Today on the lounge we have Sam Hooper from SBH Electrical based out of Melbourne aka the self appointed and self anointed “sexiest man ever to cross from VFL to electrical business owner. 

To know Sam is to love Sam. A genuine guy, super nice, super thoughtful, super driven, super switched on, super honest, super tall (lol), and someone for sure you want to have on your team. 

We discuss starting out, numbers, staff, hiring, real estate work, builders, commercial clients, personal development, joining a BNI, networking plus much more. 

Hoopers journey so far has been so good to watch and I can’t wait to see where this business takes him into the future.

Watch this space. What a time to be alive. 

Enjoy the pod x 

Keywords

VFL, AFL, business, sports, leadership, networking, apprentices, conflict resolution, product quality, client relationships

Summary

In this conversation, Sam Hooper shares his journey from playing VFL to running a successful electrical business. He discusses the crossover between sports and business, emphasizing teamwork, leadership, and the importance of relationships. Sam also delves into the structure of his business, the role of subcontractors, and the significance of understanding numbers. He highlights the importance of networking, the challenges of admin work, and the value of apprentices in the industry. The conversation wraps up with insights on conflict resolution, product quality, and future aspirations.

Takeaways

Always had a ball in my hand.

There's a lot of crossover in being with people.

I enjoy reading them and learning them.

You learn good soft skills out of it too.

Pride in your work is everything.

You want the product to be a good one.

The best people want to work with the best people.

Keep doing what you're doing.

You can't have anyone creating tension.

It's all about relationships.

Titles

From VFL to Business Success: Sam Hooper's Journey

The Intersection of Sports and Business

Sound bites

"Always had a ball in my hand."

"It's all about relationships."

"Keep doing what you're doing."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Sam Hooper and VFL Background

03:01 Crossover Between Sports and Business

06:02 Understanding Employee vs. Subcontractor Dynamics

08:40 The Importance of Numbers in Business

12:02 Hiring Indicators and First Hires

15:04 Building Client Relationships Through Networking

22:53 The Importance of Referrals in Networking

24:41 The Value of Business Networking Groups

25:10 Navigating Business Management Tools

26:56 The Challenges of Implementing Business Systems

29:26 Strategic Decision-Making in Business Growth

32:06 The Role of Relationships in Business

34:54 Effective Communication and Conflict Resolution

40:19 Understanding Product Quality and Client Expectations

44:37 The Future of Apprentices in the Industry