Know Your Numbers with Craig Alexander Rattray

Know Your Numbers with Craig Alexander Rattray

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Know Your Numbers with Craig Alexander Rattray episodes

  • From the Tools to the Boardroom - The Best of the Know Your Numbers Podcast

    In this very special episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray takes a sunny moment in Crete to reflect on the journey so far, and to share some of the best insights, most powerful lessons, and biggest turning points from over 25 incredible guests.

    From footballers-turned-financiers to business owners fighting for survival, from funding experts to accountants on a mission to deliver real value - this episode brings together some of the most memorable and meaningful moments.

    If you’ve ever felt alone, overwhelmed or just wanted to hear from people who truly understand the rollercoaster of running a business – this is the one for you.

     

     

    Key Themes Covered:

    ✅ How getting financial clarity changes everything

    ✅ The emotional cost of not knowing your numbers
    ✅ Real stories of risk, resilience, and rebuilding
    ✅ What banks and funders really want to see
    ✅ Why ignoring your finances can quietly sink you
    ✅ The mindset shift from doer to director
    ✅ And the undeniable truth: You don’t know what you don’t know

     

     
    Key Takeaways:

    ✅ Every business has a story behind the numbers – but clarity and structure make a difference

    ✅ Don’t wait until it’s too late – ask for help early
    ✅ You need up-to-date information to make good decisions – otherwise you're flying blind
    ✅ It's not a weakness to bring in support – it's how the best businesses grow
    ✅ From cash flow to confidence – the right systems change the whole game

     

     

    Memorable Quotes (Direct from the Guests):

    “You wouldn’t jump in a car, put a blindfold on, and expect to get to your destination safely.” – Craig Alexander Rattray

    “You can build a business from anything – but you need to learn how to run it properly.” – Peter Archibald

    “This will change everything – real-time satellite imagery, the internet of things... and real global impact.” – Chris Newlands

    “I went from earning over £100k to selling photocopiers for £18k. I had to start over.” – Lee Mair

    “We don’t sell accounts. We sell insight. That’s where the value is.” – Laura Taylor

    “If you get the right funding, the right team, and the right focus – you can turn anything around.” – Jordan Howard

     

     

     

     

    🔗 Resources Mentioned:

    📌 Know Your Numbers Website – Helping business owners go from chaos to clarity

    📌 SpaceAye – Chris Newlands’ groundbreaking platform for global change
    📌 Mair Finance – Lee’s mission to support footballers into finance
    📌 Halden Construction – Peter’s company rebuilding stronger
    📌 Bright Flamingo – Laura Taylor’s consultancy for modern accountants

    29 min
  • From Redundancy to Resilience: Craig Talks with James Fleming on Belief, Business, and The Power Within

    In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with James Fleming, founder of The Power Within and a leading voice in motivational intelligence and leadership training.

    James’ story is nothing short of remarkable. From growing up in a Glasgow housing scheme, struggling in school, and finding work the old-fashioned way (via the Yellow Pages!)… to working internationally as a talent director, getting made redundant just before Christmas, and turning that moment into the catalyst for building The Power Within.

    This is an episode about mindset, momentum, and what’s possible when you stop waiting and start acting.

     

     

    Key Topics Discussed:

    ✅ Why redundancy was the greatest gift James ever received

    ✅ How motivational intelligence changes behaviour - and results
    ✅ Going from “just a boy from a scheme” to global talent leader
    ✅ What most companies get wrong when it comes to leadership development
    ✅ Why business owners must stop playing small
    ✅ How The Power Within is helping people lead themselves first
    ✅ And why the numbers still matter… even when you’ve got belief

     

     

    Key Takeaways:

    ✅ A setback can be your greatest opportunity - if you choose it

    ✅ Leadership isn’t about title or position - it’s about action
    ✅ Motivation will fade - but motivational intelligence creates consistency
    ✅ Investing in your mindset is the best ROI you’ll ever get
    ✅ “Just get started” is often all the plan you need

     

     

    Memorable Quotes:

    📢 “I thought, ‘Oh ya b*****d’... then I thought, ‘Oh ya beauty.’”

