Tradies In Business

For this special episode, Waz and Nic chat with Ben Hulsbosch, aka "Bin Chicken," who’s won the "Top of the Trade - Sole Trader" award two years in a row at the Tradies in Business Excellence Awards. Ben shares his journey from heavy diesel contractor to award-winning business owner, offering practical tips on crafting standout award submissions. They explore how entering awards can boost confiden...

Many business owners shy away from planning for the future and protecting their assets—like figuring out what happens to your business when you pass away. Vanessa Emilio from Legal123 brings her law and finance expertise to guide us through the essentials of will preparation, the importance of updating your will after major life events, and the key legalities tradies need to include in their quote...

Waz & Nic share personal stories on parenting and personal growth, from breaking away from negative family patterns to reflecting on the joys and challenges of being later-life parents. They discuss the power of a positive mindset, the importance of venting emotions, and the balance between caring for others and financial sustainability. They also explore how choosing a positive outlook as a p...

Waz & Nic sit down with Dr. Gina Cleo, a habit change expert who’s here to challenge everything you thought you knew about breaking bad habits and creating lasting change.  Dr. Cleo emphasises that making consistent, small changes is more effective than an all-or-nothing approach. They also touch on the significance of authenticity and vulnerability, particularly in the age of social media, an...

Feeling the weight of the tradie life? August is National Tradie Health Month so we’re cutting through the noise and getting real about the challenges tradies face. Waz & Nic talk about the daily stress, isolation, and overwhelming workload that many tradies endure—because simply knowing there’s a problem isn’t enough.. We need practical solutions, and that means focusing on more than just the...

Ever tried taking a holiday only to have work crises follow you? Many trade business owners experience this. From the struggles of phones that never stop ringing to team mishaps when the boss is away, the list could go on and on.. You might also believe that only you can manage your trade business, but empowering your team can lead to amazing results. Time off starts with trust and structured syst...

Waz and Nic sit down with the incredible Maggie Dent to explore the challenges men face in today's world. Maggie, passionate about helping boys transition into adulthood, clears up misconceptions about trade careers and advocates for recognising the value men bring to fields like education and tech. She discusses the different stages of growing up, the need for flexible workplaces, and balancing f...

Let's explore the cultural phenomenon of "tall poppy syndrome"— where highly successful people often get criticised, and see how it affects tradies thinking about entering business awards. Waz & Nic talk about how these awards can do more than just give you a nice plaque; they're a surprising but powerful way to boost motivation, get marketing benefits, and even make some extra money. Submissi...

Dreaming of getting rich quick through real estate? Matthew from Rosie & Rosie chats with Waz & Nic about revealing the truths and challenges behind property investment and the pitfalls that many first-time investors stumble into. Matthew also touches on the nitty-gritty of finding suitable properties—using client briefs, real estate alerts, and leveraging industry contacts for those elusi...

Are arguments with your spouse turning into war zones? Join Nic and Waz as they share insights on handling disagreements effectively while ditching the "winning" mentality. Learn how to truly listen, understand your partner's perspective, and find common ground, even when you don't see eye-to-eye. Because in healthy relationships, it's not about winning or losing, it's about growing together.   --...

Today is all about one of the most annoying aspects of putting yourself out there: trolls. Yeah, those not-so-cute, not-so-fuzzy internet pests who live for bashing your posts. Have you or your business ever been trolled on social media? How did you deal with them without losing your sanity or your business reputation? Join Waz & Nic as they chat about their recent troll encounter, how did the...

Have you tried using ChatGPT in your business? Join Waz & Nic as they chat with Donna McGeorge—who penned a book on this ever-evolving technology—as she talks about why it's important to be mindful of cybersecurity when using AI, similar to how we protect our personal and financial info. She clears up some common misconceptions about AI and shares how she’s been using ChatGPT herself. Stick ar...

