The Puzzle Factory: Real Talk for NZ Electricians and Trade Businesses

Darren from Ashby Pies and the man behind Darren joins The Puzzle Factory for one of the most Kiwi episodes we’ve done yet. From growing up in West Auckland and working in some of New Zealand and Australia’s top restaurants, to building Ashby Pies into one of Auckland’s most talked about food spots through social media, Darren breaks down the reality of hospitality, content creation, branding, and...

Keith Of All Trades has built a massive following by saying what every tradie is thinking. From customer nightmares and cat door controversies to life on the tools, social media, business ownership and the realities of being a Kiwi tradie, Keith joins The Puzzle Factory for his first ever podcast interview. We dive into the stories behind the videos, the state of the trades in New Zealand, dealing...

Country bars, tradie life, social media, and controversy... Jesse James jumps into The Puzzle Factory and doesn’t hold back. We talk the rise of Jolene, why authenticity matters, trades vs university, the Trade Tour, and the comments that sparked headlines after the "Temu Country Bar" controversy. Plus near death stories, tradie yarns, and Jesse’s advice for young apprentices. What's inside:• Why...

Mikey Smith from Guardian Smith joins The Puzzle Factory for one of the realest conversations we’ve had yet. From growing up around mechanics and rental cars to building a finance business with nearly 50 staff, Mikey breaks down the brutal realities of business, trades, property investing, recession fears, and what’s really happening in New Zealand right now. We get into: • Why trades have been un...

We’re back for Season 3. This season goes deeper. Business, money, mindset, and the real stories behind it all. Better guests. Bigger conversations. Less fluff. If you’ve been following from the start, you’ll feel the difference straight away. If you’re new here, you’ve picked a good time to jump in. Subscribe and stay close. This coming in like Artemis II get ready for SPLASHDOWN!!

This bonus episode of The Puzzle Factory features a conversation with Braeden from Voltsy, exploring one of the most unique career paths in the electrical industry. Braeden shares stories from his upbringing, including how he would approach builders directly on the street to find work and get his foot in the door. We dive into his time working with advanced technology in Sweden and the highly stru...

In this bonus episode, Alex sits down with Les from Standup Recruitment to unpack the wild early days of his career, including cold calling off fire escapes while working as a commercial painter, chasing down leads on job sites, and the moment he realised he hadn’t invented recruitment after all. Les shares his honest take on the industry, building trust with tradies, and why standing up for the p...

This episode of The Puzzle Factory is a must-listen for any tradie wanting to grow their business in the digital age. We sit down with Stanley Henry, founder of The Attention Seeker, to unpack his journey and get his raw take on what tradies are getting wrong (and right) when it comes to marketing. Stan breaks down what he would do if he owned a trade business today — including exactly how he’d bu...

In this episode of The Puzzle Factory , we sit down with Jacob and Ance—the husband-and-wife duo behind Standout Electrical in Auckland. They’ve just been honoured as recipients of the Master Electricians Master Electricians – Auckland Branch Business Scholarship—a fantastic testament to their commitment to craftsmanship, professionalism, and service. Join us as Jacob and Ance reflect on the early...

In this episode of The Puzzle Factory with Annamalai “Andy” Alagappan from Yarns with Andy , we cover: 🔨 The real state of the NZ construction industry right now – no sugar-coating 📈 Our bold predictions for when the industry will bounce back (and the bet we made!) 🤖 How AI tools are set to disrupt construction & trades – and which ones you should be watching 🎯 What trade businesses can do...

In this episode of The Puzzle Factory , Alex talks with Sam Groombridge , co‑founder of Big Bang Energy Solutions , a family‑run HVAC and electrical design company servicing Whangārei through to the Bay of Islands. Sam’s story is unique: Despite being colour blind and not a qualified electrician , Sam has built a reputation for clever design and out‑of‑the‑box innovation that keeps customers comin...

👉 "HRD Global 100 Top HR Executive Sonya Bloomfield shares game‑changing tips to fix your trade business culture – and keep your best people 💡⚡" In this episode of The Puzzle Factory , we’re joined by Sonya Bloomfield , a HRD Global 100 Top HR Executive and now Director at Soul Power Electrical Ltd , to share practical tips you can use today to improve your trade business culture . Wi...

In this episode of The Puzzle Factory, we sit down with Matt Bennett — founder of Team MBE — to hear the real story behind one of Auckland’s fastest-growing electrical companies. From a working-class upbringing and learning the trade on the tools, to backing himself and building a business from the ground up, Matt shares how he grew Team MBE into the powerhouse it is today. We cover the highs, the...

