The Tradie Show

Running a trade business has a funny way of teaching you lessons, usually when things are messy, stressful, or not going to plan. In this episode of The Tradie Show, Andy and Angela share some of the best pieces of advice from guests and members of the Lifestyle Tradie community. Real trade business owners. Real lessons. Real wisdom from people who’ve made mistakes, figured things out, and passed...

What would you do differently in your business if you knew your kids were going to inherit it? For Michelle, Jono and Sophie from Revive Timber & Decking in Queensland, that question became very real. After years in business, they were busy, working hard, and getting the jobs done. But behind the scenes, the business lacked structure, systems, clear numbers, and direction. Then Sophie stepped...

Ever looked at your bank account and thought, “Hang on… we’re making money… so where the hell is it?” In this episode, Andy and Ange unpack one of the biggest financial misunderstandings in trade business — the difference between profit and cash flow. Because being busy doesn’t always mean you’re financially healthy… and relying on your bank balance alone can send you on a complete emotional rolle...

Most tradies think they’ve got a staff problem… but according to former Army officer and business leader Daimien Patterson, the real issue is leadership. In this powerful no-BS episode of The Tradie Show, Daimien shares the brutal truths about leadership, accountability, systems, and building a business that doesn’t rely on you for everything. From lessons learned at Duntroon and deployments overs...

You don’t need more leads. You need to get more out of the jobs you’re already winning. In this final episode of the 3-part series, Andy and Angela break down what they call The Profit Multiplier, how to turn one job into more work, more referrals, and more profit… without chasing more leads or working longer hours. Because here’s the truth… Most tradies are sitting on a goldmine of opportunity, t...

Most tradies assume they lose jobs because they were too expensive. But in reality, that’s not usually the problem. In Part 2 of this 3-part series, Andy and Angela unpack what’s really going on when a customer says no at the quote stage. This episode dives into the psychology behind buying decisions, why trust is built before the quote is ever sent, and how the way you show up on site can make or...

Most tradies think they’ve got a marketing problem. They don’t. They’ve got a clarity problem . In this first episode of our 3-part series, Andy and Angela break down why most trade businesses are attracting the wrong jobs, the wrong customers, and wasting time on work that doesn’t actually make them money. Before you spend another dollar on marketing… you need to get this right. In this episode,...

What if the problem isn’t your team… it’s the way your business is set up to reward them? In this episode of The Tradie Show, Andy and Ange sit down with Brigid and Richard Pare from REPARE Electrical and Air-conditioning in Queensland, longtime Lifestyle Tradie members who’ve built a solid, established trade business with a team of nine. After running a commission structure for three years, they...

Ever had one of those weeks where you and the team are flat out… jobs flying out the door… and then you check the bank account Friday arvo and think, how is there nothing in here? Here’s the truth most tradies learn the hard way: Being busy doesn’t mean you’re getting paid. In this episode of The Tradie Show, Andy and Angela break down why cashflow stress keeps following you home and what you can...

This one hits different. Joanna and Josh Cassidy aren’t just running a brick and block laying company in Brisbane, they’re building a legacy grounded in family, resilience, professionalism and purpose. Joanna’s journey from government compliance roles to becoming a qualified bricklayer (and QBCC Nominee Supervisor) was sparked by grief, courage and a refusal to live a life that didn’t light her up...

Most tradies hit a point where the business looks successful from the outside… but behind the scenes, they’re absolutely cooked. In this episode of The Tradie Show, Andy and Angela call out the hard truth: You don’t need better staff. You need better systems. If you feel like you’re still involved in every decision, constantly answering questions, and carrying the whole business in your head, this...

Most tradies don’t struggle because they’re bad on the tools. They struggle because their marketing has no plan. In this episode of The Tradie Show , Andy and Angela chat with Allan Dib , author of The 1‑Page Marketing Plan , to unpack how trade business owners can stop guessing, stop dabbling, and start marketing like pros - without adding more to their already full plate. Allan shares the real e...

If you’ve ever said, “This year will be different”… only to blink and suddenly it’s February and nothing’s changed, this episode is for you. In this episode of The Tradie Show, Andy and Angela break down the exact process smart tradies use to take control of their year before the year takes control of them. This isn’t about working harder. It’s about planning properly so you get more profit, more...