    📢 “You’ve got to lead yourself before you can lead anyone else.”
    📢 “People wait until they’ve got everything in place. I just start.”
    📢 “The only way to change your business is to change your behaviour.”
    📢 “My goal is to help others believe in themselves - because belief changes everything.”

     

     

    Timestamps:
    00:54 Meet James Fleming: Background and Early Life
    02:34 Challenges and Early Career
    04:14 Finding a Path in Engineering
    08:46 Transition to Oil and Gas
    10:14 Leadership Roles and Career Growth
    12:56 A New Direction: HR and Talent Management
    14:30 Personal Life and Business Ventures
    16:21 Career Change and Relocation
    17:13 Unexpected Job Loss
    18:03 Starting a New Business
    18:20 The Power Within Training and Development
    22:11 Challenges and Adaptations During COVID-19
    24:37 Financial Management and Cash Flow
    29:16 Ideal Clients and Business Growth
    30:40 Success or Excuses: The Book
    33:08 Final Advice for Business Owners

     

     

    Resources Mentioned:

    📌 The Power Within Training

    📌 Connect with James on LinkedIn
    📌 Know Your Numbers website – Helping business owners lead with clarity and confidence
    📌 You Can Have SUCCESS or EXCUSES, You Cannot Have Both – Book by James Fleming

     

    35 min
  • Construction, Contracts & Cash: Craig Talks with Lloyds Bank’s Jim McFadzean

    In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with Jim McFadzean, Head of Client Management at Lloyds Bank Invoice Finance, where he leads the team specialising in construction sector funding.

    Jim brings over 40 years of experience at Lloyds and offers a no-nonsense perspective on what it really takes to run a successful and sustainable construction business. From pay-less notices and paper trails to the vital role of accurate forecasting, this conversation is packed with practical insight for anyone operating in one of the UK's toughest sectors.

    This is a must-listen for construction business owners and anyone working with them - from funders to accountants to advisors.

     

     

    Key Topics Discussed:

    ✅ Why invoice finance is critical to construction sector growth
    ✅ How to know if a contract is really worth taking
    ✅ Why “know your numbers” isn’t just a slogan – it’s survival
    ✅ Pay-less notices, poor paperwork, and how to avoid nasty surprises
    ✅ The power of building a proper management team
    ✅ Why a good QS and lawyer can save you a fortune
    ✅ How Lloyds Bank are seeing cautious optimism in the sector

     

     

    Key Takeaways:

    ✅ A profitable contract isn’t just about turnover – it’s about margin
    ✅ You can’t run a construction business on outdated MI
    ✅ Reputation, delivery and good systems matter more than ever
    ✅ Good funding relationships are built on transparency and trust
    ✅ It’s not just about invoices – it’s about families and livelihoods

     

     

    Memorable Quotes:

    📢 “The last MI was 5, 6, 7 months ago… I don’t know how you run a business like that.”
    📢 “Good businesses get funding - but you’ve got to know your numbers.”
    📢 “Pay-less notices are part and parcel of the sector – but they don’t have to ruin you.”
    📢 “Get the variation in writing. Every time. Or it’ll cost you.”
    📢 “We want to be seen as trusted advisors. Our average invoice finance client stays with us for 9 years.”

     

     

    Timestamps:

    00:52 Meet Jim McFaren: A Journey in Finance
    02:32 The Importance of Cash Flow in Business
    03:24 Challenges in the Construction Sector
    10:48 Understanding Invoice Finance
    20:15 Advice for Business Owners
    29:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

     

     

    Resources Mentioned:

    📌 Know Your Numbers Website – Helping construction businesses build with clarity
    📌 Rolling 13-week Cash Flow Forecasting Training – The tool that became a client’s Bible

     

     

     

    32 min
  • From Legal Practice to Business Ownership: Craig Talks with David Beveridge on Risk, Leadership, and the Business of Law

    In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray speaks with David Beveridge, Managing Partner of corporate law firm Macdonald Henderson, about his extraordinary leap from lawyer to law firm owner - during one of the most turbulent times in financial history.

