Taylor Talks Trades

In this episode we are joined by Mark Hodgkins from Revamp. Mark shares how he got into the trade, the journey to starting his own business, and the skills and lessons he has picked up along the way. We also dive into how Mark grew his social media from just 1,000 followers to more than 100,000 in under a year, how that level of growth has changed his business, and why he wants to use his platform...

In this episode, Jamie shares his thoughts on apprenticeships, training, and the challenges facing the next generation of tradespeople. He talks openly about the difficulties that both employers and apprentices face, and how many of these challenges come from factors outside of their control. From rising costs and business pressures to changes in the industry, Jamie explains why it is becoming har...

In this episode, we sit down with the team behind D4 Decor to talk about their journey from painters and decorators to building opportunities far beyond the trade. They share how they started out on the tools, the challenges they faced in the early days, and how they gradually scaled the business into something much bigger than they originally imagined. The conversation dives into commercial work,...

In this Q and A episode, we answer two big questions that come up all the time when running a business. What is your work life balance really like, and what is the end goal. This is an honest conversation about the reality behind building and running a 7 figure business. We get into what work life balance actually looks like day to day, the sacrifices that come with it, and how priorities change a...

In this episode, we are joined by David Etheridge from Gas Man Energy. David shares his journey into the trades and how that led him to start his own business. From the early days to building a successful company, he breaks down the key decisions and lessons that shaped his path. We get into the systems and standards he has put in place within Gas Man Energy, including what he calls the Gas Man En...

In this Q and A episode, Jamie opens up about one of the hardest parts of running a business, dealing with doubt and questioning whether what you are doing is the right path. He talks honestly about the mental battles that come with uncertainty, how doubt can affect decision making, and why every business owner faces moments where they question themselves.  Jamie also shares how putting strong sys...

In this episode, we sit down with Ben Morrison from Morrison Tree and Landscaping to talk about his journey into the trade and how he has built his business at just 23. Ben opens up about how he got started, the reality of learning on the job, and what it is really like trying to grow a business at a young age.  He also shares how documenting his journey on YouTube has helped him stay accountable,...

My BUSINESS was -£25000 every week until I made these changes In this episode, Jamie answers real questions from trades business owners and shares honest advice from his own experience. At one point, his business was stuck at -£25000 every single week. The pressure, the stress, and the uncertainty pushed everything to the limit. But through a series of key changes, he was able to turn things aroun...

In this episode Jamie sits down with Shaun Dunn from SD Plumbing and Heating to talk about the real journey of starting and growing a trade business. Shaun opens up about the early days of starting his company and the sacrifices that came with it including how pursuing his business dream strained the relationship with his dad. Like many business owners in the trades the road was not smooth. There...

This is Part 2 of Cristian Montaño’s powerful story. In this episode, Livingston FC winger Cristian Montaño opens up about one of the most difficult periods of his life facing multiple court cases, the emotional toll it took, and what it felt like to have his career and reputation hanging in the balance. Cristian speaks honestly about the uncertainty, the pressure, and the fear during that time  a...

In Part 1 of this powerful conversation, Livingston FC player Cristian Montaño shares the early chapters of a life that took him from the streets of Colombia to professional football in the UK. Cristian opens up about growing up surrounded by gang and drug culture, what it was like being exposed to danger at such a young age, and how moving to the UK at 11 years old changed everything. He talks ab...

In this episode, we sit down with Gavin Gray from LCL Landscaping and Gardening to talk honestly about the realities of growing a trades business. Gavin opens up about the challenges he has faced trying to scale his business to three vans and multiple teams, and why it has never quite worked out the way he expected. From struggling to find the right people, to not having the management structure i...

In this episode, we sit down with Chris McLaughlin to hear the real story behind his journey from working as a greenskeeper around the world to building his own landscaping business.  Chris talks about how his early career took him across different countries and helped shape his work ethic, mindset, and love for the industry. He shares what it was really like starting out, learning on the job, and...