In this episode of The Puzzle Factory, Andrew Murphy, Director of Planet Electrical, shares how his lifelong passion for renewable energy 🌱 and sustainability shaped both his career and his business. Andrew talks about growing Planet Electrical into a thriving NZ electrical and HVAC company while staying true to his mission of helping Kiwis reduce their environmental impact. We dive into:🌞 How A...

From growing up in Kaitaia to becoming one of New Zealand’s leading KiwiSaver experts, John Bell’s story is all about vision, grit, and smart financial thinking. In this episode of The Puzzle Factory , we dive into John’s journey—from his rural upbringing and love of rugby to building Kauri Wealth into a trusted name in financial advice. John unpacks what most Kiwis still get wrong about KiwiSaver...

Jeremy Foster started in the trenches - knocking on doors, selling direct to homeowners . From those humble beginnings, he helped grow HRV into a household Kiwi brand , and today he’s the General Manager of Fujitsu General NZ , leading one of the country’s biggest HVAC players. In this episode of The Puzzle Factory , Jeremy takes us through: His incredible rise from door-to-door sales to executive...

In this no-fluff episode of The Puzzle Factory , Alex sits down with Luke Kemeys — chartered accountant, host of Keep the Change , co-founder of Next Advisory, and part of the crew behind Boys Get Paid — to tackle the money topics tradies often dodge. From what provisional tax actually is to building wealth with the right mindset, this is essential listening for anyone in the trades. 💰 What provi...

He went viral for skulling the worst booze on Facebook. Now he’s a professional gambler, personal brand powerhouse, and sharp operator in the digital game. In this episode of The Puzzle Factory , Alex sits down with Matt Jordan — the man behind SPM — to unpack how he built a cult following, monetised chaos, and stepped away from full-time work in his early 30s. 🎯 How SPM became a nationwide brand...

In this powerful relaunch of The Puzzle Factory , Alex sits down with David Baker, founder of Rapid QS — the estimating service shaking up the New Zealand construction industry. We dive deep into the broken state of trade pricing, including inflated quotes from government departments and why transparency in construction costs is long overdue. ✅ Why some government project rates are wildly inflate...

We made it! In this season finale of The Puzzle Factory, Tait and I look back on an incredible first season—nearly 8,000 listens and views across platforms! We dive into the steep learning curve of launching a podcast, share what we’ve learned along the way, and, most importantly, thank all of you—our listeners and amazing guests. As a special thank you, we’re giving away 2x Mayhem Fishing Lures t...

Guest: Mike “Mugsy” Mugglestone – Director, Full Power Electrical (Warkworth) This week on The Puzzle Factory , we’re joined by Mike “Mugsy” Mugglestone, the man behind Full Power Electrical in Warkworth. After relocating and starting his business in the area 8 years ago, Mugsy has steadily grown it into a well-known name in the trade. We dig into what it takes to establish yourself in a new town,...

Episode 8: How to Quote an Electrical Job with Alex Hulme Pricing electrical work isn’t just about throwing out a number—it’s about accuracy, profitability, and making sure you’re not selling yourself short. In this episode, host Alex Hulme gives a candid, no-nonsense take on how he approaches quoting, packed with practical advice you can put into action straight away . What You’ll Learn : ⚡ What...

The Puzzle Factory - Episode 7 🎙 Guest: Paul Sievers – Devonport Electrical Episode Summary: Ever been burned by a “guaranteed leads” digital marketing promise? Or wondered why NZ’s electrical apprenticeship system feels a bit… outdated? This week, Paul Sievers from Devonport Electrical joins Alex to expose the biggest traps tradies fall into , why apprenticeships need an overhaul , and a sneaky h...

The Puzzle Factory - Episode 6 Guest: Ronnie Tan – Creditworks Episode Summary: In business, trust is everything—but how do you know if a customer is actually good for it? This week, Alex sits down with Ronnie Tan from Creditworks , a commercial credit expert who helps businesses navigate financial transparency, avoid bad debts, and stay ahead of financial risks. But it’s not just about numbers—th...

Blackout Electric - Episode 5 Guest: Seb Weaver – Blackout Electric  Episode Summary: In this episode, Alex sits down with long-time friend and Blackout Electric owner, Seb Weaver, for a conversation packed with laughs, business insights, and a deep dive into what it takes to build a standout family business. From carving out a unique space in the market to creating branding that resonates, Seb re...