The ToolShed Podcast

In this episode of The ToolShed, I chat with Sonia Bottern and Greg from Jesuit Social Services about how genuine connection and listening can change lives—whether by supporting mental health or building stronger business relationships. We dig into how being present and having meaningful conversations help prevent isolation and foster deeper connections with everyone around us. If you've ever wond...

"The moment you find clarity, everything changes—your business, your life, and your future. Purpose is the key to unlocking it all." - Mitchell Fragar In this episode, I sat down with Mitch Fragar , a BlackBelt builder who has completely transformed his business and life by finding and embracing his purpose. Mitch talks about the challenges of running a business without clear direction, how burnou...

"What if freeing up your team's time could unlock a whole new level of growth for your business?" In this episode of The ToolShed, I sat down with Kody Thompson from WrkPod to explore how virtual assistants (VAs) can revolutionize your building business. We dive into the myths around outsourcing, how VAs can actually create jobs locally, and the significant impact they can have on your team's prod...

"If you're spending more time on admin than on building, you're working harder, not smarter." – Greg Smith In this episode of The Toolshed, I sat with Greg Smith from Admins The Answer about how builders can save time and reduce stress by outsourcing admin tasks like invoicing, client communication, and chasing payments. Learn how delegation can improve cash flow, boost client satisfaction, and fr...

In this episode of The ToolShed , I chat with builders Luke Davies and Kyle Zanetto about overcoming burnout and the power of community. They share their personal journeys, common mistakes builders make, and how shifting their mindset transformed their businesses. We also discuss Future Builder, a platform they co-created to help other builders succeed. Key Takeaways: Breaking Builder Burnout: Luk...

Get ready for an insightful conversation with negotiation expert Nicole Davidson! In this upcoming episode, we'll be diving into how builders can strengthen client relationships and avoid costly disputes through effective negotiation. 🛠️ If you've ever faced challenges with miscommunication, team conflicts, or tricky client situations, this episode is for you. Nicole shares practical strategies fo...

In this episode of The Toolshed Podcast , I sit down with Richard Armstrong from ProCalc for a deep dive into how professionalism can make or break a building business. They discuss actionable strategies that builders can implement to elevate their reputation, build trust with clients, and stand out in the competitive construction industry. From the small details that matter most to clients to the...

In this episode of The ToolShed, I sat with the experts from Aspire Projects, Jordan and Scott, about how builders can truly unlock the full potential of Buildertrend. With so many builders using only a fraction of their software's capabilities, Aspire Projects specializes in helping residential builders implement Buildertrend efficiently to streamline their operations, boost profitability, and sa...

Hey folks, welcome back to The Toolshed! In this episode, I'm excited to sit down with Mel Davis, the Chief Operating Officer of Empowering Women in Trades. We're diving deep into how women are breaking down barriers in the building industry, and it's not just talk—we're talking real, tangible change. Mel shares her incredible journey, the challenges women face in the trades, and how a little kind...

In this episode of The Toolshed, Mick Hawes sits down with Erik Cofield of BuilderChain to explore how AI is transforming the construction industry. Erik shares his journey from building his first house for a dog to becoming a leader in AI solutions for builders. They discuss how AI can help reclaim time, increase profitability, and streamline operations for builders. Erik also shares valuable les...

In this episode of The Toolshed, we're unpacking one of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of running a construction business—marketing. Many builders experience feast-or-famine cycles, and it all comes down to how well you're marketing your business. If you've ever found yourself with too much work or, even worse, none at all, this episode is for you. We're tackling how to keep the pr...

Hey folks, welcome back to The Toolshed ! Today, we're diving into something that doesn't get talked about nearly enough in the building industry—mental health. If you've been in the game long enough, you know it's not just about physical endurance; the mental toll is just as demanding. And that's why I'm sitting down with Bill Carson from Inspire Learning to talk about mental health first aid and...