    Three months after Lehman Brothers collapsed in 2008, David took the biggest risk of his career: acquiring the firm he worked for with personal guarantees, limited capital, and a burning belief that he could make it work.

    David shares what that transition was really like – from legal advisor to leader of people and strategy – and why understanding the business side of law was essential for long-term success. It’s a powerful conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the difference between delivering technical excellence and building something that lasts.

     

     
    Key Topics Discussed:

    ✅ Taking over a law firm at the height of the Great Recession

    ✅ The shift from being a professional to being a business owner
    ✅ The emotional weight of employing people and leading a team
    ✅ Why he now believes in open-book finance and regular reporting
    ✅ How personal development and mindset shifted everything
    ✅ The hidden lessons in adversity - and why you shouldn’t wait until you’re ready

     

     

    Key Takeaways:

    ✅ Buying a business is never just a financial decision - it’s an emotional and personal one too

    ✅ Running a professional services firm requires business skills, not just technical ones
    ✅ There’s power in knowing your numbers - and using them to guide strategic action
    ✅ Leadership means responsibility for people, culture, and future direction
    ✅ Timing is never perfect - sometimes you just need to take the leap and back yourself

     

     

    Memorable Quotes:

    📢 “I took an absolutely ludicrous risk in acquiring a law firm three months after Lehman Brothers hit the wall.”

    📢 “You’re not just responsible for yourself anymore. You’re responsible for the people, their mortgages, their families.”
    📢 “I’d spent 20 years advising entrepreneurs - but when I became one, I realised how different it really is.”
    📢 “We now run a tight monthly management process. It gives me clarity, and it gives the team clarity too.”
    📢 “You’ve got to be your own biggest critic. If you’re not questioning yourself, you’re not learning.”

     

     

    Timestamps:

    02:08 Early Life and Education

    03:09 Starting a Legal Career
    06:12 Building a Legal Practice
    10:01 The Challenges of Running a Law Firm
    10:50 Adapting to Economic Changes
    15:21 Implementing Financial Discipline
    19:15 Fostering a Business-Minded Legal Culture
    20:22 Diverse Legal Services and Client Engagement
    22:21 The Importance of Time Management in Law Firms
    24:11 Client Communication and Financial Transparency
    26:14 Empathy and Understanding Client Pressures
    31:26 The Growing Appeal of Scottish Businesses
    32:59 Personal Reflections and Future Ambitions
    35:50 Advice for Business Owners

     

     

    Resources Mentioned:

    📌 Macdonald Henderson website – The award-winning corporate law firm led by David

    📌 Know Your Numbers Website – Helping business owners grow with clarity and control
    📌 Follow David Beveridge on LinkedIn – Insights on leadership, law and growth

     

     

    41 min
  • From Family Business to Honest Broker: Craig Talks With Cameron Young on Selling Smarter and Knowing Your Number

    In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with Cameron Young, Partner at Business Partnership - one of the UK’s largest independent business brokers - for a frank, funny and eye-opening conversation about selling businesses the right way.

    Cameron shares his personal journey from family-run start-up to successful seven-figure sale and now into business brokerage, helping others navigate the same path with honesty and transparency - a rare trait in a sector with a well-earned bad reputation.

    If you’ve ever thought about selling your business (even one day), or want to understand how to build real value in what you’ve created, this is a must-listen.

     

     

    Key Topics Discussed:

    ✅ Cameron’s journey from school-hater to top of his class

    ✅ What it really takes to scale a successful e-commerce business
    ✅ How selling took over his life - and nearly the business
    ✅ Why many business brokers are doing sellers a massive disservice
    ✅ What a realistic valuation and timeline actually looks like
    ✅ Why "Know Your Number" applies just as much to your exit
    ✅ The power of honest advice - even if it means saying “you’re not ready yet”

     
    Key Takeaways:

    ✅ Don’t try to sell your business alone - it’s a full-time job

    ✅ Most business brokers focus on fees, not your future
    ✅ The best advice isn’t always what you want to hear
    ✅ You should be exit-ready years before you plan to sell
    ✅ A good sale is about more than price - it’s about legacy, team and fit
    ✅ Valuation starts with knowing your numbers - and your number

     
    Memorable Quotes:

    “It was like a lightbulb moment: what if this is all just a distraction tactic from our competitors?”