Trades Business Owner Living With Kidney Disease and How He Makes it Work 🤔 In this episode, we sit down with Graeme from RGM Heating to hear a powerful and honest story about building a trades business with purpose. Graeme talks about how he started RGM Heating and why he chose to build the company differently from most trade businesses. He shares the mindset behind doing things his own way, the...

In this episode, we sit down with Mark Innis from Tartan Timber and the Tartan Talks networking events to hear an honest and powerful story about choosing more from life. Mark opens up about working in a job where he could see his future laid out in front of him and knowing deep down that it was not the life he wanted. That moment pushed him to take a risk and start Tartan Timber, where he facing...

"We NEED to do 6 days a week" Charlie Mullins Episode 100 The man the myth the entrepreneur returns to the podcast for a third time and this one is special To celebrate our 100th episode we sit down again with the legendary founder of Pimlico Plumbers now leading the charge with his latest company WeFix 💪 Charlie gives us an honest no nonsense update on year one of WeFix how he is building anothe...

The Inside Story of Running a Premiership Club In this episode, we sit down with Dave Black, Chief Operating Officer of Livingston FC, to uncover the real story behind running a top level football club. Dave shares his journey from joining the club to eventually helping lead it back into the Scottish Premiership. He gives a rare behind the scenes look at what it truly takes to operate a profession...

The Truth About the Trades No One Talks About | Episode 98 Jimmy Hendry In this episode,  we sit down with Jimmy Hendry, a tradesman unafraid to speak his mind about the issues too many people stay silent on. From unregistered gas fitters to workers showing up intoxicated, Jimmy opens up about the real challenges facing the industry today. He also shares his own experiences trying to raise these c...

In this episode, we sit down with John Chan, owner of The Durable Slate Company known as the Rolls Royce of roofing across America. 🇺🇸 John shares his incredible journey and the story behind building one of the most respected names in roofing. From restoring presidential homes and historic churches to taking on one-of-a-kind projects across the country, The Durable Slate Company has set the standa...

From Roofer to Heritage Expert | Episode 96 Chris Menzies    in this episode, we sit down with Chris Menzies from Stirling City Heritage Trust to hear his fascinating journey from working on roofs with his dad to becoming a key figure in Scotland’s heritage sector. Chris shares how his career path took him from hands-on roofing to teaching the trade, and how his curiosity about the history and hid...

From Nothing to Bespoke Landscaping | Episode 95 Marc Ollerenshaw In this episode, we sit down with Marc Ollerenshaw, founder of Bespoke Landscaping, to hear his inspiring journey from starting with nothing to building a thriving landscaping business. Marc shares: 🌿 How he got started in the trade with limited resources 💡 The challenges of growing a business from the ground up 🏡 How Bespoke Lan...

In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Marshall, founder of Essence Roofing and Trade Wizard, to hear his incredible journey from starting out in the trades to building a multi-million pound roofing business. Ryan opens up about: 🔨 How he got started in roofing 💼 The challenges of starting and scaling Essence Roofing 🚀 Growing into a multi-million pound company 🤝 Why he launched Trade Wizard t...

In this episode, Jamie sits down with Aidan Woodbridge of Woodsgarden Developments. From grafting in lockdown to saying “I want to build my own empire,” Aidan shares his journey into landscaping while Jamie offers advice on growing a trade business.

Empowering Women in the Construction Industry In this episode, we sit down with Pamela to talk about the unique challenges and opportunities women face in the construction industry. Pamela shares her experience working alongside her husband in their family business and the vital role she plays in its success. From breaking stereotypes to balancing leadership and family, this conversation sheds lig...

In this episode, Jamie sits down with Samuel Moore of Samuel Moore Roofing to talk about what it really takes to build a roofing business from the ground up. From early labouring days to managing apprentices, Samuel shares stories of hands-on learning, working-class values, and the weight of responsibility as a leader. They cover everything from how neurodivergent people thrive in trades, to how r...