In this episode of The Toolshed podcast, I sit with Ahmed Yusuf from Wunderbuild to explore how client feedback is shaping the future of builders' software. Discover how Wunderbuild's client-first approach has helped solve critical challenges in the construction industry, from project management to financial integrations. Ahmed shares insider stories about the evolution of Wunderbuild, offering a...

Unlock the key to better client relationships and smoother projects by closing the communication gap in your building business! In this episode of The ToolShed , we dive into one of the biggest challenges facing builders today—communication. Whether you're running a small residential building business or managing larger projects, poor communication can lead to unnecessary costs, delays, and frustr...

How to strengthen client relationships and lead effectively in your building business. In this episode, I sit down with Angela Heise for an enlightening conversation on how mastering the art of intentional listening can revolutionize leadership in the residential building and construction industry. Angela dives deep into how builders and business owners can use listening and self-leadership to str...

Take Charge of Your Mental Well-being in the Trade Industry Mental health and personal development are crucial topics that every tradie should be paying attention to. In this episode, we're focusing on equipping yourself mentally for the long haul in your trade. We discussed strategies like box breathing, the importance of goal setting, and why self-care is crucial for business success. It's all a...

Transform your building business with the right mindset and strategies. The shift from working in your business to working on your business. If you're a builder who's felt like the day-to-day grind has you stuck, you're going to want to listen in. We're talking about the mindset shift, the strategies, and the systems that can completely transform the way you run your building business. No more con...

Learn how to use collective buying power to secure better pricing and reliable suppliers for your building business. Today, we will explore the significant advantages of collective buying power for builders, focusing on how joining a trade alliance can drastically improve your business's efficiency and profitability. We'll delve into the benefits of aligning with a group like the Trade Alliance Gr...

How to Attract the Right Clients and Boost Your Construction Business In this episode, we're diving deep into one of the most crucial aspects of running a successful construction business—marketing. Now, marketing might sound like a bit of a buzzword, but when it comes down to it, knowing who you're trying to attract and having the right strategies in place can make or break your business. We're t...

Lady Tradies Revolution In this episode of The ToolShed podcast, I host three inspiring young women from Future Lady Tradies (FLT): Aleah, Taleah, and Kayla. We dive into their journey of creating a charity to support and encourage female apprentices in male-dominated trades. We cover the origin of FLT, their mission to attract, connect, and retain women in the trades, and their innovative program...

High-Performance Leadership In this episode , we discuss the essential mindset shifts and strategies needed to build and lead high-performing teams in the building industry. I sit down with Jerome Lemarque, a mindset management coach. He shares his expertise on mental fitness, overcoming repetitive challenges, and fostering trust and consistency within your team. Whether you're a seasoned business...

BuiltGrid's Game-Changing Supply Chain Solutions Imagine a world where you can manage your entire supply chain with just a few clicks, automating those tedious tasks that eat away at your time and profits. BuiltGrid is not just a tool, but a revolution in how builders interact with their suppliers, from trades to materials and services. We're talking about how this revolutionary system is connecti...

Simplify Construction Projects with NextMinute If you're a builder looking to streamline your projects, keep track of schedules, quoting, costs, invoicing, and profits, then this episode is a must-listen. NextMinute is designed specifically for residential construction, offering seamless two-way integration with popular cloud accounting platforms like Xero, MYOB, and QBO, and it's all accessible t...

Tech Advancement in Construction With so many software options for builders, it can be a real head-scratcher figuring out which one suits your business best. We're talking tools that save you time, money, and a heap of frustration. Whether you're jotting down specs on a beer coaster or wrestling with outdated spreadsheets, there's a better way, and we're here to show you how to find it. BuildXact...

Crafting Memorable Client Experiences The way you make your clients feel is just as important as the structure you build for them. From the initial planning stages to the final handover, it's all about creating a positive and memorable experience. We discuss how to align design visions with budget realities and foster strong collaborative relationships between builders, designers, and clients to e...