    “We had the best quarter in our company’s history because I got back to running the business.”
    “Too many brokers will tell you what you want to hear. That’s not our job.”
    “There shouldn’t be smoke and mirrors around selling a business. Business owners deserve better.”
    “You’ve got to know your number - not just your numbers.”

     
    Timestamps:
    00:57 Cameron's Early Life and Family Business
    03:31 Joining and Transforming the Family Business
    04:37 University and Applying Knowledge to Business
    07:30 Navigating Business Growth and Potential Merger
    10:45 Challenges of Selling a Business
    14:18 Seeking Professional Help for Business Sale
    15:41 Reflecting on a Record-Breaking Quarter
    16:09 Transition to Head of E-Commerce
    17:24 A New Opportunity in Glasgow
    18:27 Joining the Business Partnership
    19:56 The Honest Broker Approach
    27:12 Advice for Aspiring Sellers
    31:09 Final Thoughts and Contact Information
     
     
    Resources Mentioned:

    📌 Business Partnership - Honest business brokerage with nationwide reach

    📌 Know Your Numbers Website – Helping business owners grow with confidence
    📌 Value Builder UK – Tools for growing business value and exit planning (talk to Criag for more on Value Builder)

    34 min
  • From Dishwashing To Seven Figures: Craig Talks With Calvin Bannan On Belief, Branding, And Building Something Better

    In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with Calvin Bannan, a driven entrepreneur and founder of CB Services Group, a fast-growing heating and plumbing business. Calvin’s journey is one of grit, growth, and transformation, from washing dishes and selling solar panels at 17 to building a seven-figure trades business with a focus on excellence and branding.

    With honesty and warmth, Calvin shares the ups and downs of his journey: the hard lessons, the leap of faith to go out on his own, and the moment he realised he was out of his depth. Crucially, he also shares how knowing his numbers - and learning how to run a business properly - has given him clarity, confidence and control.

    This is one for anyone who’s ever doubted themselves, worked through the fear, and dared to dream bigger.

     

    Key Topics Discussed:

    ✅ From dead-end jobs to entrepreneurship - Calvin’s unconventional path
    ✅ What the trades get wrong - and how CB Services is doing it differently
    ✅ The power of brand, service, and customer experience in standing out
    ✅ Why many tradespeople underestimate the business side - and pay the price
    ✅ The impact of journaling, mentoring, and self-development
    ✅ How financial clarity transformed Calvin’s business and mindset
    ✅ Apprenticeships, education, and the future of the trades

     

    Key Takeaways:

    ✅ You can build a brilliant business from any starting point - if you’re willing to learn
    ✅ Being a good tradesperson isn’t enough - you need to run the business too
    ✅ Understanding your numbers takes away the stress and guesswork
    ✅ Real growth happens when you invest in yourself and ask for help
    ✅ Young people need better pathways into the trades - and role models like Calvin

     

    Memorable Quotes From Calvin:

    📢 “I was a good engineer, but I didn’t know how to run a business. That’s when I realised I needed help.”
    📢 “At the start, you get away with not knowing your numbers - but it catches up with you.”
    📢 “Before, I was scared to look at the bank account. Now I check it every day.”
    📢 “People told me not to do it. But I had to try. I had to see what I was capable of.”
    📢 “Everything I’ve earned, I’ve put back into the business. This is about building something that lasts.”

