Never Be a Surprise Does GST time make your stomach drop? You’re not alone. A lot of tradies treat GST like a surprise bill — but it doesn’t need to be that way. In this episode, Amanda breaks down why GST causes so much stress, the simple systems that remove the panic, and how to stop accidentally spending money that belongs to IRD. In This Episode: Why GST catches so man...

Why Big Tasks Feel Overwhelming (And How to Break Them Down So You Actually Get Them Done) Got a big job in your business that keeps getting pushed out? Sorting your systems. Fixing your processes. Hiring staff. Cleaning up your admin. Getting your numbers sorted. You know it matters… but somehow it never gets done. In this episode, Amanda talks about why big tasks feel overwhelming, why waiting f...

If your office staff are frustrated with the team… and your field staff are frustrated with the office… you’re not alone. This tension shows up in a lot of trade businesses. The office wants jobs booked, timesheets entered, invoices sent, and customers updated. The field team wants enough time to do the job properly, less pressure, and fewer last-minute changes. Neither side is wrong. But when com...

#13 - The Difference Between Revenue, Profit and Cash Revenue vs Profit vs Cash Understanding the difference between revenue, profit and cash is essential for trade business owners. In this episode Amanda explains how these three numbers impact your financial health and why many tradies feel busy but still struggle with cash flow. Work With Virtual Coastie Monthly Admin & Bookkeeping Support F...

#12 – How Often You Should Be Looking at Your Numbers (And What to Look At) If you’re only looking at your numbers when GST is due or your bank account feels tight… you’re already behind. In this episode, Amanda breaks down a simple, no-BS way to stay on top of your business numbers — without spreadsheets, stress, or spending hours on it. This isn’t about becoming an accountant. It’s about knowing...

Why Maintenance Work Should Be a Priority — Not an Afterthought Episode Summary Project work is important — but predictable recurring maintenance creates stability, stronger cash flow and long-term business value. In this episode, Amanda breaks down how tradies can restructure maintenance services using real job costing data, consistent pricing models and better communication. In This Episode ·   ...

Accounts Receivable: Getting Paid Without Being Awkward Episode Summary Chasing unpaid invoices doesn’t have to feel uncomfortable. In this expanded episode, Amanda breaks down why accounts receivable feels awkward for tradies — and how systems, boundaries, and confident communication remove the stress. From setting expectations upfront to handling “I’ll pay you next week,” this episode gives prac...

What Happens When You Don’t Stay On Top Of Bills (And How It Quietly Kills Cash Flow) Episode Summary Not staying on top of bills doesn’t feel urgent — until cash flow tightens, suppliers start chasing, and stress levels rise. In this episode, Amanda breaks down what really happens behind the scenes when supplier invoices aren’t entered properly or managed strategically. From paying too early and...

What ‘Reconciling the Bank’ Actually Means (In Plain English) Episode Summary Reconciling your bank isn’t complicated — but ignoring it creates chaos. In this episode, Amanda explains in simple terms what reconciling your bank actually means, why it matters, and how small weekly habits can prevent GST stress, duplicate payments, and cash flow confusion. No judgement — just practical advice. In Thi...

Why Invoicing Late Hurts More Than You Think Episode Summary Invoicing late feels harmless — but it quietly damages your cash flow, margins, and stress levels. In this episode, Amanda breaks down why delaying invoices creates bottlenecks, increases missed revenue, and turns tradies into accidental lenders. This episode covers behaviour, systems, technology, and practical steps to improve invoicing...

Episode 6 – Why Receipts in a Shoebox Cost You Real Money Shoebox receipts = lost money. Episode Summary Still throwing receipts into a shoebox, glovebox, or back pocket? That habit might feel harmless — but it’s quietly costing you money. In this episode, Amanda breaks down the real cost of a “shoebox system” and why recording expenses in real time is one of the simplest ways to improve cash flow...

Episode 5 – Why Entering Supplier Invoices Properly Actually Matters It’s not boring admin. It’s margin protection. Episode Summary Supplier invoices aren’t exciting. But ignoring them — or just relying on your bank feed — is quietly costing you money. In this episode, Amanda breaks down why properly entering supplier invoices (not just filing them) matters for your cash flow, job costing, GST, an...

Episode 4 – Why Cash in the Bank Matters More Than Profit on Paper Profit is theory. Cash is real. Episode Summary Your Profit & Loss says you made money. But your bank account says otherwise. In this episode, Amanda breaks down the difference between profit and cash flow — and why cash in the bank is what actually keeps your trade business stable. Because you can be “profitable” on paper and...

Episode 3 – What Good Accounts Receivable Actually Looks Like Less chasing. More cash in the bank. Episode Summary Chasing unpaid invoices is exhausting. If you’re checking your bank account every morning, wondering when that invoice will land — or having awkward “just following up…” conversations with clients — this episode is for you. In this one, Amanda breaks down what good accounts receivable...

Episode 2 – The Bare Minimum Setup Every Tradie Needs in Xero Keep it simple. Keep it functional. Stop flying blind. Episode Summary If you’re using Xero but feel like you’re barely scratching the surface, this episode is for you. In this one, Amanda walks through the bare minimum setup every tradie needs in Xero to keep their books clean, their numbers clear, and their accountant happy. No advanc...

Episode 1 – Why Job Costing is the Fix for Time, Stress, and Sh#t Margins Stop guessing. Start knowing. Episode Summary Quick question: Did you actually make money on your last job? Not “I think so.” Not “the invoice went out.” But properly — did the numbers stack up? In this first full episode of Hey Tradies! , Amanda breaks down why most tradies are flying blind when it comes to job costing — an...