If you’re flat out, burnt out, and wondering why the money never seems to stick, this special bonus episode pulls back the curtain on what Lifestyle Tradie actually is and why it exists. Andy and Angela share the raw story behind Dr. DRiP Plumbing. From rapid growth and big turnover to cash flow stress, chaos, and near collapse. You’ll hear how fixing the business properly saved not just the compa...

You can count every screw and metre of pipe, but what about your time? In this episode of The Tradie Show , Andy and Angela expose the sneaky “Time Thieves” that silently drain profit from your trade business. From unplanned supplier runs to messy vans and missing systems, they break down where your hours really go... and how to get them back. This episode is packed with practical, real-world stra...

You can be the best at your trade and still be flat-out broke. Sound familiar?  In this episode of The Tradie Show , Andy and Angela Smith share the hard truths no one teaches tradies about running a business, the stuff that separates six-figure tradies from seven-figure business owners. Drawing from The $1M+ Trade Business Playbook , Andy and Angela reveal the raw lessons they learned from growin...

The end of the year can be a circus for tradie business owners, from managing staff leave and holiday shutdowns to keeping your Christmas party fun (and drama-free). In this episode, Andy and Angela share their best tips to help you stay organised, profitable, and out of trouble through the silly season. Whether it’s setting your shutdown dates, managing cash flow, or keeping the beers under contr...

Every tradie wants a team full of rockstars, but most end up hiring in desperation. In this episode of The Tradie Show Podcast , Andy and Angela dig into why hiring “whoever shows up” is the fastest way to fill your business with duds, and what you can do instead to attract A-grade tradies who actually want to work for you. From defining your ideal employee to creating a culture that draws the bes...

What do baked bean dinners, month‑long holidays, and double‑digit profits have in common? They’re all part of Matt and Sonia’s journey with MSJ Plumbing - from running themselves ragged with no systems or structure, to building a team and a business that hums without them.   In this episode, Andy and Angela sit down with Matt and Sonia to unpack how they turned chaos into control, built an incredi...

Want more repeat customers and referrals without spending a fortune?   In this episode of The Tradie Show Podcast , Andy and Angela share a ridiculously simple marketing hack that costs as little as $5 but can bring in thousands over time: the Leave-Behind .   A Leave-Behind is a small, thoughtful gift you give customers at the end of a job. When done right, it makes you unforgettable, sparks conv...

Are you driving around with thousands of dollars tied up in unused materials? For most trade business owners, the answer is YES ... and it’s costing you big time.   In this episode of The Tradie Show , Andy and Angela reveal how messy vans, excess stock, and supplier runs are silently bleeding money out of your business, and what you can do about it TODAY. You’ll learn: 🚐 Why too little or too mu...

If you’ve been hearing the buzz about ChatGPT but think it’s “just for tech geeks”, think again. In this episode of The Tradie Show Podcast, Andy and Angela break down exactly how tradies (yes, even the tech-shy ones) can use ChatGPT to save hours every week, win more jobs, and finally get some of the boring crap off their plate. We’ll cover: What ChatGPT actually is (in plain tradie language). Th...

Your website should be your hardest-working employee … but for most tradies, it's just sitting there collecting dust. In this episode of The Tradie Show , we’re joined by Ashleigh Atkinson, branding, website and SEO expert, and founder of The Climb Collaborative, who shares how to turn your online presence into a lead-generating machine.  With her roots in marketing construction gear and truc...

Do you ever finish the day thinking, “Why am I so bloody wrecked?”  You didn’t even smash out a huge one on the tools, but your brain is fried. You’re snappy, forgetful, and reaching for a beer just to switch off.  In this episode of The Tradie Show podcast, Andy and Angela unpack decision fatigue - a silent killer of tradie motivation - and how small inefficiencies throughout the day are draining...

Paul Wicks from Unique Project Group shares how he went from working insane hours and falling asleep at his desk to taking a month-long overseas holiday with zero stress, all while his team kept things ticking over.   If you’ve ever felt stuck in the grind and unsure what your role should look like as your trade business grows, this episode will seriously hit home.   💥 Inside this episode, Paul r...