     

    Timestamps:

    00:41 Meet Calvin Bannon: From Humble Beginnings
    01:42 Early Career Struggles and Breakthroughs
    02:58 The Turning Point: Pursuing a Career in Heating Engineering
    07:35 Starting a Business During COVID
    12:37 Overcoming Financial Challenges
    16:11 The Importance of Forecasting in Business
    16:49 Daily Financial Discipline
    17:06 Overcoming Financial Fears
    17:48 The Strength in Asking for Help
    19:08 Mentorship and Business Growth
    20:45 Expanding into New Markets
    22:49 The Value of Apprenticeships
    26:39 Challenges with Youth Work Ethic
    28:55 Advice for New Business Owners
    30:30 Future Goals and Vision
    33:53 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

     

    Resources Mentioned:

    📌 CB Services Group website – Calvin’s business is changing the game in heating and plumbing
    📌 Know Your Numbers Website – Giving business owners financial clarity and control
    📌 Follow Calvin on LinkedIn – For more insight into his journey and growth

     

    35 min
  • The Spaceman: Craig Talks with Chris Newlands About Satellites, Global Impact, and Changing the Game

    In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray is joined by long-time friend and visionary entrepreneur Chris Newlands, Founder and CEO of Space Aye. Chris is a former Royal Navy accountant and sniper (yes, really!) who’s now changing the world - literally - with a satellite tech platform that’s been called “the most exciting thing to happen in space in the last 10 years.”

    Chris has been named the #4 space entrepreneur in the world, behind Musk, Bezos and Branson.

    He’s doing it differently. Building differently. Thinking differently.

    From tackling wildfires and deforestation to fighting global crime, Chris explains how real-time satellite imagery combined with ground-level intelligence is reshaping how we see and respond to the world’s biggest challenges. Backed by NASA, supported by the UN, and lauded by Interpol, Space Aye isn’t just a tech business, it’s a global mission.

    In a conversation packed with ambition, integrity, and practical advice, Craig and Chris discuss the financial lessons behind building a game-changing company, why relationships matter more than pitch decks, and what it means to think really big.

     

    Key Topics Discussed:

    ✅ The leap from military life to global tech entrepreneurship
    ✅ Why Space Aye is more than just “Google Earth live”
    ✅ Building credibility without PowerPoints or investment decks
    ✅ How to partner with the UN, Interpol and emergency services
    ✅ Balancing moonshot thinking with grounded financial discipline
    ✅ The future of data, security, and global visibility

     

    Key Takeaways:

    ✅ World-changing ideas don’t need big budgets - they need belief, grit, and clarity
    ✅ Real innovation starts by seeing the problem differently
    ✅ Relationships drive results more than slides or spreadsheets
    ✅ True financial control empowers visionary thinking
    ✅ Sometimes, it pays to not fit the mould

     

    Memorable Quotes:

    📢 “It’s Google Earth, but live.”
    📢 “We’ve agreed with the UN to capture the Amazon rainforest every day.”
    📢 “Interpol told us this could remove physical crime on a global scale.”
    📢 “I didn’t have a pitch deck or a business plan - just a belief in what this could do.”
    📢 “This isn’t about space - it’s about people, safety, and the future of the planet.”

     

    Timestamps:

    00:42 Meet Chris Newlands: CEO of Space Eye
    02:20 Chris Newlands' Early Career and Military Service
    06:36 Transition to Financial Services
    09:15 The Birth of Talk Holiday
    11:30 From Talk Holiday to Space Eye
    13:15 The Concept of Space Selfies
    17:00 Patent and Future Prospects
    19:08 Revolutionising Wildfire Management with Space Eye
    19:48 Expanding Applications of Space Eye Technology
    20:52 Transforming Shipping and Logistics
    22:15 Defence, Security, and Environmental Impact
    23:16 Innovative Funding and Investment Strategies
    25:51 Global Impact and Future Prospects
    27:12 Advisory Board and Key Partnerships
    30:57 The Future of Space Eye and Final Thoughts

     

    Resources Mentioned:

    📌 Space Aye – Chris Newlands’ game-changing satellite platform
    📌 Know Your Numbers Website – Helping business owners grow with confidence

     

     

    39 min
  • What’s Your Number? Craig Talks Exits, Risk, and Financial Discipline with Chris Peace

    In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray is joined by Chris Peace, founder of Peace Recruitment and now independent business coach, for a frank and energising conversation about growing, exiting, and what really matters in business.

