Trade Entrepreneur Podcast

Regardless of who you are, when you put yourself out there, you are ripe for criticism. In this episode, David shares his tips for dealing with criticism and how you can use it to your advantage

Many businesses can spend years trying to stay away from the VAT threshold. But, as David shows in this episode, it can actually be a catalyst for growth...

Working solo can be great, but there are perils lurking which could hamper the development of both you as a person, and your business...

With summer now here, David shares his tips for ensuring a relaxing holiday while still feeling in control of your business

Businesses - even one person bands and tradespeople - can be real agents for social and economic change. Is yours?

Ever heard yourself saying you've 'got no time'? Well, that's a lie... as David reveals the real reason you tell yourself that.

With the cost of living (and doing business) rising drastically, David looks at the one economic lever - prices - which many trades businesses shy away from 

It's now a whole year since David started to expand Mr Soot Chimney Sweep. In this episode, he shares the top five lessons he's learnt during the past 12 months. 

David reveals his number 1 customer service 'pet hate', and how you can stop yourself from falling into that trap…

David discusses his thoughts on tradespeople offering work for free, and why he thinks it’s a slippery slope… 

How do you sell a service which most customers don’t realise they may desperately need?  In this episode, David speaks to Steve Murray, of Lime Mortar Restorations, about his mission to educate customers on the need for sympathetic building materials in period properties.

In part two of this mini series, David looks at numbers six to 10 on his list of what separates business owners and entrepreneurs 

There are distinctive traits which separates the straightforward  ‘business owner’ and the ‘entrepreneur’ psyche. In the first instalment of this two part episode, David examines five of these mindsets.

Robert Downes, of the Federation of Small Businesses, joins David in a special podcast recorded at Manchester's Central Library. The Manchester city region is currently weighing up whether to implement charging for commercial vehicles to use its roads. But is it simply just a ‘tax on trades?’

"Lazy. " "Entitled."  "Snowflakes." Young jobseekers always seem to get a bad rap from employers - but is this justified? In this week’s episode, David examines the issues when recruiting young people from both sides of the argument.

It’s becoming an increasingly important part of your marketing toolkit. So in this episode David talks to chimney sweeping Mark Fenton about the importance of social media and how it’s helped raise his profile.

‘Team work makes the dream work’ - but do you know how to get the best out of your colleagues? In this episode, David shares his views on what makes an effective team, and what you as a leader can do to make it work.

In the week England lifts its remaining COVID restrictions, David looks back at the past two years and the lessons he’s learnt from it. Trade Entrepreneur is hosted by David, owner and founder of Mr Soot Chimney Sweep. Based in the North West of England, David started his company as a one-man band. It’s now one of the fastest growing chimney sweeping, inspecting and testing companies in the UK. In...

German master chimney sweep Sascha Meding joins David to examine the massive differences in businesses and trades between Germany and the UK. While the German system has some big benefits, particularly for the consumer, they do come at a cost for some people. Trade Entrepreneur is hosted by David, owner and founder of Mr Soot Chimney Sweep. Based in the North West of England, David started his com...

Leadership is what many aspire to - so why are so many ill-prepared for it? In this episode, David speaks to former Sergeant Major Glenn Howat, who set up his own chimney sweeping business once he’d left the army. He talks about what he thinks makes a good leader, and how he came to expand his business. Trade Entrepreneur is hosted by David Sudworth, owner and founder of Mr Soot Chimney Sweep.  Ba...

David discusses the four ‘zones’ which individuals need to go through to help realise their potential. He uses personal experiences to bring the stages to life, including how he built and grew his own business into a multi-location operation . Trade Entrepreneur is hosted by David Sudworth, owner and founder of Mr Soot Chimney Sweep.  Based in the North West of England, David started his company a...

Deciding whether to take the plunge and grow or stay the same size is a perennial problem for many business owners. In this episode, Alastair Kemp talks about how he went from being a London police officer to opening up a successful chimney sweeping business in Wiltshire, and his thoughts on the benefits and potential pitfalls of expansion. Trade Entrepreneur is hosted by David Sudworth, owner and...

Do you think like an entrepreneur? In this episode, David sets out 10 signs of how entrepreneurs think. Taking examples from sport and politics, he explains how success can sometimes be ‘hard-wired’ into an individual’s personality.  Trade Entrepreneur is hosted by David Sudworth, owner and founder of Mr Soot Chimney Sweep.  Based in the North West of England, David started his company as a one-ma...

Bethan Richards knows first-hand the impact mental health issues can have on individuals and communities. As a chimney sweep in rural Wales, she meets isolated and vulnerable customers regularly. She’s also open about her own mental health issues, and is passionate about raising awareness of the challenges. Trade Entrepreneur is hosted by David Sudworth,, owner and founder of Mr Soot Chimney Sweep...

In his first podcast, David reveals how he became to be a chimney sweep, what drove him to grow the business and what inspires him. He'll also share his 5 golden rules for business and life Trade Entrepreneur is hosted by David Sudworth,, owner and founder of Mr Soot Chimney Sweep.  Based in the North West of England, David started his company as a one-man band. It’s now one of the fastest gr...