February 17, 2026

Building a Trade Empire & Surviving When Builders Go Bust

28 minutes

What is the true cost of building a successful trade business from scratch? In this episode, we sit down with Chris Reed from Reed Brothers Electrical to unpack the raw, unfiltered reality of scaling a massive operation.

We dive into the unique dynamics of running a family business with your brother, the discipline required to balance a 50-hour work week, and the devastating reality facing many tradies today: surviving when major builders go bust and owe you money. If you are in the trades, run a family business, or want to know what it really takes to scale, this episode is a must-listen.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Welcome Chris Reed: Sacrifices in Business

02:06 - From Solo Tradie to Reed Brothers Electrical

04:10 - Working with Family: Brotherly Business Challenges

05:55 - Sharing Success and Surviving Builder Bankruptcies

07:54 - Lessons Learned from Builders Going Bust

10:01 - The Business Education Gap for Tradespeople

13:43 - The Hard Truth of 50-Hour Work Weeks

15:39 - Serving Three Masters: Work, Family, Health

18:19 - Business Growth and Wealth Through Property

21:43 - Trial and Error vs. Business Coaching

23:48 - Essential Tips for Starting Your Own Trade Business

26:01 - Lavish Rewards and Podcast Conclusion

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