    Chris talks candidly about starting a recruitment company in the depths of the 2009 recession, scaling it to 25 staff and £10 million turnover, and planning a successful exit with military-style precision. From risk-taking and frugality to cash flow discipline and strategic vision, this one’s full of insights every ambitious business owner needs to hear.

    He also shares what he’s doing now... coaching other founders to build businesses with less stress, more time, and a whole lot more cash.

     

    Key Topics Discussed:

    ✅ Why he launched a business in the middle of a recession

    ✅ The “dinghy and the tanker” approach to market change
    ✅ Building a self-financing temp model without invoice factoring
    ✅ How and why he planned his exit years in advance
    ✅ Creating a management team ready to take the reins
    ✅ The difference between good input, culture, and clear numbers
    ✅ Why authenticity is everything in business

     

    Key Takeaways:

    ✅ Focus on cash - always!

    ✅ You don’t need to spend big to scale successfully
    ✅ Culture and clarity will drive loyalty and long-term results
    ✅ Be honest about your numbers, and your limitations
    ✅ You can’t delegate responsibility, but you can delegate tasks
    ✅ Exit doesn’t happen by accident... it needs a plan

     

    Memorable Quotes:

    📢 "I didn’t want to be on the big tanker when the tsunami hit. So I jumped off and paddled my little dinghy in the opposite direction."

    📢 "Delayed gratification is a must. Don’t believe the hype."
    📢 "If you get the culture right, your team will do the hard yards for you."
    📢 "What’s your number, and what’s your timescale?"
    📢 "Cash is king. Nothing else really matters."

     

    Timestamps:
    01:46 Starting Peace Recruitment
    02:28 Navigating the 2008 Recession
    03:21 Building a Successful Business
    06:36 Focusing on Cash Flow
    10:18 Operational and Financial Management
    15:55 Planning for Exit
    24:41 Becoming a Business Coach
    27:37 Final Advice and Contact Information

     

    Resources Mentioned:

    📌 Chris Peace on LinkedIn - Independent strategic business coaching

    📌 Know Your Numbers Website – Helping business owners grow with confidence

     

     

    31 min
  • From Confused to Confident: Craig Talks With Shane Lukas On How Business Owners Can Finally Understand Their Numbers

    In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray is joined by Shane Lukas, Managing Director of AVN – The Accountants Network, for a straight-talking conversation about how business owners can finally stop feeling overwhelmed by their finances.

    Shane shares why so many entrepreneurs are left confused by reports, frustrated with their accountants, and unsure how to use financial data to make better decisions. Together, Craig and Shane break down what needs to change – not just in the numbers, but in the conversations around them.

    If you've ever received a report and thought, “What am I meant to do with this?” – this episode is for you.

     

     

    Key Topics Discussed:

    ✅ The disconnect between analytical accountants and big-picture business owners

    ✅ Why most business owners still don’t get real value from their accounts
    ✅ The difference between information and insight – and why translation matters
    ✅ Why real-time data is only useful when it’s actually explained
    ✅ How to shift from producing reports to having powerful conversations
    ✅ The accountant’s role in helping business owners make confident decisions

     

    Key Takeaways:

    ✅ Most business owners don’t need more reports – they need clearer communication

    ✅ Accountants should be asking better questions, not just delivering numbers
    ✅ Business owners who don’t understand their numbers are running on guesswork
    ✅ Emotional barriers often prevent owners from engaging with finance – they need empathy and clarity, not just spreadsheets
    ✅ The real value is in the relationship, not the report

     

    Memorable Quotes:

    📢 “Entrepreneurs are big-picture thinkers. They don’t go into the detail – they need that translation to understand how to use the data.”

    📢 “If a business owner doesn’t understand the numbers, how can they make good decisions?”
    📢 “You can’t make change if you’re not aware of where things are right now.”
    📢 “It’s not just about the numbers – it’s about what those numbers mean to the person.”
    📢 “A great accountant doesn’t just deliver information – they create understanding.”

