Episode Overview
In this episode of Tradesformation Unlocked, Adrian sits down with Jordan Ryan, from Koda Capital, to unpack how trade business owners can turn today’s profit into tomorrow’s freedom and make work optional, not mandatory.
If you’re building a plumbing, electrical, HVAC or other trades business and you’re asking, “How do I actually use this money so I don’t have to work forever?”... this one is for you.
Jordan breaks down wealth creation in simple language: how much you really need, why “65” is a made-up finish line, how to think about super, and what to do before and after a liquidity event when you sell your business.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
-“Work optional” vs retirement
-How much is enough?
-The “retirement smile” why your spending is higher at the start of retirement, drops, then rises again with health costs.
-Superannuation basics for business owners
-Simple tax-win mindset
-All-Weather Portfolio 101
-From accumulation to drawdown
-Self-managed super funds (SMSFs)
-The power of money conversations at home
Episode Highlights
“Stop thinking about retirement. Start thinking, When do I want work to be optional?”
How wealthy people tend to talk more about money – and why your friendship circle might be holding back your financial growth.
The danger of locking 60% of your net worth into a single asset (one property, one fund, one deal) after you sell your business.
Episode Chapters
00:00 – Welcome & why “work optional” beats retirement
Adrian sets the scene and Jordan introduces the idea of making work a choice, not an obligation.
02:15 – Jordan’s story & Coda Capital’s focus on business owners
How Jordan ended up helping trade business owners turn profit into long-term wealth.
05:10 – “Work optional” vs traditional retirement at 65
Why age 65 is an arbitrary finish line and how to pick your freedom date instead.
08:45 – How much is enough? Building your freedom number
Frameworks to think about “your number” without getting lost in spreadsheets.
12:20 – The Retirement Smile: why your spending changes over time
Higher spending early, lower in the middle, then rising again with health and support costs.
16:05 – Superannuation basics for trade business owners
What trade business owners get wrong about super and how to actually use it as part of your plan.
19:40 – Simple tax-win mindset (without getting lost in schemes)
How to think about tax like an investor, not a victim, and where advice fits in.
23:10 – All-Weather Portfolio 101
What an “all-weather” approach looks like and why diversification matters when you’re building long-term wealth.
27:00 – From accumulation to drawdown
The shift from “grow the pot” to “live off the pot” and what changes in your strategy.
30:45 – Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs): who they’re really for
Pros, cons, and when an SMSF actually makes sense for a trade business owner.
34:30 – Money conversations at home
Why wealthy people talk about money more, and how to start better money conversations with your partner.
38:15 – The danger of concentration risk after you sell
What happens when 60% of your net worth ends up in one property, one fund, or one deal post-exit.
42:00 – Why hype isn’t a strategy (NFTs, crypto, tulips & headlines)
Why chasing the latest shiny thing is gambling, not wealth creation.
45:00 – Final advice: don’t wait to design your “work optional” life
Jordan’s closing thoughts + where to connect with him and with TradesFormation.
Connect with Jordan
Website: https://kodacapital.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-ryan-financial-adviser/
Connect with TradesFormation
https://link.me/trades_formation
Learn to Sell. Build your systems. Lead your team.
Share this episode with another trade business owner who’s talking more about spending than building wealth and start a new kind of conversation.
Disclaimer: These insights are for education only and shouldn’t be taken as financial advice. Your situation is unique, so get proper guidance before making money-related choices.