What would it be like to trade the warm, bustling city life for the frozen, isolated beauty of Antarctica? Connor Gordon, a tradie business owner, made just that switch. Leaving his carpentry business in Canberra, he ventured to the icy expanse of Antarctica. Connor shares why he made such a bold move and recounts his surreal first moments in this extreme environment, where the cold and tough cond...

Have you ever thought about the opportunities you might have missed by not hiring sooner? In this episode, Waz and Nic tackle the big question of when to hire staff—breaking down the common fears and excuses that hold trade business owners back. From understanding the financial clarity to reaping the benefits of adding a team member, they cover it all. Whether you're considering your first hire or...

Known for his genuine motivational approach, Trevor Farmer from Topcatz explores the essence of leadership and finding a higher purpose at work. Drawing from his own experiences overcoming challenges, he emphasises the importance of keeping sight of your goals and the role of mindset in overcoming fear. Join Waz & Nic as they touch on Trevor's personal life, including the profound influence of...

One of the scariest thing to do is making change in your trade business—specially raising your rates... “What if I lose clients? What if no one pays?” There's these ideas that money changes people, and having more money makes you an a**hole or those sorts of ideas. But the truth is: clients who value quality are willing to pay for it. Join Waz & Nic as they help you get paid what you're worth...

Do you find it challenging to cut through the noise and make your job ad stand out online? You're not alone. One of the key highlights is the importance of making job ads 'sexy' to stand out in a cluttered online space. Waz & Nic will talk about some recruitment strategies that'll make your job ads pop and attract the BEST candidates! From catchy headlines to engaging body text, and even addin...

One of the things we usually hear from trade business owners is they're stuck in the endless cycle of 'Where do we start' or 'What do we do next?' Whether you're overwhelmed by the sea of potential changes or just uncertain about your next step, Waz & Nic will help you explore the three key areas that every trade business owner should focus on to evaluate your business’s current status across...

Why do some tasks fail despite clear instructions? Waz & Nic are breaking down the ins and outs of delegation vs. abdication in your trade business, and how common abdication is specially in trades where accountability is key. If you're a trade business owner, mastering this distinction could make a significant difference in your operational success and team performance. If you would like to k...

Curious about how businesses manage to stay compliant with ever-changing laws and regulations? From sharing her experiences running a compliance training business to cracking the code on balancing work and family, Deborah Coram, a seasoned professional in compliance training, shares her practical wisdom and valuable insights on how effective training can empower you and your trade business to oper...

What does it take to grow a YouTube channel from zero to hero? From green keeping to becoming a full-time content creator and savvy online entrepreneur, Ben shares his inspiring journey and the secrets to his thriving YouTube channel and online business— Lawn Tips . With an impressive 140,000 subscribers and a top video hitting 4 million views, Ben shares his insights on creating and posting conte...

How can you build a brand that goes beyond the product and truly resonates with people? Well, let's take a peek behind the scenes at Totally Workwear 's journey as Troy shares how they've shaken up the workwear game, not only by transforming the industry but also by standing up for the hardworking folks who wear their gear. From  forging strong partnerships to keeping focused on delivering outstan...

Running a successful building business and maintaining a healthy personal life is possible and that's what Liam and Samara demonstrate in their business and family life. In this episode, Liam and Samara share the importance of communication and boundaries, both at home and at work, the immense value of personal time, and the courage to seek help in a male-dominated industry. We also get the inside...

Ever wondered what it takes to transition from being a builder to a building certifier and then a successful business owner? Tune in to Real Tradie Stories as Waz & Nic sit down with Scott Wrigley and chat about the importance of seeking outside feedback, embracing coaching, and the challenges faced by trade business owners. Scott shares insights on personal growth, the role of business coachi...

The saying goes, never argue with an idiot because they'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience. The same could be said about arguing with clients... or the licensing bodies! Today's guest is a former builder turned consultant who learned the hard way how important paperwork and awareness of your obligations are. This applies to all trades but especially those with longer cont...