     

    Timestamps:
    The Journey to Coaching Accountants
    03:07 Evolution of Accountancy and Technology
    06:04 The Added Value Network (AVN)
    07:08 The Importance of Real-Time Information
    12:53 Human to Human: Understanding Clients
    17:38 Engaging with Accountants for Better Decision Making
    18:40 Building a Strong Financial Team
    19:05 The Importance of Knowing Your Numbers
    19:35 Educating Business Owners: The Ford Acronym
    21:18 Advisory Services and Overcoming Fears
    23:54 Case Study: Transforming an Accounting Business
    26:11 The Future of Accountancy with AI
    29:20 Advice for Accountants and Business Owners
    30:41 Connecting with Shane and Final Thoughts

     

    Resources Mentioned:

    📌 AVN – The Accountants Network – Tools and training for value-driven accountants

    📌 Know Your Numbers Website – Helping business owners grow with confidence
    📌 Shane’s Book: Putting Excellence Into Practice

    33 min
  • From Roofer to Real Business: Craig Talks with Jamie Taylor on Trades, Growth and Knowing Your Numbers

    In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray is joined by Jamie Taylor, founder of Taylor Roofs and host of the popular Taylor Talks Trades podcast. Jamie shares his journey from apprentice roofer to building a multi-million-pound business – and the wake-up calls, mindset shifts, and financial lessons he learned along the way.

    From realising he didn’t “own a business, just a job” to making the leap into serious financial control, Jamie’s story is one that will resonate with thousands of business owners in the trades and construction world – and beyond.

    It’s an episode packed with practical insights, honest reflections, and powerful takeaways about growth, resilience, and what it really means to run a business that works without you.

     
    Key Topics Discussed:
    • The turning point that made Jamie stop and start taking finance seriously
    • Why most tradespeople end up owning a job, not a business – and how to change that
    • What Jamie learned after working with three different accountants
    • How he uses data, scorecards, and forecasting to make better decisions
    • Why personal development matters just as much as process and pricing
    • Moving away from subcontract work and into a profitable, scalable homeowner model
      •  
      Key Takeaways:

      ✅ You don’t need to become an accountant – but you do need to understand your numbers

      ✅ If you can’t step away for 3 months without the business collapsing, it’s not a business
      ✅ Good decisions come from real-time data – not annual accounts
      ✅ You can build a multi-million pound business in the trades without selling your soul to subcontract work
      ✅ Progress starts when you stop running blind and start using numbers as a tool

       
      Memorable Quotes:

      📢 “You’ve not got a business – you just own a job. That was the best advice I ever got.”

      📢 “Once we had the numbers, I got obsessed – I realised I was playing a real-life game.”
      📢 “You don’t need to be an accountant. Just find a way to tell the story of your business in a language you understand.”
      📢 “Running by your bank balance is not a business strategy – it’s a gamble.”
      📢 “We built a business that works for us – and we’ve proved you can scale it in the right way.”

       
      Timestamps:

      02:48 The Importance of Trades and Apprenticeships

      06:11 Challenges in the Trades Industry
      08:17 Starting and Growing a Roofing Business
      12:41 The Role of Accountants and Business Coaches
      14:26 Networking and Mentorship
      19:01 Book Recommendations and Early Lessons
      19:34 Discovering Financial Tracking
      20:31 Importance of Knowing Your Numbers
      21:30 Transition to Management Accounts
      25:13 Challenges with Subcontracting
      28:06 Focusing on Private Homeowners
      28:49 Scaling the Business
      29:39 Cash Flow Management Strategies
      33:37 Final Advice and Contact Information

       

      Resources Mentioned:

      📌 Taylor Roofs – Jamie’s award-winning roofing business

      📌 Taylor Talks Trades Podcast – Interviews and insights for trades business owners
      📌 E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber – The book that sparked Jamie’s business transformation
      📌 Know Your Numbers Website – Craig’s programme for ambitious business owners

       

       

      37 min

    About Know Your Numbers with Craig Alexander Rattray

    From the publisher's feed

    Hosted by the insightful Craig Alexander Rattray, this podcast is your ultimate guide to growing your business and understanding finance and the numbers that matter. Learn and understand this and you…